Author Platform / Brand

The Party is Over for Authors – Really?

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Champagne-for-all

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Aaron Shepard Wrote a Blog: The Party is Over.
“Amazon has been touted as fostering a thriving culture of self publishing with its level playing field for online sales and its promotion of new reading and publishing technologies, particularly the Kindle. Well, much of that is valid. Amazon has made self publishing more and more accessible to writers and for many years supported a good number of them with sales. But with the Kindle, Amazon has also commercialized books to the point that fewer and fewer self publishers can make a living from them.”
“Print-on-Demand (POD) books provided a handsome profit margin even at reasonable prices. But Kindle books, with their lower prices, have decimated POD sales. Meanwhile, Kindle customers expect more and more for the low prices they pay. Many feel cheated if they spend 99 cents or even less on a book that isn’t “full-length.”  And the flood of easily-published books makes it harder and harder for individual ones to stand out—a problem that can only worsen with time.”  Read more on his website.

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A Numbers Game
Nothing fundamental about the process or the business has changed. It’s purely a numbers game. More and more people are attempting to make a living from self-publishing, and that increases the amount of poor products that will never sell well.  Fewer people making a living at it, in comparison to the total number of people attempting it.  A relatively fixed amount of consumer dollars is being spread over a continually increasing number of books.

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Make a Back List of Books First, then Profit!
Too many books and articles with sensational articles have touted the fast, easy money-making opportunity with books / e-books. Sure, it is easy to put your self published work out there – although the process to reach that point and to promote it is hard work – but there is only a finite amount of readers. The best way into a writing career is to build up a back list of books first before seeing enough profits to make a living.  Every book (and also every article / blog / guest blog a writer releases, will increase their return and boosts their portfolio exposure.

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Compare Publishing with a Marriage
You can see it also philosophically: Writing is like a marriage. If you want to get into it solely for the potential monetary payoff, you will probably fail. But if you get into it with your eyes open, and with reasonable expectations, you will probably get a payoff in personal satisfaction.  And in regards of publishing, you might even make some decent money along the way.

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What’s a Writer to Do?
It feels like every other boom we have seen in tech: The Get-Rich-Quicker’s show up, make a lot of noise, get discouraged and declare the party over. One needs to see the reality: There is no successful business that doesn’t constantly create new products – books. And there is no success if no one knows of your products – books. Can you imagine Apple still selling their PowerBooks, and has not invented iPods, iPads or iPhones? And has not created fantastic public launches, nor established their Apple Stores? The company would be already bankrupt, and their party would be over…

The proportion of people who write well – and who are professionally self-publishing and marketing their books well in order to succeed – probably hasn’t changed. Many authors think, writing a book is enough “if you write it, people will buy it”.  But that’s not how it works…  Compare it with a retail business: Setting up a shop with only one single product and don’t market this product will not even bring a handfull of customers. Everyone would agree that this is silly. But some authors do the same in their publishing “business”. It is a long road for author-publishers from having no readers at all, being on ground zero, to start a small base and grow it to a large readership. It takes lots of time and effort to connect with a sufficient reader bases in order to make a living. And it cannot be based on Social Media only, an author’s writing should show up at blogs, guest posts, at newspapers, magazines, through book signings, readings, radio and TV interviews and maybe even speeches. Not to mention lots of reviews from reputable places.

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No Reason for Arrogance
I have heard it too often: “I like writing, but hate to go out in the public and market my book”. “I can post on Social Media, but I am a shy writer, or I am not going to do any book signings”. Compare it with a party guest who doesn’t talk with others, who doesn’t try the delicious buffet or doesn’t listen to music or dance … these is the equivalent to authors who go to the big “publishing party”, without really participating, not being interested to talk with other guests, expecting the whole audience accommodates them (and is buying their books).

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Conclusion:
The party is NOT over at all, it just has gotten more guests. To compete with millions of other writers means for writers to create lots of new books and to market them professionally. If not trained in book marketing – and I am not talking about just having a presence on Facebook or Twitter – then get professional help long BEFORE the book launch (even better before you write it) in order to have a smooth and successful publishing experience and to establish a great author platform. And for the writing part: there are hundreds of websites with writing tips, critique groups and even more writing teachers and classes out there. And even from editors one can learn a lot.
Yes, new authors will likely find it necessary to work harder than ever before. This isn’t the industry for people who expect a quick profit, or who think their single novel is going to make them rich or they can make a living from the first book on.

