tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97514162024-03-14T05:55:32.920-07:00EC Come, EC GoFocused on all aspects of writing, publishing and marketing, including production of book cover designs and promotional book videos. This blog also provides discussion on new title releases by Earl.
Earlier blogs are dedicated to enhancing memories through professional video production. All articles copyright 2004-2016 Earl Chessher.Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-53707231339476615622016-10-26T17:54:00.001-07:002016-10-26T17:57:12.004-07:00Gone, But Not ForgottenI bet you thought you'd never get another notice of something new on EC Come, EC Go. Well, yes, it has taken me a long, long time, but after all kinds of excitement in my health life over the past year, I just might be ready to revisit and share information about writing, publishing and marketing, as well as a bit of back story about recent and new titles being released.<br />
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I've no intention of abandoning EC Come, EC Go. Hang with me here and maybe I can share a few things that make it worth a return trip. Give me a little more time, and I'll do what I can to make it worth your while.<br />
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Thanks for not giving up on me. Well, most of you probably have, and with good reason, but I hope I can lure you back with some useful, if not interesting stuff.<br />
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Meanwhile, our good friend and my personal professional website developer, and Fiction Writers Group member, Charlotte Townsend, will soon be taking over management of the FWG official website at <a href="http://www.writersanarchy.com/">Writer's Anarchy</a>. I'm working up the plans for a second JanuWriMo 2017! (not affiliated in any way with NaNoWriMo) and soon will be developing a funding program to enable FWG to offer writing contests and other neat things. Hang onto those keyboards, pens or pencils, because things are about to get “writerly” around here. <br />
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Later,<br />
EarlEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-33736062462812537782015-01-15T13:18:00.002-08:002015-01-16T02:22:14.425-08:00Self-Publishing: A Return on Your Investment?Can I Expect a Return on my Investment as a Self-Publisher?<br />
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Can you “expect” a return? The answer to that is no. The odds are against it. But, if you focus on the following six steps you will increase your chances, and the possibility of generating an income, if not a profit, but not from one, stand-alone, title.<br />
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I initially anticipated this to be a single article, but I am convinced that it needs to be expanded into a six-part series instead. There’s just too much to share in one sitting. I don’t want you falling asleep on me, or going to YouTube and watching videos instead.<br />
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Step No. 1 — Write more. Write often. You need more than one title.<br />
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You won’t break even on one title, but you stand a chance of that and more if your sites provide more than a single title option for visiting readers and, eventually, loyal followers.<br />
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Here’s the thing. Sure, you want to publish longer stories. You desire to push past the average short story (or maybe not) and pen and publish novellas and novels in the 25,000 word to 90,000-plus word category But, assuming you have sites where you can feature your titles, even offer eBook downloads and print versions, you can do something within the next two weeks that will generate a surge of interest in your titles—feature eight to ten good, well-written, satisfying short stories.<br />
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This keeps your one longer title company and gives the impression you are a dynamic writer, a prolific writer, and that the return visitor can depend on finding new material written by you virtually every week or ten days they drop in for a look.<br />
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Come up with a 500-to-1,000-word short story today. Edit tomorrow. Generate a reasonably attractive cover for it (more on that later), polish and publish. Announce its availability on all your social sites, especially Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. As well as others. At the rate of one new title every two days, you will have effectively buffed up your backlist to seven, or more, new titles in two weeks.<br />
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No, no, no...it's totally doable. You’re a writer with lots of ideas going on inside that creative mind of yours. Take those ideas, use your muse, and generate these titles. Let them be the precursor to future, longer works, but make them complete, with the traditional beginning, middle and end.<br />
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Plan on four hours tops, to generate a 500-word short story—maybe the same for a thousand words, or an hour or two more. Editing? The next day? A couple of hours. Formatting and uploading, another couple of hours. So, you invest, say, eight hours in two days to generate a new title. Some can do this faster while others may need a bit more time. In any event, you are a writer. Write those stories with the knowledge that you are investing in a business that can bring a return provided you are willing to make it happen.<br />
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You might be more comfortable knocking out seven or eight short stories in a few days, then going back and editing them, then going back and designing the cover, formatting and uploading. If that is how it works for you, then by all mean, go for it.<br />
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MORE TO COME...Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-59582980418707015292015-01-10T20:05:00.000-08:002015-01-10T21:38:06.449-08:00Postcards, Direct-Mail, Can Work for Authors<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">When folks say direct-mail campaigns are expensive, they're usually talking about paying for mailing lists/addresses, sending out a thousand or more at a time, and the sorting and grouping that comes with handling such volume. Direct-mail postcards and postage, however, can fit most any budget.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">You can go to <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/postcards.aspx?couponAutoload=1&GP=1%2f10%2f2015+10%3a31%3a00+PM&GPS=3400200113&GNF=0" target="_blank">Vistaprint</a>, <a href="http://gotprint.net/g/showStaticPage.do?devicetype=c&page=500-postcards.html&gclid=Cj0KEQiAuMOlBRDf6_izz93n-pEBEiQAsJCJWg6lL0k4uQFXmF2yIfknOUB8kZOjo6InSSZeTBPKZZQaArSJ8P8HAQ" target="_blank">GotPrint</a>, <a href="http://www.overnightprints.com/postcards" target="_blank">Over Night Prints</a>, <a href="http://www.americasprinter.com/" target="_blank">America's Printer</a>, <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/postcards" target="_blank">Zazzle</a> and a host of other printers and get real bargains on small- or large-run printer services for everything from business cards to flyers to postcards to book markers. You get what you pay for, but prices range from $20 to $50 to $100, depending on amounts, colors, size and other considerations. I personally have used America's Printer and Vistaprint. Both are good, my go-to printer is America’s Printer for all-around service and generally competitive pricing.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Those giant postcards are not what you want, and they do not impress me—I suspect they mostly irritate others as well. In this case, yeah, size matters, but don't consider anything more than 4x6 to maybe 5.5 x 8.5. Good enough. More on designing your postcard later in this article.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">So, while it CAN be expensive, and I've not done much of it for my fiction publications/titles, direct-mail campaigns using postcards has always generated the MOST responses for me in all other marketing endeavors. I will be doing this in 2015 for all titles—fiction and non-fiction. <b>NOTE:</b> We’ll talk about e-mail campaigns, e-mail blasts, newsletters and other e-mailing approaches in a later article.</span><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">I did develop through <a href="http://www.Lulu.com/spotlight/Earl">Lulu.com</a>, a postcard for my non-</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0">fiction <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/paperback/product-16255781.html">how-to book on making money with funeral and memorial videos</a>. Following the same principle as I have with my video company's marketing for specific services—dance, performance, sports, events, etc.—that EVERY occupied home and address is a valid potential client, I've acquired any addresses I could without paying, and mailed out small batches of postcards.</span><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">My theory is that direct-mail doesn't HAVE to be based on a mailout of thousands, or even hundreds, of postcards. It can be handled based on my (your) budget. The effect, the exposure, accrues. The more you mail out, as often as you can afford, over time, the more visibility, linkage, and brand awareness you build. I have NEVER conducted a mailout of 20 or more postcards that I've not received inquiries and sales. NEVER!</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0">And, I've even mailed a postcard a day for 30 days-in-a-row, knowing that by the end of that campaign I will have received responses and business. I fully intend to do this for all of my titles.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0">Here's my points:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1.) Your postcard doesn't ONLY get seen by the final addressee. It is seen by all who handle it en route, all those who reside at the address, and it has shelf life. People keep good looking, interesting and intriguing postcards around for a bit—mostly. Sure, we all toss stuff we get in those marriage-mail bundles, but we do scan some of it. If you've done something other than just filling your mailing piece with copy—dense, heavy copy—it will stop the eyeballs long enough to register.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$16:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$16:0">2.) Postcards in small batches aren't THAT cost prohibitive, or expensive to mail. Not cheap, but small batches can be budgeted. Again, it is effective, over time, and as you continue mailing them.</span><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$17:0" /><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$18:0"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$18:0">3.) Postcards should include your contact information, your website and a QR code that takes people on the go with smart phones, tablets and other devices directly to your video book trailers. Or, your websites, blogs or other places where you have content you want to promote.</span><br data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$19:0" /><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0">4.) Ah, yes, video book trailers. Combined with postcards, they are a win-win marketing program and will generate traffic to your pages and websites.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0">Designing a postcard, flyer, or book marker.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".ca.1:3:1:$comment10155045064370510_10155045327185510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">1.) Your book cover is your template. Other than your contact information, links to your Internet sites and that QR code, your cover and back-page blurb should be your postcard design—generally speaking.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">2.) Color is no longer cost-prohibitive. Use color, unless you're making some kind of creative statement and desire to go with black and white.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">3. Probably, the absolute largest postcard you want to create is a 5.5 x 8.5 and keep it horizontal, not vertical. I made that design mistake and hate it. Trust me. Horizontal.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">That's it. Try some and see if it doesn’t get you positive results.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823;">I told you my next blog topic would be </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">"Return on Your Investment"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823;"> but this one on marketing came up, thanks to my good friend and fellow writer, </span><a href="http://tedatoka.weebly.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ted Atoka</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823;">. So, Return on Your Investment will be my focus for an upcoming article. Meanwhile, my titles can be found at <a href="http://http/www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl">Lulu Spotlight Earl</a> and check out our posse of writers at <a href="http://www.writersofthewest.com/">Writers of the West</a>.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823;">More to come next time...</span></span></span><br />
<br />Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-22927482065887766352015-01-06T16:51:00.000-08:002015-01-06T16:51:13.952-08:00What You Know and What Others Tell You<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><b>What writers need is balance.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">All clichés apply, from the one about writing being a lonely world for the author, to the one about ... well, you know.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">I want to point out a few things to those who are self-confident, frustrated, overwhelmed, or just plain insecure. You are not alone, and you are not wrong, and you are not an inferior writer, and you are not destined for failure or public humiliation. You MUST find a way beyond your insecurities—the bane of most, if not all writers—and achieve a level of faith in yourself that indeed borders on conceit and cockiness. The key word here folks is “borders.”</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">Truth of the matter is most of us are humble sorts. We are always a bit nervous about allowing others to read our work, knowing it is below par, primitive and perhaps stupid. Our writing is weak. Our prose is overdone. Our stories are too simplistic, too intellectual or too far out there. How do we know this? Well, beyond that person sitting at the keyboard or writing pad insisting so (yes, you) there are all those people who read the stuff and come back with 1,001 ways to improve, perfect or otherwise make readable your hard-fought story.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">And, lest we forget, those who beseech us in unfriendly terms and unkind phrases to seek other avenues of creative expression.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">Readers are important. Critique is important, Professional editing is VERY important. Proof reading is important. All constructive criticism and input is important. This being said...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$12:0"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">What I find not only interesting, but revealing about this process, is the number of readers/editors who are offended when you do not use any or all of their suggestions, or laud them for their awesome insights. When you do not pay homage to their awesomeness and bow to their superior literary skills. Ahem...</span><br data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">I cannot tell you the number of times,</span></span><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$0:0"> in past years, where these people were pissed off, and even abusive in their follow-up comments, accusing me of being hard-headed, stubborn and not interested in perfecting or improving my story because I did not use some, any or all their input, or take their comments to heart.</span><br data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">Where I have had strong and specific responses to some of their misperceptions, I have replied, not defensively but factually, and even that sometimes has gotten me negative blowback. Usually, if I have nothing I want to clarify, I do not comment. Either way, I have frequently been accused of being defensive when it truly felt like it was the other way around.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">Once you get past your worst critic, YOU dear writer, and start seeking advice, input or corrective surgery for your stories, and once you overcome this thing called insecurity, you must develop a sense of what is good for your story and what is not.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">Virtually EVERY individual from whom you gain advice will give you something—a nugget perchance—you can use to upscale your story. Take that and dump the rest. Always connect with those with whom you work as readers, et al, and thank them for their input, mentioning specifically or generally what they offered that worked for you. It is not necessary, other than for factual clarification, to enter into debate or defend anything you do not use or apply.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">If you cannot agree at all with something offered, don't bother arguing this point or that, simply thank them for their hard work, interest and support, and make your story the best it can be.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">YOU will always be the last word in your storytelling. YOU will always be the champion of your story, what it should, or could use to be better; what it must retain of your creative endeavors to remain your story.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">You cannot satisfy all the above people who offer, volunteer or are paid to provide you with their services and skills. You will never satisfy all readers. So, push comes to shove, satisfy yourself. But, let's not be stupid. Always know that while you have the choice to accept or reject what is shared by others regarding the quality, content or readability of your story, keep an open mind to how it most certainly can be improved.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0">Write for quality. Edit for purity. Publish with confidence.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><b>MY NEXT BLOG TOPIC</b> — Return on Your Investment</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".1qv.1:3:1:$comment10155011218265510_10155014453170510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">I've invested as much as $1,000 in editing, cover design, layout and formatting services knowing full well that I have less than Las Vegas odds at a chance of recovering my investment, not to mention the time spent creating and polishing the initial product. F</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$8:0">or those of us with commercial interests above and beyond simply writing for the joy of it, independent publication is an expensive process. You will pay for professional services for that story, collection, novella or novel. But, BUT...it only takes one to hit the pulse of your readers/followers and many of your other heavily invested titles will boost sales closer to breaking even.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$9:0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$11:0" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$12:0">So, while it is a gamble to invest so deeply in professional services. Every time you do you increase the odds in your favor of possibly recouping your costs over the long haul. <b>MORE TO COME NEXT TIME.</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$12:0"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span data-reactid=".er.1:3:1:$comment10155006798380510_10155013540560510:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$12:0"><b>My titles can be found at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl">http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl</a> or Amazon, SmashWords, iBookStore, Nook and Selfy. Also, check out <a href="http://www.writersofthewest.com/">http://www.writersofthewest.com</a> for a look at what is new in western storytelling. The site features a posse of penslingers who are working to revive not only The Western, but all aspects of the flavor of that era and the characters who colored it.</b></span></span>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-17447325220805779472014-12-28T12:20:00.000-08:002014-12-28T12:20:03.595-08:00A Time to Write, A Time to NotI perceive four types of people who pursue writing. There may be more, but I suspect all of us who dare take on this lofty ambition will fall into one of the following four types, even if it is a subcategory.<br />
