5/16/2012

In my last post, I outlined a process for contacting each local radio, TV, newspaper, magazine, and online media outlet to pitch story ideas and appearances (interviews, debates, demonstrations, etc.). As your booking efforts begin to bear fruit, it is important to be prepared to maximize the positive impact from your appearances.
 
At Thomas Nelson, we have seen that the authors that drive the most book sales and create a positive impression on the host and the audience tend to use the same tactics. We provide author training for many of our new authors at Thomas Nelson, and your book can benefit if you use some of those same tactics.
 
1)    Prepare five talking points. It's important that you customize the talking points for the show depending on the angle you have pitched and discussed with the producer. Write them down on index cards to review ahead of time. You can even use these to prompt yourself if you’re on radio. Create a sound bite for each talking point — a short phrase that captures the essence of what you want to say and is easy for your audience to grasp and remember. Time is money for media companies, and long answers also make it difficult for listeners to follow along. Keep your answers short — especially if the segment is short.

2)    Arrive at least a half hour early for the interview. Wear dark or bright solid colors. Avoid patterns and anything white as it washes out facial color. If you will be appearing on television, find out if the studio will be doing makeup. If not, make arrangements for at least some light powder.

3)    Never cancel an interview. Doing so will ruin your credibility. Make sure the producer has your home and cell numbers. Often, a segment is moved or changed; the producer may need to contact you at any hour. You can be canceled at any moment, even if you’re at the studio. Breaking news doesn’t wait because you are ready to talk about your book.

4)    Visit the show’s website. Understanding the personality and theme of the show will help you know what to expect. Listen to interviews with other authors to learn how they promote their book without being overbearing.

5)    Focus on your answers. Your ultimate goal of the interview is to sell books, but remember that this is not a commercial. Try instead to give such an interesting interview that the show wants to book you again. Focus on giving your best answer to whatever question is asked. If you don’t understand a question, ask for clarification rather than assuming you know what they are asking. Make the interview more personal by addressing the host by their first name. Compliment the host when they ask a good question by saying “That’s a good question” or “I’m glad you asked that question.”

6)    Never criticize the host for not reading the book (don't even ask).  Hosts don’t have time to read every book, and many will stick to the questions you provide in your press kit. Never interrupt the host or become hostile, even if attacked. If you are on radio, you are “invisible” and can be cut off at any time. A planned seven minute segment can become a two minute segment in the blink of an eye if the guest missteps. Don’t try to slant or change the original segment idea to fit your own needs. Stay on topic.

7)    Don’t force the audience to buy your book by withholding information. Refusing to answer a question because “it’s in my book” is a mistake. Instead, bring up information from your book once every three to five minutes when it directly relates to what is being discussed. Begin with something along the lines of “As I point out in my book,” and avoid being overly promotional, since this marks you as an amateur. Use the art of the “soft sell” by only plugging your book when it comes up naturally within the flow and context of the interview. Many hosts will gladly plug your book before, during, and at the conclusion of an interview so you may not even need to call attention to your book. Keep an eye on the clock so you know when the segment ends and can leave your host enough time to mention your website and where your book is available.

8)    Sit up straight. Even in radio interviews, posture is key to projecting your voice properly. This will give you a confident voice, and it will minimize mumbling. If you’re doing a phone interview, use a landline. A cordless phone, cell phone, or headset could cause static and other problems. Practice doing a mock interview over the phone with a friend or media coach. Many speakers have a tendency to allow the volume of their voice to trail off at the end, so be intentional about keeping your voice consistent and strong.

9)    Be likable. If the listening audience likes you and thinks you care about them, they will buy what you’re selling. Answer questions with knowledge and compassion. Be prepared for conflict. It may not happen, but controversy is popular. Be confident, smile, enjoy yourself, and be thankful for the opportunity.

Have you done a media interview yet? Any tips we can add to the list?

5/14/2012

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” ― C.S. Lewis

Writing is a lonely pursuit. And, if you’re like me, you enjoy being alone with just your thoughts and your manuscript. But, writing in solitude can have its drawbacks. Other writers are valuable resources, and sharing your work with them can offer big advantages to your writing.

1. Learning and growing.
The most important benefit a writing support group can give you is the chance to challenge yourself. When a group of friends challenges you to try something new, like poetry or dabbling in a new genre, you will push yourself farther than you expected you could go.

2. Being supported.
You might already have some support in your writing from a significant other, family member or friend. But fellow writers can give you support that your family and friends can’t. For instance, writers understand what it means when you’re struck by writer’s block or confused by a character. Fellow writers can also offer constructive feedback that your family and friends might be too scared to share with you.

3. Getting inspired.
You know that electric current you feel when you’re surrounded by fellow creatives? When writers come together to discuss their craft, it is truly energizing. Feed off of their energy, and put it into your work. 
 

Do you write with friends, or do you prefer working alone?

Writing Tip: Develop Your Characters

Writers sometimes overlook the importance of being knowledgeable on many different topics. Your characters are not all going to have the same interests as you. They will be unique people with their own hobbies, scholarly backgrounds and upbringing. As you are developing your characters, do some research on Wikipedia or another encyclopedic source. Pick something you know nothing about, and learn about it. This will help you create deeper more meaningful characters.

Writing Prompt: Growing Through Giving

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

Even during difficult times such as now with our economic growth in decline, we are encouraged to give our time, donations or resources in order to help those in need.

In the comments below, share a specific time when your faith grew as you helped your community.

5/9/2012

origninally posted on the Indie Book Writers Blog

One of the best ways to build an audience for your book or books is build a following on a blog. Yet when I speak to many authors about creating a blog, they are often hesitant because of the amount of writing and work they believe is involved. While it does take some work to have a blog, there are some things you can do to make the whole process easier and enjoyable. Remember, the reason for having a blog is to build an audience for the topic you are passionate about and while you can write about it your self, there are other things you can do to gather content around the topic that will be relevant to your audience. Here are some ways to do that you may find helpful.