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More About This Topic:

http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2014/06/15/want-to-write-for-glory-or-for-money/

http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/free-brilliant-book-marketing-to-a-million-audience/

http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/how-much-do-self-publishing-authors-earn/

 

 

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,100 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: Aaron Shepard, how to professionally publish a book, Kindle publishing, self-publishing boom, The Party is Over

Are You Blogging or Writing an Online Diary?

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Blog-Writing

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Readers are always curious to find out more about an author, or to see more of her or his writing.  What would a book lover expect when visiting their favored writers pages? An author bio, background stories to the book(s), maybe something about the writing and publishing process, news about upcoming books and a sneak peek (maybe even a chapter) into the next one, even a prequel or a link to a prequel. Visit blogs or website logs from famous writers and you see often great blog examples

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Blog or Diary?
A diary “offers the potential to reveal a fully fledged identity, one with hopes, doubts, petty occupations and grand aspirations.  In contrast to a diary, the blog is conscious of its readers from the outset: testimonies, commentaries, journalism … are components of a blog. Blog posts are an important part of an author’s platform, it will improve your Google ranking, they are material to tweet and post about and are the gateway to more readers and customers.

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Professional Writing
Keep in mind that not only your readers find your blog posts, but also literary agents and publishers, as well as potential business partners. Being in a profession (of writing) requires a business-like blog, not a diary where you talk about your feelings and your daily occurrences.  Readers want to read about your book or writing, not who came on Sunday for dinner, your shopping experiences at a mall or your menopause.

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Blog Post Like A Professional
In a great article, Reginal Chan gives valuable advises, read the whole post to learn more:

  • Before you start drafting your blog, you need to have a great plan in mind:
  • Why you are writing this blog?
  • Knowing the reasons why readers are coming to your blog
  • How you can attract potential readers to your blog
  • What can you do to ensure they stay longer on your blog
  • How to market your writings and further increase the blog traffic

And Don’t Forget:

  • Preparing a killer title and excerpt
  • Content is King!
  • Use videos, images, slides etc. – just everything visual
  • Quote people
  • State resources
  • Call to action

Stephen King advised in an interview: 
“Jot down a list of blog topics you could write about. Circle the ones at least 80% of your readers would find irresistible. Write about those topics and nothing else. Simple, but it takes discipline. The better you become at cultivating that discipline, the more popular your writing will become. If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
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Author Jon Morrow comments:
Of course, most bloggers do neither. We start a blog, squeeze in the occasional post, between going to the gym and picking up take-out, and then expect it to somehow lead to fame and fortune.
Sorry, but that’s not how it works. Every popular blogger I know reads at least one book every week and writes at least 1,000 words every day. Yes, it’s a lot, but success comes at a price, folks. Are you willing to pay it?

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,100 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: a blog is not a diary, Author Jon Morrow, Blogs of famous writers, professional blog posting, Stephen King quotes

Who are Your Readers – and Your Competition?

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study-your-competition

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Authors often do very little research to really understand who their potential audience is – or could be.  Asking them: “Who is your audience and who is your competition?” one might receive only vague answers …  However, these are essential questions that are not only very important for self-publishers, but also for authors who want to go with a traditional publisher!  They need to proof to the agent or the publisher that they have done their homework.
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How Can You Research Your Competition?
First of all make a long list with possible keywords that readers might use to find a similar book.
Check out the complete categories / genres at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Apple, Sony, Google Books, Waterstones etc. and study all the books, that could be akin to your future work. Visit several public libraries to learn about your competition. Borrow the most interesting ones, not only to read them, but also to study the book layout and design. Read the online reviews of their books carefully!

  • How many books of this topic / with the same keywords have been published already?
  • Where are these books sold and for which price?
  • In which format are they offered: e-book, print, audio-book?
  • Who are the customers of these competing books?
  • How are these books received and which ones are bestselling?
  • Which categories did they choose, and which keywords?
  • In which categories / genres are these competitive books listed?
  • What cover designs have been chosen for these books?
  • Which author represent him/herself and their book the best – via their Amazon and Goodreads author page, and on their website or blog?.
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Don’t Give Up!
Bestseller authors often need years and years to build up their audience, so it is surprising, that authors dream of their first book as a potential bestseller, and don’t realize that it takes a long time and hard work to get an audience, one reader at a time – especially if they did not do the ground work to build a huge following at Social Media, in reader forums or in real-life before they start publishing.

