One way to learn what’s new in writing and publishing is to attend the Writer’s Digest Conference East 2013 at the Sheraton New York Hotel, from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7. Before the main conference opens at 4 pm on Friday, April 5, you can attend the first annual Self-Publishing Conference or a three-hour boot camp on writing 21st century fiction, writing a novel, or public speaking for writers.
Writer’s Digest Conference
Whether you want to learn more about the craft of writing or are seeking an agent or broader readership for your work, sessions at The Writer’s Conference can help you.
Expert speakers and panelists will explain how to:
Pitch your work to an agent
Write for big-name publications
Build an audience for your work
Create great characters
Write non-fiction book proposals
Create a career out of e-books
Use social media to sell books
Decide whether to self-publish or find a traditional publisher (or both)
In a session entitled, “The Future of the Writer,” you will get insights into some of the challenges and opportunities facing writers in the years to come. You’ll learn not only what to expect, but also how to prepare and succeed.
Self-Publishing Conference: April 5
During this event from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, publishers, agents, editors, authors and marketing gurus will share their expertise through sessions entitled:
Freemiums, Crowdfunding, and Hybrids: The New Era of Self-Publishing
The Complete Package – Why Good Writing Is Only Half the Battle
The Agent/Self-Published Author Relationship
How Self Published Authors Found Success
Legal Issues for Self-Published Authors
You Wrote It – How Do You Sell It?
The Future of Self-Publishing
Public Speaking for Writers Boot Camp: April 5
This session (12:30 to 3:30 pm) is for authors (or soon-to-be-published authors) who want to generate more book sales from their readings. Former CNN anchor and Equity actor Porter Anderson will explain why strong, live readings can do more to convert fence-sitters into book-buyers than any other marketing tactic.
Whether you will be presenting your work in a bookstore, conference ballroom, campus lecture hall, book fair, or corporate auditorium, you’ll learn how to deliver your work with impact. From what to wear to the Q&A, you will learn how to take control of every appearance and come out with sales.
You will learn:
What an audience wants from an author at a reading – and how to give it to them.
How to choose what to read.
How to rehearse ahead of your reading.
How to prep your reading for your listeners.
How to present yourself to the audience.
How to actually deliver your work and follow it up.
Attendees should bring two pages of their own work to read (either from a work in progress or from published material). You will experience reading on your feet and get feedback from your peers and session leader Porter Anderson.
For more details on this boot camp, and the other two boot camps on April 5, see the Conference schedule.
Discounts are available to attendees who register by Friday, February 15.
Keeping your e-book prices low can help you attract more readers. That was the key theme of the January 24 episode of the Self Publishing Podcast hosted by three entrepreneurial authors: Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant and David Wright.
Truant believes $2.99 is the perfect price for a novella length e-book: “You may charge $9.00 for a book and get some customers. But you may be able to sell four times as many books at three dollars. And that’s win-win. You get more readers and more money.”
Truant made the comments in response to a question from a regular listener to the SPP who wanted to charge over $20 for his e-book.
“You’d be crazy to charge that much, because Amazon slashes your royalty rate if you charge over $9.99,” Sean Platt said. “Overpricing your e-books means you lose, and your readers lose.”
Platt believes authors are best to follow Amazon’s incentives on pricing: “For e-books between $2.99 and $9.99, Amazon pays a 70 percent royalty to authors. At all other price points, the royalty drops to 35 percent. That’s why we believe $2.99 is the optimum price for short to mid-length e-books.”
“In any case, most readers are reluctant to spend more than ten bucks on an e-book,” said Truant. “David Wright and I charge $9.99 only when we can offer massive value to our readers, such as with the combined bundle of Yesterday’s Gone Season’s One and Two. Once you get above $9.99 you’re screwing your commission structure on Amazon. That’s lose-lose.”
David Wright urges authors to pay attention to readers’ opinions on pricing: “The value is what your audience thinks it’s worth. We’ve found a pricing structure that’s right for us and our readers.”
Platt and Wright soared to fame on Amazon with their serialized thriller, Yesterday’s Gone, which has received over 500 five-star reviews on Amazon.com and Amazon UK. They have since gone on to write five more serials, including Z 2134, Monstrous, WhiteSpace, Available Darkness and ForNevermore.
Johnny B. Truant is the author of the Fat Vampire series of novellas. He is also co-author of the Unicorn Western series, together with Sean Platt.
The Self Publishing Podcast is broadcast for download every Thursday on iTunes and at selfpublishingpodcast.com.
Are we all about to be buried under a deluge of content-marketing crap? Maybe. That prediction seemed credible as I read through dozens of the marketing predictions, trends, forecasts that were posted at the end of 2012.
