This blog entry tells what’s wrong with a lot of SEO — search-engine optimization — advice. Why should a book-writer care? Because whether you are just interested in promoting your book, or your book is part of a larger marketing strategy, “organic” (that is, non-paid) search-engine results are important to you.

In other words, when someone googles some of your keywords, you want your site to appear at the the top of the search results. That is what SEO is about, and what SEO consultants offer. The above-referenced blog entry tells you what to beware of.

A long string, but worth reading for the “in-the-trenches” commentary.

My opinion: Self-publish. Those opposed often want to avoid the responsibility for promotion; unfortunately, that rarely works. Even if you land a publisher, you must promote.

The dollars say: Self-publish. Retain control. Make more money. If the book takes off, you are in a much better negotiating position with major publishers. See Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self Publishing Manual)

No great revelations, but a good summary. Go here.

In my study of prolific book-writers, I noticed that most of them create the structure of the book first, then fill in the content. So I have incorporated that approach into my teaching, as well as into my book-writing.

Here’s what I mean: Instead of starting off by just writing, I

• decide on a book length;
• start by creating my table of contents;
• proceed by making lists of subchapters — roughly 12-15 concepts per chapter;
• create lists of 3 scintillating verbs or nouns for each subchapter; I start the subchapter with one of the 3, then use the other two in the first paragraph.

I call this my BookProgram™. Only when all this is in place do I start to write.

Read what PR strategist Patricia Vaccarino says about “brand fitness”:

Branding is no longer only for celebrities.  Now in order to be seen and heard above the din, and to reach the right target audiences, everyone must build a brand identity.

Read the full text of this excellent article here.

I just found out that my “Write Your Book in 30 Days — or Less!” workshop is scheduled for this most appropriately named day! Here’s what the day’s originator, John Riddle, says about it at www.ilovetowriteday.org:

“My goal for I Love To Write Day is to have people of all ages spend time writing. They can write a poem, a love letter, a greeting card, an essay, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless. But I want people to take the time to put their thoughts down on paper. They will be amazed at the results. Writing can be fun, but also challenging. People need to be challenged, and writing is but one of many creative ways to express yourself. I am very excited because ‘I Love To Write’ Day activities are already being planned all across the United States. For many people, that will be the beginning of their writing career. ‘I Love To Write’ Day has the potential to launch the career of the next John Grisham, Mary Higgins Clark, Stephen King, or Toni Morrison.”

I really enjoyed this interview with an agent. Anyone who has looked for one knows they are not easy to find, and I haven’t tried to contact Andy. But if you have a non-fiction book, it’s worth a shot.

Technorati Profile Check out Technorati.com for an astonishing directory of blogs.

Mitchell Levy of HappyAbout and Quick2Publish share some straightforward thoughts about the benefits to an author in this LinkSV article.

Bonnie Boots offers inexpensive book cover packages ($255). You pick from her catalog; when you buy a cover, she retires it — so you won’t have the same cover as someone else.