1. Write a series and make a number of different posts over time. Once you find a topic that your audience is interested in, you should consider writing multiple posts about the topic. In other words, you can write the text at one time but post it in sections over time. It is a great way to get people to keep coming back for more. One example on my blog is the series I have been doing on Ten mistakes a reader will never miss. This blog series has ten parts and focuses on common errors writers make, but editors will catch
2. Find other blogs that are similar and re-post the content. You need permission to do this and you want to give the original source credit, but you can often find kindred spirits and relevant content on blogs like yours. For example, I was recently interviewed for the Pubslush blog and re-posted their interview on my blog. By re-posting and linking back, I also helped expose my blog to their audience and vice versa.
3. Comment on recent news releases. If you set your Google alerts for the right words, you will see when relevant news is released on the topics of interest to you. Again, cite the source, but you can re-post the release and add your comments to it. For my blog, I get any release with the words, “indie publishing” or similar phrases.
4. Do an interview with someone who can provide expertise on a topic of interest. This is a great way to source expert content and add to your following. Recently, I had a question from an author in a comment on how to find a good editor. Rather than answer it myself, I asked Alan Rinzler for his opinion. Alan is one of the most respected consulting editors in the business. His answers were insightful and helpful

I am sure you may have other ideas on how to source good content for a blog. Feel free to share those in the comments section. I will make sure you get the appropriate credit for your suggestions. We can all learn from each other.

5/7/2012

There is no greater love or humbling experience than being a mother. And, there is no way that someone could have adequately described the “momma bear” instinct that immediately kicked in and my desire to want to be a better person the moment my first child took his first breath.

As a mother of two very active boys, our lives consist of overloaded sports schedules, carpooling, homework, and last-minute, “…oh mom, I have a project due tomorrow, and I need you to help me.”  Some days I’m not sure how we will work all of our commitments and obligations into our waking hours which often times leaves me feeling overwhelmed and anxiety ridden. But, at the end of the day, when I’m on my knees praying at the side of each child’s bed, I realize I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The older my children get, the more I realize how important it is for me to keep my battery charged and actively participate in my personal relationship with Christ.  It’s easy to get caught up in all of the worldly things that must be done that I often times struggle to ensure Christ is first and foremost in my daily list of to-do’s.  The best way to keep me on track and focused on Him is to stay in my Bible as well as read the inspiring and encouraging words of my brother’s and sister’s in Christ. 

Below are a couple of great Mother’s Day gift ideas to help encourage and recharge the mother in your life:

From the Heart of a Woman  by Sylvia Hensel	Godly Women and Lipstick  by Shelia Woolum	Saving Super Mom  by Kristi Walters

Devotions from Everyday Things  by Tammy Chandler	God Thinks Your Wonderful, Mom  by Max Lucado	The Women of Faith Devotional Bible  by Women of Faith

How will you celebrate your mom this year?

Writing Tip: Uncover Your Emotional Purpose

Your story has a purpose and is fueled by an underlying emotion inspiring you to write. Get in touch with this emotion — this driving force of creativity. Understanding the premise will help to guide you through your writing and fluently progress the storyline. Ask yourself, “Why am I writing this story at this point in time?” Returning to your original motivation will renew your sense of purpose and enhance the focus of your book’s course.

Writing Prompt: Innocence and Stress-Free Existence of Childhood

Take some time to reflect on the above image. Write about the thoughts, memories and lessons that come into your mind; or let your imagination take over, and begin a fictional story based on what you see.

Share a sentence or two from your writing in the comments below.

As an author, you might be interested in creating a logo to visually represent you and your book(s). You can choose to design the logo yourself using online resources and specialty software applications, or you can choose to have a professional graphic designer make the logo for you. Either way, here are some basics considerations to help you get started.

As a first step, take a good look at your favorite websites, advertisements, even TV commercials. Every company and brand has a logo. Get a feel for what type of logo you like best. Do you prefer color or black-and-white logos? Do you like words paired with images, or do you prefer text-only logos? Consider the differences between literal images (i.e. a picture of a flower for a florist shop) and more abstract images. Do you like organic or geometric shapes? What type of imagery will best represent your personal brand? Think about it. And know what you want before you begin.

If you choose to have your logo designed for you, a graphic designer is the right resource; and, luckily, freelancers in this field are plentiful. A good graphic designer will meet with you to understand your business, your books and the brand you are trying to convey. They’ll ask for your ideas and learn about your audience. Then they'll mix all this information with their professional design sensibilities and skills. Here are some tips for working with a freelance designer:

If you opt to create your own logo, there are many great software tools to help you, such as InDesign and Photoshop. There are also services, such as Vistaprint, that offer tools for simple logo creation as well as printing services. Additional free tools include Creatr, Logo Yes, Logo Ease, Cool Text and Logo Factory Web.

If you thought Photoshop was just for airbrushing ... think again. You can use Photoshop to draw and create designs for a logo. You can also hand draw a logo, take a digital photo or scan it, and then use Photoshop to edit it. If you take this approach, be sure that the image is clearly drawn with very dark lines for easy editing.

Whether you have a graphic designer create a logo for you or you decide to do it yourself, creating a logo design is entirely possible and not as difficult as one might think. It can also be an important element in your branding efforts and overall marketing plan.

For more author-education resources, check out the Author Learning Center.

What steps have you taken to create a visual identity for yourself and your book(s)? 

4/30/2012

“Poetry too is a little incarnation, giving body to what had been before invisible and inaudible.”

