Mistakes Authors Make

Rick Frishman is Publisher at Morgan James Publishing in New York and founder of Planned Television Arts (now called Media Connect). He has been one of the leading book publicists in America for over 37 years. Rick works with many of the top book editors, literary agents, and publishers in America, including Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins and Random House. Rick is the coauthor of sixteen books, including national bestsellers “Guerrilla Publicity”, “Where’s Your Wow”, “Guerrilla Marketing for Writers”, “The Expert Success Solution”, and “250 Rules of Business. 

Bret Ridgway and Bryan Hane are co-founders of Speaker Fulfillment Services, a company that works behind the scenes with authors, speakers and information marketers. Bret is author of three previous books including “50 Biggest Mistakes Information Marketers Make” and “Biggest Website Mistakes Online Business Owners Make.” Bret and Bryan have worked for over 10 years with NY Times bestsellers such as Joel Comm and John Assaraf.

• Section 1 -- Before You WriteMistake #1 Believing You Can't Write a BookMistake #2 Writing a Book for the Wrong ReasonMistake #3 No Real Understanding of Your Target MarketMistake #4 Expecting Instant SuccessMistake #5 No Understanding of the Various Publishing ModelsMistake #6 Lack of Perception of Perceived Value in Information MarketingMistake #7 Trying to do Too Many Products at the Same TimeSection 2 -- The Business of Your BookMistake #8 Overproducing on an Initial Book Launch to Lower Per Unit Cost Mistake #9 Not Understanding the Lifetime Value of a Reader Mistake #10 You Don’t Know Your NumbersMistake #11 Not Knowing How Bookstores Really WorkMistake #12 Trying to Wear Too Many HatsMistake #13 Not Understanding the Differences Between a Distributor and a Wholesaler and a Fulfillment HouseMistake #14 Not Using a Literary Agent When You Need One and Using One When You Don’tMistake #15 Not Understanding Your “Rights”Mistake #16 Failure to Register Your CopyrightMistake #17 Expecting Other People to Do It for YouMistake #18 No Commitment to Continual LearningMistake #19 No Continuity RevenueSection 3 -- Writing Your BookMistake #20 Writing a Crappy BookMistake #21 Poor Book TitleMistake #22 Bad Cover DesignMistake #23 Writing a Book that is Not Easily ConsumableMistake #24 Poor Interior LayoutMistake #25 No Name Capture Mechanisms Built Into Your BookMistake #26 No BrandingMistake #27 Doing an Ebook OnlyMistake #28 Forgetting to Put Disclosures/Disclaimers in Your BookSection 4 -- Marketing Your Book Before It’s WrittenMistake #29 Failure to Develop a Book Proposal/Book Business PlanMistake #30 No List Building Efforts in Advance of Book PublicationMistake #31 No On-going Communication with the Lists You're BuildingMistake #32 No On-going Commitment to MarketingMistake #33 Not Using Social Media ProperlyMistake #34 Lack of a Press KitMistake #35 Lack of a BlogMistake #36 Not Attending Live Events to NetworkMistake #37 Not Owning Some Key Web PropertiesMistake #38 No Understanding of How One Achieves Bestseller StatusMistake #39 You Can Write a Book but You Can’t Write Sales CopySection 5 -- Marketing Your Book After It’s WrittenMistake #40 Not Using Public Speaking to Build Your PlatformMistake #41 Becoming a Media DivaMistake #42 Not Being Ready for the “Big Stage”Mistake #43 Underestimating the Power of RadioMistake #44 Not Leveraging the Full Power of AmazonMistake #45 Not Getting the Most Out of Book SigningsMistake #46 Incomplete Profile Pages in Your Distribution ChannelsMistake #47 Underestimating the Value of Book ReviewsMistake #48 Not Capturing the Browsing BuyerMistake #49 No Use of Video in Your Marketing EffortsMistake #50 Afraid to Give Books Away

