I am often asked by small business owners and entrepreneurs if they should be using Twitter for their business. They seldom like my answer, mainly because I respond with a series of questions.

www.twitter.com/smsperrypr

“What is your goal for using social media?”
“Who are you trying to reach?”
“How much time are you willing to spend each day on social media?”
“Do you want to use Twitter, or feel like you ‘should’ use Twitter?”
“Are you willing to get out of your comfort zone and make a commitment?”

Until these questions can be answered, Twitter and other social media sites would be a waste of time. Chances are, the business owner would get frustrated with the results because of unrealistic expectations, and give up, but not after spending countless hours online without a clear voice or message to promote about themselves or their business. Sometimes sending mixed signals is worse than being silent, and the same holds true when entering the world of social media.

For businesses that are ready to make the commitment to social media, Twitter is a great tool for quickly sharing information, gathering real-time feedback and establishing relationships and building a buzz.

A recent study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and Imoderate Technologies found 67 percent of Twitter followers are more likely to buy at least one brand since becoming a follower and 79 percent of followers are more likely to recommend at least one brand since becoming a follower.

The study also found Twitter followers want to be “Brand Insiders,” with “to receive discounts and promotions” and “to be the first to know information about the brand” as the primary reasons they follow a brand on Twitter.

Followers have shown their loyalty and willingness to spread the word about your business, so it makes sense they want to be rewarded for their support. Who doesn’t want to be considered an insider, receive preferential treatment or save money?

Here are some tips for using Twitter to

create a buzz for your business (or book):

1. Offer inside scoops, special, discounts, coupons and other incentives exclusively to you followers
2. Ask for help or ideas
3. Solicit ideas or solutions to challenges
4. Publish solutions, useful tips and fun facts
5. Comment and retweet to recognize and acknowledge followers
6. Answer tweets, but resist the urge to sell
7. Participate in conversations
8. Thank people for following
9. Join Twitter chats to be seen as a leader in your field and learn from other experts

Incorporating just a few of these tips will greatly increase the amount of buzz generated about your business. Just remember to be consistent and have patience. Most of all, be yourself and have fun.

(c) 2010 Kristina Shands and Authentic Communications

Kristina Shands is the owner of Authentic Communications, a communications and marketing firm specializing in telling stories that move people to action. Authentic Communications collaborates with small businesses and entrepreneurs to spark interest, create a buzz, build connections, increase loyalty and inspire action in order to attract new clients and increase visibility. Download a special report, “Six Questions to Develop Your Business Story (and set yourself apart from the crowd),” at http://authentic-communications.com. Contact Kristina at kristina@authentic-communications.com and follow her on Twitter (@authenticbuzz).

Hear the new radio spot: http://synergyenergy.posterous.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pamperryfanpage

Social networking sites like Facebook are a terrific way to promote your book, but many authors don’t optimize their Facebook profile or venture beyond their profile. Here are six ways to effectively promote your book on Facebook:

1. Take full advantage of the promotional opportunities on your Facebook Profile. Just below your photo is a small box where you can enter a concise description of what you do, including the title of your book.

The About Me box (under Personal Information) is a good place to describe your book and your business. In the Contact Information section you can enter multiple website addresses. Post your book cover in your photo album or another application and display it in the left column of your profile.

Remember, your Facebook profile must be registered in your real name. If you create a profile for your book or business, you risk having your account canceled.

2. Facebook Fan Pages are similar to personal profiles, but they are created for business use. You can create a page to promote your book or your business, or even create a page for one of the characters in your novel. People join a page by becoming a fan.

You may want to offer an incentive to join (or at least visit) your fan page, such as a free download, a coupon for one of your products, or a contest. Another way to attract fans is to set your page up as an information hub, offering links and resources.

3. Facebook Groups are a great place to meet people who share your interests and find new friends. Search for groups by entering keywords in the Search box at the top of the page and then clicking on the Groups tab. You can gain visibility on a group page by introducing yourself on the wall, participating in discussions, and posting your book cover, photos or videos.

Forming your own group is another good way to subtly promote your book. Be sure to encourage discussions and offer valuable information such as free downloads and links to resources. You can send direct messages the entire group.

4. Joining relevant Facebook Events is a good way to get visibility by writing on the event wall and posting photos. In addition, you can subtly promote your book and yourself by promoting your own live or virtual events through a Facebook event.

5. Facebook displays pay-per-click ads on most pages on the site, and ads can be targeted by age, gender, location, education level, relationship status, or keywords in people’s profiles.

