We’ve entered the world of publishing!
O3 Internet Consulting worked with our client, the authors and editors of the book Chili Dog MVP: Dick Allen, the ’72 White Sox and A Transforming Chicago, a non-fiction account of the 1972 Chicago White Sox and MVP baseball player Dick Allen, to publicize the book before and since its 2021 publication.
Marketing Strategy
Months before the book went to the publisher, we strategized with our client to create a marketing plan to meet their needs. Looking at other book websites, we determined that many books do not have much of an online presence – usually just a picture of the cover and an Amazon link. There were no book summaries, no chapter excerpts, no contact form, no nothing…we knew we could create a better one.
Manuscript Copyediting and Photos
Guiding our long-time client through this complex endeavor, O3 internet assisted with proofreading and consulted with the client and the publisher on the timeline and marketing strategies in addition to web site work.
We assisted with copyediting the manuscript and sourcing/editing the book’s images (it’s important to get permission for your images), provided training in working online, and organized the extensive assets for the book online. We further consulted and researched for the e-book version.
Press Kit
At the direction of the Chili Dog MVP publicist, we created a press kit with an overview, info about the cover and artist, author bios and photos, links to high-resolution images, and book quotes for use by reviewers.
Preview Copy for the Winter Meetings of the Baseball Hall of Fame
Author Dr. David Fletcher has been instrumental in promoting Dick Allen for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. With the vote scheduled for early December and the book a month from completion, selected chapters were included in a preview copy for the co-author to take to Florida to promote the book and Allen’s HoF-worthiness. Unfortunately, Allen again missed induction by one vote.
Website Planning
We outlined a complete website for this fact-filled volume with multiple authors and editors: chapter excerpts, author bios, reviews, images, a press kit, upcoming events and book signings, and, of course, the all-important pre-order (and, later, order) button. The site provides an inside look at the book’s expansiveness, with text content, alternative text on images, and search engine optimization (SEO) placed throughout.
Website Design
We took style inspiration for the site from the book’s cover, designed by sports branding expert Todd Radom. The retro-style cover was inspired by the June 1972 Sports Illustrated magazine cover featuring Dick Allen juggling baseballs.
The resulting clean, but colorful, website puts the emphasis on the printed content. Several images in the book were released only for print, and it’s worth a read to see those rarely-seen photos of 1970s baseball.
Built on WordPress for function ease of updating
The Chili Dog website uses the WordPress Content Management System, which allowed us to make modifications quickly as the client’s needs changed during the COVID-19 pandemic with customized layouts, image and text sliders, and content embeds for ongoing author media appearances. Mobile responsiveness and accessibility were embedded from the beginning: readable fonts and colors, user-friendliness at all screen sizes, and usable for people of all abilities.
Website Content Updates
O3’s updates follow the book’s media tour, using the website’s several built-in blogging categories for news, events, reviews, and media mentions.
Buy the Book!
Even if you’re not a baseball fan, the retrospective on Chicago politics and racial justice issues from the early 70s is as relevant today as it was then. Not just a book about baseball, it’s worth a read for its insight into a different era. Order the book here…