The Ultimate Package Branding, Covers, & Blurbs WHITNEY G. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Ultimate Package Branding, Covers, & Blurbs WHITNEY G.

WHO IS WHITNEY G.? INTRODUCTION 2

“ The “bestselling” books aren’t necessarily the “best” books. They just have the best packaging”— Whitney G. 3

No, really … 4

“ It’s the packaging… 5

THINGS TO DISCUSS PART I. BUILDING THE ULTIMATE PACKAGE --What This Means --How to Test It via Launch Type --4-figure Author Mindset, 5-figure Author Mindset, 6 & 7- figure Author Mindset --Wide Packages & Kindle Unlimited Packages 6

THINGS TO DISCUSS PART II. ANALYZING THE PACKAGE --Tools You Can Use --Writing to Market Packages vs Writing from the Heart --Methods to Save You Time --Real-World Examples from the Audience 7

THINGS TO DISCUSS PART III. QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION --If you have a question, hold it until the end of each section. (For a very good reason) 8

THIS IS 100% ME 9

1 Building the Ultimate Package Let’s start with a overview 10

6,026,124 ebooks How can you make your book stand out? 11

Your Cover One of the simplest parts … 12

THE THUMBNAIL TEST -Author name clear? -Title clear? -Image clear -On par for the genre? 13

THE THUMBNAIL TEST -Author name clear? -Title clear? -Image clear? -On par for the genre? 14

The STANDOUT TEST Your Cover Goes Here 15

Title thoughts ▹ 4- figure author thoughts: I’ve already paid for this cover, though … ▹ 5- figure author: I’ll change it later. It’s not that urgent right now. ▹ 6 & 7-figure author: I just emailed my cover designer. I’ll get it done ASAP. 16

Your Title One of the most overlooked parts … 17

Title thoughts ▹ 4-figure author thoughts: Not changing it. I’m too attached. ▹ 5- figure author: Well, it’s selling okay for now, so I’ll “consider” ▹ 6 & 7-figure author: I just emailed my cover designer & I’m researching alternatives. 18

Title thoughts ▹ You’re trying to reach NEW readers ▹ Don’t waste your time on their feelings ▹ Look at the comps in your “neighborhood” (genre) ▹ ADJUST (Also: Would YOU Read it?) 19

First Example The problem is the TITLE … 20

First Example ”Comps” in the OFFICE ROMANCE neighborhood Hero in suit/Couple in passionate embrace Short, playful title 21

Second Example: Sincerely, Carter 22

Sincerely, Carter --Close enough to the “comps” in my neighborhood --Also different enough to stand on its own. 23

Your Blurb One of the hardest parts … 24

Blurb thoughts ▹ 4-figure author thoughts: Ugh. I hate blurbs. This is good enough. ▹ 5-figure author: I have another book to write. Can’t worry about an old book. ▹ 6 & 7-figure author: I need every blurb to be 100% “crack.” 25

Blurb thoughts ▹ DO introduce the characters in an intriguing way ▹ DO allude to the trope if there is one ▹ DO craft the premise without giving too much away 26

Blurb thoughts ▹ DON’T waste time building the world in your blurb ▹ DON’T lie to the reader ▹ DON’T bore the reader with the whole damn story 27

Blurb thoughts ▹ From New York Times bestselling author Jane Doe comes a steamy friends to lovers romance. ▹ From USA Today bestselling author Tommy Smith comes a new sexy contemporary romance. 28

Blurb thoughts 29

Let’s be honest Would you read this book? 30

Questioning the Blurb BLURB #1 It was more than just a one-night stand. Chelsea was there for me when I needed her. Now, she's the one who needs help. Luckily, I'm just the man for the job. MI6 and their orders be damned. She's worth going rogue for … ### 31

Questioning the Blurb BLURB #2 She’s tied up at work...by her boss. The last thing Lochlan wanted in a new assistant was some inexperienced, gorgeous, submissive blonde. However, a promise to a friend ensures that’s exactly what he’s stuck with . 32

Questioning the Blurb BLURB #2 (ctd) May knows she’s out of her league, not only in her new job, but with her boss. He makes her want things she’s never considered — kinky, sensual, wicked things. When trouble at home shows Lochlan more about her life than May wants him to see, there’s no stopping the sexy protector suddenly determined to claim not only her body, but her heart as well. 33

When in doubt, toss it out … 34

Your 10% Bite The bestselling books have the best samples … 35

A 10% EXPERIMENT -DO NOT DO THIS! 36

Taking a 10% Bite You need the opinions of someone other than your beta readers Sampling 20 readers Anywhere between 20-50 is great. 85% love rate Anything less and you’ll need to make some adjustments 37

Your Branding Everything You Do & the Reader Expectations … 38

Whitney G’s brand 1. Whatever release date she says, add 3 days. 2. Alpha male, feisty heroine, lots of witty banter Show and explain your web, app or software projects using these gadget templates. 39

Author name placement & font Genres selected & “lane driven” Streamlining & marketing 40

Packaging Order Kindle Unlimited Cover Blurb 10% Bite (& Title) 41

Packaging Order Wide BLURB Title 10% Bite & Cover 42

WE made it! PART II. ANALYZING THE PACKAGE & SALES -- Study the bestsellers (unless you don’t want a bestseller) --Avoid washed out colors or competing fonts --Make sure your blurb is un-walkaway-able from 43

Short pit stop! Writing to Market (Packaging) 44

ROMANCE TITLE vs MAINSTREAM TITLE 45

BLURB = 100% CRACK. BRANDING = Reader Wants 10% BITE= small segment 46

The part no author wants to hear … . 47

My life was on track. The plan? - Finish my MBA - Get out of the hotel - Finally date James, my manager With only three months left, everything was set. Then he walked in. What I thought was just a difficult guest toppled my life in ways I didn’t plan for. He was an asshole, demanding, and more alluring than should be legal. I had a path. He destroyed it. What now? 48

An irresistibly steamy college sports romance. Heath Taylor. Laid back. Easy going. Fastest guy on two skates and chill to a fault, at least that’s what they say. Until Kara. 49

She’s tied up at work...by her boss. The last thing Lochlan wanted in a new assistant was some inexperienced, gorgeous, submissive blonde. However, a promise to a friend ensures that’s exactly what he’s stuck with. 50

Any questions? You can find me at @whitneyg.author & www.theindietea.com! <3 <3 <3 51

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