First published in personalgrowth.com A nineteenth century journalist once noted, “If writers were good businessmen, they’d have too much sense to be writers.” Perhaps being a writer is a zany idea. Or perhaps your impossible dream of making money as a writer is really a possible hope. Any writer today who wants to make back their investment in their dreams must become an entrepreneur. And…
Book Reviews – Aiming for the Pot of Gold
As authors what do we most want from the publishing of our books public recognition, skyrocketing sales, or simply spreading our message? We may want all three, and receiving a review can be like finding a pot of gold. A review in a prestigious print magazine can truly make an author’s name and multiply sales. Years ago one of our authors received a review…
How to Work with a Publicist
What does a publicist do? Most people who hire a publicist have no idea how to maximize their time with a publicist. They neither know what to expect from the campaign or from the relationship. When a publicist is passionate about your material you have a skilled professional with media contacts and a cheerleader on your side that will go to any length to promote…
To Webinar or Not to Webinar
Besides a really odd sounding word what is a webinar? And why should it matter to you as an author or publisher? A webinar is a web based seminar of a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web using video or audio conferencing software. A key feature of a webinar is its interactive elements: the ability to give, receive and discuss…
Keep Showing Up
Any time of the year we can reflect on and define what is successful in our marketing plan. We can endeavor to fix what is broken and polish what already shines. A powerful desire for success in our ventures is one inspiration to create our books. Before you published your book did you define what success would look like for you? Not every person who…
Your Teacher and Ally, Your Competition
Now that you have finished your manuscript what books have come out that are similar to yours? Maybe you have heard the cliche “there is nothing new under the sun”? No matter how unique your material may be there is still someone who has written something similar. The similarity may be a grain of sand within a whole beach, and still that grain of sand…
In Print, is in Print, is in Print
Gertrude Stein wrote; “a rose, is a rose, is a rose” and people applauded her poetic skill. She established that a rose is a rose, just as your name in print is definitely your name in print. Of course, the “Brass Ring” of promoting your book is securing a print review in a prestigious magazine. However, revenue space has pushed many book reviews out of…
The 3 E’s of Radio Interviews
We coach our authors to not waste air on the radio. They learn to offer tips, be storytellers, and capture the audience’s interest. For most people it’s easy to talk or teach in an interview, however to capture someone’s attention long enough to have them buy your book takes skill and practice. One top 20 radio show host shared with me the secrets to a…
Making your Radio Interviews Count
We coach our authors to not waste air on the radio. They learn to offer tips, be storytellers, and capture the audience’s interest. For most people it’s easy to talk or teach in an interview, however to capture someone’s attention long enough to have them buy your book takes skill and practice. One top 20 radio show host shared with me the secrets to a…
A Simple Step Sells Your Book
All of the previous columns and colleagues have offered wonderful and valuable tips for your next steps after completing the manuscript. My favorite tip is a simple one – the “elevator speech”. Whether you are a first-time publisher or a major house is publishing your book, every author needs an -“elevator speech”-. Think of this as the verbal business card for you and your book….