6. The Facebook Marketplace is a free classified advertising area where you can post a listing to sell your book. It’s worth an experiment if you have a book on a topic that someone might search for on a classified advertising site.

Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of The Savvy Book Marketer Guides. For in-depth information on how to promote your book through Facebook, see the Facebook Guide for Authors at http:bit.ly/facebookforauthors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Lynn_Smith

www.pamperrypr.com

Learn the Secrets! Get Out There Kit! www.pamperrypr.com

I deal with authors all the time – African American Christian authors. They are some soulful folks – and filled with hope and faith. Wonderful authors, great testimonies. Anointed.

Yet, when it comes to business – the business of selling books – they want a “magic pill” to instantly be a superstar.

I’ve been at this book marketing business for over 10 years. And let me tell you, it takes a few years to be an “overnight success.”

So many authors believe that once they write and publish their book and tell a few friends, the sales will start coming in. That doesn’t happen.  Sorry.

They soon realize that it is a crowed market out there and they desperately throw together some marketing materials and do a few eBlasts, and still nothing.

They hear about social media marketing and try that – for a weeks or a couple of months.  And still nothing.  They call up some author friends and ask what should they do and the authors tell them to hire a publicist.

They then look online for a publicist, and approach a few of them with $250 to $500 in their hands – and get discouraged because they find out it takes a lot more. A whole lot more.  (See  this special report on what a publicist cost) Note, if the PR person is “cheap” – you get what you pay for. Enough said.

So what should a new author do?

1. Get a mentor or PR coach to help you define your target audience, grasp the big picture and avoid costly mistakes.  At least buy a home study course. See my “Get Out There Kit.” Way before the book come out!!!
2. Have a marketing plan and get contacts and instructions from your PR coach to execute the plan. A written plan is your road map to success.
3. Have a budget or learn how to create partnerships or joint ventures to leverage your lack of funds. Bartering is good if you have no money.
4. Build a brand – online and offline. Be consistent in all your marketing materials including blog, press kit, postcards, biz cards, etc.
5. Have an email list of folks interested in your subject and understand your brand and you feed them with valuable information BEFORE your book is out.

That’s a start. But I’d go with #1 first. Not willing to get PROFESSIONAL help is ignorant.  Investing in education and getting information will change the game for you.  It has happened for me and my clients.

Those who have experience can help you go fastest and further towards the superstar track!

I have mentors and coaches that have helped me over the years. Invaluable lessons they have shared!

It has cost me time and money – but it would of cost me more if I didn’t engage their services.

I know that anything of value is NEVER free.  You can get some information for free online, but it is “spotty” and never the entire strategic plan to help YOUR campaign specifically.

If you have big dreams for your book – be prepared to commit to a program and sacrifice time and money to make the dream a reality.

There is no magic pill – only a lot of elbow grease. Writing the book was only 10% of the work. 90% is learning about marketing & PR.

Finally, think about this:

If you had a tooth ache,  you wouldn’t do your own dental work, you’d go to a dentist.

Same with book marketing. Hiring a PR Coach and Social Media professional makes a statement that you are SERIOUS about your book marketing and serious about SUCCESS.

Get the PR Boot Camp in a Box: The Get Out There Kit at www.pamperryonlinepr.com

Harness the networking power of Facebook!

Networking on Facebook is a great way to meet and develop relationships with potential customers as well as other authors, experts, and key influencers in your field or genre, but it can be a challenge to figure out how to take advantage Facebook’s full potential.

In Facebook Guide for Authors you’ll get step-by-step instructions with screen shots, plus an action plan to help you quickly master the power of Facebook. This guide is tailored to meet the unique needs of authors and features real-life examples.

In  Facebook Guide for Authors you’ll learn:

• How to set up your profile for maximum marketing effectiveness
• How to add book covers and opt-in forms to your Profile and Page
• The right way to attract friends on Facebook
• How to use Facebook Events to promote your book
• The secrets to running a successful Facebook Group
• How to automatically import your blog posts and tweets
• 7 things that could get you banned from Facebook
• How to run free and paid ads on Facebook
• The difference between Profiles and Pages
• How to budget your time wisely and protect your privacy

Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to take advantage of Facebook’s marketing tools. Let the Facebook Guide for Authors be your blueprint for success.

This 58-page ebook is available for download in PDF format for $12.

Online payments for The Savvy Book Marketer Guides are handled by Plimus.com, which is certified by McAfee, VeriSign and BBB Online.