<br />
• Those who talk about writing, but never really seem to get past all the perceived roadblocks.<br />
— Time<br />
— Family<br />
— Kids<br />
— Responsibilities<br />
— Summer adult baseball, winter adult basketball, or youth sports, dance and other classes<br />
— My REAL job<br />
— I’m really busy developing my Internet social sites and interacting<br />
— I’m in love<br />
— We broke up<br />
— I died<br />
<br />
• Those who have scads of ideas, copious notes, all kinds of outlines and partial WIPs<br />
— I don’t know how to write<br />
— I cannot finish anything because I’m always starting something new<br />
— I don’t have enough confidence to continue<br />
— My last 52 starts haven’t been good enough<br />
— I need a mentor<br />
— I want somebody else to take my ideas and run with them, but share the glory (riches) with me<br />
— Everybody who reads my idea tells me it’s a great one but don’t tell me what I need to do next<br />
— My laptop battery went out and I cannot find the plug-in adapter<br />
— I lost everything and hate to start all over<br />
— I’m still working on my NaNoWriMo project, knocking all my other ideas to the back burner<br />
<br />
• Those who have finished manuscripts<br />
— I need to know what to do next<br />
— It’s too long, I need to cut it down<br />
— It’s too short, I need to bulk it up<br />
— I need an editor (cheap or free)<br />
— I need readers (cheap or free, but they need to get back to me yesterday after agreeing to read)<br />
— I need a book cover designer (C or F)<br />
— I need a publisher<br />
— It’s finished, but not really, so I need to go back and read and re-read and re-write it<br />
— I’m going to let it rest for a month, then go back and take another look<br />
—Hey everybody! I did it! I wrote a book! Several books! Starting another one!<br />
<br />
• Those who are ready to market, solicit, query, seek an agent or self-publish<br />
— How do I let everybody know about my book unless I SPAM them everywhere?<br />
— How do I SPAM everybody everywhere when I only have four e-mail addresses?<br />
— I can’t get anyone to review my new book!<br />
— I can’t get anyone to give me more than one star!<br />
— I get plenty of reviews, but they all suck!<br />
— I’m not happy with: SmashWords, Amazon, Nook, iBookStore, Lulu, CreateSpace, etc.<br />
— I’m not happy with the contract I signed with ACME (fictitious, I think) Publishers!<br />
— My publisher isn’t doing anything for me. I have to do it all: editing, marketing, promotion...<br />
— I got a 5-year, 5-books signed contract, but I have no idea what to write next.<br />
— My manuscript was accepted but here it is a year later and they’re still making me do rewrites!<br />
<br />
Does any of this sound familiar? Ring a bell? Make your eyes pop at the pure audacity of the comments? Are you amused, confused or abused by any/all of the above? I admit, it really isn’t funny. After all, we all take our writing, or attempts thereof, seriously. Who is this blog author to abuse that?<br />
<br />
For the many, many, many of us who are truly serious about our writing endeavors, the answers are simple. We have read them all in a billion other blogs, books, articles by successful commercial authors, at seminars and workshops. For those who simply want to play at it, all the answers are hard, difficult, impossible even, because they all require that we do something...apply ourselves.<br />
<br />
You ever wonder why, for the most part, you cannot remember your dreams? Because they are, after all, only dreams. Nothing tangible, except for those who immediately wake up and use their bedside notebooks or voice recorders...but, hey, these people are the ones who are truly serious about writing. For the rest of us, dreams are dreams, realities are realities. But, if you are truly serious about writing, then each and every reality (Story. Your novel.) was once a dream. Not an enigma or riddle. The equation is simple: Great ideas won’t work unless you do.<br />
<br />
It is up to each of us to keep our fires burning, our momentum going, our dreams alive. The basic formula for the first type I listed is to make the determination to write a few words, sentences, paragraphs or pages each day—whenever and wherever we manage to take the time, and regardless of how we feel mentally or physically when that opportunity arises.<br />
<br />
The second group needs to pick a story, any story, keep a journal or voice recorder close by to jot down or record new, conflicting or more enticing ideas, and finish that story. Then peruse your other ideas and pick another. Finish it. Pick another. Finish.<br />
<br />
There are a number of ways to approach things if you’re a third group member. If you are a writer of any size, shape or description, you must, MUST begin another project ASAP! You will stagnate as a writer if you abandon your stories for the sake of placing your finished, nearly finished, or all but finished manuscript. Yes, it needs to get “out there” and be seen in print or eBook. Yes, you need to develop a readership, gain exposure, establish yourself as an accomplished author. Unless, however, you plan to be a one-book wonder, you need to keep writing. So, if what you did is a labor of love and you wish to openly share, then upload and release it. If it is worth more to you than that, then you need to find a way to outsource some of the other services you need so you can keep writing. If you don’t, you’ll fall back into the elements of the first two types I listed, and essentially have to start the whole process all over again.<br />
<br />
Ah, those of us in the last group have so many challenges before us. Primarily, however, we need to be organized. We need to focus on our individual Big Picture, and generate outlines, to-do lists and establish priorities for our long- and short-term goals that we believe will get us where we wish to go. There are decisions to make, to be sure, but we’ve made it into this category so we have conquered our inability to self-start, to overcome, to finish projects. All we need to do, really, is research our options, and when opportunities manifest, we need to carefully study the options and not gleefully jump into the fire with the first smiling handsome person who shows up to bid.<br />
<br />
Hard to be logical and left-sided in a right-sided, creative brain, but we all are capable of adapting. It is important to remain positive, keep the faith, maintain hope and stay the course. Those of us who do will...those of us who cannot see how this is possible. Well? Well, you do have access to awesome friends, fellow readers and a boatload of online resources to help you get where you think you want to go as a writer. Doing something about it will move you from one category of writer-types to the next.Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-32427549972439948222014-12-26T02:20:00.001-08:002014-12-26T02:31:10.955-08:00Writing is a Piece of Cake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Writing a story, be it drabble, short story, novella or novel, or even a series, is easy. It's a piece of cake! There it is, waiting for the knife. You slice into it, make another cut and create a wedge, then lift it off the platter and onto your plate and dig in. Everybody can do this and enjoy the results...piece of cake!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, before the cake you or your readers were able to enjoy, you did need an oven.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You need someplace where it can rise and bake provided you had all the necessary ingredients.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But first you would need the eggs, milk, shortening or oil, flour, baking soda, flavoring, salt, nuts for texture, pieces of chocolate or other goodies for the surprise bursts of flavor, butter, and any other ingredients (elements) that you may decide to use in order to not only make your cake as good or better than any other ever tasted, but unique perhaps. Different. Something with a surprise element like the raspberry and chocolate filler between the two layers.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You might decide to go for a butter icing, marzipan or something entirely different—perhaps whipped cream. You mix, stir, fold in, let it set or sit, or not, then preheat the oven, pour the batter into a special pan, bake it at just the right degrees for just the right amount of time, test it with a broom straw (don't worry, the heat probably killed any germs), take it out, turn off the oven, and let the cake layers cool.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then comes the icing, and all that goes into creating the wonderful coating that melts, spreads or otherwise forms to your baked and cooled cake. Once again you might fold, mix, stir or beat an assortment of ingredients into confection perfection, or boil for just the right amount of time over just the right temperature, then apply it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, if all efforts fail, if you are the type who doesn't give up, who is tenacious and believes the outcome will be worth the effort, you'll begin the process all over again until you get it right. Then take a knife, make a slice, make another slice, and lift that wedge up onto a small plate and savor the results of all your hard work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yeah, writing is totally a piece of cake.</span>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-30455006515555394522014-12-13T18:15:00.003-08:002014-12-14T21:51:17.276-08:00How to Market Your Titles<h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Talking about promoting our books, about marketing, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">about how to do it and do it right.</span></h4>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Well, I personally believe the approach is threefold:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1.) Give them something</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2.) Stop suggesting they buy the product or title(s)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3.) Don't overdo it</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">The unasked question by any and all people on the planet, as well as in the next galaxy, is: "What's in it for me?" We must reward interest, loyalty and support with genuine information, entertaining reading and/or something worth something for nothing. If we always ask of them, but never reward them, we lose them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Hurry! Hurry! Step right up! Only four steaming piles of poop left! Well, okay, not all of them are steaming, but we quickly turn off potential interested readers, followers or referrals if all we ever do is give them kisses and promises, and constantly suggest they go to our site and buy our books. Like tuning out, or turning off the radio during commercials, fast forwarding recorded television programming to bypass the promotions, and glazing over or even closing our eyes when we flip past print media ads, this is what folks will do if the white noise of "buy me" is all that comes up out of the static we post. And, suckering them with terms like "free," "buy one, get one," or "jump this hoop and I'll pat your head" isn't going to endear them.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">What will? If they've visited your site, blog, or otherwise viewed your Internet, direct-mail or other content...They. Are. Already. Sold! Cut the sales and promo, and give them a quality product. The best way to do this is via video book teasers, short stories, testimonials or interactive forums where discussions are being held by our readers, even our detractors, comparing us to other writers and authors, or those steaming piles of poop.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Even the quality content, awesome interactive forum or blog discourse and giveaways can be overdone. Pace your promos. Be consistent and dynamic, offer solid good content, but keep them wanting (panting) for more. Don't gorge them on every possible thing you can think of in a five-day period. Spread it out. Be regular, but even a daily bowl of oatmeal gets old if you eat it day in, day out.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">So, offer quality content.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stop selling and start interacting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And keep it at once a week (sometimes daily, if you can sustain/maintain the quality and dynamic content) for blogs, twice-monthly for newsletters, and one a month or bi-monthly for specials and giveaways.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Do ask them to sign up or follow. Do invite them to comment, but do not make them have to jump hoops, provide the location of all scars, tattoos and their nose hair count in order to be a part of this awesome presence that is YOU THE AUTHOR.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">This the kind of content I am going to try and provide, along with applied endeavors for promotion of my titles, and links, at my recently redirected blog E.C. Come, E.C. Go. If you like what you see and read here, feel free to follow. I will hound and not pound on you for your subscription to my forthcoming newsletter later. All my titles can be found at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl" target="_blank">Lulu</a>, as well as other popular sites like Amazon, iBookStore, Nook, SmashWords and Sellfy.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">If you like western storytelling, visit <a href="http://www.writersofthewest.com/" target="_blank">Writers of the West</a>. Watch for information on marketing and branding for popular eBook titles, independent authors from around the world, as well as a planned authorial website and major specialty titles website coming soon.</span></span>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-60159152174410554942014-12-11T20:38:00.002-08:002014-12-14T21:47:55.396-08:00How Do I Finish a Writing Project?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>NOTE:</b> With this blog entry I am redirecting the focus of my ongoing EC Come, EC Go, blog posts to writing, primarily fiction writing, rather than video production. I do, however, continue with my series of books on making money producing video, found at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl" target="_blank">Lulu</a>. Revised, updated editions and new books in the “Seven Ways to Make Money with Video" series are coming in 2015.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">***</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A dear writing friend of mine asked me recently: Do you have any tips on how finish a (writing) project?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I responded:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are, of course, the thousand-and-one things that people (writers and wannabe writers) post or comment whenever a question like yours gets posed. The vast majority will comment "just keep writing" or "if you really wanted to write you would" and while there's certainly truth in that, there's MORE to the challenge of finishing a project as well. The simple fact that pushing or punishing yourself into writing, forcing it, hammering down, blah, blah, blah, alone isn't The Answer, as you already know. It's easy to say or think, "just do it!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That being said, the single most important truth has more than one element of focus. The essentials include: TIME (real or perceived, available or lack thereof); Incentive/drive/self-discipline; and DESIRE/MOTIVATION.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More than anything, there is the very real need to WANT to write your story.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You are ambushed by feelings of doubt, insecurity—is it REALLY any good, or am I just kidding myself?—when you read or see so many others bragging and going off on how many thousands of words they accomplished today. You then ask yourself how you can possibly hammer out a thousand or more words a day, and if you don't, will you EVER finish a writing project.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many RIGHT and ten times as many WRONG ways to go at it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But you first have to be excited about the story you want to tell.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, you have a story you want to tell and you are truly excited about it. You WANT to get it written, and, maybe share it when you're done.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am primarily a "reveal" or "discovery" writer—what many refer to as a "Pantser"...writing by the seat of my pants, with no safety net and no outline. That is just me, but it does do one thing...it helps me simply TELL my story without paying a lot of attention to rules, homilies, you ought to do this or thats, or a rigid plan. I can let my imagination run wild and free, only focusing on telling the story—time enough for editing and cleaning up later. STORY first, fix later.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">BUT, I do outline. By that, I mean I'll take this idea that has slammed its way into my creative imagination, and I'll use a journal or notebook to simply AT LEAST, come up with ideas and thoughts for each chapter. Those are my Roman numeral I, II, III, IV, etc. outline headers. I may, or not, go any further. I may just use this as a rough guide for moving along with a story that I hope will be something close to what I imagine it should be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">TIME: If you tell yourself that you WILL WRITE one hour a day. It can be 6 in the morning or 10 at night or anything before, after or between. You don't HAVE to stick with the clock, just KNOW in your creative writer's heart-of-hearts that no matter WHAT happens on any given day you WILL write for one hour. This is where it all starts and how you get into the mode that will help you finish a project.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, you have a story idea you LOVE, and you've determined that you WILL write (hand, or typed) one hour a day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You have written some notes to guide your effort, and perhaps a simple outline of the chapter events that you think ought to take place.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you DO determine that you like and enjoy not only writing, but the story idea you want to give life to, if you determine to write a certain period of time each day, you are close to having the ingredients that will help you complete a project.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do this daily, but like running or other life events, don't thrash yourself if you miss a day here and there. Just do not allow missing your one-hour-a-day writing session to become an anti-habit. It is critical that you do whatever it takes to compel yourself to write a certain period of time at least 5-6 days a week. Don't let LIFE get in the way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I have shared with my many FWG (FB <a href="http://www.writersanarchy.com/" target="_blank">Fiction Writers Group</a>) writing friends before, there is a strength to putting down X number of words a day. Not editing. Not correcting as you go. Not reading and re-reading, changing and plodding forward a sentence or two. But simply writing to tell your story. Visualize your story as it unfolds. SEE it in your mind's eye, and simply write down (REPORT) what you see, hear, taste, smell, feel. Then keep in mind that ANY number of words, written each day, day-after-day, WILL result in a story, short story, novella or novel over time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just 50 words a day—written during that one hour you've committed to—will result in a GREAT short story, or two awesome short stories a year. One story of 12,500 words, or two 6,250 excellent short stories.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">100 words a day, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year, will generate a fantastic novella of 25,000 words. Awesomesauce!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Double that to 200 words each day, for one hour of serious writing, for 5 days a week and 50 weeks a year, and you are in NOVEL territory. And, there is nothing at all wrong with writing one novel a year of 50,000 or more words.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With all the wonderful folks and resources available on Fiction Writers Group, you have at your disposal, readers, editors, book designers, cover designers and reviewers, even marketers who can help you once you've written your story.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It does, my friend, take a certain degree of personal drive and ambition, but if you set aside the time, have the inspiration and plan for reaching your storytelling goal, you WILL absolutely finish your project.</span></div>
Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-51887652882181287172014-01-03T14:21:00.001-08:002014-01-03T14:21:27.339-08:00Wow! I've been so busy writing for Videomaker magazine, working on personal fiction and non-fiction articles, stories and novels, producing a boatload of video, especially memorial montages and funeral videos, that I totally dropped the ball for this blog in 2013.<br />
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I hope to do better for 2014, but for now I'll start off with some shameless self-promotion...actually, a plug from Videomaker managing editor Jennifer O'Rourke, who just recently posted a fine review <a href="http://www.videomaker.com/videonews/2013/12/video-production-guides-readings-for-the-new-year" target="_blank">on her Videomaker blog</a> about the video business resource books I've published.<br />
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Thanks, Jennifer, much appreciated.<br />
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There's a bounty of information at the Videomaker Forums and in Videomaker magazine's monthly print publication as well as the online magazine and blog. Meanwhile, I'm working on that publication of all the information included in E.C. Come, E.C. Go, all updated. This blog will eventually go through a metamorphosis of sorts, turning into a highlights, with short-and-sweet articles and guest columns focusing on what's happening in the video production universe.<br />
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Oh, and there may be a name change.<br />
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An awesome and bountiful 2014 for all of you! Sorry I let you down last year. I'll try to do better.Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-81670148466265681942013-03-18T03:26:00.001-07:002013-03-18T03:26:38.342-07:00Help from the Post Office?In the United States there's a recent development that can help you reach people, market your video services and make more sales. It's provided by the U.S. Post Office and I'll be sharing the rest of the information with you soon.<br />
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Stay tuned for more. It'll be worth the wait.Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-46426566181639127802012-09-06T13:21:00.002-07:002012-09-06T13:59:22.500-07:00Awesomely Ambitious! 1001 Video TipsThere’s a wealth if information at our disposal with hundreds of professional, experienced Independent Professional Video Services Providers from around the world sharing and offering tips and suggestions for improving our video production skills or making our jobs easier. Tips and tricks of the trade. Insider knowledge that, if we didn’t have to look all over the place for it, or spend a few hours searching for the right term on Google to find it, we could be using this information today! Right now!<br />
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Well, here it comes!<br />
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“1001 Video Tips” will feature secret, not-so-secret, unique, unusual, remarkably simple or somewhat complex ideas and actions that professionals and amateurs in the video industry use EVERY DAY to make their jobs easier, or their productions better. This book will organize a treasure trove of information into logical collections, under specific groupings and headings to help facilitate finding just the right bit of information needed to make your current project one degree, or a hundred degrees, easier, smarter, better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCGjbDeBYpngB_B4_yPi9kzlHbHN5HOQUu1ic3QY6VptwZSwXUhqqpw75j3SLNDyw0UQuYK4-sQeZSx7sxAc9QjaTJZ-JSyb1UM2BYT4ATbeeQUzoaJEWnl4gFQ9D3IG9X0ZreQ/s1600/TipsCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCGjbDeBYpngB_B4_yPi9kzlHbHN5HOQUu1ic3QY6VptwZSwXUhqqpw75j3SLNDyw0UQuYK4-sQeZSx7sxAc9QjaTJZ-JSyb1UM2BYT4ATbeeQUzoaJEWnl4gFQ9D3IG9X0ZreQ/s320/TipsCover.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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And, you ask, what is so “awesomely ambitious” about this? It’s getting the interest, involvement, enthusiasm and participation of the hundreds of video enthusiasts OUT THERE to make “1001 Video Tips” possible. I’m willing to do the work, organize the content, compile the information, categorize the contributions, create the mechanicals and publish the eBook, PDF and printed versions of the results. As you can see by the working title, we’re aiming for “1001 Video Tips” and this could prove to be a massive undertaking.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE STRATEGY</span></b><br />
Sure, it would be equally awesome if everybody from Steve Moses of Southern California, to Bill Mecca of New Jersey with his Video QuickTips, popular blogger and video J. Michael Long of Mississippi, Luis O. Maymi of Puerto Rico with his ongoing e-mail video marketing campaign strategies and simple blue screen tutorials, all the folks from the popular Facebook groups such as Wedding Cinema, The Frugal Filmmaker, Final Cut Pro X for Event Cinematographers, the Video Editing Cubicle and the myriad video-based forums on the Internet, got onboard with this, each contributing one or more “tips” for inclusion in “1001 Video Tips” ... we could easily hit that number, easily representing 1,001 or more members of the unique world of independent video production.<br />
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With the help of J. Michael, offering to present this article as a guest blog on “<a href="http://www.intheviewfinder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">In the Viewfinder</a>” and the individuals and groups mentioned above, their friends and associates in professional videographers associations (PVA’s) around the world, “1001 Video Tips” could reflect the influence of the many, many video enthusiasts who enjoy making video for personal pleasure or profit ... those just starting out or even many of us who have been “in the trenches” since Day One. Not a day passes that I don’t learn something from Rick Smith, Nishi Dias, Steve “Doc” Yankee, Pamela Sprys Dahlgren, Natalie Forbes Neal, Tony Bondi, Wes Moore, Ed Wardyga (remember Gadget Man?), Artis White, David Lai, Dan O’Hara, Bruce Paul, Ron Priest, Tom Alan Mitchell ... the list is infinite!<br />
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Enough name dropping. The “strategy” is to get at least one serious tip from each of these individuals and as many as a thousand more, compile them into a solid reference and resource publication and offer it at a ridiculously low price to EVERY video enthusiast on the planet.<br />
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The popularity and success of this production is guaranteed, insured by the anticipated huge number of contributions, the good will of a WORLD of video professionals and enthusiasts who are more than happy to offer something unique to “1001 Video Tips” and in turn receive a downloadable PDF of the results, plus recognition for their unique contributions, a headshot photo and brief bio so readers know who they are in the industry, and their website if desired. This will be a massive viral experience! How?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>MAKING IT HAPPEN</b></span><br />
I have the personal experience of organizing, writing, designing, publishing and marketing a number of video-related publications in print as well as ePub formats. I have succeeded in having publications listed not only at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl" target="_blank">Lulu Dot Com</a>, but iTunes’ iBookstore and Barnes and Noble’s Nook bookstore on the Internet. I will soon have a presence on Amazon as well. In addition “1001 Video Tips” will have its own website presence. All of you who contribute and participate will have a photo/bio listing there as well.<br />
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In addition to all this, if each and every contributor also uses his/her social sites, blogs and PVN connections to mention “1001 Video Tips” even only once, the exposure will be astronomical and overwhelmingly viral!<br />
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A video book trailer will be created as well.<br />
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Your participation in the creation of “1001 Video Tips” will gain you recognition, establish branding for your business, products and services, and probably open doors that you didn’t even know exist.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?</b></span><br />
Recognition. A PDF copy of the finished publication. Unique discount pricing on the print publication ONLY for participants/contributors. And, depending on the overall success of the viral marketing strategies, special recognition on the “1001 Video Tips” blog site from voters and participants who give the nod to The Most Unique Tip, The Most Unusual Tip, The Least Expensive Tip and a host of other titles that you all will suggest over time as you participate in the blog content, and interact.<br />
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The blog will feature expansion on certain tips, offer readers an opportunity to enhance, add to or even share new approaches to the “1001 Video Tips” in the publication. This interactive environment will be beneficial to all of us who participate in the publication of “1001 Video Tips” especially with interlinking and back linking!<br />
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A portion of revenues will be applied to acquiring software, hardware or even the components for implementing various tips in the book, with random award drawings held.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>THE PRACTICAL ASPECTS</b></span><br />
Categories can be expanded, based on what comes in, but essentially topics will include: Lighting, Audio, Do-It-Yourself, Gadgets, Safety, Production, Editing Tips, Backup Tricks, Archiving, Creating Your Own Music. I am open to suggestions and input regarding any possible category.<br />
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Keep in mind that the focus of “1001 Video Tips” is primarily on simple, unique or easy-to-implement “tips” that make the everyday production work in a videographer’s life just a wee bit easier, smarter, more efficient or less stressful.<br />
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Tips probably should mostly range in the 500-to-900 word range, but there’s nothing that says a good, solid tip needing extra information and a parts list couldn’t be longer or more involved. The provision of legal or copyright free or self-generated images/graphics representing your “tips” contributions, and a release to use not only your tip and graphics, but your image and bio information is suggested. I can and will provide a form if you want/need one, or a simple statement given along with your submission would suffice.<br />
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Once the interest is evident and the tips begin coming in, I can start organizing and categorizing, eventually formatting the layout. When the initial goal of 1,001 tips is reached I will provide all contributors with a working outline of the content and ask for input regarding that. Dropbox could be utilized to facilitate materials and progress reports.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>WHAT’S THE TIMELINE?</b></span><br />
We’re going to keep this project loose and by that I mean while I would like a deadline of, say, 90 days, taking this to December, with the plan to have a finished publication ready to offer first quarter 2013, for now I’m not implementing a HARD deadline.<br />
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The more complete your contributions are, the faster this will come to fruition and result in a publication that we all can be proud of. So, have your tip, support graphic(s) or image(s), brief personal/business bio and headshot all ready to submit at the same time.<br />
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Initially, anyone interested may e-mail me at earlchessher@gmail.com. This may very quickly evolve into a Dropbox project file folder where your e-mail queries will result in getting access to upload your materials for inclusion in “1001 Video Tips”.<br />
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Thanks, J. Michael, for offering space on your popular blog for this “guest” blog post.<br />
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Remember: If You Market, You Will Make It! © 2012 Earl ChessherEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-2068005298452399332012-08-05T12:34:00.002-07:002012-08-05T12:44:20.595-07:00For All Those Who Hate Doing Photo MontagesSend ’em my way!<br />
Over the years my experience with fellow video producers has established that the vast majority consider montage work demeaning, frustrating, a waste of time, not lucrative, PIAs, something to be avoided or at best something to discourage by racking up charges and fees while limiting the number of images a potential client can use.<br />
They DO NOT want to do them!<br />
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There are, however, ways to market and produce photo montage productions that can prove highly profitable and easy to produce. By using techniques and programs that help generate quality montage productions without time-consuming customization and by providing an affordable, reasonably-priced production that isn't so limiting, say up to 150 images instead of 20 or 30, and turning them around in a day or three ANY video producer from beginner/amateur to seasoned professional can increase cash flow and pump up the profits.<br />
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With very little effort any independent professional video services provider can successfully market photo montage production, convincing the do-it-yourselfers as well as the hopelessly technology challenged to pay a reasonable sum for creation of a montage that outshines their best amateur creations. A little attention given pacing, timing, effects and audio finish will set apart any production by a pro from that of someone who has no experience in the field. YOU can be that professional!<br />
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By establishing your marketing focus on photo montage production, utilizing a solid direct-marketing strategy that drives potential clients to your montage website, you can quickly develop a montage only or weekday montage production program that will, at worst, average one-per-day, or at best develop such a flow of montage business you’ll have to outsource some of the production work. By keeping turnaround times tight (five working days or less from time of receipt of materials) and fees reasonable, the word-of-mouth referrals will keep you hopping.<br />
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A dedicated independent video producer focusing on nothing but photo montage work can easily create three, up to five, productions a day. But, focus on the one-per-day average for a minute.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* One montage a day at $125</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* Times 5 days a week = $625</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* Times 50 weeks a year = $31,250</span><br />
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What’s so bad about that? But wait, there’s more. You’ll average a minimum of two additional copies per project, at $25 each.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* Two copies @ $25 = $50</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* Times 5 projects a week = $250</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">* Times 50 weeks a year = $12,500 PLUS your base of $31,250 for a total annual income of $43,750</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">DOING ONLY MONTAGES!</span><br />
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There’s an easy way to develop this kind of independent video production business. Get my book, <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">“Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide"</a> available at Lulu Dot Com for $79.95 plus S&H.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">SAVE MONEY TODAY</span><br />
By ordering direct from me you can save $20 AND S&H. Send your check to Earl Chessher, e-mail me at echessher at hotmail dot com for information on where to send your order. So, order today and spend only $59.95, including shipping and handling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPsQ4u0QV_5kWDkCu_Q4_anJnU2_4x8V7btCM5YKfdjyBRCVJT3UikXbvFLHzl-MVMk60EPhq9ImwxN8XdiNHhEZE3e0hV_KGx1iwBIOMWrGLEsGeDO3iH05cIdwXTi7KZGq7-g/s1600/FinalCvrAll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPsQ4u0QV_5kWDkCu_Q4_anJnU2_4x8V7btCM5YKfdjyBRCVJT3UikXbvFLHzl-MVMk60EPhq9ImwxN8XdiNHhEZE3e0hV_KGx1iwBIOMWrGLEsGeDO3iH05cIdwXTi7KZGq7-g/s320/FinalCvrAll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow;">Send ’em MY WAY!</span><br />
Those of you already in the business, who accept a montage project from time-to-time but still HATE doing them, send ’em my way. You can send me UP TO 150 images (digital via my Dropbox preferred), suggest UP TO three songs and an opening title and I will deliver back to you within five days a finished photo montage of UP TO 15 minutes (or less) duration for $125.<br />
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Charge your customer what you want and what the market will bear. Special pricing per DVD hard copies also offered for video producers outsourcing their montage work to me.<br />
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Remember: If you Market, You Will Make It! © Earl ChessherEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-23628112294346913952012-07-29T19:29:00.000-07:002012-07-29T19:29:04.937-07:00Diversification STILL Critical to Video Business SurvivalThere are logical exceptions to most any claim, rule or philosophy but independent professional video services providers who fail to diversify are making their business life much more difficult than necessary. Sure, you can specialize, establish yourself, a solid brand and even succeed in the video business, working ONLY weekends and producing ONLY weddings. This is certainly the most acceptable form of video business for those holding down regular weekday employment and seeking to slowly extend their reach, develop their business and brand.<br />
