How to Publish a Book of Blues. Hopefully.

Hopin' to take our Books of Blues from the street to the store shelves. Someday.

Welcome to Nat Finn and DB Fraizer’s How to Publish a Book of Blues. Hopefully, where we combine Plan A and Plan B together in hopes that someday our lifelong dreams of publishing blues books become a reality.

Plan A:  To write about our adventures in getting our drafts edited and published. This includes trials, tribulations, influences, and the essentials that go into such a project.

Plan B: To use our careers in SEO/SMO, Social Media, and Copywriting to not only get the word out about our endeavors but to share, learn and grow as we go.

Sometimes we’ll use a word that will require finndexing. In order to understand “finndexing” and other custom terms, please visit our Glossary page.

Some people want to know why we never mention the working title of our works. Our Code Words page explains the reasonings.

Please also visit Nat Finn’s Professional Writing Samples page, especially if you’re a prospective agency, company, or publisher.

Want to guest write on our site about your writing, publishing, SEO/SMO, or Social Media adventures? Please leave us a comment and we’ll be sure to get back to you.

Thank you. – Fraiz & Finn

Please enjoy the read…

how to publish a book, publish a book, book publishing, blues book, book of blues

Popularity: 98% [?]

I’m sitting here in my friend’s office at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The first class I taught went suprisingly well. Of course I broadcasted the event on UStream but didn’t record it. Mistakes to be corrected tomorrow. I was also happy to see I had so many asking questions, staying attentive, and stopping by after the session.

A radio show just finished up and we’re waiting for the director of the show to stop by and discuss what more we can do to his site. I like the site, like the content, but already have a list in mind.

Anyway, while catching up on blogs I came across one HubSpot just posted regarding the Edelman trust barometer survey of 2010 which polled the trust people have in traditional media markets and marketing methods. The numbers were compared to the results gained in 2008.

What it showed was, across the board, that half as many people trust their news sources as compared to 2008. Even word of mouth plummeted to 25%. Here’s a link to the Edelman 2010 Trust Survey regarding media / marketing outlets.

Of course the running joke would be, “If those trust numbers are so low, would anyone trust the survey?” But assuming they might, the question would be:

How to Get People to Trust You Using Inbound Marketing 2010

I ask the question because for the most part I’m not sure about the answer. I’m looking forward to testing it out, but I have a few theories I’d love to get y’alls advice too.

Things I’m Going to Focus to Maintain Trust

1) We Are Family – continue to focus on Trust. Continuing to add links from where I get sources when the article calls for a source and then explain in the notes why the source is important. Marketing is all about fraternization and positioning. Keep the fraternity partying and don’t haze the newbies.

2) Run with Friends - As Brogan & Smith’s Trust Agents would indicate, I will continue to highlight why I publically acknowledge my friends when I acknowledge them.

3) Be the first – Trust in society usually starts again when someone lends a hand. There’s a power that stems from being the first to trust, to take the leap of faith. And if someone tries to bite that hand, their’s justification for beating them back into the depths of hell from whence it came.

4) Candid – My friends are often upset by my “freedom of information act,” when it comes to their stories. I don’t keep their secrets unless they officially call them a secret. I try to do this when marketing as well. I’m not one for hiding the warts. I’m one for lasering them off in public – usually while on ustream or something

5) Smile - These times suck a**. Might as well admit to it. Blues it. Identify it. Know that them days are gonna get better.

Trust in the day and know today will help tomorrow.

What approaches are y’all gonna take in this trust-less environment?

(photo credit by Open Your Heart via Flickr)

Popularity: 3% [?]

Live video chat by Ustream

here I am speaking live at Mizzou. Enjoy

Popularity: 32% [?]

Blue Ice 1.17.2010

Originally uploaded by Notley

My 99 week plan was cut short by 89 weeks, and that’s alright by me. I had a week of work where I felt more refreshed at the end of the week than when I started the week.

That’s a good sign.

I was also afraid being unplugged from the inbound marketing industry for 10 weeks was going to leave me behind. It only took a few days to catch up.

It’s because I didn’t have to relearn it all.

And that leads me into today. In a bit I’m taking a trip down to Columba, Missouri to teach a couple classes on SEO and Journalism at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. It’ll be fun and exciting. I’m looking foward to seeing where these sect of students are in relation to SEO.

At this point, mots speakers would have their own powerpoint deck so they can throw it on SlideShare.

I’m not a fan of the approach, especially not in a college setting.

What I’m going to do instead is give them something they can use. Most of these students will start blogging – if they aren’t already – and the demand for web copy far exceeds the need for journalists. So, instead of giving them a self-promotional presentation, I’m going to use the Google Search Engine Optimization Start Guide during my presentation. It’s a PDF. They can download and use it.

And let them know where my life is know.

And then ustream it so my buddy – their teacher – can use it to test them later.

Looking’ forward to watching a Missouri sundown tonight. Can’t wait to get in the car and go. It looks like I won’t be making my Fort Myers, Margaritaville return trip so this will have to do for now.

How many of you have read the Google SEO Starter Guide?

Popularity: 8% [?]

I’m sitting in room Seven at the Marriot in Indianapolis, IN watching Northwest Indiana Mortgage legend and friend Dave Woodson teach realitors at the Real Estate Bar Camp Indiana how to set up a WordPress blog.

I’m using the Wordpress App to show the site’s diversity.

Popularity: 17% [?]

It ain’t hard to tell I’m on my own clock:  I just lost an hour of my life – and delayed my roadtrip to Indy for an hour – because I had to find out what the Hell the “Zoot Suit” song was being used for the 2010 start of Burn Notice Season 3.

Come to find out they weren’t singing “Get your Zoot Suit on…” but were singing “Get your Silk Suit on.” The Burn Notice 2010 commercial song is “Silk Suit,” by KRAM.

Lyrics are written in a classic blues style. Simple blues riff. Fun to listen to:

Get your Silk Suit on / Get your Silk Suit on
Ain’t nobody else that’s got it goin’ on

The song also insists you get your “black dress” and “sneakers” on as well. Guys, if you must, you must, but I’m gonna support the ladies’ need to do this…

Now, I can drive down to Indy in peace and enjoy my weekend of Colts Football, Indiana ReBar pre and post parties, and learning more insider information about Blog Indiana’s 2010 events.

So long as I have my Silk Suit on, have my Silk Suit on.

Ain’t nobody else that’s got it goin’ on.

Did y’all have as much trouble as I did finding this Burn Notice song?

(photo credit:  ch5224 via flickr)

Popularity: 57% [?]