Tate Publishing - Marketing Department Blog

A Tale of Two Authors...and Opposing Views

2012-01-05T13:07:00.012-06:00

One of the best parts of my job is working with a variety of people and meeting authors from all over the country. Every author I meet is passionate about their work, and they should be. In fact, I can't imagine why an author would even write a book if they weren't extremely excited and motivated concerning the topic of his or her book.

When it comes to marketing and selling books, I also see a wide array of attitudes and beliefs. Just this week I have come across two extremes that are at opposite ends of the author spectrum.

On one hand, I heard from an author that is just overflowing with events in her community, having signings and readings everywhere from her local McDonald's restaurant to her nearby Hampton Inn Hotel, local schools, libraries, and pharmacies. How did she get in there? you might ask. Simple...she personally visited these local establishments, showed the managers her book, and politely asked. She didn't go through corporate headquarters, worry about submitting to buyers, or jump through many hoops. She is proud of her work and is excited about it, and it shows. She's had other venues in her area decline hosting her for events, but she didn't let that discourage her. This author hasn't even reached her official release date yet, when her book will be available through online retailers and when we will begin approaching bookstores for events on her behalf. Although for this author, she may beat us to the punch, and I have no doubt the bookstores will be receptive to events for her. She is excited for every opportunity and is always looking for more. So far this author has had more than a dozen events, and we are blitzing the area radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers for each and every event for additional promotion and publicity. Best of all, this author is having the time of her life meeting people and sharing her book with others.

On the other hand, I heard from another author this week with an opposite viewpoint that said he had no marketing plans and stated that it was up to the publisher to do all his marketing and get his book into stores so it would sell. He said his job is to write, and it is the publisher's job to do everything else for him. Unfortunately for him, that model simply does not exist anymore. This is now true industry-wide, regardless of the publisher. This author is unwilling to work, won't make contacts, won't engage people, and quite honestly, doesn't seem to have much enthusiasm for spreading the news about the very book he decided to write.

There is a very sharp contrast between these two authors, and after reading this, you likely fall somewhere in between. That's fine...every author must determine how active they intend to be. But the fact remains that active authors sell books. Inactive authors do not.

The reality of marketing a book in today's marketplace is that you - the author - are the face of your book. And with over three million books released in 2010 (2011 numbers have not yet been released), the truth is that each author must be highly involved in the marketing of his or her book in order to find success.

Of course, this really is nothing new. Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield, authors and creators of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, sold books at every Chamber of Commerce luncheon and Lion's Club meeting they could find for years and years before their brand became a household name. Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose Driven Life," sold books from the trunk of his car for more than a decade before his book grew into a bestseller. Country music star Lee Greenwood, whose book with Tate Publishing will be released later this year, stated, "It only took 20 years for me to become an overnight success."

This doesn't mean authors have to do everything on their own, but they do have to work hard, network, meet people, and engage their audience. The authors that do so have two things in common - they sell the most books and have the time of their lives doing it.

A new year brings about new ideas, resolutions, etc. If you are a Tate Publishing author, I would encourage you to resolve to be active this year, to contact your marketing representative at Tate Publishing to brainstorm and discuss ideas, and to determine to be involved in promoting your work in a new way this year. Think back to why you wrote the book and consider how to engage those that need it most. It may have nothing to do with bookstores but instead with taking your book to your audience, rather than hoping your audience somehow finds you in the existing crowded sea of books. There is a team in place here to help you that the majority of authors in this industry only wish they had access to, and we are ready to partner with you to pursue your success. But it won't happen without you.

Serving to Sell

2011-12-15T10:38:00.006-06:00

Every author in the book industry has to work hard to achieve sales and success. That is non-negotiable, and if you show me an author that isn't active and working, I'll show you an author that is frustrated with the lack of sales for their book.

Bookstores alone aren't going to do it for you, and celebrities and other authors aren't going to sell your books for you. In today's market, authors must be particularly proactive in building a following, engaging their audience, and getting their books in front of people.

But at the same time, this doesn't mean going door-to-door selling your book. In fact, people don't like to be "sold." But they are interested in buying, especially if it will benefit them or someone they care for.

This is why it is crucial for you as an author to plug in to your community and find a way to serve others. If you can meet needs, it will open doors.

Here are three ways to do so, and none of them involve leading with your book.

Find a cause worth giving to, and use your book as a fundraiser. Whether it is a church with an upcoming mission trip, a school with a building project, or some other community need (funding a new local park or opening a homeless shelter), there are always worthy causes around you. Find those causes, contact those overseeing the project, and tell them you want to help raise money. You can then hold an event or fundraiser and donate a portion from each book sold to the cause you choose. (Hint: The area media may not care about your book, but they might care about a local author serving the community and raising money creatively.)
Plug in to libraries or local literacy programs and organize an event of your own with other local authors to raise money or awareness. This can lead to sales, but more importantly, it can also be a great networking opportunity that can lead to additional projects and events...which, in turn, can lead to sales.
Develop your public speaking skills, and share your story in a way that benefits others. Don't know what to speak about? Start with what motivated you to write your book and why it is important to you. Remember, your book is an extension of you, and often the book-buying public will make a decision about you before they make a decision about your book. Lead with a cause, lead with your passion, and let your book accompany you.

Remember, the immediate goal is meeting needs and finding ways to serve others. Lead with a helping hand, not your book. If you can meet a need and find ways to serve others, book sales might not be the first step, but they can instead become the natural overflow of your efforts.

As Easy as 1, 3...Wait...

2011-09-09T13:39:00.012-05:00

Working with Tate Publishing authors everyday, it is not uncommon to hear someone new to the industry exclaim that his or her book will instantly "sell millions" and "take the industry by storm."

While I will never fault an author for believing in their work and being enthusiastic, it seems that blind enthusiasm can often prohibit an author from making good choices in taking the necessary steps to success.

If the steps look like this, something is generally wrong:

Step 1: Write and publish a book

Step 3. Sell millions

What's missing?

Clearly, something is off here.

The biggest step often skipped is this - Step 2: Building your name, reputation, and platform as a professional author. And of course, this is the most important step, and it takes much time and effort.

When you think about famous authors, the list is fairly short of those known for simply being a writer - John Grisham, Stephen King, James Patterson, and Stephanie Meyer come to mind - but many of the bestselling authors in today's market are known for something else they have done or because of the platform they had before writing books - Joel Osteen, Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney, and Michael J. Fox, for example.

The biggest and most often-skipped step authors want to make is leaping past the building of a name, reputation, and platform to just sell books as though they already had become a household name. The focal point for these authors becomes supplying bookstores with copies that "will sell themselves." But the reality is that books don't sell themselves, unless the public has an awareness of you or your book and the demand has been generated outside the retail market (as the celebrity authors above have done).

Having said this, I recognize that most authors will never pastor a mega-church with 20,000 members and have a weekly national TV ministry. The majority of authors will not run for Vice President of the United States. But the reality remains that you must gain an audience by building your name and expanding the sphere of influence you now have.

Here are three things you can do to expand your sphere of influence in a short amount of time.

Use your book as a fund-raiser. In other words, find a worthy cause - cancer research, a church or missions group, a local school, etc. - and connect with local leaders of that organization (and beyond that, regional or national leaders) to donate portions of your book sales to their organization. This serves both you and the cause you are assisting and can get your book in front of a large mass of potential readers.
Launch a Facebook fan page for your book. This enables you to spread the word further than your own hometown by engaging a social network that knows no bounds. As friends (and friends of friends) discover and "like" your book, the word will travel fast. This can introduce you to a whole new world of contacts, which can lead to the following...
Pursue speaking engagements. If you are an author and are not engaging people personally with your message and thereby the news of your book, you will likely be disappointed in the sales of your book. Show me an author that is not afraid to speak anywhere and everywhere at any time about their book, and I'll show you an author that is selling books consistently.

I wish it were as easy as Step 1 and Step 3 above. If it were that simple, we'd all be on an yacht somewhere together. But if you skip Step 2 and do not build your name, reputation, and platform, you will likely not reach the next level as a professional author.

Shortcuts to Marketing Your Book

2011-06-09T10:36:00.008-05:00

Working side-by-side with authors everyday, it is not unusual to have someone ask, "What's the best shortcut to success?" or "What's the secret to making my book a bestseller?"

The answer to these questions is simple - there isn't one.

If there was a fool-proof secret or a short-cut to success, everyone would take it.

The reality of the book industry is that while lightning can strike once in a while, success as an author comes from one simple thing...one simple factor seems to play a role over and over in the authors that are the most successful at Tate Publishing...what is that one thing?

Hard work. And lots of it.

No one is going to hand you anything in the book industry. Authors must work, scrape, scratch, and claw their way to success. There are failures, and there are small victories. Sometimes the victory is finding out what doesn't work for selling your book and determining that you won't follow down the same road again.

I've been reviewing today the marketing practices of other publishers, and I am confident that Tate Publishing does far more far longer for authors than any publisher in the world. We work unending with authors to pursue opportunities and make additional contacts. We have publicists and staff making calls daily and sending press for every Tate author. And we never tire of doing more.

Too many authors (and publishers, for that matter) make the mistake of giving up too soon. When instant name recognition, fame, or fat royalty checks don't come quickly, they give up and throw in the towel. Resistance comes, and they begin to realize how cold and difficult this industry can be, so they quit.

Writing and selling a new book is like starting a small business. Small businesses do not tend to take off and experience overnight success. It takes dedication, diligence, and time. The same is true for authors and their "small business."

Authors that persevere, put their heads down and keep plowing - those are the authors that find success as they team with us and follow our plan. They realize the timeless, Biblical truth that God rewards hard work and diligence. They reap what they sow. But like the farmer, the crop doesn't come up overnight.

They must work to see the results.

Freedom to Find the Fanatic

2011-03-09T14:40:00.014-06:00

With Borders filing bankruptcy and the traditional retail market shifting, a new author might wonder what in the world they've gotten themselves into.

But the answer is actually refreshing - what you've gotten yourself into is FREEDOM at the most exciting time in history to be an author!

Ten or fifteen years ago, bookstores were the primary place to buy books. Not so today. The internet has changed how consumers discover, preview, and purchase books. The market has fragmented into millions of smaller, highly dedicated, and sometimes fanatical markets. And in the meantime, instead of all customers coming to the bookstore to find what they want, today's author must take their message to that fanatic. In other words, the shackles are off, and it is time to approach and engage your audience!

Authors must ask themselves, "Who are the people that need my book the most, and where are they?"

If you haven't asked (and answered) that question, it is long overdue.

Why? Because there is no magic formula to follow for selling books. Every book and every author is different. What enables one book to succeed may fail miserably for the next. Not every book is for every person.

Authors in today's market must be willing and able to work every angle. So while there may not be a secret formula, but there is a common denominator to a book's success - hard work. If an author will work hard to discover and engage the fanatic audience, success can be found.

The good news is that authors today have the freedom to explore outside the walls of the bookstore and find the fanatic on a variety of levels. Again, this is a very good thing for authors, as it enables the author to have the mindset of an entrepreneur. After all, your book is your business, and it is wise in business to have multiple revenue streams and to diversify, rather than putting all your eggs in one basket.

Diversifying means working the big box retailers, partnering with the local "mom & pop" bookstore, having your book available as an e-book, and taking your book to your core audience at speaking engagements, parades, book fairs, schools, churches, luncheons, and anywhere else that potential fanatics may be.

The great thing about engaging the fanatic audience is that word can spread like wildfire among that group. When you think about being a fanatic - or fan - of a certain team, you engage at a base and usually an emotional level with other fanatics in a variety of ways - in the stands at the game, online, in restaurants, or over the phone. You talk about the team, the ownership, the trades they made (or didn't make) that did (or didn't) make the team, the latest box score, the way the refs robbed them, etc.

