Writing a how-to business book or CEO memoir has become a recognized tool for business professionals marketing and branding themselves and their companies. It helps them establish their expertise while sharing useful information appreciated by readers. Plus, it can introduce them to a vast new audience of potential customers.

It's a phenomenon public relations professional Marsha Friedman first noticed years ago.

"Everything else being equal, I saw that it was much easier to get clients invited on TV and radio talk shows if they'd written a book," says Friedman, CEO of EMSI Public Relations, (www.emsincorporated.com), in Tampa, Fla.

"After exploring the reasons, I realized just about anyone with the right message can use a book to boost their visibility," she says. "Professionals can do it; people interested in securing public speaking engagements; philanthropists; homemakers who turn their books themselves into a business."    

So Friedman wrote her own book, "Celebritize Yourself," explaining her three-step process for developing and using a book to get publicity.

Today, more than 11,000 business books alone are published each year - and that doesn't include self-published e-books, according to the authors of "The 100 Best Business Books of All Time."

"Whether you're using your book to generate media, speaking opportunities or new customers, it is the most powerful marketing tool in your arsenal," says Adam Witty, CEO of Advantage Media Group, an international publisher.

"When you consider that the average book sells less than 2,000 copies, getting rich off of book sales becomes a far away fantasy. But if you use your book to get a feature in your industry trade journal, what is that worth? If your typical customer is worth $5,000, and you use your book to attract and generate new leads into your business, how much more valuable does your book become?"

You don't have to be a great writer to produce a great book. But, as New York Times best-selling author Michael Levin, CEO of Business Ghost, Inc., explains, you do need to make sure the end product is clean and professional.

"You wouldn't walk into a sales call with a stain on your shirt, and it's the same with a book," he says. "The last thing you want to do is publish a book full of typos that gives people the impression you're sloppy."

If you don't have the time or skill to tackle a book on your own, you can hire someone to put your ideas into words.

Levin offers these tips for selecting a ghostwriter:

• Make sure ghostwriting is their primary business. Many writers list ghostwriting as one of the services they provide, but if you dig deep, you may find that they have never written a book or have only written a few. Don't let them learn how on your dime!

• Read the blurbs on the ghostwriter's website. Are they from famous people, top business leaders, celebrities, and the like? Or is there a run-of-the-mill feeling to the testimonials? Or worse, are there no testimonials at all?

• Contact at least three prior book clients of the ghostwriter. If the ghostwriter can't give you three names of satisfied customers, game over.

The next step is publishing. While e-books are an inexpensive self-publishing option, Friedman says printed copies are best for marketing.

"As an author, you simply need to determine which publishing model best helps you reach your goals," says Witty of Advantage Media Group.

He offers these thoughts to consider:

• Ownership of rights and intellectual property: If you plan to re-purpose the content of your book into articles, blog posts or other products like home study kits, ensure your contract gives you that freedom. Typically, traditional publishing contracts don't; self publishing or working with co-publishers (where the publisher and author or investor share expenses) oftentimes do.

• Speed-to-market: How quickly do you want your book to be published? With self publishing, it is really a matter of how fast you work! The traditional publishing process can take the better part of two years. Co-publishing options often turn a book around in three to six months.

Friedman concedes that the idea of writing and publishing a book can be daunting, but it's worth the effort for its marketing value, she says.

And there are even greater rewards.

"Having written and published my own, I can tell you it was one of my proudest accomplishments and worth every bit of my time and hard work," she says. "The greatest feeling - one I never anticipated - was hearing from readers who said that my book had made a difference in their lives.

"That's priceless."

About Penny Carnathan

Penny Carnathan is the Creative Director/Lead Writer at EMSI Public Relations. She is a journalist with more than 30 years experience; a former national award-winning editor, reporter and columnist at The Tampa Tribune in Tampa, Fla., and currently a bimonthly columnist for the Tampa Bay Times in St. Petersburg, Fla.  You can find her on Twitter, @DigginPenny.

QUEEN STREET AMERICA RESHAPES TRADITIONAL INSURANCE MODEL WITH A FOCUS ON WOMEN SELLING TO WOMEN & FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT; EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN IOWA FOR WOMEN

CHARLESTON, SC (January 15, 2013) - A newly formed national marketing company is introducing a unique business model offering simple solutions to help women succeed - through income and through insurance. Queen Street America LLC (QSA) is seeking full- and part-time, work-from-home female sales representatives across Iowa to launch its product to cancer-concerned consumers.