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It often works well for those who have established a solid referral system, maintained a reasonable price/perceived value position in the industry and have engaged in an ongoing marketing program that keeps them in the bridal community loop. If you, however, are one of myriad independent videographers fighting over that 20 percent or so of the bridal market that actually WANTS a video of their ceremony and related events, you’re finding it a tough go trying to build your business and stay busy in an overwhelmingly saturated market, much less be or stay profitable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU9dHscGgEm0ZMyhKouuRjEzhgrHCMJGY9IwQgdhgjSnm3ZNYiluVccsnFHc8Fcm_VHnMXPmPZQz3ZkJ3fk29fJ16vFmGs_ZrFczNMSbDoozUtsnDKdvV6QE-YVrGkmGCPhtyYA/s1600/DiversificationBlogPix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU9dHscGgEm0ZMyhKouuRjEzhgrHCMJGY9IwQgdhgjSnm3ZNYiluVccsnFHc8Fcm_VHnMXPmPZQz3ZkJ3fk29fJ16vFmGs_ZrFczNMSbDoozUtsnDKdvV6QE-YVrGkmGCPhtyYA/s320/DiversificationBlogPix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many variables come into play here. You’re a young family man or woman with a family to support and kids to raise. You HAVE to hold down your day job because it’s the cushion you rely upon to help until your video business gets established. You’re wife may, or not, also be employed and that brings about other responsibilities such as who is cooking tonight, who picks up the kids at school, takes them to dance or piano lessons, soccer or baseball games, swimming lessons. And how about when you want some quiet quality time with the spouse, or family time with the whole bunch?<br />
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Wedding production may very well be all you can, or want to handle. Weekend work that you can control by accepting bookings (if you’re getting the calls or inquiries and referrals) only on dates you want to work, occasionally working a bridal fair or other event that gets you exposure to the wedding community. You’re in control, and sometimes your spouse is right there beside you, helping, working and even enjoying it.<br />
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Or, you could overbook, overwork yourself and/or your wife or husband, wind up with an overwhelming editing backlog, over-extend yourself financially trying to keep up with the latest technology and soon to become equipment standard, painted yourself into a corner that takes up all your former family or free time in order to try and stay afloat with all the productions sitting there, on the shelf, making you feel guilty in any number of ways. Usually, unfortunately, you’ve been competing on price and have not been bringing in enough to warrant the 40 or so hours you require to edit a wedding video masterpiece. Editing becomes a chore, no longer fun, and being especially creative with your work eats into the time you used to spend with family, friends, kids and yourself. You even start outsourcing your editing but that eats into the already small markup you have on your time and work, and one day you come to the realization you’re very close to burnout, personal/professional failure or going out of business.<br />
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If you DO have it all under control and are happy with how things are going for you in your wedding video production business, read no further. If you are REALLY happy doing weddings, enjoy the creative rush and have NO problem staying up all hours, missing the Little League playoffs or dance recitals (and your spouse has no problem with you having no problems) then by all means, Spielberg stay the path.<br />
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Diversification, however, can be the path to fewer ulcers, divorces, litigation, long and late nights eating junk food and editing. Diversification can offer you the change-up that variety provides, easing the pressure and workload while adding to the bottom line, usually quicker and in fewer hours.<br />
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AND, if you’ve been into video production on a full-time basis for a year or longer because you need the weekdays to edit, market, make and receive calls, book appointments with prospective brides and grooms (who usually want to meet with you in the evening, at a coffee shop or restaurant), maintain equipment, attend rehearsals and all the other stuff that goes with being a potentially successful wedding video production professional or specialist ... did I say “edit”? Then, diversification will be the best thing that ever happened to you.<br />
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Diversification offers both part- and full-time videographers an opportunity to further control their workload, commitment to family and get back the personal life they once enjoyed but had to give up for the sake of the business, or their sanity.<br />
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Anyone who MUST continue doing weddings because they’re addicted to them, love them, WANT to do them, PREFER to do them, can balance the load by doing fewer weddings and doing them at a more profitable price point. HOW? By having the option to turn down the low-ballers and tire kickers, those people who have NO real, educated perceived value for what you do, and accept ONLY the higher paying gigs because throughout any given week you’ve got a couple of montages, a funeral video gig, or if you are one of those ‘euuu, dead people’ people, there are dance recitals often held on thursdays, community and school drama performances often held on Wednesdays or Thursdays, daytime events ranging from school and community sports programs and nighttime events ranging from soccer and baseball to swimming competitions and more.<br />
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The concept of work once, sell many, often provides the same, or more, income as an average wedding but usually with an investment of one-quarter the time from shoot to delivery.<br />
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Consider expanding your services and production range and committing to the marketing and advertising needed to expand your business and its bottom line while reclaiming some of your personal life, family time and sanity. Be in a position to take gig that occur during the week, or even weekend gigs that require less investment of time for shooting as well as editing.<br />
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Check out my series of How-To books: “<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/paperback/product-16255781.html" target="_blank">They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They: Complete Guide to Funeral Video Production & Marketing</a>,” “<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/seven-ways-to-make-money-with-video/paperback/product-20136928.html" target="_blank">Seven Ways to Make Money with Video</a>,” (Book I, of a planned multi-book series, also in ePub and PDF), “<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide</a>” and the business marketing, branding and promotional program-in-a-book “<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/video-storytellers-productions/paperback/product-18827501.html" target="_blank">Video StoryTellers!™ Productions</a>.”<br />
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Remember: If you market, you will make it! © Earl ChessherEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-48208805511425638662012-07-22T12:29:00.002-07:002012-07-22T12:48:06.646-07:00No Chance for Wedding Video COOPI've been sharing a one-on-one dialogue <a href="http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/reaching-brides-who-dont-want-video#post-79613" target="_blank">on another forum</a> with fellow frustrated independent professional wedding video services provider, Ed Rogers (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/DesignCBTs?feature=mhee" target="_blank">website link here</a>), who, like me, thinks the wedding video industry is missing the ball when it comes to where the most benefit could be derived from a marketing strategy. We both believe a wedding videographer cooperative (CO-OP) would help put into motion a branding and awareness campaign that could convince otherwise the estimated 80 percent of the bridal market that thinks they <b>DO NOT</b> want a professionally produced video of their wedding day and events.<br />
This is something I’ve pounded on since my early video career days, when I thought wedding video production was all that and a bag of chips, before I realized that in order to survive in the world of independent professional video services providers (IPVSPs) I needed to diversify — see <a href="http://www.videostorytellers.com/" target="_blank">VideoStoryTellers!™</a> and <a href="http://www.corelannvideo.com/" target="_blank">CorElAnn Video Productions</a>. Not to say that, if they pay my price, I would hesitate even today to produce another wedding video for a discerning bride and groom. Nowadays, however, I don’t go after them, they find me, either by way of my long-standing wedding services website or through referrals.<br />
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I write this blog article believing, as I told Ed in my last forum response, that this topic hasn’t much appeal, or maybe my lengthy articles are too long for the average “non-reader” to digest, much less read, comprehend and comment about. I believe that the average wedding videographer is an independent sort, a person who doesn’t WANT to CO-OP with others in the wedding videographer community and certainly doesn’t want to help generate business opportunities for "The Competition” much less give anything BACK to the industry-at-large.<br />
In all fairness many members of the wedding video services industry DO “give back” but usually, myself included, by sharing what they know in paid seminars and speaking engagements, via commercial publications, DVDs and other resources. Some will, as I often do, share free information, experiences and opinions on various video related forums. I was a past member of WEVA (Wedding and Event Videographers Association) and recently became reacquainted with this association via an associate of my own. I was less than delighted to find that this once venerable organization’s website is a wasteland, unvisited and inactive with rare posts and rarer replies. Postings and responses now there are often months, if not years, apart. Sad, but true.<br />
Why? I believe, like myself, Ed and many, many others who’ve enjoyed, appreciated and even supported WEVA at one time or another in our professional lives, it is no longer gratifying to pay membership dues to ANY organization that only seems focused on getting more of our dollars without investing in an ongoing branding and awareness campaign that would put dollars in our individual pockets. Thus, early on, I’ve expounded time and again on the necessity of an organization focused in whole on a campaign that can convince the estimated 80-percent of the bridal market NOT wanting video, to WANT VIDEO! Can this be done? Well, when I originally brought it up, many years ago, I was told that WEVA wasn’t in the business to get its members business, but to teach, instruct and educate.<br />
All this, and more, I’ve mentioned, covered, brought up or expanded upon in the Videomaker forums (see the link, first paragraph) with only Ed Rogers and one other, venerable professional video producer <a href="http://www.videoccasions-nw.com/" target="_blank">Jack Wolcott</a>, as my (presumed) sole readers, and certainly ONLY responder. The rest of the series RINGS of dead silence. As our discussion continued, it begat the question “Why?”. Why it is impossible, unfathomable or otherwise unlikely a CO-OP focused on bridal awareness of their NEED for a professionally-produced wedding video, an ongoing branding approach that enhances the image of the independent professional wedding video services provider in the eyes of those who’ve read or heard one too many horror stories about bad videographers?<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">INDEPENDENT VIDEOGRAPHERS ARE INHERENTLY SELFISH</span></b><br />
Wedding videographers who NEED to be members of a cooperative that focuses on developing public awareness and branding (such as ‘Where’s the Beef?’ or ‘Got Milk’ for example) probably cannot afford to participate. Heck, most of us are barely hanging on after over-investing in expensive equipment (needed or not) and up to our eyeballs in debt we cannot generate enough business to reduce. A LOT of us are thinking of EXIT STRATEGIES not ways to shore up our seriously leaning (into the red ink) independent video businesses.<br />
Those other guys, the top 5- or 10-percent, already have independent (and well-deserved) brand recognition, already get all the business they want or can handle and have NO need or desire to invest in such a branding and public awareness, centralized resource program.<br />
And NEITHER SIDE really wants to do something that’s going to help “The Competition” regardless of how much good an ongoing COOP effort at market saturation could do the industry.<br />
We independents are essentially a selfish lot regarding sharing of our so-called <i>trade secrets</i>, client lists, or successful marketing strategies, other than, of course, getting paid for our seminar presentations, books and DVDs or Internet subscription programs.<br />
And this is not to indict such behavior. We all should be able to profit on our knowledge, wisdom and skills. I’ve been known to publish and sell a <a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl" target="_blank">book or three on how to make money in the video industry</a> but I also have been contributing to this FREE blog since 2004, as have other friends in the video industry.<br />
I’m just saying there also is a real need for a COOP that helps promote the professional wedding video community at large, possibly encouraging that HUGE CHUNK of the bridal industry pie who DOES NOT want video — an estimated 80-percent of brides — to change their minds.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO CREATE A SUCCESSFUL CO-OP?</span></b><br />
It would take anywhere from 300-to-500 members (an easy number considering the vast community of people with cameras videotaping weddings) paying maybe $15 a month, to generate the funds needed to maintain a national awareness campaign and marketing/branding strategy; set up and establish an effective resources website; and organize a board or committee or whatever oversight structure is needed to ensure the organization focuses ONLY on what it should — promotion of the fact that ALL BRIDES, not just the current 20 percent or so who actually WANT a wedding video, should have a professionally produced wedding video of their event.<br />
It would take dedication, commitment, resources, faith in the program and a consistent promotion mentality.<br />
Can this happen? Could it be done? Would it work? Sooner or later the independent wedding video services provider community is going to have to come to the realization that unless this happens, they're going to be relegated to fighting and competing amongst themselves for the tiny, wee portion of the 20 percent of brides already sold on the idea of a wedding video. Not much profit in that, as all of us well know.<br />
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Remember, If You Market, You Will Make It! © Earl ChessherEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-35809556243091779362012-07-01T14:17:00.001-07:002012-07-01T14:20:08.830-07:00An Investment that will Pay for Itself with First Jobby Alan Naumann<br />
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Mark Twain’s famous quote, “The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated,” can also be applied to photo montages. It is common wisdom that the photo montage is “dead;” yet, from my experience, and the experience of Earl Chessher, I would have to say nothing can be further from the truth!<br />
“Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide” is NOT an obituary; rather, it is a reminder that one of the services we as videographers should be offering is professionally produced photo montages.<br />
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This book is a valuable resource for the beginning videographer who has a myriad of questions, to the seasoned videographer who needs to be reminded about the basics of the video business that perhaps have been prematurely abandoned. The book is written in a folksy, storytelling way, giving many examples and stories to back up the points presented.<br />
Earl begins by dispelling the myth that consumers will not pay you to do their montages. He points out that the keys to having a successful “photo-video montage production business are <b>QUALITY, FAST DELIVERY and AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS</b> — and ... great personal service.” Earl then makes a strong case as to why clients, such as funeral homes and churches, really need to use our services. The information given can easily be shared with those who need to become our clients.<br />
Earl covers all aspects of photo montage production, from marketing, to the business aspects. Perhaps the most practical part of the book is where he takes the reader through the steps necessary to produce a high quality, professional photo montage in a relatively short amount of time. He covers everything from the equipment needed to where to buy supplies — and talks about the different levels of commitment the videographer can make to this aspect of the business.<br />
He also reminds us of the importance of not using labels — but rather, printing directly on the disc; the use of the Internet in promoting your business; making decisions as to location and personnel for your business; and many other practical considerations in order to be efficient and profitable. Included in the book are many forms that will help clients communicate their vision; and forms that will keep you organized in fulfilling their wishes.<br />
He also includes several appendixes at the end that give practical advice on everything from where to find supplies to getting the best deals on equipment.<br />
I believe this book has value for every videographer — even if s/he doesn’t plan on making photo montages a central part of their service. The tips and tricks shared in the book can be transferred to many areas of video production and therefore should prove invaluable.<br />
The book sells for $79.95 and can be ordered from <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">Lulu Press</a>. And, $79.95 might seem high for a book of (about 300 pages) but let me remind you that this is really an investment that will pay for itself on the very first job.<br />
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Alan Naumann, www.memoryvision.tvEarl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-70465473429449520862012-06-21T21:09:00.001-07:002012-06-21T21:19:12.150-07:00Why You Should Start Your Video Business with Photo Montagesby Luis O. Maymi<br />
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You’re looking to start a video production business and like all business owners you want to succeed. You start researching about what you need to know about the <a href="http://eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2011/01/roadmap-for-beginners.html" target="_blank">videography business</a> and in all your research you end up at this blog, maybe even meet <a href="https://twitter.com/#EarlC" target="_blank">Earl</a> in the process. Earl published a post titled <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2011/05/three-steps-to-making-more-money-with.html" target="_blank">“Three Steps to Making more Money with Video”</a> and the first thing you discover there is <i>montage production is profitable</i>. In this article, I’m confirming that this is 100 percent true and why you should start producing photo montages before anything else when first starting out in a video business.<br />