~ CS Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms

With the end of April comes the end of Poetry Month. For 30 days, people everywhere have celebrated this wonderful form of language and expression by writing new poems, remembering old favorites and sharing the passages that have helped shine meaning and understanding into our lives.

Today, we encourage you to give one last hurrah to Poetry Month by discovering a new poet, through whom you can see the world with fresh eyes. Many poets have published their books with WestBow Press as a way to reach out with their words and serve as inspiration to others. Today, take the time to browse the poetic endeavors of Christian authors with a gift for poetry.

Meet the poets of WestBow Press

We hope the lessons of Poetry Month are not forgotten for the rest of the year — that we remember the power of a beautifully written passage to help guide us, inspire us and surprise us. Through reading and writing poetry, we take the time and care to reflect on the largest and smallest matters of life. Through poetry, we can come to new realizations and connect with others through the sharing of ideas and insights.

Thank you, month of April, for a wonderfully fun reminder of the power of poetry in our lives.

 
What poem do you carry in your heart throughout the year?

On Fridays we like to share writing tips and tricks with our readers. We hope this section will encourage and inspire you to continually improve as a writer.

Writing Tip: Slow it down

Many writers are trying so hard to finish a paragraph or chapter that they can easily (thought inadvertently) leave gaps in argumentation or plotlines. Don’t be afraid of devoting the time necessary to really get all the details into your manuscript. Be sure to reread your manuscript as well, so you can fill in those holes and publish a best-seller!

Writing Prompt: Forgiving

Forgiving is a true way to show God’s love to others, but it can be a challenge. For today’s writing prompt, consider the first time someone hurt you, offended you, or lost your trust. Write about your journey to forgiving them. How does your heart feel now compared to back then?

If you feel comfortable sharing, comment below with the last sentence of your writing.

4/25/2012

Recently, Amy Sorrells was announced as the grand prize winner of the 2011 Women of Faith Writing Contest for Comfort and Salvation (now titled Canary Song). Amy is a wife, mother, registered nurse, and blogger, but most importantly, she is a woman of faith. WestBow Press congratulates Amy Sorrells on her winning manuscript and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this up and coming author. 

We wanted to introduce Amy to our WestBow Press family so we recently sat down for a quick Q&A to tell her story.

For more on Amy Sorrells, check out her blog at http://amysorrells.wordpress.com/

WBP: When did you first realize that writing was a passion/calling for you?

Amy: I have a denim-covered journal I received as a gift for my fifth birthday. It’s filled with crayon poems and drawings, and I remember knowing then that I wanted nothing more than to fill blank pages with words.

WBP: How long have you thought about publishing a book?

Amy: I think college was the first time I really considered the possibility and desire to publish a book. Back then, I was more focused on journalism, but loved my creative writing. I entered a couple of short story contests, but the dream took a backburner when I had my three sons in four years shortly thereafter. Once they all entered all-day school, I started writing again. And I began the intense journey toward publication in the summer of 2006.

WBP: What motivated you to write this story?

Amy: What motivates any writer, really? Pain? Passion? Anger? Ultimately, my own brokenness motivated me to write this particular story. More than that, the way God worked in my life to bind up, stitch up and restore my broken places. I want nothing more than for my writing to let all who read it know they, too, can be restored. That God polishes and uses people who think they’re filthy and worthless. That God breaks our chains of hopelessness and pain and frees us to live victoriously.

WBP: Talk to me about the primary message of your book and the No. 1 take away for readers.

Amy: The primary message of my book is salvation. Not necessarily overt, into the baptismal, doves descending from Heaven sort of salvation, but the every day salvation process which occurs as folks learn to trust a Savior through other broken people, even in the face of overwhelming tragedy and shame.

WBP: How long did it take you to write your manuscript?

Amy: I wrote this novel in six months. But I wouldn’t recommend that. Lol.

WBP: What prompted you to enter your manuscript in the Women of Faith/WestBow Press 2011 Writing Contest?

Amy: My book tells a tale of hope folks crave. Add that to the fact that the organization is one I deeply respect and which parallel my passion for proclaiming good news to the brokenhearted, and wha-la, I winged it and entered the contest.

WBP: When you hit the “send” button to enter your manuscript in the Women of Faith Writing Contest, what were your expectations?
Amy: Honestly, I never expected to be in the finals. And I certainly never expected to win. I just wanted the one person who needed to hear a story of redemption to have a chance to read it.

WBP: What was your initial reaction upon learning that you had been selected as the Women of Faith 2011 Writing Contest grand prize winner?

Amy: Freaked. Out. I’m a nurse and I was working on the pediatric unit at my hospital when Shelley called me with the news. My co-workers can attest that I could barely function the rest of the day. I called my husband and nearly shrieked, “What I am supposed to do now?” He said, in his unwavering, husband-y wisdom, “You’re going to go back to work for four hours.” And you know what? He’s right. That’s what each of us needs to do when we think we’ve “arrived,” because we never have until we get to Heaven. So as long as we have breath, we need to keep on plodding and keep on reaching toward those who are hurting, because the need for hope in the world is constant.

WBP: What are your hopes for the future regarding Comfort and Salvation (Canary Song)?

Amy: I hope the book is published and gets put on as many bookstore shelves as possible, so as many folks as possible can find the hope I tried to convey within it!

WBP: Do you have any advice for first time authors contemplating writing their own book?

Amy: Do it. Write your story. And after you’ve written it — as Winston Churchill would say — never, never, never give up sharing it with others.

4/23/2012

Many new authors of Christian books ask what they can do to reach the Christian market. While there is a niche of Christian bookstores, online retailers, and media that focus specifically on Christian content, the majority of Christian books are sold through the same retailers that sell other genres since – due to convenience – that is where Christian readers prefer to shop.
 