In the past year my wife took up Zumba, and you could not find a more dedicated group of fanatics for this form of exercise. My daughter likes Justin Bieber (screaming, 13-year-old fanatics are as crazy as it gets), and my son follows the WWE (whose fan base is so large and rabid that more fans attended WWE events last year than the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Finals combined.)

The point is this - there are fanatics for your material, and you must engage them. That point alone is likely the difference between the success and failure of your book. At Tate Publishing, we believe in finding and marketing authors to their fan base. Those people may or may not darken the door of a bookstore. But believe it or not...they are out there, waiting to be engaged. They are waiting for the next war or romance novel, waiting for the next parenting tip, waiting for that next children's book about frogs playing baseball that lights up their child's face.

What are you going to do, now that you are free to engage the fanatic?

What to Do When Retail Fails

2011-02-02T10:41:00.014-06:00

The book retail market has been met with some startling news in 2011.

Barnes & Noble laid off 45-50 employees at their corporate offices in New York last month. Borders is on the verge of closing 150 stores and will likely be filing for bankruptcy in an effort to reorganize.

So what are authors to make of this news? How will their books get "out there?"

Here are three steps authors should make to continue to pursue sales and visibility for their books as this climate is changing:

1) Don't depend solely on the retail bookstore market to be the primary outlet for book sales.

Those days are gone, and if you plan for your book like a good small businessperson, you will pursue multiple revenue streams for your book. Publishers that rely solely on the retail bookstore market are closing their doors (as the retailers close theirs). Authors that want to survive must have a plan for keeping their book relevant and visible in the marketplace outside the traditional bookstores.

It is not enough to expect customers to come find your book in the sea of books at bookstores that are more often more interested in selling a handful of bestsellers and non-book gift items in their stores than they are supporting new authors and books. Authors must be proactive in finding their customer base and recognize that this base may not ever darken the door of a bookstore.

2) Develop an online presence for your book.

More books are sold online now than in brick and mortar stores. If you are not engaging readers online, you are missing a vast and diverse market - and one that is right at your fingertips!

Start a blog, develop a Facebook Fan Page for your book, and have a video book trailer for your book. This allows you to visually and electronically interact with your audience worldwide. Follow influential people on Twitter, and become a vocal expert in your field. Develop your own following by letting others hear what you have to say, and draw them to your book and how it will benefit them.

3) Most importantly, ask and answer these questions: Where are you taking your book? How are you engaging potential readers? What is the target audience for your book, and how do you intend to get the book in their hands as a professional author?

If you are not considering the above questions and making a plan based around these ideas, you will likely be disappointed in how your book is selling in 2011. But if you step out into pursuing this kind of mentality, you will find your audience, sell more books, and you will have fun! As you move into this environment of finding your book's niche, this can also drive readers back into the retail market to some degree, so the visibility you create on the non-retail side actually creates momentum and sales elsewhere.

Pursue speaking engagements, book fairs, civic groups, and other pubic appearances. If you've written a book on parenting or marriage, start your own small groups or conferences in your community. If your book is about World War II, find historical societies or college history classes that would be interested in your perspective or research. The possibilities are endless, and you as the author can find much more control, success, and profits from sales.

If you are reading this and are a Tate Publishing author, you have a wealth of tools at your disposal as you team with your Marketing Representative to pursue all the above options. Most authors do not have the option of pursuing their targeted audience but are locked into the retail market alone, with little to no assistance from their publisher on a long-term basis. We have relationships with all the major retailers and love working with each of them, but we recognize that for authors, the retailers are one piece of the puzzle, not the entire puzzle when it comes to selling books.

At Tate Publishing, our goal is to help authors find what works best in selling their books. We pursue retail, but we don't stop there. Today's market has splintered into millions of smaller, niche markets, and as we tap into yours, success and sales can be found!

Author Interview with Kathie Truitt

2010-12-23T14:17:00.006-06:00

Kathie Truitt is the author of the exciting new psychological thriller "False Victim" from Tate Publishing. Kathie has done an amazing job in just the first few months of her book's release, and I invited her to answer a few questions in this forum so she could share some ideas and the successes she has found.

What did you do prior to your release date to engage potential readers and generate interest in your book?

I started marketing as soon as I signed the contract. I 'woo-hooed' on Facebook and e-mailed everyone in my contact list. When acquaintances or people asked me, "What do you do?" or "Where do you work?" I told them, "I'm a writer." Of course, they'd then ask me more questions, which would give me the opportunity to say that my first book would be out in late summer. I blogged about writing a book as soon as I put pen to paper. Before I even finished the first chapter, I decided to take my blog readers along with me on the journey. I completely threw my pride out the window. After all, what if my manuscript didn't get picked up by anyone? These were legitimate concerns - so I blogged about that, too. I took my reader on every single disappointing, frustrating and elatable moment. I wanted them to see the process regardless of where it took me - or didn't take me. When my release date was finally in sight I had built up a huge following.

What has made your book signings successful?

I always send out e-mails to everyone in my contact list just telling them where I'll be for the week. I know that's a lot, so I usually preface it with a joke, "Okay, friends...I know you're probably 'Kathie Truitt-ed' out, but I'm going to be in Timbuktu this week so if you have any friends/family in that area, please send them my way." People are always glad to help, and I always have people show up saying that 'so-and-so' sent them. I send out messages to Facebook friends who live in the vicinity of where I'll be. I usually do this two weeks in advance and then do a reminder about 3 days before hand. I constantly post my schedule on my blog. I try to have a book club in whatever city I am in, and I also send messages out to previous book clubs I've visited so they can spread the word. Oh! I almost forgot - every author absolutely MUST have a Facebook fan page! I always post my schedule on my fan page, too. But the one thing I do that helps me sell more books than anything else? I take an assistant (friend) with me with a huge stack of push cards, and I have him/her gently pass them to people throughout the store. It's never, ever a 'hard-sell' - just very gently, "Here's the synopsis of Kathie Truitt signing her novel today. It's getting rave reviews throughout the country and if you like suspense/thrillers you'll love this." Seriously, I sell more books at a book signing by using that approach than any other way. On those days that I don't have an assistant with me and have to do them myself, I don't do as well, but I still don't let it deter me. But I have to tell you that when I travel out of town I either take someone with me (I'll either pay for their plane ticket, or if they buy their ticket I'll take care of meals, etc.) or I ask a Facebook friend or someone I know in the area to meet me at the bookstore. I pay them $25.00 for the duration - although no one has ever taken me up on the offer to pay them. They're usually just excited to be there with you and to see what goes on.

What are a few simple things you have done to spread the news about your book?

I cannot stress enough how important 'networking' is. I have an acquaintance in my area that is very socially prominent. I gave the book to him to read saying, "If you like it, wonderful…if you don't, then let's not mention it ever again. No hard feelings." He LOVED the book and has been a huge help publicity-wise. He is every bit as good as Traci (my Tate Marketing Rep) is except for the fact that he is local. He also acts as a publicist of sorts for me in this area - he helped me get an endorsement from the Washington Post and several other suburban newspapers and speaking engagements. So it is very important to join clubs - your Chamber, Junior League, Ballet Board - anything that gets you out there and noticed. Or find that ONE person that likes to be recognized for promoting the 'next big thing' and likes to brag about it. They will be your best friend!! I also sent copies of the book to several magazines across the country before I'm going to do a signing, and to several local newspapers that have done articles.

What advice would you like to give your fellow authors?

A few weeks ago I attended an author event in my state. While there I met a beautiful, intelligent, sweet-as-honey young author. Imagine my delight when I picked up her book and realized it was just my type of book - you know, the kind you want to buy, rush home, fix a cup of steaming hot chocolate and settle down in front of the fireplace. We were talking and she said her book wasn't doing too well. I started asking her some questions - she'd gone through a move half-way across the country, had a baby, and really didn't have time to dedicate that she'd like. All of these understandable - except she lived smack dab in the middle of a place where folks would absolutely eat up that genre. I listened to her talk some more. Finally, I asked her, "When people ask, 'What do you do?' what do you tell them?"

She looked shyly at me and very timidly, almost inaudibly said, "I tell them I'm a housewife and stay-at-home mom."

I shook my head and replied, "No, you are a writer! An author! The husband and children are personal information. But your occupation is 'writer'."

So in wrapping up, I guess the important things I want people to take away from this is to stop and think before they speak to people about what they do as a writer. Until you start taking yourself seriously and are confident enough to speak professionally about what you do, then it's hard for others to see you in a professional light.

5 Truths Every Author Should Know

2010-09-29T18:51:00.005-05:00

Dealing with some of the best new authors every day, the marketing staff at Tate Publishing often answers the same questions and covers the same details with new, first-time authors. As in any field, being educated concerning the publishing world is a significant element to success.

Here are 5 truths every author should be aware of entering this exciting and rapidly changing industry:

1) The Competition is Fierce

With now over 1,000,000 new books introduced into the marketplace every single year, there is more competition than ever before in the history of publishing. It can be difficult to stand out from the pack, shelf space at bookstores is limited, and Oprah is quite selective. With only a handful of bestsellers compared to the overall number of books available, it can feel like an uphill battle. There are no short cuts, and there is no magic bullet that will make a new book an "instant classic." This is why Tate Publishing is so selective in choosing manuscripts – we have to find authors with a great, marketable manuscript and attack both the retail and niche markets to engage readers and tap into the core audience for each and every book.

2) Distribution is Key

Without distribution through a number of crucial platforms, a book will struggle to succeed. This is why Tate Publishing stocks every title published with Ingram/Spring Arbor, the world’s largest book distributor. We also work with Baker & Taylor, Appalachian/STL, Anchor, American West, and others that give us the channels we need for placement in bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Borders, Hastings, Mardel, Lifeway, Family Christian, and others. With so many new books released, it is not possible for every store to shelve every new book, but we team with distributors, buyers, and store management to ensure that we create demand, which generates the supply to stores.

In addition, today’s author must have an open door to the e-book market, which is why all Tate books are available as e-books on our site, through Amazon’s Kindle platform, and even the new Apple iBook store.

3) The Industry is Changing

In 2009, for the first time in history, more books were sold outside the walls of brick and mortar bookstores than inside. Certainly this reflects the strength of online retailers such as Amazon and bn.com, but it also reflects the truth that there are a variety of ways for an author to reach the intended, target audience. Bookstores are one element of success, but in bookstores, readers must find the book and author. Finding the target audience for a book involves taking the book to the reader, engaging the reader, and being proactive, not reactive, in the pursuit of success. No one attacks the niche market for their authors the way Tate Publishing does for our fine authors. This month alone we have scheduled over 500 niche events for Tate authors, helping our authors engage the community and create broad visibility in a variety of markets.

4) Authors Must Know Their Audience

Some authors state that their book is “for everyone.” But normally that is not the case. If it’s a book on homeschooling, a stay-at-home mom might be a great target, but a businessman in his late fifties generally would not. They key is finding your audience, understanding where they are, and getting your book in front of them. Coffee shops, movie theaters, health food stores, ice cream parlors, schools, churches, and museums are just some of the places where targeted readers can be found. Niche audiences can be very passionate about their interests, so every good author needs to tie in closely with their audience and recognize that it is rare to have written a book “for everyone.” Tate authors have an advantage that no other authors have in teaming with our marketing staff to aggressively pursue events and opportunities in a variety of venues and channels.

5) Don’t Underestimate the Power of the Internet

Are you blogging, tweeting, or engaging the online community in any way concerning your book? The internet has made the world incredibly small. The entire online community is literally at your fingertips, waiting to be engaged. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and a variety of other online forums make it easier than ever to promote your book and meet people in the comfort of your own home. In addition to the online social networks mentioned above, Tate Publishing authors have access to a variety of online tools such as websites and book trailers. The best news is that it's easy to start – simply look for online forums or communities discussing the topic of your book, and chime in. Offer some advice. Share your opinion. Oh, and don’t forget to mention your book.

Dr. Tate Guest Blog

2010-07-30T23:28:00.004-05:00

Tate Publishing Founder Dr. Richard Tate shares his thoughts about the role hard work plays in making authors and artists successful - great stuff!

