Thursday, November 20, 2008

Special Interview with Yvonne Perry


Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer, speaker and founder of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services as well as the author of eleven books by her own name (she is also a ghostwriter for clients). Yvonne’s newest release is an eBook titled, Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy.

Carol Denbow: Welcome Yvonne. First may I say that I truly respect your work and appreciate you as a good friend of mine. When I was aspiring to become a “published author” I was, like many other writers, ignored by those in the book industry. But when I reached out to Yvonne Perry for guidance, she helped me get through doors otherwise closed to me. For that I thank her!

My blog viewers have been waiting patiently for weeks to read this special interview post with you Yvonne. So would you mind telling us a little about the person behind the Web? Who is Yvonne Perry? Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Yvonne Perry: The person behind the Web? Like the man behind the curtain, I am a freelance ghostwriter who works behind the scenes to create books, articles, bios, résumés, book reviews, media releases, and provide editing for authors and business people. I am a published author, writing instructor, newsletter publisher, podcast host, and a public speaker. I am a multi-tasker who switches hats like a milliner.

Who is Yvonne Perry? There’s a page about me on my new Web site http://www.writersinthesky.com/about-yvonne.html that answers that question.

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Carol Denbow: I know you are the founder of Writer’s in the Sky Creative Writing Services. What exact services does your company provide?

Yvonne Perry: Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services is a team of writers and editors based in Nashville, Tennessee, offering writing, editing, and author publicity services to people across the US. Some of our specialties include editing and ghostwriting for books, articles, marketing and Web site text, media releases, press kits, biographical sketches, résumés, newsletters, transcribing services, and blogging services. We also have a graphic designer who assists with logo creation, book interior layout, book cover design, and any design or branding needs authors may have.

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Carol Denbow: You must know by reading my blog that I have been desperately trying to convince writer’s and published authors to get out there and take advantage of the soon-to-be number one method of book selling—the Internet. I've recently even published my own e-book on virtual touring to try and encourage authors to set up their own virtual book tour and get out there and market their books. Tell us what made you decide to write this fabulous new e-book, Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy.?

Yvonne Perry: The Internet is the greatest selling and marketing tool available to an author. I wrote the book because I was being asked the same question over and over: How do you market a book? The material in the eBook is a combination of what I teach when I do seminars, speaking engagements, and one-on-one with authors needing assistance with book publicity.

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Carol Denbow: In your opinion Yvonne, what is the biggest mistake authors make when attempting to market their books?

Yvonne Perry: Going out unprepared without having a marketing plan or the information necessary to successfully create the buzz. Many authors do not even have Web site or blog with a point of purchase that gives the reader enough information about the book to actually make an informed purchase.

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Carol Denbow: What will our viewers gain by reading your new e-book?

Yvonne Perry: Everything an author needs to know to successfully promote a book online. The eBook covers such things as:

• What a Web site must have to compete in today’s online marketplace
• Things needed on a Web site or blog in order to promote and sell a book
• How to create an online media kit
• Getting traffic to your blog or Web site
• Newsletters as a marketing funnel
• Promoting your book online via virtual book tours, networking, social media Web 2.0, tagging and social bookmarking, blogging, and video
• Getting author interviews
• Podcasting and RSS feed/syndication

The eBook is filled with live links and screenshots to show exactly how to do what is being explained. There is a resource page with tons more information about online book marketing. The eBook takes the guesswork out of the equation. The things I teach in this book are from the knowledge I have gained from real life experiences in promoting my business and my books online. I know it works because we use these same techniques with our author clientele and they are also getting positive results by simply doing what we instruct.

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Carol Denbow: Okay then. It sure sounds like a great resource. Where could I find your new e-book and for that matter, all your books?

Yvonne Perry: All my books are available on my Web site. Additionally, all my books have an individual blog to disseminate information and allow readers to interact with me. Book Marketing in the Digital Age Online Promotion Made Easy is available for $25 via PayPal purchase at http://www.onlinepromotionmadeeasy.com/ or you may contact me if you would like to pay by check.

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Carol Denbow: Yvonne Perry, thank you for joining us here today, you are an inspiration to all of us writers!

Yvonne Perry: I appreciate being able to share with you and your readers. I love networking with you and thinking of new ways to improve our strategic alliance.

These are some of the questions that came in for Yvonne so far:

Emma writes: I have a friend, Jane Kennedy Sutton, who just recently had a novel published. The release of the book was pushed back several times. When the book was finally officially slated for release, Jane didn't receive much prior notification - I think it was a few weeks at most. How can you plan your marketing ahead of time if you don't necessarily know when the release will be?

Yvonne Perry: There really should be better communication between the publisher and the author since the sales of the book are hinging upon the promotion efforts, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. That is the draw-back of working with traditional publisher—you lose control over things like this. However, if the author had a Web site and blog

Gail Baker asks: Any advice on how to make my book a bestseller?

Yvonne Perry: Yes, lots of advice! While I cannot guarantee that any book will become a bestseller, there are some things you can do to give it a fair chance on the market.
First, make sure your book is a high-quality product with well-written and edited content so you will get positive word of mouth referrals. Next, have a Web site and a blog as a point of purchase (my e-book tells you how to do this). Then, drive traffic to your blog and Web site through social marketing, virtual tours, teleseminars, article marketing, press releases, and the other simple things I teach in my e-book.


Visitors are more than welcome and encouraged to post comments and questions for Yvonne Perry and/or regarding this interview by using the comment link below (it’s small, so look hard!). You can “Digg us” as well!

In her interview, Yvonne talks about the need for authors to have a Website. If you are an author in need of a Website but feel you can’t afford the expense at this time there are two great freebies you might want to check out. Freewebs and Weebly free Websites can be found by visiting http://www.freewebs.com and http://www.weebly.com.

Then visit Yvonnes Website and pick up her new book!

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