Key Business Partners, LLC

As a writer, I am always searching for places online to share my thoughts, ideas and tips with others. So I am excited to share with you a conversation I had with Liz about Yudu.
Liz, welcome and please let the readers know about what makes you excited to be working with Yudu?
Hi Teresa!
I love talking about the folks at YUDU! Jonathan and Lisa have the souls of bloggers, but I guess that’s a possible hazard of being a digital publisher. They care about getting great content onto the net in ways that are easier, faster, more efficient, and greener.

Liz, I have the distinctive pleasure of working with you on creating some things on Yudu –can you first tell the readers what Yudu is all about?
YUDU is a digital publishing community that’s still in beta, but quite functional. What you’ll find at http://www.yudu.com is a combination of features I’ve not found anywhere on the net. You can upload digital publications with live hyperlinks on a beautiful presentation platform that looks like you’re delivering your document on stainless steel. YUDU has private and open groups, messaging, and even subscriptions. We can share libraries, explore, publish, sell. It’s too much to answer in one paragraph.

And please let them know about the great writing groups & opportunities we are starting to create?

Teresa, I’m really excited about the writing groups that you and I are putting together. YUDU has a unique feature that allows a member to gather a visual collection of blog home pages or blog posts. So, it seems only right to start a group that features Great Writing Blogs and a group of ebooks on How-to Write was the next idea.

What makes Yudu such a benefit to writers and authors?
Writers and YUDU seem made for each other. Most writers are looking for inspriration and connection to the work of other writers. We also want a place to keep our work featured and organized. YUDU offers a way to explore, learn, publish, sell all in one place. Very cool.

Are there other new features coming out in the future to share with the readers?
I can’t wait until the forums open in the next few weeks. Then we’ll be able to directly Q&A about the issues and obstacles that mean the most to us as writers.

Now on to a more personal note: What is coming up for you Liz?
Well, right now I’m working on SOBCon09, Biz School for Bloggers. (http://www.sobevent.com) . I’m working on more virtual classwork with the universities in the UK. http://www.successful-blog.com/1/the-trans-atlantic-class-at-the-legendary-school-of-journalism/ Then there’s some exciting client work on this side of the water.

Thanks Liz for sharing with us about Yudu and some neat things coming up for you. I am looking forward to continuing working with you on Yudu projects.

P.S. I like the mantra of Yudu—Giving experts a voice.

I will keep you posted about the happenings and updates with Yudu. In the meantime, I do hope you will take some time and check Yudu out. Please come back here and give us your opinions, ideas, comments and suggestions.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending another meeting with the St. Pete Writer’s group. This month the guest speaker was E Rose Sabin, a former English teacher and author of four science fantasy books.

Here are the tips she gave about revising and editing with you when writing:

~ During the opening of your book, be sure to grab your reader by having the character(s) doing something.
~Introduce the main character in opening pages
~Be cautious about starting with a long narrative in the beginning
~Beware of writing a flashback in the first few pages. Allow the reader to get to know the character(s) first.

The first draft is about getting the idea into written form, or as some people will call it, a brain dump. Sometime this is all you need in order to help you get over the “hump” of getting started in writing.
The first revision is about putting your writing into a form the reading can better understand.

During the 1st revision of your draft:
~Check for active verbs and solid nouns.
~Look over draft for excessive use adjectives and adverbs.
~Review your writing for over or under use of metaphors.
~Re read you have consistency in the details.
~Remember to appeal to all the senses – time of day, season, weather, light, sounds and smells.

The 2nd revision is about putting your writing into a form you understand and are comfortable with seeing on paper.

During the 2nd revision:
~Review possessives – don’t use to make a word or number plural .
~Check for misspelled words – don’t rely on the spell check on your computer, use a dictionary.
~The use of proper grammar. One thing that trips up writers are pronouns.
~Watch for dialogue format. Use a new paragraph when character who is speaking changes.
~Make sure you see plenty of white space on the page. It is easier for the reader to read the book.
~Check for punctuation. Watch for overuse of strong marks such as exclamation points.
~ Review of formatting of sentences on the paper. A hyphen should not be at the end of the line.

Here is a great list of suggested books to help with the revision process:
1) Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
2) The Chicago Manual of Style
3) The Elements of Style
4) The Copy Editor’s Handbook by Amy Einsohn
5) Getting the Words Right: How to Rewrite, Edit and Revise by Theodore A Rees
6) Make Your Words Work by Gary Provost
7) Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – How to edit Yourself into Print by Renni Browne
The Writer’s Handbook for Editing and Revision by Rick Wilber
9) Revision by Kit Reed

Read more about E. Rose Sabin and her books

This post comes from a PR colleague of mine: Karen Pierce Gonzalez, owner of KPG Public Relations.

As a journalist, I received countless press releases. It was easy to identify the professional press releases from the ones that were prepared by someone who wasn’t sure of what they were doing. The professional ones were quickly plucked out of the stack to become the fodder for news stories. The rest often went into the circular file (divided into days of the week) just in case someone was looking for a story idea or needed a last minute item for a newsbrief. There were even a few that were quietly put into a side pile very near the garbage can.

Because press releases serve a very valuable function inside a news room, they are your organization’s (or an entrepreneur’s) greatest tool. In many cases they are the first line of contact established between a journalist or editor and you. For that reason how they look and how they read matter – a lot!

Here are three tips to help you create a timely and effective press release:

1) A press release is a hook, not a book.
• Most journalists don’t have time to read more than a one page press release. Having to wade through more than that may neutralize a journalist’s interest in the topic.
• Double space the copy. Most press releases are four to seven paragraphs long. On occasion, the text (which should always be 12 pt) can be single (or 1.5) spaced with double space between paragraphs.

2) It needs to be easy to look at and easy to read.
• Avoid colorful inks and fancy fonts. Remember that journalists and editors receive many press releases a day. While a warm and fuzzy pink ink and curly script may make you feel warm, it may only frustrate the journalist who has to quickly scan the copy for content.
• Keep the language simple. It needs to be something that can be understood by anyone. If technical terms are necessary, italicize them and include a one to three word explanation of what the word means in parentheses.

3) Think of the press release as a mini-news story.
• Take a look at some of the news stories you’ve read and notice which were the most effective. Model your release after those.
• The opening paragraph needs to be succinct and compelling; it also needs to include basic details of location (including street address), time and date.
• Include a quote from someone related to the event or news issue. For example, if the press release is about a new book, then get a quote from a reviewer or an expert in the industry the book is written about how the book is helpful or relevant or how the author’s expertise makes him or her ideal author for such a book.
• Avoid claims to fame. Words like “magnificent” or phrases like “the best in the world” should not find their way into your press release. These are subjective and more appropriate for advertising venues. Remember: news stories are objective and claims need to be substantiated.
• The final paragraph should contain public contact information (phone, website) for those wanting to know more about the topic of the press release. Include other pertinent information, such as ticket cost, purchase price for book, etc.
• On the bottom of the page add a final line (flushed right) that reads: Media contact only: name, phone and/or email.

Take a few moments (well it will probably take you about 45min to an hour) to read these posts below that I found this week via Twitter, Facebook and or Google Alerts.

This first post was done by the Publication Coach Daphne Gray-Grant and it is about 5 copywriting tips from Shakesphere. Great article and then I also noticed she had a new book, 8 1/2 steps to writing Faster, Better …well, it was a great surprise to see you can purchase your newest book, 8 1/2 steps to writing Faster, Better along with some wonderful extra bonus gifts and you get it ALL for only $49!

Next, is at Pro Writing Tips a book review done by John Roach at Pro Writing Tips of Karen Reddick’s Grammer Done Right.

Now, here is an “oldie” (from April 2008) but a goodie for writers—what NOT to do when pitching a story to Mashable. For those who may not know, Mashable is one of the highest blogged, rss feed, twittered social media sites on the internet. So if you are a writer and wish to write for them–be sure to read this!

Last and fabulously last….one of the best lists I have seen for the publishing, writing, reading industry on the web. tweeted by Book Gal Penny S.

Oooo-one more. Just found this one. Great post as a reminder regarding networking for writers and authors at conferences and conventions. JA Konrath, author of several books and short stories wrote a post called Con Etiquette.