I LOVE the book so far! Clear-concise-comprehensive with practical info the aspiring author needs! --- Laura Venecia Rodriguez, Author, "Yoga at Home: Gain Energy, Flexibility, and Serenity in 20-30 Minutes a Day"“Mistakes Authors Make" features 50 of the most common errors book authors make in writing, publishing and promoting their books. All of them should be corrected. Correct one mistake a day and within two months, you’ll be far ahead of most book authors. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can sell more books when you fix these errors. Start today!” --- John Kremer, Author, "1001 Ways to Market Your Books"Rick Frishman is my go-to guy for book publicity and marketing. I trust him deeply and he’s earned his reputation as an expert, a creative confidante, and the best book publicist in the nation. --- Brendon Burchard, author, Life’s Golden Ticket“Mistakes Authors Make" is a must-read for new and experienced authors alike! Sadly, I made at least 16 of the mistakes in the first 11 books I authored. This easy-to-read book would have saved me countless hours and headaches starting out. I wish I had mentors like Rick, Bret and Bryan who share on these pages everything you need to succeed. The practical tools make it crystal clear how to avoid pitfalls and lead you to mega-success! --- Phil Johncock, The Grant Professor
PhilJohncock.comIf you want to write a book or make sure that your book is a smashing success read this now and take action! You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in your success! --- John Assaraf, New York Times Bestselling Author, "The Answer and Having It All", CEO, Praxis NowThis book is a MUST READ for anyone thinking of writing a book, in the process of writing a book, or having already published a book in any format. The mistakes AND solutions to those mistakes discussed in this book will save you so much time and money. In fact, I think it will MAKE you more money due to the elements you may not have thought about yet. I’m checking some of these tips against my book that’s already published and going through this book again for the book I’m currently working on. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and get this book right now---you won’t regret it. --- Frank E. Deardurff III, That One Web Guy!, Co-author of “The 50 Biggest Website Mistakes”Rick Frishman is one of only ten people who understand and have mastered the book publishing process---I have counseled with him, listened to him, and watched the books he promoted turn to gold. If you’re looking for someone to take your book to the promised land, I promise that Rick Frishman is the rocket ship that will take you there. --- Jeffrey Gitomer, King, Buy Gitomer, Inc.Bret Ridgway is an information marketer’s best friend. Bret is great because he really likes the business. He understands the business. He’s IN the business. He’s an author and an information publisher himself. And, he really cares about you. He really gets to know what you’re doing and looks for ways to give you what you want, what you’ve asked for, and also to improve upon the process. He will help you take what you’re doing to the next level. --- David Garfinkel, Author, "Breakthrough Copywriting"Rick Frishman is one of the most well-connected people I know. He understands every aspect of author promotion and is able to deliver exactly what the individual project requires. His strategic thinking skills, his deep understanding of what really delivers, and his collaborative and positive personal style make Rick and his team a perfect choice for publishers and authors alike. Highly recommended. --- Cindy Ratzlaff, V.P., Associate Publisher, Rodale BooksAs an author of multiple ebooks and a soon-to-be-published hard copy book, this book covers everything across the spectrum from the conceptual to publication and sales. I would strongly recommend reading this book regardless of where you are at in your publishing endeavors. You'll be better off and likely avoid a large number of costly (both time and financial) mistakes. --- James Bogash, DC. Chiropractic PhysicianRick Frishman is a genius when it comes to publicity. If you need someone to help you get into the media he’s the go-to guy. And he’s a great guy! --- Ellen Violette, ebook/Internet Coach, Author and Copywriter, Create A Splash, LLC, /The ebook CoachRick Frishman was “the go to guy” if you wanted to publicize your book or project two decades ago. Well, now he is an industry leader in the same category. Rick knows how to get eyes and ears on your project. He’s still the go to buy. --- Jim Cathcart, President & Founder, Catchart Institute, Inc.Rick Frishman is without a doubt one of the top book publicists in the country. Not only has he represented many bestselling authors as the founder of Planned Television Arts, he has mentored hundreds of emerging authors and professional speakers including myself with his stellar workshops. Rick is truly a professional of the highest caliber and someone I am product to call a colleague and friend. December 4, 2008. --- Robert Stack, MCLC, APR, Fellow PRSA, Owner
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