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You should know that producing photo montages is easier than just about any other video production and can make you money without breaking the bank, purchasing video equipment. Don’t believe me? Let us compare photo montages to wedding video production. For wedding video production you need a <i>lot</i> of equipment, starting with a good camera, external mic systems including shotguns, handhelds and lavalieres, good headphones, external camera light (just in case) and a computer with good video editing software. When you record a wedding you need to travel to the event venue and you’ll spend several long hours videotaping. More than that, you’ll spend a ridiculous number of hours editing the video footage — up to 30 hours or more. Also, videotaping weddings requires some degree of experience.<br />
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With photo montages you don’t even need a camera. All you need are a scanner, decent computer, software and a DVD burner. That’s it! Do you need to travel to a venue and spend many hours there? No. Do you need to spend over 30 hours editing? No. Do you need a huge startup investment to begin producing photo montages. No!<br />
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Now you know that you don’t need a huge initial investment but what should you do next? According to chapter 4 of Earl’s <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">photo montage book</a> you should consider having the following:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>YOU NEED A WEBSITE!</b></span><br />
In the article <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2010/08/wordpress-for-videographers.html" target="_blank">“Wordpress for Videographers”</a> guest author Heidi Mueller explains how videographers with limited web design skills and limited budgets can create an Internet presence using Wordpress. I also work with Wordpress on a daily basis and will be happy to <a href="http://www.lomaymi.com/about-lomaymi/" target="_blank">help you out</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>EVERY BUSINESS NEEDS BUSINESS CARDS!</b></span><br />
To confirm the truth about this, let me share my story with you. One day I was at a shopping center, you know, looking at electronics, when a friend of my father’s (a lawyer) started talking to him. The conversation moved toward a computer problem the lawyer was having and he asked me for a business card. Sadly, I was all out of cards and hadn’t printed any for months. So, I asked him for his business card, wrote my information on his card and gave it back to him. He did end up with my contact information but that looked so unprofessional. <i>Never</i> leave home without your business cards.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>DIRECT MAIL MARKETING</b></span><br />
I’m going to borrow Earl’s quote: “If you market, you will make it!” © 2004-2012 Earl Chessher. Having a direct mail strategy will help you get montage gigs. For more information about direct mail marketing read <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2010/02/direct-mail-works.html" target="_blank">“Direct Mail Works”</a> and <a href="http://www.eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2010/05/focused-direct-mail-gets-gigs.html" target="_blank">“Focused Direct Mail Gets Gigs”</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WORD OF MOUTH MARKETING</b></span><br />
This is the marketing category that has worked for me very well and has gotten me most of my photo montage gigs. To take advantage of word-of-mouth you need to be outgoing, befriending all the people you can and work to establish good, trusting relationships with them.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>IDENTIFY & ESTABLISH YOUR MARKET!</b></span><br />
This is really important. You should consider what your competition is doing and what market you’re going to focus on. In my case, I focus on montage production business with churches.<br />
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Although photo montages are generally easier than other video production work, you still need to consider a lot of things before starting out. Luckily, Earl has written a complete guide on <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">how to make money marketing and producing photo montages</a>. Compared to other books that claim to be <i>complete guides</i>, this one <i>really is a complete guide</i>! The book is divided into four sections: Marketing, Production, Delivery and Everything Else!<br />
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Whether you’re just starting out or are already an established video producer, it’s a good idea to have Earl’s book with you. The great thing about photo montages is that you can make money faster, which can later be invested in new equipment or business expansion. If you want to start a video production business, photo montages will help you grow. And, with a resource like Earl’s <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">photo montage book</a>, you will increase your chances for success.<br />
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Remember: “If you market, you will make it!” © 2004-2012 Earl Chessher<br />
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<i>About the author:</i><br />
Luis O. Maymi enjoys social media, mostly <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/lomaymi" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and he has written an eBook about <a href="http://www.lomaymi.com/ebook/" target="_blank">e-mail marketing strategies</a>. He is currently working to expand his video production business to social video marketing and photo montage production.Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-43850224635864908392012-05-21T13:37:00.002-07:002012-05-21T13:48:56.353-07:00Seven Ways to Make Money with Video!The first of three planned volumes, each with a minimum of 7 ideas on how to make money with video, is available at <a href="http://www.lulu.com/" target="_blank">Lulu</a> for download in either ePub, PDF or print. The new publication is part of an ongoing series on marketing and producing video and opportunities in video business for all enthusiasts, from hobbyist to amateur, part-time to full-time professional.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl" target="_blank">“Seven Ways to Make Money with Video”</a> Book I, offers a closer look into and plenty of information about things the Independent Professional Video Services Provider can do to make money, add to the business bottom line or support a hobby or pastime with funds for new equipment and expenses.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/seven-ways-to-make-money-with-video/paperback/product-20136928.html" target="_blank">Available in print</a>, “Seven Ways to Make Money with Video” is the fourth in a series of publications focused on opportunities in the video production world that aren’t totally saturated with competition. The publication is also instantly available in downloadable <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/seven-ways-to-make-money-with-video/ebook/product-20136631.htm" target="_blank">PDF</a> as well as <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/seven-ways-to-make-money-with-video/ebook/product-20136608.html" target="_blank">ePUB</a> versions, offering full-color production. Graphics and photos in the print version are in black and white to keep the price low.<br />
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Also available in print is the recently released, <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">“Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide”</a> an extensive video production resource book with more than 300 pages jammed with everything a video producer needs to know to take advantage of a seriously overlooked service. Many in the professional video services community WILL accept and produce photo montages but reluctantly and usually with fewer options and higher prices, plus restrictions on the number of photos allowed and production length.<br />
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Michigan professional video producer <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/make-money-marketing-producing-photo-montages-the-complete-guide/paperback/product-20015719.html" target="_blank">Artis White gives “Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages” a 5-star rating.</a> He said this about the book: “This is a GREAT book! Well written and easy to follow.” The book, he says, “...is HUGE, by the way! I have worked WAY too hard on photo montages in the past. I got my hands on the best reference manual I can find ... ‘Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide’”<br />
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<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/paperback/product-16255781.html" target="_blank">“They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They”</a> the complete guide to marketing and producing funeral videos and memorials has received numerous 5-star ratings and top reviews from professionals in the video industry. This extensive look into an area of the video production industry that RARELY EVER gets the attention of video producers, professional or amateur, is available in <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/paperback/product-16255781.html" target="_blank">PRINT</a> and upon request and confirmation of purchase, buyers also receive a DVD/CD resource set directly from the author.<br />
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Those interested in the publication only can save money by purchasing the <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-c-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they/ebook/product-20081668.html" target="_blank">downloadable ePUB file</a>. DVD/CD resource set not included but the disks can be ordered separately, however.<br />
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<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/paperback/product-16255781.html" target="_blank">“They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They” A Complete Guide to Funeral Video Marketing & Production</a> has received FIVE 5-star ratings by reviewers who had nice things to say about a BOOK THEY PURCHASED!<br />
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“As someone who reads a wealth of technical and how-to manuals, I must say this has to be the most complete and comprehensive guide I’ve every come across. Such an easy read ... If you are already doing video productions, this book is overflowing with absolutely everything you need (to know) to add funeral and memorial video.”<br />
— Michael Wright<br />
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“If you want to start working in the field of funeral services it (“They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They”) has all the information that you need to get started. This book is well worth your investment.”<br />
— Charles Shultz<br />
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“This book ... is chock full of tips, real life stories from the author’s experiences, suggestions on marketing, pricing, professional conduct and more. It’s a well-done and thorough book written to mentor the video professional looking to learn more about this area of production. I highly recommend this book!”<br />
— Pamela Dahlgren<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTgJocCcRgrCHCgQfT4yBaCHh7qIfgxigG4DT3VQNT8PIq5cM6wevSpffvtJYWd8q0Jl5UEuAL7R2lXhLK2mX520YVwU_PYoDssNHjyla3nBPbP1QQl0WzvdD0HBf-ywV-ApMkA/s1600/FrontCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTgJocCcRgrCHCgQfT4yBaCHh7qIfgxigG4DT3VQNT8PIq5cM6wevSpffvtJYWd8q0Jl5UEuAL7R2lXhLK2mX520YVwU_PYoDssNHjyla3nBPbP1QQl0WzvdD0HBf-ywV-ApMkA/s320/FrontCover.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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Yet ANOTHER business opportunity offered at Lulu is <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/earl-chessher/video-storytellers-productions/paperback/product-18827501.html" target="_blank">“Video StoryTellers!™ Productions”</a> a complete branding, marketing and business plan/program offering the established professional videographer or someone looking for a unique business opportunity with POWERFUL POTENTIAL for new and exciting business opportunities.<br />
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This is particularly appealing to video enthusiasts who LOVE PEOPLE and enjoy helping them tell, preserve and share their unique and often poignant, or funny, or sad or happy stories. These stories, all too often, get lost as the older generations pass on without their powerful human interest stories, experiences and memories being preserved for posterity.<br />
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For a very reasonable investment, the Independent Professional Video Services Provider can become an associate for this globally focused business program. See the website at <a href="http://www.videostorytellers.com/" target="_blank">Video StoryTellers!</a><br />
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TWO THINGS to remember: “If you market, you will make it!” © Earl Chessher, and GREAT ideas won’t work unless YOU DO!Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-49658021612949312912012-03-24T14:16:00.009-07:002012-04-04T12:07:31.123-07:00Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide<div style="text-align: left;">Advance publishing sales orders direct to the author are now being accepted for “<i>Make Money Marketing & Producing Photo Montages: The Complete Guide</i>” soon to be available for direct order from Lulu Dot Com.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>This new book, companion to previously published, “<i>They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They: Complete Guide to Funeral Video Production & Marketing</i>” has been uploaded to Lulu and is currently being processed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Orders direct to Lulu can expect fulfillment within the next three weeks. Meanwhile, anyone wanting to save a few bucks and willing to give sales an early push may do so by contacting me directly at echessher at hotmail dot com. You’ll save $30 off the $79.95 retail price, plus shipping, of course. This is a LIMITED TIME OFFER!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Advance orders should ship within 3 weeks, followed by the support resource DVD & CD (currently in production) within two-to-three weeks after your book order ships.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>This new book has more than 300 pages chock full of information—everything you need to know! It truly is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to starting, or adding to your current video business operation, a photo-video montage production business—from what equipment you need, to how to market, produce and deliver photo montage videos. It is crammed solid with everything a new videographer, established professional or hobbyist or video enthusiast needs to know to make money in photo montage video production.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Don’t put off a way to save yourself money on a book that should be valued at twice the retail price! E-mail me today at echessher at hotmail dot com and order your advance publication edition for only $49.95 plus $6 S&H. When they’re ready to ship, the resource CD and DVD will go out to all advance, direct-sale, orders on my dime!</div><div><br /></div><div>Put the information in this book to work for you and your first montage production will more than double the pre-publication sale price!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 420px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-FDSiNmFWDD1sj7CoT03jUEv6O27im1s-joknJM2XBlrS_opTzwD4rB8LuwaF1ETW6WutiB7MGMJ0QGyGXcNsnA1GK6m6VqqALG0oNkLQabRdfOO0SdefZ9D5Smd4OuUHs_S9w/s320/FinalCvrAll.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723582155488216914" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also, anyone who purchases this book at the special pre-publication advance sale price can add “<i>They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They</i>” for the low price of $79.95. These items at these prices are NOT available through Lulu. You MUST order directly from Earl Chessher. Keep in mind that, aside from some additional S&H costs, you’re getting BOTH books for a nickel less than the LULU price of “They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They” and even if you DON’T want or need the excellent (GREAT reviews and 5-star ratings from buyers/readers) funeral marketing and production book it will make a GREAT GIFT to give to any friend who is a video enthusiast!</div><div><br /></div><div>Order today and save! ANY person who takes advantage of this special offer can SWEETEN the deal even further! How? Let ALL your video friends—in the business, hobbyists, enthusiasts or simply the curious—know about this book. For every order received where your referral vouches your name, you will receive “The Complete Guide to Website & Website Video Marketing & Production” or “The Guide to Basic Wedding Video Marketing & Production” or “The Book of Blogs” at HALF the pre-publication sales price! The final series of three in this 5-part series are expected to be available before the end of 2012!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, ORDER! SAVE! REFER! SAVE MORE!</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember: If you market, you will make it! © Earl Chessher</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-55965611859715008962012-02-18T20:05:00.000-08:002012-02-18T20:49:01.959-08:00Continuous Ink Supply Systems Worth a Look<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;color:#ffff00;">Continuous Ink Supply Systems: Print More, Save a Lot</span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">A significant number of popular printers in use today have available CISS (Continuous Ink Supply Systems) that can save as much as 90 percent over the cost of replacing 10 or more sets of branded ink cartridges. For any video producer who has a need to print more than one DVD or CD per project the quality can be great and the cost savings beyond belief.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> I have installed and used a CISS in my business for several years and while the range of brands and models served “back when” were severely limited, my original system has outlasted the service life of several Epson printers. Fortunately for me the model series was popular enough that I’ve been able to find and purchase used discontinued model printers compatible with my original CISS. Today, however, there’s a much broader selection of printer brands and models with affordable available compatible CISS units.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;color:#ffff00;">WHAT’S THE NEED?</span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">On average I will hand-feed a single disk into my current model printer for five-out-of-ten clients, but the rest usually order a half-dozen or more. I often get orders for as many as 50 and my grad night, graduation and performance videos can run into the hundreds. One of the selling points for my smaller orders though is the quality of the case inserts and the on-disk custom graphics. So I wind up printing literally hundreds, if not thousands of CDs or DVDs annually. Notwithstanding the time element for one-off printing, the ink supplies for extended printing projects can run costs into the stratosphere.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Other factors got in the way of production as well before I set up a computer system that could easily multitask, running the graphics files to my printer while I continue with other production work — designing graphics, working in audio or other programs, downloading resources, communicating with clients, answering e-mails, blog comments or forum questions, even editing and digitizing.