Monetizing Your Book Blog: The Profit and Popularity Formula

-- posted by Ken

Brinestone Press, a joint indie publishing venture between myself, Saul, and a few other like-minded individuals (bibliophiles all), is proud to announce the release of Book Review Blogging, our inaugural guide for digital marketing for the flip side of the self-publishing equation: book lovers. Specifically, the new breed of book reviewer.

The guide is intended as a blueprint for the beginning to semi-professional book reviewer to create an on-line presence, build a dedicated following, obtain books, and monetize efforts. In addition to detailed instructions for writing reviews and the technical and logistical details of setting up a book blog, there are links to over a hundred useful resources, the vast majority of them free. As such, it also provides a wealth of insights and aids for the selp-published author.

From my introduction to the guide:

The explosive growth of book-related sites is a testament to the popularity of book sharing. It’s also insight into the popularity of reading. If anyone tells you that literacy is on the wane, just smile politely and ignore them. In fact, with changes in technology and the sudden influx of new voices telling new stories in fresh and exciting ways, with the ease by which information and other content is generated and shared, books are experiencing a resurgence never before seen in history. Moreover, book reviewers, just like you, have played a crucial role in fostering this growth and are absolutely vital to its future success.

Inside, you'll get detailed instructions for turning your book passion into a profitable enterprise. Each of the steps in the following "Profit and Popularity Formula" is clearly outlined, and a wealth of resources provided.

THE PROFIT AND POPULARITY FORMULA

In a nutshell, here are the steps to reviewing for fun and profit:

1.      Understand what makes a good review

2.      Identify the books you like to read and request them

3.      Research and set up blogs and websites; make them welcoming places to visit

4.      Sign up for affiliate memberships and other advertising if so desired

5.      Read, write and publish your review

6.      Start building a social community to share your review

7.      Recruit followers and expand your influence throughout the literary community

8.      Continue to build your hobby into a profitable business by offering fresh content and variety (guest blogs, author interviews, video book trailers, etc)

9.      Never lose sight of your passion: Read, review, and share

The Brinestone Guide to Book Review Blogging: The Bibliophile's Toolkit for Quickly and Easily Building a Fun and Profitable On-line Community Writing About the Books You Love to Read is currently being offered at 50% off the cover price of $5.99, but only for a limited time. It's available at:

Amazon (US)

Amazon (UK)

Barnes & Noble

Kobo.com

Kobo (CA)

Kobo (UK)

Smashwords

Apple iTunes Bookstore
Sony eReader Bookstore

Diesel

About the Contributors

Saul W. Tanpepper

A former scientist and biotech entrepreneur, as well as a successful blogger, Saul returned to his childhood passion of writing speculative fiction. He has published two short story collections (Undead & Other Horrors, and Insomnia) and is the author of the highly acclaimed high tech thriller fantasy series, GAMELAND. Please visit his website at tanpepperwrites.com. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Michael Guerini, PhD.

An inventor and also a former biotech scientist, Michael is the author of the Dr. Mike’s Horsemanship manuals as well as the mystery series Old Towne. He teaches horsemanship clinics throughout the western United States. Please visit his website Dun Movin Ranch. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

Cheryl L. Seaton, MA

Cheryl is a credentialed elementary school teacher for the Morgan Hill Unified School District (California) and a reading intervention coach. She has a master’s degree in biological sciences from the University of California.

About the Editor

Ken J. Howe, PhD

Ken is the founder of Brinestone Press, an independent small press established to provide publishing services, including editing, design and formatting, and cover illustration, to the burgeoning army of new indie authors. He has an undergraduate degree in Creative Studies and a doctorate in science. He has worked in the tech sector as well as taught. He is the author of several books for children and young adults, a decades-long member of the Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators, a blogger and an active participant in numerous on-line discussion boards. You can find his writings at KJHoweBooks.com and his current blog The Writer’s RoadTrip. He is also on Twitter.