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Author-Publishing is Like a Completely New Profession
And professions need to be learned! It takes years to become an excellent writer and it also takes years to become an excellent publisher. It involves lots of skills and knowledge business-wise, marketing skills, not to mention, learning constantly new internet techniques and get to know the latest changes in publishing. Many authors have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the time required for effective book promotion and to make meaningful connections with readers. They expect wonders from a single sales campaign.
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Take Advantage of their Knowledge
A book marketing professional has to learn years and years. Why, as an author, not take advantage of their knowledge to keep your head free for writing and interacting with your readers? No one would start an accounting business without learning the ropes, and knowing how to create a revenue / expenses sheet or fill out income tax forms. Writing a book does not make for a publisher, no matter how clever businesses want you to imagine. Take the time to build your author platform and establish a brand, it will eventually give you an advantage in the market.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,100 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: author competition, author publishing requires marketing skills, research for your novel, research your competition, self-publishing, show publishers that you know your competition

How Your Blog Helps Your Books Taking Off

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Book-Sales-Flying

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A blog is one of the most valuable tools to show you and your work to readers. Your blog is part of your platform and your author brand. Your blog has endless benefits, such as higher “Search Engine Ranking” on Google, better visibility, and to separate you from mainstream writers. Blog reader surveys found that blogs are building trust, and are influencing buying decisions. Let’s have a look at the benefits of your blog and best practices:
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Write Regularly
Static websites don’t attract many new clients or customers. However, a regularly updated blog can
produce a constant stream of new readers from all around the world. Blogs have so much
influence on purchase decisions. When readers sign up they expect to be able to read new
content from you at least once or (even better) twice a week.
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What Shall I Blog You Ask?
Start with what you have already written: tiny snippets of your book, added by research findings you
found before writing. For example: you wrote a scene in your novel. Explain your readers more
about the place, the time, weather, landscape or history that are involved in the story. You can even
write about restaurants that the protagonist used to patronize:  FREE, Brilliant Book Marketing
You can also re-write or spin a short chapter of your book or elaborate on the people you thanked
in your acknowledgements.
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Prequels
Use your blog to write about your next book, write one or several prequels.
A prequel can be one story or a dozen. However, it should be an irresistible preview of the book itself,
short, but with a revealing scene from the draft manuscript of the novel, and a great teaser for the
upcoming work. The author’s goal should be: to make the reader want more… It is never too early
to write a prequel. You might write it even before starting to write your book, and your blog is a great
place to do just that. However, keep it to 1,500 words max. and don’t reveal too much. It should be
only a teaser for your next book.
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Create Web Content Without Writing
No time to write? No problem! There are so many ways to create content for your blog:

  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Podcast
  • Re-blogging
  • Slide-Shares
  • Guest posts
  • Info-Graphics
  • Lists
  • Snippets from your book
  • Polls / Surveys
  • Curating other blog articles

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Your Blog is Your Inventory
Use it! When it comes to updating your blog, the more frequently you do so the better. Set a schedule for blogging, every Monday and Thursday, for example. Read other related blogs, comments on posts, forums or books to get ideas. And writing down your own experiences in writing or publishing and answers you found when looking for solutions.
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How to Promote Your Blog
Number one to spread the word about your blog are directories, here just a few:

http://blogs.botw.org/Arts/Literature/Publishing/
http://www.bloggeries.com/Writing_Publishing/
http://technorati.com/blogs/directory/entertainment/books/

