Those Who Help Us Produce the Books (and a marketing message)

A small press like WiDo Publishing doesn't pay salaries, we pay freelancers. Our freelancers work in editing, typesetting, cover design, ebook formatting. We couldn't function without these amazing people.

Today, as part of an indie blogfest sponsored by author Jordan McCullum, I want to give a shout out to those extremely talented people who step in once the book is written, and who work so hard to make WiDo books amazing.

(And since I also signed up at the last minute for the What Works and What Doesn't blogfest sponsored by Arlee Bird, I have something to say about marketing as well at the end of this post.)

Facebook Cover by Steven Novak

If you're a self-published author, you also run a publishing business that most likely uses freelancers. You may even use several of the same ones we employ. Or you may be seeking recommendations.

Website Photography by Erin Gowen

If so, let me help. Each of these individuals is an ultimate professional at what they do. Looking for people to get you and your book ready for the big time? Here's WiDo's list:

Editors:

Summer Ross and Amie McCracken

Cover Designers:

Steven Novak
Amie McCracken
Tracy Jo Blowers and Lisa Olson

Typesetter:

Marny K. Parkin

Ebook Coding:

Marny K. Parkin
Karlene Browning

Photography:

Erin Gowen

Website Design and Maintenance:

Bill Justesen
Karlene Browning

And a special thank you to Karlene Browning who told me about this blogfest. It's an opportunity to mention and endorse a few special folks who are extremely important, and who make our job at WiDo so much easier!

And now for my contribution to the What Works blogfest, which is very brief, and which honors someone who's extremely special to me: the initial investor of WiDo Publishing-- without this person, who has always asked to be anonymous, there would be no company-- or at least not one that has had the longevity and overall success that WiDo has enjoyed.

WiDo was begun during a time of great transition in the industry and was able to stick it out and even thrive when other small publishers were going under with the close of bookstores and the rise of Amazon and ebooks. This is due to the wisdom and good judgement of our investor, who said something about marketing I want to share here:

"You will try one thing and it won't work. Then you'll try another thing that won't work. And eventually you will find what does work. But you won't find it if you don't keep trying."

And that's the crux of successful marketing. You just have to keep trying and experimenting and discovering what works for you and your company. It's not static, it's definitely not foolproof or guaranteed. Marketing must be ongoing and flexible and continuous.

Those who are participating in the What Works and What Doesn't blogfest are posting their own experiences with marketing. Should be fascinating! Go here for the list of participants.