Minggu, 09 Mei 2010

Bermacam-macam Fungsi UPS

Fungsi utama UPS adalah sudah kita ketahui sebagai penyuplai energi sementara listrik mati. Gunanya agar kita tidak segera kehilangan data sewaktu bekerja menggunakan computer. Atau supaya computer kita jangan rusak karena listrik mendadak sering mati.

Ada berbagai macam fungsi lain dari Uninterruptible Power Supply - UPS. Antara lain adalah,

  1. Power Failure, yaitu untuk menangani kehilangan total daya listrik.
  2. Surge, yaitu untuk mengatasi lonjakan daya listrik pada main voltage.
  3. Spikes, yaitu untuk mengatasi lonjakan tinggi secara tiba-tiba.
  4. Sag, yaitu untuk mengatasi penurunan daya listrik pada main voltage.
  5. Noise, yaitu mengatasi gangguan frerkuensi listrik yang disebabkan oleh peralatan listrik lainnya.
  6. Frekuency Instability, yaitu mengatasi ketidakstabilan frekuensi pada main voltage, dan,
  7. Harmonic Distortion.

Selasa, 16 Februari 2010

High View with Less Hurt in Lcd tv

To entertain themselves, people will spend much money to buy entertainment gadgets. One of common electronic products that should be applied in their home or office is television. This small electronic box transmits various connections for wire and satellite to show you what is going on in this earth. You can watch various broadcast channels that entertain your day and phase out boredom from your life. Watching television and take a rest in home can be a good alternative to reduce your tired.


Some people maybe just apply Lcd tv screen in their house for the sake of being up date, cool, or increase their prestigious. In short, they just follow global trend for the usage of this new television technology. To ensure, we will examine closer what is the real benefits of installing LCD TV in our home. In fact, this model brings much fun and interesting through the facilities and display images.


Even if it produces high resolution for viewers, this kind of television will guarantee you to take less risk for eye’s health rather than common TV technology. Using liquid crystal layers in LCD, the irritation for each pixel will be reduces by small cell inside it. For the effects, you will be able to get clear picture’s focus and clarity. Since this Lcd tv is design basically for entertainment based, each of them is designed for wonderful built up active speakers and headphones. They also equipped with USB slots and reader. It helps you to get access of media player technology. Since it is designed in flat wide screen, this television is suitable to be applied with your home theatre set. You can have mini cinema in your home in easy.


In past, some people were worried about the high irritation from common TV (CRT) screen. Some researches argue that the bright will destruct human eyes if watched for long and continuous time. For the health sake, the company uses Energy Star compliant in their Lcd tv screen. The technology in it will reduce the amount of radiance but able to perform clear and details resolution of pictures. Moreover, this product also admitted as environment save technology from EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).


LCD also regarded as low emission electronic devices since it has accomplished standard stated by international organization. Since the screen of Lcd tv is very sensitive, please make sure that it is out of children’s range. Avoid touching directly the screen while it is in on position. It will destroy many parts on the monitor screen. If the screen is broken, it is cannot be fixed, you have to buy the new one.

Minggu, 29 Maret 2009

Book Reviews Sell Books


Every author wants glowing book reviews with quotable sentences to use as testimonials. A good review makes readers flock to the bookstore to buy the book.



But how do authors get their books reviewed? While the process is not difficult, the book review industry is changing. Today’s authors must designate a portion of their marketing budget for book reviews, and they must know how to use those book reviews to sell books.



Why Are Book Reviews Important?



More than 200,000 books are published each year. Less than 2% of those books sell more than 500 copies. We’ve all heard the saying, “So many books. So little time.” People don’t want to waste time or money reading books they won’t enjoy, so they rely on book reviews to help them make buying decisions. Your book will stand out if it receives positive reviews from reliable reviewers.



Where Do I Get a Book Review?



There are five top book reviewers: Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, Midwest Book Review, and The New York Times; however, if you’re self-published, it is unlikely your book will be reviewed by any of them. Reviews from local newspapers and magazines will only help you sell books locally. Furthermore, print publications are phasing out book reviews. So where can an author still get a good book review? The Internet.



Online book reviews are becoming standard, and your book’s review will reach a wider audience on the Internet. Online reviews level the playing field for self-published authors. Today, people are less inclined to read paper magazines and newspapers. They go online for information. Reviews posted at Amazon and other online sites are more accessible than print reviews. Reader Views and RebeccasReads are examples of reliable online book reviewers of both traditional and self-published books.