See all 20 Blog Directories to submit your blog
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Document Sharing Sites
Scribd, a social publishing site, where millions of people share original writings and documents.
Convert your original article to a PDF file and upload it to Scribd. Unlike article directories Scribd
allows you to incorporate links within your content. You can upload anything onto Scribd as a way to
grow your audience, just like on your personal blogs. Choose copyright settings, among many
other options, making your documents most searchable. Authors are uploading e-books for sale
on Scribd, and keep 80% of the profits.
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Social Media Sites
On Google+ you can easily post your article, if it is under 500 words – if it is longer, just add a link to
the rest of the article. There are certainly more social media sites (Google+ can be conected with
Twitter, saving you time and your post is automatically tweeted). On most Social Media sites you
can add images and a link back to your website or blog. Here is an article about Social SEO
Strategies for Start-Ups.  Read also why Google+ authorship is so important.
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Learn to Write for the Web
Web visitors are not reading, they are scanning text. Learn how to write for the web: lots of bullets,
headlines, sub headings, images and using the “inverted pyramid”, explained in this blog article.
Write interesting page titles that grab the attention, structure your text and write summaries at the end
of each chapter. Readers spend more time on pages with valuable information, structured and
easy to read content – and lots of links.
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Let Your Content Go Viral
There is so much you can do to let your articles and blogs go viral on the Internet. It takes a little bit of effort, but the results in a couple of months will be rewarding. And as longer and more often you are blogging, as easier it gets. As Robert Kiyosaki (author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad) said: “The richest people in the world build networks. Everyone else looks for work.”
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,070 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: blogging creates trust, blogging is content writing, let your blog go viral, what shall I blog, where to submit your blog, why is blogging important for writers

Want to Write for Glory? Or for Money?

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Writing-Query-to-Publisher
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At a recent meeting of independent writers I met a young women, who told me about an event she wanted to visit: the “path to publishing”.  The highlight will be a literary agent who accepts query letters from participating aspiring writers.  I asked her why she is querying to publishers. “Do you want to write for glory – to see your book for a couple of weeks in bookstores – or do you want to earn money with your writing?”  I admit, a bit provocative.  I explained her what she can expect as “published” author including the minimal royalty of only 8-10% what an author gets – compared to 70% (or almost 100% for sales from the authors website).  
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  1. Having an established platform and an idea how to brand yourself
  2. The first book has to be successful from day one!  Bookstores give only a couple of weeks for success
  3. Expect an exclusivity clause in your contract for series / similar topics
  4. But first of all:  Proof the publisher you and your book will be a success
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There are some questions that trade publishers and literary agents frequently ask writers before they sign them up. The problem is most writers are caught off guard by these questions and don’t always answer them the way they would’ve liked. So prepare ahead of time!
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Why do you want to be published?
Seems like a simple question, right? The agent isn’t just interested in your answer but your attitude. Let’s take a look as how some of your answers COULD be perceived…
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Answer #1: I just want to get my story on paper.
Agent’s reaction:  Then you don’t need me. If you’re not going to take this seriously and consider writing your new career, I’m not interested.
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Answer #2: I want to share my stories with the world.
Agent’s reaction:  Why would anyone want to read your stories? What makes you more special than any other writer out there? If you don’t know what’s unique about you and you can’t sell yourself, how am I supposed to?
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Answer #3: I want to become a bestseller and make a bundle.
Agent’s reaction: Get real.  Do you know how hard it is to become a bestseller? Do you understand how much work is involved? Why do I get the feeling you’re not interested in the writing, just the possible financial benefit.  Oh, did I mention you will make next to nothing with your first book and possibly every book after that? If you want to become a millionaire, buy a lottery ticket. Your odds are probably better.
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Answer #4: I want to be famous.
Publishers reaction:  That’s not going to happen overnight. Are you willing to put in the time and sweat?  What if you don’t amount to more than being a mid-lister?
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Here are more questions, which could come in many forms:

  • What’s your next book about?
  • What else are you working on?
  • Where do you see this series going?
  • What is your blog about?
  • How many followers do you have on your Social Media sites?

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What Are Publishers / Agents Expecting?  They want to know you’re committed, that you understand this journey is hard, long, and not always rewarding. They want you to dream and to set goals, but they need to believe you are willing to work to attain those goals.
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Must-Read Blog to learn more about agents and how to approach them
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents
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How to Write a Query Letter
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents
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Less than Minimum Wage for Authors?
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/less-than-minimum-wage-for-authors/
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Successful Query Letters
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/5-tips-for-successful-book-submissions/

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,070 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

.

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Tagged: agent query, How to Write a Query Letter, Literary Agents, Publishing contract, Query Shark, query writing help

A Myth: Selling Books Through Social Media?

