1. Free online tool to research available domain names and spin ideas: http://www.domainsbot.com/ 

2. Purchase domain (URL) at GoDaddy.com

Godaddy is an inexpensive and reputable business for your domain purchases. Perfect in fact. Domain registrars are not the place to host your website or purchase additional features. I know it seems tempting to put all of your eggs in one basket but this really isn’t the easiest or right solution. I also never recommend hosting your website on your webmasters account.

3. My Top Pick for Web Hosting: Purchase web hosting from BlueHost

If you need in-depth help with any of these steps or providers feel free to contact me.  I’d love to hear from you.

-Laura

BlueHost has all of the powerful tools that allow easy implementation of a WordPress content management system plus everything you’ll need to establish a strong online presence or quickly move established website(s). The most reputable and affordable web hosting solution on the net. 



http://www.willamettewriters.com/pdf/BrochureWebFnl.pdf

Reserve your spot with agents and publishers now!

From the brochure:

August 7 – 9, 2009

Pre-conference Activities 5 – 9 P.M. Thursday, August 6

Sheraton Airport Hotel

Portland, Oregon

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

~ George Eliot

Wondering why you need to follow media? See my previous blog post for web savvy ideas on using Twitter as part of your publicity plan for authors.

Journalists using Twitter: http://muckrack.com/  

Another comprehensive list of media on Twitter can be found here: 

https://twitteringjournalists.pbwiki.com/Media-People-Using-Twitter

To your exceptional success!

Laura

@barbdelollis Homewood&Hampton fans: Send me yr Qs for the brands! I’m meeting with Hilton’s exec in charge at abt 2pmeast. Will brief you this afternoon.

Reporter  USA Today
http://twitter.com/barbdelollis

Responding to this Tweet may not bring you immediate publicity results but if you have something relevant to ask, it could be an introduction and give her the opportunity to learn more about you when she looks at your Twitter profile, website, or blog. The next time she’s pulling together a story and needs a source with your expertise guess who will be top of mind, maybe you!

If you don’t have anything relevant to offer, you could help her by ReTweeting this request to others on Twitter or by emailing your friend that has a relevant question.

Not only should you follow media people on Twitter but also get to know them, their work, and the kinds of things of interest to them. This will help you craft a perfect pitch for your message and creates the win-win relationship for you and the journalist you hope will pick up your story. You craft a perfect on-topic and relevant pitch to their beat, this goes a long way!

Journalists are under a lot of pressure and have their own deadlines, editors to please and a competive audience to serve. They need your input, breaking news or story sources to provide relevant and timely coverage.

So follow, follow, follow! And remember, interact, offer the media another source if you can’t help them and be an asset in any way you can. It’s all about connecting and helping them to do their jobs with ease.

Here is a recent blog post with an excellent resource for finding media people on Twitter to follow: www.laurasolop.com/media-people-on-twitter-for-authors/

www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6651500.html?rssid=192

Met with as much fury as the sales rank fall of “innocents”, is the new intended policy that will permanently change the ranking system for what Amazon deems “gay and adult themed books”.  

May I say Amazon PR nightmare, train wreck now?

In response to a request for comment, Amazon went on record with the LA Times and explained the disappearing book/sales ranks a “glitch”.

I hope that’s the truth since I have always seen and experienced Amazon as an ally and asset for book sales and author promotion efforts.  

Authors check your accounts immediately to be sure you were not innocently included in the sales rank fall and be advised, Amazon may take a while to address your concerns, if any. In my dealings with Amazon I’ve learned don’t have the staff to field and resolve real time author requests to say nothing of the overload this current public outcry must be creating. It’s best to contact your publisher if you have concerns with your titles, each  has an Amazon account rep. that can deliver more timely responses to your concerns.

Want to see the trend in action at Twitter? #amazonfail: http://tinyurl.com/cmg4vg

Here the LA Times story: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c630a53ef01156f202135970c

 Keep your finger on the pulse of your books, let’s hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

UPDATE: 

4/13/2009 The New York Times updates the #Amazonfail story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/technology/internet/14amazon.html?_r=1&ref=business

Important read for all PR pros and publicity seekers. Several of these are “top tips” I frequently share with my clients.

The REALITY of publicity   Full URL: http://www.valleyprblog.com/pr-best-practices/the-reality-of-publicity/

Time management tip: set aside 30 minutes per week to post and update your book and author profiles to the many websites that are springing up all over the internet. Create a one page working document that you can utilize to copy and paste the information.

To your success!

Laura