For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today it’s daily goals.
All people need goals! Without set goals, we drift like leaves on a river. We hand control of our life over to circumstances and other people. “Where there is not vision, the people perish.” – Proverbs 29:18
Writers often set a big goal of ‘getting published.’ But often the journey is long and it’s easy to grow discouraged. Success is built by taking small steps. We must build upon small successes.
Have you written down your goals? Do you even know what specific dreams you want to achieve? Hitting an unknown target is next to impossible!
Try this exercise:
Take ten minutes and write down every goal, dream, and desire. Brainstorm! Remember when you were a child and nothing was impossible.
Select a couple items that are more than wants and needs - they are burning desires. Don’t worry about the HOW - just make a decision that it’s something you “gots to have” as they say in the South.
AFTER you’ve selected your big goals, start setting smaller goals (daily, weekly, monthly) that will help you reach the big goals.
The final step? TAKE ACTION! You can set goals all day long, but if you do nothing, nothing will happen. Start with those daily goals and move forward.
Have you set your daily goals?
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
Calls
For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today it’s calls.
If you’re a writer or author, at some point, you’ll start making phone calls.
You’ll use calls to set up appearances and media interviews. You’ll talk to editors, publishers, and reporters. You’ll call bookstores and libraries.
For some people, calls are no big deal. For others, the phone weights a thousand pounds! I used to work at UPS and my job was to call people and say “Your package is lost, damaged, destroyed - we don’t know where it is!” Fun, huh? Let me say it took a lot of courage to pick up a phone again.
Here’s some tips that might help:
Make a list of names and numbers to call
Sketch out what you’re going to say. Practice. Don’t read it over the phone or it’ll sound scripted.
Set aside a block of time to do nothing but make phone calls.
Start with an easy one to get into the groove.
Don’t stop until you hit a yes.
Don’t end with a no.
Remember to smile when talking - it does come through!
Now, who’s ready to start dialing?
If you’re a writer or author, at some point, you’ll start making phone calls.
You’ll use calls to set up appearances and media interviews. You’ll talk to editors, publishers, and reporters. You’ll call bookstores and libraries.
For some people, calls are no big deal. For others, the phone weights a thousand pounds! I used to work at UPS and my job was to call people and say “Your package is lost, damaged, destroyed - we don’t know where it is!” Fun, huh? Let me say it took a lot of courage to pick up a phone again.
Here’s some tips that might help:
Make a list of names and numbers to call
Sketch out what you’re going to say. Practice. Don’t read it over the phone or it’ll sound scripted.
Set aside a block of time to do nothing but make phone calls.
Start with an easy one to get into the groove.
Don’t stop until you hit a yes.
Don’t end with a no.
Remember to smile when talking - it does come through!
Now, who’s ready to start dialing?
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Bookmarks
For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today - bookmarks.
Bookmarks are an author essential! Every author needs bookmarks.
Why?
Bookmarks are practical. Anyone who reads a print book uses them. Of all the promotional items you can hand out, it’s the least likely to be tossed.
They are relatively cheap.
Bookmarks can be left everywhere - near the bookstore registers, in libraries, in doctor’s offices…
They can double as our calling card. (Although authors should also carry business cards, too.)
Last but not least, they promote for us long after we are gone - because people will NOT remember you or your book five minutes later!
Bookmarks should display cover art, short synopsis, your name, ISBN, price, genre, publisher, short quotes or reviews, and your website.
Okay, authors - do you have bookmarks? Carry them with you at all times? Leave them everywhere possible?
And because this is when the Weekend Sillies usually run, I leave you with an LOL Cat:
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our
Bookmarks are an author essential! Every author needs bookmarks.
Why?
Bookmarks are practical. Anyone who reads a print book uses them. Of all the promotional items you can hand out, it’s the least likely to be tossed.
They are relatively cheap.
Bookmarks can be left everywhere - near the bookstore registers, in libraries, in doctor’s offices…
They can double as our calling card. (Although authors should also carry business cards, too.)
Last but not least, they promote for us long after we are gone - because people will NOT remember you or your book five minutes later!
Bookmarks should display cover art, short synopsis, your name, ISBN, price, genre, publisher, short quotes or reviews, and your website.
Okay, authors - do you have bookmarks? Carry them with you at all times? Leave them everywhere possible?
And because this is when the Weekend Sillies usually run, I leave you with an LOL Cat:
see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our
Friday, April 01, 2011
Articles
For the A to Z Challenge, I’m posting promo and other tips for writers. Today - articles.
Articles are a very cost-effective means of promotion and place you in front of new audiences.
What do you write about? If you are a writer or author, you’re an expert in SOME field! Share that wealth of knowledge with the world. Remember, the purpose of articles is to provide valuable information and/or solve problems - not to promote you or your book.
Where should these articles appear? Well, where will they be in front of your target audience? Consider:
Blog and website guest posts
Magazines and periodicals, both online and in the real world
Newsletters
Articles banks
And the list goes on…
How often? To be truly effective - 1-3 articles per week. (Especially leading up to the release of a book.)
Now it’s time to brainstorm! What topics can you discuss? How can you help others be wealthier, healthier, sexier, more informed, or save them time?
Articles are a very cost-effective means of promotion and place you in front of new audiences.
What do you write about? If you are a writer or author, you’re an expert in SOME field! Share that wealth of knowledge with the world. Remember, the purpose of articles is to provide valuable information and/or solve problems - not to promote you or your book.
Where should these articles appear? Well, where will they be in front of your target audience? Consider:
Blog and website guest posts
Magazines and periodicals, both online and in the real world
Newsletters
Articles banks
And the list goes on…
How often? To be truly effective - 1-3 articles per week. (Especially leading up to the release of a book.)
Now it’s time to brainstorm! What topics can you discuss? How can you help others be wealthier, healthier, sexier, more informed, or save them time?
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