Marketing a Book

As mentioned several times in this blog, I have published a book containing over 200 of the individuals blogs that I have posted since August 2009, Getting Jobs by Glyn Jordan.  I consider this book a “bucket list entry” for me!

Now the challenge facing me and other new authors is how to market their books.  I have written blogs about brands, objectives, and strategies so I thought I could apply my own advice in marketing the book.  I received a very informative response letter from Barnes & Noble Small Press Department.  The following are excerpts from the letter:

     As you are well aware, most self-published books are made possible by print-on-demand technologies.  This efficient method of publishing enables many more writers to have their books enter the marketplace. ….

     Our research has shown us that most self-published titles sell about 100 copies, and most of those to friends and family. … In most of those cases, our store managers respond to their customers’ requests and order the title, but they never place speculative orders. …

     You should also understand that we have no bias against self-publishing. Quite the contrary. There are now more than 100,000 self-published titles available on Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com) and for special order in our stores.  You may be interested to know that less five percent of our sales are from best sellers.

     Your book is available for special order at more that 700 Barnes & Noble stores and online at Barnes and Nobel.com (www.bn.com).

I am very encouraged by the fast response I received from Barnes and Noble and found that my book is in fact available at a discounted price on its Internet site.

As I continue my book marketing efforts, I encourage readers to provide me marketing suggestions by commenting in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com. 

   

Thanks!

 

 Glyn

Advice for Job Seekers

Many Internet sites provide advice to job seekers.  I found these links which are sponsored by http://www.monster.com:

• Eight Tips for Job Hunting During the Recession 
• Look for Work in Troubled Times 
• Job Termination and Your Resume
• The Layoff Survival Kit
• Unemployment Insurance and You
• Laid Off? Six Steps to Manage Your Finances
• What Should You Do with Your 401k After a Layoff?
• Managing Your Layoff
• Bouncing Back After Being Laid Off
• When to Target a Lower Position 
• Is Starting Your Own Business the Answer? 

I think the secret to finding a job is to be proactive using the advice provided by websites, publications, and networking.

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if you find these links helpful to your job search.

Thanks!  Glyn

Choosing a Franchise

As mentioned in a previous blog, there are three ways to open your own business: start from scratch, purchase an existing business, or purchase a franchise.  I personally think that starting from scratch is possibly the most difficult. 

The USAA Magazine, Summer Edition on page 20 has an informative article by Ian Mount, “Open for Business”.  While the target audience for this article is armed service veterans, I think it contains many hints for anyone considering the purchase of a franchise.  Here are some recent statistics about franchises:

Most Popular Franchises1
1.	Subway Sandwich Shop
2.	Quiznos
3.	The UPS Store
4.	Cold Stone Creamery
5.	Dairy Queen
6.	Dunkin' Donuts
7.	Super 8 Motel
8.	Days Inn
9.	Curves For Women
10.	Matco Tools

10 Best-Performing Franchises1
1.	Christian Brothers Automotive
2.	Motel 6
3.	Sleep Inn Motel
4.	Country Inns & Suites
5.	Ameriprise Financial Services
6.	AmericInn Hotels & Suites
7.	Taco Bell
8.	Baymont Inns & Suites
9.	Chicken Express
10.	Comfort Inn

10 Worst-Performing Franchises1
1.	Executive Tans
2.	Golf Etc.
3.	Mr. Goodcents Sub & Pasta
4.	Philly Connection
5.	Cottman Transmission
6.	Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe
7.	Dream Dinners
8.	My Gym
9.	All Tune and Lube
10.	Carvel Ice Cream

¹From "2011 Franchise Coleman Report." Data includes only brands with at least 50 SBA-backed loans between 2000 and 2010. "Failure rate" includes both loans charged off and those in liquidation, divided by the number of loans disbursed.

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com concerning your experience in franchising.

Thanks!  Glyn

Jobs Openings!

I was watching “Fox and Friends” on the Fox News Channel today, and Cheryl Casone reported that the following organizations are hiring new workers!

Panera Bread – We are a symbol of warmth and welcome. We are a simple pleasure, honest and genuine. We are a life story told over dinner. We are a long lunch with an old friend. We are your weekday morning ritual. We are the kindest gesture of neighbors. We are home. We are family. We are friends. – Panera is looking primarily for store management personnel. 

http://www.panerabread.com/about/careers/

Our Town America - For over 40 years, Our Town’s mission is to help new movers adjust and feel welcomed into to their community while our sponsor businesses gain new, loyal and long term customers month after month.

http://www.ourtownamerica.com/

CareMinders^® Home Care is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through delivering compassionate skilled and non-medical care to clients at home by trained and dedicated staff who continuously strive for excellence.   We provide for the safety and security of clients, regardless of age, by offering personalized care and related home support services as well as harmonious companionship.   We build relationships beginning with the very first encounter with a goal of providing the highest quality of care, second to none. 

http://www.careminders.com/

Guardian Life - In 1860, this forward-looking philosophy inspired a group of 21 businessmen, led by Hugo Wesendonck, to create a very different kind of life insurer.  In 1917, changed its name to The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America to reflect our patriotism, as well as the protection, safety, and service that are the hallmarks of the organization.  Becoming an insurance agent is challenging, but for the right people this can be a great vocation.

 http://www.guardianlife.com/

Please comment in this blog or email me at glynjordan@gmail.com if these leads are helpful.

Thanks!  Glyn