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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 • 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 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 • May 14, 2015

In our continual quest to offer the best in services and support for our clients, we are happy to announce that Vervante is now an FDA-registered company approved for storing and transporting nutritional supplements. Health and fitness industry professionals, and any organization with a need to store and ship nutritional supplements in the United States, can now look to Vervante for: Storing supplements in our modern FDA-registered facility Shipping supplements anywhere in the world Fulfilling print and supplement orders and shipping them together as one package Many of our clients are health and wellness professionals who offer a wide variety of products such as books, DVDs, info products, t-shirts, fitness gear and nutritional supplements. With this development, we are now able to offer an easy, efficient, all-in-one solution for inventory, sales and distribution for all products, all together. Plus, for our INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS, we have created a business relationship with a local importer who is able to expedite and manage shipments that go through customs in a cost effective and timely manner, passing additional convenience and savings on to you as our valued customer. If you have any questions or want to chat about how we can set this up for your business, please contact us at [email protected] for more information.

Vervante • March 5, 2015

We really loved this month’s interview with professional videographer Matthew Peet of Re-Peet Productions. Why? Because he’s fun, he loves to make his clients smile, is cool under pressure and isn’t afraid to share what he did wrong when using DVDs in his business – and how those lessons learned have benefited his clients and business after all. Meet Matt and learn about how he uses DVDs to create a life-long impact on his clients. Matthew Peet: Re-Peet Productions Matthew Peet’s mission is simply to create awesome videos that meet the needs of his clients as he creates videos for corporate, weddings and special events. He recently shared his thoughts with us about his experiences creating and duplicating DVDs for his clients and some tips for others who are thinking of using similar on-demand services.   Working with Vervante: I am a professional videographer so I have many DVD projects that I produce using Vervante’s on-demand services for my newlywed and corporate clients. I found Vervante through a personal referral several years ago and have been using them ever since.   Vervante’s no minimums policy works perfectly for my wedding video clients. The DVDs I produce for them are mailed 5 at a time directly from Vervante to the newlyweds’ doorstep so they can have one and they can share 4 with their friends and family. Plus, the fact that I can upload my logo to the package information is just icing on the cake!   I also love how I have access to templates for everything I would ever need to create. I create many DVD’s so I have a template in InDesign that I work from but I am working on writing an eBook now and seeing how easily Vervante was to use for DVD’s I’ll probably give their book publishing services a try.   Finally, Vervante’s customer service is outstanding. I’ve had a couple instances where I messed up in my design and had some questions on how to fix it and my email was responded to immediately. I always dread dealing with customer support but dealing with Vervante customer support is a delight. Also the free gift at Christmas was a much appreciated surprise.   Publishing Insights: One thing I wish someone had told me before I began the publishing process for these DVDs? Don’t try and do it on your own. I wasted way too much time and money trying to do what Vervante does.   Last year I received a Canon printer that prints on DVD’s so I thought I would give it a shot. I ordered printable DVD’s, DVD cases, and spent some money on nice paper. After three weddings, lots of wasted paper and ink, hours of frustration, and inferior quality when compared to Vervante, I decided I was going to cut my losses and go back to using Vervante. The turnaround time and quality Vervante offers can’t be beat! It saves me HOURS of having to print, cut, edit, and repeat. I send in my Disc image and DVD case image and wait for it to be added to my account, I hit order and I’m done. My clients are happy, I’m happy, and it’s worth every penny.   You can learn more about Matthew and Re-Peet Productions at www.repeetproductions.com. If you enjoyed this article, and would like to be featured in a future Vervante author interview, please email us at [email protected].  

Vervante • January 27, 2015

Are you ready to publish a book that supports your business? Or maybe you want to create an info product, some cool card decks, calendars, journals and other complementary products that proudly  feature your brand and support your goals. Wouldn't it be nice if you could do all that in one place, saving countless hours, dollars and headaches? Well, we're here to confirm that the rumor is true - you can!  We're excited to share with you today the 2015 Vervante Product Catalog, filled with creative products and distribution options for sharing your unique brilliance with the world. In it you'll find favorites like books, info products, notecards, CDs and DVDs alongside new ideas for promotional products and distribution. Why should you use Vervante? We know that it can be confusing when it comes to choosing the publishing specialist that will be best for you. We like to think that in addition to exceptional industry expertise and state-of- the-art resources, we create clarity in an industry that can feel pretty chaotic. Since 2001 we have been successfully supporting entrepreneurs, authors, coaches and corporations with all-in-one solutions for branded products, book publishing, printing, packaging and global distribution services. {{Click here to learn more about "Why Vervante?"}} Bottom line? With us, you get our dedicated team that provides personalized insight, support, and step-by-step guidance throughout your project, working together with you to bring your vision to life.