THE MISTAKE AUTHORS AND ARTISTS MAKE

Dr. Richard Tate

My wife and I traveled for over 25 years speaking, singing, and conducting seminars and conferences across the U.S. and even overseas. We averaged about 40+ events per year for a quarter of a century. Much of what Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group do for authors and artists is a direct result of our experiences, both good and bad. They say no teacher is more effective than experience, and we can certainly vouch for that. We had many horrible hotels, hours and hours in a car with kids asleep in the back seat, endless hours in airports, small record and book sales, low payment for services and work, work, work. When I was in the Marine Corps back in the 60’s, one of our officers made a statement to us during an especially difficult time. “No one ever drowned in sweat!” he screamed. How true that is.

The sad issue today is that many new authors and artists think that because they have a good book or great music that it should just “happen” for them and that it is the total responsibility of the publisher or label to do all the work. It takes work, persistence, and lots of effort by the author or artist alongside their publisher and label. Trust me, it is all worth it, and Rita and I have a million good memories as a result of those years and made a fine living on the road. You can too if that is your dream – if you are willing to work with your team.

Last fall I was outside our house standing in the driveway talking with my son Ryan, who is the effective President and CEO of our companies, when my cell phone rang. The voice on the other end was our good friend and country music legend Kenny Rogers. He was calling about his upcoming trip to our location and wanted to go over a few things with me and Ryan. Here is the “kicker” to the conversation.

I said, “Kenny, you sound a bit tired, my friend!”

He replied, “Just a bit, Richard. We have the Fiftieth Anniversary tour coming up in January with Dolly Parton, and I have been working ten hours a day on the phone and on the computer calling venues, newspapers, radio and TV stations, and promoters working to get the crowds out. I have been doing this for half a century and it is still a lot of work.”

Kirt Webster, who works with us out of Nashville and manages Dolly Parton, told me at our dinner there recently, “Richard, I have never seen anyone work harder than Dolly. She is after it hours and hours every day to stay successful.”

Lee Greenwood, who is a new part of our music and publishing family and the author of “God Bless the USA,” told us in the conference room at his last visit that he worked for years and years in every kind of venue that would book him, large or small, before his career took off and he became the legend he is today.

Two-time country music entertainer of the year Neal McCoy is doing several projects with us. He was Entertainer of the Year TWICE and said to me from his bus one night after a packed out show, “It took me thirteen years, Richard, before I had a hit. Thirteen years of any and every kind of gig until things took off. I work harder today than ever to keep us on the road doing what I love.”

We love our relationship with the Oak Ridge Boys and their long time manager Jim Halsey. I was visiting with Joe Bonsall when the “Boys” were here recently (they still do over 100 shows a year), and I asked him what he would tell some of our new and aspiring authors and artists. He did not even hesitate. “They have to be willing to work. They have to be willing to sing or speak to 5 just like they would to 5,000. Most people think they should get their break because of the record label. Not so. It takes the label and the artist working hard every day. You don’t deserve that booking, you have to work for it and it HAS to be about your music or the message of your book first of all.”

Our marketing and publicists work hard to make each artist and each author as successful as possible. But the biggest mistake I see authors and artists make is to think they deserve it, and it should just “happen.” It takes hard work even after you have become a legend in the industry.

Just ask Kenny Rogers.

Guest Blog - Author Nancy Dane

2010-05-20T11:15:00.006-05:00

This month author Nancy Dane has completed production on her 3rd book with Tate Publishing. The official release is coming this summer, but that won't stop Nancy from selling pre-release copies now! Click here to view and purchase Nancy Dane's books.

Below are Nancy's terrific thoughts regarding author sales and her successful venture to become one of Tate Publishing's best-selling authors. It didn't come easy, and it was not done overnight. But Nancy has found her audience and is one of the hardest working authors I know. And best of all¾she is having a blast selling books!

Great Writer¾Few Sales? What Works for Me

In the four years I’ve been published, I’ve learned some valuable and sometimes hard lessons. Most of all I’ve learned that success is spelled h-a-r-d w-o-r-k. There’s just no getting around it. I don’t care how excellent the book¾if you aren’t willing to get out and promote, you are doomed to fail. There may be exceptions to this, but I haven’t seen any.

I often tease that my books sell well because I’m more used-car salesman than anything. Only slightly a joke! A good sales campaign is imperative for success. A few keys for reaching that goal:

1. Find your audience and target them. (I write Civil War historical fiction, so I go to Civil War events, reenactments, etc.) At events, I talk to people and engage them in conversation as they pass by. If not, that is exactly what they will do¾pass you by!

2. Accept public speaking engagements. (Even if you are petrified, go ahead. You’ll either die of fright or get better at it!) J

3. Write more than one book. Several titles give credibility to an author and make a table display more impressive.

4. Watch for and then walk through every door of opportunity. For example, I now do professional development seminars for teachers. As a result, my books are being used as curriculum in Arkansas Public schools.

5. Develop a website (for ideas check out mine at www.nancydane.com ) and have business cards with the web address. Also I’ve sold books to old high school chums because of my 'Nancy Dane' Facebook page. Send me a friend invitation!

6. Let me say it again¾you can’t sit home and write and expect the books to sell themselves. Get out there and promote. Ultimately, the motto for success is lots of h-a-r-d w-o-r-k. The resulting sales are worth it. I now enjoy the thrill of great fan mail and readers clamoring for Book Three in my 'Tattered Glory' series...which, by the way, is now available here!

Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group - Guest Blog!

2010-05-07T11:52:00.006-05:00

This summer is going to be Epic for Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group! I've invited Jonathan Robles, one of our TMG publicists and in-house social networking guru, to write the below guest blog today to explain...

If you haven’t heard by now, Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group are giving away a new Apple iPad this month to one of our Facebook fans or Twitter followers (full details are at http://www.tatemusicgroup.com). It’s just one of several prizes we’ll be giving away over the next few months. But there’s so much more going on!

With awesome prizes - great new book, e-book, and CD releases, new social media features, the launch of a new service for music artists, and several other exciting events - it’s going to be an “Epic Summer.” And we want you to be a part of it all!

Whether you’re a writer, a musician, or just a fan, this summer is going to be a great experience! And if you’re connected to us via Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, YouTube, and our blogs, that experience will be even greater!

Author updates, local book signings, music news, concerts in your area, video blogs, and free downloads—it will all be at your fingertips, thanks to new media and a growing presence on social networks. We want to talk to you. We want to hear from you.

This summer we’re starting a conversation - we’re building a community of artists, authors, and fans. Perhaps you had never heard of Tate Publishing or Tate Music Group until now. Well, take this opportunity to get to know us and we’ll try to do the same for you. Give us your feedback—we’ll listen. Interact with us. When you communicate with us through our social media sites, be assured that you are talking to real people—not computers.

Keeps your eyes peeled for some awesome announcements and great features over the next few weeks! (You might even win a cool new iPad in the process.) And get ready for Summer 2010...it’s going to be Epic.

Marketing Your Book Through Social Networking

2010-04-29T09:58:00.011-05:00

Did you know you can engage the audience for your book from the comfort of your bedroom?

Connecting with potential readers is easier than ever if you understand how to find your audience online. Here are 3 quick ideas that are easy to start:

1) Start a Facebook page, and make your book a prominent feature. You can even start a "Fan" page on Facebook for your book. This will allow you to connect with friends from your past and make new ones as well. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertisement, but using word of mouth through Facebook can help your message spread quickly!

2) Tweet. That's right, Twitter is not just for Ashton Kutcher anymore. Point people to your book, get involved in tweeting about the topic and nature of your book, and learn how to tweet and re-tweet others' comments. (Click here to read an easy article on the basics of using Twitter.) Start following others, and they may start following you. And of course, point people to your blog...which leads me to idea #3.

3) Start a blog. It's easy...just use the Blogspot forum that I'm using here to set up your own page. Then point traffic to your blog via Facebook and Twitter. What will you write about? Well, anything you want - but if you want to sell books, write about your book or your topic of your book, and be sure to include the images of the book cover and the links to purchase your book on Amazon, bn.com, or other online retailers. You can begin following other writers and their blogs as well, which will help you plug in to the community of authors online. And if you don't know where to start, check out other authors' blogs for ideas.

Many people don't use social networking because they are afraid to jump into something they don't understand. But the only way to do it is to...well, do it!

Think of it this way...if you begin attending a new church or school, or if you start a new job, you need to meet people to get plugged in. Imagine the social web as a room full of people to meet...and not just people - potential readers of your book! As you connect with them, they connect with you.

Best of all, as an author, blogging and writing online will give you another outlet to hone your craft as you use words to connect and interact with others.

Building relationships with your intended audience is at the crux of selling books. And now more than ever, your audience is just at the end of your fingertips.

A Successful Author is an Active Author

2010-03-30T14:52:00.009-05:00

Every day we are asked what it takes to be successful as a published author. To me, the answer is simple...

A successful author must be active.

Just like in life, no one is going to hand anything to you, and nothing is more rewarding or fruitful than hard work.

But for you and your book, how will you know what the recipe for success is unless you are active in trying a variety of approaches?

We believe every author and every book is unique. What works for one author may not work for another. There are no guarantees for success, no formula that promises sales.

Tate Marketing has a plan and a framework that allows us to team together to find the right formula for your book. For some authors, bookstores are the venue for success. For others, it is an active schedule of speaking engagements. For others, it may be blogging or joining book clubs. And for some, it may be none of the above.

But how will you know what works for your book if you do not try? Here are a few quotes (from some folks you may have heard of) about failure:

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." - Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State

"I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." - Benjamin Franklin, American statesman and inventor

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray area twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States

Can marketing a book be discouraging? Absolutely! Is failure going to happen? Probably, but it's what you learn from failure and difficult times that makes you into a success.

If you try something that doesn't work, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, learn the lessons there, and move on to something else.

I want to start something out of this blog post - stories of failure and success in marketing your book. I want to hear from you. Sometimes your story and the lessons you've learned can be a great encouragement to others in selling their books.

So please share those with me, and I will post them here.

And remember, if you are a Tate Publishing author, you NEVER have to go it alone. You have a Marketing Representative at your right hand with a team that rep can mobilize to try something new. Our expertise (some of it formed through our own trial and error) should be a wealth of wisdom about what works and what doesn't, and we can help place you on the path to success as we work toward that end.

Why Are Author Events So Crucial?

2010-03-21T14:42:00.013-05:00

This month our Marketing Department scheduled more events for our authors than ever before - 535 total events. We are already on pace to break that record heading into April, with the number currently approaching 550 and growing.

But why? Why are we so concerned with scheduling these events?

The answer is simple - visibility. In today's fragmented book market, visibility is crucial to success. It is no longer enough to say, "My book will sell because it is good."

All publishers and all authors believe that their books are the best, and bookstores and buyers are constantly bombarded with requests and calls from publishers and authors explaining why they should carry the latest titles.

Events give authors an opportunity to showcase their books. Events are a great opportunity for media publicity. And most importantly, events provide a platform for authors to engage their audience of potential readers.

This kind of visibility, both in bookstores and in non-traditional book-selling venues, enables authors to speak about why they wrote their books, which is often as crucial as the content of the books themselves. Every author - especially those that are non-celebrities - will need to pique the interest of potential readers and engage their audience.

Today more than ever, even if you have written the great American novel, it is extremely easy to get lost in the sea of newly releasing books, not to mention the classics and bestsellers that already dominate the market.

But events provide authors with the visibility needed to connect with an audience that will appreciate their writing. This is why our marketing staff works diligently with all Tate Publishing authors to target and tap into the specific niche audience for each and every book. Events afford the author the chance to interact, network, and grow their audience.

Of course, authors must step forward and actually speak to people at these events. Nothing kills a book signing event like an author that is too reticent to engage possible readers. And by that same token, authors must be forthright and outgoing while being careful not to step over the line of becoming abrasive or obnoxious to customers.