Free vs. Paid Reviews



Authors generally expect free book reviews; that was standard in the twentieth century—advertisements paid for the book reviews in print media. Today, however, authors must cover the cost of book reviews. A book reviewer may spend hours reading a book and writing a review, and he deserves compensation for his work. Consequently, authors must budget for the cost of book reviews. Authors are recommended to budget for mailing out a minimum of twenty books for review.



How Do Paid Book Reviews Work?



Paid reviews have multiple advantages. Most publications that offer free reviews do not guarantee a book review because of the volume of books submitted. Only by paying for a review can one be guaranteed. Reputable book reviewers will provide a review within a specific timeline—two weeks is standard. They will also provide a review tear-sheet for your use, and give you permission to quote the review, provided you credit them. Many reviewers will also post your review online at such places as their own website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ezine Articles, Goodreads and Authors Den.



Several online book reviewers, such as Reader Views, will give you the option of a free or paid book review. Reader Views will review the book for free provided one of their reviewers is interested in it. If no one opts to review it after three months, the book is returned without a review. If authors do not want to wait three months for a review, an express review can be purchased to guarantee a review within two weeks.



Several book reviewers, including Reader Views, also offer various publicity packages ranging from a single book review, to written and podcast radio interviews, virtual book tours, and book videos. Such packages allow authors the opportunity to get book reviews and publicity within their budget.



Just because you pay for a book review does not mean a good review is guaranteed. It is better to receive an honest review than one that gives false praise. The reviewer’s reputation is at stake here; readers will not appreciate being misled to waste their time and money on a book that does not meet their expectations.



How Do I Use a Book Review to Sell Books?



Before you do anything with your book review, make sure you know what permissions the reviewer has given you for using the review. Are you allowed to use it in whole or only a certain percentage? Can you reprint it or quote from it?



Once you know your rights, some suggestions for using the review to help sell books are:











  • Post it to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ezine Articles, Authors Den, Goodreads, Myspace etc. if the reviewer has not already done so.










  • Quote from the review on your book cover and the inside end papers. (If your book is already printed, use the review when you run a second printing).










  • Include the review in your press kit to gain more media attention.










  • Post and distribute the review at your book signings.










  • Post the review on your website.










  • Send copies of the review in your email newsletters.











Final Comments



More information about book reviews will be covered in future articles. But for now, here are a couple closing points:









  1. Be professional. Send the reviewer a thank you note. Whether you receive a positive or negative review, the reviewer has done you a favor. The reviewer’s comments will help you improve your next book or the next edition of your book. Even a negative review can be used to build a positive relationship with a reviewer, who will appreciate your professionalism. The book world is a small place and you do not want word to spread that you are difficult. Seek to build long-term relationships with book reviewers, and through them, with your reading audience.










  2. Be prepared for the book review to increase your book sales! A good review is worthless if you do not have copies of books to sell. Be prepared to fulfill your book orders so your customers are satisfied. After all, you want your book to be a bestseller!









About the Author:

Tyler R. Tichelaar, Ph.D. is the Associate Editor at Reader Views, he has interviewed over 130 authors, written more than 50 book reviews, and edited and evaluated manuscripts for publication. Reader Views is one of the most respected and fastest growing online author publicity services today. For more information visit www.readerviews.com.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/article-marketing-articles/book-reviews-sell-books-445267.html

Author: Reader Views

Book Report Writing – a Step by Step Guide!

Book report writing is not an easy task. You have to give your full concentration and time in order to get some good piece of work. You have to do a lot of reading and usually reading a book, that you already have read, is not an exciting thing at all. Here is a complete step by step guide in writing your book report with ease.

Introductory Paragraph

The first sentence should state for which instructor and class the book-report is being written.

The second sentence should state the title of the book and the author's name.

The third sentence should tell how many pages the book has and the name of the publisher.

The fourth sentence can state basic bibliographic information about the book. Bibliographic information means not only the author and title but also what company published the book, what year it was published in and any other relevant information such as the edition and if the book has been translated, simplified or abridged.

The next sentence should state the reason(s) you decided to read this book. Why did you choose this particular book for writing a book report? Typical reasons might be:







  • You like the author.







  • You like this type of book (i.e. mystery, western, adventure or romance, etc.).







  • Someone recommended the book to you.







  • It was on a required reading list.







  • You liked the cover.








These reasons do not have to be complex. Most people choose the books they read because they like the author or somebody recommended it to them. If you chose the book because you like the author, then state why you like that author.

An optional sentence can be used if the cover (back cover) of the book gives you any additional information then adds a sentence with that information.