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> I can now do more than one thing at a time and if nothing else, getting up every few minutes to feed in another DVD to my ongoing print job keeps me from being tethered to my single-feed, manual tray print system. It also gets me on my feet enough that circulation problems from long hours at the editing system don’t crop up.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;color:#ffff00;"><b>RUNNING OUT OF INK DURING PRODUCTION</b></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> What used to cause problems in addition to having a production computer that didn’t easily multitask was waiting until late at night to start a print run then running out of one or more inks in the process. I would be stuck with having to keep additional cartridges and sets on hand then still running out of one color or another depending on the demand for a specific color due to the graphics. This would start a domino effect as each and every other cartridge then ran out. At one time I would have to install another cartridge after one or two more DVDs until all the inks were once again replaced, then the cycle would start all over again as the black cartridge ran dry. Not very productive.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> All that, then running out of backup cartridges in the middle of the night. Where are you going to go to find replacement cartridges at that time of the night. Well, depending on where you live there might be a 24-hour Walgreens or other store that carries a limited number of brands and cartridges but you’ll pay full retail for them, upping your costs and eating into your production time, literally wearing you out before you can complete anything more than a run of two or three DVDs.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Thus is the argument for finding a printer brand and model that has an available CISS that works. Make sure the model is popular enough that the CISS provider will also be a dependable go to source for refill ink supplies. Rest assured, however, that your average CISS will outlive the model printer you purchased regardless of brand and that your CISS will likely not work in any other brand or model. What do you do then? You shop for and purchase not only a new printer brand and model but also a new compatible CISS. Or as in my case, I went to eBay where I found a good quality replacement printer in the same brand and model that cost me less in the long run than paying out for a new printer and new CISS.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;color:#ffff00;">WHERE TO FIND CISS</span></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">A quick search on Google for “continuous ink supply systems” or “bulk ink supply systems” will get you started, identifying resources not only for specific brand and model printers but specialty systems as well. You will also find numerous suppliers for refill inks for most brands. To get you started, however, here are some of what you’ll find during your search.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.inkcontinuous.com/"> Inkcontinuous.com</a> has systems for the HP Officejet Pro 8000/8500 series printer using the HP 940 cartridge, regularly priced as high as $300 but currently on sale for a little more than $70. I have to say here, however, that on average most CISS will range from around $80 to about $125. Current available models listed at this site include CISS for HP Officejet Pro K550/K8600 through L7780, using the HP 88 cartridge. Systems are also available for Epson Stylus printer models in the NX series, the Artisan 50, as well as the Artisan 600 through 835 series. In addition you can acquire systems for the Epson R1900, Epson Stylus Photo R280, RX595 and RX680 series and others.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> In Canon, while no CISS is listed, the company does sell “refillable” cartridges that make the job of ink replacement easier, cheaper and sometimes cleaner for the iP3600 through MP980 series and Canon Pro 9000.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Inkcontinuous has refill inks for Epson, Canon, HP and Brother. Sale prices start at $8.95 with some regular prices starting as low as about $20. Again, on average, I spend about $60 for a full set of inks for my system.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Shop around to save money and to find a dependable CISS provider and a company that will be able to fulfill your bulk ink resupply needs when you’re ready for more. In many cases, investing in a CISS and a backup set of bulk ink will last you a year or more. It is likely your CISS will even outlast your printer. As I said earlier, mine has. Installation is usually simple and if you don’t hurry the process of installation or refilling ink reservoirs, clean as well.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Another provider of CISS and bulk ink supplies is <a href="http://www.cisinks.com/">Cisinks.com</a> where a complete kit and inks for the (in some cases discontinued) printers such as Epson R260, 280, 360, 380 — even the current and popular Artisan 50 series (usually about $100) is currently on sale for about the price of a new printer, but gives you an ink supply closer to 10 full cartridge replacements. The regular price for this CISS runs about $120. A CISS for the Epson R2880 (without the ink) currently sells for less than $70.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Cisinks.com features how to and demonstration videos as well, ensuring that you get your installation right. A lot of other information is provided as well, making this a good site to visit while in the shopping and decision-making process before you buy.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> I acquired my original CISS from <a href="http://www.denverdisc.com/">Denver Disc</a>, formerly Reliant Digital, for about $125 and continue to order my ink refills from them for about $60 plus S&H. My system has outlived an Epson R360 and one Epson Stylus Photo R380 (discontinued) and was recently pressed into continued service with my second R380 found on ebay. A full set of CISS ink refills for my system is equivalent to about 11 full sets of branded cartridges from most retail stores, yet costs less on average than one set of cartridges that can go for as much as $80. That’s a lot of savings. Significant for any operation and especially so for someone who prints hundreds or thousands of disks a year.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> Denver Disc apparently no longer sells the once-popular Ink Caddy II system but continues to offer refill inks to serve the needs of customers who originally purchased their CISS product — primarily the Ink Caddy and Ink Caddy II.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> During my research it appeared that a select group of models in the Canon, Epson, HP, Brother and Lexmark brands have some kind of available CISS, as well as a few others where “refillable” cartridges are a possible alternative, still providing significant savings over purchasing disposable or more difficult to refill boxed cartridges.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.inksupply.com/"> Inksupply.com</a> is another company offering CISS and refillable cartridge options. This company also offers good information regarding its CISS products and what goes into making what they call The Cartridge Eliminator or Continuous Flow System unique or better or maybe they just mention this while others don’t — it’s the chip. There’s something called an Auto Reset Chip that they place in their systems that reset themselves when the printer power is turned off for 10 seconds or longer. “If you turn your printer off daily, you’ll never have to worry about forcing the printer to reset the chips,” they say. Whether unique to Inksupply.com units or not, there’s good information to be found on the website regarding use of their “CFS” units as they apply to various printer brands and even computers and operating systems. This is another good place to conduct your research for the printer and CISS that might be right for your needs, demands, pocketbook and expectations.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> A substantial listing for CISS and ink supplies can also be found at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> by searching for “continuous ink supply systems” at the site. I found systems listed for as low as $50 (new) for the Artisan 50, and even less for various HP and Brother models. Don’t forget eBay, where great prices, though sometimes possible more risky purchases (check seller ratings or reviews before buying this way) can be found daily for various models and supplies for their CISS units.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> There’s a boatload of sources including <a href="http://www.continuousinksupplysystem.com/">continuousinksupplysystem.com</a>, <a href="http://www.continuous-ink-systems.co.uk/">continuous-ink-systems.co.uk</a>, <a href="http://www.inksystem.org/">inksystem.org</a> cisinks.com, <a href="http://www.inkcontinuous.com/">inkcontinuous.com</a>, macroenter.com and outac.com. Take a look at the <a href="http://www.supertobuy.com/">supertobuy.com</a> site under “continuous ink system with ink. Do your research, then make your choice and save time and money using a CISS that fits your needs.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> A continuous ink supply system for some might be serious over-kill and if you’re looking for such systems for your bulk burning/production systems you might be out of luck. In my research efforts I couldn’t determine that any were available for systems like the Bravo series, Primera or even the popular single disk spin printer Dymo DiscPainter (recently discontinued).</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"> For any video producer who prints and delivers his/her own products for others using a CISS will result in substantial savings of time and money over the lifetime of the printer and most continuous ink supply systems.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:130%;">Remember: If you market, you will make it! © 2012 Earl Chessher</span></span></p>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-23416132418649315342011-12-11T23:37:00.000-08:002011-12-11T23:58:29.058-08:00DVD Duplicator Copy Protection No Good<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">You’re an independent video producer and businessperson and you want to do something about all those pirated copies of your DVD productions, suspected or confirmed, that clients are creating, distributing, even selling, cutting into your profits. Is there an effective, affordable protection scheme available to prevent people from ripping you off?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The short answer is NO.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>THE REALITY OF COPY PROTECTION FAILURE</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The reality is two-fold:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">1.) The resources, tools and information for cracking copy protection for just about any DVD, at any level, for any commercial or independent production is out there. Two trusted associates, one relatively amateur but dedicated, the other technically very knowledgeable, were able to crack the copy protection scheme used by my recently-purchased DVD duplicator in no time.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">More on that later in this article.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">2.) Those who know how, often do break and copy at will, those who don’t probably will not. Copy protection at any level keeps honest people honest. Otherwise, don’t count on it.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Another “reality” if you will, when it comes to the independent producer considering investing in a DVD duplicator with copy protection, is that runs of less than 100 are simply not worth the investment premium even if copy protection did work.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>WHAT I BOUGHT AND WHY</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I purchased a Spartan Fortress DVD duplicator tower from Super Media Store dot com at a significantly higher premium (price) than I would have otherwise.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I spent an additional $25 for a USB 2.0 connection. The 1-to-5 duplicator has 20x units and uses DiscLock Technology/SATA and comes with a 250GB hard drive. My total purchase price was $1,004.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The same store sells any number of models, economy and premium, and without copy protection, software or hardware variety, of manually operated CD/DVD duplicators starting as low as $211 (prices current as of December, 2011) for a 3-to-1 economy unit and less than $340 for a premium 4-to-1 system with a 250GB hard drive. As far as I can tell economy comes without a hard drive, premium will include a hard drive ranging in capacity from 250GB to 500GB.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For shear duplication volume you could purchase an 11-to-1 economy line duplicator for under $500; an 11-to-1 premium line duplicator for $815. A 5-to-1 premium duplicator? $480. Yes, less than half the price I paid, making the premium for copy protection that offers no real protection rather high.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Essentially I knew this going in but still wanted a means to keep the honest people honest. To that extent I’ll likely succeed. Would I purchase the Spartan Fortress duplicator with hardware copy protection, or even a unit with a software scheme and the requisite key purchases I’d have to make from time-to-time? No. Not for that much of a price difference. I’d rather have acquired volume in my duplication for a similar price, offering me 11-at-a-time copies, than essentially useless and ineffective copy protection.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So, why did I do it? The answer is complicated.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">My <i>theory</i> is that some of the people to whom I sell video are honest enough that if they first attempt to duplicate one of my DVDs in their home computer, and there’s a hiccough, they’ll stop trying and order additional copies from me.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This is provided my copies are reasonably priced and the packaging is of professional quality. That means the graphics, inserts, cases and production all present a sense of quality, as opposed to hand-written labeling on silver DVDs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>AS WIKIPEDIA EXPLAINS IT</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“<b>CD/DVD copy protection</b> is a blanket term for various methods of copy protection for CDs and DVDs. Such methods include DRM (digital rights management), CD-checks, Dummy Files, illegal tables of contents, over-sizing or over-burning the CD, physical errors, and bad sectors. Many protection schemes rely on breaking compliance with CD and DVD standards, leading to playback problems on some devices.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 6.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Protection schemes rely on distinctive features that:</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">• can be applied to a medium during the manufacturing process, so that a protected medium is distinguishable from an unprotected one.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 1.0px 0.0px; line-height: 19.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">• cannot be faked, copied, or retroactively applied to an unprotected medium using typical hardware and software.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">“I’ve read an increasing number of stories (on the Internet) indicating that, in an attempt to discourage the continued spread of these (copy protection cracking) tools, that websites containing discussion and how-to articles on how to defeat DRM on various media, including new tools to duplicate Blu-ray media, are being attacked and some even shut down. This really hasn’t stopped things, and the tools and information is all still very much out there,” one researcher told me.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">So, for free or for an investment of as much as $150, maybe more, there are tools available to any individual who wants to get past my duplicator’s copy protection scheme, or any other on the market today for that matter. How then, can I, or you, justify spending as much as twice the money for a duplicator that claims to have copy protection, software and key, or hardware but doesn’t really work?</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The bottom line is we can’t but there is, I believe, an argument for having something that attempts to protect our productions from being pirated. And there’s a few arguments for using whatever means at our disposal in an attempt to discourage the outright practice of ripping us off by denying potential copy sales.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>AM I JUST TRYING TO JUSTIFY THE EXPENDITURE?</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Consciously I’m not, but I’m also sure, to some degree, I might be sorry for not taking my research a bit further before jumping in and making the purchase. For one, instead of asking some general questions of a couple of producers whom I know are duplicating in large numbers for distribution — major band and cheerleading competition events with on-site sales in the thousands, for example — I should have inquired of several others. I should have attempted to get a broader representation over a field of professionals who have average duplication runs of 10 or less, as well as those doing hundreds, if not thousands.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The initial responses I received were that though systems like the one I purchased are not a guaranteed protection against duplication, by informing their customers the DVDs were copy protected, they observed an increase in sales compared to prior programs.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In fact, one guy who has a major success story working in the area of mass on-site production of DVDs during major competition events told me it was totally worthwhile to pay the premium.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I really should have asked for serious numbers and considered the varied factors that might or not effect that outcome. For example: spontaneous on-site sales based on notification that DVDs are copy protected might work for a season or two, until people purchasing them realize after trying to crack them that there’s no effective protection. Then sales might start dropping. Again.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Bottom line is I don’t think spending $500 or more for copy protection that is absolutely unreliable as a deterrent is a good decision economically. On the other hand, now that I’ve done it, I have to say that I’ve noticed a slight increase in orders of 3-to-5 copies of montage, memorial and funeral video productions. No difference at all in sales from work once, sell many events such as school plays, choral performances, dance recitals or other such events averaging 100 units or so.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>WHAT DID MY COPY PROTECTION CRACKERS DO?</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The first experiments were conducted by a guy who collects movies, “every movie DVD I get my hands on,” as a hobby. He is a serious collector but has limited technical skills.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">I sent each of my researchers three DVDs: a funeral of more than one hour in length; a retirement montage and production of about 45 minutes; and a 15-minute high school graduating senior montage video. All were created from a master DVD dash-R generated in my Mac, then burned to blanks using the Spartan Fortress with the hardware copy protection engaged.