It has been a booming year for 2 Moon Press in Marshall.
Six of the 4-year-old publishing company’s seven employees came on board in the past year, and president and owner Don Semora plans to hire another soon.
"We’ve added a layout specialist, a book cover specialist, an editor, an event coordinator, an administrative coordinator and a clerical position," Semora says. "The biggest drive in business has happened over the last 14 months."
Why the sudden spike? An overhauled marketing plan and a stellar reputation, according to Semora.
"We have changed our marketing strategy," Semora says. "We push more social networking, added more billboards and implemented a new web site. We are members of several professional publishing organizations.
"In publishing, your reputation means everything," Semora says. "About 50 percent of our business comes from authors who know someone that has worked with us in the past."
Alongside Facebook, web hits and roadside signs, 2 Moon Press has a built a public presence through local charity work, donating regularly to hospitals, scout troops and other causes. Last September, the young company received the DART Development Group Difference Maker award, which, according to Semora, is bestowed monthly on one local Mid-Michigan business that demonstrates a commitment to community.
From custom book cover design, to ISBN assignment, to custom artwork, marketing, copyrights and more, 2 Moon Press has customized packages of services that include self-publishing and traditional publishing services for all genres. The company currently works with 283 authors.
"Authors who work with us tend to do better than the ones who publish on their own," he says. "We set up book signings and do all of the promotions. Most authors don’t have the time to devote to that."
Writer: Kelle Barr, Second Wave
Source: Don Semora, president and owner, 2 Moon Press
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