Despite this, targeting the local Christian bookstores is a good tactic if your book is focused on Christian content. Getting your book on their shelves can be challenging; Christian bookstores, like all other bookstores, tend to be hesitant to purchase inventory that they are uncertain will sell. I worked in sales here at Thomas Nelson for nearly ten years, so I can speak from experience when I say that bookstores usually only order a Thomas Nelson book if it has a recognizable author and a clear marketing plan to make readers aware of the book.
 
As a self-published author, you can use similar tactics to overcome the bookstore’s hesitancy. Your objective should be to make as many readers aware of your book as possible and to let those readers know that they can obtain the book from your targeted bookstores. The bookstore could then sell copies they have on hand or special-order copies as the orders come in. With millions of books in print, special orders are a sizable portion of a bookstore’s sales and are one of the factors used to determine which books are carried on the shelves. Once the store has special ordered a title repeatedly, they will usually order inventory to have on hand to meet additional demand. Another option is to offer the store a copy or two for free if they will agree to reorder as soon as each copy sells.
 
WestBow Press offers a variety of marketing services to help you raise awareness of your book. The E-book Buzz marketing package is a good start. I suggest taking it a step further by obtaining a printable press release and 50 printed copies of your book. In addition, you should create a marketing plan that includes your press release, all your plans for raising awareness, your bio, photo, book cover image, book summary, an excerpt, and a mock flyer for each bookstore you will be targeting. This plan should list their store and location and demonstrate one tactic you will be using to get the word out if they agree to host a signing (for instance, you could provide copies so the flyers could be placed in the bags of customers in the week leading up to the event). With your tools in hand, you are ready to do the following:

1. Make a list of each local bookstore. Visit each to review your marketing plan with the book buyer; offer two free copies of the print book and to mention the bookstore when you are promoting the book locally if the bookstore will agree to reorder a copy from Ingram for each copy sold; discuss your availability for a book signing and/or seminar (if nonfiction); if they seem receptive then leave them the marketing plan, obtain the business card of the person you speak with, and tell them the day and time you will call them to follow up.

2. Make a list of each local radio, TV, newspaper, magazine, and online media outlet. Brainstorm a list of story ideas on topics related to your book; visit each with a copy of your book, a BookStub, your press release, and your list of story ideas; ask them to review your book and/or consider running a story; if they seem receptive then leave them a copy of whichever format of the book is preferred (print or BookStub) along with your press release and the list of story ideas, obtain the business card of the person you speak with, and tell them the day and time you will call them to follow up.

3. Make a list of each local organization that should have an affinity for the book’s topic. Brainstorm cross-promotion ideas that would raise awareness of your book while also raising awareness of the organization and helping them meet their objectives (win-win); visit each with a copy of your book, a BookStub, your press release, and your list of cross-promotion ideas; discuss the cross-promotion ideas; if they seem receptive then leave them a copy of whichever format of the book is preferred (print or BookStub) along with your press release and the list of cross-promotion ideas, obtain the business card of the person you speak with, and tell them the day and time you will call them to follow up.

4. Make a list of each local book group that might be interested. Visit the leader of each to discuss being available for two meetings with the group if they choose the book (presentation on background information before the group begins reading and Q&A after they finish); if they seem receptive then leave them a copy of whichever format of the book is preferred (print or BookStub) along with your press release, obtain the business card of the person you speak with, and tell them the day and time you will call them to follow up.

Have you tried marketing locally yet? Share some insights as a comment below.

Writing Tip: Change your habits

Writer’s block — it is an affliction that attacks every writer at one time or another. When you struggle to find the words and all of the good ideas have been drained from you, change your habits. If you are writing on a computer, change to pencil and paper. If you always write inside, dust off that lawn chair or park bench and try writing there for awhile. And keep writing even if it doesn’t apply to your story. Write about what you did last weekend, and you can start turning what you did last weekend into what your characters did.

Writing Prompt: Rebirth through Baptism

Most of us were most likely baptized when we were too young to remember. Imagine you are about to be baptized today. What kind of thoughts are going through your head? Are you nervous, scared, excited? Why are you feeling this way? Share a sentence or two of your thoughts in the comments below.

4/18/2012

Start small. Think big. Who cares if you’re holding the signing in the basement of your local bookstore? You are at your very own book signing! So, promote it like it’s the biggest event of the year.

How should you do that? Here are a few dos and don’ts:

• Do utilize social media. Ask friends to post your upcoming signing on their own blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts. If your bookstore, library, coffee shop, church, etc. has a website, ask if they can promote your upcoming event on their sites, too.
• Do advertise, announce and ask. Advertise your signing a few weeks leading up to your big day. Announce your event in your local newspaper, list it on Craigslist and submit it to your church’s bulletin. Ask if you can tape posters on the store’s walls, place business cards next to the register or bookmarks in their shopping bags.
• Don’t go against your venue’s rules. No loitering? Don’t stand outside a few days before passing out bookmarks. Can’t advertise your book in the store within the days leading up to your signing? Don’t push your limits. If you do, you risk burning bridges and losing a connection for future signings.
• Do give customers a reason to visit your table. Have a large poster next to your table explaining what is going on. Offer free takeaway items such as pens or bags.
  Strike up a conversation with potential buyers. Ask friends and family to linger for a bit – crowds spark the interest of onlookers and therefore draw in larger crowds.
• Don’t make people feel guilty if they don’t buy a book. This is your chance to get your name and title out there, so don’t ruin it. Instead, hand uninterested customers a bookmark or flyer with your book’s information in case they change their mind or know a friend who might be interested.
• Prepare for the future. Take numerous pictures to later post on your website and social media sites. Thank anyone involved with helping you organize your signing. You never know what could lead to your next big event.

