Education – Cherished Solutions – Design, Illustration, Web Services, Art Licensing, Coaching, Art, Cards & Gifts

Four Keys to Strong Branding and Book Design

Cherished Solutions — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:00:23 +0000

Clarity

Is your message clear?
Are you confusing your audience with multiple messages?
Your brand logo and your book cover need to be easy to read for every occassion, whether as big as a billboard or as small as a business card.

Consistency

From cover to cover, and everything in between, does your book follow the same theme?
Beyond your book, does your overall branding have the same core “look” as it is expressed across multiple markting outlets (website, blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
Over time, your fans should be able to recognize your books and your brand because of its consistency.

Professionalism
A professional presentation is a must. Nothing screams amateur more than these five pitfalls:

Low quality photo or illustration used for your cover. A snapshot from your last beach vacation might not be the best option. A good photographer or illustrator pays attention to composition, horizon placement, drama, light and dark, film grain, color selection and more.
Boring or irrelevant visual composition. A photographer, illustrator, or designer can take your concept and develop something custom that is unique to your book.
Low resolution. It is imperative to start with a high resolution photo or scan for every image used in your book and your marketing materials. Using proper software to layout your project will keep
the resolution high when it is sent to press.
Pre-press errors. While printing is not an exact science, there’s a
lot that has to done to the file in order to get the most optimal print quality possible. Failure to do any one item poses the potential for a complete printing disaster. A professional designer knows exactly what needs to be done in order to get your book (or any printed material) to be the treasured keepsake it was meant to be.
Fonts. Font selection is important. There is an unpublished library of fancy fonts that are overused and abused. You will recognize many of them since they come preloaded on your computer. If you want to make your designer cry, pick one of these notorious fonts:

Trust your designer to help you pick fonts that are fresh and in alignment with your branding message, there are hundreds of top-notch fonts to choose from.

Memorable (there’s no shortage of average books)

Pull your audience in with unique visuals.
Connect with your audience’s emotions.
Keep their attention with compelling copy.
Show them something they haven’t seen before.

Selling your book

Cherished Solutions — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:00:14 +0000

So you’ve self-published your book. It has stunning graphics and of course, great content. What’s the next step? Selling your book so you can write the next one!

One of the best ways to sell books is through the one-on-one contact that occurs with book signings. That’s why we’re recommending you check out P. A. Ritzer’s instructional guideon how to sell books at a bookstore book signing. P. A. Ritzer has sold thousands of copies of his first book, the award-winning historical Western Seven Ox Seven, Part One: Escondido Bound, at over 175 bookstore book signings (over 165 at Barnes & Noble stores alone). He has written Love and the Art of Bookstore Book Signing as an answer to authors, bookstore personnel, distributors, and others in the book business who have sought to know how he does it.

Ritzer does not just detail a method but goes to the heart of the matter. He exposes the real basis of his success in interacting with customers and the people who help him sell books. In Love and the Art of Bookstore Book Signing, Ritzer shows that an author need not be a celebrity to make book signings rewarding for himself and the stores and their customers. Rather, he can create the kind of experience that inspires customers to buy his book and managers to invite him back for 18 or more successful signings of the same book at one store.

Reviews

“This is a one-of-a-kind book on jumpstarting your book sales. P. A. Ritzer has achieved remarkable success in bookstore book signings. In ‘Love and the Art of Bookstore Book Signing’ he shares the principles and practices that have led to that success. It is a valuable read and resource for any who would like to make their book sail up the charts.”— Dan Poynter, author, The Self-Publishing Manual

“If P. A. Ritzer is open to sharing his passion for bookstore signings, we should listen carefully. His signings are a phenomenon the likes of which I have not seen in my 35 years in publishing and book distribution.”— Chris Bell, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Midpoint Trade Books

“P. A. Ritzer, author of Seven Ox Seven, is one of the best authors for a book signing for many reasons. First and foremost, he has a terrific work ethic. . . . He becomes and is a presence in the store. . . . Mr. Ritzer is versed in the art of a book signing and wields his knowledge and experience well.”— Joel McCree, Store Manager, Barnes & Noble, Colorado Springs, CO