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Social-Media
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I am getting this question so often: Do I sell more books when I am on Twitter? Or Facebook? Or Google+? Or LinkedIn? These social mediums are part of the long-term strategy of building your author platform – only one of several places where you can engage with readers and, eventually, possibly, maybe, sell books to some of them. Author Tim Grahl wrote in an article: “Social media is not a mass strategy. It’s a 1-to-1 strategy.”

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Social Media is Not for Hard-Selling – period!
It is what the name says: a Social Media place. You don’t go to a party because you want to sell your books there. You go to a party to meet people, to socialize, to have fun. Not all the Social Media places are equaly well situated to meet new people / future readers: Networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, often restrict their connections and information to people you already know. Choosing someone new on LinkedIn requires often that you have to give their email address, and on Facebook you are punished if you choose too many followers when you are not connected previously. More about the differences in Social Media can be found at a Bloomberg Businessweek article.

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What Twitter Is:
Twitter is more mobile-friendly. That’s because Twitter was born as a mobile network, like Instagram was. Twitter is not meant as a family or friends affair.  On Twitter are no relationship statuses, photo albums, public “likes,” or open forum conversations with easily track-able dialogue, e.g. for potential employers or new relationships. Facebook in contrast will always appeal to people looking to reconnect with fellow students, old friends and their family members. Twitter is more a professional networking tool – e.g. perfect for writers – rather than a way to communicate with family and friends. Rachel Sprung listed 11 Guarantied Ways to Get Others to Re-Tweet Your Content:
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Choose the Right Twitter Followers
If you want to connect with future readers on Social Media, then choose readers, book reviewers, book worms, avid readers, book bloggers and the like as followers. Get more tips in this blog post.
Twitter is meant for tailored follower groups, a world not made up of all of the people you have ever met but rather a community of people you admire or would like to know. How to avoid the wrong tweeps is explained in this blog post.

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Benefits of Twitter:
Tweeting is an easy way for someone to support you. You can even provide pre-written tweet-able messages and a Click to Tweet link, so that all they have to do is one click. You can even use this method on free e-books.  Create a nice mixture of your own, really interesting tweets and do some re-tweeting.Follow others, tweet something valuable for others and don’t use Twitter only as a cheap way to advertise!If you want to become popular on Twitter and have your tweets go viral, learn how to use Twitter in a smart and social way, nurse your relationships – that’s what Twitter is there for.  Twitter is a tool that creates relationships and conversation – using it only for “advertising” would be devaluing the system. Read more about Social Media mistakes to avoid on Twitter.

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Goodreads: Where Only Readers Meet
Not really considered widely as a Social Media site is Goodreads – even though they have more than 20 million users that chose Goodreads to learn more about books and their authors. Not to forget the ten-thousands of communities and groups for every kind of literature one can think of. Smart authors use and benefit from the countless features on Goodreads to connect with readers and reviewers, and to introduce their books to a really wide targeted audience.

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What Else Can You Do to Increase Your Books’ Success?
To make yourself a name as a writer – and more important than to be on Social Media is to WRITE MORE. Your readers want to see content from you.  Write your next book! Write blogs, magazine and newspaper articles! Readers want to get more of your writing.  And if writing is really what you like to do, then write more!!!  Don’t limit yourself only to books!

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- Place your book into the right category / genre and sub-genre (important for its success!)
- Create a second, separate BOOK PAGE on Amazon, Goodreads, Google+ and FB
- Set up a media press kit on your website with a link to your book trailer
- Start a Goodreads Giveaway a month before book launch (print book only)
- Write a blog post about the upcoming launch

- Ask friends to list your book under “Listmania” on Amazon & to LIKE your author page
- Exchange books for book shelves with your friends on Goodreads
- Participate in “Carnival of the Indies” blog carnival to promote your blog URL
- Send your books’ cover to cover contests http://www.thebookdesigner.com
- Submit your blogs including a bio and URL link to even more e-Zines

- Offer interviews at Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com) / local or national TV stations
- Make arrangements for interviews in newspapers or on book blogger’s sites
- Try to set you up to become a desirable guest expert on a talk or morning show
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- Befriend influential book bloggers for even more reviews and articles
- Gather writing friends for cross-promotions and blog tours
- Add press clippings and articles, already published, to your website
- Get a new business card with images of all your books and sales links

- Place the books’ cover image & description daily on your Google+ stream
- Announce your book launch or book signing on Google+ for FREE
- Get even more friends, followers and people in your circles on social media sites
as you need lots of audience to spread the word about your new book!