  • Was the book a best seller?







  • Are there X million copies in print?







  • Did it win any major awards?








· Main Character(s) Paragraph

The first sentence of this paragraph should state who the main character or characters of the book are, and why they are important. Refer to this person or these persons as the Main Character or Main Characters.

You will need at least a complex sentence for this, and probably more than one sentence.


· Other Characters Paragraph
You should compose at least one sentence for each of the other prominent or important characters in the book. State the name of each of the other important characters, and the key role that each one plays in the book

Most books have five or six prominent characters besides the main character, so simply listing each one and stating their role in the book will give you a good sized paragraph.


· Plot Summary Paragraph

This is perhaps the hardest paragraph to write in book report writing five sentences or so. If you have to write a bit more don't worry. Here are the main points to cover:







  • State the type of book (Mystery, Western, etc.).





  • What place or country was the book set in?





  • What time period was the book set in? (19th century, the present, ancient Rome, the 23rd century).





  • Other physical locations which are important, like: ships, airplanes, houses, or buildings.





  • Other notable attributes of the book. (Was it violent, scary, fast paced, etc.).





  • What is the main character trying to do?





  • What is the outcome of the book?





  • etc.








Make sure you cover all of the major parts of the plot. You might have to go back through the book, chapter by chapter, and make a few notes.


· Personal Impressions and Conclusion Paragraph

Simply talk about what you liked or did not like when you write a book report. Use this paragraph as your conclusion. It should summarize your overall impressions of the book and bring the report to a close.









  • Start with a sentence that states that you are now writing a conclusion. (For example: "My final thoughts on 'A Fine Balance' are that it is a fascinating book but I am not entirely sure if I completely understood the thematic message of the book."





  • Restate your reasons why you liked and/or disliked the book using different words.





  • Write two sentences that talk about the books good points and weak points.





  • Write a sentence or two about what you learned from the book.





  • Close with a sentence that states whether you would recommend the book to others.








Don't be afraid to give your own honest impressions of the book. After all, if you've read the book thoroughly, you are entitled to your own interpretation of it.

Typically, your book report should not exceed two double-spaced pages, and it should be somewhere between 600 and 800 words in length.


About the Author:

Jenny Stewart is a PhD in Human Relation. She is an educational consultant and utilizing her skills in helping the students to accomplish there education successfully . She is changing the student’s difficulties in book report into ease since many years by helping them with her skills and knowledge to get there projects done efficiently.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-publishing-articles/book-report-writing-a-step-by-step-guide-518372.html

Author: Jenny Stewart

The Ultimate Publishing Guide – How to Publish Your Book Without Breaking a Sweat

Most writers claim that 'writing' is the painless part of being a writer- the real challenge begins when you attempt to publish your masterpiece. The book industry can be a really hard one to crack, especially if you're a newbie. No need to panic though - if you're reading this, all your publishing problems are nearly over!

This guide explores; Publishing thorough an Agency, Mainstream Publication, Self Publishing, Local Publishing Companies and eBook Publication. It furthers to explore life after your book has been published. So whether your interests lie in large international exposure for you book, or self publishing, simply read on for a detailed tour of the publishing industry.


Option 1) Publishing through an Agency


The Process


The first step to saving time whilst publishing is making sure that you avoid writing something that will never be read! My advice to anyone who aspires to publish something is to find a literary agent . This is a great time saver as, when you have an agent, you will never again waste time writing something that may be defined as 'unmarketable'. To further explain - the literary network is very closely knit i.e. in order to have your book published; you would need to go through specific channels. A strict system has been designed to maintain a sense of order in the realm of literature.


Now, an agent can help you weave your way through the system - especially if you are a first timer. An agent is an individual who is able to help you through much of the information filtering process. A recommendation from an agent almost guarantees that your manuscript will be read by a publishing house. Essentially, the role of an agent is to read and approve your manuscript or any ideas that you may have i.e. queries and proposals.


The agent will then decide whether your venture could be successful. If so, the agent will further to draw up a contract with you. Contracts of this nature usually express the agent's promise to use his/her best efforts to get your manuscript into a publishing house - the exchange is usually about 15% of the entire deal. Your new agent will then work extremely hard to sell your idea.


Agent Hunting


There are usually 2 types of agents - those who work with fiction and those who work with non-fiction. The easiest way to find your match is by paging through a publishing guide/directory, which lists the functions of a variety of agents in great detail i.e. 'Guide to Literary Agents'. It is important to take note of any previous books that have been published by the agent/s that you are interested in - usually an agent will take interest in a particular theme, and stick to working with ideas along its lines.