If you’ve already had a book signing, what piece of advice can you offer new authors?

4/16/2012

You can read her original post here » 

Note: Annie Downs is a freelance writer, blogger and former WestBow Press author from Nashville, Tennessee.  Annie recently signed a traditional book deal with Zondervan for her book From Head To Foot.  Ms. Downs captures her big day on her blog, Annie Blogs, to which we at WestBow Press say, congratulations Annie! Watch a video as Annie describes her publishing experience » 

I have been DYING to tell you this. I mean, simply dying.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 4:40pm, I signed a book contract with Zondervan.

Oh yeah, THIS ZONDERVAN.

Are. You. Dying!??! I know. I know

In the very same coffee shop where three years ago I finished the manuscript for From Head To Foot, I signed the deal yesterday. You can watch it happen. Because, my dear bloggites, I wished you all could be there when it happened. I really do. I can’t get sappy now, I don’t have it in me, but know that I KNOW you had so much to do with this day. I humbly thank you.

Also, super big thanks to my lit agent Kyle Olund who made all this happen and happen smoothly. He’s awesome.

[The booing at the end is from my friend Amy, who works at a competing publishing house here in Nashville. So it was funny and we all laughed.]

Some of my very besties were in attendance because it would be lame to sign that thing alone.

And of course, by besties I mean Nichole, Lyndsay, and my soy chai.

All the details about the new book I shall share tomorrow.

For today, we bask in the beauty of my little name on that “author” line.

Today we celebrate a God-sized dream realized.

Today we celebrate four years of writing lots and working hard and trying and praying and now it has all come together.

I’m really really excited.

Watch out, world. Annie Blogs is comin’ for ya.

Writing Tip: Don't hoard your journals.

Even when your works are electronic files, make a point to periodically review your writing. Flag pieces you like, and purge the ones that you find to be less than amazing. There is no value in storing thousands of words that you have written if you don't feel that you would read them yourself today and enjoy them.

Writing Prompt: Among the Pews

Look at the image on the left, and take some time to write about the thoughts, memories or lessons that come to your mind.

Share your first sentence or paragraph as a comment below this post.

Your book’s title is, in the simplest terms, how you reference your written work. You’ll use it on the cover, on your Web page, in interviews, blog posts, marketing materials, book catalogs, agent submissions and more. But your title is more than a reference tool. It has a distinct purpose and should not be overlooked, as it's one of the most important aspects of your writing efforts.

Your book’s title is its first marketing and selling tool. It’s what captures a reader’s attention and helps them decide if they want to learn more about it. Ultimately, it serves as a primary factor in the decision to either buy or walk away. The title is also part of what captures the attention of agents, editors, publishers, the media, book clubs, bookstores, libraries and more!

The title also helps your target audience locate your book. There are so many books on the shelves (both virtual and physical) that most potential readers scan the vast selections quickly rather than carefully evaluating every book one at a time. They might give your book only a few second's chance to capture their attention. Potential readers can tell from the title if it’s meant for them or not. They have a logical and an emotional reaction to it. Logically, they surmise from the title if the book’s content is interesting or relevant to them — does it solve a problem, speak to a hobby of theirs, feed their love of mystery, fill a need to escape reality for a few hours? Emotionally, the title helps them connect with the content at a deeper, often subconscious level. Do they read the title and become outraged, amused, intrigued? Does it make them nostalgic? Will reading it make them feel important, smarter, happier or hipper? Emotional and logical responses help drive purchasing decisions. It’s true of every product in the world, including your book.

Some authors define their book’s title before they even begin writing, some wait until the manuscript is complete, and others fall in the middle. A good rule of thumb is to develop a strong working title as soon as you can so that you have a way to reference your “forthcoming book.” The working title should meet all the same criteria as the final title — no skimping. To that point, regardless of when you define the title, you should be prepared to research it, edit it and even discard it completely if you find it's not quite right. Don’t get emotionally attached to it. Your book's title has a purpose (to attract and keep a reader’s interest), and it should be refined or replaced repeatedly until it fulfills that purpose.

For more detailed techniques for creating an effective title, there are some great articles on the Author Learning Center.

What has your decision process been like for selecting the perfect title for your book? 

4/10/2012

As authors transition from writing their book to marketing their book, they often feel out of their element. It’s easy to think of the writing world and the marketing world as somehow competing: a world of quiet creativity and altruistic idea sharing vs. one of aggressive sales and greedy business. It’s easy to hide behind the role of “writer” and consider yourself ill-suited for the job of marketing your work. But not only is marketing not evil (it’s essential to getting your words out into the world where they belong) … as a writer, you’re actually pretty well equipped for it.

It's all about communication

At their essence, effective writing and effective marketing are both the result of a gift for communication. In fact, your approach to marketing should be less about selling your book than it is about simply continuing to spread your message. And no matter what stage of the message-spreading process you're in — writing or marketing — you’ll need to call upon some of the same skills and characteristics:

The Internet was made for you

When it comes to using your skills to market your book, you couldn’t ask for a better outlet than the World Wide Web. In the age of online communication, there are a number of effective marketing tools that play to your talents … and they're right at your writerly fingertips:

Just keep writing

Don’t use your comfort in the writing world as an excuse to avoid stepping out into the marketing world. Instead, find a way to use your strengths in this new role. Use your creativity and your power over the written word to spark meaningful and compelling conversations that will draw attention to your book and help spread the message you've set out to share.

How have you used your writing skills to help market your book? Share your ideas and insights below.

Tip: Attention Writers…Read, Read, and Read.