- Sell your book to libraries (find out how the library orders)
- Let your book translate in other languages or sell foreign rights
- Split your (non-fiction) book in pieces and sell single articles to magazines
- Participate in writing contests and book awards
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,070 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: Benefits of Twitter, does Social Media help to sell books, Selling books on Twitter?, social media for authors, Social Media is not for hard-selling, Social Media myths

Writing for Magazines – Waste of Time?

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Writing-for-Magazines

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A fiction author recently was pondering if it is worth to write magazine articles, and asked me if he should not better use his time to write for his own blog / website. My answer: “Well, it depends how many subscribers / readers your website or blog has … Should your blog have less than a million readers per month, consider to write for these magazines with enormous readership numbers, such as:

Wikipedia  provides a list of American / International magazines and their paid yearly circulation:
AARP The Magazine 21,931,184
Better Homes And Gardens 7,624,505
Reader’s Digest 5,241,484
Good Housekeeping 4,396,795
National Geographic 4,001,937
People 3,690,031
Southern Living 2,824,751
O, The Oprah Magazine 2,417,589

The National Trust Magazine UK 2,043,876
Mathrubhoomi India 1,600,000
India Today 1,100,000
Australian Women’s Weekly 470,331
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Resource: Alliance for Audited Media

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US Newspaper’s Daily Circulation
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The Wall Street Journal with 2,378,827 in circulation; The New York Times at 1,865,318; and USA Today with 1,674,306.

If only one percent of their readership finds your article and the byline with your name, website and book info … it’s worth to write for them, one might not be able to pay their ads, but having a by-line and often even get paid for an article is worth to send a pitch to their editor.
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Best Paying: In-Flight Magazines
Travel pieces are a staple of in-flight magazines, but only when showing the culture and feel of the place. Airline publications also contain articles on technology, business, sports, and food, as well as lifestyle trends. Some in-flights feature celebrity profiles, fiction, humor and many have regular columns.

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In a former blog post writers can find lots of tips how to get into the airline magazine market. Compared to consumer magazine publishers, airline magazines often pay a higher rate for freelancers. Excellent writers might earn up to $3.000 for a three page feature with photographs. Rates are typically between $0.75 – $1.00 per word. Even though, you’ll rarely get your name in the article, at least you have it in your portfolio, and you can mention it in Social Media – and at the same time mention your book(s).
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6 Helpful tips on how to pitch to magazine editors:

  • Get to know and understand the magazine before you query, read 10 issues back.
  • Make a list of editors at prestigious magazines, blogs, newspapers.
  • You do not have to write new articles, take what you have, re-write it a bit, add or subtract an introduction
  • and conclusion.
  • Don’t forget a catchy byline at the end of the article with two links to your book / website.
  • Very important: Learn how to write a query for magazines
  • Send your pitch to dozens of editors at suitable magazines / newspapers.
  • Offer your best photographs to illustrate your articles.
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Best of All:
The research for your books and often parts of your manuscript can be used for articles – in a huge variety of magazines and newspapers. You can use published articles as clips to show to potential publishers and clients in all writing areas. You will receive traffic, money and credibility as a writer, and you will get a huge audience that you could never reach with your blog and Social Media alone!

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More Resources:
http://boostblogtraffic.com/write-for-magazines/
http://money.howstuffworks.com/magazine-writing.htm
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/07/07/free-brilliant-book-marketing-to-a-million-audience/
http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Magazine-Writer-from-Scratch
http://www.dailywritingtips.com/writing-for-magazines/
http://goinswriter.com/how-to-get-published-in-a-magazine/
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/writing-freelance-for-magazines/
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/freelance-writing-for-childrens-magazines/
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/smart-authors-get-paid-for-marketing-their-books/

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,060 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: clever marketing, content marketing, how to pitch to magazines, Huffington Post, In-flight magazines, keywords in books, nouns in books, write for blogs and newspapers

The 10,000-Hour Rule for Writers

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The-10,000-Hour-Rule

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Expectations? Lower them!
Ian Irvine, an Australian bestselling author wrote: “Feel free to write the most beautiful, thought-provoking words in the English language. The public will feel equally free to ignore them. Rarely, someone will write a book and get it published straight away.  I was once in a roomful of writers when that question was asked, and only three writers raised their hands. Most writers work for 5-10 years before getting their first book published (my first took 9 years.)