Here is a guest post from a very good friend of mine, Heidi Richards-Mooney and she has a wonderful offering to spark up your marketing efforts – Quirky Marketing Calander.
Well, I wanted to add one “non-traditional holiday” you may not be aware of…
Did you know that February is Library Lover’s Month? When is the last time as an author or writer you have checked out to see the programs happening at your local library. Today, I went to the library to return some books and found out about a local charity I can contact regarding an event that is coming up to raise money for their organization. Also, every month, the local writer’s group, Florida Writer’s Association holds free meetings.
Also, as an author if you would like to do a book reading to help promote your book, most library’s will be delighted to have you on the schedule.

Did you know that today (February 6th) is Bubble Gum Day?
Bubble gum was invented in 1906 by Frank Fleer. But it didn’t get to market for 20 years because the recipe was so sticky it was a real challenge to remove it from skin (had to use turpentine). After 20 years and several recipes later, it was introduced as Dubble Bubble Gum. Pink just happened to be the color of the gum because it was the only food coloring on Fleer’s shelf that day. Since then every other manufacture has used pink as the standard. What standards in business are you following and what can you do to improve upon them. Did you know you cannot buy bubble gum at any Disney property? They don’t sell it because they don’t want their streets lined with discarded gum.

Or that January 17th is Kid Inventor’s Day – January 17th was chosen as Kid Inventors Day because it is the birth anniversary of Benjamin Franklin, who invented the first swim flippers almost 300 years ago at age 12! Chester Greenwood A grammar school dropout, invented earmuffs at the age of 15 and accumulated over 100 patents in his lifetime. Need a new product or service to offer your clients? Why not ask a kid (or several) to come up with a solution. You could host a contest or a Day for kid inventors. Get the local community to donate prizes to the finalists and winners. Be sure to check out Kid Inventors Day online for a list of activities, etc. for kids.

And August is National Inventor’s Month? If you are an inventor, think about some of the creative ways you can market your new product. How could you get noticed by the media, by your community and most importantly by your target market? How about Tryvertising your new product? According to TrendWatching.com, Tryvertising is, ” a new breed of product placement in the real world, integrating your goods and services into daily life in a relevant way, so that consumers can make up their minds based on their experience, not your messages.” Hotels, bars and restaurants make good use of Tryvertising their products to build a customer base and instill loyalty in their marketplace.
So what does this mean to inventors? It means there are several “quirky and non-traditional holidays” you can tap into to promote your own invention.
In fact, because you are an inventor, quirky might just be right up your alley.

If it is then I want to tell you about my brand new book that just came out TODAY! It is called Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-Traditional Holidays. (www.quirkyoffer.com)

The above “holidays are just 3 of the 365 ways you can promote your business!

And that’s not all!

In addition to 365 Ideas to promote your business, inside the 2009 Edition of Quirky Marketing Calendar, we show you how to use the calendar, how to work with the media, give you monthly action plan templates, a blank monthly calendar and more. At the end of each chapter is a comprehensive listing of additional holidays you can explore and use to promote your business. And an expanded resource section.

And there’s more! When you buy your copy of Quirky Marketing Calendar eBook, you also receive more than $2,437.92 in BONUSES my Colleagues want to share with you. F.R.E.E. at www.QuirkyOffer.com.

All this for only $19.95!

And you don’t have to wait. When you order your copy, you get a confirmation message which includes links to take advantage of these business and life-enhancing Bonuses as well as a link to download your copy of Quirky Marketing Calendar.

If you don’t find at least 3 other events or holidays you can use to promote your inventions, I will give you your money back – and you can keep the book! But you have to hurry before the bonuses are all gone.

Go to www.QuirkyOffer.com and read about all the fabulous bonuses and grab your copy today!

To your success … and then some,

Heidi

Heidi Richards Mooney, Author, Entrepreneur, Business Coach

Online Promotion for anyone can be a overwhelming, tricky, complicated and unrewarding part of getting the word out to the masses about your writing or your latest book. However, it doesn’t have to end up that way.

