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Cushcity.com offers the following marketing/promotion programs:

• Book Club Bulletin:  Cushcity will customize an e-mail bulletin to 1,000+ African-American book clubs nationwide, featuring your book and requesting that they consider it for one of their book selections.   Bulletin includes book image, synopsis, author's contact info (phone and e-mail), and link to author's web site. 

• Bulletin to Mini- Book Club List:  For authors with limited budgets, Cushcity will customize an e-mail bulletin to 350 African-American book clubs nationwide (a subset of our complete list), featuring your book and requesting that they consider it for one of their book selections.   Bulletin includes book image, synopsis, author's contact info (phone and e-mail), and link to author's web site.
  Click here to view a sample book club bulletin

• Book Club List to Purchase:  After several inquiries from authors, we are now making a mini-list of Book Clubs available for sale.  The list is in Excel format and includes all of the information we have available for 350 book clubs nationwide.  The list may be purchased by AUTHORS ONLY (no marketers, publicists or publishers allowed) and is for personal use ONLY, not for resale.

• Hot New Books Feature:  Home page prominence for two weeks with image of your book and link to your permanent Cushcity book page, created at no additional cost.  Designed for books released in the last 12 months.

• Home Page Author Spotlight:  We now have an Author Spotlight feature on our home page for two weeks, which includes your picture, a synopsis of your book, and a link to your book page on Cushcity. In addition, for Author Spotlight features ONLY, your Cushcity book page will include a permanent link to your web site.

• Web Site Traffic Booster:  Interested in getting more traffic to your web site?  Our Web Site Traffic Booster helps you get the eyeballs you are seeking.  Two-pronged approach includes an e-blast to 5,000 African-American Internet users AND your book's cover for two weeks on our home page under Hot New Books, with the link going directly to your web site.

• National Black Book Festival - May 21-23, 2010 - Houston, TX:  Join over 100 authors and thousands of readers at the third annual National Black Book Festival, sponsored by Cushcity.com.  Visit the Festival web site for details:  www.nationalblackbookfestival.com.  Download the author vendor packet here:  http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/authors.pdf

• Book Feature - National Black Book Festival News:  This monthly e-newsletter is distributed to over 1,000 African-American book clubs, 6,000 authors and 25,000 consumers via e-mail.  Your book feature includes an image of your book, which is linked to your web site, Amazon.com page, Cushcity.com page, or wherever you would like the link to go.

• Literary Breakthrough Conference - May 21, 2010 - Houston, TX:  Top book industry experts share information and strategies on how to make your literary breakthrough and turn your existing or future book(s) into a bestseller!  In conjunction with the National Black Book Festival.  Conference registration includes three powerful sessions, breakfast, lunch and a closing reception.  Visit the web site for details:  http://www.nationalblackbookfestival.com/breakthrough.htm

• E-Blasts to African-American Internet Users: Cushcity has developed a database of African-American Internet users to whom you can promote your latest book. We'll design your e-blast and send it according to your preferred schedule.  Send to 15,000, 25,000, 35,000 or 60,000 recipients and, as a bonus, we'll send it to 10 of the author's friends and family.  E-blast includes book image, synopsis, link to author's site, and links to online stores carrying the book.

• Book Feature - Cushcity E-Newsletter: This e-newsletter is distributed via e-mail to Cushcity's entire customer base of 60,000.  This e-newsletter is distributed via e-mail to Cushcity's entire customer base of 60,000+. Your book feature will be included in one edition of the newsletter and will included an image of your book, which is linked to your web site, Amazon.com, Cushcity.com book page, or wherever you would like the link to go.

• Power Campaign:  Prominent simultaneous home-page placement on three top African-American literature web sites:  Cushcity.com, AALBC.com and Mosaicbooks.com.  Campaigns can be for one month or more.
  

• Library Update:  Cushcity.com has developed a database of approximately 200 libraries that purchase books and other materials from African-American authors and producers.  The database includes all HBCU libraries as well as public library systems in urban areas that have ordered African-American titles from Cushcity.  Update includes book cover, synopsis and contact information for acquiring books (from Cushcity, publisher or author). 

• Media Announcement:  You and your recent book can be presented to 400+ African-American media representatives via Cushcity's new media announcement program.  Radio, print and T.V. media personnel, as well as book reviewers, are included on our recently verified e-mail list to African-American media.  The standard Media Announcement includes:
  **  An image of your book cover and a synopsis
  **  A photo of you and a brief bio
  **  Contact information (e-mail address and phone number) for media interviews
  **  Links to online locations where the book can be purchased
  Click here for a sample Media Announcement

• Book Reviewers Bulletin:  Cushcity.com has developed a database of 200+ book reviewers, both online and offline, who will receive our Book Reviewers Bulletin. Our recently verified list includes not only African-American book reviewers, but reviewers throughout the book industry from major newspapers, magazines and on-line book sites.  The standard Book Reviewers Bulletin includes:
  ** An image of your book cover and a synopsis
  ** Contact information (e-mail address and phone number) to request a copy of your book for review
  ** Links to online locations where the book can be purchased
  Click here for a sample Book Reviewers Bulletin

• RADIO SPOTLIGHT:  Cushcity works with several radio stations in major markets and can set up author interviews with these stations.  The interviews generally last from 15 to 30 minutes.  Rate is on a per-interview basis.

