Archive for March, 2009
Better Together: Traditional and New Media Campaigns
March 16th, 2009 by Tina JacobsonJust before the holidays, I was invited to a luncheon to discuss a new film. I really didn’t know what to expect as I entered the conference room. There were about 30 people present. Some were my competitors in the Christian marketplace, some were previous clients, others were filmmakers, and still others were CEOs and businessmen as well as ministry people.
On a personal note, this meeting provided me with one of the most validating moments I’ve experienced lately concerning my professional expertise and the business I have specialized in for 21 years–traditional publicity.
The luncheon participants were brainstorming the best ways to raise the funds needed to produce the film. Many ideas were tossed around, but everyone seemed to return to the same theme- new media promotions reaching people through the internet, the way Obama did through his election campaign. A question about the best way to go about doing this was directed to the former owner and CEO of Godtube, who, as it turned out, happened to be sitting right next to me (I didn’t know that!). His response was monumental, at least for me. He stated that all the ideas being thrown out on the table about new media promotions would not work without traditional publicity. He really did say new media promotions would not work without traditional publicity.
I wanted to jump up and shout! AMEN Brother!
Traditional publicity (print articles, radio interviews, TV interviews and mentions), he went on to elaborate, is what drives all the cool new media promotions. Meaning: traditional and new media campaigns are better together.
People tend to forget that. We still look for the quick fix or the next best thing. In fact, we have progressed so far in our pursuit of new ways that we begin to assume that everything traditional should be replaced altogether, whether or not the method has become “traditional” because it works. We must certainly find ways to do it cheaper, faster or better yet, at no cost whatsoever. But the truth is, most of the time your dad was right. You really can’t get something for nothing.
When will we learn that there is no quick fix? The internet may provide a quick answer to the person who is already seeking a product, but it’s not going to give a quick sale for a book or a film. Something else has to introduce people to the new book, film, or whatever and pique their interest in the first place–and that “something” is usually traditional publicity!
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BelieversPress unveils a New Publishing Option at Christian Book Expo
March 14th, 2009 by Nick Ciske
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: The B&B Media Group, Inc.
Tracy McCarter tmccarter@tbbmedia.com
800-927-0517 ext. 109
Reinventing the Publishing Process
BelieversPress unveils a New Publishing Option at Christian Book Expo
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX-What does it mean to be a Christian author? Many writers have important messages to deliver and unforgettable stories to tell. Unfortunately, the traditional publishing model can fail to meet their needs or simply weed them out. At the first ever Christian Book Expo (Dallas Convention Center, March 19-22), BelieversPress is announcing a new way for any Christian author to publish a book.
The vision for this new publishing venture is the creation of an innovative group of Christian publishing professionals including a team at Bethany Press. Traditional royalty publishing, vanity publishing, and subsidy publishing all control the author’s work in some way, from the choice of a title or cover art to ownership of the ISBN or the art work. BelieversPress grew from the idea that when a book bears an author’s name, that author should have control of the publishing process. Through the collaboration of an online cooperative community of Christian authors, service providers, and small ministries, BelieversPress is reinventing the way publishing is done. Authors or future authors can join the community at www.BelieversPress.com.
“We created BelieversPress to give authors total ownership of the publishing process and the ability to access a full range of Christian publishing talent and services. Our goal is to make publishing simple and affordable,” John DePree, president/CEO of Bethany Press says. ”As Christians, our foremost passion is to create an authentic community where we serve each other. We want to see the message God has placed in the hearts of authors shared with a world which desperately needs that message.”
BelieversPress offers would-be independent authors access to professionals with extensive experience in the Christian publishing industry. Authors pay only for the services they need. The author is free to choose the service provider, and because the prices are all-inclusive, there are no surprises.
BelieversPress offers a full selection of publishing services including:
- Editorial–both basic copy editing and more substantive editing
- Design–custom and template cover designs, typesetting
- Print–direct access to Bethany Press, the same major Christian book printer that produces 30% of the Christian book industry’s best-selling Christian paperback books
- Distribution–access to the services of STL Distribution through a simple book distribution program tailored to the needs of authors, ministries, and publishers
- Marketing & Publicity–connections with marketing and publicity professionals who also serve the mainstream Christian publishing community
- BelieversPress Marketplace–no-cost web page and e-commerce book sales
Because BelieversPress is not a publisher, they will not retain any rights whatsoever to the author’s work. All the profits are the author’s to keep.
A portion of the proceeds from BelieversPress empowers Bethany International to train and send missionaries around the world to share the amazing love of Jesus with those in need of Him.
Visit the BelieversPress booth (#321) at CBE, a new consumer-oriented book event to be held March 19-22 in Dallas, TX. This event, a first for ECPA and the first Christian book fair of its type, will bring together publishers, authors, and consumers. You can pre-register at www.christianbookexpo.com.
John DePree is available for interview or comment on this new venture and the changing needs of publishing in today’s economy.
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Unfinished Symphony
March 6th, 2009 by Nick CiskeWell, it looks like the fine folks at Christian Book Expo let the cat out of the bag:
BelieversPress makes announcement that they will be launching at CBE – get a sneak peak here: www.believerspress.com
We’re not quite ready for you to start using the site yet, but we’d love for you to join our community of Christian authors and publishers in the meantime.
We’ll let you know when we’re open for business!
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