The QSA Plan for cancer-concerned consumers

The American Cancer Society states that cancer impacts one of every three women, one of every two men, and three of every four families. QSA has responded to these statistics by offering an insurance product called the QSA Plan. The Plan is sold to women by women in the workplace, coffee shop, gym, kitchen, playground, and in all of the places where women connect and build relationships.  The QSA Plan provides women and their families with up to a $70,000 lump sum insurance benefit should a covered individual receive a qualifying cancer diagnosis.

"Cancer has so many hidden costs that a major medical policy doesn't cover," says QSA Founder, President and CEO Chris Weaver. "When our customers receive a cancer diagnosis, their focus needs to be on healing and recovery and family, not on worrying about how to pay their monthly bills and mortgage of child's tuition. Having a QSA Plan makes that possible." He adds, "And, when representatives sell the QSA Plan, it's fulfilling because they know they've shared something that can have a positive and powerful impact in another person's life."

Employment opportunities for entrepreneurial women

Despite the country's lagging job market, QSA is expanding its nationwide network of women representatives to introduce its QSA Plan to cancer-concerned consumers. Prior experience in the insurance field is not required since QSA provides a step-by-step on-line training and coaching program, a comprehensive information portal with business tools and resources, and also personal access to QSA insurance professionals and business development experts.

Women from all educational and professional backgrounds serve as part-time or full-time independent QSA sales representatives to introduce the QSA Plan to customers. According to Sunnie Christiansen, Senior Business Development Manager for QSA, representatives determine their own level of activity within the company based on personal income goals and schedules. "QSA embraces representatives who want to earn extra income by working a few hours a week, as well as representatives who want to launch a full-time career and invest more time and energy in order to earn more," Christiansen says.

Weaver echoes this sentiment of inclusiveness. "QSA prides itself on understanding the need for flexibility in women's busy lives," he says. "QSA was formed in part to create a business opportunity that lets women succeed and have flexibility without having to compromise or re-prioritize other important areas of their lives."

Women interested in learning more about the professional benefits of becoming a QSA representative are encouraged to call 855-772-8517 or to visit www.QueenStreetAmerica.com.

Queen Street America (QSA) LLC, headquartered in Charleston, SC, was founded in 2013 by Chris Weaver, one of the country's leading supplemental insurance marketing experts. Weaver's creation of QSA was fueled by his passion to provide simple insurance products that financially empower individuals and families who someday may manage a qualifying cancer diagnosis, and also fueled by his interest in providing business opportunities to women. Prior to forming QSA, Weaver served as founder, president and CEO of Performance Matters Associates of Dallas, TX, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNO Financial, formerly Conseco, Inc. and also as the president of the Business Marketing Division of Capitol American Life Insurance Company of Cleveland, OH.

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Davenport, IA - Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home is offering a new digital magazine to its customers. The magazine entitled Beautiful Design. Made Simple. features inspiration, tips and advice to make creating a beautiful home just a little bit easier. The magazine is free and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

Each quarter Beautiful Design.Made Simple.. will feature new ideas and inspiration. Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home's goal is to provide their customers with design tips and trends before, during, and after they purchase flooring..

"Design is ever changing and so is your home," said Douglas Patch, of Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home "Even if you've finished your flooring project, this magazine can help you plan your next project or make updates to other parts of your home."

The premier issue of Beautiful Design. Made Simple. features information and ways to incorporate Benjamin Moore's 2013 color trends, Simple tips on updating a room, inspiration and design advice from professionals Tracy Bross and Glen Peloso, carpet care tips, flooring trends and a plethora of inspiring images for the entire home.

To download this free magazine visit http://www.beautifuldesignmadesimple.com or search for Beautiful Design. Made Simple. in your App Store.

About Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home
Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home is a locally owned flooring retailer serving the Davenport area. They are part of North America's leading floor covering co-op. Their showroom is known for carrying a broad selection of beautiful carpet, wood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl, and area rugs including exclusive brands like Bigelow and Lees. They offer a unique customer experience with the exclusive SelectAFloor merchandising system that simplifies the shopping experience and The Beautiful GuaranteeTM, which guarantees that the customer will be 100% happy with their floor. Northwest Carpet One Floor & Home is also the home of the exclusive Healthier Living Installation system. For more information visit NORTHWESTCARPETONEDAVENPORT.COM.

Rosy's Restaurant, 2618 West Locust Street in Davenport (across from the Fairgrounds) is now open early to handle your breakfast cravings!

Daily specials at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Rosy omelette, Mexican omelette, sandwiches, burgers, salads, Mexican dishes, fish and chicken dinners also found on the menu. Breakfast served all day long. Cash only please.