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>NOTE:</b> With the model I bought, and as I understand it virtually all other hardware-based copy protection DVD duplication towers, you cannot utilize the copy protection using the system’s built-in hard drive. There’s other restrictions as well, so the ONLY way is to duplicate from your original DVD dash-R master.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The amateur tried a couple of PC and one Mac desktop systems but could get none of them to recognize any of the test DVDs. Only when using a fourth, laptop, unit were any of the three recognized, but after that and utilizing a paid commercial copy-breaking software all three were duplicated in a matter of minutes.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The tech researcher had “no problems”, using freeware, creating duplicates of all three DVDs: less than two minutes for the shortest one and a little over six minutes for the longest. My researcher went further, attacking them on both a Mac unit and a PC, using different software with similar results.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When the tech savvy researcher first opened the files nothing showed in the file system to indicate a copy protection was even applied. “I looked for files not part of the standard DVD ROM UDF specification. I found nothing,” the report stated.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">After verifying with me that the DVDs sent had actually been recorded using the Spartan Fortress copy protection engaged, another look was taken at the files.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">By simply copying the DVDs to a folder on the Mac hard drive it was discovered that “there appears something special about how the DVDs are written that causes the computer to go into wait state and the OS to choke.” The PC test using Windows XP failed in that a direct copy could not be created to hard drive.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">It was discovered that the duplicator writes an unneeded file to the Video_TS folder of the DVDs.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">This simple protection scheme did prevent my other DVD duplicator, a 3-to-1 duplicator I purchased several years ago for $1,000. from recognizing or duplicating the protected DVD. My tech researcher says this file appears, to the duplicator or computer attempting a straight duplication, to be corrupted and cannot be copied, forcing an error.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;color:#ffff00;" ><b>IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Anyone with limited knowledge of the available tools for cracking copy protection and attempting to duplicate a DVD created using the Spartan Fortress, and I would presume any other similar system, on either a computer, Mac or PC, or any available duplicator, will be discouraged from doing so.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Anyone with any degree of knowledge or experience, Internet savvy and having one or more available free or commercial cracking programs can figure it out fairly quickly, bypass the problem, create a copy on their hard drive and generate a new master DVD that can then be duplicated at will.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">What 10-year-old do you know doesn’t have that ability, given access to a computer and the Internet? On the other hand.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">If you’re generating less than 100 copies of anything you simply cannot justify the cost for copy protection that isn’t effective, and if you’re going to be distributing thousands of copies you don’t need a manually operated DVD duplicator anyway. You’ll outsource any major commercial duplication needs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-indent: 18.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman">© 2011, Earl Chessher</p>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-41468935644817079152011-11-23T00:22:00.000-08:002011-11-23T00:54:14.059-08:00Coupon for 25 Percent Off Funeral Resource Guide<a href="http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Earl">Lulu dot com</a> is currently offering a 25 percent off coupon code good for maximum savings of $50 off any of my publications. The offer is good through December 14, 2001, offering significant savings off the Funeral Video Marketing and Production Resource Book:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/they-shoot-funerals-dont-they-complete-guide-to-funeral-video-production-marketing/16255781?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1">“They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They: Complete Guide to Funeral Video Production & Marketing”</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Simply go to Lulu and register for a free account, if you don’t have one already, and enter coupon code BUYMYBOOK305 at checkout. According to the Lulu promotion guide for discount coupon application you may use the code at checkout, but you can only use the code once per account and it cannot be combined with any other coupon codes.</div><div><br /></div><div>They Shoot Funerals, Don’t They will be featured in the classified word ad section of Videomaker magazine beginning with the January 2012 issue and continuing through the March 2012 issue, but the current Lulu coupon code discount is a good chance enjoy significant savings off the regular publication price. The January Videomaker magazine issue is slated for release sometime in December, 2011.</div><div><br /></div><div>After purchasing your book, send an e-mail notification to echessher@hotmail.com providing proof of purchase and mailing information to receive the accompanying DVD/CD resource disks at no additional charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Slated for publication between the end of December and first quarter of 2012 are new resource books in an ongoing series, including:</div><div><br /></div><div>• The Complete Guide to Montage Marketing and Production</div><div>• The Basic Guide to Wedding Video Marketing and Production</div><div>• The Complete Guide to Website Video Marketing and Production for Small Businesses</div><div>• The Book of Blogs, featuring updated and revised articles from E.C. Come, E.C. Go since 2004</div><div><br /></div><div>More than 20 years experience in marketing, publishing and video production support this series of resource publications, backed by accompanying DVD/CD resource disks and my philosophy that marketing sizzle should also include the STEAK! You’ll get a lot more than kisses and promises as each publication will offer solid information, practical real-life experience backed by more than just theory.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, coming soon to the blog is ... FINALLY ... the REAL information behind DVD duplication towers offering hardware-based copy protection. Are they really worth the extra premium? Can you depend on this kind of system to help boost client copy sales?</div><div><br /></div><div>And another upcoming blog will focus on CISS (Constant Ink Supply Systems) or bulk ink systems for today’s available printer models.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember! If you market you will make it! © 2011 Earl Chessher</div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-41457684206366284242011-10-17T01:04:00.000-07:002011-10-18T13:28:15.106-07:00Create I.D. Tags to Smooth the WayIn her recent and most excellent post on the Videomaker forums, magazine editor Jennifer O’Rourke started an active series focused on <a href="http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/your-first-amendment-rights-as-a-citizen-journalist">“Your First Amendment Rights as a Citizen Journalist”</a> and as such things will do the post took a life of its own, drifting on- and off-topic but essentially offering up some interesting comments, advice and stories. It continues.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>“We decided to create this Legal Issues forums page because many video producers are discussing legalities like copyright and fair use, as well as access.” she wrote, noting, “There are encounters with public officials that can get you arrested.” This was O’Rourke’s opening paragraph. See the complete post and responses at the link above. And, while you’re at it, this is a great forums site to join and participate.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>In the process of this series of posts active forum member and fellow independent professional video services provider Charles Shultz, Missouri, <a href="http://www.cschultzmedia.com/">C Shultz Media</a>, also <a href="http://www.videostorytellers.com/">Video StoryTellers!™</a> associate, suggested I post or offer an example of my video producer I.D. card, where I got it and positing it “Might be a good idea to have one.” I referred to having one during a somewhat stressful moment with <i>local </i><i>officials</i>.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJB-wbgr0s4WdsLJeJKu3uikcspXZXmi9SS8SD-qVkEuX_51J9J6MztxoEbJPiuo5NzT5WRuihsg0waH01hyphenhyphen13VH00eMIJk5KN1A7WnxzjLa15dK7rT2st_B3-qBHWF0ZpmeAhg/s320/FinalIDCardWeb.jpg" border="2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664388041036260930" /><div>Here’s a trumped up sample I’ve often used as a template for developing I.D. cards specific to the program, project or public event in which I’m involved. I created mine using Photoshop and will often use a different image depending on the type of situation I’m in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For example, awhile back, when my associate and I were working with the California State University at Dominguez Hills we needed photo I.D. that would allow us access to various areas of the campus and ongoing activities related to the project event. While the campus official involved with the project graciously provided for parking, we worked up an I.D. similar to the sample here and it was deemed to be acceptable for the purpose. That one had me in a suit, no sunglasses.<div><br /></div><div>All this might seem to be a bit elementary but sometimes we don’t think about using something as simple as a handmade I.D. card to help smooth the way around things. I’m sure I’ve often been able to move about a bit more freely during even public events because I took the time to put something together. I’ve created these for high school grad night events, church bazaars, homecoming activities and various youth sports groups that have allowed me to produce their games. Much better if they’re “authorized” but they don’t always have to necessarily be sanctioned, so to speak. Use your best judgement based on the circumstances.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>TYPES AND STYLES AND WHERE TO FIND THEM</b></div><div>Probably the most common I.D. card carriers are those clipped to a lanyard and hung around your neck. They’re probably also the cheapest method. I’ll provide sources for purchasing bulk but you can obtain smaller minimums at most any office supply center or sports shop. This usually involved two pieces: the lanyard (many types and styles) and the pouch, sleeve or case.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczmqr2hfpZjaxtyTmJPNdTg7yqtqwAR89HSpg6qGDjqC2ljPud7bhVV92L4FIqfhEDcWZhPeRLc_XLjJea9sRTC1ZIbClFBJXnIuQm1tBvzj-I_cgl3ehQHqrTRH340g1xBdbKA/s320/LanyardOnly.jpg" border="2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664379056171359058" /><div>Here’s what a lanyard looks like. I find the flat and somewhat wider ones to be the most comfortable but you can get them in virtually any width. They also come in various braided, flat and rope; beaded chain, string, chord, cable and nylon.</div><div><br /></div><div>They also come with an assortment of styles of clips and attachments from rings, to alligator clips, clamps to snaps. Take your pick. And, of course, they’re available in a multitude of colors, with or without branding or customized logos, slogans or website URL's ... my personal favorite when I decide to purchase a bunch of branded ones. I can see this useful in some way for marketing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Many of the available pouch or protector styles allow for multiple ways of using your I.D. card. The most common includes holes or punch outs for chain-style (think dog tag chains, or the old style bathtub stopper chains), a slot to attach the lanyard clip and even die cuts that allow for insertion of safety pin-like connectors that leave nice holes in your shirts or stick you.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are also reel-type holders that can be pulled out from their case, then allowed to rewind back in leaving your I.D. dangling from your belt. (think of those round, often silver-colored, devices security, maintenance and janitorial services employees often wear with a bunch of keys) And there’re temporary stick-on style I.D. card holders, molded rigid frames and magnetic ones where you peel the two strips apart and place one inside your shirt pocket or fabric while the strip attached to the back of the I.D. card holder magnetically clings to it from the outside.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’re not particularly fond of hanging stuff around your neck or putting holes in your shirts and blouses, there’re also elastic armband-style I.D. card holders.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pictured below are probably the three most common: clip gripper, pinned and armband holder.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycWhTh9pf4o4R7kbq7y_C5ObK1Ozde4O_tQi-rxXAYMzCwlnLRH-NE1Hb103vQazwPo3QYATWwSd7PcEA_eeilYW2BItNthZczog1XurRL54SgV413xn9VX4BpgvbHs6fnExlyw/s200/ClipOnBW2.jpg" border="2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664389584639520162" /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3hv4eTgwmCbl7LZir8KPanU7ww9v1_OpwZf6RriJm5VldvbzqE3vNchLS5ALuuOL_5w9EcihrDYRplHTbBlEdiHrBdCAHYytYIBCnBokuNYxts8vij-bVm_ULrOxk2fsGQ4u6g/s200/PinOnBW2.jpg" border="2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664389578990975218" />If you want to check out the possibilities or think you might sometime need more than a few, for a crew or special event calling for a bunch of guys representing your operation, shooting video or not, there’s plenty.<div><br /><div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoow0JdrQKD_90vov91X-G53u9dw84lYQ6ptOKLgXlI3Fr4FYJDH7oB6vEwYqmT2a1dLcN1glDONuNFdG6rsOb4eS-tYzOtJtwasn7lRpChxZgdFdH_ga5aE8omwe5YaO_qKh7A/s200/BeltLoopBW2.jpg" border="2" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664383593229681778" /><b>CHECK OUT THESE PLACES</b></div><div>for some interesting choices, prices and combinations. <a href="http://www.lanyardsupply.com/">Lanyard Supply</a> is a cluttered mess but has a lot of stuff to look at and <a href="http://www.idcardgroup.com/">I.D. Card Group</a> is a bit more pleasing to browse. You can find cheap lanyards starting at $25 for bundles of 100; basic badge holders starting at $23 for 100.</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out <a href="http://www.usalanyards.com/">USA Lanyards</a>, <a href="http://www.alphacard.com/">Alpha Card</a>, <a href="http://www.idwholesaler.com/">I.D. Wholesaler</a>, <a href="http://www.lanyardsnow.com/">Lanyards Now</a>, <a href="http://www.westcoastlanyards.com/">West Coast Lanyards</a> and <a href="http://www.customlanyards4all.com/">Custom Lanyards 4 All</a>, to see more of the same but get a better idea of the range of options and pricing. There’s also <a href="http://www.ebay.com/">ebay</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>. So there you are, with information on how to make, acquire and utilize I.D. cards to help you move along with the crowd at most any event.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>ANOTHER POST COMING SOON!</b></div><div>Find out about <i>The Book of Blogs, </i>coming soon on E.C. Come, E.C. Go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember: If you market, you will make it! © 2000-2011 Earl Chessher</div></div></div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-4974897815740438102011-10-16T19:37:00.000-07:002011-10-18T13:24:40.350-07:00DVD Burners, Copy Protection, Inks Part IIWell, three months is a bit of a wait, I agree, but hey like you guys I’ve been busy surviving, marketing, working and taking care of business. Well, yeah, this blog is part of all that and that’s why I’ve not totally abandoned it. Nor will I ever. For as long as I live and function there will be an E.C. Come, E.C. Go blog on marketing and producing video.<div><br /><div>First things first, however, so I want to wrap up or at least deliver on the promise of Part II, of “Burners with Copy Protection & Printing Secrets” then later you can scroll back up and read about where E.C. Come, E.C. Go is going in the near future and why it makes sense, or should, for me to offer the complete series, in publication since 2004, in a published book as well as downloadable PDF and eventually an eBook format. I plan to post that sometime in the next few days.</div><div><br /></div><div>A recent response to one of the posts on a <a href="http://www.videomaker.com">Videomaker Forums</a> venue generated a valid request from fellow video producer, Charles Schultz, Missouri. Charles’ question is a simple one and I thought it might be fun to respond with information and illustrations in a blog here. More on all that later.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>In <a href="http://eccomeecgo.blogspot.com/2011/07/dvd-burners-with-copy-protection.html">Part I, published July 3, 2011</a>, I noted that regardless of opinions positive and negative about using a DVD burner tower that provides copy protection (effective or not based on fact or opinion) I was going to find out by purchasing one. It took me a bit longer than I intended to make the purchase, but I did, from <a href="http://www.supermediastore.com/">Super Media Store</a>. Sadly, I’m still waiting for test results from an IT friend I know and trust who promises “great delight” in telling me “how many seconds it takes me to break it” — what would I do without my friends, right?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>FIRST LET ME TELL YOU THIS ...</b></div><div>Manual feed DVD duplication towers for standard DVD duplication for 1-to-1 (you really need something more, trust me) start at $150 depending on source, hardware, etc. They can run much higher but let’s say you CAN get something that works well enough for that starting price. Do a search on Google.</div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve made it for several years with my old Reliant Digital 3-up manual unit, including Pioneer burners and a hard drive, diagnostic programs and more but that unit is growing long in the tooth though it still does an outstanding job and I did spend close to a thousand for it. The RD people are now called <a href="http://www.denverdisc.com/">Denver Disc</a> and they still offer GREAT customer service and quality products. Ironically, I could have purchased a 4-up unit from them now that offers copy protection for about the same price ... currently at $995. On the other hand is is software-based copyright and compatible with Windows XP or Vista PC. I use a Mac and I didn’t want to “go there” with software copy protection, licensing fees or no.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone having a need to burn/duplicate more than one copy of a DVD (most of us, probably) however can acquire a basic manual tower system for a low investment. In fact, there are 9-up units out there priced at well south of $500. Check out <a href="http://www.supermediastore.com/">Super Media Store</a>, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/">ebay</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a> as well as <a href="http://www.mediasupply.com/">Media Supply</a>, <a href="http://www.produplicator.com/">Pro Duplicator</a>, <a href="http://www.americanmusical.com/">American Musical</a>, <a href="http://www.meritline.com/CD-DVD-Duplicator">Meritline</a> and a host of others. Again, do a search on Google. The field is HUGE!