Nicole Kearney Productions: What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger!

To learn more visit: www.nicolekearney.com

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FYI Friday: Did You Know?

AUGUSTA LITERARY FESTIVAL

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Augusta Public Library

823 Telfair Street

Augusta, GA  30901

www.augustaliteraryfestival.org

INDIANA BLACK EXPO AUTHOR PAVILION

July 18-20, 2014

Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capital Avenue, Indianapolis, IN  46202

NATIONAL BOOK CLUB CONFERENCE

August 8-10, 2014

Atlanta Marriot Buckhead, 3405 Lenox Road NE, Atlanta, GA  30326

Talk About It Thursday: How Author Platforms Relate to Marketing/Advertising by Cherlisa Starks-Richardson

How Author Platforms Relate to Marketing/Advertising

by

Cherlisa Starks-Richardson

Author platforms and Marketing and advertising are directly related to one another. As a matter of fact, they go hand in hand. However, it’s important to first understand exactly what an author platform is and how to build one. After that, then establish an effective marketing strategy.

So you ask, what exactly is an author platform? An author’s platform is who they are and what they are known as. It’s what an author is perceived to be to the public. When does an author form their platform? The mistake some authors make is waiting until their book is published to build their author platform. That is way too late. It must be done before their book is published. I began building my platform a few years before my book was published. I started a Facebook page and eventually got on Twitter. I began blogging so that I could introduce the world to me as a writer. I began telling people that I was writing a book. I established amazing relationships with people through social media and the people in my sphere of influence got excited about my writing journey. That was how I began building my author platform.  Once my book was in the infancy stages of publishing the people I built relationship with were excited and anticipated the release of my debut novel.

Once it’s understood what an author platform is and how to build one, marketing and advertising strategy should be put in place and then executed. Marketing is very critical to book sales and to being known as an author. Building the author platform is only the beginning. Marketing the book and getting it into reader’s homes is what will ultimately gain dedicated fans that will come to love not only the author but also the author’s work. Many authors drop the ball when it comes to marketing. Marketing for a new book should begin before the book is actually published and should continue well after its release. For an author to go through establishing an author platform and the hard work of writing a book and then not market it is insane. People will not know about your book if you don’t tell them. You have to let the audience you’ve already built know about your work. In addition, authors must continue building your audience through marketing and having a presence where readers frequent. Places such as social media, blogs, and blog talk radio shows, and reader events to name a few. Ultimately, an author platform and marketing and advertising are key factors to an author’s success.

Cherlisa Starks Richardson is a graduate of Indiana State University and also has an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. Mrs. Richardson is a motivational speaker and a school board member in her township. Mrs. Richarsdon is the author of the newly released novel, Summer Rain. She and her family lives in Indiana. For more information, visit her website at www.cherlisarichardson.com.

From Fiction to Non-Fiction with Rudy Mazzocchi

From Fiction to Non-Fiction

by

Rudy Mazzocchi

Making the leap from writing two novels that are based on ‘true events’, to this non-fiction book was not too difficult. Given my 25+ years of experience as an entrepreneur, starting over a dozen technology companies, I’ve accumulated a great deal of enticing material for both fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.

My debut novel, EQUITY of EVIL, was fortunate enough to receive multiple literary awards that not only gave me the initiative and encouragement to continue writing, but it also started building brand recognition for this unknown new author. The systems were then in place to support a second novel in what is now known as The EQUITY Series; including a literary agent, publisher, several professional editors, publicists, and (soon) a screenwriter.

My day job as a start-up CEO has also provided a few awards along the way, including numerous Entrepreneur and Businessman of the Year Awards. Most recently I was nominated for a second prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award about the same time I was given the 2013 Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Intelligence Business Group. As I was patting myself on the back in front of the Ernst & Young judges, they pressed me hard for an explanation of my business success. Without any formal business or finance training, it was a difficult question for me to answer. It wasn’t until they made the connection to my award-winning novels did I spew out an answer… “It’s all about telling the proper story to the appropriate audience.”

These judges scratched their head over my answer as I continued to elaborate on how I construct my stories surrounding new medical discoveries and how and when the story evolves based on not only the timing of the new venture, but the audience as well. My stories have all the essential elements of any good story; the necessary components to hook and hold an audience… and more importantly, a compelling message that makes a particular audience want to join me for the rest of the journey.

These judges then asked – and it was a strong ask – that I consider writing a book on the topic which they would promote as part of their entrepreneurial program. While writing this book, it became evident that this is a topic not taught in business/entrepreneurism programs in universities or colleges. (We are now in communication with over two dozen such schools who are considering making this book mandatory reading in their curriculums.)

 

Rudy Mazzocchi is best known as a medical device and biotechnology entrepreneur, inventor, and angel investor, with a history of starting new technology ventures throughout the U.S. and Europe. He’s been privileged to have the opportunity to see the newest innovations in healthcare and work with some of the most brilliant researchers, scientists and physicians in the industry.

Authoring more than 50 patents, he has helped pioneer new companies involved in cardiology, oncology, orthopedic, neurosurgery and even embryonic stem-cell development. Through these efforts, he has become the recipient of many technology and business awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Healthcare (2004), Businessman of the Year Award (2005), and Global Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2013).

Combining these experiences and opportunities, with thousands of hours of travel and long evenings in hotel rooms, he found the initiative to start writing a collection of award-winning business/medical thrillers based on true events, known as The EQUITY Series. STORYTELLING was his debut non-fiction business book released in November 2013.

Visit his website at www.RudyMazzocchi.com.