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 • October 29, 2014

Dr. Patty Ann, internationally recognized relationship and communication expert, recently added best-selling book author to her list of accomplishments with “Not Tonight Dear, I’ve Got a Business to Run!” Dr. Patty Ann recently shared with us her personal thoughts about taking the leap from publishing items such as information products to writing, designing and publishing a book that rocketed to the Amazon Best-Seller list – and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Q: For any author, bringing your first book to life is a very big deal! How did you choose who you would work with as a publisher? A: It’s funny. Even though I had worked with Vervante for all of my info products, which I absolutely loved, I didn’t know that they also self-published books. I need to like the people that I work with, that’s why I’ve chosen Vervante in the past. And that’s why I was so excited when I found out that Vervante provided self-publishing services for authors as well. They are both extremely professional and great to work with on a personal level. What I love the most is that I can trust that they would never guide me toward anything other than what is in my best interest, even if they will make less money themselves. To have this kind of trust with your publisher is essential – and the reason I chose Vervante. Q: What was one of the big “light bulb” realizations you had about the publishing process? A: I didn’t realize that when you self-publish, it is just like starting with a blank piece of paper. This is the good news and the bad news. When you self publish you have total control. If you’re looking for a “done for you” process, self-publishing isn’t the way to go. It was much more work than I anticipated. Luckily, Vervante served as a trusted guide throughout the entire process and helped me over many humps, such as formatting the manuscript, cover design, and more. Q: What advice would you give to authors who will soon self-publish their own books? A:  Realize that once you finish writing your manuscript, you’re still far from being done. Self-publishing is an entire new project in itself that takes just as much energy, effort and attention from you in order to succeed. To have a final book that you are really proud of, it is very important that you have detailed, clear direction for how you want the final version of your book to be, or you’ll end up revising a million times. Throughout the process, always be specific and as clear as possible. It’s not magic, you can’t just hand someone your manuscript and then forget about it. You have to do the work. Q: How can publishing a book change your business? A:  Overall, a book will act as a hard-working business card, but having that book in and of itself, does nothing for you if you don’t market it. And the marketing of a book is as hard as writing it. But if done correctly, your business will explode. Q: Let’s get down to some of the nitty-gritty details. Can you share with us important parts of the publishing process that other authors should definitely take notice of? A: Sure thing. Let’s start with appearance. You have to have a catchy title – then, remember that the subtitle is what tells you what the book is about. The title took me months to figure out. You can’t hurry it and I tweaked it countless times. Also, and this is totally true, people do judge a book by its cover. Vervante’s designers created our cover design and formatting for the interior of the book – with a lot of clear direction from us, of course. The final version of my book is so high quality that many serious industry people are surprised that it is self-published.  Be sure that your publisher helps you with information for copyrights for your book, registering with the Library of Congress and understanding intellectual property – Vervante helped us with that and really made it easy. They also were invaluable in helping with our Amazon book launch. Their guidance was key in helping us navigate that process successfully and achieve Amazon Best-Seller status. Q: Any final advice for others starting the publishing process? A:  When you’re done with your manuscript, don’t think that you’re done with the book. Now is the time to take a breath and prepare to start the next lap as you enter the self-publishing process. You won’t have your book in your hand until it’s formatted, laid out, cover designed and more. The manuscript is only about 75 percent of the process. Keep your content simple, say what you want to say and try to keep sentences short and sweet. I could still be editing this book, believe me, you can edit it forever. Get your message out as simply as possible and be true to your message, don’t go off on tangents. You need to hold your readers’ attention. Don’t preach. Give facts, give options, don’t point fingers. You can have opinions, but remember that they are your opinions. With “Not Tonight Dear,” people responded well to the fact that I gave suggestions but didn’t go on to declare that this was the way that they had to do things.  I’m so glad I published this book. I’m so glad that Vervante was there with me every step of the way. And I would absolutely do it again. No one can ever take away from me the Amazon Best-Seller status I have achieved. You can learn more about Dr. Patty Ann Tublin at drpattyann.com. If you enjoyed this article, and would like to be featured in a future Vervante author interview, please email us at [email protected].