In my opinion, freelance providers of writing, photography, videography, or design services should pay attention to marketing-communications trends simply because so many clients expect us to. It’s particularly enlightening to search out insights, statistics, and forecasts from multiple sources with different points of view. The more you read, the more you see how the backgrounds and business biases of different sources affect what they are predicting.
Some trends that were mentioned repeatedly for 2013 included the continued growth of content marketing, visual communications, automated marketing software, and “big data.” Plus, now that so many of us repeatedly consult our smartphones everywhere we go, companies will focus on using mobile marketing in a more strategic and integrated way.
Below are a few specific trends and ideas that might help you identify where new opportunities for freelance services might arise this year.
From IDG Enterprise
IDG Enterprise is a communications company that serves the information needs of the IT and security-focused audiences that read Computerworld, Infoworld, Network World, CIO, and other IDG brands. In 2012, they conducted a survey with the 30,000+ members of the B2B Technology Marketing Community on LinkedIn. The survey findings are based on the 740 responses they received over the three-week survey period. The report is entitled “B2B Content Marketing Trends.”
Content marketing is expanding dramatically in terms of tactics, forms, and volume of content; 84 percent of marketers say they plan to increase content production over the next 12 months. This includes 30 percent who plan to significantly increase content production.
Infographics is the fastest-growing format used by the IDG survey respondents, rising from 28 percent in 2011 to 43 percent in the 2012 study.
About one in three companies relies on external agencies and freelancers to create content.
The most outsourced form of content production is videos (33 percent), followed by white papers/e-books (32 percent) and case studies (26 percent).
Content Marketing Institute (CMI) is a leading content marketing and education organization that teaches enterprise brands how to attract and retain customers through compelling, multi-channel storytelling. In August, 2012, they teamed up with up with the MarketingProfs online community to electronically mail a survey to a sample of B2B marketers who are members or subscribers of MarketingProfs and Content Marketing Institute. The survey findings are based on responses from 1416 North American companies. These statistics come from the report entitled “B2B Content Marketing: 2013 Benchmarks, Budgets, and Trends: North America.”
More than half (54 percent) of B2B marketers plan to increase their content marketing budgets over the next 12 months. This includes 9 percent who say they will significantly increase their spending.
On average, 44 percent of companies outsource B2B content creation. B2B marketers still use a combination of insourcing and outsourcing to create content, but they are outsourcing it less frequently. The number of B2B marketers creating content in-house has risen by 18 percentage points.
Producing enough content is the number-one challenge faced by B2B content marketers (64 percent), followed by producing the kind of content that engages (52 percent) and producing a variety of content (45 percent).
The use of video is rising. From 2011 to 2012, the number of companies using videos as part of their content marketing programs jumped from 52 percent to 70 percent.
Hubspot sells all-in-one marketing software designed to make it easier for companies to get found online, convert leads into customers, and measure and analyze the results. They are masters at content marketing and have produced dozens of immensely helpful e-books and blog posts about website design, e-mail marketing, SEO, and how to get the most from various social-media networks.
Real-time marketing is in. Marketers will move away from short-lived, themed “campaigns” and use more real-time events and triggers based on inbound marketing activity. According to best-selling author David Meerman Scott, “In 2013, buyers instantly engage with brands on their websites, talk back via social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and follow breaking news in the markets in which they are interested.” As a marketer, “Success comes from engaging your buyers when they’re ready—not when it’s convenient for you.”
Content crowdsourcing will grow. Now that marketers have used social media platforms to build networks of fans and followers, Hubspot believes that marketers will leverage crowd creativity to build interesting and viral pieces of content.
A picture is worth a thousand words. So that we all can absorb more information in less time, communications will continue to become more visual and less text-based. A lot of the content developed in 2013 will include infographics, photos, picture boards, and video.
From CEB Blog
The CEB (Corporate Executive Board) is a business advisory group that combines the best practices of thousands of member companies with advanced research methodologies and “human capital analytics” to equip senior leaders and their teams with actionable solutions for transforming operations.
Content marketing will experience a sophomore-year slump. “The shine will come off content marketing in some circles. Not because it inherently lacks merit, but because there will be execution problems.” He suggests that jump-on-the-bandwagon adopters of content marketing may lack some of the factors needed to make content-marketing successful: mandate, resources, energy, and savvy.
Countless, limp branded social efforts will be abandoned, countless more will be launched: Spenner contends that many brands and products don’t need a Facebook page, YouTube channel or LinkedIn group and many brand social executions have become lifeless zombies.
