The invention of the iPad and the Kindle Reader, with its easy to use screen, has attracted the young and old alike – such as baby boomers born 1946 up and the young generation z while the introduction of the iphone, Google android phone and iPod have attracted tech savvy generation x, the baby boomers, and generation y, born in the 1970’s.

What does this mean to authors? Well there is a huge population that buys gadgets that have portals onto ebook content. They are viewing these books on the go, on the subway, in restaurants, and when they are standing in line. The high definition screen and user friendly touch keyboard makes the iPad a must have.

There are multiple ebook formats – formats such as EPUB, PDF, RTF, PDB, WOBI, LRF and TXT – thoughts to consider when publishing your first ebook.

• Prepare your ebook in doc format. Many ebook distribution stores will convert your book in multiple formats;

• Potential distributers for your ebook are Stanza on the iphone and .Aldiko for google android phone;

• When preparing your ebook for digital format to be displayed in e reader device the formatting must be simple: no tabs, no page numbers, no exotic fonts;

Your ebook can be sold on such ebook retailers as Lulu, Smashwords, BookGlutton, Kindle, iBookstore, and more;

• Don’t forget to sell your ebook on your own website to avoid commission fees;

• Advertise your book via social media;

• Add a link to your book into your email signature;

• Write articles about your book with a link to your book;

• Send out press releases about your soon to be released book;

• Create a video and distribute to online video directories.

To define the reasons why we blog, we need to look into the past. Wikipedia reports that a blog is a web log. It is a website that is maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other materials such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order.

The fact that Google purchased blogger.com in February 2003 tells us that blogging must definitely be rising in popularity. There are now international blog expo’s and there must be a reason for all this media attention. TV shows are now being produced that talk about blogs, i.e. TV shows like Ugly Betty- and movies like Julie & Julia.

The fact that Google purchased blogger.com in February 2003 tells us that blogging must definitely be rising in popularity. There are now international blog expos, and there

must be a reason for all this media attention. TV shows are now being produced that talk about blogs — such as TV shows like Ugly Betty — and movies like Julie & Julia.

The reasons why we blog are as follows:

• To be used as websites;

• To be used as online diaries;

• To provide the possibility to leave comments;

• To create podcasts;

• To display one’s products and services;

• To show one’s articles;

• To advertise one’s books;

• To interact with one’s audience;

• To rank higher in search engines; and

• To test products.

One of the reasons why blogs have become so popular is that they can be maintained by individuals with limited HTML or programming skills. As a customer, you need less technical skills. Businesses can just log in and make changes to the pages themselves without a monthly fee. You are provided with free or paid templates. They can be hosted by the blog company, or you can host them yourself on your server.

You are able to respond to comments and build relationships. Individual’s comments provide insight and give feedback in regards to potential products or services you may be selling. They are definitely a test market. Blogs are a quick way for media to search for much needed content. As a writer, you can see if your idea generates interest.

The YP Publishing offers blog integration services find out more here.

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Are you tired of packing, taking time off work and carrying boxes of books? Then a Virtual Book Tour may be for you.

Virtual Book Tours can be done with or as an alternative for live book events. A Virtual Book Tour is an advertisement of online book events.

Virtual Book Tours can increase your market share. Your book will be appearing all over the Internet without ever leaving your home and best of all your exposure is global.

The author stops at a given number of websites in a given amount of time, usually a month, the same as they would do at bookstores during a real world tour. At these stops, the author may be interviewed, may blog themselves, may answer questions from readers or get their book reviewed. The author may appear on radio shows or on podcasts who will read and recommends the book.

Now what! You need to line up interested bloggers, podcasters and website owners who would be willing to host you. The main thing you need to consider is do these blogs generate enough traffic. The audience needs to be interested in your topic. Remember to have a media kit available to show perspective bloggers and website owners.

Remember to make available for purchase through link backs to your book’s sales page on your website or through Amazon.com or BN.com (Barnes and Noble). Another hot tip, contests also attract listeners.

Many Authors that I have spoken with have told me that they like Virtual Book Tours because it is less expensive. Is is also longer lasting and they have no public speaking worries. Some Authors prefer Live Book Tours because they enjoy seeing the audience’s reaction. Which do you prefer Live Book Tours or Virtual Book Tours?

Let me help you with all of your important tasks. This would allow you to focus on the job that only an author can do, which is writing great books. Learn more about Virtual Book Tours here.