I’m pleased to say I’ve had nothing but very positive feedback from everyone. Some of the responses I’ve received recently by people who have read the book are below.

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‘An absolutely fantastic book, Alex has provided an invaluable resource for any aspiring or established professional creative.

I have been working as an illustrator for nearly five years. After purchasing Alex’s book, I discovered exactly what I was doing wrong in regards to promotion and exposure of my work.

In the space of a few weeks of using Alex’s methods, outlined in simple steps, I have generated a massive amount of interest and even gained more client work, especially good during the current economic climate. ’10 Steps’ has refreshed my excitement for my career and work.’

Phil Dunne, Illustrator

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‘Alex Mathers’ ’10 Steps’ was the perfect guide for me as I kick-started my illustration career. In art school, I learned about how to create my best work, but this book helped me figure out how to get it in front of the right people. It includes numerous creative and innovative ideas for self-promotion.’

Anna Raff, Illustrator

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‘It is the clarity of your book that I find to be it’s most inspiring aspect. In the world of self promotion, trying to figure out how to pull all of the possible avenues of exposure together and to prioritise them can be one of the most confusing and down right headache inducing tasks facing anybody in this industry.

You offer really clear and concise steps and guidance on how to go about tackling this. I found the sections on Networking and Bringing in Targeted Traffic to be especially enlightening, offering up areas of promotion that I had never considered before. Plus, your chapter on Direct Marketing has really assisted me with my current promotional activity.

The resources section is also fantastic, saving the reader literally days of trawling blogs, forums and directories.

All in all, your book is very clearly written and is a valuable tool to anyone making their way in this industry. What a wonderful resource.

Thank you.’

Tom Redfern, Illustrator and Designer

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‘As a complete beginner, 10 Steps has given me a good overview of the different types of online marketing, and moreover, a useful structure to fit them into. Without the book I’d be completely lost, but instead I’m focused and productive.’

Alexander Markham, Entrepreneur and Teacher

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‘I finished reading your book about 4 months ago, and I found so many useful tips. Focusing on exactly what I wanted to do, helped me develop in the areas I wanted, which is t-shirt design. I learned and networked with the right people and it helped me earn credibility and more popularity amongst my audience.

The book really help me re-focus on things I wasn’t aware of; it guided me, it did not tell me where to go, but it laid down all the available options.

Thanks Alex for this wonderful book, it was worth every dime.’

Mercedes Crespo, Designer

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‘Alex’s book is packed full of interesting advice and is a good point of reference for online marketing. It’s a huge guide but it also contains lots of smaller tips and tricks that are easy to implement. It’s probably worth the money just for the massive list of resources!’

Ian Ball, Animator and Illustrator

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‘I think your book is great, I tell everything that needs it to buy it.

My personal situation requires a little more time to apply all your ideas, but the most important thing that I realized is that a blog should be thought about very carefully. Your book is very useful for learning about social networks, which can be a very confusing place for me. Thanks a lot for sharing.’

Barbara Zonzin, Professional Photographer

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‘As a new member to the freelance creative world, this book has really helped me, not only understand the various general processes of self-promotion, but the specific means and steps by which to achieve them.

The book is full of links, examples and resources that comprise a complete know-all package for anyone trying to create a stronger online presence.’

Matt Wills, Designer

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‘I found Alex’s ebook to be most informative and very well thought out. The section that I personally found most beneficial was on advertising. As an event photographer, I am constantly looking for new ways in which to advertise & market myself online.

Alex provided the names of several online directories that I had not previously heard of, like Splut, Talk Photography and Guru.

I shall certainly be registering myself with these sites in order to meet potential new clients. In short, Alex’s ebook has proved to be an invaluable source of ideas!‘

Catherine Plant, Event Photographer

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Anyone else read the book? Please add your comments and views on it in the comments below.

Particularly with the ease in which material is transmitted and shared on the internet, such products as training videos, ebooks and articles, have become an incredibly powerful means to get your brand in front of many targeted people. Creating information products can help you gain exposure to potentially thousands of people, no matter what your profession.

Apart from allowing people to learn more about the way you communicate and express yourself, producing information products are useful for you in the following ways:

1. They will help you get more clients because such products will give people the ability to connect with you and learn more about how you communicate and what you know about before taking further ‘risks’ with you.

2. They create opportunities for ongoing passive income that requires little ongoing work.

3. The opportunity for your product, your name, your brand to go viral (spread through word of mouth), if the product is free.

4. Having an information product improves your credibility as a creative freelancer because it establishes you as an expert in your field and will distinguish you from others in your industry.

Whether you’re a musician, illustrator, writer or painter, there are information products that you can put together to sell or to give away to boost your self promotion dramatically.

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Here are some product ideas to think about:

• A free e-book full of special tips
• A full e-book to pay for (usually in the form of a pdf file)
• An audio mp3 or CD
• Training videos
• Teleseminars
• Ezines
• Charts, maps and information graphics
• Write an article

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Make sure the product relates to the work you do, is straightforward and isn’t overworked. It doesn’t need to be perfect.

An example of this in action is a web designer putting together an ebook on how to best optimize a site to make navigation as easy as possible. This way the product would be of interest to other web designers and site owners, and people who run blogs, but also potential clients who want to know whether the navigation on their own sites are as easy as possible, who may eventually use that web designer’s services.

It is ok to put together information that has originated from elsewhere, as long as it is presented in your own words and isn’t an obvious copyright infringement. You can also get the majority of the work outsourced, although for your credibility’s sake, you’ll want to exert a fair amount of control over the finished piece.

Does anyone have any further ideas?