They predict that the growth of content marketing means that “We’re all about to be buried in crap” including:
“Me-too” blog posts
Three-sentence ideas pumped up into 36-page e-books
Video interviews that might as well be subtitled “yadda-yadda-yadda.”
Microsites full of the obvious disguised as the profound.
As we get deluged with crappy content, Velocity predicts that “the people we’re marketing to will start to raise their barriers again.” So, marketers will experience diminishing returns from their content marketing efforts. Velocity believes that “The winners in the Post-Deluge era will be the companies that build something precious.”
Here’s what I think: Anyone who opens e-newsletters or browses online news feeds can see how much repetitious, formulaic crap content is being produced. And yes, we are starting to tune a lot of it out.
Personally, I hope companies will think twice before churning out more cheaply produced content just for the sake of trying to generate “enough” content. I admire agencies that are actively recruiting the most talented, tech-savvy creative pros they can find.
In 2013, I predict that the quality expectations for all forms of content will rise. And, companies who aren’t afraid to innovate in the production of original, visually appealing, and useful content will succeed in getting noticed.
Newcomers to the freelance writing business quickly discover that it can be time-consuming to line up all of the business insurance they may need to qualify for some higher-paying freelance jobs. (And, as a freelancer, time is your most precious commodity.)
That’s why I was encouraged to learn about the new partnership between the Society of Professional Journalists and WestPoint Financial Group that offers SPJ members “one-stop shopping” for their insurance and financial planning needs. Now that more individuals are working as freelance solopreneurs on virtual teams, perhaps other associations will set up similar programs.
Through the SPJ Solutions program, SPJ members can choose to enroll in individual life, health, disability, long-term care, personal liability, property liability and errors & omissions insurance programs. The disability and long-term care products, offered through MassMutual, carry a 10 percent lifetime premium discount to SPJ members.
While this benefits program will be most attractive to SPJ’s freelance journalists, all SPJ members are eligible for the program, easing some of the uncertainty during job transitions like downsizing and lay-offs. Members will have one phone number (317-627-4753) and email address [email protected]) to reach a WestPoint financial advisor to provide them with personal service within two business days of the initial contact.
Based in Indianapolis, WestPoint Financial Group is a full-service financial firm, offering products and services in all 50 states. Its primary insurance products are available through MassMutual, but WestPoint has relationships with other financially strong companies and it strives to offer competitive rates.
“We’re pleased to partner with SPJ to offer a broad range of benefits to its members and to help them navigate the complicated world of insurance products,” said Scott Biggs, a financial advisor with WestPoint Financial.
“This service should help SPJ members achieve professional and personal financial security.” said SPJ president Sonny Albarado commented. “I am excited that SPJ can offer journalists extra value for their membership in this way.”
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ is a professional organization that includes broadcast, print and online journalists, journalism educators, and students interested in journalism as a career. SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.
The SPJ website includes a directory of freelancers, links to a blog about freelance journalism, and a list of useful tools and resources for freelance writers.
WRITERS. If you have written a literary novel that you believe could be wildly popular with readers, check out Inkubate’s Literary Blockbuster Challenge. The writers who submit the best attempts to merge literary and commercial fiction can receive $10,000 and access to top-level publishing executives.
Inkubate is a new online platform designed to provide a more efficient way for publishers to discover great new work. Qualified publishers and agents can search and browse portfolios of work uploaded by writers who are looking for publishers. Inkubate’s mission is to help level the playing field for writers and provide new ways for writers and publishers/agents to find each other. Works uploaded by writers are visible only to vetted publishers and agents.
The Literary Blockbuster Challenge is open to any writer who completes a profile on Inkubate and submits at least one literary work. The judges are looking for thought-provoking literary novels that are also page-turners.
Your uploaded entry must be an original or self-published novel, identified as fiction, and flagged as an entry for the contest. Contestants must flag novels they wish to submit by March 31, 2013.
A list of 30 to 35 finalists will be announced on Inkubate on May 31, 2013. The manuscripts of the finalists will be submitted to the judges on June 8, 2013. Winners will be announced on Inkubate on July 31, 2013.
Ten entrants may qualify for one of three top prizes ($5,000, $2,500, and $1,000) or one of seven honorable mentions ($250). Random House, Harper Collins, Hachette Book Group, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and leading literary agencies have agreed to review the winning submissions
The judging panel includes:
Jane Smiley, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist of “A Thousand Acres”
James W. Hall, retired Professor of Creative Writing at Florida International University and author of “Hit Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century’s Biggest Bestsellers”
Larry Beinhart, author of “Wag the Dog” and “How to Write a Mystery”
Jennifer Clement, prize-winning novelist and poet and president of PEN Mexico
Martha Frankel, author of “Hats and Eyeglasses” and Executive Director of the Woodstock Writers Festival
The contest was inspired by the publication of James W. Hall’s “Hit Lit: Cracking the Code of the Twentieth Century’s Biggest Bestsellers.” In his analysis of 12 financially successful books, Hall identifies the literary devices that the authors used to keep readers hooked.
