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Vervante • January 19, 2015

Author Preston Ely is a real estate investor, serial entrepreneur, life coach, musician and philanthropist who was acclaimed by Fast Company as one of the 100 most influential people online. His company was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in America by Inc Magazine. His "No BS" approach to life and business has garnered him a following of over 200,000 newsletter subscribers, and he's helped many on their paths to financial freedom. Preston’s book, “How to Get Rich in Real Estate,” has helped his readers quit their jobs, be their own boss and live their dreams. He shares with us today his journey as an author bringing his own dream to life, and how self-publishing has helped him along the way. Q:  Tell us a little about your book. A:  I got my start in real estate investing almost 20 years ago. Within a year, I quit my job, got rich, and found freedom flipping houses. I’ve been on a mission to help others do the same. If you go to your local bookstore into the "real estate investing" section, you’ll find anywhere from 500 to 1,000 books there. They all have one thing in common, they all suck. They are long, boring, complicated, confusing, and impracticable. They're packed full of useless fluff just for the sake of making the book look big so they can charge you $20. I wanted to write a book that was short, to the point, fun to read, simple, easy to understand and AWESOME. That’s how “How to Get Rich in Real Estate” came to life. Q:  How did your publishing relationship with Vervante begin? A:  We shopped around. No one, and I mean NO ONE comes close to what Vervante has to offer. Incredible quality of service, impeccable quality of products, and the lowest prices in the industry! Plus, they hook right up to our shopping cart, so everything is automatic. Q:  Any problems / frustrations along the way?  A:  It took a little bit of tweaking to get the book cover and contents just right, but Vervante got us proof copies quickly so we could see for ourselves what needed to be fixed! Q:  What do you wish that someone had told you BEFORE you began the publishing process? A:  That it’s actually pretty simple! Many people are daunted by the process, but all you need to do contact Vervante and they’ll help you every step of the way! Q:  What resources at Vervante did you find to be valuable? A:  The Vervante author dashboard is particularly helpful. We can log in at any time to see our inventory levels, review our orders, and manage everything in their convenient, user-friendly system. Plus, the customer service has been unbelievable. It’s actually a rarity these days to get prompt, friendly service, but that’s exactly what Vervante gives with every communication! Q:  How has your book been received? The feedback has been astounding. People absolutely love the book. And we’re very grateful for Vervante for making it possible. To learn more about Preston Ely and Real Estate Mogul go to www.realestatemogul.com. And you can check out his book "How to Get Rich in Real Estate" by clicking HERE. If you enjoyed this article, and would like to be featured in a future Vervante author interview, please email us at [email protected].

Vervante • December 5, 2014

Have you been an author in a collaborative book project? You know, those books where multiple authors each contribute a chapter or section to a book with a shared theme. These have been around for years and can be great business-builders for everyone involved. In fact, these have become so popular that many self-publishing companies are offering “special” packages for printing. Unfortunately, these specials come with minimum order requirements that end up with authors left with boxes of books taking up space in their garage and no idea what to do with them. Here at Vervante, we love collaborative books! And we always want to make sure your publishing experience is both productive and profitable. So we're set it up to make it easy for every author to order as many copies they need, whenever they need them, from their own individual author accounts. No minimum orders required. Here’s how it works: One author sends us the book files and cover art to create the book in our system. We then add the finished book to that author’s account. Next, the rest of the contributing authors create their own free Vervante accounts, then send us an email with their username and title of the book. We add the book to their account, giving them to ability to log in and order how many they need, when they need it. Each author is only charged the price of printing the book plus actual postage. Just the same as we do with all of our customers, for all of our products! The same goes for information products. Or any other product you co-create with others as well. No matter what you’re creating, or how many authors are contributing to it, we know that flexibility and profitability are important to you. This is why we continue to offer customized solutions like these to ensure your publishing experience is exceptional. 

