Verizon Author Series, a Big Hit With Small Business, Introduces Four More Authors in August

Verizon this month will expand its popular Verizon Author Series, in which business experts offer advice and tips to help small-business owners run their business better, more strategically and more productively.  Four new authors - one each week - will join the series, starting this week.

The authors' insights will be available as guest posts on the Verizon Small Biz Blog (www.verizon.com/smallbusinessblog); additionally, each author will be available on Twitter (#bizbooks) for an hour to share additional business best practices. 

"The author series is going so well that we decided to expand it," said Mary Yarbrough, vice president of small-business marketing for Verizon.  "We are doing our part to bring free resources to help small businesses run their business better, and we're happy to see such great response from our small-business community."

Books of each of the four authors who will be featured in August will be given away online.  For opportunities to win a copy of the books, follow the Verizon Small Business team on Twitter (www.twitter.com/VZSmallBiz); fan the team on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VerizonSmallBiz); or read the Verizon Small Biz Blog (www.verizon.com/smallbusinessblog).

On Thursday (Aug. 11) at 2 p.m. Eastern time, join the live Twitter chat with this week's featured author, Melinda Emerson, who wrote "Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months; A Month-By-Month Guide to a Business That Works." Emerson, known as the "Small Biz Lady," is one of the country's leading small-business experts and a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker and small-business coach.  During the live chat, Emerson will offer business advice and answer questions from small-business owners. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/smallbusinessblog.

Wendy Stevens, co-author (with Jay Conrad Levinson) of "Local Guerrilla Marketing," will hold a live Twitter chat on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. ET and offer insights for targeting prospects who are ready to purchase a business' products or services.  Stevens, recognized as one of the top online marketers and social media experts, is a speaker, trainer and entrepreneur who has helped thousands of people increase their productivity at work, sales and marketing, and has also helped them launch their own successful business.

Steve Sisler, author of "There's More to Management Than a Big Desk," will offer insights into management on his live twitter chat on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. ET.  Sisler is a motivational speaker, certified professional behavioral analyst, and the founder and CEO of The Behavioral Resource Group Inc.

Susan Wilson Solovic, the author of "It's Your Biz, The Complete Guide to Becoming Your Own Boss," will share insights into starting up a business on her live Twitter chat on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. ET.  Solovic is an award-winning entrepreneur, attorney, multimedia personality and the CEO of It's Your Biz, an online news and information source for small-business owners. 

Since April, when the Verizon Author Series launched, it has featured a different author every month. 

"Verizon's Author Series directly brings experts not only to our small- and medium-sized business customers, but to businesses across the country," Yarbrough said

Other upcoming featured authors, and their books, are:

• September - Frank Swiatek, "Managers, Can You Hear Me Now?" co-authored by Denny Strigl.
• October - John Jantsch, "The Referral Engine."
• November - Tanya Brockett, "The Loan Solution."
• December - Gene Marks, "In God We Trust: Everyone Else Pays Cash."

In addition to Internet, TV and phone service, Verizon also offers small businesses many cloud-based, or online, services such as encryption and security solutions, plus easy do-it-yourself website design, and additional discounts on supplies and shipping. The company also offers small businesses the Verizon Small Business Center (http://business.verizon.net) a one-stop online destination with easy access to news, resources, professional networking, free webinars, the Verizon Small Biz Blog and much more. 

For news, tips and exclusive insights from Verizon, follow VZSmallBiz on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.  More information on Verizon's products and services for small businesses is available by calling 888-481-0387 or visiting www.verizon.com/smallbusiness.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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