Lucrative List Building - A handy little book on Internet marketing

If you read my regular blog, you know that my interests have lately turned toward ways to promote myself and my site online. Although I hadn't looked at it yet, I've had this little book, Lucrative List Building, out from the library for a couple of months; I was quite glad today that it was so accessible.

Lucrative List Building, by Glen Hopkins, is a fabulous little book. Short and to the point, it can easily be skimmed in about an hour or so, yet it is packed with valuable information on Internet marketing. The book explains how to build an email marketing list through the use of squeeze pages, opt-in lists, articles, AdWords, and other techniques. Hopkins also talks about what to do with the list once you have it: autoresponders, newsletters, etc. Also included is a brief appendix on writing effective sales copy.

This book gave me lots of good ideas, and I truly look forward to putting them to good use. I highly recommend Lucrative List Building to anyone who wants to add some oomph to their online marketing!

'Surviving a Writer's Life' by Suzanne Lipsett

Writing how-to books are helpful from a professional standpoint, but the writer in me loves to hear about what other writers' lives are like. I love chatting with other writers, whether online or in person, comparing stories and talking about our work. Maybe it's because as a writer, I work alone, without co-workers to befriend; but regardless of the reason, this craving for the companionship of other writers means that I also love memoirs by writers.

This particular book is Surviving a Writer's Life, by Suzanne Lipsett. The book is fairly short, addressing the major turning points in her life with engaging yet rapid prose. Surviving a Writer's Life isn't just about writing; it's about all of the events of her life that conspired to turn her into a writer, before she even knew it herself.

And believe me, this author went through a lot. The book is very inspirational for this reason: it makes you think, "If she made it as a writer despite all this, then I can too!" Surviving a Writer's Life is an easy, quick read for any writer or aspiring writer who needs a little lift!

The Immigrants' Daughter by Mary Terzian: An inspirational memoir for writers

The Immigrants' Daughter, by Mary Terzian, isn't about how to be a writer or how to hone your craft. Rather, it's an inspirational memoir about how determination and perseverance helped Terzian eventually realize her dreams of being a writer.

The Immigrants' Daughter tells the story of Terzian's childhood and coming-of-age, and how her determination to achieve an education made her career as a writer possible. The book tells of how, during her difficult childhood, she found solace in reading, and how she felt pressured to always be a good student. Above all, it's about one woman overcoming oppression - due to both her nationality and her sex - in her struggle to make what she wanted out of her life.

The Immigrants' Daughter is available through Booklocker.com, the POD publishing company run by the publishers of Writers Weekly. I bought the ebook version of the book, and I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed reading the book on my laptop. Of course, the traditional print version of the book is available, as well. I highly recommend this book as an invigorating, inspiring read for anyone who has ever dreamed of being a writer!