Click Here To Purchase Be Safe: Everything You Need To Know About Security To Be Safe  

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Ed Morawski author of Be Safe: Everything You Need To Know About Security To Be Safe.

Good day Ed and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm: 

When engaging a security consultant for your business or home, what should one expect and how do you go about finding someone who is competent?

Ed:  

To find a consultant the best approach is ‘word of mouth’- ask your business associates or members of trade groups whom they have used. If that doesn’t help, then consultants in other fields: project managers, property managers and construction companies generally have someone they work with. Another source would be the member directory of ASIS- the American Society of Industrial Security.

Consultants for residences are few to non-existent- unless you can afford to hire one in the commercial market.

As to what to expect, I outlined how to prepare yourself for initial contacts with security sales people in the book. But you should expect (and demand) a professional who asks a lot of questions. After all, he or she is the expert and should be able to interview you on what you really need- not just what they want to sell you.  

Just buying an alarm system is not a solution to most security threats. You are probably going to need a unified solution and that is what a good consultant or sales person will provide

Norm: 

What motivated you to write Be Safe: Everything You Need To Know About Security To Be Safe?

Ed:  

There are two reasons I wrote BE SAFE: one, to provide the average residential or small business owner the same access to information on security as expensive consultants will provide; and two, is that I was appalled at some of the systems I saw proposed. A good many security sales people are inexperienced and untrained. So I wanted to raise the level of expertise all the way around.

Norm 

Why do you think this is an important book at this time? 

Ed:  

Everyone is concerned about security at all levels. There are many misconceptions about it while at the same time more people are demanding it. In such dangerous times as we live- plus the poor economy, we must protect what we have and try to save money at the same time.

Norm: 

As a follow up, whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why?

Ed:  

Small business owners certainly. They are the ones that usually cannot afford consultants and must rely on security sales people- just like homeowners. But also anyone in any market segment that needs to learn about security- especially managers who don’t want to be at the mercy of someone else when it comes to their security needs.

Norm: 

What was the most difficult part of writing your book? Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Ed:

Trying to explain fairly complex systems to laymen. As I stated there is a great deal of misconception and myth about security which must be dealt with while helping the reader understand what security systems can really do for you. I hope I accomplished this.  

Norm:

Where did you get your information or ideas for your book?

Ed:  

From thirty years of hands on experience. After the Air Force, I worked for an alarm company where I actually responded to burglar alarms with a gun. I searched buildings for burglars (and caught more than two dozen). I graduated to various managerial and engineering roles but always my main goal was to provide a solution and not just a sale.

Norm: 

Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Ed:  

Ultimately I self- published. I sent around earlier versions but the process takes so long it was frankly ridiculous. The typical turn around time just to get an answer back about a manuscript is four months!  And that’s even before it gets to a publisher. So I decided to go it alone and do my own marketing.

Norm: 

Will there be any unique ways you'll be marketing your book that is different from how others authors market their books?

Ed:  

I think I’m talking to one! Seriously though, exposure is key. Reviews are important. One of the reasons I picked Norm Goldman was your offer to post a review on Amazon. I have also used Press Releases with some success and book fairs and exhibits at national shows. There are services that will display your book for you at library shows for example. This has resulted in quite a few sales of my earlier books.

Norm: 

What are you upcoming projects?

Ed:  

Security technology changes rapidly so the book must be revised periodically. I also run a security blog and finally I write fiction as well and have published three novels and am working on my fourth.

Norm: 

Where can our readers find out more about you and your book: Be Safe: Everything You Need To Know About Security To Be Safe?

Ed:

My web site http://www.hi-tech-consulting.com

The security blog is there as well and I post current articles every week of interest to security managers and business owners. 

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered? 

Ed:

I love feedback from readers and am always available to answer email questions. 

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

To read Norm's Review of Be Safe: Everything You Need To Know About Security To Be Safe CLICK HERE