Name: Julie Schoerke
Business Name: Books Forward, a JKS Communications Company
Location: Nashville, TN, New Orleans, New York City , USA
Establishment (Year): 2000
Category: Advertising & Marketing
Profession/ Specialty: Book Publicity
Company Detail:
Books Forward, a JKS Communications Company, has been promoting books, authors, and publishers for 24 years. They have represented over 1,000 authors, including New York Times bestsellers and debut authors. The company specializes in book publicity, providing comprehensive services that include securing book reviews, arranging interviews, and executing innovative marketing strategies. Their sister company, Books Fluent, also publishes books, offering a full spectrum of support from launch through promotion.
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
Books Forward is renowned in the publishing industry for their tenacity and politeness, coupled with a systematic approach that allows authors to track their campaign progress in real-time. The firm offers extensive services, such as connecting authors with over 1,000 exclusive Books Forward Friends (social media influencers), securing media coverage, and implementing cutting-edge guerilla marketing strategies. Authors who work with Books Forward become part of a supportive community, often referred to as the "Books Forward Family."
Challenges Faced During the Journey:
Julie Schoerke started Books Forward with just a laptop, a sofa, and a bowl of peanut M&Ms, without any start-up seed money or debt. In the early years, the team faced significant financial challenges, including attending major book conferences on a shoestring budget. Despite these obstacles, within three years, the company became a sponsor of the first national book bloggers convention in NYC. One of their early challenges was convincing publishers to send Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) to bloggers, which was not a common practice at the time but has since become a standard in the industry. They were also pioneers in using online videos to promote books, creating book trailers as early as 2005.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
Julie Schoerke advises aspiring women entrepreneurs to be prepared to work harder than ever when starting a business. She emphasizes the importance of creativity in avoiding long-term debt and being cautious about expanding too quickly, as rapid growth can often lead to business failure. She advocates for a measured, sustainable approach to building a successful enterprise.
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