| If you are burned out with writing how-to articles to | | | | never been taught. Each of the twelve chapters |
| promote your business then consider writing a book | | | | covers one main topic broken down into digestible |
| review. I recommend you write a review about a | | | | bite sized chunks of rules and guidelines to enhance |
| book you enjoyed that is related to your products or | | | | credibility and professionalism. Topics include first |
| services. Your review, of course, will be capped off | | | | impressions, greetings and introductions, the art of |
| with your 5-6 line byline that includes your contact | | | | conversation, dressing for business, telephone |
| information and web site URL. Many of the article | | | | courtesy, electronic etiquette, correspondence in |
| directories, e-zines and web sites that normally | | | | business, etiquette in the office, gift-giving in |
| accept articles will accept book reviews too. In | | | | business, etiquette out of the office, dining for profit |
| addition, you can find and submit to the many sites | | | | and doing business internationally.) |
| featuring book reviews. | | | | Fourth Paragraph: Give a brief biography of the |
| To begin a review, I start with the format required | | | | author including their name, name of their business (if |
| by Midwest Book Review. I then adapt the format | | | | applicable), business or personal expertise and if |
| and word count to what is required by each | | | | available, include titles of their other books. |
| submission site. Midwest Book Review recommends | | | | (Sample: The author of this delightful book, Lydia |
| the following format (examples of paragraphs are | | | | Ramsey, is a business etiquette expert with over |
| enclosed in parenthesis): | | | | thirty years of experience working with non-profits, |
| Book Title: | | | | corporations, colleges and universities. She is a |
| Author: | | | | frequently published author who presents workshops, |
| Publisher: | | | | seminars and keynotes on all aspects of business |
| Publisher Address: | | | | etiquette.) |
| ISBN: | | | | Fifth Paragraph: Recommend the book and offer |
| Price: Publication Date: Page Count: | | | | some ideas of its practical use by individuals or |
| Reviewer Contact Information: | | | | groups. If applicable, mention that it would make a |
| Name: Address: E-mail: | | | | good gift book and wrap up the review with a |
| First Paragraph: Include information about the format | | | | positive summary of the book. |
| of the book. A nice touch is to comment on the | | | | (Sample: I recommend businesses buy this book in |
| cover design, table of contents structure and/or | | | | bulk and present one to every employee from the |
| glossary at the back of the book. | | | | frontline up to the top management. In this |
| (Sample: This beautifully laid out trade paperback has | | | | ever-changing world of so many consumer choices, |
| a gorgeous and practical design both inside and out. I | | | | the bottom line is often affected by the simple |
| recommend you read this book with a highlighter and | | | | courtesies that can and should be afforded to |
| a pen, ready to take copious notes in the blank | | | | customers. You need this book if you want your |
| pages thoughtfully provided between chapters.) | | | | employees to succeed and your business to thrive.) |
| Second Paragraph: Detail the recommended audience | | | | Add your copyright statement and byline to the |
| and note why they should read the book. | | | | bottom of the review and, as usual, have the review |
| (Sample: Manners That Sell: Adding The Polish That | | | | proofread by an editor before you begin submission. |
| Builds Profits should be required reading for high | | | | Your book reviews can be very effective marketing |
| school and college students and for anyone already in | | | | tools that will generate considerable exposure for |
| the business environment. Once upon a time, good | | | | you. |
| manners were taught in school and at home, but that | | | | Bonnie Jo Davis is an experienced writer and |
| time has long since passed. This book provides the | | | | publications coordinator with over ten years of |
| perfect refresher course for those of us who | | | | experience submitting articles online and in print. Visit |
| learned manners but no longer remember the finer | | | | today to gain access to her submission list, e-book, |
| points of etiquette.) | | | | newsletter and more! |
| Third Paragraph: Write about the book structure and | | | | (c) 2005. Davis Virtual Assistance. All rights reserved. |
| layout, number of chapters and topics covered. | | | | Permission to publish online or in print granted |
| (Sample: While reading this book, I discovered that | | | | provided the article and byline are printed intact with |
| the author, Lydia Ramsey, covered every | | | | live links. |
| conceivable point of etiquette including many that I'd | | | | |