As writing-workshop leader Susan Sutliff Brown, Ph.D. points out in a presentation posted on the Inkubate blog, good writing alone won’t ensure commercial success: “We may adore Henry James, but we don’t drop everything to find out what happens next.” To achieve “blockbuster” status, a novel must appeal to the millions of people who may only read one or two novels a year.
“Commercial fiction could use a heavy infusion of craft,” says Brown. “Too often, bestselling genre fiction is hastily penned with poorly edited, superficial content and writing that can only be described as embarrassing.”
So, Inkubate co-founder Stacy Clark wonders: “Are you the writer who will bridge the long-standing gap between commercial and literary fiction and write something philosophically meaningful that readers will want to take to the beach?”
WRITERS. Whether you are in the process or writing or book, or simply have an idea you might want to write about, it’s never too soon to starting building the visibility and authority you will need to create an audience for your books,
One place to learn how to build a ‘platform” for your work, is Authors Launch, a new full-day conference that will be held on Friday, January 18, immediately following the 2013 Digital Book World Conference + Expo Jan. 15-17 at the New York Hilton in New York City.
Presented by Michael Cader and Mike Shatzkin of Publisher’s Launch Conferences, Authors Launch is designed to help authors establish a platform for their content, grow awareness of their work, and ultimately drive book sales. At Authors Launch, you can learn:
How to establish and manage your brand through blogging, social media, video, and other online tools and channels
How to develop, maintain and monitor audience engagement
The strengths and weaknesses of book clubs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and other social media channels for different categories of work.
How to get measurably better returns on the time you invest in specific marketing strategies
When, why, and how to hire additional marketing and publicity help
Tips to develop a practical SEO strategy
How to prepare for an interview
Other topics that will be covered include: email list management; best practices for using audio and video; getting and dealing with reviews; and working with publishers and other marketing partners to coordinate a book launch. A variety of publishers and independent experts will share their expertise and discuss how you can most effectively work with their publishers to cultivate reader support and translate social media and online connections into book sales.
The cost of attending the full-day Authors Launch conference on January 18 is $495. If you would also like to attend the Digital Book World Conference from Jan. 15-17, you can buy choose the Authors Launch/Digital Book World Package foir $825
In the book’s five chapters, Warner offers advice on how to think like author, build a platform for promoting your work, and develop a publishing plan that’s right for you.
Chapter 1: The Art of Becoming an Author
Once you understand how the publishing industry thinks about books, you can position yourself as a potential publishing partner and attract an agent and/or publishing house.
Chapter 2: Anyone Can Do It
Why do some people cross the published-book finish line while others fail to complete their books? Warner has identified six hurdles that all authors must overcome to avoid being sidetracked. She believes getting over these hurdles is simply a matter of patience, self-awareness, and perseverance.
Chapter 3: Challenging Your Mindset
Stop questioning the inherent value of your book and/or striving for perfection. Changing your mindset can help you stride confidently ahead on the path to getting published.
Chapter 4: The Almighty Author Platform
As an author, you will need a “platform” from which you can develop visibility for yourself, earn credibility as an expert, and build an audience of potential buyers of your book. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything involved in building a platform for yourself, Warner suggests that you learn how to have fun with the process.
Chapter 5: Your Publishing Plan
Today, authors have three clear paths to getting published: Agents Way; Publishers Row; and Self-Publishing Boulevard. In the book, Warner describes the pros and cons of each route.
“What’s Your Book?” is the first book released from She Writes Press, an independent publishing company established to serve members of the She Writes online community of women writers. She Writes Press seeks to serve women who want to maintain greater ownership control of their projects while still getting high-quality editorial help.
Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press and founder of Warner Coaching Inc., a company that specializes in helping writers get published. Warner is experienced in both traditional and new publishing and has shepherded more than 500 books through the publication process.
One way to learn what’s new in writing and publishing is to attend the Writer’s Digest Conference East 2013 at the Sheraton New York Hotel, from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7. Before the main conference opens at 4 pm on Friday, April 5, you can attend the first annual Self-Publishing Conference or a three-hour boot camp on writing 21st century fiction, writing a novel, or public speaking for writers.
