Category Archives: Marketing
On May 3rd, 2012 Victor R. Volkman and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with veteran radio host and media maven Cyrus Webb, President of Conversations Media Group. Cyrus been active in the arts for over a decade and has used his passion for engaging discussions to build his media brand. Through his radio show he has interviewed Pulitzer-Prize winners, celebrity musicians and actors as well as individuals with a powerful story to tell. Tonight, Cyrus Webb shared his inside information on how you can make yourself into a guest that radio interviewers can’t refuse! We touched on all aspects of guest appearances including:
- What are some of the most important things for the author wanting to be interviewed to know about the host and the show?
- Do interviewers prefer a hard copy of the book prior to the show or an electronic copy?
- Can a book be too old, do you have to pitch it in a special way?
- Give us the top 5 mistakes people who are new to the medium will make
- Is there a difference in how to approach internet radio vs. AM talk radio or other segments?
- What can fiction authors talk about?
- How early should I arrive for an interview that is in person or how early should I call if over the phone?
- After the interview is over should I contact the host or producer again to say thanks and ask for a review if one hasn’t been written?
- What about call-in shows?
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 Cyrus Webb |
| Cyrus Webb is the President of Conversations Media Group, the home of Conversations LIVE radio show, Conversations Magazine, Conversation Pieces web show as well as Conversations Book Club. Since he first began Conversations LIVE in July 2003 no guest or story has been too small for him to cover. Through all of his endeavors Webb vows to stay true to his company’s motto of “feeding your love of life.” |
 Conversations Book Club |
On March 1st, 2012 Tyler R. Tichelaar and Victor R. Volkman spoke with author, motivational speaker, and publisher Sabrina K. Carpenter. In 2006, Sabrina founded her professional writing firm, Perfected Pen, Inc., which specializes in business writing services ranging from editing, website content, business plans, motivational speaking, press releases, social media management and beyond. She founded her children’s literacy program, Eager Readers, Brighter Writers in 2011. Traveling across the country, Carpenter encourages the natural quest for knowledge within children, through fun and interactive reading groups and writing workshops. We had wide-ranging discussion including these points:
- Determining Which Event is Right for You
- How much to pay?
- How important is the venue?
- The Face of Marketing
- Why Time is Always Money
- Avoid Toxic People
- Branding – You or the Book
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 Sabrina K. Carpenter |
| As a cancer survivor, professional writer, motivational speaker, author, literacy coach, entrepreneur, mother, radio show host, spoken word poet, publisher and philanthropist, Sabrina Carpenter. has inspired and motivated thousands of people with her ability to evoke heartfelt emotion through stories of growth and perseverance.In 2010, her publishing division, Perfected Pen Publishing was born, fulfilling an obvious gap in the land of books. Perfected Pen Publishing specializes in manuscript consultations, editing and complete book publishing and design.Carpenter has authored two books of her own thus far; a collection of poetry entitled, ‘Betting on One Percent’ and a dynamic children’s book, The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy. Her latest book of poetry and CD, ‘Pain-ted Faces’ will be debuting in 2012. All are available on Amazon.com. |
 The Adventures of Isaiah James: Beach Boy |
On February 2nd, 2012 Irene Watson and Victor R. Volkman spoke with educational publisher and marketing guru Arianne McHugh. She is the President and Co-Owner of Saddleback Educational Publishing. She has revamped Saddleback into the country’s largest publisher of high-interest, low readability material. Saddleback kicks off its 30th anniversary with thirteen Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (2012) for its series, Urban Underground. She took the time to educate on several important aspects of the industry including:
- What is educational publishing exactly?
- What is a high-interest, low readability book and who is the market?
- How does an author write for educational publishers (versus the trade)?
- What are the relationships you use to sell books and keep customers?
- How does an author market themselves to educational publishers?
- As an author, how do you stay relevant in this industry?
- What is one thing you get asked all the time?
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 Arianne McHugh |
| Arianne McHugh earned her bachelors at San Diego State University. Previous to publishing, Arianne was the Director of Clientele Development for Bloomingdales – assisting in the planning, training and complete operations for the opening of the California Flagship Store. She also created a mom’s blog that received national attention from General Motors as well as TV Dr. Phil, to name a few. Saddleback publishes over a thousand titles including Urban Fiction, Hi-Lo Chapter Books, Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Interactive Smartboard Lessons, Low Level Supplemental Curriculum and more. |
 Don't Think About Tomorrow |
On January 19th, 2012 Susan Violante and Victor R. Volkman spoke with award-winning children’s author, marketing expert, and entrepreneur Ellen Feld about how to target-market your children”s books. Her first book, Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse, went on to win a coveted “Children’s Choices” award, co-sponsored by The International Reading Association and The Children’s Book Council. The book was then picked up by an international toy company and packaged with a toy horse made to resemble Blackjack, the star of the series. Blackjack continues to sell well and to date has sold over 30,000 copies. Ellen shared her lessons learned and hard won experience with us on a variety of topics including:
- on-line advertising: where/when it works/doesn’t work
- Selling at regional events, shows, and other public venues outside the bookstore
- Why you need to think in terms of a series
- Importance of author selling/marketing, the personal touch
- Book signings – what works, what to have at your booth
- Finding and keeping an illustrator
- Cultivating your reputation as an expert
- The importance of professional help with your project.
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 Ellen Feld with Annie |
| Award-winning author Ellen Feld began writing about horses more than twenty years ago. Her first writing jobs were for horse magazines. At first, she wrote for small, regional publications, but within a few short years her work began to appear regularly in large, national publications. Her articles have appeared in publications such as The Morgan Horse, Stable Management, Equestrian, Young Rider, Just About Horses, Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar, Tri-State Horse, and The Appaloosa Journal.One day, back in 2001, while waiting for her next assignment to come in, Ellen wrote a short story about a Morgan Horse. Several of her friends encouraged her to expand on the story and try writing a book. That short story became the first chapter of “Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse.” |
 Blackjack: Dreaming of a Morgan Horse |
On December 1st, 2011 Susan Violante and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with publisher and marketing guru Jacqueline Church (“JC”) Simonds. She is the co-owner of Beagle Bay, Inc, a book packaging and distribution company. Jacqueline is also the author of the historical novel Captain Mary, Buccaneer. We went back to basics for this episode and touched on all the fundamentals you need, including:
- Self-Publishing = Entrepreneurship. Can you handle the business or do you need a partner?
- Publishing is a $3 TRILLION a year, global business. Are you ready to compete?
- Most new publishers are woefully lacking in knowledge about the book business.
- Should you go for a “Doing Business As” (dba) or incorporate?
- How many ISBNs should you buy – 1? 10? 1000
- Understand the new business models of Print on Demand (POD) + distribution, eBooks, and offset printing.
- Marketing = Sales. How do you plan to reach your reader/buyer in the first few months, and from then on?
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 Jacqueline Church Simonds |
| Jacqueline is a book shepherd, assisting self-publishers and start-up presses in launching their businesses. Much of her knowledge about publishing can be found at the Creative Minds Press site New Self-Publisher’s FAQIn Captain Mary, Buccaneer, Simonds has crafted an enduring tale that will satisfy readers with its swashbuckling action, dark intrigue, and torrid romance. The book is the result of Simonds’ extensive research into the pirate subculture of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth centuries. From the tales of real women pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read who were tried for piracy in Spanishtown, Jamaica in 1721, Simonds has created a character who would be as at home on Wall Street as she is on the heaving deck of an 18th century brigantine. If you enjoy curling up in your favorite chair with a great adventure story, then this book is for you!
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 Captain Mary, Buccaneer |