As with any trade, the more you explore the more knowledgeable you become. Be specific to your genre.  If you are a mystery writer, read mystery books. A children’s writer – read children’s books. Understand the story layout and observe creative elements. Studying your market will help to define the range of story lines and help to create an edge to your work. Stay ahead of the moving industry and build your knowledge of your particular consumer base.  

Prompt: Good Friday and Easter

It's Good Friday and Easter weekend. Look at the image on the left and take some time to write what comes to your mind.

Share your first sentence or paragraph as a comment below this post.

We hope you and your families have a blessed weekend!

4/6/2012

As a book marketer, there is an overabundance of social media platforms and uses. Don’t let them overwhelm you. I’ll outline the basics of using social media as a marketing tool (and keeping your sanity).

First, what are social media?

They’re not just Facebook and Twitter.  Merriam-Webster defines them as “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.”

Social media have changed the way the Web works, giving power to users instead of just companies and organizations.

How do they benefit me?

Social media allows you to build two-way relationships with users. Marketing your book won’t be like throwing an arrow at a bulls-eye (hoping it reaches the right audience). Instead, you and your targeted audience will work together to build a solid relationship.

Plus, social media are – well – social. They’re the new “word-of-mouth.”  If you post the right content and engage with your targeted audience the right way, you’ll go viral.

How do I engage my audience in the right way?

1. Be active. Post content that interests you. What do you think your targeted audience is interested in? Post that content too. Keep the conversations going.
2. Be personable. While some social media platforms are strictly professional (like LinkedIn), most are personal in nature. Let your personality shine.
3. Be responsive. If a reader asks you a question, answer it! These conversations build a positive relationship. Those readers might even become advocates for your book.
4. Be quick, especially if someone says something negative about you or your book. Don’t be angry with them, instead ask what you could do to change their negative perspective.

What platforms are available to me?

Social platforms: Facebook, Google+

Blogs: Wordpress, Blogspot

Microblogs: Twitter, Tumblr

Professional platforms: LinkedIn

Photo sharing: Flickr, Pinterest

Video sharing: Youtube, Vimeo

Location platforms: Foursquare, Facebook Places

How can I measure success?

It’s difficult to measure your return-on-investment in social media marketing. Constantly updating multiple profiles can eat up a lot of your time. Is it really worth it?

We can’t be sure your social media friends and follower are purchasing your book, but there are tools available to measure your influence in the social media world. If you create a Facebook page, for example, you will receive updates and insights as to how many people you’re reaching. There are ways to measure your success on other platforms too. Measure how many people follow or subscribe to you. Measure the amount of interactions you have with others and the amounts of comments you receive.

My advice: if you aren’t enjoying using a certain platform or if people aren’t responding to you on it, retire it. Stick to the platforms that are fun to update and create meaningful relationships.

Do you have any social media insights to share?

4/4/2012

Many first-time authors get caught up in the moment of the "what happens next" after their books are written and sometimes seem hesitant in putting their work into the hands of a publisher.  They know in their spirit their message is inspired by God and that they share a powerful testimony, but still inside have a concern about what other people may think and feel about them once their book is published.  They are not sure how well received it will be. 
               
I always tell authors to acquire the "let go and let God" approach.  Release your message into the hands of God and watch your seed prosper.  Blessings will start to overflow and lives will be transformed because of your obedience to Him and what He has commissioned you to do. When God is in it, nothing will fail.  As Christian authors, we need to embrace the journey God has set before us and enjoy the ride. It's just that simple. 
               
WestBow Press strives to make each author's publishing journey an enjoyable one.  That is why we work together with each author as a team from the very beginning when they submit their manuscript to well after their book is published and in distribution.  It is a great feeling at the end when an author publishes their first book and the excitement from all of the book reviews and comments they receive moves them to write their next book. 

Always remember that a manuscript unread is a manuscript unsaid.  God does not inspire untold messages.  Let go and let God.  Embrace the journey; enjoy the ride!

4/2/2012

WestBow Press announced author Amy Sorrells as the Grand Prize winner in the second annual Women of Faith writing contest.  Sorrells’ manuscript “Comfort and Salvation,” was selected from a pool of more than 650 entrants. The fiction title will be published through WestBow Press and will be given special consideration by Thomas Nelson.

The 2011 Women of Faith Writing Contest was judged by representatives from Thomas Nelson Publishing and Live Event Management, Inc., the producers of Women of Faith.

Judges comments for “Comfort and Salvation” included the following:

“The cinematic writing style allowed the story to unfold in your imagination like a movie. It was a delight to see Anniston Pearl’s world through her eyes and watch her grow. The book has an excellent sense of place; the plantation and town came to life. The plot had enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested and it addressed real issues in a realistic way.”  
–Susan Ellinburg, Writer/Editor, Women of Faith 

 “Best start to all of the manuscripts submitted! The characters are very rich and developed.”
–Mandy Mullinix, Marketing Specialist for Gift Books, Thomas Nelson

“I couldn’t tell what was going to happen next; it kept me interested. I loved the message of the healing power of forgiveness, how it forgiveness can heal not just one person, but a whole family and even a community.”
–Joanna McConville, Marketing Specialist, Women of Faith

“I loved reading this book! It reeled me in on the first line, 'Folks say blood is thicker than water, which is true, especially when it’s a sludge of pain like molasses pushing through fragile veins.' I laughed, I cried, and I got angry. There were twists and turns in every chapter.”
–Chelsea Ryden, Graphic Designer, Women of Faith

Additional winners included:

First Place Winner, “A Time for Miracles” by Kathleen Brown.  This non-fiction title addresses Alzheimer’s disease and includes a practical resource guide.