Vervante • October 17, 2014

We've helped authors self-publish thousands of books over the last 15 years and during that time we've received a lot of feedback about their experiences with other companies. And their frustration with hidden fees and deals that don't help their bottom line. Today we're sharing two of the most common ones with you so that you can be aware of and avoid these when it's time to publish your book. Publishing packages: When aspiring authors approach publishing companies, one of the first “advantages” they are offered are publishing packages in order to get started. These range from $449 - $1999 and usually include a lot of extras you don’t need, especially if you are on a budget or have a focused goal that doesn’t quite fit these one-size-fits-all offers. Vervante has a no minimums, no set-up fees, no hassle policy. With large publishing packages, you’ll end up with books filling up your office and garage while you figure out how to process orders and send them out. With Vervante’s print-on-demand policy, you order what you want, when you want it, saving money, time, space, resources and stress. Postage, Handling & Set-up fees: 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. Here’s the bottom line... We love Amazon – who doesn’t? But there’s a reason that IBM and thousands of independent authors have trusted Vervante for the last 15 years to publish their books. We offer high-quality, full-service, affordable and complete solutions – and as you can see from these few examples, you get to keep more money per book! Want to see how it works? Check out our article online that compares our services and fees with another popular provider, CreateSpace. There are a lot of publishing companies out there. We want you to know that Vervante is your best overall choice for print-on-demand publishing that continually exceeds the standards within the industry and excels in providing creative, customized, high-quality, profit-boosting solutions for your book. Ready to publish? Working on a manuscript? We can’t wait to help you bring that book to life. Be sure to check out any of our author resources for publishing, selling and distributing a book in the Expert Guide section of our website or send us an email at [email protected] and let us know how we can help you.  

Vervante • October 8, 2014

I’m sure you noticed, but in our last two blog articles we’ve had books on the brain quite a bit. Here at Vervante HQ we specialize in helping authors self-publish their books and some of the most common questions we get are all related to books. We’ve discussed how to determine WHERE the best place is online for selling your book. And we talked about Strategies to boost your sales, sharing 17 strategies that will reach out and connect with potential readers.   Today, it’s all about the HOW. How books are really a super secret weapon for building your business. How writing and self-publishing a book gives you a quality product to use in building a new business or enhancing the one you have. And how your book can help you to: Gain credibility and influence. Become known as the expert in your field. Create a new revenue stream for your business. Create a platform on which to build your business and create ancillary products. Sell your products online or at the back of the room during speaking engagements. Collect contact information for your lists. Boost sales and conversion by adding value to programs or other products Receive invitations to speak. Be interviewed on radio or for magazines and newspapers. Open doors to publication of articles and columns. Command higher speaking and consulting fees. Have a product that gives you a competitive edge over your competition. Demonstrate your passion and commitment to your business.  Just to get those wheels spinning in your head about all the possibilities, here are some common methods and opportunities many authors have utilized to grow their business and increase their visibility: Speaking engagements: As a published author your chances of being booked for speaking opportunities increases, and with it the opportunity to share your message and your book from the stage. Back of room sales: This goes hand-in-hand with speaking engagements. Often you can negotiate the right to feature your book for sale at the back of the room where you are engaged to speak. Workshops and Programs: When readers love your book and want more, this is the perfect jumping off point for creating a workshop or continuity program that will continue to provide more of the message or teachings you share while also providing even more revenue streams and growth opportunities.  Joint ventures: Find someone whose products or services complement your book and create a joint venture together. Share a message, service or products that will provide greater value to your audience and again widen the impact you have with a new audience. Guest appearances: As a published author, you’ve just become a fantastic potential guest expert for anything from radio and TV to webinars and live workshops.   Products: If your book resonates with your readers, they will want more, even after they read the last page. Now is the time to create products such as bookmarks, posters, card decks, CDs or DVDs that are a natural extension of the book’s core message and give your readers even more of your awesome author goodness. As you can tell, books are often just the beginning. These are just a few ideas for how writing and publishing a book can lead to more business growth opportunities than you might have first imagined – and why we can’t wait to help you publish yours. And if you need a little help or inspiration along the way, here's a quick list of some of our favorite free resources for authors:   Self-Publish Now: Your complete no-BS guide for writing and self-publishing a book How to plan a successful Amazon book launch Helpful hints for retail distribution Everything you need to know about eBooks

Vervante • September 14, 2014

You’ve got a book – now what?! Some people think that the hardest thing about writing a book is... writing a book. But from the number of emails we get from authors asking for guidance about what to do AFTER they’ve self-published their books, we know the truth. That’s why we wrote this special 3-part series filled with marketing and sales strategies for your book as well as other business-boosting ideas.     Today’s article is all about online sales. One of the most frequent questions we get from our authors deal with the uncertainty of how – and where – to sell their books online. Choosing the right retail solution can make the difference between robust sales or no sales at all.   The first step, that many people often overlook, is choosing the right place online to sell your book. When you work with Vervante you have a lot of choices, from the Vervante Bookstore to Amazon and Barnes & Noble, to using your own website and shopping cart.   Here are a few of your options – and insight into whether they are right for you. Remember, you aren’t limited to just one. Just remember to consider your target audience and choose the places online that will appeal to them best for finding, selecting and purchasing your book.   Personal Websites or Landing Pages   Using your own website or landing page to manage and process sales of your book is a powerful way to support your business growth that goes well beyond sales income. You can collect customer data, offer bonuses that enhance the value of your book, give readers the chance to opt-in to your email list, along with other relationship-building tactics that ensure interested readers become loyal clients and fans.     Sales for your book on your own website are also good for your budget, as you don’t have to deduct commissions or transaction fees that other retail channels will require.   For processing orders and handling distribution, Vervante offers easy, free integration with all shopping carts so that your sales will automatically be handled as they roll in. (See our articles “Easy ways to automate shopping cart orders”  and “Automatic order processing for 1ShoppingCart, InfusionSoft and PayPal” for more details.)   Vervante Bookstore The Vervante Bookstore offers the perfect solution for stress-free online sales without complicated and profit-eating commission or transaction fees common to other retail channels. We handle all the transactional details so you can focus on marketing for your book.   Vervante Bookstore sets up sales pages for your books and other products, and manages credit card transactions, fulfillment and distribution. You set the retail price for the product and pay us a simple 10% per transaction fee. The buyer selects and pays for the shipping and postage. Plus, we send you monthly statements to always keep you in the loop.   Amazon and Barnes & Noble Amazon and Barnes & Noble are the go-to places to list your book for sale online in order to gain visibility through improved search engine optimization (SEO) as well as opportunity for increased sales and expert status. Their sales system is easy to use and trusted the world over. They handle accepting payments and processing credit cards, too. However, sales through Amazon and Barnes & Noble will involve commission and transaction fees that reduce your bottom line. For details, check out our Expert Guide “Selling Your Self-Published Books.”   We can help you with the process of placing your book for sale on these sites from A to Z - listing, orders, managing sales transactions, printing and distribution. We set it up so that we automatically receive all order information and we even know the secrets to a successful Amazon book launch.     Click HERE to read the next article in this series where we share proven strategies and tactics for boosting book sales that you can use no matter where you decide to sell your book online. And for even more helpful guidance about selling your books online, be sure to check out “How to Sell Your Book Online” on our blog now.  

Vervante • September 14, 2014

In the first article of this series, we talked about the world of retail sales for your book or ebook, highlighting options and how to determine the best place online for the best results. We had a lot of feedback (thanks for that!!) and what we heard the most was: “OK, we liked learning about where to sell – can you tell us more about how to sell?” You got it!   It’s no secret that by the time you’ve written, designed and published your book, you’ve put a lot of time, resources and personal energy into it. So now is the time to pull out all the stops and put into action a marketing plan that will give it the promotion it deserves. We’ve been helping best-selling self-published authors with their books for more than 15 years and during that time we’ve learned a lot about what works – and doesn’t work – for promoting and selling books online. The following are just a few ideas for marketing your book both online and in person. It’s important to remember that if you are going to use your book as part of a business or message-sharing strategy, you must take steps to increase the visibility of your book and bring it to the attention of your target audience. Shout it out via social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn. These and more have all been used successfully by authors to build up to a book’s release, attract a loyal audience and increase sales. Social media lets you connect to your target audience in a way that is quick, easy and often free. Your website: This may seem like a no-brainer, but so many people forget to put a promo and a link to purchase your book in a prominent place on your website homepage. Blogging: Share the inspiration for your book, reveal tidbits and quotes to give readers a peek inside your book, reprint feedback from readers and reviews. These are all great ideas for blogging as a way to increase visibility for your book while whetting people’s appetites to buy it. Speaking engagements: As a published author your chances of being booked for speaking opportunities increases, and with it the opportunity to share your message as well as sell your book from the stage. Colleagues and affiliates: Be sure to let your friends and loyal fans know about the book and how to share the news to their audiences. If your business offers affiliate programs, don’t forget to include them in the launch. Sales or splash pages: These are specially designed web pages filled with sales copy and graphics that promote you, your book and the value it can bring to the reader, as well as giving readers the opportunity to buy your book online. Share links to this page on social media, from your website, blog, in person or on the phone. Free telecalls or webinars: Using online or conference calling systems, offer a wide audience a chance to see or hear you speak about your subject or your expertise while also providing insight into the book and its value. Guest appearances: These are not just for the Oprah crowd anymore. Reach out to online radio and talk shows, webinar producers, YouTube channels and more that focus on your topic and offer to share your knowledge, insight and information about your book with them. This is another great way to address a new audience, boost your visibility, and boost your book sales.  Invest in products that support your message and spread the word. Check out the Vervante store for ideas such as card decks, accompanying CDs, custom-designed mailers and more. For a small price you can get big marketing results by using these as part of a strategic marketing plan. Plan an official book launch event: If you’re thinking about organizing a book launch as part of your marketing and sales efforts, there are many options available that will bring you success. Be sure to check out our free guide “How to Plan a Successful Amazon Book Launch,” on our website. Or if you are planning a live event, we can help, too. Just drop us a line at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to share our thoughts with you. Your newsletter or ezine: An email blast is the perfect way to promote your book. After all, this is an audience that you know is interested in the topic you specialize in. Your email signature: Think about how many emails you send out per day. Add a teaser and a link beneath your email signature that is short, sweet and lets the recipient know about your book, with a link to your sales page. Press releases: Write several press releases about your book and send them out using either paid or free services before, during and after your book launches. Don’t forget to send these releases to your local newspapers, trade publications and niche websites, magazines and blogs who also might be interested. Video: Video for a book? Oh yes! Here are some ideas for using video to promote your book: Share a video of the author (that’s you!) talking about what’s in the book. Record interviews with people who have read the book and their reviews. Place the videos on your YouTube channel, but don’t forget to share them via Google+, Facebook, Twitter and your blog as well. Guest writing: Connect with people, websites, blogs, media that shares a common audience and focus as your book. Offer to write a guest article for them and refer to your book in your author bio or at the end of the piece. Offer added value: If you are selling your book via your own shopping cart, website or through the Vervante bookstore you have the control and ability to sweeten the deal by offering valuable extras. Give them a free download, extra templates, CDs or DVDs, or other products that complement the book and add value to their purchase. Watch and learn from the best: Is there a successful author you follow who recently launched a book? Watch and learn – see what methods they used to boost their book sales and use the ones that appeal to you most. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Here’s the bottom line. You’ve written your book to provide something specific for your intended readers. Education, entertainment, inspiration, motivation... whatever it is, keep that original goal in your mind as you market and promote your book. Don’t be “salesy.” Instead let potential readers know why you write the book, what problem it solves, and how it will be the best at doing so. Connecting your passion and purpose to your book in this way is much better than pushing a sale, because people will appreciate that you’re in it for them. And that makes all the difference. In our next article, we’ll talk about how your book is a super secret weapon for helping your business achieve a new level of success. And if you missed the first article in this series, click HERE to access it now.

Vervante • August 28, 2014

Earlier we shared how easy it is to set up automatic order processing from your online shopping cart to Vervante for quick, easy and stress-free fulfillment and distribution. It went over so well that we decided to dig a little deeper and outline how it works with the top 3 online shopping carts we see used most frequently: 1ShoppingCart, InfusionSoft and PayPal.    1Shopping Cart   Orders are automatically processed using 1ShoppingCart.com’s order confirmation emails. Here’s how it works:   A Vervante part number will be assigned to your product. This part number is entered in 1ShoppingCart as the product SKU. Then add [email protected] to the email distribution list in 1ShoppingCart (found in Home > Setup > Orders > Notifications).   That’s it! Once you finish these three steps, Vervante will receive copies of all of your order confirmations, but only those that contain our part number and an accepted credit card status will be processed into our system.   InfusionSoft   For Infusionsoft users, we recommend sending an automated daily Fulfillment Report. Learn the steps for doing this in Infusionsoft’s Getting Started Guides by clicking HERE.   Another option is to set up an email notification for each order. Email notifications need to be set up as text messages. Be sure to check out the Order Processing page on our site for a complete example and instructions.     PayPal   As with 1ShoppingCart, orders can be processed from PayPal order confirmation emails: A Vervante part number is assigned to your product. This part number should be added to your product description as the Item Number. Finally, forward Order Notification emails to [email protected].   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Ready to check if you’ve set it up right? No matter which shopping cart you use, orders should appear in your Vervante Author Account within 10 minutes. If an order does not appear in your Vervante account within approximately 10 minutes, you can safely assume that we did not receive the email or the email notification is not set up correctly.   Overall, set up is simple, and you won’t believe how much time and energy it saves you in the long run. If you haven’t set this up yet, be sure to give it a try. And if you need any help or have questions, we’re here for you at [email protected].

Vervante • August 25, 2014

Back-to-school fever has taken over the offices here at Vervante HQ and we’re in the mood to share an awesome new free resource! If you’ve dreamed of publishing a book or eBook, this free guide will help you make that dream come true. We are here to support authors, entrepreneurs and visionaries every step of the way from inspiration to creation to that glorious moment of presenting your audience with the customized, high-quality book you've been dreaming of. It's easy to get started. Just click HERE to access and download your free copy of “Self-Publish Today!” our refreshing no B.S. guide to self-publishing. At Vervante, customer satisfaction is our highest priority. We are here to guide you from taking that first leap of getting your manuscript ready all the way through to publishing and distribution. And we’ll help you make sense of the little details that are important for success. With our guidance, you will be able to check off all the details — and at a fraction of the price if you try to do it on your own. No set-up fees and no minimum orders Books printed and shipped on-demand or in bulk – you tell us when, where and how many You keep the rights to your book You determine the retail price Sell your books from your website, online retail sites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or our own Vervante Bookstore. We’ll handle the rest, printing and shipping your books or other products directly to your customers. You sit back and enjoy the royalties. Choosing a publisher is about more than just price. It’s about finding someone to become a part of your team who takes the time to understand your vision and stand beside you to ensure a successful experience. We’re ready to leverage decades of combined industry experience and insight to make sure that your products effectively share your message, elevate your brand and help you stand out from the crowd. We combine boutique-style service and personal support with more than 30 years of publishing experience to help bring your publishing dreams to life. So go ahead and click HERE to download “Self-Publish Today!” and then let us know how we can help you create the book your audience is just waiting for.

Vervante • July 1, 2014

Do you ever wonder how people choose where to sell their books online? Or how royalties really work? You’re not alone. Retail sales and royalty income issues are some of the most common questions we get here at Vervante HQ. That’s why we created the ultimate free resource for authors ready to sell their products online and add a new revenue steam to their business.   Our free expert guide, "Selling Your Self-Published Book," gives you the straight facts about how to choose between Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor and the Vervante Bookstore. The best option (or options – yes you can choose more than one place to sell online!) depends on you, your products and your goals, and we outline this for you to help you make the right decision.   And for the really juicy stuff - royalties – we show you how to easily keep track of sales, fees and royalties in the Statements section of your Vervante Author Dashboard.   This guide brings all the important info together in one place for authors who want to sell their products online, earn extra income, and not be stressed out or confused about the process. We invite you to head on over to the Vervante site to download your free copy at www.vervante.com or you can just click HERE to get it right away.

Vervante • June 17, 2014

Did you know that Vervante can help you list your book for retail sale online in places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Vervante Bookstore? Not only will offering your book online boost your visibility through improved search engine optimization (SEO), it also offers exceptional opportunities for increased sales and supporting your expert status. Here at Vervante, we can help you with everything from listing, orders, and managing sales transactions to printing and distribution.   We’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions and answers to create a new free resource for authors called “Selling Your Self-Published Books.” You can download it from our website by clicking on the “Expert Guides” link at the bottom of any of our website pages.   Here is a sampling of some of the questions we address: How to submit your book or e-book for retail sales Instructions and investment costs for converting a book to an e-book The 7 online sites where we can list your book or e-book for sale Information about ISBNs and UPCs Integrating current sales pages into a cohesive sales stream with other retail sites  Click here to open the expert guide directly or head on over to the website and you’ll find it in our library of expert guides and resources located at the bottom of each web page.

Vervante • March 26, 2014

If you have a book, the next step to think about is converting it into an eBook. And if you're still in the process of writing, it's a great idea to keep the eBook option in mind. After all, with the proliferation of Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nooks and ereaders of all kinds out there, the opportunity to share your writing with an ever-expanding global audience is ripe. Here at Vervante HQ we get a lot of questions about eBooks. How do I format them? How do we get them placed on Amazon or Barnes & Noble? Whats the best way to handle images inside the eBooks? We know that these are all important questions and that's why we're excited to share with you the latest edition to the free resources section of our website, "eBooks Expert Guide. Everything you need to know about getting started with eBooks, formatting and best practices." As a part of your publishing team, our priority is to help you success. This guide takes a look at everything from formatting and source files to images and graphic elements. If you're ready to turn your book into an eBook - or just thinking about putting it on your to-do list for the future - this guide is a great resource that will give you a stress-free headstart on creating an eBook that your readers will enjoy. 

Vervante • January 21, 2014

If you have a book (or are thinking about writing one), you can easily have an eBook, too! If your plans this year include writing and publishing a book, don't forget that you can also share that book with a global digital audience by converting it to an eBook. Publishing an eBook is an effective way to create a digital version of your book and make it easily available to more people than ever. When it comes to increasing your visibility to a much larger - even global - audience, eBooks are a sure bet. Hugely convenient, eBooks can be purchased from almost any computer or reading device. Readers can carry hundreds of books with them anywhere they go on a device the size of a paperback. And eBooks offer a convenient, easy and fast way for people who are interested in you, your message, your business, products or services to get to know more about you through your eBook. When it comes time to publish your eBook, it’s important to understand your options and make sure your eBook looks and reads well on a variety of eReaders, like Kindle, iPad, Nook, and more. For information about formatting, understanding of the difference between epub and mobi files, and lots more expert guidance, check out our eBooks Guide for everything you want to know about getting started, conversion, formatting, and best practices. Click here to download the free report: http://store.vervante.com/white_papers/eBooksExpGuide.pdf

Vervante • January 6, 2014

Fulfillment is a very important part of the publishing process. Fulfillment is what happens from the time that you or your customers place an order to the moment that the package arrives on their doorstep. Our fulfillment services bring you decades of industry expertise, reliable resources and flexibility in order to provide customized and easy-to-use solutions for your fulfillment needs. Product orders and processing Orders through your existing shopping cart:  Do you have a shopping cart? Great! We have no preference and can accept orders from virtually all shopping cart or merchant solutions including InfusionSoft, 1ShoppingCart, PayPal, ClickBank, E-Junkie, and more. Orders are processed from emails generated from your shopping cart or merchant solution (more details here – link to http://vervante.com/AFB09). Listing your product in the Vervante Bookstore:  No shopping cart? No problem. Our clients have the option of listing their products (books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) in the Vervante Bookstore where they can then direct customers for online purchasing and fulfillment. (Click here http://vervante.com/VPWLK) Placing direct orders:  If you want to order some of your books or products for yourself, just log into your Vervante author dashboard and you can place orders directly from there. Note:  We do not require you to pre-order books or fulfill any minimum order amounts. The beauty of our print-on-demand services is that you only print your books or products when you need them. Production & Shipping Once we receive and process the order, your products are produced, assembled and packaged for shipping and will be sent via the method chosen in the order. We can ship your products anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services. Most orders are shipped within 3-5 business days. During production and assembly, the order will go through a series of quality control checks to ensure the quality and accuracy of every order. We are often asked if we can include extra items (such as pens, gift bags, tshirts, etc) along with your product when shipping. Yes, we are able to do this, just send us an email at [email protected] with details.

Vervante • September 5, 2013

Some of the most common questions we hear are about ISBNs, Library of Congress Control Numbers (LCCNs) and other legalities that come into play with publishing. Here is a quick list of FAQs and answers that will help you gain a basic understanding as you prepare to publish your next project. Q: What is an ISBN and do I need to have one? A: If you plan on retail distribution for your book, such as on Amazon or in bookstores, yes, you will need an ISBN (International Standard Book Number). The most important identifier your book can have is the ISBN. ISBNs provide unique identification for books and simplify the distribution of your books throughout the global supply chain. Without an ISBN, your book will not be found in bookstores, whether online or down the street from your house. You can buy your own at www.Bowker.com, or purchase one at a low cost from Vervante – Just log into your Author Account and click on “Purchase ISBN.” Note: If you purchase your ISBN through Vervante, you are the sole owner of that number and Vervante retains no rights to it. Q: Are there steps I can take to protect my book legally? A: Yes, Copyright registration is important and a simple task you should do as soon as your book is complete. For more details and to register your book, go to http://www.copyright.gov/. Q: What about a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)? A: The LCCN is a unique identification number that the Library of Congress assigns to book titles. There is no charge for registering your book with the Library of Congress. You can complete the Application to Participate online and you will receive an account and password. Once your book is complete, you can send a copy of the book to the Library of Congress at: Library of Congress, Cataloging in Publication Division 101, Independence Ave. SE, Washington, DC, 20540-4320. The website is at http://www.loc.gov/publish/pcn/newaccount.html Q: Who owns the rights to my book? A: When you self-publish with Vervante, you benefit from our unique system in which you simply grant us the rights to print and distribute the book on your behalf. Our contracts with authors are non-exclusive. This arrangement is rare in the publishing world and is very much to your benefit as the author. You retain all rights as the sole owner of your book. Period.

Vervante • June 11, 2013

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear regards the part of the process that comes AFTER we help you publish your book - Sales. Vervante offers resources and assistance to all our our authors for easy and efficient sales options for your book - and any of the products we help you create. We can add your book to the following channels for direct sales - and have provided a quick overview of each option as well as direction for achieving the best results: Vervante Bookstore Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com Barnes & Noble Nook Baker & Taylor Amazon Kindle Vervante Bookstore is a great option if you don’t want the hassle of setting up a sales page, website or merchant bank for credit card processing. We will be happy to sell your book or product through our public bookstore. There is a 10% per transaction fee. You set the retail price for the product. The buyer selects and pays for the shipping and postage. Each month we will reconcile sales of your products and send you a statement. We will give you a quote for the production cost for your product. You set the retail price and the difference less the 10% fee is your profit. Amazon Marketplace is the most popular option for Amazon because it only takes a 15% discount plus $1.35 per transaction fee. We receive the orders when your book or product is purchased on Amazon. The transaction is entered in your order report in your author account so you will see all transactions. Amazon pays Vervante for transactions and we will reconcile your Amazon purchases with your monthly invoice. You set the retail price for the book in Amazon Marketplace. (**We highly recommend Amazon Marketplace – see our note below) Amazon Advantage is a consignment program with Amazon. When we list your book in this program, Amazon will order usually 1-2 initial copies for their inventory. When the book is sold, Amazon will ship the book directly to the customer and will take a 55% discount on the retail price of the book. You are also responsible for the postage costs to ship the book to Amazon. Barnes & Noble.com is a consignment program. When we list your book in this program, BN.com will order usually 1-2 initial copies for their inventory. When the book is sold, BN.com will ship the book directly to the customer and will take a 40% discount on the retail price of the book. You are also responsible for the postage costs to ship the book to BN.com. Please note: Your book cover must contain the ISBN barcode including the ISBN number PLUS price. This is a Barnes & Noble requirement. Baker & Taylor is one of the largest wholesale distributors in the world. We can list your book in their database and then any book reseller can order and stock your book in their store. Baker & Taylor sells and distributes to book stores, internet and physical locations, such as Amazon, Border, Barnes & Noble, etc. If your book is listed in the Baker & Taylor database, a customer can also special order the book from any bookstore. Baker & Taylor takes a 55% discount off of the price of the book and you pay for shipping to the Baker & Taylor warehouse. There are no pre-orders with this program. Baker & Taylor will only order your book if they have an order for the book. PLEASE NOTE: There are some risks associated with listing your book with Amazon Advantage, Barnes & Noble and Baker & Taylor. They are: Your suggested list price may not be what the book is actually listed for on these sites. These companies may chose to list your book at a discounted price and you may then have a competitive situation where you have the book listed on your site for the full list price and the distributor may be selling it at a discount. If you list your book with Baker & Taylor, Amazon may import this listing and chose to sell your book at a discount. The book on Amazon will show "Out of Stock" and may never show in stock because Amazon might list the book but never order it from Baker & Taylor. **We highly recommend using Amazon Marketplace for a few important reasons: You control the list price The product is never out of stock We ship the product so you know who is buying your book You pay 15% commission plus $1.35 per transaction and you are reimbursed $3.99 for postage and shipping We have full control over the listing so if you want to make changes or update the product description or price, we can do this for you quickly and easily

Vervante • April 8, 2013

Admit it.  You more than likely have some little Achilles heel. Whether it’s “Downton Abbey” or Facebook or some sort of App addiction (Angry Birds, anyone?), it’s innocent enough, right? But what if it’s those very same diversions – or even mistaken assumptions – that are standing between you and your dreams?  If you have a writing dream you’re just itching to share with the world, take stock of your opportunities then weigh them against the distractions or assumptions that are holding you back from OWNING those opportunities. Is fear your biggest obstacle? Often people, especially perfectionists, put things off, fearing they won’t meet expectations. A good cure: put your dream in writing, set daily goals, and find a trusted friend or mentor to cheer you on and help you hold yourself accountable.  Can’t find time to write? Just do it! Success expert Brian Tracy said the greatest key to success is self-discipline. “It is the difference in winning or losing; between greatness and mediocrity.”  If you really want to write, make writing your job. Pen it into your daily schedule -- with exclamation points! Schedule it like an important appointment. And when it’s time to “clock in” plan to stay put for some serious butt-glued-to-the-chair writing. Is too much structure a roadblock to your creativity? If the rebel in you requires a brainless “mindsuck” every once in a while, building downtime into your writing schedule should help you stay focused while allowing the freedom and flexibility your free spirit craves. Is electronic media standing in your way? Unplug! (Your dream is worth it!) Turn off the phone or tablet. Disconnect the Internet. Set a goal to check email, the news, or social media accounts only after you’ve met your productivity goals for the day or a set time period. Too many interruptions? If you find your writing going nowhere due to distractions from friends and family, take control! Put a sign on your door or a message on your voicemail telling the world you’re hard at work. If that’s not enough, co-op a little babysitting/petsitting trade-off with a family member or neighbor or offer older kids a reward if they’ll hole themselves up elsewhere in the house to allow you at least 30 to 60 of uninterrupted writing time. Plagued with too many ideas? Don’t overdo it! Cramming too many topics into a writing session can hamper the free flow of thought and interfere with your ability to produce high-quality work. Do yourself a favor (and save a headache!) by limiting yourself to just one subject per writing session. Your non-exploding brain will thank you. By implementing these strategies, not only will you be amazed at your increased productivity and zest for writing, you’ll also develop greater confidence in your ability to meet your goals and achieve your writing dream.