Contacting an Agent


Once you have compiled a list of potential agents, feel free to start contacting them. The best way to do this is via a query letter. In essence, a query letter a short introduction of yourself and your idea - it should feed the agent enough information to arouse interest, but not too much to bore him/her. This is a suggested letter structure:








  • The Teaser



    Your introduction is usually the aspect of the letter sells you - so make it an attention grabber. Ideally, you would want to describe the compelling fit between the person that you are and your idea for a book.




  • Develop Your Idea



    Use your next few sentences to explore your idea, explaining what it is that you want to write about. Feel free to add in a snip-bit of your writing that best exemplifies your idea.




  • Self Description



    Your third paragraph should be based on you. Try to reiterate the connection between you as a person and your idea. You should also feel free to show-off your academic or intellectual achievements.




  • Wrapping Up



    Be sure to personalize your concluding sentence- making the agent feel unique and valuable to you in your selection process. Conclude by sharing your contact details and preferred method of communication.








Remember, this letter is merely an 'appetizer' so keep it short and simple.


Proposal Preparation


After sending your initial query letter to an agent, he/she would normally follow up by requesting a proposal. Essentially, your proposal is a document that accurately outlines an idea for a book. Here's idea of what your proposal should contain:








  • The Overview



    The first 2 pages of your proposal should contain a broad summary of the book. Non-fiction: Explain your intentions in terms of contents and topics. Fiction: Provide a general outline of your plot.




  • Target Market



    Your next 3 pages should contain a description of your prospective target market. You should define this in terms of; age, socio-economic, and educational characteristics of you potential audience.




  • Market Threat and Competition



    This section allows you to define what type of threats your book may face in terms of competitors and other books that cover a similar topic. Be careful to do all your homework here, because this section is really important to an agent as it dictates your books marketability.




  • Authorship



    Use this section to write up a brief description about yourself and your co-authors, if any. Take this opportunity to brag as much as possible, as this section will help your agent convince a publishing house to pay you for your idea.




  • Summary of Chapters



    This should be the largest part of your proposal - it contains an outline of what you intend to cover in each chapter of your book. Non-fiction: Provide a minimum amount of information i.e. outlines. Fiction: Provide definite samples of your writing.




  • Delivery



    This section is relatively small - it simply contains the number of words you think your finished book will contain and the approximate time you will take to write it.








Contracts


Happy Day! So your proposal finally earns you a thumbs up...now what? It's time to get into some paper work. The best part about this section is that you are not bearing the work load anymore. Your new agent will now send you a contract. These contracts are usually short documents that you can probably work though on your own, so no need for an attorney.


You just need be careful about two things - firstly, that your agent is not looking to exclusively represent you for over 12 months, and secondly that you are not going to billed for the cost of office overhead if your book does not do well on the market.



Once the contract has been signed, your agent will send you a copy of your original proposal with a few editorial suggestions. As soon as you finalize your proposal's contents, your agent will start pitching your idea to the 'big boys' i.e. publishing companies. Once you get the go-ahead as well as the funding, feel free to start writing...Microsoft Word will be your new home!


Option 2) Mainstream Publication


The Process


This option is slightly similar to the first; however the two do have a few minor differences. The primary difference is that the 'middle man' or agent is no longer involved i.e. the first step that you need to take in the field of mainstream publication, is directly locating a publisher. Once again, you can feel free to look through a publishing directory or make use of a search engine. This way, you can choose a publisher, that best suits you. As soon as you have made contact with a publishing house and managed to spark a bit of interest, you might be requested to 'pitch' your book to the company in person.


The Pitch & Self Marketing


Now if consider yourself to be a great public speaker, this could be your moment to shine - if not, just remember that you will only be speaking to a few suits! The pitch is almost a verbal explanation of everything you would express in a proposal - if you happen to be unfamiliar with the guidelines for a proposal, simply follow the outline mentioned in option 1.


If you choose to publish via mainstream publication, it is important to note that you must be able to market yourself. Even if you do get lucky and a publishing house chooses to publish your book, you will still have to do a major part of the marketing - keep that in mind when it comes to your budget as it will help to have some additional money to use for publicity.


Risks/Benefits


The obvious benefit of publishing via a mainstream company is the possible exposure that you and your book could attain. On a large scale, the scope of various mainstream publication houses extends from local to international. The greatest risk involved in using this method of publication, is the risk of rejection. You may even be rejected before publication as well as after. It is not often that a well-known publishing company would risk a dollar on an unknown author - so prepare yourself for possible rejection after your pitch. Even if your book does get accepted for publication, rejection is still a factor in terms of your book's marketability and it is highly unlikely that your publisher will pick up the bill should your book not be successful.


Option 3) Self Publishing - (POD) Print/Publish on Demand


The Process


This option refers to printing a book at the time of purchase. It is an innovative method of publishing books that saves money, time and supplies. The printing industry is ecstatic about this method of publication as it means that books no longer need to be warehoused until purchased.


This method of publication allows you to handle the design work of your book or opt for a service/package that offers cover design, formatting and editing. Various companies offer these services. These companies will assist you in the areas that you may need help - from the time that your book has been ordered to the delivery. The POD will actually help you list your book on Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and other major bookstores by hooking you up with an ISBN. Here's how the process works:








  • Submit the final draft of your book to a company that offers POD. Make sure your draft is formatted in the way that you want it to look in its final publication.






  • You will be requested to wait until your file has been added to the data system of that company.






  • The printing company receives an order for your book according to its ISBN.






  • An operator at the printing company accesses your file in their system. Ensuring all editing and formatting is correct; the book is released to the printer and binder system. Your book is printed in less than 5 minutes.






  • Your book is then packaged and addressed to the customer. It is then sent directly to the customer. This entire process takes approximately 10 working days - thus your book can hit the market as soon as possible.










Budget


While this type of publishing has become increasingly popular in the industry, it is important to note that it requires you fork out a bit of your own money - each book will cost you approximately $5.


Risks/Benefits


This option has various benefits. Firstly, most of the companies involved will accept any type of work, no matter who you are - so rejection is not something that you will have to worry about. Secondly, if you are involved with the design and formatting personally, your book automatically will gain a unique edge. Finally, the POD handles distribution and order fulfilment. This means that when you book has been ordered; the POD will print a copy of your book, ship it and pay you a royalty of approximately 30% of the purchase price - leaving you with less grey hair! With regards to the risks involved, it is important to note that the owner of the ISBN also owns the book's copyright, so be careful with that and make sure that you purchase your book's ISBN under your name, not the vanity publisher.


Option 4) Local Publishing Companies


The Process


Local commercial printing companies use the same technology as PODs. Feel free to browse through a publishing directory or just your local directory for a list of companies that offer publishing services. Your next step is to contact the publishing house that you have chosen.


Budget


While prices may vary, expect to pay 3 cents per black and white page i.e. a 200-page book could cost you approximately $6.50.


Print Style Options


Your first choice in terms of printing style is between color printing and black & white printing. This will dictate the cost that you will need to budget for. Most companies offer digital printing, so you can choose the amount of copies that you want printed at the time of publication. In terms of cover design, you are only limited by your own creativity - once again you are free to take charge of your own design. Binding on the other hand, will be handled by the company and is included in the original price per page.


Risks/Benefits


When you publish through a local company, you must take note that the printer will print precisely what you send - this is without any revision or editing. It is crucial that your book is proofread before submission. Also with this option, you will still have to promote your book, fill and ship all orders.


Option 5) eBook Publication


What is an eBook?


An eBook is an electronic copy of your book that may be purchased, downloaded and read immediately online. It can serve a variety of purposes i.e. advertising, the gathering of potential customer's information and the generation of interest. Not only does this option provide the media for a sample publication of you incomplete book, but it also allows for full publication of your book once it is complete - thus you can sell the electronic version of your book, as if it were a hard copy.


The Process


This option may be deemed the most convenient and economical way to publish a book. Here is a basic outline of the process:








  • The Final Draft



    To prepare you book for eBook publication, you have to format it exactly the way that you want your readers to see it. This will be easy if you are using a word processor such as Microsoft Word.




  • The Format



    Unless you know exactly what you want in terms of formatting, I suggest that you stick to a standardised type of book formatting - the outline of a manuscript format is included later on in this article.




  • Proofreading



    Sorry to say, editing will be your worst nightmare - just when you think that it's over, go back and proofread again and again. Also try and get others to read your final draft too. Don't skimp on the quality of your writing simply because you are publishing electronically.




  • Copyrighting



    Copyrighting your book is your next move. Don't stress out too much about the ISBN, as you are actually the publisher now, so you will be in charge of the distribution and price setting.




