In the face of modern challenges like widespread digitization and shifting priorities in higher education, university presses are getting creative in their efforts to promote their books and connect with readers.
Marketing
Ghost Tweeting Best Practices
By Sadie Verville @sadieverville
We all know the success of a book depends largely on its social media presence. There isn’t a debate. That’s how it is now. As society and cultures evolve and morph, so do the marketing methods. The younger generations raised in these new marketing methods learn them like they learn language. It’s second nature to craft a tweet, edit, post aesthetically-pleasing pictures, and know when they’re posting too much or too little. But older generations haven’t had the luxury of growing up in this world. It really is as difficult as learning a completely new language—and not everyone has the ability to take the time to learn it.
Demystifying Book Metadata
By Stephen Hyde
The scene opens on a classroom. The students’ eyes are glazed over from the glow of the computer screens, half of them open to D2L, the other to some Instagrammer’s latest post. The professor asks the question, “What is metadata?” and one person, with a fox-like grin on their face, raises their hand and calls out, “It’s data about data.” Everyone breaks out in applause, confetti rains from the ceiling and cupcakes are served. This has happened to me more times than I can count, and yes, a quick hand raise asking for clarification could have solved all my problems but then I wouldn’t have had a blog post idea. So come with me as we take a journey on self-education and find out what all the fuss is about metadata and why you should actually care about it.
Submit to Read at the Oregon Writers of Color Spring Showcase
By Ooligan PressLiterary Arts and the graduate program in Book Publishing at Portland State University seek submissions from writers of color for the Oregon Writers of Color Spring Showcase.
Marketing for the Future
By PJ Zettle @PJ_Zettle
While it is important to respect our consumer base of the past, the consumer base of the future will no doubt be born out of the marriage between brands and social activism.
Should you judge a book by its trailer?
By Kimberley Scofield @kmscofie
Marketing is easily one of the most expensive parts of making a book, and with digital media here to stay, publishers use any digital marketing tools they can for promotion.