Vervante • February 19, 2013

Your book is written – now is the time when thoughts often turn to an Amazon book launch. But where to start? Is there a secret formula? Seeing your book in print is a big deal, but seeing it posted on Amazon is even bigger. However, you can’t just post a book on Amazon and hope that it does well. After years of helping our clients with Amazon book launches, we’ve learned that there are 6 essential elements that form the secret formula for a successful online debut.  Preparation Is Key: In order to organize an effective book launch on Amazon, it is absolutely essential that you plan ahead, creating an organized timeline of 4-6 weeks of preparation that builds in enough time for every step of the process in order to get the results you are looking for. Choose a date for your launch that coordinates best with your goals and does not land on a weekend, holiday or day before a holiday. Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays are usually the best.*  Establish Amazon Mission Control: In order to track results on Amazon, be sure to create an “Author Central” page where you can log in to watch sales statistics and more. It’s also a good idea to set up an “About the Author” page ahead of the day of the launch as well.  Niche Yourself: Choosing a niche category for your book is essential to becoming a best seller on Amazon. For example, instead of designating “Gardening” as your category, go deeper into your niche and choose “herb gardens” or “tomatoes.” This greatly increases your potential to achieve coveted “bestseller” status. You do not need to sell thousands of books to become an Amazon bestseller. With a niche category, you may only need to sell 100 to reach your goal.   Create Win-Win Relationships: Many authors leverage joint-venture or affiliate relationships to support marketing and sales before and during their Amazon book launch. You can do this on your own, or consult with a professional who already knows the ropes and can assist you in this part of your launch. Post Reviews Ahead of Time: Once your book is listed online, but before the official launch day, send copies of the book to a select group of readers and ask them to post their reviews directly on the page. This way, on the day of the launch, potential buyers who may be on the fence will see them right away. Provide Extra Value for Your Readers: The way that Amazon is set up, there is no way for you to know who is purchasing your book unless they tell you themselves. Here’s a great way to provide even more of value to your audience, while also giving you the ability to capture their contact information: On the day of your big launch, instead of sending potential readers directly to Amazon, direct them to a landing website page you have set up where they will opt in to receive a free offer or bonus product and then be directed to the Amazon page to complete their purchase. This is a win-win-win situation. Your readers get a free bonus – you have now captured their contact information AND you’ve boosted your sales to reach your goal.

Vervante • December 19, 2012

When you're ready to publish your next book, be sure to access this information-packed ultimate checklist to make sure you're prepared and ready to go. (Love it? For a printable version, click here)                        

Vervante • October 29, 2012

Having a well-written and professionally published book can give a huge boost to your business bottom line. As a business professional, writing a book puts you head and shoulders above your competition. You now have a unique and powerful competitive edge. Publishing a book can help you: Gain credibility and influence. Become known as the expert in your field. Expand your business and get the competitive edge over your competition. Demonstrate your passion and commitment to your business.  Receive invitations to speak: As a published author your chances of being booked for speaking opportunities increases and with it the opportunity to share your message and your book from the stage. You may also command higher speaking and consulting fees. Back of the room sales: This goes along with public speaking. Often you can negotiate the right to feature your book for sale at the back of the room where you are engaged to speak. Guest appearances: These are not just for the Oprah crowd anymore. Reach out to online radio and talk shows, webinar producers, YouTube channels and more that focus on your topic and offer to share your knowledge, insight and information about your book with them. This is a great way to address new audiences and boost your visibility. Host paid webinars: Using online or conference calling systems, your book offers you a platform from which you can offer your insight or expertise online to those desiring a closer connection and extended insights from you, the author. Writing a book gives you a quality product to use in building a new career or enhancing the one you have. Your book will add an extraordinary dimension to your life. Moreover, your book can also open the door to speaking, publicity, consulting and other new opportunities. By leveraging your status as a published author, your book can be a powerful marketing and promotional tool for you and your business.  Once you have a manuscript ready to go, look to print-on-demand (POD) publishing as an immediate and cost-effective solution. With POD publishing, you can offer your book for sale or distribution through a website, retail channels such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble or in-person at special events. POD can be used for many different scenarios, such as:   A large corporation order for several thousand handbooks for the next annual meeting. A family reunion where 50 copies of great-grandfather’s life story will be shared. Several hundred copies of a marketing lead-generator booklet to be used as a complimentary gift at a special event or as a gift-bag goodie. A speaker’s back-of-room sales book, with enough ordered to meet the needs of each individual speaking event, no matter the size or location. No matter whether you are a community cookbook author or a Vegas-headlining motivational speaker, POD publishing is definitely worth taking a closer look at – and channeling to help you achieve your goals and dreams.