But when an author strikes that balance, it can be a magical moment. When an author connects with a person that truly needs their book or will benefit from the message contained within its pages, that may be the most rewarding moment of all for a writer.

Author events can create these kinds of moments on a regular basis, which is why our marketing staff works hand-in-hand with our authors to find the right fit. Every book and every author is unique, so we must create opportunities for authors to find their audience, find their niche, and have the kind of visibility it takes within that fit to discover success.

That kind of success is why we continue to serve our authors by creating more opportunities through author events than any publisher in the world.

A Dual Plan for Success

2010-02-16T15:56:00.008-06:00

Dodging the snowstorms that hammered the eastern seaboard, I have returned from our latest trip to visit with our buyer at Barnes and Noble in New York City (actually the weather was beautiful - check out the snow at Central Park!). It was another fantastic meeting, and our relationship with the world's largest book retailer continues to grow!

Barnes and Noble will now be carrying all Tate Publishing e-books on their website, which will make our e-books also available for the B&N Nook Reader. This is another great step, and it will prepare Tate Publishing to be at the forefront, taking huge steps in the digital marketplace. (In fact, we are already in discussions with Apple to have our books formatted and available for the new iPad and the iBook store later this year!)

In addition, the excellent writing and cover design of Tate books continues to allow us to take further steps at the bookstore level, with more local and regional buys becoming a reality for our authors and their fine books.

Selling books at the retail level is tougher than ever. And with over 550,000 new books published in 2009, the marketplace - particularly at the retail level - is more crowded and competitive than ever.

But the Tate Publishing model provides opportunity for success not only at the retail level, but also beyond retail and into the market that has now, in the 21st Century, fragmented into thousands of niche markets. Many publishers live and die only by the retail market, which makes the shelf life of each book fairly small. Our plan lengthens the life of each and every book, taking it to the retailers, to the digital marketplace, and far beyond into these niche markets for continued success.

Some Tate authors are seeing their best success 2-3 years after their release date, which is generally unheard of in the publishing world. The reason this is true is that we have a marketing staff that can tailor our approach for each specific book based on the niche for that book. As we schedule both retail and niche marketing events for our authors, more readers can be found, and word of mouth - still one of the very best forms of advertisement - can grow.

We are excited about our future with B&N and with a marketing plan that is truly the best plan in the industry. As we continue to grow in the retail and niche markets, our authors will continue to receive the best service and the best plan for success available.

Interview with NY Times Bestselling Author

2010-01-25T14:01:00.008-06:00

Terry Cordingley, our Associate Director of Marketing here at Tate Publishing, recently interviewed NY Times bestselling author Suzy Spencer.

Ms. Spencer is not a Tate Publishing author, but her responses to Terry's marketing questions were outstanding, and they reveal the hard work and dedication involved at the author level.

After reading this interview, I am convinced more than ever that the marketing provided by Tate Publishing is second to none in the entire industry!

I have posted the article below, or you can click here to check out the interview directly on Terry's blog.

Enjoy!

Interview with NYT bestselling author Suzy Spencer

How much help did your publisher give you in the marketing of your book?

I’ve had four books published. Of those four, I’ve had little marketing support from my publishers. Now let me clarify. When I say “marketing,” I’m referring specifically to public relations. I’m not referring to sales and distribution support. I’ve never been allowed any contact with the sales teams, though I understand some publishers encourage such. In fact, I’m friends with a sales representative for a major publishing house and she has advised me to always get to know and befriend my sales reps. When the sales reps love your books and you, they’ll fight to get your work into the stores, get you solid display space, and psych up the bookstore staff so that they recommend your book to the buying public.

Having said that, sales reps are going the way of landline telephones. Maybe landline telephones is the wrong metaphor to use since sales reps – those human beings who travel, from state to state, from bookstore to bookstore, to make face-to-face sales pitches to bookstore management – are being replaced by telemarketers. To foresee how well that is going to work, just think about how you react to telemarketers.

As for public relations support, for my first book Wasted, which became a New York Times bestseller, I believe my publisher sent out a few review copies. By that I mean I provided names and addresses of friends in the media and my publisher mailed them copies of the book and, from what I understand, a note that said here’s a book by Suzy Spencer. There was no publicity packet included. No sales pitch of what the book was about or why they would be interested in it.

With my second book, my publisher decided it was too expensive to send out review copies, so I was provided an extra box of books, which I was supposed to mail to my media contacts.

I switched publishing houses for my third and fourth books. That publisher did provide a bit of publicity support. But for the purposes of this interview, I’m going to stick to the details of marketing and publicity for Wasted, i.e. the experiences of a first time author who fluked into becoming a New York Times best-selling author.

Did you hire a publicist, or did you work on marketing and promotion on your own? If you hired a publicist, what types of things did they do for you?

My answer is all of the above. Initially, I did everything myself. As time passed and I was out of ideas and contacts, I hired two different publicists. Each pursued only radio shows. I believe one publicist charged per booking, meaning if she got me on a show, I paid her a fee. If she didn’t get me on a show, I paid her nothing. She got me on numerous radio shows, mostly high-wattage stations in rural areas, in daylight hours.

I believe the other publicist charged a flat fee with a minimum number of bookings guaranteed. He booked me into larger markets but in the middle of the night, AM hours. One radio host sent me a copy of that publicist’s Suzy Spencer “PR packet.” It consisted of a copy of my book and a note scribbled in black Sharpie on white paper that said Suzy Spencer is available for interview – no explanation of why the radio station might be interested in interviewing me. At least my publisher had included a neatly typed note.

I never used that publicist again. In fact, I never hired another publicist.

3. What types of marketing activities did you handle on your own?

I sent out postcards announcing the publication and availability of the book, including its ISBN number. I sent those cards to friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, though I might have a tenuous relationship to them, and often added a handwritten note. I forced my family to do the same.

I set up book signings. I sent out postcards promoting the signings – again, to friends, acquaintances, and strangers to whom I had tenuous ties. I repeatedly contacted newspapers and radio and television stations regarding the signings and begged for interviews. I brought extra books when I felt bookstores hadn’t ordered enough product for a signing. And believe me, that happened often.

I created a press kit, which included a press release, biography, headshot, and eventually press clippings. I sent those to newspapers, radio stations, TV stations, and alumni publications. I constantly monitored the media to see if there was a news event that related to my book topic. If there was, I immediately contacted radio stations explaining how my book related to the event, what I could offer their radio show, and that I was available for interviews.

I probably need to stress that even when seeking publicity for my book signings, I didn’t simply say here’s my book, I’m available for an interview. I always provided a reason as to why they should want to interview me. I provided them with a story angle. I told them why their listeners, viewers, and/or readers would be interested in what I had to say and/or how it related to their audience.

I also set up talks with writers’ organizations, book clubs, high schools, and anything else I could think of. And I ran ads in Radio-TV Interview Report, a publication monitored by radio and TV producers as they look for topics and guests for their shows.

Which marketing activities have been the most helpful in selling your book?

With that first book, initially, I think the postcards helped most. Current friends wanted to support me, so they bought the book. Friends from the past were curious about what I was up to, so they bought the book. I believe my friends all over the nation are the ones who pushed the book onto the New York Times bestseller list.

After that, a book review appeared and proclaimed that Wasted had been banned in the oldest town in Texas. I jumped on that. Whereas my publisher had insisted x is your sole market. I insisted that x, y, and z were my markets. I sent a press release announcing the ban, along with copies of the review, to media that targeted those y and z markets. They jumped on the story and gave me coast-to-coast publicity. I then used those stories to get more publicity.

Finally, I think the radio interviews helped. I’d check my Amazon sales ranking before an interview, during it, and afterwards, and I could see the positive results.

One note: I inundated my publisher with my press clippings, which I believe kept them excited about the book. That meant their sales reps worked harder to keep the book on store shelves rather than letting it die a natural six-week to six-month death.

Which marketing activities have not worked for you at all?

This is kind of a tough question because what works for one book might not work for another and what works for a first book might not be right for a fourth book. Or what works for my book might not work for someone else’s book. For example, I’ve had friends who got scores, if not more than 100, radio bookings from Radio-TV Interview Report. For me, that was a waste of money.

Though I insinuate that I was disappointed with the publicists I hired, as I mentioned before, I could track improved Amazon sales after doing a radio show they booked for me.

And while I rarely do bookstore signings anymore because I lose money on them due to the travel expense, I found them highly beneficial for the beginning of my career. They introduced me to bookstore staffers and readers who never would have looked at my book. That meant that they talked about it and recommended it. The signings also got me at least a week’s worth of great in-store display and promotion, when, normally, one or two copies of my books would have been relegated to a bottom shelf. And they allowed me to get radio, TV, and newspaper coverage that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Believe me, it’s a great thing when you’re sitting in a bookstore and a TV crew comes in to interview you. Customers start flocking over in curiosity and start buying.

What was the biggest misconception you had before you started promoting your work?

I’m not sure I had a lot of misconceptions. I know I didn’t expect the publisher to help me much on PR. And I knew that they only give a book a few weeks to succeed before moving on to the next book. But I guess I did expect them to put out a decent press release and send review copies to more than a few outlets. After all, I spent hours filling out their marketing questionnaire, i.e. my background, marketing angles, people and media outlets I knew that might promote my book and why they might promote it, etc..

No, my biggest misconception was their myopic view that only they know what works marketing-wise. I have a Masters of Business Administration degree in marketing and I live in Middle America. So I guess I had a fantasy that they’d respect my expertise and what I know about the market in which I live. But, no, they didn’t. And they don’t. They say, we’ve been doing this for years, we know who your market is, we know what works and what doesn’t, and you don’t.

But my theory is that what may have worked 20 years ago isn’t working today. The proof of that is the decreasing sales and profits experienced by the major publishing houses. So the other half of my theory is don’t say anything when they tell you don’t know who your market is and don’t say anything when they tell you your marketing ideas are wrong. Just go implement them on your own. If you don’t succeed, at least you know you gave it your all. And if you do succeed, well, your publishing house might take all the credit, but who cares … because you’ve got a bestseller.

How vital is social media such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to your marketing?

My books have all come out prior to the mass popularity of social media. However, since 2004, when I started work on my next book, which should be out in 2011, I have been prepping my marketing plan. I have a list of blogs that I want to hit up for PR. I have my own blog on writing that I’m trying to grow. And I have a smaller blog that primarily deals with the topic of my next book. Eventually, the two blogs with be integrated.

I have my Facebook account and really try to work it. I have my Twitter account, though, admittedly, I don’t “get” Twitter. I have my YouTube account and am prepping videos for it. And I have my BlogTalkRadio account, for when I need that.

Though I don’t know if Twitter and Facebook will be as important five years from now as they are today – after all, look how myspace has almost disappeared for anyone other than musicians – I do think social media is imperative to follow and utilize. For example, I have Facebook friends all over the U.S., England, Turkey or Greece (I forget which), and the Philippines. Previously, if I wanted to hit those markets, I had to be on CNN. And believe me, I find national and international TV to still be my best promoter. But those aren’t always available to first time authors. But Facebook is. In a matter of seconds, you can post a few lines there and have people all over the world reading about your book. And that’s a heck of lot cheaper than sending out postcards.

How vital is niche marketing to promoting your work? How do you identify and reach out to your book’s niche audiences?

I’m known as a true crime author. That’s my niche – my x target market that my first publisher insisted was my sole market. My publisher further insisted that a great book cover and great photographs inside the book is enough to market to my niche. So I left that to my publisher and worried about the y and z general markets.

My next book is not true crime, and I think my publisher sees its target market as the general public. I see it building in the niche world and expanding to the general public. As such, I used the Internet to research the leaders within that niche, contacted them, and became friends with them. They introduced me to other leaders, as well as participants, which eventually created a huge email list. I then used MySpace and now Facebook to further develop that list.

