Online Bookselling101: Amazon Widgets

If you are an author, bookstore owner or budding problogger, are you an Amazon Affiliate? And if so, are you familiar with Amazon's New Widget Applications. This year at CFB I want to help people connect with book buyers, especially Christian book buyers. With an increase in bookstores closings coupled against an increase in books hitting the shelves , the opportunities for online retail gets brighter every day. Here at Christian Fiction Blog we have seen significant increases in book sale purchases via Amazon. After studying my latest Amazon report I have learned that many of the sales come from one application-Amazon Widgets. This week I will try to tackle a few of those widgets.

Today let's look at :

Slideshow Widgets

If you look at the top center of Christian Fiction Blog you will see my top book picks for February 2008 in a slideshow called CFB's Feb Faves. I sell about one or two books a day with this feature alone. Here are some other great ways to use Slideshow Widgets for your book blog/site: 1.To drive traffic to your site I don't upload all my blog entries to every social network platform that I have, because my purpose for joining those networks is to drive my members here to Christian Fiction Blog. However, the slideshow widget is so dynamic and eye catching that my Myspace buddies will recognize and remember to come to my site when they want to purchase a book. Amazon has made duplicating this widget so easy that you can plug your show into your:

• Facebook
• Ning
• MySpace
• Wordpress
• Any site that takes ajax application
• Any page that willl take javascript. You could copy and embed the code to your site

2. To make your site eye-catching No brainer idea here. Amazon has done a great job with making these book covers pop on your screen.

3.To invite new visitors to linger on your site Just like soft music in a grocery store site visitors will stick around your site to watch the slideshow. As they watch they will peruse the site. They may see entries of interest to them.

4. To increase your subscriber base Send an email to your subscribers, who may not visit your site every month because they have an email subscription to alert them of the new books that you are highlighting on your site

5. To showcase bookstore specials I have not set this up on CFb yet because of time, but if you are an online bookseller you should use SLideshow WIdgets and Twitter to promote your store specials and book signings.

6. ??? You tell me what are other great reasons to use Slideshow Widgets?
Dee
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CFB News: Inspired Ambition

Watch Karen Kingsbury's Someday Interview Now!

Inspired Ambition
Christian music reality show, "Inspired Ambition," has been picked up for 12 episodes. The show follows budding CCM artist Erica Lane. Christian artists Everlife, Casting Pearls, Michel Tait of DC Talk, Family Force 5 and John Schlitt of Petra will share their personal stories of faith and the ups and downs of the music business on the series. The premier episode will air on JCTV at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 23.



Christian Fiction Blog Tours Defined

Frank Creed published an article today about the growing popularity of the blog tour. He breaks down the larger ones, then reviews th Sese review sources. I didn't know that blog tour creation had become a nice side business. I participate in blog tours, but t don't receive a dime. I guess I better maximize my moments in 2008.

The Tyler Perry Show

The Tyler Perry show is now up. Click here to watch.

The Tyler Talent Contest

A day in His Life

Meet the House of Payne Cast

I watched it a few minutes ago and almost threw this laptop in the wall. Y'all I'm tired. I've been writing for years, but this year I have been writing day and night. I have a seven-year-old child who probably who sees the back of my head more than me. I'm writing a book review and blogging right now and will work on a few pages of my novel and I'm tired. Then I see all that Tyler does and guess what?

He's tired, too!!

All I can say is if you think you want to be a writer ask yourself. Is this the kind of thing you will do rain or shine, day or night, flight to flight, no money, no recognition? If the answer is yes, then join me, cause I need some prayer partners and some good coffee. :)

Also, which contestant did you like the best? I'll tell you my pick in comments...

FIRST: Sister's Ink, Excerpt

It is February FIRST, time
for the FIRST Day Blog Tour! (Join our alliance! Click the button!) The FIRST
day of every month we will feature an author and his/her latest book's FIRST
chapter!

This month's feature is:

Rebeca
Seitz

and her book:

Sisters, Ink (Scrapbooker's Series #1)

B&H Books (February 1, 2008)

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER EXCERPT...

Tandy took a deep breath, tightened her grip on the sagging violet, sent up a prayer of thanks that she’d picked the Ann Taylor suit today—must look sharp when being fired--and stepped across the threshold.

"He’s waiting for you." Sympathy shimmered in Anna’s blue eyes. The Orlando sun shining through the window made Anna’s hair glow like a fresh pearl.

Tandy set the violet down on Anna’s desk. "Thanks, Anna. It’s been good knowing you. I wonder if you might coax this little guy back to life?"

Anna raised her eyebrows. "Tandy, how many times do I have to tell you? You’re a danger to plants." She smiled and wagged her finger. "You taking them in isn’t an act of kindness. You leave the greenery to us old chicks."

Tandy laughed. "Yes ma’am." She took another breath. "I guess I should go in now."

Anna sobered. "Guess so."

"Still on cup number three?"

"I just took in cup four. I doubt he’s taken a sip yet, though. He’s slowing
down."

"Thanks for everything, Anna."

"You’re welcome, honey. Take care of yourself. And you call me if you need
anything, hear?"

Tandy nodded, only now realizing that losing her job also meant losing Anna’s
kind wisdom. She blinked hard. Crying at work would not do. She stepped to
Christopher’s door and knocked.

"Come." His deep voice bellowed through the door and Tandy’s pulse kicked up
again. This was it. For the first time ever, Tandy Sinclair was about to be
fired from a job. When she’d moved to Orlando to take this job and declare war
on the city that took her childhood, Tandy never would have guessed she’d
become an actual beach bum.