“P. A. Ritzer has the art of author bookstore signings down to a science. His consistent sales results through in-store book signings are truly remarkable.”— Alexander M. Kampmann, Director, Trade Sales of Midpoint Trade Books

“P. A. Ritzer is an author, yes, but it is because of his great ability to engage our customers like a neighbor and a friend that he is also a regular bookseller in our store. I wish all authors would approach and sell to customers like he does. He has been by far the most successful author to sign and sell books in this store. He knows how to move books, and that is what the retail environment needs from authors today. Because of his gifted ability to sell, P. A. Ritzer has been and continues to be a tremendous asset to our team.”— Eric Welch, Store Manager, Barnes & Noble, Fort Collins, CO

8 Ways to Get Creative During a Credit Crunch”

Cherished Solutions — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:32:34 +0000

by Ali Brown

Although the credit crunch is still weighing on millions of people, it doesn’t mean the end for every small or medium-sized business. In fact, this is a great time for savvy entrepreneurs to grow a business and prosper by thinking creatively and strategically. To make sure your business thrives during the downturn, you need to take a good hard look at your business.

Here’s how you can flourish during difficult times. It just takes a bit of creativity…

1. Trim the fat. Now’s the time to review your company finances in a calm and collected manner. Be sure to look at what is being paid on time. Then look for waste and how you can save – there are sure to be a few places where this is possible. Eliminate expenses that aren’t essential to your core business.

2. Know your customers. Spend time with your customers and find out more about their needs so you can deliver what they want when they want it. Also consider sending out a customer satisfaction survey to gain additional insights. Continue offering great service and going above and beyond so that every customer feels as if they are getting the VIP treatment.

3. Stay ahead of the competition. Researching your competition is invaluable so you can make sure you’re competitive with their quality and service. Also remember that during a downtown, some of the people who are laid off may start their own businesses. Monitor the market for newcomers, but remember that you have a head start.

4. Enhance your offering. Cutting prices is one way to make your product or service more attractive, but it’s not the only way. Once you lower your prices, it can be hard to raise them again. Think about adding other incentives like reduced delivery times or added bonuses instead.

5. Adapt to the market. If you notice that sales are declining in one area, focus your efforts on areas that are seeing more sales. Don’t waste your time on sectors that are in freefall. If your business is focused on a single product, consider repositioning it and be ready to cater to people’s changing needs.

6. Invest in you. Now is the perfect time to build on your knowledge, skills, and talents by attending conferences, taking a professional development course, or investing in a business coach. It will help position you as an expert in your field and give you a competitive edge!

7. Make more noise. Continue advertising if you can afford it, but look for other inexpensive ways to get the word out. Perhaps start a blog, join web forums in your field, or write a column for a trade publication or local newspaper.

8. Prepare for the good times. Remember that a recession is a periodic event, but it doesn’t last forever. Resist the urge to run for cover. Instead, keep doing business.

Come out fighting and energize your business to ensure that you don’t go the way of the dinosaurs. The good times will come again – this is your chance to make sure you’re a part of them.

Online entrepreneur Ali Brown publishes the award-winning ‘Highlights on Marketing & Success’ weekly ezine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AliBrown.com

7 Reasons to Invest in Yourself – Today!

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:10:44 +0000

Written By: Nancy Michaels

1. You are all you have! I know this to be the case first hand. There’s nothing like a separation, grueling divorce and – here’s the kicker – a near death experience to clue you in that without you and your ability to be at your best – physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually, you have less.

2. You are worth it. You are. No money spent on education or travel is wasted – ever. These things are wise investments in yourself and provide you with a depth and breadth of new experiences, knowledge, information – all that you have available to share with others. These are things that no one can ever take away from you and leave lasting memories and impressions for you to draw upon throughout your life and your business.

3. The increased knowledge you receive will help your business and those businesses and individuals you serve. You become much more fascinating to your prospects and clients the more you invest in yourself and you set an amazing example of how to conduct yourself and your business. It’s never too late to learn something new and share this with those you care about and can have an influence on.

4. By investing in yourself, you’re showing your prospects and clients your increased value and that you walk your talk – authentically. How can we ask others to invest in themselves by using our services if we are not doing the same? Be authentic in your quest to gain insight, share what you learn and encourage others to do the same. My financial planner advised me that the best investment you can ever make is in yourself. It’s the only sure thing in the market.

5. Things will turn around as they always do and you’ll have made major inroads through the process of picking up your game. I disagree with those nay Sayers that say it’s just not a great time to launch or grow your business – au contraire! There is never a better time than when things are uncertain. People are more open to joint ventures, partnerships and some off the wall thinking than ever before. Take advantage of the economical climate and forge ahead in creating and enhancing relationships and partnerships with others. When things turn upward – if not before then — you and your business will be front and center on their minds.

6. You attract others into your lives that support your desire to better themselves, their situations and most importantly the people (clients) they impact and influence. Associate with people who support and encourage you to reach your goals and dreams. Negative opinions will drag you down, so avoid spending lots of time with folks who continue to focus on the glass being half empty instead of half-full. Sadly, there are some in this world who experience feelings of jealousy and envy when others do well and have high aspirations. Avoid these folks – wish them well and limit your time with them to protect yourself and your most valuable assets – your positive attitude and approach toward the world.

7. Show your gratitude toward clients, prospects, colleagues and friends. There is nothing more powerful than being grateful for the business you do have and creating ways to generate more opportunities for yourself and others. For everything you are grateful, write it down each day and refer to it often. In the depths of my illness, there were some days I remember being so grateful that nothing was being expected of me except to achieve good health. I express gratitude every hour of every day now for having regained my health, my strength, my children, my business and my prospects and clients. Thank you.

Business Development entrepreneur Nancy Michaels publishes the ‘GrowYourBusiness’ weekly e-zine with 33,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to start working with Fortune 500 companies, beef up your marketing, make more money, and have more fun and free time in your small business, go to www.growyourbusinessnetwork.com

Internet Archive

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:10:32 +0000

The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library, with the purpose of offering permanent access for researchers, historians, and scholars to historical collections that exist in digital format. Founded in 1996 and located in the Presidio of San Francisco, the Archive has been receiving data donations from Alexa Internet and others. In late 1999, the organization started to grow to include more well-rounded collections. Now the Internet Archive includes texts, audio, moving images, and software as well as archived web pages in our collections.

Now go exploring . . .www.archive.org

The Entrepreneur’s Handbook – 59 Resources For First Time Entrepreneurs

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:10:06 +0000

by Neil Patel on May 10, 2009

Click here for the full list

As a first time entrepreneur you probably have tons of questions. And every time you do a Google search for an answer you are bombarded with too much information and in some cases that information contradicts other things you have heard. Due to this, I have created a list of 54 resources that should help you out.

Click here for the full list

lynda.com

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:09:49 +0000

About lynda.com

lynda.com is an award-winning provider of educational materials, including Hands-On Training instructional books, the Online Training Library®, CD- and DVD-based video training, and events for creative designers, instructors, students, and hobbyists.

The lynda.com Online Training Library® and CD-ROM courses include such subjects as Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Office, digital photography, Web design, digital video, and many others. lynda.com’s all-star team of trainers and teachers provides comprehensive and unbiased movie-based training to an international membership of tens of thousands of subscribers. Considering the speed at which technology evolves, the Online Training Library® is a great solution for keeping your skills current. Library subscriptions begin as low as $25 a month, with no long-term commitment required.

lynda.com celebrated ten years online in 2005!

Dr. Grammar – for your writing ills

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:09:36 +0000

This link is courtesy of who else, but my own dear mother. Thanks Mom! http://www.drgrammar.org/ Dr. Grammar website is a site devoted to providing helpful assistance for writers everywhere! It does not matter whether you are looking for help with comma rules or with formats for writing business letters (or with everything in between), you will… Continue reading

http://www.prepressure.com/

Cherished Solutions — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:33:35 +0000

Prepressure

Prepressure covers design techniques, PDF, PostScript, fonts, JDF and numerous other prepress topics that have to do with printed communication.

ANSWER all of your prepress questions here.