In other words, I’m networking within my niche – I meet one person who introduces me to three others, and those three others introduce me to nine others.

As I get closer to publication, I will utilize this email list to create buzz for the book and then sales.

Other than sales, what benefits have you experienced as the result of becoming a “bestselling” author?

It gives you credibility.

What advice do you have for new authors when it comes to marketing and promoting their books?

Step 1: From day one, start creating your marketing plan. That means making a list of possible PR outlets. And it means getting out there and schmoozing and making friends. The greatest thing I ever did for my career was joining and volunteering for the Writers’ League of Texas. I worked on publicity for one of their fundraisers. That gave me an introduction to people in the media. Eventually, those people gave my book PR support.

Step 2: Don’t necessarily confess this PR obsession and game plan to your agent and editor. There’s a time to mention it, and it’s not when you’re writing the book. If you do, they’ll think you’re sacrificing your writing for PR. So wait until the book is done. If they then give your ideas a dismissive wave of the hand, let ‘em … then go do your own marketing plan. They’ll appreciate it when the sales get tallied.

Step 3: When everyone tells you stop with the PR, keep going with it. You’ll extend the life of the book and wring out additional sales. Think persistence, persistence, persistence. Be persistent, persistent, persistent.

About the author:

ABC’s Primetime Live has referred to Suzy Spencer as Austin, Texas’ best-known true crime writer. She is the author of Breaking Point, the story of Andrea Yates, a Book of the Month Club, Doubleday Book Club, Literary Guild and Mystery Guild selection; Wasted, a New York Times bestseller and Violet Crown Book Award finalist; The Fortune Hunter (St. Martin's True Crime Library), which was called “riveting” and “blockbuster” by the Globe; and Wages Of Sin

Tate Now Producing and Airing National TV Commercials

2009-12-19T10:40:00.005-06:00

This week we are thrilled at a new opportunity we are able to provide for our authors and Tate Music Group artists.

Through our award-winning Multimedia Department, we are now offering full production of thirty second commercials that we will be airing on national television to gain an entire new level of visibility and promotion for our books, music, and events.

Better yet, as with the creation of their books and music, Tate authors and TMG artists will have a hand in the creation of their own commercials, and we will target specific channels and programs so that the right audience is able to view the commercials.

Check out the spots below to see examples of Tate produced commercials:

This step enables Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group to surpass all others in the industry in service to our authors and artists, who are the very best and deserve the greatest opportunity to be seen and heard at a plane that is head and shoulders above any opportunity elsewhere.

Once again Tate Publishing and Tate Music Group are blazing a new trail that offers exposure to a far larger audience than simply the local area of the author or artist. This is the kind of visibility that raises the bar and enables Tate authors and TMG artists to compete on a whole new playing field and be seen and heard around the country.

If you are a Tate author or TMG artist, now is the time to get started with this new venture and have your book and music seen nationwide. Contact us as soon as possible so we can begin the process for you!

Great Tate Events!

2009-12-07T17:36:00.002-06:00

This morning I was pleased once again to find my inbox full of FANTASTIC reports from this past weekend's book signings and events for Tate authors.

Check out the terrific reports below!

Hi Traci, I had the best book signing this past Saturday at Barnes and Noble. I read the book to the children 2 times and it was a BLAST, plus we sold a bunch of books!!!

Thank you so much and Happy Holidays,
Terri

Sunnie,

I had a really good book signing at Border's in Fort Worth Saturday. Mr. Bo went with me and we sold 25 books.

Could you send a request to Barnes and Noble in Southlake (see Attached) request a book signing for me. Let me know when and who you send it to and I will follow up.

Thanks

Hi Amanda,

Just wanted to let you know about Chriistmas on the Square in Kaufman this past Saturday. I took my "book buddy" with me & together we braved the bitter cold (brrrr!). The event began at 12:00 noon, & Vicki & I stayed until 3:00 p.m. We left a little early, but it was just too cold to stay any longer, & most everyone that I had expected had come by. In the 3 hours, we sold 47 books! I was quite pleased! Most of the buyers were friends/acquaintances of mine, & we had several multiple copies sales.

The $30 entrance fee was waived in exchange for an autographed book! (It helps to know people!) I was so happy that the promotional materials I'd ordered came on Thursday, so I had posters that we attached to my table covering & bookmarks/business cards to hand out. I took a stuffed dog for the table as my "mascot" & also had a bowl of wrapped Christmas candies for the passersby.

This is probably way more information than you need from your authors, but remember, I'm a "new-bee." It was very exciting to be out there with my own book - my 1st public appearance as a published author!

Still working on 1 or 2 more book-signings before Christmas. A lot of people are seeing the value of the book as a Christmas gift! I gave 1 to the hostess where I spent Thanksgiving Day, & she in turn has ordered 3 more books. I really appreciate Tate for getting the books to me prior to Christmas!

In Christ,

Judy

Traci,

We had an amazing turnout today. Both De Sales and Borders ran out of books. I'd say with the store's books and our backup books combined, we sold at least 110 today. It was great.

Adam was not only in today's Springfield News-Leader, but also on KTTS radio station. Here are some links for you.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20091205/LIFE07/912050333/1004/life/Reconciling-Jesus-and-Santa?GID=uBITB1JCDhvJq+5Dx5By2ZpPd8w0Yt+bET+DIaFDES0%3D

http://www.ktts.com/tabid/1666/xmid/38976/Default.aspx

Adam & Diana Nelson

My event at Borders was a huge success. I sold all of the 25 books they ordered and 5 of my own. Part of the 5 was three autographed ones I sold them to have. They gave me a buy out for them. I had one daughter and 2 of my older grandchildren helping also. Cricket seemed to be very pleased.

Thank you so much for setting it up.

Violet

Yes Jim, we sold 200 books that night. Tomorrow night is his school book fair, they have been advertising all week and they have 5 our our posters around the school, plus the book is on the school web site for all schools to view, so we are very hopeful to have a great turn out as well. If we get lucky and sell out, I will call your office Wednesday to send us 100 more books for the weekend!

Thanks,

Julie

One More Advantage for Tate Authors

2009-12-06T22:59:00.004-06:00

We work hard to ensure that Tate Publishing authors have every advantage they can have in this industry. With 400,000 new books being introduced into the marketplace every year, we want our authors to stand out in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

This is why we introduce new product lines like we did this month with our 3-D children's books, and why we were the first publisher to introduce eLIVE more than two years ago, giving readers the option of downloading a digital file of the audiobook for free when purchasing the print book. Other publishers are now beginning to copy this service on the audiobook side, which reinforces our belief that we are at the forefront of this industry and are affording our authors the very best in products and services that allow them to compete and gain a competitive edge.

With our new line of 3-D children's books, we have introduced into the marketplace an option no other publisher has created, once again enabling our fine authors to garner more attention than ever before.

Most publishers introduce books into the marketplace, run the books out to stores, and hope something sticks. If it doesn't succeed, the publisher just attempts to find success with the next project coming down the pipeline, often leaving the previous project in the rearview mirror.

That's not our model. We recognize that the book industry is more fragmented than ever before, and more books are being sold outside the bookstores than inside for the first time in history. Does this mean we abandon our relationships with Barnes and Noble, Family Christian, Borders, Mardel, Lifeway, and others? Of course not...but it does mean that we are smart and nimble enough to move our authors beyond the bookstore and take their books to their audience, rather than expecting the audience to come find them.

This new level of marketing allows us to make anywhere and everywhere a venue for selling books. In fact, I just checked out our updated online events calendar, and you know what I found? Churches, roundtable discussions, craft fairs, book festivals, and restaurants...in addition to all the major big box retailers. With over 450 events on our calendar in December 2009 alone, we are covering more ground than ever.

And now with more product offerings that can extend the life of a book and introduce books to a whole new audience, Tate Publishing authors can gain more attention in more places than ever before, and far more opportunity than offered by any other publisher.

We are thrilled to be at the leading edge of the industry, but it makes us even more proud that our authors - the lifeblood of this industry - have a better chance than ever to succeed long-term as we continue to create more ways for their books to stand apart from the pack.

Aiming for More than One Target

2009-11-16T14:04:00.006-06:00

Tate Publishing authors have the most opportunity for long-term success in the publishing industry.

Every day publishers all over the world pursue success for their authors, but for most publishers, that success is limited to the bookstore world. If a book takes off at Barnes & Noble or Borders, the publisher (and author) will be excited - and that is certainly cause for joy.

But what happens when the retail sales fade, or when bookstore and distributor returns wipe out a significant portion of those sales? Well, that excitement certainly diminishes, and pretty quickly at that.

What then?

Most publishers move on to their next big project and look to a new book to grasp onto for success. And they run that book to the retail market, hope the public catches on at the stores, and repeat the process again and again. And while this routine is certainly understandable, what becomes of the author that made that initial splash and then quickly got left behind?

For most publishers, not much, unless the author can replicate success on a second or third book. But I would argue that the first book has more life in it than the publishers will ever know, mostly because they are locked solely inside the walls of the bookstore.

But for Tate authors, that isn't the case. We have great relationships with bookstore buyers and managers and know that bookstores play a vital role in the visibility of a new book. In fact, every month we schedule between 300 and 400 retail store book signing events for our authors (available for view on our events calendar).

In addition to the store side, Tate Publishing authors have the opportunity to go beyond the bookstore as our authors partner with their Tate Marketing Representative to discover the long life of their book in their niche market. Since more than half the books sold in the U.S. now are sold outside the bookstore, it only makes sense that we assist our authors in finding those opportunities as well. After all, the unique audience for a particular book may not ever darken the door of a traditional bookstore.

More books than ever are sold now at churches, coffee shops, schools, gyms, hospitals, day care centers, Civil War re-enactments, arts festivals, Lion's Club meetings, etc. The upside for the author is huge here...that author can reach more people in their target audience, sell more books, and make more money than they may ever make through bookstore sales.

Tate authors have an advantage for more long-term success because of this multi-level approach, and this year I've heard from countless authors that are having their greatest success 2 or 3 years after their release date. That's simply because we don't give up, we don't run a project out to the bookstores and then quickly jump to "the next big thing," and we don't just fly our flag in the bookstores alone.

We know that every author deserves the chance at long-term success, and our process allows Tate authors to experience a higher level of success for a longer period of time. And when you aim for more than one target, you are more likely to hit the bulls-eye.

Wanna Be Famous?

2009-10-07T17:45:00.005-05:00

How does one become famous in today's world? There are many possibilities, such doing something spectacularly good (or bad, for that matter). But more than anything, it can come from a passion for doing something you love. Check out the below article from a great friend of Tate Publishing, nationally-known publicist and author Marsha Friedman:

Celebritize Yourself:
How to Build Your Brand as a Leader in Your Field

It’s one thing to talk about becoming a celebrity in your field. It’s quite another to actually begin the process. To make celebrity an authentic goal, we must first desensitize ourselves to the very word “celebrity.”

The best place to start is to refocus away from Hollywood or the Big Apple and turn it inward, toward yourself, your company, product, service, or expertise, and your industry. Celebritizing yourself from the ground up brings to mind two of my favorite domestic goddesses turned celebrities: Julia Child and Erma Bombeck. I point to these two iconoclastic women because we’re talking about specific industries, and these two virtually created their own.

Julia Child loved two things: French cooking and her husband, James (and, I suspect, sometimes in that order). Although Julia’s background was in publicity and advertising, she single-handedly pursued her passion for French cooking with such expertise and zeal that no one around her could ignore. Julia became one of the first “celebrity chefs,” and also one of the most recognizable women of the last century. Such celebrity chefs as today’s Emeril Lagasse and Rachel Ray owe their television careers to the pioneering efforts of Julia Child.

Truly, Julia is a poster child for how to first become a celebrity in your own field, and then for the world at large. So was Erma Bombeck. Dayton, Ohio born, Bombeck graduated from theUniversity of Dayton in 1949 with a degree in English. She started her career that same year as a reporter for the Ohio Journal Herald, but after marrying school administrator Bill Bombeck, a college friend, she left the job to raise three children.

