A Blog Post and a Book

The ideal for every blogger is to one day turn their blog posts into a book. How about a blog post that has gone viral and sparks the idea for an entire book? Now that, my friends, is even better! I've wondered why anyone would pay to buy a book of all the blog posts freely attained on the web. In fact, recently I received an email from someone that pointed me to Seth Godwin and his upcoming book project. In fact this book project was so extreme and innovative, I read every word.

Here are some of the things Seth does:

1. He thinks outside of the box.
>>>Nothing ordinary about the man he stands out from the crowd.

2. He pushes the limit.
>>>If the minimum amount of words for a blog should be 450 for good search engine optimization he tends to write 100-150 and still gets fabulous SEO. I noted in one post he had 972 tweets and 252 shares on Facebook. I read it. It wasn't that noteworthy of sharing in my humble opinion.

3. He RE-defines...his blog, his writing, his following
>>>He makes you think, his people love him and he has frequent visitors and is an industry leader in all things social.

4. He makes you think YOU can do this too!
>>>After his headshot his byline is ... Go, Make Something Happen... Sounds a bit like Nike's "Just Do IT" ads, with a twist.

Back to his book idea. In a nutshell, he decided to have a book published via the traditional route but with a push to have his publishers print the book in less than six month. Can you say the work, "Impossible"? In the real world books take about two years from rough draft to the final-in-the-hands-of-the-consumer. But, need I remind you, we are talking about Seth. So, he uses "Kickstarter.com" and writes this ad copy that essentially tells people his story.

A. I want to send a message to the publisher.
B. Hi everyone, it's me and I'm different.
C. This is my topic, great isn't it?
D. Oh, and by the way the book hasn't been written yet.
E. If you pledge to my cause you too will share my vision and a piece of the action.

So, he urges his readers pay for it in advance (oops, I mean "pledge"). He titles his offers cute names like, "The No Brainer." Additionally, he offers a once-in-a-lifetime incentive to a personal interview from Seth! This is limited to the people who will pledge $1550.00 for a ONE paragraph synopsis that would reside in his new book. Here is the link. Sorry, if you are interested in that particular item has already sold out. It was limited to the first five people who saw his post.

What does he do right in the world of marketing?
1. Limits his offers.
2. Sets up some very inexpensive options, cheap-cheap is $4 to read his book online for 4 days before the link expires.
3. Offers incentives.
4. Makes it special.

As of this writing he has raised $233,847 for a book he hasn't written yet. Not bad since his goal was to raise $40,000 and there is still 21 days to go. As a bonus he is offering a copy of all his past blogs posts. And, that brings us back to the original point of the article. Creating blog posts into a book.

I believe and could be wrong, that what Seth is doing is creating a compilation of his previous blog posts not creating a "book" out of his posts. And that is the difference. What he is doing will work, in terms of sales... although I still don't understand why you'd pay for what you could get for free. Otherwise your book is doomed unless you have a cohesive and strong topic, blog posts that incorporate the elements of the topic and good transitions or chapter headings for each of the subsequent supporting material.

On the other hand, you could take one blog post, for example one that has gone viral (like my guest on the radio show for authors, here, Darlene Schacht, and write a book based upon the post that has generated a ton of interest. Darlene is the author of, The Good Wife's Guide.

While most of us don't tilt windmills we can definitely learn from those who do. Being creative and fun adds to the appeal of a celebrity figure, even one created online in Cyberspace. What is your most innovative way to sell your books? If you have a secret you are willing to share with all of us, I'm ready to listen!

On the Other Side of the Mic

I love hosting podcast and webinars. I am approaching my second anniversary of hosting my featured podcast, "Information in a Nutshell: Writing and Publishing Radio Show" for authors. My show has been featured on Blog Talk Radio for the day, week and even week-end. I've interviewed over one hundred people and have thousands of listeners over the years. You would think I'd be relaxed on the air. However when the mic is not in my "control" and I'm being hosted by someone else it is a bit unnerving. In fact it is *very* unnerving...downright scary.

So, when an invitation came from Krista Dunk to interview me on her show, Koinonia Business Women Radio, I said yes, but not without those nagging, not-in-control thoughts. The questions began to run through my mind.

What if I say something stupid?

What if I don't know the answer?

What if no one comes to listen to the show?

What if she has nothing to say to me?

What if she never invites me back?