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Remember the 10,000-hour Rule
“That’s roughly how much work and practice it takes to become accomplished in any field, whether it be sporting, creative or professional. 10,000 hours is 5 years of full time hard work. To become a virtuoso, triple that.”

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Bestseller Authors Need Years
Building up their audience takes lots of time, so it is surprising, that authors dream of their first book as a potential bestseller, and don’t realize that it takes a long time and hard work to get an audience, one reader at a time – especially if they did not do the ground work to build a huge following at Social Media, in reader forums or in real-life before they start publishing.

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Author-Publishing is Like a New Profession
And professions need to be trained! It takes years to become an excellent writer and it also takes years to become an excellent publisher. It involves lots of skills and knowledge business-wise, marketing skills, not to mention, learning constantly new internet techniques and get to know the latest changes in publishing.
Many authors have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the time required for effective book promotion and to make meaningful connections with readers. They expect wonders from a single sales campaign, and don’t understand that under-pricing or “selling” for free is not a marketing strategy.
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Take Advantage of their Knowledge
A book marketing professional has to learn years and years. Why, as an author, not take advantage of their knowledge to keep your head free for writing and interacting with readers? No one would start
catering business without learning to cook, and knowing how to present food or how to find customers.  Writing a book does not make for a publisher. Take the time to build your author platform and establish a brand, it will eventually give you an advantage in the market, no matter if self-publishing or going with a trade publisher.
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Did You Learn About Your Readers?
It is staggering how few authors think about their future readers – and about their competition. Authors often do very little research – if any at all – to really understand their audience. Asking: “Who is your audience and who is your competition?” one might receive only vague answers … Topics, that are not only very important for self- publishers, but also for authors who want to go with a traditional publisher. They need to proof to the agent or publisher that they have done their homework.
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How Can You Research Your Competition?
First of all make a long list with possible keywords that readers might use to find a similar book.  Check out the complete categories / genres at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Apple, Sony, Google
Books, Waterstones etc. and study all the books, that could be similar to your future work. Visit several public libraries and book stores to find similar books as the one you want to write, learn about your competition. Borrow the most interesting ones, not only to read them, but also to study the book layout and design. Read the online reviews of their books carefully!
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Can You Answer These Questions?

  • How many books of this topic / keywords have been published already?
  • Where are these books sold and for which price?
  • In which format are they offered: e-book, print, audio-book?
  • Who are the customers of these competing books?
  • How are these books received and which ones are bestselling?
  • Which categories did they choose, and which keywords?
  • In which categories / genres are these competitive books listed?
  • What cover designs have been chosen for these books?
  • Which author represent him/herself and their book the best?
  • Did you study their Amazon and Goodreads author page, their website or blog?

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More and More Competition for Authors
According to a new report from Bowker, the number of self-published titles in 2012 jumped to more than 391,000, up 59 percent over 2011.  The 2012 numbers will be published soon, but they might be even much higher – which means: more and more competition for authors.

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Marathon – Not a Sprint:
Becoming an author-publisher is a long-term commitment and requires hundreds of small steps on the path to success! Before you start writing, create yourself a road map. Take your time, see your writing & publishing as a long-term project and don’t have unrealistic expectations. First create a professional looking book, do the ground work to build up your author platform, and then have fun, winning one reader at a time.  Becoming an author-publisher is a marathon, not a sprint, and it will require hundreds of small steps on the path to success!  Before you start writing, create yourself a road map.  Bowker explains: “The most successful self-publishers don’t view themselves as writers only, but as business owners. They invest in their businesses, hiring experts to fill skill gaps and to gain more time for writing.”