As her children grew, she wrote “At Wit’s End,” a self-deprecating tale about the life of a housewife. Seen first in the Kettering-Oakwood Times in 1964, Erma was paid a miserly $3 per column. The popularity of “At Wit’s End” brought national syndication in 1965, and eventually it ran twice a week in more than 700 newspapers. The column was collected in many bestselling books, and her fame was such that a television sitcom was based on Erma’s life. A humble $3-a-column gig for the local paper graduated Erma to full celebrity status.

“Celebrity” for these two icons grew not out of ambition or greed – though both women clearly had business savvy and realized the far greater audience fame could bring to them. What they became famous for was what they loved. Their passion turned into “celebrity” which, in turn, added “celebrity” to their passion.

There is a strong lesson in here for all of us. What is it? Simply this: celebrities are made, not born. What’s more, they share four similar qualities that you may already possess:

1.) Passion: Julia Child never wavered in her passion for cooking while Erma Bombeck came to her passion for writing only once she discovered the confidence that came from writing – and writing well.

2.) Persistence: Both women faced challenges and road blocks on their way to success. In this time of female presidential candidates, CEOs, talk show hosts and cable magnates, it is easy to forget that both Erma and Julia were products of the 50s and 60s, where men were the celebrities and women cared for the home and their children. Julia’s persistence to cook even when no one was watching or Erma’s to write while the kids were sleeping forged expertise in both their industries.

3.) Pride: Julia and Erma never came off as egotistical or brash, not even when fame overtook them and created household names of normal women. Still, it was clear – especially in later years – that both women were not only proud of what they’d accomplished but what they stood for and the inspiration they gave other women.

4.) Persuasion: Finally, both women used their respective art to persuade; Julia to persuade an entire generation (and even later generations) to discover the “joy of cooking” and Erma to persuade family members to celebrate their family bonds.

The idea that celebrity is only for movie stars should have withered on the vine by now; here we have two shining examples of homegrown women who started where they felt the most passionate and built a career from the inside out.

Neither Julia nor Erma became a “household word” overnight. They each had their unique path to fame – but they both had this in common. Both actually put their foot on the path, and took that first step…and then another, and so on. It is a process; it does not occur in one fell swoop.

American Idol Song Winner Signs with Tate Publishing

2009-09-04T16:06:00.008-05:00

We are thrilled to announce that Tate Publishing has signed famed singer/songwriter Regie Hamm to a record deal with our music label, Tate Music Group, this week.

Regie has written over a dozen #1 hits, most notably the song "The Time of My Life," which won the American Idol song contest in 2008. Performed by American Idol winner David Cook, "The Time of My Life" spent a record 16 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, and Regie has had a host of #1 hits as a songwriter, performed by Point of Grace, Avalon, and Mark Schultz.

To find out more about Regie Hamm and to hear his amazing "Full Circle" story, watch the video below...you'll be glad you did!

Regie also plans to write a book with Tate Publishing chronicling his entire "Full Circle" journey. We are excited to welcome Regie to the Tate Publishing family!

In a New York Minute...

2009-08-10T15:48:00.006-05:00

Last week during our Executive Staff planning retreat in New York City, I had the opportunity to visit with two very influential people in this industry - an agent with one of the most powerful literary agencies in New York, and our buyer at Barnes and Noble.

These two ladies have been in the publishing industry for years, and they know what it takes to succeed (and to fail) in this business. And it was interesting...though the meetings took place at different locations and on different days, the conversations were quite the same - and they came down to two very real truths concerning authors.

First, there is no way around it - selling books takes extremely hard work on the part of the author. Our B&N buyer stated that authors simply cannot depend on the publisher or the retailer to sell books. The publisher and the retailer create opportunities for books to be sold, but actually selling books is the work of the author. There are no short cuts in today's environment, and selling books takes perseverance and a solid work ethic from the author.

Second, every author must pursue the niche market for their book. Bookstores, agents, publishers - they are all looking for niche market authors. Niche authors know their audience and never make the mistake of saying, "My book is for everyone." While you may have a book for all ages or one that could be enjoyed by both male and female readers, the truth is that there is a niche audience for every single book, and authors that have not given thought to their niche market are going to significantly limit their chances at success.

These conversations in New York were both very reassuring to me - because this information is exactly what we tell authors every single day at Tate Publishing. We will always partner at the highest level with retailers, whether it is with buyers, store managers, clerks, etc. We want all Tate authors to have high visibility and opportunity on the table so that they can take advantage of those chances to sell their books. But ultimately, it comes down to an author networking and connecting with potential readers and selling books in those environments.

In addition, we do more to explore the niche market for our authors than any publisher in the world, and we do not stop at simply pushing a book to the retail market through bookstores. We'll get in the trenches with our authors, pursue niche and captive audience events, and help them sell books and reach readers that may never darken the steps of a traditional bookstore. The stores are great, but there are far more readers in the world than those that enter a bookstore on a Saturday afternoon. We want our authors to connect on that level as well so that more books are sold and more money goes back in the pocket of the author.

It is always good to hear that you are on the right track in an industry that is changing - and Tate Publishing is definitely on that track - but it is even better to know that we didn't have to wait to be told that this is the state of our industry and that this is what success looks like. We already knew that in a New York minute.

Is Tate Publishing a Vanity Press, Self-Publisher, or Print-On-Demand Publisher?

2009-06-30T15:36:00.009-05:00

We are frequently asked this question by bookstores, distributors, and even our own authors. What is Tate Publishing - a vanity press? A POD? A self-publisher?

Tate Publishing is not a vanity press, a print-on-demand publisher, or a self-publishing company. Vanity presses, PODs, and self-publishing companies will print any manuscript for a fee. At Tate Publishing, we accept and publish fewer than 4 percent of the manuscripts submitted to us each year. Once we accept a manuscript, it undergoes a strict process of editing, layout and graphic design, and every Tate author has creative input on their book, making sure it becomes all they dreamed it would be. Each of our titles is distributed by Ingram/Spring Arbor, the largest book wholesaler and distributor in the United States. In fact, Tate Publishing is now among the top 15 best-selling publishers distributed by Ingram/Spring Arbor.

Tate Publishing is a main-line, royalty-paying publisher. Our books are 100% returnable, meaning they are available to all major bookstores in the industry. This is not the case with most self-publishers, vanity presses, or POD companies.

But the #1 thing that sets us apart from all other publishers is our marketing. Our authors and titles have been featured by media outlets such as The Boston Globe, ABC's Nightline, USA Today, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Lifetime Television Networks, NBC-Chicago, The History Channel, The 700 Club, and ABC's Good Morning America, as well as numerous nationally-syndicated radio and television programs. We have also had a number of authors reach Top 5 status on Amazon, the world's largest bookseller.

In addition, we partner with Key Marketing to schedule between 350 and 450 events every single month so that Tate Publishing authors have the visibility and opportunity to succeed in this crowded marketplace. And best of all, unlike most publishers, we will market books far beyond the normal window of 3-6 months. We are seeing staggering success for many Tate authors that released books 2 or 3 years ago, and they have shown the tenacity that it takes to team with us and fight long-term for their success.

Tate Publishing works with a number of different chains, buyers, and bookstores around the country, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hastings, Waldenbooks, and and others, and we schedule many events outside the bookstore to gain even more visibility for our fine authors. (You can view our current schedule of events at http://www.tatepublishing.com/calendar.php.)

So what are we? We are a hybrid. We are a mainline, royalty-paying publisher, paying the highest royaly percentages in the publishing industry. We offer the hands-on opportunity for authors to approve their work every step of the way, and we provide a partnership model from start to finish that is second-to-none and provides the very best opportunity available for new authors.

Another Successful Trip

2009-06-04T11:37:00.005-05:00

Last week I was once again in New York City meeting with our buyer at Barnes and Noble corporate. Publishers present hundreds and even thousands of titles each and every month to our buyer, and there are dozens of buyers depending on the genre. In other words, the competition is thick and very competitive!

However, Tate Publishing has an audience with Barnes and Noble and other leading retailers and present our titles, which gives first-time authors with Tate Publishing the very best chance for success that they can have in the industry.

At times we are incorrectly labeled as a vanity press or a POD (print-on-demand) publisher. These kinds of statements are unfortunate and are consistently made by people that are either unfamiliar with how the industry works or who simply do not have all the facts. Vanity presses and POD publishers do not afford the opportunities to authors that we do at Tate Publishing, especially gaining an audience with retailers such as Barnes and Noble and their buyers. We have worked very hard to cultivate personal and direct relationships for distribution and retail, and we are excited to see the growth and will continue to work hard to give Tate authors every advantage they can have.

The Power of Social Networking

2009-05-12T16:11:00.004-05:00

The internet has us communicating in ways we never imagined just a few short years ago, and one of the primary benefits of this kind of communication is social networking. The world is becoming smaller and smaller, and it is now just as easy for me to have a conversation with my wife's sister (who serves as a missionary in Nepal) as it is with my own sister (who lives here in Oklahoma). In fact, we can all communicate at the same time through tools like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

The good news is that these social networking sites are good for more than simply finding out how unattractive that old high school flame turned out to be. They can actually help us connect, do business, and if you're an author, sell books! If you're unfamiliar with the concept of social networking, check out the video below to see what social networking is all about:

Tate Publishing is now assisting our authors with building customizable MySpace and Facebook pages. Our goal is that these tools will help our authors connect with their target audience, explore new possibilities, and even connect with far away friends that simply didn't know they had published a book!

If you'd like more information about how social networking can work for you, contact your Tate Marketing Representative. Whether it's through joining online book clubs, becoming a "fan" of another book (and in turn, building your own "fan" base), or simply making you and your book more visible, we want to help take you to the next level and help you discover the power of social networking!

Can I Get on Oprah?

2009-03-31T15:54:00.003-05:00

We hear this question from time to time throughout the Tate Marketing department, and it is a valid one. After all, no one will give an author more exposure than Oprah can, right?

Well...maybe. But success can be found apart from Oprah. And the reality of it is, Oprah only pushes maybe 1 or 2 authors on her show every year (one of the most recent being actor Sidney Poitier, Oprah's childhood idol). With over 400,000 new books to be released this year, the chances of being featured by Oprah or her book club are quite slim. Add to that rare chance the fact that Oprah does not accept any unsolicited material, and the chances become even slimmer.

So unless you are a legendary actor or are known for something else prior to writing your book, it's time to do something besides just hope that Oprah will jump on board to help you get your book noticed. That's why Tate Marketing puts together a strategy - a specific plan - that will help Tate authors sell their books.

You see, we have a saying around the halls of the Tate Publishing offices - 'Hope is Not a Strategy.'

Sitting back and hoping that someone else will sell your book for you is no strategy at all. That's why our Tate Marketing Reps work hand-in-hand with our authors to devise the best plan to help each author sell their book. We cannot take a "cookie-cutter" approach to selling books, but need to instead think carefully with our authors about who they know, what their circle of influence is, who they can invite to attend their events, and what the true target audience really is for their book.

When the hope of Oprah is no longer a possibility, we have to buckle down and team together to be about the business of selling books. Tate Marketing is about creating the opportunities for our authors to successfully sell their books, whether that happens in a bookstore, coffee shop, gym, middle school, or church. Our Marketing Representatives not only work the retail bookstore angles, but they also work these kinds of venues that enable our authors to truly get their books in front of those that need the book the most. In April 2009 alone, we have over 430 events on our calendar, giving our authors the best chance to reach their audience and sell their books.

If you are reading this and are a Tate author, please be sure to stay in touch with your Marketing Representative and discuss the possibilities. We can brainstorm with you and provide new ideas and opportunities for success - and simply believe that Oprah doesn't know what she's missing.

New Ideas for Your Book

2009-03-17T17:17:00.003-05:00

With spring and summer quickly approaching, now is the time to begin thinking about how to get your book back in the limelight.