Praise for Other Savvy Book Marketer Guides

“Dana Lynn Smith is an expert in marketing and everything in The Savvy Book Marketer’s Guide to Successful Social Marketing proves it. This is the most comprehensive and well-researched resource available. If you only purchase one book on this topic, make it Successful Social Marketing.”  Read the full book review here.

“This book is absolutely amazing. It’s basic and clear enough for writers just beginning to use social marketing as a marketing tool, but complete enough that even veteran marketers will find new applications and new marketing ideas within its pages. Dana is the perfect marketer to write about social networking. She sure knows how to do it!” Read the full book review here.

“If you have yet to start a social media marketing plan or you have tried to but you are not seeing the results you want, The Savvy Book Marketers Guide to Successful Social Marketing will help you accomplish your goals. It covers the subject with such depth and expertise that it is the closest thing I have yet to come across that can be called a definitive guide to social media marketing.” Read the full book review here.

“I love the book! It is jam-packed with useful information about online marketing opportunities, including many that I did not know were out there.”

—Yvonne Perry, freelance writer, editor, author, and owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services http://writersinthesky.com

“I REALLY enjoyed your book. It is a Must Read for any author stepping into the virtual arena.” Read the full book review here.

—Angela Wilson, author, publicist, and social media consultant, www.MarketMyNovel.com

“Dana Smith has created a powerful tool for authors and small business marketers with her comprehensive, up-to-date, high energy book detailing the best ways to get the word out using social media.”

—Paul J. Krupin, publicist and author, www.DirectContactPR.com

“I stayed up late reading Dana’s new Guide to Successful Social Marketing—it is incredibly comprehensive, yet easy to understand. I thought I knew a lot already, but  . . .”

—Linda Austin, author, www.moonbridgebooks.com

To order,

go here now:

http://bit.ly/facebook4authors

For more tips, go to: http://www.pamperrypr.com

1. The easiest way to get publicity is to find out what a producer/editor wants and give it to them.
2. How much publicity can you get?  $100,000 a month at least. It’s simple but you have to follow a lot of steps.  It snowballs…then people come knocking at your door.
3. Start with “grass roots” and build out. Try out the smaller stations/newspapers first.
4. There are some companies that you pay for performances not promises.  (Guarantees are what people want).
5. People can pay for interviews secured.  People can pay $2,000 to $10,000 a month.
6. It’s never to early to get started with your publicity campaign.  90 days is not too early.  You can get pre-orders and you can plug your website.  You can do seminars.
7. Give away books to get publicity.
8. THE BASICS. Need: Media kit (A folder with the pasted cover of the book on it. Then a press/media release, bio, testimonials, GOOD photographs). The media know that you’re a professional if you have this.
9. Optimize them so people can find it high on Google.  PRWEB.com is a good one and ChristianPRGroup.com

10. Write a column for a local paper for free in exchange for a plug for your book.

11. People are always looking for more content.  (Newspapers and broadcast) – so send out a newsletter to the media, send postcards, send emails.

12. Build Relationships with the media…and other book clubs.

13. Do Teleseminars or regular seminars – this establishes you as an expert.

14. Internet Marketing (www.BlackGospelPromo.com) is the best!

15. Blogs…high in search engines and comment on B. (Like an online diary) See http://www.ministrymarketingsolutionsblog.com

Courtesy of Ministry Marketing Solutions

Pam Perry, 248.426-2300

www.pamperrypr.com

www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

Click to hear interview:

Gayl Murphy interview with Pam Perry on Chocolate Pages Show

Interview Tactics & Media Coaching  from Gayl: How to Give a “Killer” Interview

Be as honest and up front as you can with the person that’s interviewing you without “giving up” anything you wouldn’t want to read about yourself tomorrow.

Relax, enjoy and have a good time. Being interviewed is supposed to be FUN. You get to be the star of THE ME SHOW, starring ME, or in this case … YOU!

Your JOB is to your CAPTURE your listener’s ATTENTION and imagination in the shortest amount of time. One of best ways of doing that is by using COLOR and DETAIL. Always speak in complete sentences and avoid lazy language.

Keep people ENGAGED in what you’re saying, so they’ll continue asking you questions. This keeps the interview DYNAMIC, COHESIVE and MOVING along.

PREPARE. PREPARE. PREPARE. KNOW the hard questions in advance and what you’re going to say BEFORE you talk to the press, or any gatekeeper just don’t write a script. (MURPHY’S LAW: Think BULLET POINTS.)

Stay on TOPIC and stay FOCUSED. Be SPECIFIC. Give facts and information, names, dates and places. And, there is NO such thing as off-the-record.