Of course none of those things happened...well I don't know if I'll ever be invited back, but I'll keep you posted on that one! However I do know that when hosting my own shows I am relaxed. I really enjoy the experience of talking to strangers many who I will never meet this side of heaven, and I  have a blast. My job as the host is to make my guest relaxed, interject a few thoughts or comments and jump in to save the day in the case of a guest who is at a loss for words.

Krista Dunk, the host of the Koinonia Business Women Radio began the show with an incidental comment, setting the tone of an excited but relaxed host and making me feel totally at ease. Once the countdown (behind the scenes) took place before we went "live" I felt the normal adrenalin spike. I listened while Krista began her introduction and could sit back until she introduced me. I wasn't in charge I reminded myself, I could relax! She was the expert host.

So how do you prepare for an interview? How do you sound relaxed, excited and oh, so knowledgeable? Believe me for some it is a gift and for others it takes work! Here are a few keys to making it work:

1. Know your topic.

2. List key information such as numbers or other points you may not remember.

3. Make sure you drink plenty of water.

4. Be passionate about your topic.

5. Thank the host.


Knowing your topic is a given. You are being interviewed because you have something to contribute. Yet nerves can get the best of us, even the most knowledgeable person. Jotting down notes can be a big help. Additionally list statistics or key points you want to mention. In case your interviewer doesn't remember to ask for your web address or, for example, the title of your book, writing it down will remind you to interject that information where appropriate. While some may consider it silly to list "drink" plenty of water, know that I have interviewed guests who clear their throats often. This is annoying in listening to replays. And, it has happened to me especially when I am sick. Drinking plenty of fluids (non-caffeine) is beneficial.

If you want to instill an element of enthusiasm to what can otherwise be a dull talk being passionate about a tropic can really help. Interjecting humor (if not forced) can also add an element of fun. Laughing at yourself is fine if you don't over do it. There needs to be a balance to humor and enthusiasm. Don't forget to end by using your manners. Thank your host and when the show is over and send an email or thank-you note by snail mail. In my years of interviews I've received several snail mail thank-yous and those adorn my office wall.


In case you are wondering about protocol it's okay to offer yourself as an interview subject. Have a ready paragraph or two about your value as a guest and above all, research. Be sure you are a good fit for your radio host's purpose. If so, go for it! You may enjoy being on the other side of the mic and who knows---someday you may host your own show.

Getting Publicity on Radio Shows

Guest Post by Author Francine Silverman

We all want publicity. It’s free and often results in a positive outcome.

As an on-line publicist for about 180 authors, I focus on getting my clients radio spots so that they can publicize their books and expertise on the air. Radio hosts need guests and are more receptive to pitches than newspaper editors – of which there are fewer and fewer these days.

However, with the dearth of information on radio websites – especially regarding show theme and guest criteria – it’s anyone’s guess what kind of guests hosts want. For this reason, I decided to write my book, Talk Radio Wants You: An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited (McFarland & Co. 2009), which retails for $75 and contains everything a potential guest needs to know before contacting a host.

To make the information more affordable, I followed the format of the book to create ebooks in business, health, self-help, sports, entertainment, politics, parenting, food and travel, men and women, and relationships selling at $12 to $20. These are shows I discovered after my book went into production, include both Internet and on-air programs, and feature show theme, name of host, guest criteria, email, phone (optional), website, best method of contact, and where aired.

When I started my on-line publicity service, I began by pitching newspapers, and while I did get two clients into national newspapers, it was an uphill battle. But when I began pitching radio hosts, I was astounded at the responses. Only then did I realize how desperately hosts need guests. If this doesn’t convince you, how about the thousands of hosts who responded to my questionnaire to be in my book and ebooks? They completed the form because they want guests to learn about their shows.

The jury is out on whether radio interviews help sell books. On the one hand, you read about how, before they became household names, Wayne Dyer and Scott Peck started out as authors. When Dyer’s first book was published, he filled his station wagon with copies and headed west to do as many radio shows as possible. The book ultimately became a best seller.

Peck also began by doing three radio shows a day to help sell his first book, The Road Less Traveled, which was on the best seller list for 12 years.

On the other hand, unknown authors express a mixed bag regarding their radio interviews. Some report that they sell copies with every show they do, while others complain that radio interviews fail to move the audience.

I always respond that we don’t know who is listening and if nothing else it gives us a chance to talk and answer questions about our books. Moreover, the host will often tout the book and author’s website several times during the interview. They want to present their guests in a good light and are happy to promote them.  