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Read More:
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/04/01/writing-is-an-art-publishing-is-a-business/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/what-publishers-wont-tell-you/
http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/success-for-your-book-in-non-traditional-markets/

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,060 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Tagged: 10000 hours is 5 years of full time hard work, a list with possible keywords, Bowker Statistics, getting their first book published, Ian Irvine, research your competition, study your competition

Secret of Social Selling Your Book

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It’s all about CONTENT MARKETING

Authors can do either of the following:

  • Spend ten thousands, even hundred thousands of dollars to buy their way into bestseller lists
  • Create their platform – do your own marketing, write articles or short stories – or hire publicists

REMEMBER:  Even Celebrity Authors are required to have a platform and a web presence!
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Social Media has become part of our culture, and helps to connect with your readers. However when scrawling through tweets and other posts on Social Media sites one gets the impression that 90% of all posts by writers are “buy my book, buy my book, buy my book…”.  Instead of posting links to useful or entertaining articles, reader only land at sales pages.  Few links are pointing to interesting, entertaining or helpful content – despite the fact that there are so many talented writers out there, who could write great articles or show snippets of their books online. This would make their Social Media presence more valuable and would connect readers with their writing craft.
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Social Selling

by mohitlakhmani.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.
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QUESTION: No matter what you purchase: Whom Would you Believe More:

  • a) advertisements
  • b) newspaper / magazine articles
  • c) writing samples

I am not telling you a secret here:  b) and c) are free … and sometimes authors can even make more money with writing newspaper and magazine articles.  So, why not doing what you like best:  WRITING – and at the same time market your books with writing?
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Content Writing Resolutions:

  •         Split chapters of your book into several blog articles
  •         Use your research notes to create web content or guest blogs
  •         Write 2 blogs / week for 2-3 months
  •         Write 1 email newsletter / month for your customers
  •         Write 2 guest blogs / month
  •         Write 2 articles for e-Zines / month
  •         Write 2 posts for Google+ community sites
  •         Upload blogs to Sharing Sites after each post (Google+, Twitter FB, Pinterest, StumpleUpon, Tumblr etc.)

Remember:  Blog/web content or articles does not have to be always written text:  Graphics, images, curated text, re-blogs, videos, guest blogs or info graphics for example are fine too!  And if you have not already, read this story how an author cleverly used places in his book to write a magazine article and show off his latest novel.  What about you?  Are you using the content you have already researched or the books you have written to show your writing skills and get more exposure as an author?

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

.

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Tagged: content marketing, freelance writing jobs, FundsforWriters, Use Your Writing Skills to Make Money, web content writing, writing markets

My Own Mistakes … on Blogs

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“Do Not Make Silly Spelling Mistakes” writes a blogger at Honkiad.com. She might have written it for me? Her article and also the following info graphic show how easily one can slip into it. And no, currently not writing in the mother language is not an excuse : )
She advises to be sensitive to spelling mistakes, such as there and their, it’s and its, form and from. The occasional slip is not going to lose you a lot of readers, but making the same mistakes repeatedly is going to annoy people.

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Ten Common Blog Writing Mistakes

Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

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Darren Rose, professional blogger, who founded Problogger has lots of tips for authors how to create successful articles for your readers.  
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/08/12/how-to-craft-a-blog-post-10-crucial-points-to-pause

His advise

  1. Be Useful – if your post isn’t informing, inspiring, entertaining or making someone’s life better – don’t publish it until it does.
  2. Share your Opinion – opinions are often what sets bloggers apart from the pack.
  3. Cut out the Fluff – before you hit publish, revise your post and remove anything that doesn’t add value.
  4. Visualise Your Reader – writing with a reader in mind personalises your writing.
  5. Make Your Posts Scannable – only 16% of people read every word online. Format your posts so that your main points stand out.
  6. Work and Rework You Headlines – a good headline can be the difference between a blog post being read, or ignored.
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    Read many more tips on his website how you too can write compelling blog posts: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/05/30/11-quick-tips-for-writing-compelling-posts-on-your-blog/

More Resources:

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/08/20-tips-on-how-to-write-for-the-web

https://econsultancy.com/blog/6771-how-to-write-for-the-web-23-useful-rules

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,030 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing

http://www.111publishing.com

http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

http://www.international-ebooks.com/

http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

.

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Tagged: blogging competition, blogging creates trust, blogging is content writing, how to write for the web, let your blog go viral, what shall I blog, where to submit your blog, why is blogging important for writers