Newsflash

January 12, 2020– This month as we focus on Best Seller Bootcamp, we’re talking about all of the moving parts that contribute to the success of becoming best-sellers. I’ve personally used each one of these tools over the years because they work! Today we’ll be talking about newsletters, how they help sell your book and what they should include. For the full, in-depth plan included in our course, visit: Best-Seller Bootcamp January 4th-31st – Pandamonium Publishing House

Let’s start with the basics:  A newsletter is a piece of consistent, digital media that helps keep our readers up to date. It should be informative and entertaining, but what else should it include?

1. New releases. Your newsletter should include any new releases and their complementary titles. For example, If you liked Obsessed with Her, you should read the prequel Becoming James Cass. This allows your readers to stay in the loop with other books they may enjoy.
2. Updates.  What are you working on? What books are coming next? Will you be attending any events? Can you post a digital schedule of your events? Perhaps you could share a progress report with your readers or a new character sketch?
3. Excerpts. Put in a sample of your book, a teaser, something to give your readers a taste of your work. Don’t make it too long, and remember to start where the action is.
4. Your social media handles. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, your website, YouTube Channel, and everywhere else your readers and potential readers can find you.
5. Links to your work. Amazon, Indigo, Barnes & Noble, your webstore, independent bookstores, and wherever else your books are available.
6. Interesting information. Little known facts about your books or links to current news stories that talk about things relative to what’s going on in your book eg. New tech updates, political stances, new developments etc.

The most important thing you should provide your readers through your newsletter is value. Whether it’s sharing author tips, how to’s, or new tech gadgets that make your writing life easier, valuable information is what your readers want!

To subscribe to our newsletter, send us an email at pandapublishing8@gmail.com and we’ll happily add you to our list. In the meantime, check out our Best-Seller Bootcamp here: Best-Seller Bootcamp January 4th-31st – Pandamonium Publishing House

What Is Your Personal Brand?

July 24, 2019-Hold on a second, what exactly is a personal brand and why does it matter? When we talk about brands or branding we automatically think of names like Nike, Starbucks, Apple, Amazon, and Coke. Personal branding is a bit different in that you develop a professional identity that sets you apart from others in your field. Remember your roommate in college who was known for her massive shoe collection? Or what about the guy on the third floor in accounting that wears a different, goofy tie every day? Like it or not, that’s one type (and often unplanned) of personal branding. Personal branding helps you and here’s how:

1. Numerous benefits to your career. Standing out from the crowd is essential in today’s job hunting market and branding can often be the deciding factor when it comes down to choosing between two hires. It could be the unique presentation of your resume cover letter that nets you the job, or maybe your knowledge of obscure, historical facts, whatever it is, being known for something is almost always a good thing!
2. Builds confidence. When you’ve built a solid personal brand, it shows that you are confident in yourself. And when clients or prospective employers see this, they have confidence in your abilities.
3. Gains trust. People work with brands they trust and brands that haven’t let them down over the years. With a strong personal brand and doing what you say you’re going to do/delivering what you say you’re going to deliver, you gain people’s trust. Trust can’t be bought and once it’s broken, you’re in trouble and your personal brand could be too far gone to repair.

Personal branding has so many other benefits! How are you building your brand? X LLB

Branding Yourself (as a Self-Published Author)

December 14, 2018– We talk a lot about marketing around here given our educational background and rightfully so because it’s imperative to your success as an author. A big part of marketing is branding and I’m talking about branding yourself! If you’re a self-published author, this is even more important!

What is branding? Here’s how entrepreneur.com defines it: The marketing practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products. An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets.

I think the definition is pretty straightforward, but I think it’s missing some things too. I hope that when people think of me and my company, Pandamonium Publishing House, they think of, books, expertise, black and white, controlled chaos, reading, and writing, and literacy. My team and I put a ton of work into making this happen. From the colour of our tablecloths to our postcards, we make sure its fluid and on brand.

Branding your self and your company includes a synonymous flow throughout every single thing you do and here’s how to do that effectively:

1. Your business cards– Do your business cards convey the message that you want to convey? Do they display your logo prominently and are they the right colour?
2. Your dress sense– Are you dressed in a manner that conveys your brand? Are you dressy or casual or quirky or colour coded? Does your sense of personal style shine through and compliment your brand or does it clash? I’m not asking you to change who you are, I’m asking if you’re bringing out the best in yourself while promoting your brand. You will never see me at an event/show wearing any other colours than black and white; I made this decision at the beginning of the year in order to stay on track with my branding and the message that I wanted to send to my readers, customers, and clients.
3. Your signage- Is it clear and the right colour? Does it convey your message clearly? Is it easy to read? Does it have your logo and tagline? Can it be seen from far away? Do people know what you do and what you’re offering just by reading your signage?
4. Your table display- When we first started out, we had a very colourful table display. Over the years, we’ve tweaked and pivoted our image and display. We are a boutique publishing house, so that means from the table display (which is you guessed it, black and white) to the way we wrap your purchase, to the tissue paper and bags that we use, it’s all fluid. We let the book covers shine in their own right as they are the stars of the show. Anything else is just a distraction. What does your table display look like? Is it cluttered?
5. Your swag- Are you using products with your company name on it?  If you don’t have a company are you using stuff with your book cover on it? Be your brand and make sure that you have the opportunity to display it every chance you get! Notepads, pens, coffee mugs, shirts, stickers, bags, they all need to showcase your brand. These are a great tool because if you have swag that your readers or customers use each day, they’ll be constantly reminded of you and your brand/company.
6. Your logo– Is your logo unique and simple enough? Is it easily recognizable? If someone saw it would they think of you?
7. Your website-Is it the right colour? Easy to navigate? Is your logo displayed? Did you buy the domain name?
8. Your social media pages– See all tips above:)

Each time you go out in public you have the chance to promote your brand, yourself, and your books. Each day is another opportunity!

X LLB

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