For information on my publicity service, book and ebooks, please visit

http://www.talkradioadvocate.comTalk Radio Advocate

John Kremer : 1001 Ways to Market Your Books

Okay, I admit it I'm a fan. When I interviewed John Kremer on my blog talk radio show, for authors I confessed, and he took the complement graciously. I explained that it was due to his book that I attribute much of my success. I have successfully self-published since 1994, and now work with many authors publishing their books under the Media Angels®, Inc., imprint.

I first read the sixth edition of John's book, "1001 Ways to Market Your Books" on a family reunion in North Carolina.

Everyone else was on a trek to view the mountain falls close up, while I was very happy to view the lake, and mountain view comfortably from the deck of our hotel. There I was, with my littlest son, and my book on marketing. I had been writing and publishing for a few years at this point, in a niche market, and the thought crossed my mind to expand this market into the schools and libraries. I had no idea where to begin and this book, this great resource, was able to answer all of my questions and all the others I didn't know I had!

I am a book purest. I’m coming alongside the eBook revolution very quietly although I am kicking and screaming inside. The idea of a wonderful book in my hands brings a smile to my lips. And, I would never in one-hundred years even contemplate turning down the page corners of any books in my personal library, which easily numbers over a thousand titles. Yet, John’s book broke all my carefully laid guidelines.

In fact I had to take some pictures of his book to show you.

You can see the pages are somewhat faded with age, written upon…

And, the corners are well… I really don’t know what I was thinking at the time. Was the kite-fold really necessary?

When an author begins writing, very few have a mind for marketing. Of course there are the exceptions, such as a friend, Eric Reinhold, author of the Ryann Watters fantasy series for children. Eric is a business man, a financial planner, and knows how to market. Not only does he have three books planned for the series, he has hopes for a movie to tie in with Mount Dora's 100 year anniversary. Mount Dora is the location of the book, a real place in Florida.

For the rest of us, just getting the book written is a huge undertaking. Many of the aspiring authors I work with begin to panic when I outline an underlying marketing plan to work toward, as they finish their manuscript. There are several choices according to John, one is to hire someone to market and publicize for you and the other is to do it yourself. I opted to do it myself and found the information I needed in John's "1001 Ways to Market Your Books".

What kind of information? Let me recount what this book did for me, personally:

1. I saved over $1000.00 on the print run of my book Information in a Nutshell: "Writing and Publishing" by using the printer information in John's book and website. I was able to obtain printing proposals; comparison shopped and asked my local printer if they could match the price. In this case the print run was large enough that they said, "Yes!"

2. Learned innovative ways to market, by including specific information that helped with sales. For example, the authors of book titles I mentioned in my book, mentioned my book to others. In one case the self-published author with a typical print run of 10,000 books, mentioned me in her “Digging Deeper” section. My sales soared.

3. Learned more about niche marketing, in my case the focus was on a particular group, and using my educational skills. I offered to speak to small groups, parent groups and state conventions. I taught workshops to adults and hands-on science workshops to children.

4. Marketing seasons: I found information about the best times to release books and tying this into what his happening locally. A great example is the one by Eric, mentioned above. John gives the author many ideas about how to tie this into your overall marketing campaign.

5. A book promotion time-line that is second to none. In this list, the author knows when to market and publicize and the order that it becomes the most effective. This is worth the ticket price of the book, in my opinion.

For the rest of the points you will need to listen to the radio interview I conducted with John. I am embarrassed to say that the interview went over the prescribed one hour. We clocked in at 90 minutes of excellent information! He was unselfish and generous as he continued to answer without an eye for the clock, and explained such marketing gems as the importance of a good front cover, testing the market, and building relationships.

You can learn more about John Kremer from:
Website: http://www.bookmarket.com
Group Discussion on his “Ning”: http://bookmarket.ning.com/
He has over 5,000 members, and I am one.

Happily, Blog Talk Radio selected this show as one of  Today's Top Picks!

The link for the radio show interview is: http://www.writingandpublishingradio.com.

You are always welcome to join the live event; every Monday at 3:30 ET, in order to ask the guest questions in “real time”… this interview was as much for my listening audience as it was for me. John has the experience of over 25+ years in the industry, and this interview reflected just the tip of his knowledge. Thanks John, from all of us who have profited from your research, time, energy and knowledge. I thank you for writing your book.