  • Designing the Cover



    If you happen to have an arty side, this is your chance to bring it out! Feel free to extend your creativity but remember to keep your design, appropriate with regards to your book's contents. You can also make use of external services should you need help i.e. graphic designers do freelance their services for this type of thing.




  • Publication



    Now it really gets interesting...There are various programs available that generate self-executable eBooks. It is however important to note that most people are cautious when it comes to downloading new programs. I therefore recommend that you publish your eBook in plain old .pdf format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is a well established brand which is both safe and also free for anyone to download. Visit Adobe Online and register for their online PDF Creator to publish an ebook or feel free to do a Google search for a few more eBook publishing programs.




  • Your Account



    Set up a business account with an ecommerce site like PayPal. You will then have to add your book's ISBN to your 'product list'. PayPal will then generate an html code that you can copy and paste where ever you would like to promote your eBook. You will in turn be notified via email, when someone purchases your book. Your last move is to reply to that email by attaching the .pdf of your book and sending the mail directly to your customer...and voila! Your first eBook is sold.








Risks/Benefits


There are various benefits related to this new wave of publication. Firstly, it requires you to spend little to no money out of your own pocket. Thus, there is very little financial risk involved. Secondly, your book can be published from the comfort of your own home...a few clicks here and there is all that it takes. Finally, from a marketing perspective, an eBook opens up various avenues for advertising - it allows you to add links within your book, directing the reader anywhere that you would like i.e. this gives you a chance to expand your business network. Once again, you must remember that you are in charge of your book's marketing.


Irrespective of the method of publication that you choose, you will need to master manuscript writing...Here's a handy guide on how to correctly format your manuscript.


Try to make use of this type of formatting prior to submitting it to an agent or publisher. At first glance you may think that these standards may not be aesthetically pleasing, but don't stress, your publisher should send your original manuscript to a 'formatter' that standardizes the format during publication.


Basic Formatting Rules








  • Use 1 inch margins around all your text - repeat this on each page.






  • Double spacing should be used throughout your manuscript. This type of spacing enhances your manuscripts readability and makes it easier to edit.






  • If you want to italicize something, don't do it now. Only highlight this before the final version is published - anything that you want in italics should be underlined in your manuscript.






  • All numbers should be spelt out i.e. type out four instead of 4.






  • Most symbols should also be spelt out i.e. don't use the '%' sign, instead type out 'percent'.












Life After Publication


Even though your book is now on its way to mass production, you need not let your relaxation period be short lived - don't become overridden with anxiety about publicity, marketing and even worse, sales!


For a stress free way to boost sales and keep abreast of your new book's performance you should consider subscribing to a promotions and sales tracking company.


With modern publishing methods, like self-publishing and eBook publication in mind, it is easy to understand why sales tracking has become a common pastime for most writers. Because most publishing options force you to take charge of your book's marketing, it may be a good idea for you to make use of an online service to help you track the sales of your book and handle do a bit of book promotion on your behalf.


Taking this into consideration, let's take look at the sales ranking and promotions company, RankTracer. This company will do some online promotion and track your book at the same time - giving you on-the-hour sales rank information, graphs, reports and actual sales estimates.


With an external company tracking your sales and offering you a bit of extra help with book promotion, you are left with more time on your hands to use as you please - feel free to explore book-signings, tours, public talks and even blog about your new book!


So now you know! I trust that you found my walk through the publishing industry informative. Hopefully it has answered a few of your publishing queries and has helped you find the perfect publishing fit for you. Good luck and happy publishing!

About the Author:

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/publishing-articles/the-ultimate-publishing-guide-how-to-publish-your-book-without-breaking-a-sweat-538737.html

Author: Elodie

Promotion 101: Why Authors Shouldn’t Do Book Signings




Book signings seem to be obsolete these days. The good thing about this is an author shouldn’t really care. While book signings are slipping from existence, there are more creative options coming out for authors to promote each year. Many of them have brought in more books sales than a signing ever will for today’s author. Whether you decide to embark on a book tour or have a signing, is your decision. I would like to point out, however why you shouldn’t be disappointed if book signings do not bring you the success you seek. They usually don’t and this is normal. Book signings can be very disappointing. I’ve outlined reasons why you shouldn’t do book signings, instead of reasons why you should. I will also mention options afterwards that are not only better sales-wise but a lot more fun.