• Author E-Invite.  Cushcity.com will e-mail an announcement regarding your book signing or author appearance to hundreds of African-American invitees in any U.S. major metropolitan area.  E-invites are distributed about one week in advance of the event and include contact/RSVP info.   Author receives number of recipients and also the E-invite, as it is distributed.  The E-invite features ONE book, for ONE signing/event, for ONE distribution to ONE U.S. metropolitan area.
  Click here to view a sample E-invite

• Bookstore Advisory:  Cushcity will distribute, via e-mail, a weekly circular including a maximum of five books that over 175 African American bookstores and distributors should consider for their stock of books.  Includes book cover, synopsis and contact information for acquiring books (from distributor, publisher or author)
  Click here to view a sample Bookstore Advisory

• Featured Item - High Traffic Section:   Feature within relevant high trafficked sections of our web site, include image of item and brief description with link to more detailed purchase page.

• Author/Product Newsflash:  Featured author or company which is distributed to our entire online audience via e-mail.   Newsflash can include up to four (4) books or products as well as a link to the author's or company's web site.

• Package Insertion Program.   Include your flyers, postcards, bookmarks or other promotional materials in all of Cushcity.com's outgoing packages.  Author provides the promotional item to be inserted.  Priced per 1,000 pieces.

• Click here for a recent article by an author who recommends Cushcity as a great place to advertise!

We are here to service your specific needs and can design a promotional program to fit your budget.  Premium advertising space is generally sold out at least a month in advance, so call or e-mail today to discuss your advertising needs and reserve your space.

• Press Release Writing and Distribution:  Cushcity will write a professional, 300-word press release announcing your latest book or project and distribute it to the African-American media.  Author will also receive the press release in PDF form to be used on author's web site or in public relations efforts.
• Web Site Design and Hosting:  Need a web site created?  Cushcity.com's tech support department now offers web site design and hosting for a reasonable cost.  Packages include securing your domain name/URL, creation of single page or multi-page web site, web hosting and periodic revisions.
  Click here for details about our web hosting services
  Click here for a sample of our basic Author Web Site
• Copy Editing Services:  Our professional copy editor(s) will edit your book and make it ready to be published.
• Book Cover Design:  Cushcity's graphic design department will create an eye-catching design for your book cover at an affordable price with a quick turnaround.  Call our graphic's department at 1-800-340-5454 for an estimate.
• My Own Web Page.   Take advantage of Cushcity's web presence by letting us create and maintain a permanent web page for your book(s) on the Cushcity site.  Web page includes your photo, bio, book cover, synopsis and tour/book signing schedule.  Monthly maintenance fee allows for regular revisions to your page.  Web address would be www.cushcity.com/YOURNAME and can include a link to your existing web site, if you already have one.

Toll-free marketing/author services line:  1-800-340-5454

Willie A. Richardson
Email:  wrichardson@cushcity.com
Advertising Representative, Cushcity.com, Inc.

Premium Marketing Packages

• Pick 4 for $500.00 Program.  Select four of any of our programs that are $200 or less and pay a total of only $500, a savings of about 40% off our standard prices.

• On Your Team BASIC Package.  Includes four of our premium programs:  Book Club Bulletin to 1,000+ clubs, E-Blast to 35,000, Author Spotlight on Cushcity Home Page, and Media Announcement.

• On Your Team PREMIUM Package.  Includes all of the programs in the On Your Team Basic Package, PLUS Power Campaign for one month OR Radio interviews (2).

• On Your Team DELUXE Package.  Includes all of our standard marketing programs:  Book Club Bulletin (to 1,000+), Hot Off the Press, Radio Spotlight, Home Page Author Spotlight, E-Blast (to 35,000+), Library Update, Media Announcement, Book Reviewers Bulletin, Author E-Invite (2 cities), Bookstore Advisory, Package Insertion Program (1,000 pieces)

Cushcity.com's Market Success and Track Record

As a successful author, you know that writing and publishing your book was just the beginning.  Marketing your book and getting it in front of the right audience can be extremely challenging--and costly.  Cushcity.com, the world's largest selection of African-American products online, is here to help.  Cushcity.com is the mostly highly trafficked African-American e-commerce site in cyberspace.  We reach a worldwide audience of African-American consumers and receive 3 million+ hits per month.  In addition, Cushcity.com:

• Was featured in the Jan/Feb 2006 edition of Black Issues Book Review in its listing of "The Power Behind Black Books."

• Has been featured in Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise and Upscale magazines, as well as in the business section of The New York Times.  Cushcity.com was also featured in a national radio and print ad campaign by the U.S. Postal Service for its success as a growing e-commerce enterprise.

• Is the only online book seller which reports its sales to both the Essence and Booking Matters magazine book lists.  This means that when your book achieves a certain sales level at Cushcity.com, Essence and Booking Matters magazines automatically know about it.

• Reaches an affluent African-American audience online that is 65% female, 66% college educated and with an average household income of $50,000+, AND best of all:

• Cushcity.com has a variety of promotional programs that fit almost any budget.  Our ad rates start at ONLY $99, depending upon the program you select.

Here are three testimonials from satisfied authors:

"As a new author, you can spend hundreds of dollars in travel, hotel and food doing book tours.  You may sell out of books, but you've still spent more in expenses than you took in.  You were better off taking out a $500 ad on Cushcity.com for a month. . .I have learned that I generated more sales and got the word out on my book better by ad placing versus traveling all over town."
       --Joylynn Jossel, Author of When Souls Mate