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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Guest Post

Guest Post

Things That Work to Help Your Book Work

By Guest Bloggeron March 8, 2023
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Today’s guest post is by Jane Jenkins Herlong, who is a Sirius XM Southern humorist and member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. She is the author of five books. In the spring of this year, Jane’s latest book, Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South (Tyndale) will be available in select Cracker Barrel restaurants throughout the county. She is represented by Bob Hostetler.

_________________

I’ll never forget the depressing words I heard at my first Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference: “Unless you have your own television show, podcast, and YouTube channel with tons of followers, your book will never have traction.”

But I had an idea and a passion to get my words on paper. I’m thankful I did not let that negative comment get down into my spirit. There had to be another way.

With the help of Eddie Jones, Les Stobbe, and Bob Hostetler, I was determined for my books to have traction. I learned to be teachable, seek out a trusted team of knowledgeable experts, and listen to their advice.

Platforms

Here is what I had going for me—a newsletter and two published books. My newsletter is only sent to those who want to receive the bi-monthly electronic publication. I don’t add names, just because I can. My newsletter is formatted for simple reading and linked to my blog. The self-published books can become awards and giveaways. My open rates are now trending at 30%. I also stayed true to my platform—it is all Southern.

Another venue to help your book is to establish a speaking platform. Offer to share with churches, organizations, etc. Collect names at the end of your presentation by having a drawing to give away books; this way you can add names to your newsletter list.

Ads and Influencers

Running ads is more effective than having a book-launch party and other energy vampires. The pre-launch preparation and advance-reading platforms are a big help to start a buzz. Ask folks for feedback on social media; get your community involved. I asked professionals who had podcasts to interview me; some became my influencers. Since Amazon is “the Big One” with 72% of all books housed there, invest in running ads.

When your book launches, ask your team to stagger their reviews. Amazon will penalize reviews if team members who are not “verified purchasers” flood Amazon with reviews all at once.

Simple Ways to Share

I created and gave away bookmarks with QR codes for folks to scan to a web page to read a few pages of the book and order from various vendors.

I also gave away Sweet Tea tote bags with a cute saying. At Christmas I had Sweet Tea ornaments made. Did I make money? No, but I had a reason to share my book again.

Skin in the Game

Save up and help the publisher promote your book. My thought is that if my name is on the book, then I have a responsibility to help the publisher—and they love it! What happens is when you have another book in the works, it will increase interest; and you look like a rock star! You should also charge for speaking; this will feed your ad campaigns.

 

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Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing Life

The Happy Writer

By Guest Bloggeron December 2, 2021
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Today’s guest post is by Courtney Ellis, author of the recently released Happy Now: Let Playfulness Lift Your Load and Renew Your Spirit. Courtney is one of Bob Hostetler’s clients and lives with her husband and three children in southern California. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. ____________________________ There’s no cliché for a cheerful writer. We all know the …

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Category: Guest Post, The Writing Life

Your Words Can Be More Powerful Than Technology

By Guest Bloggeron April 15, 2021
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Today’s guest post is by Laura L. Smith. She is a best-selling author and speaker who lives in the picturesque college town of Oxford, Ohio, where you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the brick streets, teaching Bible study at her local church, shopping at the Saturday morning farmer’s market, or going on a sunset walk with her husband and four kids. Her latest title, How …

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Category: Craft, Guest Post, Writing Craft

Coming Full Circle

By Guest Bloggeron February 17, 2021
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by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Today's guest blog is from Kim Vogel Sawyer a best-selling author whose books have topped the sales charts and won awards since 2005, when she left her elementary school teaching job to write full time. Her books have won the Carol Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Her stories are designed to offer hope and …

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Category: Career, Get Published, Guest Post, Inspiration, TamelaTag: Career, Get Published, Inspiration

The Power of the Short Story

By Guest Bloggeron January 14, 2021
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Today’s guest writer is Deborah Clack, who is a native Texan and nonrecovering chocolate addict. A high-school AP history teacher for 10 years, Deborah earned a master’s degree in education and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Arts in Education. Now she creates award-winning stories of her own with endearing characters and a hard-fought romance. She asks her heroines, as well as her …

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Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: short story

Give Thanks to God

By Guest Bloggeron November 23, 2020
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There is a verse in scripture which sets out in bold relief the great besetting problem of the human race. It is Romans 1:21: ‘for even though we knew God…we did not give thanks.’ Astonishing! How can we actually know God and not give thanks? Scarcely a day passes in which we are not deluged by at least a hundred instances of God’s goodness to us. Thanksgiving ought to be the most natural of human …

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Category: Guest Post, TheologyTag: thanksgiving

Real vs. Fictitious Settings

By Guest Bloggeron May 23, 2019
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Today’s guest post is from our client Mindy Obenhaus. She is a three-time Carol Award nominee who writes contemporary romance. Mindy is passionate about touching readers with biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com. …

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Category: Craft, Guest Post, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

What is Inspirational Romance?

By Guest Bloggeron May 24, 2018
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Our guest blogger today is Angela Breidenbach. She is a Montana author & Christian Authors Network president, is the host of Lit Up! on Toginet Radio and Apple Podcasts. Angela went back to college for genealogical studies w/specialties in English & Scottish Records. She’ll graduate in 2019 as a professional genealogist. Find her at: AngelaBreidenbach.com …

Read moreWhat is Inspirational Romance?
Category: Branding, Genre, Guest Post, Marketing, Romance, Romantic SuspenseTag: Christian, Genre, Romance

How to Balance a Busy Writing Schedule and a Busy Life

By Guest Bloggeron February 1, 2017
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One of the things many writers struggle with is time management. I’ve heard so many writers cry out, frustrated that they just can’t find the focus or time to write like they want. I knew if there was one person who could share wisdom and tips on this topic, it was the author of today’s guest blog, Tricia Goyer. This woman is amazing! I’ve known her since her children were little, and it’s been a …

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Category: Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: The Writing Life

An Author’s Journey

By Dan Balowon October 25, 2016
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I wanted our agency client Scott Douglas LaCounte to guest-blog today because of the anniversary it represents (see below) and how God worked through the publishing process and journey to encourage a writer and his family.  Scott is quite modest. He is the head librarian for the Southern California Institute of Technology. Years ago, he was a regular contributor to the popular Christian humor …

Read moreAn Author’s Journey
Category: Agents, Creativity, Guest Post, PlatformTag: Agents, Creativity, Platform
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