  1. Book Signings Are Short-lived Sales





  2. Book signings take a lot of effort to set up. Even if you do sell at a signing, which is highly unlikely these days, these sales are short-lived and most times forgotten. The most an author sells at a bookstore book signing is less than ten books. Some sell less than five. They say it’s important for an author to build a relationship with the people in the stores. Why? Not only do the workers care less about an author these days, unless you made a big impact, they won’t remember you from another author who signed at the store. If you do make an impact you’ll be invited back. I’ve been invited back to stores many of times. But the myth that authors build relationships with the stores by doing signings is completely false. There is such a turn over with staff at bookstores that building a relationship is not even possible. Either way you’re not there to make friends. You’re there to sell books and often this does not happen.


  3. No Guarantee That Your Book Will Stay in That Location





  4. Some authors think that just because they do a signing that it means that specific store’s location will keep their books on hand. This is not true. There have been many instances where an author had a successful signing, even signed out only to have that store not to order more copies of their books. Do not believe that your book will stay in a location just because you did a signing. This is not a guarantee.


  5. Big Book Stores Do Absolutely Nothing To Market A Signing





  6. So you’re all excited about your signing huh? You’ve made all the arrangements and your publisher has set it up for you. You’re expecting a huge turnout. You’ve promoted through your local radio station or newspaper. You even had a big contest on your web site, showcasing the event. You get to the store Saturday at 2pm to find that no one is there. Well, except the workers. What’s going on? You wonder. This is the big let down. Bookstores do not promote signings anymore. They put your signing in one dinky store newsletter, make one little sorry sign that you could have done yourself and that’s it. You find once again that you’ve done all the legwork only to be disappointed.


    The truth is that a signing takes the participation of a bookstore to promote it. If they don’t it not only shows their lack of appreciation for you as an author, but also it shows they simply do not care. The truth is that big chains have grown rather cold-hearted in terms of welcoming an author for a signing. Some locations help the author more than others but as a hold, big bookstores no longer go to the trouble of making authors feel welcome like the old days. The alternative option is signing at independent bookstores. Independent bookstores usually throw out the red carpet when an author’s doing a signing. They appreciate you bringing readers to the store and in return you appreciate them for allowing you to sign. If you intend on doing book signings at stores you should focus on the smaller stores that at least show you they appreciate your presence.


  7. Most Times Not Worth The Time And Effort






Due to the lack of participation with the stores or lack of publicity of your publisher, you’ll often be disappointed with a bookstore signing. An author can only do so much. You cannot force people to show up and buy your books no matter what you do. It's nothing more humiliating than being at a signing only to have people pass you up and treat you as if your book is less important than the ones on the shelves. Yet, it happens. Authors do not have to put up with this treatment simply to sell books. Those days are over.


A new day has come and now, authors hold all the cards. We have control of how we want to promote our books and where we want to sell them. Now that I’ve outlined why bookstore signings may not be worth it, below I’ve suggested some options and alternatives you may want to consider.


Festivals:


If you insist on doing book signings, skip stores altogether. If you want to sell books and have fun, try festivals. There are tons of festivals in almost every big city geared towards authors meeting the public and selling books. Festivals are so much more rewarding that even if you only sell a few books, you won’t care because you’ll walk away with so much more. You’ll get a chance to meet readers, other authors, other literary professionals, and media that attends bringing you publicity. This adds to more exposure.


Group Signings:


You can both get with some author pals and host your own group signings or participate in group signings at your local bookstore. Many stores hold group signings once a month and local authors are encouraged to participate. Group signings bring more readers to the event as well as give you the chance to meet other authors. Bookstores promote group signings more effectively than an individual author’s event. You also won’t walk away in shame if you don’t sell books. You may not sell at group signings but you’ll end up with more exposure and friends in the industry.


Book Club Signings:


Contact a local book club and see if they are interested in letting you do a signing at one of their upcoming meetings. Make your book attractive for them to pick as a featured book then let them know that you’d be more than willing to do a signing at their meeting. Book Club signings can be very fun because they also turn into discussions and this ends up being a learning experience for the author as well as the club.


Sign At Places of Your Choice:



You can also pick a fun place of your choice to hold a signing. This could be in the park, at a club, festival or in an arena where some big event is being held. This will attract people to you as they attend the other event. The difference between this and a book signing is that you order your books from your publisher then you sell them at the event and keep the profits. Be creative. You can even hold a signing at a baby shower, birthday party or family gathering. You’re sure to sell tons of books. Not only are you completely in control but you’ll feel more comfortable signing in a place of your choice. These are also the most fun. Remember to advertise your event. Put an ad in your local paper and promote online to people in your area. The possibilities are endless.


