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Should You Self-Publish Your Book?

If you just finished a book and don’t have a publisher, don’t worry. I had a hard time finding a publisher for my self-published book too.

But instead of giving up, I found that there are many benefits to self-publishing your own book. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I started jexbo.com…so if you are in the process of deciding what to do with your new book, here are some of the benefits of self-publishing:

First of all, if you self-publish your book, you have total control over how the book looks.

You get to choose the colors, font, graphics, style, and more! And if this is something that makes you nervous, don’t worry! Many of the self-publishing firms have editors working there who can read through your book for you. And they will also make recommendations about what would work best with your book.

Second, you have control over the marketing of your book.

You can market it exclusively to one group of people, for instance members of a club, or to the world, using the Internet. You don’t need to get permission from anyone as to when and where you market your self-published books. You can be creative, review the results and make fast changes in your overall marketing plan if necessary.

Third, you set the price, save money and deal directly with customers.

When you self-publish a book, you can set the price and respond directly to customers. You can create joint marketing efforts with various charities and organizations to build buzz, create special, discount packages, and promote sales to bring in new customers. Of course, it’s more work to do everything yourself, but you’ll save a lot of money and know exactly what your sales are at all times.

Now, there are many other benefits to self-publishing a book that I’d be happy to talk to you about. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to sell your self-published books (and get free marketing bookmarks and a Website page), please let me know below or at www.jexbo.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Self-Published Authors - Need help?

As a new, self-published author, it can be confusing and overwhelming to know what to do next once you finish your book. Here are three quick tips to help you find information and get support:

1. Check community notice boards to see if there’s a writer’s group in your neighborhood.

You can find these at the library and even online by doing a search for "local community writer's groups." Also, checkout sites like http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/og and http://www.ehow.com/how_2242015_join-local-writers-group.html for additional help.

2. Look online for tips about writing and being a self-published author in different genres.

In addition to sites related to local writing groups, also search online for writing tips, articles, forums and information. There are many sites for writers so narrow your search to the genre related to your self-published book. You can start with sites like http://www.ebookcrossroads.com/writers-associations.html for a list of writing associations.

3. Visit your local library.

And don't forget your local library! You'll find lots of books about writing and "how to publish a self-published book."

It takes a little time and effort, but there is help available if you do the appropriate research.

And if you have questions about self-published books, or selling your books online fast, please feel free to contact me below or at www.jexbo.com. I'd love to talk to you!

Self-Published Authors: Tips for Starting an E-Commerce Website

As a new, e-commerce business owner, I know how hard it can be to get started and pursue your dreams. Here are a few pieces of advice I’d like to offer:

· Find The Right Web Developer.

If you are not a Web developer yourself, make sure the developer you hire is able to do the complex work required to get an e-commerce site started. This might mean contacting developers of sites you like, or advertising to find the right developer. But take the time to conduct the appropriate research. Otherwise, you can waste a lot of time and money without any results.

· Plan Ahead.

Before opening for business, research the competition and industry trends. Figure out what your business offers that is unique. Then, focus your marketing efforts around these unique benefits. Plan your marketing strategy and decide how you will reach new customers. Also, pay attention to your budget during the entire launch process to avoid any unnecessary surprises.

· Surround Yourself with Support.

Starting any kind of new venture takes courage and support. Try to avoid the naysayers. Stick to your plan, and surround yourself with positive people. There will always be negative influencers out there who want to see you fail. Don’t let them get to you.

Instead, find the organizations and services that offer cost-effective guidance for new entrepreneurs (like the Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov, and your local Chamber of Commerce.)

As a mother and entrepreneur pursuing her business dreams, I know how hard it can be to start an e-commerce site. If you need help, or want to sell your self-published books, just let me know here or at www.jexbo.com. Thanks, and I wish you all the best!

How to Market Books - Sell Self-Published Books with Confidence

As a self-published author, there are many ways to market your book without spending a lot of money. Here are a few tips to help you boost book sales and find readers:

List your book online.
Of course, I have to say it. Consider posting your self-published book on my website, www.jexbo.com. It's cost-effective, and you receive your own website page and bookmarks for marketing purposes at no additional cost. Plus, jexbo caters to self-published authors just like you.

Create a website.
To build buzz, create a simple, low-cost website using a service like www.blogger.com or www.godaddy.com. Or, find a Web developer to design a website for you that focuses on the unique qualities of your self-published book. To research potential designers, check your local phone book, the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org, or various freelance sites like www.elance.com.

Talk to your local bookstore owner.
Stop by your local bookstore, and ask if you can sell your self-published book there. Also request a book-signing. Then, promote your upcoming event with flyers and a press release. Let local news media know why your book is unique and how people can benefit from reading it. You just might get some free press coverage!

Take advantage of grassroots efforts.
Post flyers on your community bulletin board, leave bookmarks at your library, grocery store, university, and other popular places. Be creative, and think of ways you can reach out to local organizations and businesses.

Have books handy.
When you are traveling, running errands, attending events, and taking care of day-to-day activities, always have copies of your book with you. You never know whom you will meet. Perhaps, someone will want to share your books with others, write a review about it or share it with a book club.

Talk about your book.
Whenever possible, tell people about your book and spread the word. Join reading groups that are interested in the type of book you’ve written and suggest your book for a discussion.

It takes a lot of time and effort to sell self-published books. But if you conduct the appropriate research, find the right people to help you and take action, you can boost sales without spending a lot of money on marketing.

Have questions about your self-published book? Please comment below or visit www.jexbo.com and get your free newsletter packed with valuable information!