Sometimes the question isn't, "What have I done to sell my book that I could do again?" but rather, "What have I not yet done at all to sell my book?" Every book and every author are unique, and what works for one may not work for another.

For some, selling online has jump-started their book. For others, speaking in local churches has boosted sales. And for others, sometimes having a booth at a local book fair does the trick. But whatever you want to pursue, please be sure to contact your Tate Marketing Representative. Why? I'll give you three reasons...

First, we can help you find that right spot - the perfect avenue to help you find your target readers in your area for your book. Your Tate Marketing Rep can help you brainstorm to find new possibilities that you perhaps never knew existed - right in your own backyard. We work hard to connect our authors to arts festivals, book fairs, church conferences, library events, flea markets, you name it! If you are only looking to retail bookstores to sell your book, you are missing at least half the picture.

Second, if you find one of these kinds of events on your own and plan to attend, we need to know so that we can promote the event and your appearance to the area media. In March alone, we have over 350 author events on our calendar, and while each event is unique, they all have one thing in common - every single Tate author event is promoted through press announcements to the local media. But if we don't know what you're up to, we can't promote it anywhere! Please be sure to keep your Marketing Rep in the loop on everything you are doing and all the appearances you wll be making to promote and sell your book.

Third, staying in touch with your Tate Marketing Rep is the hallmark of every successful long-term Tate author. Unlike most publishers, we stick with our authors for the long haul and give each book the time it needs to succeed. If it's been awhile since you've tackled selling your book, we are always ready to jump back in and start things up again. If you have been at it awhile and need a break, that's fine too. We'll still be here when youcome back to meet your needs, make more contacts, and pursue more opportunities for as long as you want to pursue the selling of your book.

Being an author - with any publisher - is hard work. No doubt about that. But with Tate Publishing you have a partner that will stand and fight shoulder to shoulder with you to get noticed and to reach the readers that need the message contained in the pages of your book. As we team together and work in partnership, opportunities for success can always be found!

Your Book is Your Business

2009-03-04T07:10:00.004-06:00

Being an author is hard work. Whether you are John Grisham, Rick Warren, Stephen King, or a first-time, non-celebrity author, there is no mistaking it - selling books requires extreme effort on behalf of the author. One does not write a book and then become a household name. Nor can one have a book published and then sit back and expect the book to take off without putting in weeks, days, months, and even years of intensive labor as a professional author. Even the well-known names I mentioned above toiled for years before becoming recognizable in the publishing world, and this industry is more competetive now than ever before.

It's for this very reason that Tate Publishing authors have an advantage in the industry. We are the best at what we do, and we give first-time authors a voice and an avenue for success that did not exist in the publishing world just a few short years ago.

Our partnership model for publishing and marketing allows authors to have a hands-on experience thoughout production to ensure that the completed book becomes a product they can be proud of. And with Tate Marketing, Tate authors can explore both the bookstore market and the specific niche audience for their work. As each author partners closely with their Marketing Representative, new ideas are always on the horizon.

But as I stated above, your book is your business, and your book is a product. Authors must view their role as that of an entrepeneur, and their book is a product to sell. In today's economic climate - or any climate for that matter - one must manage their small business wisely in order to succeed. Planning, preparation, and hard work are crucial.

Again, this is where a Tate Publishing author has an added advantage. We put every single author on the path to success from the moment their book goes to print. With the lowest author buyback prices and highest royalty structure in the publishing industry, in addition to offering free books (which should essentially be viewed as starting capital) and promotional items , Tate authors can begin their journey ahead of the competition.

The role of Tate Marketing is to create opportunities for our authors to sell their books. And when authors have pride in the product we provide, treat their book as a small business, and come to the table ready to outwork the competition as we do, the possibilites can truly be endless.

Three Keys to Tate Publishing Success

2009-02-09T16:14:00.009-06:00

Even with the current downturn in the U.S. economy, Tate Publishing is continuing to see more and more response from industry retailers and other areas for book sales. When other publishers, distributors, and industry players are downsizing, laying off personnel, and closing their doors, Tate Publishing continues to open new doors with a model that is effective for our authors, for Tate Publishing, and for retailers.

The key begins with quality authors, and I believe Tate Publishing houses some of the most gifted and talented writers in the world. Since we only publish about 3% of the manuscripts submitted, we can select for publication the very best authors that have the most marketable books in today's publishing climate.

Second, we believe in producing a quality product that is second to none. In the years I have been at Tate, the quality of the books we produce has continued to develop. With the consistent improvements and the striving for excellence that we've made in our editing, layout, and cover design departments, our books are standing out more than ever. Our award-winning production staff truly creates products that authors can be proud of and that can make waves in the marketplace. In a crowded industry, a top-of-the-line product that turns heads can make a huge difference.

Third, we believe we have a marketing plan that allows our authors to penetrate both the bookstore market and the target, niche audience for their books in a way that no other publisher can even touch. The partnership model we have allows our authors to interact with us and put together a plan that is both general to the masses and specific to the reader, enabling authors to get their books into the hands of those that need it most.

As I often do, I encourage any Tate author to contact their Marketing Representative right away to continue developing new strategies and ideas. Each and every book is different, and each and every author is different as well. We are ready to continue what we've started, and we're ready to move in new directions with you as well, making an impact with retailers and beyond.

Communication is the Key at Tate Publishing

2009-01-27T14:28:00.004-06:00

The #1 issue most of us face on a day-to-day basis is communication. In fact, the #1 reason there are disputes, misunderstandings, and relationship problems is due to either poor communication or a lack of communication.

If you've ever been to a drive-thru window, you know what I mean. Nothing is more frustrating than driving away from the pick-up window, getting back on the road, and discovering that what's in the bag doesn't match what you ordered. Grrr.

Communication means both speaking and listening well. We often are quick to speak and slow to listen, which tends to get us in trouble. As the old saying goes...God has given us two ears and only one mouth...I think He was trying to hint at something!

It is my desire that each and every Tate author gets clear answers and is listened to. Whether it's a simple question or a frustration when something doesn't go as planned, our desire is to listen carefully and respond.

The publishing industry can be frustrating, no question. With over 300,000 new titles released every year, the marketplace is extremely competitive and crowded. However, Tate Publishing is still the best option in the industry for first-time, unknown authors looking to get nationwide distribution, book signing events, media coverage, and ongoing niche marketing.

But in order for your book to reach its maximum potential, we need the lines of communication wide open. Our most successful authors stay in close, regular communication with their assigned Marketing Representative...brainstorming, planning, teaming together.

I would encourage you to contact your Tate Marketing Rep if it's been awhile since you've done so. We are willing to do more, but we need to hear from you - what you're willing to do, how you'd like to approach marketing your book, and what successes and failures you've had on your own. While we do have a standard marketing plan, we realize that every author has different desires, plans, and goals. As we communicate, we can find new avenues - new opportunities for you -even months and years after your book's initial release.

Whatever the issue, we are on your team, and we can tackle it. That's why we're here, and that's why we need communication - it is the backbone to success!

Success at Many Levels with Tate Publishing

2009-01-06T10:51:00.003-06:00

At the start of a New Year, it is a time to re-visit goals and measure success.

But success in publishing can be hard to define. Is it based upon an expectation? Is it based comparatively against others? Is it only based on books sold and royalties earned?

Some authors want success at bookstores, yet others want their book to succeed in churches. But again, what is success? Is it selling 5000 books? Or is success one reader with a changed life because of something he or she read in your book?

Each year we diligently pursue success for our authors, but we know that success looks different for everyone. Our goal for 2009 is to meet the needs of every Tate Publishing author and to help authors find the exact niche for their success.

Sometimes it takes time to find success and to connect with the right audience at the right time. We saw authors in 2008 that experienced far greater success in sales than when their books were first released in 2006. That's one of the tremendous aspects Tate Publishing offers...we don't go away. We'll stand with you and pursue new ideas and new avenues for months and even years.

Many publishers give a book a three to six month window to succeed, and they only pursue success at the retail or bookstore level. If it doesn't take off, the publisher moves on down the road to something else.

But Tate Publishing will take your book to the bookstore and beyond, partnering with you to penetrate the bookstores with book signings, readings, and events, while also thinking outside the bookstore to help you find the people that need your book the most.

Maybe it's church youth, cancer survivors, Civil War re-enactment groups (see below blog entitled "An Author Who Found Her Niche at Tate Publishing") parents of autistic children, or even children themselves. We will help you take your book directly to those people, and we will publicize any appearances you make in these niche realms the same as we would a bookstore event.

Selling books in a variety of ways can be very rewarding, and attempting these new avenues can even lead you to the exact right point of sale - the thing that helps your book take off and find the level of success you desire.

But if you don't try, you'll never know.

I encourage you to get back in touch with your Tate Marketing Representative and think about new ideas for 2009. We will brainstorm with you to help you discover the possibilities and pursue success - whatever that means for you - this year.

Looking to 2009

2008-12-23T16:19:00.006-06:00

The publishing industry is growing and changing daily, and even though other publishers are laying off employees and cutting back, Tate Publishing continues to grow and move forward.

As we look ahead to 2009, I would encourge you to spread the word about this blog to friends, other authors, etc. so that we are able to better connect with the publishing community and answer questions for Tate authors, non-Tate authors, and others in the industry.

We continue to be the very best option for new authors, and we look forward to spreading the word about who we are and what we do. I know Ryan Tate has blogged about all the services we offer, but as I've heard him say many times, one of the worst things we can do is to sit still and maintain the status quo.

In 2009 there will be more offerings, more opportunity, and more success than ever before for Tate Publishing and our authors. We have a model that works, that serves authors, and that enables us to partner with some of the truly best new writers this industry has seen for some time. The best part is that we have a great time doing what we do. We have turned the publishing world on its ear, and we are turning more heads everyday. We strive towards excellence in all that we do, and we will continue to do so.

Perhaps most importantly, though, we continue to build God's Kingdom and to make a difference in the lives of not only our great authors, but also in the churches, youth, and community ministries and services as we penetrate the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We always take some time to reflect on that as a company at this time of year, and I would encourage you to do so as well. Tate Publishing is driven by the fact that we can and will grow the Kingdom through our business, and at Christmas, it becomes clearer and clearer why we do what we do.

This Christmas, I challenge you to consider how you will build the Kingdom in 2009, whether it be through your book, your business, or your ministry. And I would also challenge you to change what you do and how you do it, even when it is uncomfortable. That may lead to your greatest contribution yet.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Tate Publishing Making Large Impact in Distribution Sales

2008-12-01T11:05:00.003-06:00

In an era when other publishers – including many of the most recognizable traditional houses – continue to scale back and struggle, Tate Publishing continues to grow and impress major players in the publishing industry.

Our most recent reports from key distribution channels show that we have moved into the top twenty of CBA (Christian Bookseller Association) publishers, and we should crack the top ten in the next calendar year.

We are one of the fastest-going publishers in major distribution circles, holding partnerships with Ingram/Spring Arbor, Appalachian, Baker & Taylor, Anchor, and others.

So what does this mean?

For one, it is especially exciting to hear those kinds of projections in today’s economic climate. But it also means we can’t sit back. We have to continue to be aggressive and set the pace for an industry that is constantly changing. It is our constant goal to give our authors the best opportunity to have a voice in the publishing world through our marketing plan. But it is clear (and very encouraging) that our business and marketing model have proven to be effective so far.

We have matched the concepts of a large, traditional publishing house with the ease and ‘hands-on’ mentality of self-publishing, giving authors the very best chance in a tough and competitive industry. And though we continue to grow, we will never get away from what has made us successful – the personal interaction with our authors and the relationships we’ve built and now maintain with bookstore buyers, store managers, and distribution houses that allow us to penetrate the marketplace on an unprecedented level. Tate Publishing fully expects to continue to be a leader in a time when leaders are hard to find.