First of all, nothing is a magic pill or an automatic selling machine. To me, those who fill authors and writers’ heads with the notion of instant or immediate sales are the one more likely to be scamming people than those of us who are offering assistance and help with online promotion services for writers, authors, coaches, speakers.

Online promotion takes time to be done effectively. I am sure you have heard, people buy from those they know. If you have just self published your book last week and then you join Facebook and Twitter and think just because you are a member and suddenly thousands of people are going to buy your book or hire you as their editor or writer, it is unlikely. The reasoning is because they don’t know you. Now, six months down the line it may be a different story. Since you have been on the social networking sites for awhile and if you are an author, you have talked about the subject of your book or you are a freelance writer and you have shared ways people can utilize a freelance writer in their business, perhaps you will start seeing some movement in the book sales or clients you receive.

Online promotion and marketing your business, whether you are a freelance writer, blogger, musician or book author, is about relaying your message and getting in front of those people who most want to read or hear it. Yes, you can spend tons of time and expend energy being on, Twitter, Facebook, several internet radio shows, writing blog posts, doing article marketing, and in the end not see much results. So before you do these things you have to ask yourself why this would be happening? One thing to look at is, are you aligned with and in front of those people who will relate best to what you are writing and have written?

Know your target market, who is your writing and book for? Speak to those who will benefit and want to hire you or purchase your book. When you are fully aware of who will be receptive to your message, you can more easily align yourself online to those who audience will be eager to hear the message too. You can go online, do some research and make a list of networking groups (Yahoo or Ning) or internet radio shows you would like to be a member or guest. Then start making those connections.

Also, be involved or be gracious. If you go into your business (yes, writing and being an author is a business) and think it doesn’t require deliberate action on your part, don’t be upset when the results come out less then spectacular. Take the time to offer tips, suggestions, ideas to others when they ask. This is another way others can get to know you and you then build relationships. Offer to be on a brainstorming round table with others in your industry or better yet, begin a mastermind group with a few other people in your business community local and online. Blog about those things involving the subject of your book or related to your message.

The pieces of online promotion – branding, blogging, internet radio show interviews, media kits, article marketing, social media, networking, virtual blog tours, are all part of the bigger picture in getting your business and/or book out to the people who you want it to reach. And it isn’t instantaneous and there are alot of “moving parts”…the objective is to keep the online promotion moving and speak to those who will want to hear or read your message.

Time just flies by, doesn’t it. Can’t believe January 2009 is already gone.

Did you begin 2009 successfully with your marketing, pr, and/or online promotion goals for this new year?

It can be a bit overwhelming to get these components solidified in your business.

Here are a few things to remember about your online promotional/marketing efforts:

1) If you are new online, be sure to take your time. Do not try and do all of it all at once. This can happen kind of easy because there are so many neat things you can do online and you will have others telling you, “Oh, you should do this, or you “have” to do this”. Each person means well, however, if you start doing all of these things, it is very easy to get overwhelmed, very fast. I know because it happens to me sometimes. Yes, there is alot of things out there however, take your time and do it a little bit at a time. Put together one marketing or promotion plan in its completion before tackling another.

2) Remember to think about your audience and target market when you are putting your plans into place. What does your target market need from you? Have you seen discussions online about a certain subject in your industry? If so, find a way to give the solution to your clients and be sure they are aware you can provide the solution.

3) Ask questions about what others may be doing successful for them. For some, online ads still work well. For others, joint ventures work better. Don’t be shy about asking others for help. Sometimes, we get stuck in the mode of “I don’t want to ask, because…” (you feel it the blank). You may be surprised at how often people are willing to help you. But if you don’t ask for help, the answer is always, no.

Now, I tried to get my own radio show off to a start…this proved to be a bit more cumbersome for me. I am not sure yet why this is…however, it did occur. I choose to do this because I have questions about writing a book, various writing skills, publishing options, editing, and other topics to due with the writing and publishing industry. I figured if I still have questions, other people might have questions and I would like to offer the opportunity for others to learn from authors and writers who have been there and listen to their experiences.

So are you happy with the results of your marketing, pr and online promotional efforts so far in 2009? Are there other avenues you wish to try but don’t know where to start? Or don’t think it will work for you?