The Ink Tree Report Publishing Newsletter

Book Titles and Subtitles (January 2005)

The Ink Tree Report ­ January, 2005

Dear author/publisher,

Happy New Year!!

2004 was quite the year... and 2005 is going to be even better. We've got many things in the works this year, and I'm sure you do too.

We'd love to hear what your publishing plans are this year, so let us know. We're always happy to hear from you.

On with this month's newsletter...

Joni, Denise, Debbie & Linda

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brought to you by Ink Tree Ltd., your source of help for anything related to publishing and book marketing. 

Visit us at http://www.inktreemarketing.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing

This article was selected from our free article bank which you can find here: http://www.inktreemarketing.com/selfpublishingarticles.htm

Does a title really sell a book? The short answer is, yes. You must be careful in choosing your book title because if a book does not attract a reader initially, it will be overlooked and not purchased. The book title is the element that creates the initial attraction to the book.

Watch people who are browsing in a bookstore. A catchy title grabs their interest and makes them reach for the book out of curiosity. A great title makes browsers think, “Really?” or “What does THAT mean?” or “That’s what I need”. Think long and hard when choosing your book’s title. The title must give some clues about the book’s contents in a snappy “one-liner”.

Many authors struggle fiercely with the title choice, not realizing that the title is there somewhere in the book’s contents. They just haven’t recognized it because they are too close to the project. Sometimes it helps to talk to impartial, unbiased persons. Tell them what your book is about, and then listen to their feedback.

Alternately, on the tongue-in-cheek advice of one publishing professional, open a bottle of wine and start writing. Make a list of everything that comes to mind about what you have written in your book. Nothing is too silly, but do try to strike on the central theme or message.

When your list is complete (and the wine is all gone), group your notes into categories. Choose the snappiest, most intriguing words that say something about your book without sounding like a boring explanation.


Perhaps these titles will help you:

• Woman-Sense Rules!
• Fit to Cook
• Climb Your Stairway to Heaven
• Light the Fire
• Spell Success in Your Life


If you are planning on a series, your title should be your “brand”. Then as you make your brand into a household word, you ensure future sales. As each title in the series is published, you know that people will buy the latest book to complete the series. Think Harry Potter or Nancy Drew.


The subtitle of your book is a great way to increase sales. The subtitle gets to the heart of the book and convinces the reader of the book’s benefits. It lets people know that the book is unique and that they really can’t live without it. It makes the reader believe that he or she just can’t live without it – and that is your objective.


Check out the following subtitles:

• Woman-Sense Rules! – The Spiritual Woman’s Guide to Finding Yourself When You Didn’t Know You Were Missing
• Fit to Cook – Why “Waist” Time in the Kitchen?
• Climb Your Stairway to Heaven – the 9 habits of maximum happiness
• Light the Fire – Fiery Food with a Light New Attitude!
• Spell Success in Your Life - A road map for achieving your goals and surviving success


In the title and in the subtitle, you can use humor or emotions to sell your book, but avoid clichés and “corny” expressions, or overly common sayings. They soon become stale and annoying. Keep your title unique, catchy and relevant.


Before making the final decision on your book title, conduct a title search (Click Here to learn about our course, which includes instructions on title searches). Although you cannot copyright a title, duplicating titles only leads to confusion, and you want people to buy your book, not a competitor’s book.

Make your book title (and subtitle) one that always increases the likelihood of increasing your book sales.


© Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.

Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books. We have all the tools you need to succeed in book publishing. Let us help you make your book a success. http://www.inktreemarketing.com
 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tips You Can Use

If you're not actively marketing your book on the internet yet, what are you waiting for? If you are, are your sales all that they could be? I've recently been working with an internet marketing course that I just have to tell you about. It's really changed our business. Even if you have absolutely no idea what you're doing online, this course will help you. Here's the link: http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/834647  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Have You Heard? 

We have a new publicity kit - Designed to help you earn thousands of dollars in free publicity (and put together by yours truly!) these are the tools you need to create a publicity campaign that sells books.

Here's the link:

http://www.inktreemarketing.com/BookPublicityPromotionKit.htm

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Interesting Stuff from our Sponsors  

Writing a book is just the first step in the process to being successful. The key step is promoting and marketing yourself. To help you do that, you might consider hiring a public relations firm. For over 40 years Planned Television Arts has promoted authors -- from best-sellers like Mark Victor Hansen, to unknown, first-time, self-published ones. PTA offers a free monthly tip sheet via e-mail, filled with suggestions on how to promote yourself. You can register for it -- and a free e-book called Maximizing your Profits from Publishing, by going to http://www.plannedtvarts.com If you'd like to inquire more about how PR can help you, please contact Brian Feinblum at 212-583-2718 or email mailto:feniblumb@plannedtvarts.com   

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mention My Book! 

Don’t forget to submit YOUR book! You'll find instructions at the end of this section.

==========================

Confessions of The Recovering Ego-holic:
How to Expose/Attack/Resolve your Big & Little Ego Problems

Tim Allston, Author

More Info: http://www.egoholicrecovery.com/

Do You or Someone you know have an Ego Problem? Now, There's Help.

==========================

When Mountains Move

Sandra Miller, Author

Available at: www.sandramillerministries.com 

An inspirational memoir of how a young couple discovered faith to cope when a life-altering accident and quadriplegia invaded their lives. It's an account of miracles and recovery that unravels the author's life in bite-size pieces, exposing how a biblically sound faith can still move mountains! 

=========================== 

***The intention of our new Mention My Book section is to give self published books free exposure. Extra publicity never hurts! If you want to submit your book for mention, please send an email with the subject line “Mention My Book!” to us at: info@inktreemarketing.com*** 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Inspiration

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent..."

Calvin Coolidge

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To your publishing success,

Joni Hamilton
VP Marketing
Ink Tree Ltd.

For more information on Ink Tree and our services for authors and publishers, visit us at:

http://www.inktreemarketing.com

Sign up Here for The Ink Tree Report.