FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ellen Reid may just be the self-publisher's best friend. A pioneer "Book Shepherd," she can take a good idea and help a would-be writer become a published author with a stunning book design, punchy promo material, and a ready-to-roll professional self-publishing business.

Ellen stands on a solid foundation for taking authors-and others-to success. Her father was a film distributor, and at an early age she learned the ins and outs of promotion. As an adult she applied her talents to sales and marketing and naturally evolved into helping others realize their dreams.

In the 1990's she started her company, Smarketing (a play on smart marketing). She provides the services a marketing consultant does, in terms of identifying target markets and producing sales materials to reach them. However, her Smarketing goes far beyond that.

When she "Smarkets" someone, she starts by getting inside a client's head, learning their passions, aspirations and dreams. Then she works with them to position them to achieve what they want. Dealing largely, though not exclusively, with authors, she "brands" them so the potential audience understands who they are and what their message is. She takes them through each step of the process in writing/editing their book, designing its cover and interior, and creating promotional materials that are consistent with the author's image and message. It's quite an amazing process and clients rave about her assistance and that of the creative team she assembles on their behalf.

It would be an understatement to say Ellen is enthusiastic about her work. She loves what she does and helps others accomplish what they love to do. She is bubbly, charming, articulate, and her mile a minute mind keeps her audiences (of one, or hundreds) enthralled and entertained.

Ellen lives in Westwood and spends much of her time in Santa Barbara where she is a frequent presenter at Self-publishing guru Dan Poynter's workshops which attract attendees from around the country.

Ellen is available for talks and workshops on Self-publishing and Smarketing and taking people to the next level of success... and beyond.

Contact: Smarketing, 310/234-0626