Sometimes the best of an author’s plan goes kaput. The question that should be asked: was it a plan, a real plan … or a fantasy … or a wish?                        

We authors are good at creating the “what ifs” during the germination of a book; during the writing of a book; during the production of a book; during the marketing of a book; during the life of a book. Books are exciting … and when it’s in hand and available, euphoric. It’s your newborn. Of course you want it to do well, to soar.

 At the Author U Extravaganza, it was interesting to hear many authors stumble when asked three simple questions:

1. Who is your book for?
2. What’s your target market?
3. Can you summarize your book in less than 30 seconds?

And too many couldn’t respond with clarity, or quickly. Oh, they loved the idea and the art of writing. But, really, “You want me to tell you who is supposed to be reading, buying my book? Me?”

Why yes, that’s exactly what was being asked … and expected to be able to give a quick and clear response.

The very first step toward Author Success is to be clear and succinct about who, and what, your reading audience is. The kiss of book death is the response: everybody— It is not everybody.

Reach Your Audience … 6 Quick Twitter Tips for You:

1. GET the Most Bang

Know when to Tweet and where the audiences are. According to RadiumOne, there are two peak times during the day to Tweet:

10AM to 12PM and 8PM through 10PM

That’s it, at least for now. If you want to see the most shares, with the highest click-through, you should be Tweeting from 12 noon to 2PM. Remember, Tweets are global, which means global times zones. These cover the basics and a broad span to optimize your visibility.

Of course, this content regulation changes based on where your audience is. Key point: Connect with your audience when they are online.

2. Mix It UP

Variety is the spice of life and so it goes with your Tweets. Yes you can self-promote, but your promos are at the bottom of the feeding chain. Don’t OD your followers. If you have a special event popping, do a “fair warning Tweet—let them know that your stream will be heavy for a few days, then get back to supply terrific info.

Author Headlines: Be Smart … or Be Square

How many times have you noodled your lead or headline to trash it, over and over? It could be for a blog, an article, a speech … and gulp, your book. Don’t you wish the headline gods would drop in, give you your zinger, so you can write or finish what you are working on?

Or, have you gone blank and you just can’t get the promo piece together? Or, how about trying to come up with something that can tie into an event, happening, or even newsy type of item that you think would be a hook for your community?

For the annual Author U Extravaganza, One of Author U’s Premier Partners Dave Raymond and Thomson Shore created an email that was sent to his lists:

          This week celebrates National Library Week. For authors, libraries can be your best friend. With over 100,000 throughout the country, their budgets still purchase approximately $2,000,000,000 in books each year—two billion dollars! That’s what the American Library Association and the Book Industry Study Group report.

So … the question is … are you getting your share?

•  Say hello to your local library and librarian. Let them know about your book.
• Offer to do a program—especially if you are a children’s author. Many libraries have author programs and are enthusiastic in working and featuring authors—stick your neck out. And if you get invited, make sure you encourage others to come. Bodies count!
• Ask for testimonials and endorsements.
• Make sure you share reviews and any media clippings with your librarian … the one you befriended!
• Donate a book to the library—it just may be the thing that generates a purchase order.

Social media keeps shifting.  That’s an understatement. It used to be that AMs were the best time to blast out Tweets to your Peeps and get on Facebook. Google+ is now roaring into place and timing is unknown, yet my gut tells me AMs will dominate with revisits later in the day for it.

Social media posts get lost quickly; they have a limited shelf life. Very limited. If you have something that is timely and important—your post time becomes critical.

Who Is Using What When?

What’s your time zone? Almost half the U.S. population is in the Eastern time zone … it’s critical to post within. If you are regionally based and do events/activities with one zone—focus on it.

Twitter users are spending more time between the hours of noon and 6 PM. On Twitter, most of the United States posts and reads tweets between Noon and 6:00 PM with the best time to Tweet being 5 PM and a range of one to four tweets within the hour.

Last year, Author U created it’s radio show, Your Guide to Book Publishing, that is available for downloads with the last five available for instant download on the Home page of www.AuthorU.org.  

This year, Author U is kicking it up. We will be videoing many of our workshops and presentations … and the Extravaganza. Those videos will be available for purchase to start your own Video Library. The first available comes from the rock star event that was held in January.

Of the four years we have been doing AuthorU BookCamps, January’s workshop with online expert Amber Ludwig, was the single best one that we’ve done. The topic?

 6 Pillars to Build Your Author and Book Business Online

It included hot strategies and tools for authors with topics including: brand identity, website development, content strategy, building your readership, product development, social media and advanced training on affiliate marketing and join venture partnerships. Amber Ludwig rocked. And so will you.

One lucky author or author-to-be will walk away with over $6,000 in prizes this month.

Enter now for the opportunity to win 10 amazing prizes … all to ONE person: http://ow.ly/iMzSz

• Silver Success eBook Promotion from Penny Sansevieri, VALUE: $499
• Reduce the Cost of Your Next Print Run from Color House Graphics, VALUE: $1,000
• Book Covers Say a Thousand Things—You Get One that Does from Nick Zelinger, VALUE: $750
• Author U Extravaganza May 2-4, 2013 in Denver, CO from Author U, Value: $560
• Premium Conversion and Distribution form BookBaby, VALUE $249
• Every Book Needs an Editor for 10 Hours from John Maling, VALUE: $500
• Extreme FaceBook Makeover from Georgia McCabe, VALUE: $750
• Specialty Ad Placement in Premium Book Catalog form Brian Jud, VALUE: $500
• The Book Shepherd Consultation from Judith Briles, VALUE: $750
• Para Promotion program for Book Marketing and Sales from Dan Poynter, VALUE: $497 

Emotions and Intentions. They affect us all when it comes to the book.

Sharing with a publishing colleague that I’m always amazed that authors wait until the last minute to sign up for things. “Pay more later for the same thing that I could have gotten for less sooner,” is their operating model. Or, “I just can’t make up my mind what I want to do, to be.” Or, “I don’t like to, don’t want, to prioritize.” Or, “My book success really isn’t critical … at least now.”

What prompted our discussion was a recent conversation with a client who said that she wouldn’t be attending the Author U Extravaganza May 2-4, 2013 because she had another workshop that she was going to register for the same week—it was one with a business sales orientation. I had held a spot for her at the early bird rate. Well, business sales are important. But …

Have you wondered why celebrities being interviewed on television can look so calm when millions of people are watching them?  And have you ever wondered if you could do that?

At the Extravaganza you will learn how to perform on national television and radio while appearing calm and collected.

The key to any good performance is preparation. Just as actors do, media guests need to know what they are going to say during all their performances and practice their delivery of each word beforehand. Adequate preparation will make you more confident in your ability to perform and help you relax while you are on the air. 

You have probably heard that practice makes perfect. However, that is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent, so you have to make sure you are rehearsing the right things. At the Extravaganza, you will discover the right techniques that you can make permanent.

Why video: