My Terrible Experience with a Shipping Company
Argh! I was expecting a large shipment of books today, but instead I had a run-in with the shipping company, which quickly became a very frustrating experience. I'm not going to say the name of the shipping company, except to say that it was
not FedEx,
DHL, or the
United States Post Office.
I planned my day around receiving this shipment, which I knew could arrive at any time between 9am and 5pm. So I waited patiently by the door all day. At 4pm, I decided to check the tracking number online, and - to my surprise - it said that a delivery had already been attempted! But did I see a notice left on my door? No! Did I hear the bell ring? No!
So, I called the shipping company and (eventually) got ahold of a gentleman who told me what I already knew. I verified the shipping address with him, and it was correct. He told me the driver would make another attempt that evening. Long story short, an hour later I called back and the same gentleman told me that the driver had made a second attempt and had already gone home. But Did I see a notice on my door? No! Did I head the bell ring? No! Now I have to wait until Monday for my package, and I can't even guarantee that the driver will not skip my house again. I personally think he was being lazy about having to deliver ten large boxes.
I may write a letter.
Labels: administration, shipping
Handling Book Updates and Corrections
I'm trying to figure out a way to handle updates and corrections for these guidebooks. There is already an e-mail address listed on the copyright page of every book that tells readers where they can send corrections, but how should these corrections be noted on the website?
Obviously the corrections should be listed somewhere, but I'm toying with the idea of going one step further: providing a free, complete replacement page (as a PDF file for download) for every found correction. I'm not sure how really valuable this feature would be, but its unique enough that I would hope that readers would appreciate the thought. Of course, any errors found would be fixed in reprints and revisions.
(Notice how I'm avoiding the word "error"; corrections can either be an actual problem with the book, or an update that needs to be made since the book's printing; the latter might be more difficult to keep track of on a timely basis.)
Labels: website
Tourist Traps Survey
Yahoo! Travel published a small article on popular tourist traps in the United States, based on user input. The Yahoo! article links to more comprehensive information on BudgetTravel.com.
The
Yahoo! Travel Article:
Click HereThe
Budget Travel Article:
Click HereA few of these are already in
Tourist Town Guides (like Dixie Stampede and Mallory Square and the Hoover Dam), but there are also some good ideas for new guidebooks.
Labels: interesting
Courtesy Copies
So, 29 review copies went into the mail today! That's 29 down, about 400 more to go!
As long as I'm stuffing envelopes, I'm also sending a few books to vendors that are covered. I call these "courtesy copies" but the media industry calls them "tear sheets". But since I'm giving them the whole book (not just a clipping of their press), it just sounds nicer. These courtesy copies are basically to let them know that they are receiving publicity. They can then use that press to either promote themselves, improve themselves, or correct any mistakes that they have found (or whatever). It works both ways - if a book reviewer covers one of my books, I would expect a tear sheet from them. In many ways, book and media publishing is a very formal and courteous business.
By the way, I'm not sending every vendor mentioned in the book a courtesy copy - that would be hundreds of free books! Only those that are featured in lengthier articles (such as the resort media relations departments) will get the free books. The rest will get either an e-mail or a regular copy of just their review. I'm trying to be fair in terms of what I provide them to the coverage that they provided me.
Labels: marketing
What Exactly is in a Book Review Package?
When a book is published, one of the best ways to increase sales is to get publicity by way of book reviews from various media outlets (newspapers, magazines, radio, television, websites, etc.). Publicity this way is more effective than paid-for advertising. Unfortunately, as a publisher, I don't have control over the review, or even if the book gets reviewed at all. So, I must put my best foot forward by making enticing book review packages and sending them to as many reviewers as I think would be necessary.
Right now I am in the process of sending out review packets for Atlantic City. When finished, I will move on to the next books, as appropriate. I gathered the names and addresses of media contacts in and around Atlantic City (there are a surprising number of local papers in that area). In a book-sized padded envelope, I am sending the following pieces:
1.
A free book. Of course, this is what I want reviewed! The book is unmarked except for a sticker on the inside front cover that introduces the book and provides basic data (page count, ISBN, number of books in print, etc.).
2.
A cover letter. The letter introduces my book to the potential reviewer and describes the contents of the package. The letter is short but printed on resume paper with an official letterhead.
3.
A news release. This is a basic one-page description of the book written as a newsworthy item. Many times, print and online publications will simply reprint a news release, which saves them time. This means that the release must be journalistically written and not sound too much like an advertising blurb.
4.
An author interview. This is a sample, one-page interview with basic questions about the book directed to the author. The media outlet may choose to quote the interview directly, or it may prompt them for a more in-depth telephone or in-person interview.
The total cost of each review package, including the cost of the book and shipping, is about $5. Even if I send out 500 review copies, it would still cost way less than a small paid ad in
Publishers Weekly, and the potential publicity would be much, much more valuable.
I will continue to send out review packages over the next few weeks; this is an ongoing process.
Labels: marketing, review
Getting Ready to Send Review Packages
Today was a "supply gathering" day for me. Since I received 300 books this past Friday to be used for marketing, I want to get them packaged and shipped as soon as possible. There's no sense in having books sitting around. From my local Office Depot, I bought the appropriate package materials; bubble mailers, labels, etc.
I am creating two different "review packages" for two difference audiences. The first audience is the book reviewers. I am sending free books and review packages to local media (that is, media around the books' covered destinations). This includes print media, radio, television, and appropriate online companies. The second audience is those whose properties are reviewed in the book. While I don't suspect the second group will write reviews to generate sales, it is appropriate to let them know their property has been reviewed (kind of like a "tear sheet"). Plus, developing relationships with these key personnel should research for future editions. I suspect most of them will like the free publicity.
In total, I am sending out about 40-50 books in this first round per book (150 total). My goal is to have the books in the mail by Tuesday. We'll see if that happens. I will be receiving 400 more books sometime this week or next week, and I don't want the work to pile up - it's good to keep ahead.
Labels: marketing