Last but not least, the biggest option would be:


Virtual Book Tours


It’s been speculated that VBTs sell more books than a regular book tour ever could. You reach more of an audience because you’re doing everything online. Some authors set up their own VBTs but if you’re not familiar with the concept and want to skip the hard work, then hire a company to work with you. They’ll do all the legwork and all you have to do is show up on blogs and sites. You’ll do interviews, pod casts, guest blogs and more. It’s all up to you. VBTs allow authors to promote from the comfort of their own home and at their most convenient time. Think of having a book tour in your robe and slippers. Sounds good to me. Also, you’ll gain more traffic to your web site, sell more books and meet more fans during a VBT than you ever could offline. The best thing is that your tour remains visible forever. Your appearance stays on the sites as long as they stay online so your tour is archived and will be visited by web site’s visitors time and time again. This of course means long-term exposure and sales.


We’ve all had bad experiences with book signings. If you’re like me then you’re completely turned off by them. I don’t plan on doing anymore in-store signings but luckily there are so many options available. Book promotion is easier these days than ever. Authors should take full advantage and only then will they receive the ample rewards that come along with that.


Remember to think out of the box. It takes creativity to promote effectively and to enjoy it.








About the Author:

Stacy-Deanne is a best selling author and novelist. She's been in the writing industry for twelve years. She is a novelist with Simon and Schuster. Stacy was featured in 2006's "Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Writing". She was born, raised and resides in Houston, Texas. You can visit her sites to learn more about her and her books.



http://www.stacy-deanne.net

http://www.myspace.com/stacydeanne

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-tips-articles/promotion-101-why-authors-shouldnt-do-book-signings-553557.html

Author: Stacy-Deanne

Book Swapping and Exchange Sites : the Pros and Cons

The idea of exchanging your old used books for new ones you haven’t read is an idea which is gaining momentum across the internet. Used book swapping sites now boast hundreds of thousands of registered members and millions of used books ready for to be exchanged with other book lovers.

So what is the appeal? Why should you join an online book exchange web site when there are so many other ways of acquiring books? Well, here are some arguments for and against joining.

The Advantages Of Online Book Swapping Sites

Why should you join a book trading site?

Well, for a start, if you are someone who regularly buys books, it is more than likely going to save you a lot of money. Book swapping sites are free to join, and for the price of postage and one used book from your collection, you can get new books to read. Effectively, this means you can pick up a new book for under $2 – this includes hardback books, cookbooks and textbooks too. That offers the possibility of making big savings when compared to any other way of buying books.

Secondly, you can give yourself a pat on the back for recycling books and saving the environment in the process. Swapping rather than buying books means less trees are felled to produce reading material. Again, this can only be a good thing so far as environmental issues are concerned.

Thirdly, it’s a great way to declutter your book shelves and help out someone else at the same time by giving them a book they are looking for.

Book trading sites are also a great place to find out of print and hard to find books. These can often be expensive to find otherwise, and you can waste a lot of time looking for them. At book swapping sites, you simply add the books you want to a wish list and when it comes in to the site, you are sent an email alert saying its there. Much easier.

One more thing – the selection is huge. Sure, you can go hit all the used book stores in town and you might find what you are looking for but probably not. A used book club on the other hand has millions of books in their system. One swap site claims to have over 2.5 million books and that’s just on one site.

The Disadvantages Of Online Book Exchange Sites

Firstly, why not just use a library? Then the books are free right? Personally, I look at libraries as something aside from all other forms of acquiring new reading material because you do not get to own the book. You get a specified period in which to read the book, in many cases will get fined for returning it late if you’ve not done with it, and have a limited selection to choose from. Libraries are great, but they’re not ideal.

Used books are not for everyone. If you like your books shiny and new regardless of the price, then an online book swapping club is not for you. Most swap sites have rules about the quality of book allowed to be offered up for exchange but they are predominantly used books.

New books make money for the publisher and the author, used books do not. Whilst its easy to argue they have already factored in trading on the used book market into the price of a new book, the fact remains, buying or swapping used books costs them money and may affect new authors in particular.

The Verdict?

Either way, online book swapping sites are becoming increasingly popular, with millions of books waiting to be traded with swappers all over the world. Whether a book swapping club is right for you is a matter of personal choice, but either way, it is something to consider the next time you look at that shelf full of books you'll never read again or choke on the price of a new hardback.

About the Author:

Mark Falco is an avid reader and is always on the look out for ways to save money on his literary addiction.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/literature--articles/book-swapping-and-exchange-sites-the-pros-and-cons-639190.html

Author: Mark Falco