“A resource wrapped in a story, and an honest, lay-it-all-out-there story, at that. Offers grace and encouragement to anyone dealing with an aging parent (whether that parent has dementia or not). Excellent points at the end of each chapter relating to caregiving and what to look out for.”
–Susan Ellingburg, Writer/Editor, Women of Faith

Second Place Winner, “The Eyes of the Heart” by Embassie Susberry. This novel is set during the Civil Rights movement.

“Wonderful historical fiction!  It is very well written and the story flowed from page to page. It grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. The story was so real that I felt like I was there in the midst of it.  It would make for a great Hallmark movie. Enjoyed reading this book more than anything I’ve read in quite a while.”
–Pat Adkins, Field Support Specialist, Women of Faith

Thomas Nelson, Women of Faith and WestBow Press would like to thank all our contest participants for being courageous and sharing their stories with us!

Prompt:  Pull from your Past

Somebody from your past calls you or sends you an e-mail and then reveals a secret crush they had on you years ago. Think about your history with this person and how you would respond. Then, write a story or poem that captures your emotions and your reaction to this overdue confession.

Tip:  It's OK to Use Semicolons

Don't be afraid to employ the dreaded semicolon in your writing. Sometimes, you'll need to link complex sentences together, perhaps with an “however” or maybe without the use of a traditional conjunction such as "and," "but" or "yet"; however, you shouldn’t be afraid of the semicolon and its many dynamic uses. Fear spells defeat.

Given the gift of two sons who are active in sports, my husband and I are constantly talking to them about being humble in their success.  After a big win, it has been our priority to remind them that a boastful attitude left unchecked will diminish the overall shine of their achievement.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! - Philippians 2: 5-8 (NIV)

This past weekend in church we were given a “Pride Checklist” to help us evaluate how we measured up in the pride department.  I admit I went into this sermon feeling like I was a pretty humble individual; however, by the end of this list, I felt as if someone had smacked me in the face with the realization I had some work to do:

1. Are you living in service for yourself or are you living to serve others?

2. Do you have an inflated view of your talents?

3. Do you get angry easily when your expectations are not met?

4. Do you talk too much and desire to always be the center of attention?

5. Are you rigid and demanding?

6. Are you sarcastic and demeaning?

7. Are you defensive and blame shifting?

8. Are you easily angered by criticism?

9. Do you have a hard time being excited for other people’s success?

10. Do see yourself as better than others?
 

Pride is like spiritual drunkenness that undermines not only your relationships with family and friends, but also with our Father. There is no way to listen and love God completely when all you can hear is your own voice.

It’s so easy to become prideful during our day-to-day interactions in a world that actually encourages us to put ourselves first. The good news is that starting to live a less pride-filled life is actually as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Humility is a choice

2. Fight the assumption that you are better than anyone else

3. Talk less

It’s amazing that Jesus did not take his rightful position on this earth as King but walked among us as a servant, mentor, teacher and Father. Christ chose to humble himself in life and during his last moments on earth when he died the most publically humiliating death in order to forgive our debt.

How do you keep your pride in check?

3/27/2012

Why blog?

One of the important responsibilities that comes with being an author is marketing your book. Good publicity can be garnered through book signings, TV interviews, and book reviews. However, it is just as important to market yourself as an author as it is to promote your book. What's a great way to promote yourself? Through the new marvel of the blog. A blog, short for weblog, allows you to write a short commentary to your audience on a web site.

Benefits of the diary

Authors can use blogs in many different ways to further their writing career. For instance, an author can use a blog as a diary. Keeping up a daily blog about your everyday life may seem selfish and uninteresting. However, people in this day and age are drawn to celebrities. To your readers and fans, your life will be worth following! Authors with diary-style blogs update daily or at least once a week. Diary-style blogs are very successful because they keep authors fresh in the readers' minds. If a reader is attracted to your writing style, blogs are a good way to keep them interested in your work until you can publish your next book.

Generally, authors of fiction books use diary-style blogs. Authors of nonfiction books take a stricter approach.

Benefits of the issue-oriented blog

Nonfiction writers with a certain topic of interest are perfect candidates for writing an issue-oriented blog. This type of blog displays that you are knowledgeable about your topic and provides you with even further credibility. Issue-oriented bloggers provide facts and news about their area of interest and keep readers updated with current events.

The most important aspect of the issue-oriented blog is the opinion of the writer. Typically, the more controversial your blog, the more interest it will get. This gets a discussion with your readers started and ensures that they're engaged. Encourage all opinions and back yours up with facts.

The blogging decision

The decision to blog is often a hard one for authors to make. Generally, well-written and interesting author blogs grow the author's fan base and book sales. Creating an author blog takes time and thought, but it is an excellent way to take advantage of the internet's marketing capabilities, as well as highlight who you are and your expertise.

Read the original article on Author Learning Center »

Writing Tip: Inspiration

Carry an "inspiration notebook." Fuel your creativity by recording snippets of overheard conversations, quotes from important or ordinary people, song lyrics or captured moments of daily events. Paste a picture that moved you or tells of a reminiscent time. Continue the habit of writing by hand, and write often. Remember that writers are collectors, and these keepsakes are the simplest means of intensifying your craft. They cultivate awareness and imagination and encourage artistic thinking. These notes will open your inner resources to a world that is complex and absolutely delightful.   
  

Writing Prompt: Listen 

Listen. Listen to the conversations around you. Listen to the conversations in a restaurant, grocery store and in the park. Listen to the rhythm of real speech, formal and informal … in motion. Pay attention to the interaction, the fluctuations. How do you “know” someone through the voice you hear? Listen again. Listen until you know more than the obvious. It is that level of hearing — the hearing of emotions and of character — that will suggest what is not seen or simply and ordinarily heard. Apply that voice to your characters.

3/22/2012

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Write what you know.”

