Creating video trailers for your book whether you are pitching the product directly to an audience or not is now an expected promotional tool.

Take a look at this promo for James Lovelock's, The Earth and I, from Taschen. They had a nice budget to produce this video but with a little imagination you can do the same. In addition, the book's design and illustrations add an interactive touch adding to the experience of a scholarly subject that could otherwise be fairly dry.

The Earth and Iis a book of world-class contributors include quantum physicist Lisa Randall, Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Pulitzer Prize–winning biologist Edward O. Wilson, and Nobel Prize–winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel. With lively illustrations from British artist Jack Hudson, the result is an inspiration for curious minds young and old, and a trusted tool kit for an informed and enlightened future.

You're an author. That means you are also a business.

 There are many advantages to adopting good business practices, especially if you are self-publishing.

• You’ll have more time for writing. You’ll save yourself hours of frustration digging through piles of stuff trying to find information.

• You’ll be ready for success. As your sales increase, you will be prepared to measure and manage that growth.

• You’ll avoid losses. If you have a better handle on cash flow, you’ll know when your expenses are getting too far ahead of your income.

• You’ll know what works. If you have a method of tracking sales, you’ll know which marketing efforts paid off and which were a bust.

• You’ll avoid mistakes, like forgetting to collect and pay sales tax or to deliver 1099s to freelancers.

• You’ll save on taxes. If you operate your writing venture as a business, you are more likely to be able to deduct writing expenses from your non-writing income and reduce your tax bill.

• You’ll feel more legit. If you don’t treat your writing as a legitimate business, then no one else will, particularly the IRS.

• Your heirs will thank you. If you are hit by the proverbial bus, your heirs will appreciate your organization.I highly recommend this comprehensive guide called, Publishing Business in a Box, by Helen Sedwick. Filled with detailed, step-by-step instructions on the best practices for setting up your self-publishing company.Helen will guide you through:

  • The steps needed to enter the business of self-publishing

  • Developing a realistic budget, a full-blown business plan, and your tax options.

  • Working with vendors, editors and hiring freelancers, and other contract-based workers.

  • Purchasing your own ISBNs,

  • Setting up bank, PayPal and other business accounts,

  • Accepting credit cards, and

  • Keeping track of income and expenses.This package is a great deal at its regular price of $147, but Author Tool Kits Publishing is offering a special deal for the next 5 days, dropping the price from $147 to only $97. It is a great opportunity to get yourself setup properly and see your stories make a profit.

Creating video trailers for your book whether you are pitching the product directly to an audience or not is now an expected promotional tool. Take a look at this promo for James Lovelock's, The Earth and I, from Taschen. They had a nice budget to produce this video but with a little imagination you can do the same.In addition, the book's design and illustrations add an interactive touch adding to the experience of a scholarly subject that could otherwise be fairly dry.The Earth and Iis a book of world-class contributors include quantum physicist Lisa Randall, Astronomer Royal Martin Rees, Pulitzer Prize–winning biologist Edward O. Wilson, and Nobel Prize–winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel. With lively illustrations from British artist Jack Hudson, the result is an inspiration for curious minds young and old, and a trusted tool kit for an informed and enlightened future.