Always have your SOUNDBITES READY, they help tell your story and keep it COMPELLING and ATTENTION GRABBING. (MURPHY’S LAW: A soundbite is a brief and outstanding mini-version of who you are and what you’re selling. Like an audio snapshot!)

Whenever possible, CONNECT your STORY, or pitch, with a story, or trend that’s already in the headlines, so it becomes NEWSWORTHY. The press loves stories that are “ripped from the headlines” because they’re in the news business.

LISTEN carefully to what’s being asked. Answer SPECIFICALLY and SUCCINCTLY.

Don’t be long-winded and GET TO THE POINT. You can always add more information on the back end.

Know when to WRAP IT UP - and YES or NO is not an answer.

WRAP their questions into your answers. (MURPHY’S LAW: Practice this one so it sounds natural.)

Don’t wear, or carry anything that jingles, beeps, rings, cries, barks or makes noise on it’s own.

Being in the media spotlight requires a level of PERFORMANCE. Always bring your ENERGY with you, regardless of where you are IT’S SHOWTIME!

ALL interviews are GIVE AND TAKE. Listen carefully to what’s being asked, so you know what’s next.

Make eye contact, SMILE! It’s OK to comment on an insightful question.

Whatever your product, service or pitch, take along a sample, or photo, or PR material.

Dress for SUCCESS and dress the part, whatever your part is. You’re the STAR! (MURPHY’S LAW: You decide how you want the world to see you.

Source: GAYL MURPHY’S
INTERVIEW TACTICS! REPORT
www.InterviewTactics.com

Gayl Murphy is a Veteran Hollywood Correspondent, Media and Presentational Coach, Speaker and Author of “Interview Tactics! How to Survive the Media without Getting Clobbered! The Insider’s Guide to Giving a Killer Interview!”

As a Media Expert, Gayl celebrit-izes CEO’s, authors, experts, inventors, creative entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, entertainment industry pros and celebrities in business and entertainment to CELEBRITIZE themselves and their brands so they can TELL IT TO SELL IT! http://www.InterviewTactics.com

As a veteran Correspondent, Gayl’s has reported on entertainment and show business for ABC News, ABC TV, SKY News, BBC Radio, BBC TV, E! Entertaintment, HollywoodToday.net and BigMediaUSA among others. She has personally interviewed over 14,000 of the biggest celebrities and newsmakers in the world.

About Gayl Murphy’s “Interview Tactics!”
Working with the media and getting the word out about who you are and what you do on TV, radio, print and online is about as good as it gets!

One hot story can bring you an avalanche of new clients and even more press coverage. And, having an arsenal of engaging, media-savvy and sticky soundbites to get you there is the best news of all!

In today’s highly competitive, time-crunching and media-morphing world, having stockpile of “Interview Tactics!” is about knowing the lay of Media Land – and being a STAR in ANY situation that requires stepping up, answering questions, telling your story, peaking your listener’s interest and wrapping it up in 20 seconds or less…because sometimes that’s all you’re going to get.

Go one-on-one with the media, or any gatekeeper/decision-maker to tell the world about who you are, what you do and what’s next using “Interview Tactics!” Learn REAL insider strategies for pitching any business, any product, any service, anytime, anywhere! Because when the going gets tough, the tough use the media!

www.InterviewTactics.com

Watch your email for upcoming FREE Teleseminar with Pam Perry & Gayl Murphy

at the end of January 2010 – “How to Pitch it to Promote it”

Go to: www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com

Pam Perry talking about branding at Christian Writer\’s Meeting

1. It’s all in the title.

The title of your press release should be short, meaningful and descriptive. The title is the determining factor of whether or not people will ever bother to read further. Consider using a subtitle to summarize the content.

2. Make sure the information is newsworthy.

You are wasting your time and money sending out information that people wont care about. Ask yourself –“would I read this?”

2. Speak to your audience.

If your sending a press release out to the Black media, you must make it obvious how your information relates to the African Americans.

4. Don’t be too fancy.

Avoid the excessive use of adjectives and fancy language. Don’t bold or underline words within your body. This is unprofessional. The content alone should sell its self.

5. Include all forms of contact info.

Include your email address and 1-2 phone numbers. If someone is trying to reach you for an urgent story, you want to be easily reached. Also, include your web site address so they can research more about what you do.

6. Use BlackPR.com for distribution.

When your press release is final, use BlackPR.com to distribute it to all the Black newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations. They only charge $150 bucks to do this. Also, consider using PRweb.com to increase search engine visibility.

