Blog

Vervante • June 12, 2017

Have you ever wanted to include something a little extra in the books or journals you create? What you might be looking for is a “pocket.” Pockets are an easy and low-cost way to add value and functionality to products. For books, journals or similar products, pockets can hold a little something extra, like a CD, DVD, cards, stickers, notes, or anything that needs to stay with the product. And here at Vervante, we offer a variety of sizes and options so you can get exactly what you need: Adhesive corner pockets are available in 4x4 and 6x6 Binder pockets are available in 8.5x11 and 5.5x8.5 Adhesive corner pockets can be added to the inside front or back cover of perfect-bound books and spiral-bound books, notebooks, journals or workbooks. Binder pockets are typically added to a 3-ring binder but can also be spiral bound into a journal or workbook. Here are some ways we’ve seen our customers put pockets to good use: Empty adhesive pockets used with perfect-bound hard cover and paperback books for readers to keep print-outs, notes, worksheets, or additional materials Adhesive pockets inside fitness journals filled with fun stickers to highlight milestones and rewards successes Binder pockets in 3-ring binders for CDs or DVDs to accompany the printed materials Binder pockets in a spiral-bound cookbook holding recipe cards, shopping lists, etc. If you love this idea – and would like to add pockets to existing products or future ones, let us know. Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to send you a free quote and all the details for using fun and functional pockets.

Vervante • September 6, 2016

If you have a book, or any other product that can be sold online, it needs to be on Amazon. One of the world's most robust online stores, Amazon is the place to be. While the benefits are many, two stand out: Boosting credibility and visibility through improved search engine optimization (SEO), and boosting profits with increased sales opportunities. Did you know that Vervante offers FREE Amazon listing services for our customers? And that we can add the "Look Inside" feature as well? In a matter of days, we can list your Vervante-produced items for sale on Amazon, activate the Look Inside feature, and help you gain access to a vast worldwide audience hungry for what you are sharing. With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to take action and list your book in Amazon's global online marketplace. Here's what to do: STEP 1. Log into your Vervante Author Account. Select the link "List Physical Product for Retail Distribution" under the Support section. STEP 2. Scroll down and familiarize yourself with the Amazon Marketplace information. If this is the first time you've listed your book or product on Amazon, we offer a retail calculator to figure your profit for each transaction. STEP 3. Continue to scroll down the page and fill out the form, be sure to select the box for listing your product on Amazon Marketplace. We automatically waive the $50 fee per product for any Amazon Marketplace submission received for books or products that are published through Vervante. You are welcome to add other retail venues, but normal fees will apply. STEP 4. If you would like to have the "Look Inside" feature for your Vervante-produced book, please send us an email at [email protected]. A quick recap: Listing your book or info product on Amazon Marketplace that has been published using Vervante services is free. If you select any other retail listing, a $50 fee will apply. You will be asked to check a box stating acceptance of the $50 fee per listing when you submit your form. Go ahead and check the box, but don't worry. As a Vervante client, all fees for Amazon Marketplace submissions will be waived on your final invoice. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our Amazon Marketplace experts at [email protected]. And don't forget, we offer a vast collection of expert guides and useful information to help you plan and execute a powerful sales strategy once your book is listed on Amazon. For instance, check out: "How to Plan a Successful Amazon Book Launch" "Helpful Hints for Retail Distribution" "Fast Track to Self Publishing"  

Vervante • August 22, 2016

Ready to stand out from the crowd? We've got just the product that's perfect for building up a business, creating new revenue, and just about a million other things - Custom Card Decks! Custom-designed card decks are a fun and creative way to present a message that's unforgettable. Card decks can be used to make a big impression with your target audience, giving them a handy and useful product to enjoy for months or even years, keeping your brand, business or message at their fingertips.   You're not limited to traditional playing cards stamped with your company logo, either. The sky's the limit when thinking of new ideas for using cards decks. How about as .... Stand-alone products (tarot cards, games, daily inspirations) Part of an information product Bonus for ongoing mentorship or business programs Marketing lead generators Additional revenue streams Retail products Table-top attention-getters Unique gift-bag goodies Recipes Fitness or nutrition programs Networking or workshop activities Our card decks are highly customizable – they can be printed at any size, with square or round edges, in either full color or black-and-white and can be laminated for extra durability. When it comes to packaging – the only limit is your imagination! Here are a few ways our clients have presented their custom card decks:  Drawstring bags Clear boxes Button/string poly envelopes Custom printed card deck boxes One-hole punch with ring For a free quote or to ask questions about creating your own custom card deck, email [email protected].

Vervante • May 20, 2016

Everyone likes a nice surprise, right? We've noticed a few of our customers adding extras to customer shipments with great success, so we had to share this idea with you. It's a great way to add value all around: Customers are impressed with the extra attention The perceived and actual value of your product goes up You get to share something new, unique, or valuable that can benefit all Here at Vervante, we can add these extras as we package and ship each order. Think items like flyers, postcards, small journals, free notecards, calendars, audio CDs, etc. Here are some ideas of what we've seen our customers include:  Mini blank journals Bookmarks or postcards Logo decals Audio CDs Branded calendars or notecards Fliers sharing new products, classes or events Hats, t-shirts, exercise bands, etc. Recipe cards Certificates The "extras" you decide to include in your shipments can be products created and published by Vervante such as bookmarks, postcards, audio CDs, etc. Or they can be products you supply and store in our warehouse such as decals, t-shirts, hats, etc. Just think of all the ways you could really make someone's day! If you have an idea for extras you'd like to include in your customer shipments, let us know at [email protected].

Vervante • January 11, 2016

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

Vervante • December 10, 2015

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

Vervante • December 7, 2015

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

Vervante • November 9, 2015

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

Vervante • 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 • 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 • 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 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 • 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 • 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].