Vervante • October 28, 2014

If you have an idea for a new product for the holidays but are worried about the time crunch – never fear! You still have plenty of time to finish your design, send us your files and place the order with time to spare for shipment to your favorite clients, customers and colleagues. Other publishing companies ask for a long turnaround time for new products, especially as the holidays approach. But Vervante’s experienced staff and exceptional service offer you the opportunity to produce high-quality, memorable, branded products that you can be proud of. We can help you with last-minute requests including: Deadlines in a rush: Email [email protected] with deadline info and we’ll help you choose the delivery method that will get it done. Retail listing: We can list your book on Amazon within 3 days. Other retail channels can take 7-14 days. Speedy shipping: Most orders will ship out within 3-5 business days. Quick ordering capability: If there are no problems with the print files you send us, your product should be visible and ready to order from your author dashboard within 24-48 hours. During this busy season the last thing you need is more to worry about. Let us take care of publishing, processing and distributing your special books and products this season – while you concentrate on the things that are most important to you.

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 • 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 • August 14, 2014

Wouldn’t it be great to have something in your business that allows you to help more people, make more money and have more freedom in your life? A great way to achieve this is by incorporating Information Products into your business. Information Products are a great business-building tool that anyone can create. They come in several different forms – audio, video or documentation. This can include CDs or DVDs, books, binders, card decks, workbooks, or a mix of similar products. The bottom line is the same, though, to provide the user with a resource that will educate or motivate them on a topic that fits your expertise. Information products can be very low-cost to create and can bring a lot of benefits to your business such as growing your mailing list and adding multiple new revenue-producing products. And in many cases, you may already have everything you need to get started. If you’ve already hosted a workshop, authored a series of “how-to’s” or created a series of calls or audio downloads, then you’re more than halfway there!   Here at Vervante we have helped thousands of entrepreneurs create information products over the years and would love to show you how easy it is to get started. Our website features easy instructions, free expert guides and everything you need to create the perfect Info Product for your business. Start by checking out the “Information Products” page on our site for an introduction to the possibilities. Then, you can click through and learn about the specific products you want to use in deeper detail. For example, if you are interested in creating a set of CDs or DVDs, you can check out the dedicated page on our site: “CDs & DVDs.” Plus you can click on the “Get Started” link at the top of the page to download an informational .pdf for more detailed support.     Here are some ideas of products you can learn more about on our site that are great for creating Information Products:  CDs/DVDs Books 3-ring binders Bookmarks Card decks Notepads Posters, Certificates Journals Don’t forget to click on the “Get Started” link at the top of each page for more details. And, as always, if you need any help or have questions, we’re here to help at [email protected].  

Vervante • July 20, 2014

You know that we are pros at helping you to offer your book for retail sales on places like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. But did you know that we also have an easy and time-saving system for automatically processing orders that comes in from your current online shopping cart solution?     If you use 1ShoppingCart, InfusionSoft, Nanacast, PayPal, ClickBank, WahmCart, Volusion or any other online sales resource, we can help you establish automatic processes for delivering order information directly to Vervante for fulfillment and distribution.   Just imagine it: Customers click-and-buy > Your shopping cart automatically sends us the information > We print and deliver the product to your customers > You sit back and enjoy the royalties without the extra hassle and stress.   Instructions and details for many different types of shopping carts can be found on our website under “Order Processing” at the bottom of each page, or by clicking here. 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 • 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 • 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 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 26, 2013

Easy tips to make sure your CD tracks are always named correctly If you have produced a CD – or are planning on one in the near future, it’s important that you understand the important of adding Gracenote to your project to ensure that the message in your CDs comes through loud and clear. A universally-recognized, easy-to-use, online track-listing database, Gracenote allows authors to register each of their tracks for free and assign information to each one including author, album, genre and track titles. Once the information for a CD has been submitted to Gracenote, the data will be available to anyone who has a copy of the same CD- and best of all, it’s FREE! Our new expert guide for using Gracenote, available in the Resource Library on our website, shares simple instructions for registering your audio files so that you can rest confident knowing that your music or your message are coming across loud and clear – in every way. ** To access the Gracenote Expert Guide in our Resource Library, just click HERE.