</div><div><br /></div><div>You’ll spend significantly MORE when you add copy protection, software or hardware or “otherware” based. My unit from Super Media Store is a 5-up Spartan Fortress, balancing between budget and production needs, and ran me $979 ... at the time it was the best buy I could find in a non-software, no license or key required, copy protection system.</div><div><br /></div><div>This system has other benefits including auto-start recording, options to record different types of DVD and CD media blanks, with or without copy protection written onto the duplicates and a hard drive for storing various projects. In my research most of these type of duplicators ONLY provide their copy protection when duplicating from DVD-R master to DVD-R blank. Duplicating from other formats or from the hard drive negates copy protection being included on the resulting DVDs.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I balanced the trade-offs, costs, budget, etc. and WANTING copy protection to whatever extent it might prove effective (keeping “honest” people honest, for example) I went with it. I’d also interviewed others in the industry who I knew were using copy protection either way ... software of hardware. For the most part these professionals posed no regrets and all cited an uptick in sales over previously non-protected duplication DVD productions.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>BOTTOM LINE IS</b></div><div>I went with the non-software based units because I didn’t want to have to be concerned with the ongoing expense of licensing and key purchases, nor did I want to contend with decisions based on my computer platform. The vast majority of the software-based copyright schemes with licensing or otherwise is PC-based. Nothing wrong with that but I use a Macintosh and simply do not see going to another platform ... good, bad or ugly.</div><div><br /></div><div>These fees can range from per project to per DVD. They can require purchasing 50 or more at a time and rarely offer an emergency purchase of one (to get the job done that you’re right in the middle of before remembering you need to acquire more licenses) ... that sucks.</div><div><br /></div><div>And, given time, overall effectiveness of the protection being equal, I will spend as much for ongoing licensing regardless of what I might have saved up front by purchasing such a unit, as my unit cost. On that basis, if it lasts half as long as my old reliable Reliant, I’ll do better than break even. Not to mention the possible 2-to-25 percent uptick in DVD sales due to keeping honest people ... well, you know.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>MY ADVICE IS TO BUY</b></div><div>your duplicator tower, once you’ve justified and established a real need for one (with or without copy protection, depending on the volume of sales you now generate or expect to generate in the near future, from a known dealer. Don’t dabble with weird places on the web whose creds you cannot confirm or establish.</div><div><br /></div><div>This by no means will restrict your choices as there are a number of places such as and similar to the ones I’ve already mentioned where you can either obtain references from people you know, resources you trust, or already have an ongoing personal/business relationship with over the years.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>I’VE ENJOYED DEBATE</b></div><div>with folks on the various forums who insist I’m mistaken about the range of speeds to record (I suggest 8X or less, plenty fast enough and safer than rushing it with today’s higher speed rated blanks, regardless of the equipment used); and also insist that I’m being ultra narrow minded when I say that nose grease and fingerprints, skin oils and other substances take away from the appearance of those glossy or semi-glossy surfaces.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition to practical experience from years of duplicating and printing on all sorts of stock, I’m personally and knowledgeably aware that the glossy finish blanks and even the waterproof blanks, while they might be great in defense against moisture damage with inkjet systems, do not look that great after a bit of handling. And, contrary to others’ findings, MY findings are these oily residues, fingerprints and nose grease occurrences DO NOT simply wipe off with a damp cloth. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. You’re mileage and/or preferences may vary.</div><div><br /></div><div>While there are certainly people and those other wonderful creatures between the ages of two and 18 who mishandle, toss, grab both sides of or otherwise abuse DVDs and CDs by leaving them out to collect dust, wiping them off with t-shirts or GASP! paper towels, storing them on dashboards, window sills and anywhere else the sun shines, there’s the rest of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those who keep them in cases when not in use. Handle them by the edges. Prefer to not leave them in the player tray. Keep them safe from sun, moisture and baby fingers. These people do not suffer the damages experienced by spills, sweaty glasses or hands, or play them outside in the rain. Therefore, my hundreds of clients through the years have rarely contacted me for copies due to damage of the graphics. They also don’t have to deal with unsightly smears and fingerprints that glossy surface and waterproof DVDs quickly accumulate.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>PRINT FIRST OR BURN FIRST</b></div><div>stems from some of the same thought processes as do matte or glossy finish. Again, mileage may vary, but for me I prefer to burn, then print unless I’ve printed my blanks early enough to give them sufficient drying time ... 24 hours usually works, but sometimes depending on the humidity, it could take twice that or more.</div><div><br /></div><div>It’s not a question of if but when you’ll begin to notice weird little striations, actually tiny cracks that radiate outward from the center hub area where centrifugal force and motion have caused problems with your pretty graphics. And even though others claim, practical experience based or theory based, that the fast drying glossy and waterproof finishes eliminate this problem, my personal experience (hands on, not theory) has been otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Trust me, it’s safer to print any type of stock after burning but also acceptable if you give your printed stock sufficient time to thoroughly dry.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>FINALLY, THE BRANDS THAT IMPRESSED ME</b></div><div>in DVD/CD duplicator towers with copy protection include the <a href="http://www.applied-magic.com/p_duplicator_main.html">Fort Knox by Applied Magic</a>; <a href="http://esystor.com/page/category/COPY_PROTECTED_DUPLICATORS.html">Systor systems Disc Master</a> series; <a href="http://www.produplicator.com/dvd-cd-duplicator-copy-protection.html">Pro Duplicator</a> systems; Denver Disc mentioned previously; and also a system from the makers of the original Casablanca standalone editor, from Gary McNally of McNally Productions, <a href="http://www.mcnallysplugandplay.com/">McNally’s Plug and Play</a>. Gary carries not only the Spartan Fortress but other units that require the software licensing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>TO SUM IT UP</b></div><div>The jury’s still out on just how effective copy protection is on the system I acquired. As soon as that report comes in from my IT friend, there’ll be a blog article with all the details. He’s promised me a thorough report.</div><div><br /></div><div>Burn slow and burn first, print last. In most cases this is the safest way to ensure fewer print problems or client issues. Stay with Verbatim, JVC's Taiyo Yuden, <a href="http://www.discmakers.com/">Disc Makers</a> brand. For the record, JVC/Taiyo Yuden is rated number one on many forums, blogs and columns offering opinions on the best DVD stock and Super Media Store, mentioned previously, is named as one of the best low cost resources for purchasing this product.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>WATCH FOR MY BLOG ON</b></div><div>Constant Ink Supply Systems, CISS, coming soon. I will provide relative current information on printer brands that use them and resources for the systems as well as the printers they serve. On average, a printer using a CISS will cost you about $125 initially, with costs of $70, given or take for replacement ink of good quality. The supplies generally equals 10-to-11 full 6-cartridge refills for printers like some of the Epson series. Do the math.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, I’ve got a couple other blogs to write tonight so remember: If you market, you will make it! © 2000-2011 Earl Chessher</div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-22604964658757078442011-07-03T17:33:00.000-07:002011-07-03T18:38:01.388-07:00DVD Burners with Copy Protection & Printing SecretsMost video production professionals, or amateurs for that matter, have an opinion regarding the positive/negative aspects of investing in and using a DVD burner tower that provides for copy protection. The number one response I usually hear is that it won’t do any good and is a waste of money because “anybody” can break copy protection. Well, the real answers are true, and not true!<div><br /></div><div>What I do hear from many professionals who deal in a hundred or more (or less) real time DVD duplication and delivery per event productions is that it pays off. Many who produce multiple-day or daylong competition events such as regional- and state-level band, cheerleading, track & field and similar scholastic events are unanimous. They say that in spite of the ability of virtually anyone with a little confidence & technical prowess being able to break copy protection codes, it keeps the “honest” people honest.</div><div><br /></div><div>The multiple sales category would include dance recitals, martial arts reviews and demonstrations, youth sports game videos, school and community drama and/or choral performances, band reviews and more. This would be any event where you work once with the anticipation of selling many.</div><div><br /></div><div>There will always be consumers, young and old alike, who will attempt to break the copy protection of a commercially produced DVD or the limited-run duplications offered by independent professional video services providers. On the other hand, while the percentage of these folks is small and the overall effect on your sales of copies of productions is not always huge, it can have a significant effect on your bottom line (profits) over time.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>This is more than a personal opinion</b></span></div><div>Again, when asked, a number of professionals have said that the additional $200 or so increase in the cost of a tower DVD duplicator with hardware or software (more on THAT difference later) is “well worth” the investment. They tell me the difference in total sales of any given multiple orders DVD production MORE than makes up for the original duplicator investment. All confirmed a noticeable increase in total orders received per event.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why? Because, on average, the above-mentioned exceptions notwithstanding, honest people are, well, honest. If it proves more challenging to simply make a copy of your production on a branded silver blank with hand-written titles using a blank DVD marker (and not always a DVD marker ... there ARE markers they shouldn’t use as they can and will effect playback) or purchasing your reasonably-priced professionally packaged duplications, they’ll opt for buying from you!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>A TRUE STORY</b></span></div><div>I lied to some of my past clients.</div><div><br /></div><div>During a “test” period some while back I started putting a small “This DVD is copy protected” notice on some of my productions. When asked by my clients if they could make their own copies, I would say: “Sure, if you can figure out how to break the copy protection.” Yes, my orders increased significantly during the “test period” once or twice by as much as 30 percent. Then some kid took up my challenge and discovered there was no copy protection and called me on it. I stopped testing.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>WHAT SOME PROFESSIONALS SAY</b></span></div><div>is that they “get around” the issue simply by making their copies ultra-cheap ... I’m talking about $10 or less, printed, packaged and using commercial or custom color inserts. Or, in the case of single sales events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebratory events, simply giving away a number of copies, avoiding the issue of pirating altogether. Ostensibly this also generates “good will” some claim.</div><div><br /></div><div>They also claim to have “factored in” the cost of this. Question: how do you “factor in” these costs when most of you have not factored in all the other relative costs of doing business? There are insurance premiums, pens, pencils, paper, meals, rent (even if you operate out of house) and the other variables that virtually NEVER see their values subtracted from the bottom lines of independents’ P&L sheets.</div><div><br /></div><div>I beg to differ. Good will, repeat and renewable business, return clients and referrals are generated by quality production, reasonable turnaround times, reasonable but fair pricing and professional decorum. Rarely does good will, and never does loss of profits by giving product away, generate healthy business levels. Loyalty is not earned nor received by giving product away. Loyalty, unfortunately, is also not something upon which most of us can depend ... sad to say.</div><div><br /></div><div>These approaches, my friends, do not constitute good or profitable business practices, and they dilute the value of the product and our industry. Like it or not, that is a verifiable fact. Whatever happened to the marketing adage “never give away something you can sell”?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>There are real costs you must cover to survive</b></span></div><div>At best, depending on the grade and quality of the media used, the variety of price levels from various resources, ink, your time and all the other cost factors, you’ll spend somewhere between a couple of dollars and possibly a whole lot more, for the blank, the case, the insert, the ink if you design/print your own, and the wear and tear of your equipment. I don’t know what your time is worth, but I have to make something when I’m working.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or maybe you also invested hundreds of dollars (often $1K or more) on an automated burn-and-print device, saving time, but still with ink, materials and wear-and-tear costs. Somewhere, somehow, you need to recoup your expenses. Selling below your actual costs, including labor, equipment investment, replacement and other variables, or giving the product away WILL NOT generate profits.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be continued ...</div><div>In Part 2 I will talk about my personal research into various model DVD duplicating towers offering copy protection. I will share pricing information and point out the differences in software- and hardware-based protection and why I will pull the trigger on one over the other.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will also offer some real life experiences in the world of duplication regarding speed of dubbing, whether to use the hard drive or a direct-from-master-DVD duplication, and whether to print first or burn first.</div><div><br /></div><div>I will share information from others who have found ways around some of the print or burn first issues and what my personal experience has been both ways even using their approaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I will provide links to the various companies and resources for any readers interested in moving into DVD duplication either of their own productions or the home productions of their clients from other services. I do not plan, however, to share or divulge information regarding how to break copy protection code of personal or commercial productions. That information is readily available for those who wish to engage in pirating.</div><div><br /></div><div>For now remember: If you market, you will make it! © 2011 Earl Chessher</div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9751416.post-55241159617177482932011-07-01T14:50:00.000-07:002011-07-02T12:30:58.906-07:00If You’re Not Working It’s Because You Don’t Want To!Anyone with a decent camera and a few essential, basic pieces of equipment, and a general understanding of how to use them to create video, and isn’t working, doesn’t WANT to!<div><br /></div><div>It’s summertime folks! I know many of you want to go out and play, put the boat in the water, prepare the skis and jet-skis, maybe do some golf, surf if you're close to waves, party, barbecue, toss flying sports disks, attend car shows, county fairs and other community events. It’s human nature to want to enjoy the moment, have fun and live a carefree life, but hey, most of us also have bills to pay ...</div><div>... unless somebody gifted you with that boat, those skis or the dune buggy you ramp over the local dunes.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are actually ways to do both: enjoy life and make money, and I’ve casually referred to it as guerrilla marketing. Take your equipment with you when you attend these events, functions or go to public places to soak up some summer sun. With today’s lightweight rigs and portability, there’s few places where you can’t take advantage of opportunities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s a short list, but I just bet most of you could add another two or five ideas of your own:</div><div>• Car shows</div><div>• Volley ball tournaments</div><div>• Bike (bicycle) club tours, competition, runs short and long</div><div>• Bike (motorcycle) club ... see above</div><div>• Kite flying competitions</div><div>• Hot air balloon excursions</div><div>• Surfing competitions</div><div>• Skiing competitions</div><div>• Youth baseball</div><div>• Youth Soccer</div><div>• Equestrian (horses ;-) events</div><div>• Parades</div><div>• Fourth of July fireworks exhibitions</div><div>• Skateboard events ... competition or impromptu (there’s some great boarders out there who love acquiring GREAT video shots of themselves)</div><div>• Golfing events (get in good with course management and you’ve picked up awesome ops)</div><div>• Open public exhibitions & activities</div><div>• Martial arts demonstrations</div><div>• Those live band performances at malls and pavilions everywhere (ask first)</div><div><br /></div><div>It takes a will to work and some gumption to approach some of these, but I’ve shot something to do with pretty much all these categories over the years. Some will require a bit more finesse while others are wide open to walking on and cranking up the equipment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Avoid turf wars with other guerrilla marketing video strategists. Sometimes I’ve actually been able to work alongside a competitor, one shooting primarily for one soccer team, me the other. There’s usually always compromise. The coaches, most vocal parent on the sidelines or the guy who pretends to know what he’s doing with that palmcorder waving around in the air are good people to connect with.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, picked up more than 20 orders from yesterday’s car show, and will likely get more through the mail or via e-mail. This brings to mind another strategy that a lot of companies already do but that is going to eventually be important to all of us who shoot a lot of events:</div><div><br /></div><div>Developing a website where people can order backyear event DVDs from a website catalog or listing. Easy, virtually free, money for a work once, sell many approach to marketing. My article on doing JUST THAT coming soon to E.C. Come, E.C. Go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember: If you market, you will make it! © Earl Chessher 2011</div>Earl Chessherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06137011704878282324noreply@blogger.com2