Author in the Marketplace: Tasks for Finding Your Audience

  Planning Item  Resources and NotesMetadata plan Metadata Template

☐ Choose title Also subtitle, series title …

☐ Specify author’s name Verify precise spelling (i.e., no space between 2 initials…)

☐ Write author biography Short & long forms for platform entries and website entries

☐ Specify all contributors Coauthors? Translator? Illustrator? Copyright owners?

☐ Specify publisher Author’s name or business name

☐ Verify title: online search; beta reader opinions☐ Define book’s genre☐ Select BISAC categories https://www.bisg.org/bisac-subject-codes

☐ Select 2 or more Amazon subcategories☐ Research keywords Verify via suggestions in Amazon search

☐ Select 5-7 keyword phrases Create a longer list for experimenting after publication …

☐ Draft all applicable “optional” metadata Use the Metadata template as a guide

Author as Brand Details in Project Plan; summaries in Metadata TemplateDetermine precise author name Search Google and Amazon for conflicts

Write 250-word bio for online publishing platforms Guidelines in Metadata template

Write detailed bio for author’s websiteWrite “25 word” bio for social media sitesLaunch “author brand” research and strategyBased on “brand” strategy:Develop colors, typography, logo Engage a graphics artist is this is beyond your professional skills

Define taglines, values, adjectives, … associated with “author brand”Create initial art for “brand” Website header, social media art …

Get professional author photo for book covers and webPartners and AlliesResearch / request endorsements for cover and promo copy From authors or experts in the book’s topic

Define “beta reader” strategy Review draft book content? Title? Blurbs? Cover art?

Enlist / engage beta readersIdentify early reviewers based on audienceEngage early reviewers

© 2015 Annie Pearson – current version: http://www.anniepearson.com

Author in the Marketplace: Tasks for Finding Your Audience Page 2 of 3

  Planning Item  Resources and NotesBook Description Description in Metadata Template

☐ Draft back cover text☐ Draft online description☐ Draft 2-sentence “elevator pitch”☐ Confirm description drafts with beta readers☐ Professional editor review of all description text☐ Final description text in Metadata plan Tip: Paste from your plan, rather than typing in online forms

Copyright and Identifiers  Identifiers in Metadata Template☐ Verify any “public domain” content is truly copyright-free☐ Obtain written permission for any copyrighted lyrics, artwork, etc. Refer to The Copyright Handbook

If using your own ISBN identifiers:☐ Obtain identifiers from Bowker (or your national provider) CreateSpace & Ingram give these; unneeded for eBooks

☐ Assign specific IDs per format Each format or version requires its own ID

☐ Complete ISBN metadata Save & edit as content is finished; paste text from Metadata plan

If using publishing platform-provided identifiers:☐ Record all ePub and Print IDs in your Metadata plan

If registering with U.S. Copyright Office: Tip: do this when Print version is near done

☐ Create entry on Copyright website Paste details from your Metadata plan

☐ Submit the related file or print copies If print version, you have 30 days to submit final Print copy

Online Web Plan In Project Plan☐ Draft overall goals and outline of web content☐ Determine DIY or vendor for production … costs, timeline, skills required ….

If using a website vendor:☐ Research local web producer options☐ Select web producer☐ Create written collaboration agreement☐ Submit outline and schedule for providing content☐ Critique web producer’s preview☐ Provide all content and reviews, per agreement☐ Approve final for website launch Don’t change your mind much unless you are rich & like to annoy your vendor!

If you are doing your own website:© 2015 Annie Pearson – current version: http://www.anniepearson.com

Author in the Marketplace: Tasks for Finding Your Audience Page 3 of 3

  Planning Item  Resources and Notes☐ Choose platform/host☐ Select design template☐ Practice with web design and editing tools

For all web production methods:☐ Choose and register your domain name (URL) Author name, not book name!☐ Specify menu names and navigation elements☐ Create and edit all text copy for website launch☐ Create all artwork for website launch Banner, book cover, author photo…☐ Post all text and art☐ Do detailed “Quality Assurance” review of all design, text, links☐ Request collaborator review of all elements☐ Corrections and fixes for website launch

Mailing list:☐ Create an account and initial list on vendor site Use MailChimp or similar vendor

☐ Create form to gather subscriber info

☐ If you have existing personal list, add to the account Be cautious!

☐ Add email subscription request in your book’s back matter ☐ Add email subscription link on Author website

For each additional Web presence and social media:☐ Create each relevant social media account Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn, …

☐ Create/add art for branding Cover art, author photo…

☐ Add author bio and related metadata☐ Outline and draft initial content posts☐ Launch, with notices to collaborators, friends☐ Add links to Author website

Audience Analysis In Project PlanDraft target audience description “Who wants to read this book?” What are their likes, dislikes, behaviors

Research social media on audience preferences, hangouts, etc. Find “common wisdom” among other authors and professional organizations

© 2015 Annie Pearson – current version: http://www.anniepearson.com