7. Send press releases regularly.

A well- written press release can easily get you radio interviews and other media coverage. This, in turn, drives traffic to your web site, and more sales to your bottom line. The key is to be consistent. Send out press releases on a monthly basis, and consider writing weekly or bi-weekly columns to distribute as well.

Dante Lee is the founder of Diversity City Media, a multicultural marketing empire. Visit his daily blog at www.DanteLee.com

www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

and see www.ardyssintl.blogspot.com

book promotion with pam perry

This is from my PR friend and colleague, Dee Stewart. We were both participants in SORMAG’s online conference.  This is her “discussion” from the conference on the SORMAG blog.

Renowned media consultant and author David Mathison has assembled a who’s who of new media experts and compiled this essential guide to the “personal media renaissance.”

Until recently, publishing books, music and film required years of education and the expensive assistance of publishers, labels, studios, distributors and lawyers.

Today, artists can leverage low-cost tools and new methods of distribution to connect with their audience directly, and keep more of their royalties and rights.

This book covers everything from how to blog and podcast to the ins-and-outs of social networking and internet syndication. Specific chapters help authors, musicians, filmmakers, and journalists.

Buy BE THE MEDIA right now, and you’ll gain access to the “Blockbuster Media Success” package with $10,000 in BONUS GIFTS provided by over 100 media experts:
http://www.bethemediabooklaunch.com/bookpromo.html

Also see www.e-junkie.com/pamperry for PR products

Web 2.0 Recommended Reading List

1. Taking Your Business To the Next Level: An Essential Step-By-Step Success Plan for Small Business by Frances McGuckin

2. How to Be an Entrepreneur and Keep Your Sanity: The African-American Handbook & Guide to Owning, Building, and Maintaining Successfully Your Own Small Business by Paula McCoy Pinderhughes

3. Complete Publicity Plans: Create Publicity That Will Spark Media Exposure and Excitement by Sandra Beckwith

4. Branding for Dummies: Discover a Dynamic System for Brand-creation & Management by Bill Chiaravelle and Barbara Findlay Schenck

5. The Brand YU Life: Re-Thinking Who You Are Through Personal Brand Management by Hajj E. Flemings

6. The New Influencers: A Marketer’s Guide to the New Social Media by Paul Gillin

7. The E Code: 34 Internet Superstars Reveal 44 Ways to Make Money Online Almost Instantly – Using Only Email! By Joe Vitale and Jo Han Mok

8. Advanced Email Marketing: How to Deliver the Right Message to the Right Audience by Jim Sterne

9. Blogs, Wikis, MySpace, and More: Everything You Want to Know About Using Web 2.0 but Are Afraid to Ask by Terry Burrows

10. Permission-Based E-Mail Marketing That Works!: Everything You Need to Know by Kim MacPherson

11. What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting: Real-Life Advice from 101 People Who Successfully Leverage the Power of the Blogosphere by Ted Demopoulis

12. Red Hot Internet Publicity: An Insider’s Guide to Marketing Your Book on the Internet by Penny C. Sansevieri

13. From Book to Bestseller: An Insider’s Guide to Publicizing and Marketing Your Book! by Penny C. Sansevieri

14. Publish & Market Your Christian Book in 10 Easy Steps by Tamika Johnson-Hall

15. The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing & Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly by David Meerman Scott

16. Blogging for Dummies: Set up, publish and maintain a blog that draws readers by Brad Hill

17. Amp Your MySpace Page: Essential Tools for Giving your Profile an Extreme Makeover by Eric Butow & Michael Bellomo

18. Be The Media: How to Create and Accelerate Your Message…Your Way by David Mathison

19. You Want Caviar but have money for Chitlins: A Smart PR Guide for Those on a Budget by Karen Taylor Bass

20. Syndicating Web Sites with RSS Feeds for Dummies by Ellen Finkelstein

Prepared by: Pam Perry, www.MinistryMarketingSolutions.com & see www.e-junkie.com/pamperry

for products
President of American Christian Writers/Detroit Chapter*

*FREE ACW/Detroit Meeting every Third Monday
(except during the summer) held at
Greater Grace Temple City of David, Conf. Rm. 200 C.
23500 W. Seven Mile Road (near Telegraph) – Detroit, MI 48235
313.543-6000
Next Meeting: Monday, May 18 meeting at 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Topic: Publishing & Dream Management with Cliff Hubbard
All authors, writers and aspiring welcome!