Category: blog

Animated images — also known as GIFs — have become one of the hottest social media tools.They tell a story, add humor and emotion, and can create a lasting impression on millions of readers. In your wordpress websiste create a new post and add a link to your GIF.

So simple.

Go now and check out all the stickers and Gifs and start getting more traffic.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Have the world’s largest GIF library at your fingertips. https://giphy.com/

Go now and check out all the stickers and Gifs and start getting more traffic.
Happy, happy, joy, joy.

Why say something with words when you can say it with a dancing duo?

KDP and IngramSpark are two Print-On-Demand printers often used by self-publishing authors. They both print, and distribute, your book to online retailers, such as Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. Authors often struggle with the choice on which one to use for their book. The answer for you might be both.

My suggestion is to use IngramSpark to distribute your book to everywhere except Amazon and use CreateSpace to distribute to Amazon only.

To do this is you would set up an account at both and upload your book to both. I typically let the listing go live on Amazon through CreateSpace first, then release the title for distribution through IngramSpark. Amazon will see that they already have the title through CreateSpace and will not pick it up through Ingram. If your title is already on Amazon through IngramSpark, you can also submit through CreateSpace and the CreateSpace version will replace the one from IngramSpark.

Here is a step by step:

1. Create an account at IngramSpark.
2. Create an account at CreateSpace.
3. Upload your files to both IngramSpark and CreateSpace. (you will need to set up your cover to each of their specifications, as they are different)
4. Use the SAME ISBN at both. (this is important!)
5. Select CreateSpace’s Standard Distribution option. Do NOT select the Expanded Distribution option. (this is important!)
6. Get a proof copy through CreateSpace. I recommend a printed proof copy, but it is not required.
7. Once you receive and approve your proof, approve the proof on CreateSpace.
8. Wait for your book to go live on Amazon. This typically takes 1-3 days.
9. Approve your book for distribution at IngramSpark. You can also order a printed proof through IngramSpark, but it is not critical.

If you need help contact me

You want to publish your book but not sure on how to set-up your interior files for print?

Here are three main steps to get you started.

1. Decide what trim size your book will be and what type of binding you will have.
   The trim size is what size book you would like to create…the most popular is a 6×9. Usually when you set the trim size the margins will be set…this is if you are using Word doc..Createspace and lULU two printers that I use and they have trim size templates that make setting up the interior of your book easy.
   The binding can be coil, saddle stitch or perfect bound depending on how you want your book to look. Saddle stitch is generally used for programs and for leaflets of 64 pages or less. I use perfect bound for my books and coil bindings for my Journals and Coloring Books.
2.  How to format your cover file for printing.
   Your cover will be created as a separate PDF and contain back and front and spine of cover. I use CreateSpace cover templates to make my covers.That way I make sure my dimensions are correct and they formulate the spine width for you based on your page count.
3. Prepare your interior content for a  PDF file.
   With your interior content make sure you are using single page format and not in printer or reader spreads. Remember that the number of pages of your content should end in an even number. For formatting chapter books basically each new chapter will start on new page which should be an odd number which is the right side page and the odd number pages are the left side when looking at an open book. A “page” equals one side of the paper. Save the interior content as a PDF.

Some things to remember when converting file to PDF

All color images must be converted to CMYK format and inserted into text not copied.

All fonts must be embedded

All images must be 300dpi

All black and white images converted to greyscale.

Easy peasy, but if you have questions or need help just drop me an email

Did you know there is ONE website on the internet that can bring you 100% passive income (when used correctly)? This website has 244 MILLION users already. This means you NEVER have to worry about traffic. Ever.

Plus, you don’t need a website, experience, and very limited technical know-how… it’s really easy to get started!

I’m talking about publishing your masterpiece on Amazon as a Kindle and Paperback version. This is a great time to get it done and fulfil your ambition of becoming a published author..

Here are seven good reasons to self-publish on Amazon right now. According to the latest research…
1.The Big Five traditional publishers now account for only 16% of the e-books on Amazon’s bestseller lists. DRM (digital rights management) “harms e-book sales at any price point.”

2.Self-published books now represent 31% of e-book sales on Amazon’s Kindle Store.

3.Indie (self-published) authors are earning nearly 40% of the e-book dollars going to authors.

4. Self-published authors are “dominating traditionally published authors” in sci-fi/fantasy, mystery/thriller, and romance genres but – and here is the surprise – they are also taking “significant market share in all genres.”

5.Indie books are now a significant and permanent part of the book publishing landscape.

6.Royalties range up to 70% of your listed price.
7.Your books are available globally wherever Amazon has a footprint.

Some more facts…
•$2.99 and $3.99 are currently the pricing sweet spots for most e-book bestsellers. In general, authors who price their books modestly earn more than those whose average price is higher, but 99 cents is no longer recommended.

•Readers prefer longer e-books. In fact, bestselling books tend to be over 100,000 words.

•Series books outsell standalone books, although series books under 50,000 words are at a sales disadvantage.

•Free still works as a marketing tool, especially when an author offers the first book in a series for free.

•Pre-orders give authors a sales advantage.

•Non-fiction earns more at higher prices and it is recommended that authors experiment with higher prices.

Publishing your books on this amazing platform is free. Amazon does all the selling and distribution… and sends you the royalties.

Of course, you need to know HOW to format your book for their sales platform. That is the “tricky” part.

Contact me and I can show you how.

Helping You Publish Your Book on Amazon

Publishing your book can be a big pain if you do not know what you are doing. Here are 5 Mistakes to avoid and think about before you print your book.