Tate Publishing Authors Selling Books in Our Current Economy

2008-11-20T11:29:00.001-06:00

Selling books is difficult work, and today’s economic crisis can make it even tougher. But it’s certainly not impossible. Here are three reasons why Tate Publishing authors can still succeed in today’s economic culture:

1) You have a message you are passionate about.

Writing a book takes great passion, and our marketing team recognizes that every author has an important message – a vital, sometimes life-changing message – in their hearts. Being an author and having a book means that you now have the platform to take that message to people and tell potential readers why they must read your book. We know that as an author effectively communicates that passion to their targeted audience, those readers will catch that vision and passion and will simply have to get their hands on a copy. If the passionate message of the book is communicated well, the economy will rarely stand in the way of a reader’s interest or a book’s success.

2) Tate Publishing has a marketing model that makes truly benefits our authors.

Each month I have authors ask me, “Why do you ask me to buy my own book?” The reason is simple and twofold.

First, we know that you’ve invested your life – and a significant amount of money – into your book. Selling books you’ve purchased from us at your industry best 60% discount and re-selling them in your niche market means you will make a 60% return on your investment. I know of no stock market investment that yields a 60% return in today’s economic climate. And best of all, your book is a product you can believe in and stand by for a lifetime!

Second, selling books from your own supply will yield a faster return on your initial investment. For an average Tate Publishing book, the author would need to sell about 400 copies from their own supply to make back in profits what they invested in their author contract. Books are a great investment, and selling just 50 copies of your book in the niche market can generate hundreds of dollars in profits.

3) Your Marketing Representative is here to serve you for as long as you want to pursue the marketing of your book.

I know of no publisher in the industry that will partner with their authors to promote and sell their books for more than a few short months. We realize that first-time authors are in this for the long haul. With Tate Marketing, you never have to “go it alone.” Our most successful authors stay in close communication with their Marketing Representatives long-term and team together to pursue success.

As we partner with you to sell books, we believe success can be found regardless of the economic situation. For more about the economy and selling books, visit Tate Publishing CEO and President Ryan Tate’s new blog at http://tatepublishingpresident.blogspot.com/.

Another Tate Publishing Author Finds Success

2008-11-10T13:04:00.006-06:00

Tate Publishing Marketing Representative Sunnie Atkins sent me this note today. Just another example of a Tate author working hard, finding success, and having a great time doing it!

Author Sharon House (“They All Fall Down”) recently responded to an e-mail reminder regarding her upcoming book signings. I wanted to share her e-mail with you as she has been very proactive in assisting us with getting the word out there. This author has done an excellent job at “thinking outside the box” to promote her event. Kudos, Sharon!

Her e-mail:

Thank you Sunnie

I have done a lot of advertising locally and am sending the email blitz as well. I have (the event) in the church bulletins, our newsletter at work and I also sent out announcements for other church bulletins.

I also contacted the reporter who did an interview with me last year and sent a short news release to the Kalamazoo Gazette prior to your email (reminder).

I went to the store last weekend and looked around and was very excited to see my book on their "New Arrivals" table and took them one of the large posters for their window.

I mailed one to the store in Mishawaka for the following week and have been in contact with their manager as well.

I can hardly believe it - two weekends at a Barnes & Noble and then at Family Christian Bookstore in January in my home town. WOW!

Thank you for all your support,
Sharon

Sharon is finding success by being aggressive in her own circle of influence (church, work, etc.) and taking initiative wherever she can. We are thrilled when our authors find success in their partnership with us, and while every author's experience is different, we work everyday with major stores and retailers to provide our authors with the visibility they deserve. Our events calendar lists over 500 events for November, and (as you can see from the calendar) we have relationships with every major retailer in the industry, which strongly benefits our authors in the competitive retail market.

We see stories like this everyday, and we are proud to team with such hardworking authors that have a passion for their work and a desire to team with us to tell everyone they can about their books!

Books Are Not Bought...They Are Sold

2008-10-30T10:59:00.007-05:00

During a recent conversation, Tate Publishing founder Dr. Richard Tate and I discussed the fact that books are not bought...they are sold.

As I've pondered that idea this week, I believe it really is true. Buyers at major retailers like Barnes and Noble, Family Christian, and Mardel don't just "buy" books for their stores. The books are "sold" or pitched to them by publishers.

The true reality is that all authors must work hard to sell their books. There is no "magic bullet" in this industry for first-time authors. Even placing books on the shelf of every major bookstore does not mean they will be bought...not without someone actively selling them.

A few months ago I saw former President Bill Clinton on the Late Show with David Letterman. He was there promoting - or selling - his new book. If a former President must work to sell books, how much more does the first-time author have to work? And while the platform may not be the same (most authors do not get a shot on Letterman), the principle behind it certainly is - every author must work hard to sell books. The good news is that at Tate Publishing, each author is assigned to a Marketing Representative that will partner with you to sell your book, so no Tate author must "go it alone."

Selling books is not an easy thing to do. But our Acquisitions Department only signs books that we believe are marketable, and Tate Marketing is then proud to get in the trenches and work hard with our authors to sell their books in a variety of ways.

If you are a Tate author, I would encourage you to not sit back and wait for your book to be bought...instead, roll up your sleeves, partner with your Marketing Representavie, and SELL your book!

An Author Who Found Her Niche at Tate Publishing

2008-10-23T09:35:00.006-05:00

Tate Publishing author Nancy Dane contacted us this week to let us know how well things have been going as she is taking her book to her unique niche market. She sold over 150 books this past weekend! Here's a personal note from Nancy explaining how she did it:

"Although my local bookstore signings were successful, I was astonished when storeowners congratulated me on outstanding success if only a dozen books sold.
I decided to change tactics and target my specific audience. Since my novel is Civil War historical fiction, I began purchasing booth space at Civil War reenactments and related events. I also began speaking at civic clubs and schools. My research, a documentary history titled 'Tattered Glory,' is now being used as curriculum in Arkansas schools, along with lesson plans which use the novel as well.
Because of this marketing approach, (and lots of hard work!) the novel is on the road to success. In the past year, I have received fan emails from almost every state and two foreign countries.
While each book is unique, the key for successful marketing is to find and target your particular audience."

- Nancy Dane, author of Tattered Glory, Where the Road Begins, A Difference of Opinion
http://www.nancydane.com/

Nancy has done a fantastic job of spreading the word to the specific niche market for her book. She even told me she has braved the elements - sitting in both freezing 12 degree weather and blistering 100 degree heat to sell her books. Now that's commitment!!

Bookstores are a terrific place to start, and as is the case with any product, some find more success than others inside the retail marketplace. Nancy has been able to reach a whole new market - a market not inside the bookstore, but people who share the same passion for the kind of book she has written, a Civil War novel.

This is just one story of an author finding success in her niche...and Tate Marketing is proud to offer what no other publisher in the industry offers - a personal Marketing Rep that can help you discover your niche, pursue events in that realm, and then publicize those niche events as well...while still pursuing bookstores for the retail exposure authors desire.

If you haven't yet discovered your niche, please contact your Marketing Representative here at Tate Publishing. We are always happy to brainstorm and partner together to pursue new avenues for success with you!

Why We Do What We Do at Tate Publishing

2008-10-16T16:40:00.009-05:00

People everywhere want a voice...somewhere they can express the message or story on their heart. By putting that idea to paper and being published, that person becomes an author. Ten, fifteen, or twenty-five years ago, it was a very rare thing to be a published author. And you know what? It still is.

While it is easier than ever to become a published author, it is not easy. We deal with authors daily in all departments - acquisitions, editing, graphic design, layout, multimedia, and marketing. We have the honor of working with some of the most talented writers in the world. They may not all be famous writers, but the manuscripts we have the pleasure of creating into books with these authors are some of the best anywhere.

Tate Publishing accepts for publication less than 4% of the manuscripts submitted to us. Our acquisitions department thoroughly reviews those submissions to pick only the best of the best. So when those books complete production and come to the marketing department, we have the pleasure of partnering with these authors to give these people the voice they so desperately want.

I've seen authors open their books for the first time, and it is a very special - and powerful - moment. Take a second and view the video, then come back...

This is why we do what we do. We give authors the lasting legacy of becoming a published author. A legacy and a voice that can live on far beyond the author's lifespan and affect others - family, friends, and those in far corners of the earth - for generations to come.

The Power of Finding Your Niche

2008-10-13T09:43:00.002-05:00

Every single book has a niche. Have you found yours?

You may not have given this any thought…and if that’s the case, you could be missing the biggest and best market for your book.

But what really is a niche market? A niche market is a market that is made up of the specific people you want to reach with your book – people who need to read your book.

You might think, “Well, everyone needs to read my book.”

But the reality is, with over 300,000 new books released into the marketplace every year, it is difficult to write a book and expose that book to everyone right away. And while that may be your desire, if your plan is to reach everyone, you will likely miss a potentially huge segment of readers – the ones that need your book the most.

Who needs your book the most? Where can you find those people?

Are they children? Then take your book to where children can be found – schools, day care groups, library clubs, etc.

Are they Christians? Then take your book to churches, to Sunday School classes, and to Christian conferences and retreats.

Is your book about marriage or divorce? Then find a local marriage class or divorce care group and get the book in their hands.

Tate Publishing is the very best in the entire industry at exploring and pursuing niche markets for our authors. In fact, I know of no other publisher in the world that will pursue niche marketing for their authors – all other publishers are looking to bookstores only for sales. Tate Publishing is certainly in the business of bookstores sales, and we always will be. We can pursue any bookstore and any chain in the world to present your book and give it the very best chance to succeed.

But we will also go beyond the bookstore and beyond the traditional life of a book on the store shelf to help our authors find their niche – to find the exact audience for your book.

Niche marketing is powerful in that it enables you to take your book to the masses, rather than waiting for the masses to find your book at the store on their own.

Your Tate Marketing Representative is ready and able to partner with you to pursue your niche and continue to market your book beyond the bookstore. Please do not hesitate to contact your Marketing Rep – even if it has been awhile – to pursue your niche and reach the audience that must read your book!

Flying About

2008-10-10T15:41:00.006-05:00

I've recently been on the road (or in the air, I guess) helping Tate Publishing grow beyond what it once was and providing our authors with even more opportunity and visibility than ever before. In September alone, I was in New York City meeting with our buyer at the Barnes and Noble corporate offices and also in Cincinnati to discuss with managers of the Berean Christian Bookstore chain our new agreement for hosting events in their stores nationwide.

While I don't like being apart from my wife and kids (who does?), traveling (read "sitting on an airplane runway") can provide some time for reflection on life and where you're going. I've seen so much growth and change in my three years at Tate Publishing that it's almost hard to remember where we were just three short years ago. It's pretty mind-boggling, really. When I started here, we had about 25 employees in the entire company. We're now pushing 100 here at our offices, and the marketing staff has more than quadrupled since that time, not including the staff of Key Marketing Group and Communications, the Tulsa-based public relations firm that we've partnered with to give our authors and artists the best representation they can have in the marketplace.

The meetings in New York proved extremely successful. Tate Publishing was moved out of the Small Press Department with B&N and is now considered Large Press. As a result, we are now able to present more of our titles face-to-face with buyers and to possibly have more of our product than ever on the shelves in B&N locations around the country. In addition, we have been given the green light from our B&N buyer to pursue events from coast-to-coast for our great authors.

In Cincinnati, we had the pleasure of meeting with the CEO of Berean stores, as well as many of their corporate staff, to present to the Berean local managers our new agreement for bringing in product to their stores and hosting book signings for our authors. Again, this was a tremendous success, and it is terrific to have a strong CBA Christian retail presence in addition to the outstanding ABA relationship we have with Barnes and Noble (not to mention Borders, Hastings, and others).

I knew that as I sat on the tarmac waiting to fly home from LaGuardia airport in New York that big things had happened, but even bigger things now lie ahead for Tate Publishing. The unprecedented reception we received on both of these trips was an indicator of what is still yet to come...