Blog

Vervante • April 25, 2016

When it comes to books, we love 'em! From that first burst of inspiration all the way through to sales and distribution of the final product, we take joy in helping our clients every step of the way. In fact, we go above and beyond when it comes to books by providing full-service solutions that anticipate and meet every need our authors might have, including:  LCCN assignment Copyright registration eBook conversion Word count conversion charts Listing on Amazon for Kindle and printed books List on Barnes & Noble for Nook and printed books Supporting Amazon Bestseller campaigns Both paperback and hard cover formats Printing both on-demand or in bulk Storage in our warehouse for bulk orders Assembling of your book with other products for shipping Wide variety of products that help market and sell your book, including bookmarks, postcards, special event tickets, printed newsletters and more. Check out our special "Fast Track Publishing" infographic by clicking HERE to access our easy-to-follow guide for creating and printing your book - and all the great services we offer in between. Whatever you can think of for your book - including interesting products that will help market and sell it - we've got you covered. Here's to letting your creativity flow!

Vervante • April 18, 2016

Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Adult coloring books have become a fun and lucrative product that many of our clients are using to create new revenue streams, attract new followers, and have a little fun while they’re at it. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, coloring books have jumped into the spotlight as a big business opportunity that is skyrocketing in popularity. Nielsen Bookscan estimates that 12 million were sold in 2015, a dramatic jump from only 1 million sold the previous year.   Adult coloring books offer value to your readers by allowing them to embrace their inner artist, release stress, find their focus, and recharge their creative batteries. Coloring books can be created quickly and easily around any theme that will fit your business, such as nature, fitness, food, family, travel, love, relationships, growth and inspiration. They can be offered as revenue-generating products on their own, or as a value-add to other products or programs you offer. If you're ready to create an adult coloring book, here are our recommendations to ensure a high-quality product readers will love: Spiral binding or saddle stitching is best so that the book will lay flat. Coloring books can be printed single-sided or double-sided. If you choose to print double-sided, we recommend using a thicker-weight paper to avoid bleed-through. We can print any size but recommend 8 x 10 or 8.5 x 11 (perfect for fitting in a standard size picture frame). We can also perforate the pages to make them easy to tear out. And remember, you can print your book vertical or horizontal. Adding pens, pencils or other products to your book Help your coloring books stand out from the crowd by adding your own branded products such as pens, pencils, tote bags, etc and including them with the shipment. You can order unique promotional products from our partner Prodigy Promos, and have them stored in our warehouse until they are ready to be packaged and shipped together.  Another great idea we've seen is to create audio CDs packaged with coloring books. Music or meditations to color to, now that's pretty creative! If you have any questions about creating coloring books, CDs, or other products with Vervante, please email us at [email protected]. We can provide you with free quotes and help you create this fun and lucrative product for your business.

Vervante • April 7, 2016

Forget dusting and organizing. Put down that label maker! (For now, anyway!) We’ve got some great tips for spring cleaning that will definitely put some spring in your book and product sales! It takes a lot of tools to sell books and products. Things like websites, author pages, sales pages, marketing and promotional products, email marketing and more. That's why we put together this handy checklist to help ensure that the information you put out there is up-to-date and working hard for you. Author Spring Cleaning Checklist   __ Author bio. If it’s been at least a year since your bio has been updated, it’s time to polish up your story. Add anything that supports your credibility as an author, as well as stories that will connect with potential readers. Were you a featured speaker? Did you present workshops, headline at an event, publish new books, products or items that complement your book? Add it in, it's all worth sharing! __ Headshot. Don’t forget to update your author photos as well. If you have a book signing, you want people to recognize you when you sit down at your table. Be sure to use a professional headshot and stay true to your brand, topic or style. __ Amazon Author Page. If you have an Amazon author page, take the time to make sure that your bio, photo and contact information is current. If you started a blog recently, add that information, as well as any other social media links that will support engagement with fans. __ Book / Product Sales and Info Pages: Check all website pages to make sure that the information is up-to-date and all the links are still working. New products should be added. Retired products deleted. And check that your copy is fresh and focused on your target audience. __ Energize Your Blog. Has it been awhile since you’ve written for your blog? Blogging is a great way to connect with readers, build a loyal audience, and does wonders for SEO. Consistent blogging is best, start with at least once per month. Make sure what you write supports your strategy, is written for your target audience, and provides value for readers. No time at all? Hire a ghostblogger! __  Clean up Your Author Dashboard. If you’ve published multiple books and products with Vervante, your Author Dashboard might be a little cluttered. Take a few minutes to clear out products you no longer use, and organize the ones you have into categories. For details and instructions, read our article “Clear the Clutter” by clicking HERE.

Vervante • March 8, 2016

Do you ever feel exhausted or "brain-foggy?" Desperate for a quick boost of energy or inspiration so that you can get focused, get on track, and get that next big project done? We know the feeling! Creating a successful business takes a lot of work. Add to that the effort and energy it takes to write books, choreograph and film videos, create information products, and more, and suddenly that morning cup of joe is starting to look pretty weak. We knew that there had to be easier, and healthier, ways to boost creativity, focus and energy than an addiction to Starbucks. So we reached out to our favorite fitness, energy, nutrition and wellness experts and asked for their secrets. We loved what they shared – activities, recipes, exercises, products and more – all designed to keep you at the top of your game so you can create the life you want.  We know you’ll feel energized just reading this. There are some surprising ideas we loved and have already put to the test successfully, so be sure to read through to see them all. We’ve split this article into a series of 2, so read through these and watch for Part 2 coming soon for even more powerful ways to boost your energy, clarity and creativity all day long. Mike Mahler, Mahler’s Aggressive Strength One of my favorite methods for increasing energy, mood, and focus is deep breathing exercises. This works especially well early in the morning to get your day going. Sit down and relax and take a deep breath to a count of four. Hold it for four seconds and then breathe out slowly to a count of four. Make sure to breathe in deeply through your nose into your stomach as opposed to your chest. Breathe out through your mouth. Do 10-15 deep breaths every morning or whenever you need a boost. http://mikemahler.com   Holli Clepper, Fitness Education Unlimited To boost creativity I often breathe in my favorite essential oil, (Clarity by Young Living), which includes a mix of oils such as basil, ylang ylang, rosemary, jasmine and bergamot. This helps settle the mind a bit. I then use a breathing technique that I find really increases focus and calms the mind. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly while lying down (seated if you have nowhere to lay). Breathe deeply into your belly making the hand on the belly rise, hold that breath for 2 seconds then while still holding the breath, move the breath into the chest until the chest rises, hold for 2, send it back to the belly, hold for 2, back to the chest, hold for 2, and back to the belly, hold for 2, and exhale. This charges up the body, released toxins and helps work the diaphragm. Moving the breath around instead of just holding it is what really gets the diaphragm working. A tight diaphragm can affect your breathing and posture, which is why breathing exercises are important. You can perform this technique one to six times, during the day, before bed or whenever you need to settle the mind. www.fitnesseducationunlimited.com   James Wilson, Mountain Bike Strength Training Systems My top tip to boost creativity, energy and focus is to take 5 minutes and meditate. Nothing fancy, just sitting there focusing on your breathing while counting out 10 breathes in your head is fine. If meditation isn't your thing then get outside for a 10 minute walk (as bonus, a walk will help boost your energy as well). The problem is that we usually have too many other things buzzing around our heads and finding a way to lower the noise so you can finally focus the brain is the key. I've found that taking 5-10 minutes to help quiet and focus the brain really pays off in terms of how much more work I can get done in the remaining time I have and the quality of that work. www.bikejames.com   Chad Tackett, Fast Track to Fat Loss There are all sorts of manufactured energy drinks, pills, bars, and "shots" on the market, but none hold a candle to real, whole food. Choose the right foods and you'll get more nutrients for faster (and better), long-term energy. Here are 5 energy-boosting super foods that will give you true, lasting energy throughout the day: 1. Fruits, especially those high in potassium, such as bananas, apricots, cantaloupe, and kiwi. Other excellent energy-boosting fruits are apples, grapes, and peaches. 2. Quinoa is truly a super food. It’s a super-grain that's a complete protein, a high-quality complex carbohydrate, and high in fiber and iron, as well as calcium. Quinoa is also high in magnesium, which helps relax your muscles and blood vessels and has a positive effect on blood pressure. In addition, it's full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and can even help balance your blood sugar! 3. Oats are a quality source of complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber, low on the glycemic index, and rich in energy-boosting B vitamins. I'm not talking about instant oatmeal, but rather old-fashioned oats, dry rolled oats, steel cut oats, or oat bran. Because these kinds of oats aren’t broken down like instant oatmeal is, it takes longer for them to be processed within your body, providing a slower release of energy (meaning, sustained energy). Oats also contain stress-reducing B vitamins, which helps transform carbs into usable energy. And because they're high in fiber, your body gets an ongoing stream of energy that gradually flows into your bloodstream, as opposed to a short-term spike that crashes soon after. 4. Seeds such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and hemp seeds provide a great supply of fiber, healthy fats (including omega-3's), vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Chia seeds are an especially great choice because they have a large amount of soluble fiber, which creates sort of a gel in your intestines. This keeps you full and satisfied longer and provides time-release energy, which stabilizes your blood sugar and keeps your energy levels even during intense training or longer physical activities. 5. Lentils are a great source of fiber, which again, translates to a slow release of glucose, as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. Protein helps slow down the digestion of food for sustained energy and lentils help reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure as well. Plus, they’re low in fat and calories! Beans (black, kidney, garbanzo, etc.) are also an energy-boosting food with similar benefits. BONUS: In addition to these 5 foods, keep in mind that without water, your body cannot generate energy. Water makes it possible for your system to digest, absorb, and transport nutrients. It also helps regulate body temperature. When you’re dehydrated, your cells receive nutrients for energy less efficiently, and your body can’t properly expend heat through sweating. Both conditions lead to fatigue. Try to drink eight to ten 8-oz. glasses of water a day and you'll be amazed at how much energy you get just from staying adequately hydrated. http://fasttracktofatloss.com/fbg/fat-burning-gene.php.   Chris Barnard, Strength Camp and Overtime Athletes My favorite go-to tip for boosting creativity, energy, and focus comes from a simple morning ritual.  Every morning I meticulously wake up and repeat a series of steps.  No matter if I'm at a seminar in another city or at the comfort of my home, I try my hardest to set my day off with my morning ritual.  A morning ritual can consist of many different aspects but here are the 3 things I believe add up to successful day.  1.  Combine Movement and Breathing - Meditation can be difficult for some people to get into but anything you can do to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system is essential in our busy driven lives.  I love to take a short walk and focus on breathing deep into my belly and clear my mind to the present issues of the day.  Simply try your hardest to be aware of something new on your walk each day.  This allows laser focus. 2.  Consume Knowledge - To increase creativity, it will help if you expose yourself to new ideas.  The simple way that I do this is listen to audio books on my way to work. I typically like to choose a book that is pertaining to the things I may be dealing with in my present life and allow new ideas or ways to approach each situation and marry it with my own. In turn this allows me to put my own creative spin on it. Try listening to a new idea every morning to allow your past ideas to mesh and become a new creation each day. 3.  "Super Shake" - For energy I have a "Super Shake" every single day.  With our days filled with meetings and always on the go we sometimes forget to treat our body as a temple. So each morning I drink a potent shake that literally takes me 2 minutes to make. Here’s my recipe:   - 2 scoops whey protein (Nectar fruit flavored)   - 1 scoop Living Fuel Greens   - 1 scoop Living Fuel Berry   -  5 drops liquid Fulvic Vitamins   -  5 drops liquid Fulvic Minerals   -  1 Adrenal Support   http://strengthcamp.com   Rachel Cosgrove, Results Fitness University When working on a project such as an article or a book I love to create a Mind Map to brainstorm my ideas. I'm a very visual person, as 80% of people are, so by drawing a mind map or using one online (I like www.mindmeister.com) it gets my brain churning with ideas of what I want to include - stories, images, points I want to make...and each of these goes in a bubble. From there I end up branching off of each bubble with more points or ideas. Ideas will hit me at the strangest times (in the car, walking the dog, in the shower) and as soon as I can I add them to my mind map. Then when I sit down to create the product I can chunk it down into writing each bubble at a time. www.RachelCosgrove.com, www.ResultsFitnessUniversity.com   Hut Allred, New Wave Fitness "To ramp up vitality, try a supervised detox for a minimum of 7 days. A detox helps to rid your body of harmful toxins and as a result, can give you increased energy plus physical and mental vigor." www.NewWaveFitness.com     Janet Rae Humphrey, E-RYT Oxygen is the best energy booster. The chemical reactions that produce energy in the cells of your body require oxygen. Inhale more oxygen by sitting up tall and taking long diaphragmatic inhales: Diaphragmatic Breathing for Energy Sit away from the back of the chair using the muscles of your back and abdomen to sit erect. Place your feet flat on the floor parallel to each other and your knees over your ankles. The long upper bones of your legs (femurs) should be parallel to each other. Place your little fingers in the crease between your torso and thighs with the middle fingertips touching two inches below the belly button. Inhale – Expand your belly out and lift up your belly, spine and chest. Exhale –Pull your lower belly in and hug your shoulder blades together on your back. Take three long, slow diaphragmatic breaths in and out through your nose. For energy and to decrease depression – make your inhale longer than your exhale. Inhale for the count of six, hold for the count of one, exhale for the count of three, and hold for the count of one. Concentrate on your breathing for three to five minutes. For anxiety and to increase relaxation– make your exhale longer than your inhale. Inhale for the count of 3, hold for the count of one, exhale for the count of six, and hold for the count of one. Concentrate on your breathing for three to five minutes. www.AgeWithoutLimits.net   Dave "The Band Man" Schmitz Performing quick 20-minute morning exercise routines have been my "go to" when it comes to boosting mental focus and physical energy. To accomplish this I have found resistance bands to be the go-to training tool no matter if I am on the road, in​ the​ office, or at home. Bands provide all the benefits of training with weights while making it easy to train anywhere, anytime at any intensity level while being able to perform any movement​. Give bands a try.... You will not be disappointed.   www.resistancebandtraining.com    

Vervante • March 1, 2016

Everyone knows that when it comes to bulk orders, even though you get a great discount on printing costs, there’s always that one challenge: what to do with all the boxes? Stacks of books in your garage, cluttered office space, and no easy way to ship them when orders roll in. At Vervante, we make bulk orders easier—and smarter. When you print your books or products in bulk with us, you’ll enjoy lower printing costs, professional warehousing in our secure, climate-controlled facility, and full access to our exceptional fulfillment services. We’ll store your products safely and ship them directly to your customers whenever you’re ready. Why bulk orders make sense Bulk printing is perfect if you: Are planning a big product or book launch Need inventory for workshops or programs throughout the year Travel often and want to offer products at live events Expect increased demand from partnerships, promotions, or media features What qualifies as a bulk order? Bulk orders start at just 25 units—making it easy and affordable to stock up on your products. Whether you’re printing spiral books, hardcover planners, journals, cards, calendars, or perfect-bound books, ordering 25 or more qualifies you for bulk pricing. The larger your order, the greater the discount, giving you the best value while keeping your products ready to ship when you need them. How it works Once your products are printed, we’ll store them in our warehouse for a small monthly fee based on the size of the item. When orders come in, our team ships them within 24–48 hours—saving you time, effort, and the headache of handling it all yourself. You can also order additional products in bulk—like bookmarks, postcards, or journals—to add value to your sales, create bundles, or generate new leads. Ready to get started? Email us at [email protected] for a quote or to begin your bulk printing and warehousing project today. Your products will be ready to ship when opportunity knocks—and you’ll never have to clear space in your garage again.

Vervante • February 9, 2016

"I want to write a book!" Did you know that this is one of the most popular resolutions for 2016? There are a lot of great articles popping up out there with advice for putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) and finally getting your book written. The most valuable advice, though, is advice that comes directly from those who have successfully accomplished what you're aiming for. Today we bring you just that - an in-depth interview with author Craig Gilliam who gathered up years of scattered notes on napkins, note pads, and such to finally publish his first book, Where Wild Things Grow. We hope his thoughts inspire your own goals for writing and publishing a book in 2016. We've been publishing books for decades and are here to help you make your dreams of becoming an author come true. Go for it - we know you can do it! We'll be here rooting for you every step of the way.   Author Interview: Craig Gilliam Dr. W. Craig Gilliam has a deep love of poetry and the poetic life. He has written poetry since the early 90's. Through his debut book of poetry entitled, Where Wild Things Grow, he is making 40 of his poems available to the public. Professionally, he is a consultant, facilitator and educator in leadership development and coaching, conflict transformation (specializing in large group conflict transformation) and facilitating courageous conversations. Dr. Gilliam makes his home in Shreveport, Louisiana.   Q: Tell us a little about your book and why you chose to create it. What was your inspiration?   Where Wild Things Grow is a debut collection of poetry. The poetry grows out of my work and life experiences. It is composed of 40 poems and an introduction. For those who are more visual, I also included some color photographs. Several were taken by my sons and one a friend and professional photographer. In fact, the cover is an art piece by an artist in San Francisco.  The cover, in and of itself, is poetic.   Several nudgings were behind writing Where Wild Things Grow. The obvious reason is that clients appreciate having something in hand by the facilitator, educator, consultant or leader with whom they are working.  It is a way to serve or be helpful to the client.   While the first reason is true, it does not include the deeper, more intuitive reasons for writing. The deeper invitations are hinted at in the introduction of Where Wild Things Grow.   As I committed to sharing my own poetic voice, the journey led to another revelation.  Since the early 90’s, I have been writing poetry. My poetry was on napkins, in crevasses, in books, on shelves, in the cupboard, on notepads, but I had no common collection. I realized that if I were to die tomorrow, my sons would never know this poetic part of me. Humbled by this daunting thought, I began collecting, selecting and harvesting these scraps of misbegotten poems that were hiding in strange places.   After collecting as many poems as I could locate, our group had another session with poet David Whyte on Whidbey Island outside of Seattle, Washington. After one of our sessions, one of the facilitators asked me, “Why don’t you publish your poetry?” I hemmed and hawed and said that I would think about it. She emphatically stated, “You are a poet! . . . Don’t think about it too much, just do it.”   Out of these experiences, this book emerged. Its title was selected because my experience confirms that on the edge, in the dissonance, in the discordant elements, in that space and non-space, our most creative possibilities reside. . . . .  (Where Wild Things Grow, p. 13)   One additional reason for writing the book is that it was the next step I knew I needed to take. Sometimes, one has to follow the intuition and nudgings.   Why poetry?   The best response to this question is directly from Where Wild Things Grow. It says:   "I see poetry as an incarnation. It gives our creative spirits form and body.  It gives outer expression to the deep source or wellspring within us. At its best, poetry invites us to a deep place of under-neathness, a sacred non-space from which creativity flows. Human kind has had a thousand names for this inner place. I refer to it as soul, a ghost-like, far horizon from which our deepest Self makes appearances, shows its face(s) and calls us deeper into the world."   "Professionally, part of my work includes working with corporations/organizations, communities, non-profits and congregations of various faith traditions that are caught in anxiety and conflict.  Poetry is an important ingredient of conflict transformation work for it helps open and sustain space for individuals and groups to have courageous conversations. Poetry helps lower anxiety and reactivity in individuals and groups and is an important practice in helping to create a safe, strong container that can hold the heat necessary for transformation, which often includes courageous conversations. Poetry also helps keep us grounded and invites a different mindset from just the strategic mind. As important as the strategic mind is in our personal and professional lives, without the creative, poetic mind, we miss out on some of the greatest and most profound creative resources."  (Where Wild Things Grow, pp. 15-16) Q: How has your book affected your professional life?   Professionally, I am a consultant, facilitator and educator in leadership development, conflict transformation and facilitating courageous conversations. The book has invited clients to a different kind of conversation and in many instances invited them and myself to a different perspective about one another, about self, issues, challenges and opportunities. It has changed the conversation for some, and invited the strategic and the creative mind to the table. In the complex world in which we live, the creative imagination and the arts are as important as is the strategic mind.   In addition, it has helped introduce an important question into the work place—How does our art and artistry inform our work?  Clients have expressed appreciation for the work—my willingness to put this side of myself “out there.” This has been my way of modeling such a way in the world and for clients.   Q:  Anything you would have done differently?   I would be careful to take time and space and not rush the publication. Working at your own rhythm and not allowing circumstances to make you feel anxious or rushed is a word of wisdom I learned. Quality is the focus. The published item presents an important image of you and your company. The quality of the publication is an extension of your image. Take the time for quality layout, design and editing. Let it ripen. Both the content of the resource and the process of writing are to be nurtured and given attention.   Also, make certain to have a good editor and have your manuscript in as close to final form as possible before sending it to Vervante. Editorial services can be costly, but they are worth the value if you get a good one. The more work you have done, the less Vervante has to do in the critical points of interpretation.   Q:  Any wisdom you would share with other authors and entrepreneurs who are thinking about adding books or other products to their business?             Depending on the business, adding quality books and multimedia products is an important, worthwhile process and endeavor.  How to market and raise awareness is a concern for most organizations, companies and individuals and to do so in a way that is congruent with you and your organization’s values. Printed material assists in that process.   In addition, after doing a presentation or work with a group, the written material helps reinforce what is taught, thus, they can take it with them to ponder.   Published materials serve as a quality calling card and give people a glimpse into who you are and how you work. It offers a window into what makes you unique in your given field.   Q:  Can you give us a peek into the design and production process?   When talking to Cindy Tyler (Vervante’s CEO) in the beginning, she said, “Let’s make the book playful, so instead of people reading it then sitting it on the bookshelf, people might put it on their coffee tables, on their desks and on end tables. It will be out to be seen.” She suggested they make it a different size than a normal book as another way to make it playful. What she described, they did--size, layout and design. I was also fascinated by the way they used the white space in the book, which is always the challenge and indicator of an artist. I am very pleased.   The Vervante Team was excellent. They were personable and professional. When I had questions, they were prompt to respond. They offered guidance from their wisdom and expertise, while honoring my wishes, requests, hopes and concerns. I am very satisfied and appreciate the Vervante Team. I do plan on using them in the future as well! They are good people who provide highly professional services. I recommend them without hesitation.   A closing quote from Where Wild Things Grow: Living is our call.                         To this grand adventure                                     our mere being says that we are invited . . .                                                 to a place of unknown hopes,                                                             unrealized possibilities.  (p. 70) Fun Facts about Dr. Gilliam   1. Favorite books or authors? Some of my favorite writers include: David Whyte Rainer M. Rilke, William Stafford, Mary Oliver, Lucille Clifton, Seamus Heaney, Rumi, John Paul Lederach, Paulo Coelho, Pueblo Neruda, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, T. S. Eliot, Wallace Stevens, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Howard Thurman to name some . . .   2. What are you reading right now? Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age by Sherry Turkle   3. Personal motto/ words you live by? Life always finds a way.   4. Hobbies, ways you relax, fun things you like to do away from work? Weight lifting/exercise, karate, reading and writing poetry, good food and music, quiet spaces and having a nice glass of wine with my beautiful wife and two grown sons, family and friends.   5. One thing about you that would surprise people: I have a 4th degree black belt in traditional Japanese karate (Shotokan) and write poetry.   6. What makes you happy?   a) Being with my wife, my two grown sons, family and friends; b) A good glass of wine while basking in the pondering presence of a powerful poem under a full, round moon. c) When I see individuals, communities, congregations and organizations with whom I work get “it,” find their rhythm and become artists in their field, yielding positive outcomes and creating space for new horizons to emerge; d) When people can disagree and still honor the humanity of another; when they can stand at a different place while staying in conversation/relationship, when people can have what David Whyte calls, the courageous conversation, while honoring the dignity of the other(s) listening for the third way, for a way beyond the impasse.   You can learn more about Dr. Gilliam and his book at Amazon or Vervante Press. If you would like to make a connection and learn more about Gilliam, his poetry and work with organizations, please contact him at [email protected].

Vervante • February 7, 2016

If a new book or info product is in your future plans, we bet that the following issue has come up: What's better? Hard copy or digital? It's an increasingly digital world out there, and the proliferation of smart phones, tablets and e-readers continually ignite a debate about which is better. For each person who reads this, the answer might be different. But these two issues are the same: What's best for my reader AND supports my business goals? Here at Vervante we offer every format you can imagine: Hard cover, paperback, digital files on disc or flash drives, and more. We work with a wide variety of authors and entrepreneurs, each with different needs and goals, and help them find the best formats. Here's what we learned from them, and suggestions about what you need to consider when deciding which way is best for you: ASK READERS WHAT THEY WANT If you can, it’s best to reach out to a sampling of target readers and ask their opinion. Some will wax poetic about loving the feel of an old-fashioned book. Others may cite devotion to their Kindle or Nook. Aside from ease of access, price points and attitudes about technology, it is also important to consider the type of information you are sharing in your book, how your target reader absorbs that info, and the value or benefit they receive overall. Multiple studies have shown that readers are able to absorb information better when reading physical books.* If your book is graphic-heavy, though, the opposite may be the case. Again, talk to your readers, see how they feel. CONSIDER THE PROS & CONS Hard Copy Book / Product advantages include: Higher perception of quality and value Greater profit margin for author Longer lasting / library effect Easy to share Back of rooms sales Book signings Low tech pros = not having to deal with dying batteries or malfunctioning devices  E-book / Digital File advantages include: High tech = easier to access / instant gratification Low production cost for author Lower purchase cost for reader Privacy / people can’t see what you’re reading Can access anytime, anywhere  Bottom line? It’s important to create the right book or product that best fits your goals as well as the needs of the reader. What is the preferred format for your target audience? How do they best absorb information? And which format fits your budget and revenue needs? Addressing these issues will help you find the right format that’s perfect for you! ASK THE EXPERTS: If you have any questions about your next book or product and how we can help you - no matter what format you choose - please email us at [email protected] and we'll help you get started. * Sources: The Guardian, Medical Daily

Vervante • January 11, 2016

Peggy Murrah, owner of PMA Web Services, is known for implementing and overseeing timely, high-quality projects from web design, product launches and sales campaigns to virtual assistant services and online business management. Peggy’s solid reputation and extensive professional network have connected her with exciting, high-profile opportunities and top-tiered people. Her client list includes entrepreneurs, business professionals, speakers, coaches, consultants, authors, musicians, real estate pros, health & fitness providers, educators, attorneys, Non-Profit Organizations and even a rocket scientist. When it has to be done right and on-time, PMA Web Services is who they call! She is a recognized Social Media authority, coauthor of Amazon bestseller “42 Rules to 24 Hour Success on LinkedIn,” along with her latest book, “Success Tweets for Virtual Assistants.” Q: When creating a book, info product, or other published product, what do you think authors can do by themselves? And what should they outsource? Great question! Authors need to be very honest with themselves about what they know how to do exceptionally well, and what they find zaps their creative energy. And of course, delegate those tasks that drain them! There are some obvious areas to outsource: Cover design, fulfillment (who wants a box of books in their garage?), page layout and design, proofreading and editing. And then there are some less obvious choices, such as: Consider hiring a writing coach to keep you on track and manage your deadlines. Use them to brainstorm and to keep you accountable. Secondly, don’t wait to hire a support team. Book promotion is not for the faint of heart, attention to detail is a must, and there is a ton to get started on before the product is even published. Build the buzz with social media, send out press releases, and arrange book tours and readings. The opportunities are endless. Q: Project management is an often overlooked, but very important part of the process. Any thoughts about key points of success for the project from beginning to end, ways to avoid trouble, things to keep an eye out for? YES! Work with a team with a variety of well-honed skills. A team allows your needs to grow, without trying to find a new team member in the midst of everything else! Create realistic timelines. We all have the best of intentions on completing tasks, but you need to get real about how long each element could take, and one setback can impact other projects going forward. When planning, take into account holidays or other planned absences. Have regular meetings with your team to check in and make sure everyone has what they need to complete the task. Keep communication open with you and within the team. Encourage brainstorming sessions where the team works together, not just in isolation. The big one – don’t wait to hire a Project Manager (and the Project Manager isn’t you!).  Bring them in early in the process, let them be a part of the planning, and let them own it. Q: What are the essential things that an author should prepare or understand BEFORE they start a publishing project? Information products are incredible marketing tools and help solidify your expertise in the market. Products have the lasting ability of establishing who you are, what you do, and why it’s so important to you. But they should not be thrown together for the sake of having a product out there, because they will look just like that. A good quality product that is insightful and expertly pulled together will reflect the perfectionism your company will be known for. The thought and care you put into it will be evident to everyone who happens upon it. Before you start, understand what you want to include, and what may be best to leave out. Each section should make sense, and not confuse the reader. Plan the journey the reader will go on as they review the book. What outcome do you want them to achieve? Does the product accomplish that? Does your reader know how to get more information? Plan your content around these questions, and then let your creativity flow! Q: In your opinion, what are the most profitable or successful type of products entrepreneurs can create? That really depends on the entrepreneur, their style, and their market. There are some entrepreneurs that are born speakers. Their face lights up, and they engage their audience in a powerful way. They’re naturals. This type of entrepreneur may focus on products that are recordings (mp3’s, DVD’s, etc). Other entrepreneurs have the gift of the written word. They reach their audience by opening their heart in a book, the content is more personal in style and feels very one-on-one. But the other aspect is really knowing your market. A busy professional may not have the time to read a book, but would enjoy an audio version.  Content that is meant to be more reflective, where the reader is journaling as they go, may be best delivered in writing. Which is why a good choice is to create a book with an audio download option! Q: What do you think about the value of using published products to support a growing business? Published products are a FANTASTIC business card! When you’re at a speaking engagement, having a product available that attendees can pick up right then is wonderfully valuable – for both of you! Obviously it is a great income stream for you, but also deepens the learning (and impact of your message) for your attendees. Q: In your experience, what are some ways that authors can make their products stand out from the crowd and increase their changes of successful launches and long term popularity? Plan, re-plan, plan again. Just PLAN! A successful launch will pull together multiple partners/affiliates/resources toward the same goal. There will be many moving pieces that need attention. Create a plan, be flexible and realistic, and don’t over-commit. For longevity – my advice is to take time and care. Determine what your goal is and work authentically towards it. Get feedback often from trusted friends/colleagues/mentors. Lean on those who provide you with constructive feedback and encourage and motivate you. Lastly, think beyond the book. What other products and services will you offer to complement this product? Do you have a plan to leverage your following? How will you market to new prospects? Do you have a sales funnel in place to capture your list and keep them? How will you continue to market to them? What are your next steps? Lots to consider I know. But a published piece is just one part of your marketing plan! ------ --------- You can learn more about Peggy and connect with her at http://www.peggymurrah.com/.

Vervante • December 17, 2015

Getting organized any time of year is always a great idea - and we've got an easy tip that will make your work with Vervante easier and more efficient. If you have several products and have been using Vervante for some time now, your Author Dashboard may start feeling like a maze. Check out your "Place an Order" link or the "My Vervante Parts Numbers" link and you'll see what we mean. If you have outdated products no longer in use, it's easy to remove them and clear the clutter. Even better, if you have a lot of different types of products, we can help you organize them by type. To remove products from your Author Dashboard If you have outdated products no longer in use, we can remove titles from your list. Worried that you might change your mind and want to bring them back one day? No problem! We will archive the print files and can restore them to your account at your request. Just send us an email at [email protected] and let us know which products you would like removed from your Author Dashboard list. To organize your products by category We can also organize your products into categories such as Books, DVDs, CDs, Calendars, and Products. All we need is an email from you letting us know the category name (can be anything) and which items go in which categories.

Vervante • December 10, 2015

Speedy shipping, cost savings, customer satisfaction... all of these and more can be affected by the way products are shipped to your customers. Here at Vervante, we make sure that you have total control of this important part of your product sales process by offering the ability to choose the best shipping method for each of your products. Our shipping system will automatically default to the least expensive shipping method (excluding Media Mail) based on the weight and ship to postal code. However, if you want to set a specific shipping method for a product, you can do this from your Author Dashboard.   Remember, you don’t have to do anything unless: You want any of your products to ship via Media Mail.   You want any of your products to always ship a specific method.  If you want to make a change, here's how to set it up 1. Log into your Vervante Author Dashboard and select the link that says "Select Specific Shipping Methods." 2. You will see a list of your products, their estimated weights, and the default shipping methods. Initially the shipping methods are set to default "Best Way." This means that we will use the least expensive shipping method (excluding Media Mail) based on the weight and ship to postal/zip code. (For insight into what's best for varying weights, see our CEO's note below.) NOTE: Media Mail is NOT the default shipping method. If you want to use Media Mail, you must select it as the shipping method on that page. Media Mail is often the least expensive postage option for most products, but it is also slower than other methods such as First Class or Priority, therefore we do not use it as default.  3. If you are shipping internationally, please click on the link at the top of the page for International Shipping Methods. 4. To set default shipping methods for each of your products, select the desired method you prefer in the right hand column, then click on the "Update Ship Methods" button at the bottom of the page to save your preferences. (VERY IMPORTANT TIP: Don't forget to save your changes) Not sure which method is best? If an order weighs less than 6 pounds then USPS is generally the least expensive shipping option. We have created a USPS postage calculator so you can view your different USPS shipping options. From the author dashboard, scroll down to Support > Calculate Postage You will see a list of your products at the top of the page with the estimated shipping weight. In the USPS Postage Calculator enter our zip code (84042) and your ship to zip code. Most products ship as a package unless you select one of the Priority Mail Flat Rate options. REMEMBER, you don’t need to do anything unless you specifically want to select a shipping method for any of your products.     More Shipping Tips We offer a lot of unique products, which means that shipping options can sometimes seem tricky to figure out. Here's a quick guide that will help you to choose which method is best for each of your products. > U.S. 1st Class Mail is for packages less than 13 ounces > U.S. Priority Mail is for 14+ ounces > International 1st Class Mail is for packages up to 4 pounds > International Priority Mail is for 4+ pounds > Media Mail is available only in the U.S. One of the most frequent compliments we get are from clients praising how we don’t mark up postage costs or charge handling or set-up fees for the products we produce. Did you know that many other publishing companies have up to a 33% mark-up on postage? Just think how this can really add up over time. We charge exact postage fees and no mark-ups. And we don’t hassle you for handling and setup either.  

Vervante • December 7, 2015

One of the most common questions we get is from customers planning ahead for big sales—whether it’s an upcoming launch, holiday season, or a steady stream of orders throughout the year. Our best advice? Bulk printing is the way to go. SAVE MONEY >> Bulk orders reduce your cost per unit, helping you maximize profit while getting beautiful, high-quality products ready to ship. STORE WITH US >> We can store your printed products in our secure warehouse until they're sold and ready to ship. No need to fill your garage or spare room—we’ve got you covered. And since printing and fulfillment happen under one roof here, it’s easy, fast, and efficient. FAST FULFILLMENT >> When your product is in stock with us, we ship within 24 hours of receiving an order. You get all the benefits of print-on-demand speed with the lower cost of bulk printing. We print a wide range of custom products in bulk—books, planners, journals, card decks, welcome boxes, kits, and more. If you're gearing up for a product launch or want to get ahead of the holiday rush, now is the perfect time. Please email us at [email protected] to get started. Planning pays off—and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Vervante • November 9, 2015

If you are ready to offer your book, ebook or information product to a worldwide audience to create greater impact, influence and income, then Amazon is the place to be. No matter if you've waited because you don't know how, or just don't have the time, we'll help you get it done! Here's what to do: 1. Log into your Vervante Author Account. Select the link "List Physical Product for Retail Distribution" under the Support section. 2. Scroll down and familiarize yourself with the Amazon Marketplace information. If this is the first time you've listed your book or product on Amazon, we offer a etail calculator to figure your profit for each transaction.  3. Continue to scroll down the page and fill out the form, be sure to select the box for listing your product on Amazon Marketplace. We automatically waive the $50 fee per product for any Amazon Marketplace submission received from our Vervante authors. You are welcome to add other retail venues, but normal fees will apply. Listing your book or info product on Amazon Marketplace is free. If you select any other retail listing, a $50 fee will apply. You will be asked to check a box stating acceptance of the $50 fee per listing when you submit your form. Go ahead and check the box, but don't worry. As a Vervante client, all fees for Amazon Marketplace submissions will be waived on your final invoice. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our Amazon Marketplace experts at [email protected]. And don't forget, we offer a vast collection of expert guides and useful information to help you plan and execute a powerful sales strategy once your book is listed on Amazon. For instance, check out:  "How to Plan a Successful Amazon Book Launch" "Helpful Hints for Retail Distribution" and "Fast Track Publishing"

Vervante • October 29, 2015

Play your cards right by using custom card decks for a memorable way to keep your brand, business and message at your clients’ fingertips Custom-designed card decks are a fun and memorable way to present a message with impact.  Card decks can be used to make a big impression with your target audience, giving them a handy and useful gift to enjoy for months or even years, keeping your brand, business or message at their fingertips. Card decks are a creative and highly adaptable marketing and business tool. Vervante signature card deck and note cards offer an efficient, cost-effective, secret weapon for those seeking out marketing and informational product alternatives. Card decks have evolved well beyond traditional playing cards stamped with a company logo. Entrepreneurs, businesses and community leaders are taking advantage of the possibilities and leveraging customized card decks as: Retail products Marketing lead generators Table-top attention-getters Unique gift-bag goodies Complimentary bonuses for inspirational or instructional programs or products These are just a few ideas for using card decks that feature your custom content and design. Vervante card decks are printed on full-color heavy cover weight stock, creating a beautiful and professional product that will compliment your message or intention.   Great card decks deserve equally great presentation. A popular and attractive packaging solution is to use color-coordinated velvet bags, provided by clients to Vervante. The presentation can then be kicked up another notch by adding a small perfect-bound book that compliments the theme.     Playing-card sized themed cards are just the beginning when it comes to using custom card decks. Vervante also offers a larger-sized calendar card pack, delivered in its own clear display case for prominent desktop placement. Greeting cards, thank you notes, any card with custom content that fits your needs, can be created – and all of them will work to keep you and your message memorable. Greeting cards, thank you notes, any card with custom content that fits your needs, can be created—and all of them will work to keep you and your message memorable. Email [email protected] or check out our full report about the value of card decks at http://store.vervante.com/white_papers/CardsWP.pdf for more information about custom cards, card decks and other unique products and services that help businesses make a statement.

Vervante • September 16, 2015

An exercise physiologist and Women’s Body Enhancement Specialist, Joey Atlas shares his unique methods and approach through best-selling books, products and programs that have been translated into five different languages and are available around the world. He has been featured in high profile publications including Shape.com, Harper’s BAZAAR, Costco Magazine, The Times Union and OnFitness Magazine. Joey is the author of the best-selling fitness book “Fatness to Fitness” and “Naked Beauty - The SYMULAST Method” program for women who are challenged by "cellulite," particularly on the lower-body trouble-zones and problem areas. Q:  Share with us a little about how you transitioned from personal trainer to international influencer.  I have two degrees in exercise physiology and early on started out my career as a personal trainer in New York. I loved what I did, was very busy and soon had a team of trainers working for me. I really wanted to live in Florida, so eventually I sold my business, moved to Florida, and opened a training studio where I was able to share the unique methods and approach to fitness that I’d developed. Soon I got so busy that I was too busy, if that makes sense. I had trainers working for me, clients lining up, but I was always too busy and couldn’t seem to ever get caught up. Clients were lining up but I had hit the ceiling. People were on waiting lists and I couldn’t help them. I was burnt out in so many different ways. I didn’t want to stop doing what I loved, but knew there had to be a better way. That was when I started thinking about info products. I wanted to keep doing what I loved, but find a way to help more people instead of the 1-on-1 model I was currently using in my studio. That was a big paradigm shift that allowed me to follow my passion, and help people achieve better bodies, optimal fitness, and a better life. But I also knew I was venturing into an area I didn’t know much about. In 2005 I started research. I would work all day and hit the internet in my off hours. I saw people selling programs online and that grabbed my attention. The real catalyst was when I noticed Ryan Lee, a friend I attended school with when we were getting our Master’s degrees, and what he was accomplishing online. He was already leveraging the internet to help people with their health and fitness and had established a business online. I realized that what he was doing was similar to my goals, but for a different audience. I thought, “Alright, I can do this too, and in my own way.” My target market is mostly middle-aged women struggling with life’s changes, had kids and dealing with sagging and muscle-tone issues, feeling run down but wanting to get control and confidence back in their life.  Q:  How did you make the transition in your business model? It was definitely a slow transition. I knew it would take some time and effort. I had clients who were willing to work around my schedule and pay to keep me as long as possible. That helped, but the transition was still hard. I would work and train all day and then research, learn and plan during off hours. I started by putting my workouts on video. I found Vervante who produced my DVDs for me. I taught myself to build websites, pulling all-nighters and learning internet marketing. Once I started generating sales from around the world, I realized the huge potential for helping people in a much larger, more profound way. My eyes were really opened. Using info products gave me the opportunity and ability to share my expertise and expand my reach on a global scale. I started moving more and more of my business model to online versus in person. Q:  How did moving your business online versus in person impact your business and life? Once I was able to make the full shift to online only, it changed my life in the most profound ways. Back when I was trading hours for dollars, I had a hard time with life. Everything was a juggling act. When my kids were sick I had to cancel client appointments. So many things were a challenge, there was so much stress. Now, by capitalizing on the info product industry, I am literally able to help someone on the other side of the world while attending my kids’ events back home. I’ve created the opportunity in my life to be able to set my own schedule and be where I want to be when I want to be. The personal satisfaction of helping so many people around world achieve their fitness goals is inspiring and a powerful validation that this was the right choice. I’m able to serve the world instead of just my local community. Now more people can have access to my programs and methods. To be able to do this via the internet has been life-changing. It’s given me a level of freedom that is incredible, and I am truly grateful for the experience. Also, as a single father of three, (ages 11, 17 and 19), I know that this choice of business and lifestyle has impacted my kids in the best way possible. Everything I do can tremendously impact the lives of the people around you, especially your kids. I’m providing a constant example of living to your ultimate potential and creating a positive, healthy life. My kids have all picked up habits of healthy food, fitness and motivation that will stick with them throughout their lives.  Q:  What’s the secret for creating books and info products that get attention and sales? It’s critical to know your target audience intimately. If you don’t understand your target market, you can’t speak their language. They need to believe you know their problems and how to fix those problems. You have to be able to enter the conversations in their heads to create a connection. And the more they hear and read from you, the more they connect with you and trust you. I know that’s not easy for everyone to do, but it can be learned. Effective communication is essential for marketing and selling. If this doesn’t come naturally to you, there is plenty of free info out there to help you learn about marketing, communication and sales copy. The secret is research and practice; we only get better by actively doing. Q: Give us a quick peek inside how your info products work. DVDs are the staple of my business. I also have several spiral-bound manuals that are companions to the DVDs. And my book, “Fatness to Fitness,” is a traditional perfect-bound print paperback that I sell on Amazon and use as a bonus gift we include with orders. Having a book is a key ingredient for my business – it’s sales, lead generation, marketing, trust-building and loyalty-building. When I include it with orders for free, it’s an unexpected bonus that helps them feel value, and a great companion to what they bought.  Q:  What’s your favorite way to boost creativity and inspiration? I’ll go do something active, of course, like standup paddle boarding in the ocean or riding bikes with my kids. When I’m out and ideas strike, I use a voice recording app on my phone to save them. Also, when I’m out shopping or running errands and around town I make it a point to listen to conversations that happen normally and randomly around me. Whether I’m in Whole Foods or a fitness area or the coffee shop, I’ll pick up on topics that apply to my business and get ideas. For example, I’ll hear someone talk about a technique that is wrong and I think, “Wow, people still need to learn about this!” Then I’ll go home and write an article or outline an idea for a new DVD or guide. I get endless inspiration this way. Q:  Any advice or things you would have done differently? Don’t copy what you see other people doing. Learn from them, model them, but make sure the raw material comes from deep inside you so that it’s genuinely unique and connects with the right people. Don’t pay attention to people around you who put you down. Let them say what they want, but don’t let them make decisions for you. Find a good publisher to work with. Vervante has been fantastic from Day One. They’ve been so helpful and I trust them deeply. Do your research: For the first year or two, I read all incoming email replies and support emails and comments to my articles and blog posts. I wanted to hear from people, enjoyed connecting and I wanted to know how I was affecting them. I was able to get deeper insight into their challenges, want they want, how I was helping them. This was instrumental in the development of future ideas and products for my business.  Five Fun Facts about Joey Favorite author: Napoleon Hill.  I also admire Tony Little and consider him a source of inspiration. Words you live by:  So many, but here’s one: You’ve been given the ultimate gift of life. It’s up to you to make the absolute most of it! One thing about you that would surprise people:  I’m an amazing cook. I love to create food that is both healthy and delicious – and it’s not all kale! What makes you happy? It’s the simplest things, really. Like hearing my kids laugh. Your favorite meal:  Authentic brick oven pizza. Yes, I eat carbs! Visit Joey's helpful blog and learn more about Joey Atlas and his programs at www.JoeyAtlas.com.

Vervante • August 25, 2015

Today's subject is something that we wish we didn't need to discuss. But the sad truth is that even though the U.S. Copyright Office has issued more than 33.6 million copyrights to date, the U.S. economy loses $58 billion each year to copyright infringement, including $16 billion in the loss of revenue to copyright owners. If you are the author of a book, CD, DVD or other product that contains your intellectual property, you need to take action now to protect your property. And we're sharing how below. How to copyright your book (or other intellectual property) "Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression." That's a fancy way of saying if you are the author of a product that contains your unique content, then you deserve legal protection from those who would copy or steal it from you. This goes for more than just books, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture, according to the U.S. Copyright Office. Is it really necessary to copyright your book? Technically, under U.S. copyright law, your self-published work is protected as soon as you put the pen to paper. Official Copyright Registration, however, gives you a higher level of security when it comes to protecting your work. When you register your work with the U.S. Copyright office, you create a public record of your authorship and are officially recognized as the copyright holder in a court of law. Wait a minute! How did we end up in a courtroom already? You may think that something like this will never happen to you, but as you can see by the statistics we mention above, it can and does happen quite often. Think of the hours and effort you put into your most recent book, special report, coaching CD or fitness information product. Now imagine seeing your very same product for sale on another person's website. They might change the cover image or title to make it seem different, but inside are your words, your programs and your original ideas. It's devastating. But taking the steps to copyright your content right from the start is the best way to protect yourself and your property from a scenario like this. Here's how: If you want to do it yourself, you can submit your copyright registration online HERE. You will need to fill out an application and pay a registration fee. You will receive a packing slip at the end of the process. This should be printed and used to mail a copy of your book to the Copyright Office within 30 days of completing the submission form. In approximately 13 months you will receive a certificate of registration in the mail. Here at Vervante, we offer copyright registration services done for you. One of our publishing experts will complete the application on your behalf and submit a copy of your book to the Copyright Registration Office. To get this process started, simply log in to your Author Account on the Vervante website and navigate to the "Copyright Registration" page under the Services menu. If you are unsure if your product qualified for copyright registration, check the list also available on that same Copyright Services page. We truly hope that you never have to experience the theft of your intellectual property. But we also know the value of planning ahead and making sure that you are protected, just in case. If you have any questions about copyright registration, or other services we offer for creating, printing, and distributing your products, please email us at [email protected].

Vervante • August 11, 2015

Ari Galper, founder of the best-selling trust-based sales program Unlock The Game©, is recognized as the world’s #1 authority on trust-based selling, making the shift from chasing sales to building authentic relationships based on trust, authenticity and integrity – resulting in more sales than ever imagined. With a Masters degree in Instructional Design, which strongly analyzes the way people learn, and two decades of experience in direct selling in a variety of industries, Ari pioneered his breakthrough sales system through his experience working with iconic companies such as UPS and QUALCOMM over the past twenty years. Ari has been featured in a multitude of leading sales and business books, is a sought-after international speaker, and go-to media authority when it comes to trust-based sales. He also regularly presents at sold-out sales seminars and corporate training events where he has shared the stage with fellow entrepreneurs including Joan Rivers, Mark Victor Hansen, Dan Kennedy, Harry S. Dent, Christopher Howard, Bill Glazer, Ali Brown and more. Q: You offer a variety of information products as part of Unlock the Game – books, CDs, DVDs, cards and guides. How have these supported your business model? I can’t be everywhere physically, so these products are a great way to leverage my time, share my concepts and ideas and give my audience a way to access my intellectual property in ways they can absorb and use at their own comfort level. We are able to help people all around the world by offering physical products they can access at any time. Creating and offering products like these have really helped to support my status as a trusted authority. They’ve elevated my profile and positioned me as THE expert when it comes to my topic, instead of just one among many.  I originally started with an eBook, then I created a video, then someone told me to that I should create a CD. A book came along later, and now we have a whole range of products as part of the Unlock the Game series. Having these products really helped kick off the business and is a big part of my business model to this day. The real key is to have different modalities – audio, video, physical products, etc. We offer mostly physical products these days, don’t do much in digital downloads. We’ve found that digital content has become so commoditized now that it’s lost its value and people don’t take it as seriously. We’re trying to hold the line and give readers something tangible, that they can hold, feels more real and offers a much greater perception of value. Also, we always video tape my events so that they can be turned into products. Any delivery of intellectual property needs to be recorded. At my next event I’ll offer the videos along with other products as different bundles or packages that people can invest in. I also just launched a book on Amazon a few weeks ago called “Unlock the Sales Game,” which is a compilation of my best articles. Q: What advice would you give authors just getting started? First of all, pay attention to defining your ideal client – that one client who pays you the most amount of money for the least amount of work. From there, identify what are the key problems they have that you solve. Once you’ve figured that out, gather the information you have for how you help them solve those problems, and that becomes your product. Often authors just talk about the solutions and forget about articulating the problems as they share how to solve those problems and get to the solutions. A lot people get stuck when their identity is so tied to the solutions that they forget to focus on defining the key problems that they solve. It’s a mindset shift that needs to happen and helps you get clear on your products. Also, if you are going to offer self-published products, look for a publisher that is reliable, works with you as a partner, and you can trust to catch problems and be proactive so you don’t have to worry about it. Having a publisher that offers all the types of products, plus online tracking, customer service, distribution and all the rest is extremely valuable. I found Vervante about eight years ago, through Ali Brown, and have been using them ever since. Q:  Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently? I would have spent more time thinking about who my ideal client was, rather than chasing the market and getting caught up in people who just told me they were interested but weren’t really my ideal client. I would have spent more time figuring out who were the ones that I could best serve, and been confident enough to let the others go. You can learn more about Ari at www.UnlockTheGame.com.

Vervante • August 1, 2015

We think perfect-bound books are perfectly wonderful. And that’s why we’re pretty excited about this special offer – check it out!   For the month of August, you can enjoy: 10% printing discount: Print any perfect bound book, in any quantity. Want 1? Great. Want 1,000? We can do that too. Free: We’ll store them in our warehouse until you’re ready to send. Plus: Extra discounts on printing and shipping if you order in bulk (see below). If you have a perfect-bound book, this is a great time to plan ahead, print what you’ll need for the rest of year at a discount, and enjoy the luxury of free warehousing and discounted fulfillment services once you are ready to send them out.   Oh, and bulk order discounts still apply, which means you can boost your savings even more. Here are the details for printing costs with bulk discounts applied: 1-99 books: $5.33 per book* 100+ Books: $3.75 250+ Books: $3.00 1000+ Books: $2.27 Plus: Place a bulk order and you’ll receive a 20% DISCOUNTED FULFILLMENT FEE for books printed in bulk and then shipped on demand. *Prices based on 120 pages, 6x9 or smaller, black & white text, no bleeds, full color cover, perfect bound. Prices do not include postage.   Ready to print? Contact [email protected] to get your project started right away. And remember, this offer only lasts until August 31.

Vervante • July 21, 2015

Marjorie Geiser is President of MEG Enterprises, Inc., which provides wellness and service professionals with tools, techniques and determination to build the businesses of their dreams. She started with a small, sports nutrition and personal training business in 1996, and today runs a 6-figure virtual business from her home office, working 3 days a week. Margie has an MBA in Entrepreneurship, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Board Certified Coach, and is the author of “Just Jump: The No-Fear Business Start-up Guide for Health and Fitness Professionals.” Q: Tell us a little about your book and information product. And the inspiration behind them. My book, “Just Jump: The No-Fear Business Start-up Guide for Health and Wellness Professionals” takes the reader through a journey of self-discovery. Most health and wellness professionals are experts in their area of specialty, but know nothing about business. Through a series of introspective exercises, I feel this is “the” missing link. Many people tell me they have read tons of business books, but because they are written in business terms, they glaze over while reading them. “Just Jump” is different: It’s my coaching process on paper, and I believe that the questions the reader must answer help him/her address areas essential to address long before they start the planning. I wrote “Just Jump” because I realized that many people just starting a business couldn’t afford to work with me privately. The book was written to help a greater number of people realize their dream of starting a business that would bring them fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment in their lives. “Make Great Money Without Selling Your Soul” was the culmination of a mastermind program I offered for several years. “Make Great Money” is the next step after “Just Jump,” because it gets deeper into helping the reader and listener, again through series of exercises, develop their niche, their brand, move away from dollars for hours, and develop a marketing approach that helps them feel good after a ‘sales’ conversation with a potential client, AND increase how many clients they get. It also addresses an issue often ignored in business building products; Money mindset and what role it plays in success… or not. “Make Great Money” is a series of 7 CDs and a workbook including all the exercises. Customers are also invited to join a private support community, where they are encouraged to share their work, in order to receive feedback from me and their peers. I developed “Make Great Money” again to help a greater number of people realize their dreams, taking the next step after “Just Jump” and gain a deeper understanding of what marketing is and how they can embrace it. Q: How have these products affected your business? Having books and products helps me better serve my audience, because I can better determine exactly what it is that they most need, based on our initial conversation. As a consequence, someone who cannot afford my private coaching, or isn’t ready for it, can still get help by buying my book or any of my products. But having products also helps the bottom line of the company, because they are always available, providing a source of passive income. Because I often offer sales, my followers eagerly keep an eye on what I share, which results in a better open rate in my communications. But I do have to say, creating products is FUN, too! Q:  Anything you would have done differently? If I were starting out today, I would produce more products much sooner. It’s so easy, with so many different options. If you want to offer electronic products, you can literally have them up and for sale within a matter of days, if not hours. Companies such as Vervante make the production of physical products a breeze, and with print on demand, even offering something like “Make Great Money” an affordable proposition. Q: Besides your books, you also do a lot of writing for your blog and business as well. Do you ever deal with writer’s block? I remember discussing how to handle writer’s block with my coach once. Since then, whenever a concept/thought comes to me, I make sure to make a note of it. It might sometimes be just a title idea. But because I write 3 blogs a week, and am currently working on multiple small ebooks, I HAD to come up with a solution to this challenge. Q:  Any wisdom you would share with entrepreneurs who are thinking about adding books or multimedia products to their business? As Nike says: “Just do it!” You can always edit/tweak/update products. But by getting your ideas out there, you have the opportunity to make a greater impact on the world. Holding back on an idea just makes no sense, today, because so much of it is really ‘risk-free.’ Using print-on-demand products practically makes creating products and books risk-free. In fact, as one example, just a few months ago, we updated the cover of my book “Just Jump,” and, including the cost of the designer, it was less than $100. No more do authors/publishers have to order thousands of books from the printer. I used Vervante to create the physical version of my product “Make Great Money Without Selling Your Soul,” and it was a fabulous experience! The staff was very patient and supportive through the entire process of setting up the product. I had a lot of questions about creating a product that had multiple CDs and a workbook. Customers who have purchased the product have been pleased with the quality and timely receipt of the product. Because all of my clients are health professionals, many who provide integrative and functional nutrition services, I was excited when I heard Vervante was offering storing and shipping of supplement products. I trust them completely and the next time a client asks my opinion about how best to sell products, I can confidently steer them to Vervante. Q: You’ve enjoyed great sales with “Just Jump.” What’s your technique for igniting sales and increasing interest?  I am a member of the International Coach Federation, the National Speakers Association and the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics., so I am often on the stage, presenting live, or even featured on radio shows or webinars online to a wide variety of audiences. During presentations, my book is always mentioned in the introduction and I make it a point to reference my book at appropriate time throughout. Nothing too salesy, just occasional short stories or anecdotes that complement what I’m speaking about, while subtly mentioning that they are from the book in case anyone in the audience might want to follow up. I also make sure to negotiate the ability to sell my books while at events, most of the time event organizers are OK with it. Sometimes events are exactly about the subject your book is about. If not, they are usually complementary to your topic and it’s good to give your audience the choice to follow up with you about your book if it appeals to them. I also offer a companion ebook with my book sales to sweeten the deal. It gives me an opportunity to offer more value to my audience. It is a great way to fit in all the stuff that didn’t fit into the physical book and a way to print out pages and have a place to take notes for those who don’t like to mark up their books. Q:  With more and more products and services being offered by self-publishing companies, how do you see your offerings evolving in the future (and your clients?) With a primary audience composed of dieticians and people who work in integrated health industry, a lot of them offer or are expanding into offering nutritional supplements and similar products. A common question with new clients these days is “how do I do this?” It’s complicated when you have to use multiple vendors. Finding someone like Vervante that offers printing, distribution, bundling of products, warehousing and strategic partnerships is priceless. This makes it easier, more efficient for people to have a main vendor they can trust for quality and professionalism. 5 Fun Facts about Margie 1. Favorite books / authors There are SO MANY favorite books, and in both fiction and non-fiction! My favorite business books lately have been Guy Kawasaki's "APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur," Jay Baer's "Youtility," and Carmine Gallo's "Talk Like TED." Also, my favorite novels are historical novels. I LOVE the Hangman's Daughter historical novel books. 2. Personal words you live by With vision and planning, ANYTHING is possible! 3. Fun times and relaxation favorites LOTS of hiking. We've hiked the Grand Canyon several times. We live in a national forest and are just minutes from tons of trails. We moved to a new home last year and I am having a great time playing in our garden.  4. One thing about you that would surprise people I'm a home body. Other than hiking, I prefer to stay home. Probably why I'm so suited to working out of my home office. I could go all day without talking, too. 5. What makes you happy? Grin; I'm a pretty happy person. I LOVE witnessing the success of those I work with. Makes my work have meaning. Of course, our 18-month-old grandson is pretty cool, too! You can learn more about Marjorie and her business at www.meg-enterprises.com.

Vervante • June 29, 2015

Lyle McDonald has helped thousands to change their bodies for the better through products, programs and online resources that focus on health, fitness and nutrition. Lyle became interested in sports performance in high school which led him to UCLA to pursue a degree in kinesiology/exercise physiology.  During this time he got involved in competitive cycling and in-line skating which took him deeper into the science and practice of sports performance, nutrition, training, and supplements. His first book, The Ketogenic Diet, was published in 1997 and he has written 10 books since then on various topics of nutrition, fat loss, diet and exercise. Lyle is also a passionate volunteer and advocate for the Austin Humane Shelter and regularly shares his experiences on his website with the shelter and his two rescue dogs Alfie and Norman. Q:  What inspired you to become an author? My first book was written back in the 90's; due to my presence online and background I had become a bit of an "expert" on low-carbohydrate diets and set out to write an objective book on the topic, looking at both the pros and cons of such diets.  I actually originally published it through a short-run print house before switching to Vervante and have produced 7 products through them since. For various reasons, I had become dissatisfied with my short run print company, mainly with having to maintain inventory, pay up front for books and handle the shipping myself.  As print-on-demand services like Vervante offers became more common I researched them heavily and made the switch.  What I liked most about Vervante was that their setup was easy and they do not charge a setup fee.  They also do not take a percentage of sales like many other companies outside of actual print and shipping costs.  Being able to pay at the end of the month only for products actually sold, plus the fact that they handle returns and reships quickly and easily, sold me. I've never looked back and refer any friends or colleagues looking to get into book publishing without a publisher to Vervante. Q:  Do you offer digital downloads along with printed products? I actually do. I had offered digital downloads earlier in my career but became frustrated with piracy so I stopped. Two years ago I started offering them again and am thankful I did. We are moving to a digital age and a majority of my sales are digital only. However, I offer bundles on all of my books where the purchaser can get the hardcopy (for people who want physical books) and the immediately downloadable digital version. I have also recently got into Kindle .epubs and Nook formatted products. So many people are using only phones or tablets, so they need scalable digital files. I really see digital ‘books’ as almost overtaking the physical kind in the future. No need for space, easy to transport, we live in a digital world now. Q:  What advice would you give to other authors who want to increase exposure and sales? I am in a different position than most as I’ve been in the field and online for 20 years now. Getting started with writing now is much more difficult, there is much more competition, and it’s a lot harder to stand out. I have hosted a handful of seminars including in Canada and Ireland, but beyond that I’ve mainly just focused on books themselves. I am lucky that I was on the Internet in 2004, about when it started, so by the time I got around to really writing I was well-known and already had the exposure. Certainly as the Internet grows, my exposure grows by leaps and bounds. Since I focus on nutrition and fat loss books, and given that just about every forum has some type of weight loss related topic, people more or less do my marketing for me. Writing good content and quality books is the first step, but without marketing you’re a store that nobody can find. YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are more or less mandatory now. Finding folks who are popular bloggers in a niche, who have a following, also helps. Approach them politely and offer to send a book copy for review. If you have an affiliate program make them aware of it. Yes, objectivity can suffer when affiliates are making money off the product but that’s really part and parcel for the Internet now. Even Amazon takes a cut and nobody complains about their business practices. A recent practice is to actually release the whole book or a chapter (usually digitally), for free initially, giving readers a chance to sample it without risk.  If they like it, they will buy it. People are tired of flashy marketing that sells garbage books. Show readers you’re a good writer, don’t just tell them. In the long run that, more than anything, will help with growth. People that like your work tell two friends and they will tell two friends, and so on. In a world dominated by social media, all it takes is for a few people to share your work and it can explode. Q: What do you wish that someone had told you BEFORE you began publishing books? My first book was a nightmare since I didn't know what I was doing.  From layout to not getting an ISBN, or realizing how long it took to get them (this was in the mid-90's), my first book's publishing was delayed for reasons that had nothing to do with the writing. To be honest, my first book was such a disaster that I almost gave up on it near the end. After that, trying to write another book gave me anxiety attacks for years. It was all pretty difficult. But that was part of the learning experience and I didn’t have access to resources to help me through all of the problems (again this was the mid-90's).  I had also already been selling my book through a different company to begin with; a lot of the problems were fixed by switching to a better company, Vervante. Now, I mainly try to walk friends/colleagues who are doing their first book through the minefield of potential problems since I think I personally found them all. The only problem I can recall early on with Vervante was a very old issue with the author interface.  I had some books that never made it to the purchaser but I wasn't aware of it and wasn't able to correct the problem. They really stepped up when they identified the problem. Since that time Vervante has made significant improvements to the author interface and there's nothing I can't check in terms of orders that didn't ship or when I need to put in specific order requests myself. My books are well received, people seem happy with quality of the books and shipping, and that makes me happy. Five Fun Facts about Lyle 1. Favorite book / author Robert Sapolsky is the writer I hope to someday be when I grow up.  His ability to take complex scientific concepts and write about them in a fashion that is both non-technical and entertaining is a skill and an art that most science writers lack. He is truly brilliant. I also have a long enjoyment of Robert Anton Wilson, a counterculture author to be sure but reading his work truly gave me a new perspective on not only the world but on how to think about things. 2. What are you reading right now? I actually just started re-reading Sapolsky’s book Monkeyluv.  I had lent out my copy and never gotten it back. I’m also re-reading The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson, a 3rd generation cyberpunk and author. I love his work. 3. And when you’re not writing? I watch a lot of Netflix, I love the ability to watch shows from beginning to end. Video games.  Playing with my dogs. I’m quite the introvert so I tend to be fairly much of a homebody. 4. One thing about you that would surprise people: That despite my often brash online demeanor, I can actually be the best friend anyone will ever have. I’m just 100% or nothing. A friend I will do anything for. Everyone else... 5. What makes you happy? When I finally finish editing a book! You can learn more about Lyle and Body Recomposition at www.bodyrecomposition.com.

Vervante • June 3, 2015

Want to boost the value and excitement factor of your products in one simple step? Adding full-color labels that feature your brand to product packaging instantly adds perceived value in the eyes of your customers and lets them know that something special is inside. Here’s why you need to add this to your products now: For the month of June, we will add your branding to our packaging labels at no charge. All you have to do is send us your logo, choose from the 4 design options, and our graphic design team will create the label for free. This is a limited-time offer, so be sure to request this free graphic design service using one of our templates by June 30 extended to July 15! Once your labels are designed and ready to go, you can add one to each package we ship for you at only $.30 per label. Here’s how it works: Choose your favorite from the 3x3 full-color templates offered. (shown here) Send an email to [email protected] letting us know you want to take advantage of this free graphic design offer. Attach a .pdf of your logo to the email Our graphic design team will set up your labels AT NO CHARGE. We’ll print your labels in full color and add it to each of your shipments for $.30 each. WANT TO DO IT YOURSELF? You are welcome to provide your own branded labels. Please be sure they are set up no larger than 3x3, multiple up on an 8.5x11 print-ready PDF. The $.30 charge for each label added to shipping packages still applies. Love this idea, but WANT SOMETHING TRULY ORIGINAL? You got it! Our graphic design team can create a completely custom branded design label for you. Email your ideas to us at [email protected] for a custom quote. It’s the little extras like this that really make products stand out from the crowd. And for more ideas on creating a memorable experience for your customers, be sure to check out our free expert guide “How to Add Pizzazz to Your Products.” Remember, this offer only lasts until June 30 July 15 (extended deadline!). We can't wait to get started on your new labels!