1. Wrong formatting – Chapters need to start on the right, chapter headings need to be consistent throughout and fonts need to be consistent.Note that fonts should be in the serif family for easier reading—and to ensure the book looks professional. Readers don’t want to spend hours reading books typeset in Arial fonts or Comic Sans.

2.Weak Back Cover Copy – The description of your book that goes on the back cover is typically the same sales copy that will be published on Amazon, BN.com, etc. This description is often your only chance to convince a reader to buy the book, which means that it must sizzle and convince a potential reader to fork over some cash.

For nonfiction, back cover copy should explain the benefits for the reader. For memoir and fiction, the copy should summarize a compelling story.

3.Wrong Book Pricing – A sure sign of a self-published book is when its price doesn’t align with others in the genre. For example, if you’ve authored a short, 100-page self-development book, don’t price the paperback at $24.99. When you do a little research into the genre, you’ll find that a short nonfiction book will more likely land in the $14.99 price range.

You also need to make sure you allow for enough margin to make a profit. Using the same example, your 100-page trade paperback will likely have a wholesale cost between $3 to $5, depending on your printer. When you set the retail price at $14.99, Amazon and other retailers will typically take around 50% off the cover price, thus paying you $7.50 for the book. Make sure to run these calculations before setting your retail price.

4.Forgotten Marketing – Waiting until the book is published is the worst time to think about marketing! Ideally, your marketing plans should begin as far in advance as possible. This can mean months or years before the book is released. Do yourself a favor and start establishing a marketing plan long before your next book becomes available. this includes setting up your website and social media profiles.

5.Wrong Publishing Company Name – If you are publishing your book with a “big box” publisher, like CreateSpace or IngramSpark, be sure to establish your own publishing company name. Allowing your brand to be associated with self-publishing services like IngramSpark or CreateSpace instantly tells media pros and potential readers that you’re self-published.

When deciding on a publishing company name, try to choose something that sounds like a legitimate publishing company. If your name is Annie Author, avoid using something like “Annie’s Publishing Co.” Remember, the goal is to create a professionally-produced book that doesn’t look like it was self-published.

These are 5 mistakes you can avoid when publishing your book. You can download a free publishing checklist to keep you organized. If you have questions just ask me, I would love to help you.

Did you know that writing a book  and use it as a business card is a powerful marketing tool for you as a business owner?

By the way you are are not publishing your book in hopes of becoming a best-selling author

But to ……..produce a quality marketing tool to generate additional income.

That income can comes from speaking, coaching, consulting, and new customers. It’s not about selling LOADS of books.

Your Book Is Your New Business Card

1. • Your book is a tool that encourages customers to buy your products, services, or offer you speaking engagements.

   • Your book helps you establish your expertise and sets you apart from others in your industry.

   • Your book becomes a powerful marketing tool. You can give copies of your book to prospects when you meet with them, and you can include copies when you send out proposals for speaking at industry events.

   • Your book will help you build your mailing list.

   • Your book will add legitimacy to training courses and workshops. It will encourage people to register for the classes you are hosting and teaching.

Using your story in your book is a powerful tool for helping others get to know you as a business owner, but also get to know you as a person!

If you need help formatting or publishing your book contact me Love to help you.

Time and again I get asked

• What is an Author Platform
• Do I need one
• How do I make one

I came across this informative podcast by Jane Friedman’

She discusses building an author platform, including the struggles authors face and what the key components of a platform are, tips for blogging for both fiction and nonfiction authors, and what she would do if she started as an author today. It is 37 minutes long and I know you will enjoy this information.

And remember if you need help building your website I can help.

Coloring Books are great fun. These 3 coloring books are being given away. You can enter the contest here:click here 

Coloring is totally accessible to everyone. Regardless of any coloring “skill level”, a person can happily apply crayon, colored pencil, marker, or pen to the coloring book pages.

By now we know how to color inside the lines!

The Mindfulness Coloring Book is a particularly exciting collection because the designs within it are so diverse. One page may have mandalas while another page shows a gorgeous landscape. Portraits, abstract patterns, cartoons, and more fill this book. Not only will you find a variety of content inside, but the level of detail from image to image also varies. Ranging from bold lines and low levels of detail to very fine lines and intricate detail, the coloring book pages suit any mood!

Here is the link again to enter the contest. Enter

Do you believe- to doodle-  means  making meaningless marks, to do something of little value, substance or import, and — my personal favorite — to do nothing. No wonder people are averse to doodling at work. Doing nothing at work is totally inappropriate.

But research says something different about Doodling.

Our culture is so intensely focused on verbal information that we’re almost blinded to the value of doodling. Here’s the truth: doodling is an incredibly powerful tool, and it is a tool that we need to remember and to re-learn.

Doodling is really to make spontaneous marks to help yourself think. That is why millions of people doodle. Here’s another interesting truth about the doodle: People who doodle when they’re exposed to verbal information retain more of that information than their non-doodling counterparts. We think doodling is something you do when you lose focus, but in reality, it is a preemptive measure to stop you from losing focus. Additionally, it has a profound effect on creative problem-solving and deep information processing.

Pretty neat, right?

So here is my point: Under no circumstances should doodling be eradicated from a classroom or a boardroom or while watching TV.. On the contrary, doodling should be leveraged in precisely those situations where information density is very high and the need for processing that information is very high. And I will go you one further. Doodling is  universally accessible and it is not intimidating as an art form, it can help us see the bigger picture and open our minds to solving a problem

This is a fact: doodling has a profound impact on the way that we can process information and the way that we can solve problems.

So, I say let us doodle more.  Especially when we are trying to think of a story line or how to move  a character into the next scene. It helps us think and solve problems.What do you think