“The world is in a world of hurt. Now, more than ever, your words are needed.” I’ve often said this in many presentations, interviews and consulting calls with clients.
I believe this statement to the core of my being. I also know the groups I speak to and the clients I consult and mentor with are change agents. Often calling themselves transformation writers, speakers, coaches and consultants, many will get their message out to market, but nowhere near what they are capable of.
Yet, with all that is happening around the world, one would be left to wonder why they wouldn’t do all in their power to get in front of their audiences in a big way.
“I’ll be bolder when I am more well known,” some authors claim.
It doesn’t work that way. If you can’t be bolder now, you likely won’t stand out enough to become well known.
If the primary reason to write is to become famous, you’re likely missing your true calling as a writer. Most authors write because they are called to write, not because they might gain some level of fame.
Yet, whatever your motivation, it’s yours and yours alone. Regardless of your motivation, writing requires you not only write, but market your work… if you want to reach the greatest number of people.
Getting Stuck
There are two primary areas writers get stuck; writing and marketing.
Writing
Some writers claim they need to be inspired to write. Others, don’t wait for inspiration. They write because they have something to write about. I tend to fall into the group that writes because I have something to write about.
If I waited to be 100% inspired, I may not get much at all done. However, lest you think I’m not inspired to write, I am. My inspiration comes from knowing my words can, and do, make a difference to my readers. My inspiration comes from knowing I am fulfilling my dream of being a successful, published author. My inspiration comes from knowing, by disciplining myself to write, I am living the life I once only dreamed of. My inspiration comes from knowing I am doing what I am here to do… write.
What truly inspires me to write, even when I don’t feel like it, is knowing how powerful words can be.
If you’re struggling to write, think in terms of the impact your writing will have. Regardless of your topic or genre, if you consider yourself to be an inspirational and transformational writer, there are those who are eager to read your words. Don’t deprive them.
Marketing
When you think of big name authors, there’s always the temptation to think they somehow achieved their success simply by being in the right place at the right time. Chances are, the “right place at the right time” has a lot to do with how much marketing they did, equating to lots of visibility.
Once you become visible to your fan base, the more likely it is they will become raving fans. Raving fans tend to buy everything you publish, listen to as many interviews as possible, watch your webinars and hire you for various services you offer.
It’s like what my father told me many times, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”
For authors, I would say, “The more you implement strategic marketing, the luckier you will become.”
The challenge for many authors, they claim, is not knowing what to do. In today’s world of fingertip information, it’s hard to believe someone doesn’t know what to do. Information abounds. And therein lies the challenge; too much information. Conflicting information. Incomplete information.
Yet, if an author makes learning how to market a priority by investing in resources to cut the learning curve, amazing things can happen.
My Time is Dedicated to Authors
Because I know how important it is for authors to gain access to proven strategies and systems, I dedicate much of my writing and speaking teaching authors how to market.
One resource I put a great deal of effort in creating is my Hit #1 On Amazon report. In it, I take you step-by-step on several ways to market your books.
In a blog post I wrote on viral marketing, I commented, “In the past, authors had to depend on limited avenues to get their work out. Today, it’s merely a matter of focus, commitment and proudly saying to the world: “Hey, I’ve got some creative content here. Listen (look) up. You’re going to love this.””
Time is Critical
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, “The world is in a world of hurt. Now, more than ever, your words are needed.”
There’s no time to wait for everything to be perfect for you to do all you can to get your message out.
The simplest thing you can do is put a checklist together of various marketing activities you can implement each day. You don’t need to do everything on the list each day. Rather, select two or three activities that take no more than 30 minutes total.
Imagine after a month, how much traction you’ll get from as little as 30 minutes a day. The key though, is consistency. Every day means every day.
You’ll get a great result if you stay the course with your marketing. Don’t expect results by doing one or two things and then giving up. Do something every day and watch your book sales go up.
