Hi all! I’m off on a holiday break. All new postings temporarily suspended while I’m away. Will be back the first week of the new year.

Season’s Greetings, and may you all have a truly incredible ‘07!!!!!

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BY STEPHANIE GUNNING

As nonfiction book writers, we all need to develop a healthy, ongoing relationship with our readers. This doesn’t mean we engage in a push-push-push of our precious ideas upon a bunch of paying consumers. It means we establish a meaningful exchange with our readers based on value and purpose.

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BY CLAUDE WHITACRE

The single biggest reason an ad works (or doesn’t) is the selection of the headline. Nothing comes close.

Remember, the purpose of a headline is to “grab the reader by the face” and make him want to read the rest of the ad. Have you ever read a newspaper without headlines? Never. There’s a reason.

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BY JOHN ABATE

When most people think of writers block, what comes to mind is usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or beneficial. But there’s a lot more to writers block than just the basics.

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BY COLIN ONG TS

The traditional print media newsletter is still useful even in the rapidly changing age of the Internet and IT. Its uses are so multi-faceted that it can cover just about anything — from the company’s profile to promotions, home-order system and contests. Before the Internet homepage became so common, the newsletter was the main source of an organization’s communication to its customers.

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BY BRITT GILLETTE

You did it. You crafted the perfect query letter for your non-fiction book, and as a result, an editor at a large publishing house has requested a full book proposal. At this point, you have a 50/50 chance of seeing your work on a bookstore shelf. The difference maker will be a strong book proposal that exhibits knowledge of your audience, what that audience needs and wants, and how that audience can be reached on a cost-effective basis.

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BY ADAM DAVIS

Imagine you are sitting at home relaxing reading a book and sipping on ice cold lemonade, your friend calls you up to tell you about a new product on the market. You can’t help but get excited because you know your subscribers will be interested!

After signing up for the product’s affiliate program you send a recommendation of that product to your subscribers and instantly net yourself some cash just by pressing the SEND button! Not only that but your customers actually say “Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!” Does this sound like fun to you?

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BY ANGELA BOOTH

(This excerpt is taken from my new writing workshop “Writing To Sell In the Internet Age.”)

Writer John Clausen, in his excellent book about freelance writing, Too Lazy To Work, Too Nervous To Steal, recommends that you get an attitude about your work. And he’s right.

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BY PAMELA WHITE

One common theme among writers is how to make more money. Unless we have a spouse whose job includes health insurance, 401Ks, and have a fortunate ability to pick winning lottery numbers, we all plot and plan to earn more each week, each month, each year.

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BY LISA SILVERMAN

If you’re an aspiring novelist, two major obstacles exist on the path to glory. First, finding a literary agent. Second, with the help of that agent, finding an acquiring editor at a publishing house to sign you to a book contract. One is the seller, the other the buyer, but you’d be surprised at how thin the line has grown between the two.

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BY NICK USBORNE

About once a month I fly off somewhere to give a one-day workshop on writing for the Web.

For part of the day, I invite the group to take part in a series of short tasks. In one of these I ask people to write or rewrite a webpage headline, using words of two syllables or less.

What’s the point? Well, the idea is to make people think. It’s often tempting to write with long, complex words. Perhaps it has to do with how we were taught at school. And sometimes we use long words simply to sound clever.

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BY CHARLES BROWN

As freelance copywriters, we naturally assume our readers will hang onto every word we pen, lingering now and then to ponder what great mind authored such magnificent prose.

Unfortunately, we are better off assuming the reader will only take a quick scan over our copy, lasting about 3 seconds. Only if that 3 second glance reveals something that might be interesting (to the reader, not to us) will it merit further study.

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BY YANIK SILVER

During my presentation at my recent Underground Online Marketing Seminar I talked about my own “Underground” secrets. One of the things I covered was how to sell super high-end products.

Personally, I’ve sold everything from ^$17 ebooks to ^$14,500 “Apprentice Programs” and lots in-between. My most recent high-end product is a ^$7,995/month program for cosmetic surgeons.

I really love high priced products and you’ll see why in a moment…

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BY CRAIG LOCK

Artists, like writers should also think like businesspeople; but then any businessperson would have the logic and good sense not to strive to become a writer.” — Craig Lock

Writing articles can provide you with enormous amount of exposure on the Web. You are branding yourself on a shoestring budget — it hasn’t cost you a cent, but a little time and effort writing a free content article is simple and follows a similar professional approach as an article for a standard, paying market.

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BY SHERY MA BELLE ARRIETA-RUSS

Or do you?

Writers write. You shouldn’t wait around for inspiration to come. But sometimes, there are days you can’t get anything written down. Or you’re at a loss for words. You can’t think of anything to write. You don’t have any idea what to write about.

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BY ANDY GEORGE

eBooks have a number of benefits over the traditional book. These include the following:

• Cheaper to create
• Quicker to create
• Easier to target a wide market
• High profit potential
• More versatile than traditional books

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BY JULIE KERR

The main reason why 95% of online businesses fail is because of poor sales letters. Write your sales letter with an Individual in mind; think as if you are writing personally to them. People love to read good stories, tell them stories that illustrate a point you are trying to make.

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BY ROBERT F. ABBOTT

Do you have problems finding ideas for articles and speeches?

I know have had at times, and others tell me the same thing. At my Toastmasters club, for example, I’ve often heard members say they have difficulty finding topics for speeches.

But, I’ve learned, like others who write and speak a lot, to start with what I know. To use my own experiences or perspectives to make even a simple subject uniquely my own. And you can do the same.

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BY JO CONDRILL

Successful authors are convinced that radio interviews are the very best way to reach large audiences and publicize their books. Interviews give authors an opportunity to expound on the topic of their book and disclose personal feelings. While not actively selling, they entice listeners to want to learn more. If you are willing to speak about what you have written, you will certainly make more money. Here’s how:

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BY V. MICHAEL SANTORO

In order to conduct a successful book marketing campaign as a POD published author, you will need to understand the challenges that can hinder your success. If you are not aware of these challenges and try to blindly market your book, you will find yourself caught in the middle of a book marketing minefield — surrounded by landmines that can seriously limit your career as a published author. Once your book is released and you begin to market it, you will discover:

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