"Tandy, sit down, sit down." Christopher stood, gesturing to a chair and
patting the telltale stripes of his Ben Silver tie. "Seems we have a little
situation on our hands." The hawks circled one story below his window, the tops
of their feathered backs lit by the sun.

Tandy sat down and nodded.

Christopher’s padded leather chair creaked with his weight. He settled back,
propped his elbows on the arms, and templed his fingers. "Harry tells me he’s
headed for a prison cell."

She nodded again.

"He also tells me that would be your fault."

Another nod. This must be what bobbleheads felt like.

"And he says he’s ready to sue this firm for inadequate representation unless I
do something about it."

She quirked an eyebrow. Score one for Harry.

"I’ve assured Harry that there must be some misunderstanding since you’re one
of the most capable attorneys this firm has seen in quite some time. So,
please, Tandy, explain to me how one of our biggest clients, someone for whom
you serve as lead counsel, suddenly finds himself facing jail."

Read the full chapter here.

Twitter Catches an Art Thief

Today and Tomorrow join me and author, Jill Elizabeth Nelson in the virtual world talking about what it takes to become a reluctant art smuggler. You can email us, text us, chirp or purchase her latest book. You can find us here. Or leave comments for us here .

The Reluctant Smuggler:

Looting of archaeological sites is big business in a thriving art and antiquities black market. When a desperate foreign government hires Desiree Jacobs’s security company to stop the hemorrhage, she runs afoul of a deadly art-for-drugs operation. Tony Lucano risks his rising career in the FBI to dive into the international underworld after her. Before either of them can come up for air, they must navigate through a deepening murk of ruthless looters, hair-trigger DEA agents, crooked government agents, and innocent bystanders caught up in an illegal trade beyond their understanding. Even if a miracle delivers Desi and Tony from evil, will their love survive the test?

Complete with a reader’s guide, this third book in the To Catch a Thief series explores the power of hope in the darkest of circumstances.

Call for Writers: Tavis Smiley's Love Wins

Award winning journalist, Tavis Smiley is LOOKING FOR 'UNCONDITIONAL LOVE': needs submissions for new book.

SmileyBooks, the publishing company founded by Tavis Smiley, has launched a national campaign to generate submissions for his next book Love Wins: True Stories of Transformation and Triumph.

The book will be a collection of real life stories that give voice to the transforming power of unconditional love.

"Too often 21st century living has a way of disconnecting us from that divine power within," says Smiley. "Love Wins is an expression of faith that we can reconnect with love's power - to positively transform each other and the world we live in."

The true stories featured in Love Wins will range from 500 to 1,200 words in length. Contributors' bios will be included along with their selection and each author will receive a complimentary autographed first edition copy of Love Wins.

In addition to the entries included in the book, SmileyBooks will feature additional selections on www.tavistalks. com. Click here for submissions guidelines.

In the fall of 2008 when the book is scheduled for publication, Smiley will undertake a Love Wins "unconditional love" tour, inviting regional contributors to join him at events around the country.

How Twitter can Create Momentum for your Book Tour

Twitter may seem like another pointless social network. From first glance it looks like another chat box, but there is tons more to this little application. If you're an author, then bookmark this blog. Because we are going to talk about how you can connect with your fans anywhere and everywhere using twitter throughout the year. Today let's discuss.

How Twitter can Create Momentum for your Book Tour: I

You're having a book tour. The objective of the tour is to sale books. You need book buyers to purchase these books. So you need book buyers to know that your books is out and ready to buy. Trouble is:

• Bookstores are closing. thus the opportunity to connect with readers are affected.
  
• Book signings aren't so cost effective anymore.
  
• Bookstores aren't always prepared for your event.
  
• Sign & dines generate the same people instead of expand your market
• Your publisher isn't dolling out the funds for national book tours anymore.
• Our attention span has changed. We can't focus on your booksigning coming up in three weeks.
• People are too busy.

So what do you do? What are authors doing to combat this challenge?

• Turning to viral marketing like online book tours(blours) to introduce their books to readers.
  
• Participating in bookclub online chats.
  
• Building book trailers, as if book readers share the same fascination with video as a moviegoer.

In my experience participating in all these avenues I have found that something is still missing.

The Buzz--or in our case--The Chatter. No one is chirping about these book tours, these events. So let me let you in on a secret. If you want your book to receive media attention, the kind of attention that will have people changing their plans to have you sign their book, the kind that will have people changing their Amazon book purchase for the month after hearing about your great book, the kind that will have people changing their dinner and a movie plans, to sit and eat with you. You need some Chirping. Your cell phone needs to be chirping you, reminding you, people calling you, texting you not to miss out on Jill Elizabeth Nelson's new book, Reluctant Smuggler (To Catch a Thief Series #3). :)

Yeah. You need a little birdie whispering in people's ears...

Twitter can do that. In fact, Twitter is so effective LA Firefighters use it to report fires to the public. Check it out here. Imagine how this application can report what you are doing to your fans?

Tomorrow we will talk about how to get started with Twitter. You need to build her a nice nest. You can get started. my username is deegospel.

Subscribe to Christian Fiction Blog to stay in the loop. If you subscribe to Christian Communicator Magazine, I will be writing about how to use social networks in two articles this year, so stay tuned for the dates. If you're not a subscriber, get it. Here.