It’s a simple piece of advice; but what we, as writers, do with that advice can have large implications for our work. For some writers, it’s an adage to live by. For others, it’s a rule that begs to be broken — a challenge.

For a long time, I was confused about how I felt about this basic writing fundamental — uncertain as to which type of writer I wanted to be. My natural impulse had always been to let fictional stories grow out of real-life experiences; but, at the same time, that felt liked cheating. Whenever I’d begin a story inspired by the things I know and care about — Midwestern settings, father-daughter relationships, gardens, etc. — I’d instantly start to worry that I was being too safe. I had this distracting, nagging fear that I simply wasn’t being inventive enough and that readers, too, would find my writing lacking creativity.

It took some time, but I eventually opened my eyes and stopped wallowing in those insecurities. Here’s what did the trick:

Every place is exotic to those who are far away from it. Write about the places exotic to you — but it’s cheaper (no airfare), and usually more effective, to find the exotic in the familiar. The trick is to treasure your impressions of the places you know well. When you neglect a place, you impoverish yourself.

This little piece of brilliance comes from Josip Novakovich’s Fiction Writer’s Workshop (almost certainly the best book on fiction writing I’ve read). While Novakovich is speaking specifically about setting, it helped me think about far more than just physical places and fictional settings. Not only should we treasure our impressions of the places we know, but of ourselves, our ideas and our approaches to life.

For my own sake: I realized I didn’t need to abandon my own experiences in order to be creative; I just needed to dig deeper. If anything, I needed to write more about those things, to really explore them and discover what compelled me to write about them in the first place. Simply by embracing my own experiences, I've allowed myself to write more freely and uncover what these themes and subjects really mean to me.

For my readers’ sake: I realized I wasn’t giving them enough credit. It’s painfully obvious now: just as I find value in other peoples’ ideas and stories, I must trust in others abilities to find value in what I have to offer. Of course not everyone shares the same experiences. Of course not everyone else grew up as a Midwestern girl who found magic in gardens and a sense of identity in her father’s example.

So, I encourage you to write what you know. Not because it’s safe or easy, but because it’s challenging, fulfilling and interesting. From your real-life approach to faith to the fictional stories you weave in your daydreams — you might feel as though your thoughts and ideas are nothing new or special. But don’t sell yourself short. Everything you’ve learned is worthy of sharing.

When you allow yourself to find your familiar fascinating, you gain the power to help others find it fascinating, too.

3/19/2012

I have a lot of conversations with authors of all experience levels. I myself have used indie publishing to put two books in the market, and recently, after a number of interactions with a variety of authors, I realized there is a common fear we all have — and a common hope. We want people to like our books, which is actually a proxy for them liking us. 

Now, that may not sound like a revolutionary idea, but I decided it was worth writing about because I have never seen a post about the topic. Much is written about the economics and process of publishing, but what I have learned is becoming an author is an intensely personal and emotional experience. When you put a book in distribution, you are actually putting a bit of yourself out there for the world to see. I am not saying that is bad or good. I am just saying what we really hope for is that people will like our book and like us. When they do, it can be very gratifying. Readers may express their appreciation through an email or blog comment or at a book signing. Recently, I was thrilled to see that someone really liked my book Eli the Stable Boy when she wrote a customer review on Amazon. I have never met her, but here’s what she wrote:

A drummer boy story for today! What a charming and insightful book! This is the story that teaches our children that they, too, serve God, in their own way! Just as the Little Drummer Boy taught my generation that we all have gifts to give to God, Eli, the stable boy shows our children that they can have a real part in the story God is writing for them! The illustrations are charming, the story is engaging, and the lesson is well taught, and one that will be remembered for lifetimes. I recommend this story and book to anyone with children.

Her words were a reminder to me of a statement I have made previously, but which I think bears repeating. That is, when you publish a book, you have the opportunity to impact the lives of people you have never met, and even if it is just 10 or 20 people, it is worth the effort. So don’t let that manuscript sit in your drawer. Get it published and into the hands of readers. Not all of them will like it, but you may find a number of people greatly appreciate your work, and that is one of the best things about becoming a published author.

Read more from Keith Ogorek at The Indie Book Writers Blog.

Get involved: Get involved. For authors, as with any profession, the need for networking and industry involvement is essential to work toward the ultimate goal — a successful book. Consider joining organizations, attending conferences and critique groups. Active participation places you in the company of other writers, building a support group, while enhancing your enthusiasm and writing confidence. Developing an industry network will help to get your name and story known within your market while forming professional relationships along the way. Embrace your journey, learning all you can, and remember that everyone can use a little help from their friends.

Writing Prompt

Community: In the spirit of industry networking and involvement in the writing community, let’s get to know you as an author, and as an individual. Introduce yourself as you would to a new group of writers and explain the nature of your craft. Where have you been? And how does that effect where you are and where you want to go? Write this for yourself so that you may disclose the beautiful truth and maybe even uncover something new.

3/14/2012

As a traditional book publisher, we obtain the majority of the titles we publish from the agents with whom we work with on a regular basis. Agents perform a valuable service as the initial filter in determining which titles have the quality and market viability required. They also help authors create proposals that clarify why publishers should consider specific titles. Book proposals provide detailed information about the book, the market for the book, and the author, and they help publishers sort through thousands of candidates to get to the few that move on to the next step in the process.
 
While most titles come to publishers via agents, there continue to be a number of bestselling titles that did not come through the normal process, and so we also seek out candidate titles through non-traditional channels. With the success of The Shack and other self-published titles, we realized that new technologies make it possible for quality books to take a different path to being published. We launched WestBow Press in 2009 to help aspiring authors fulfill their dreams of publishing their books and to have the opportunity to spot successful self-published titles sooner and acquire some of them.
 
We consider WestBow Press to be our "farm club" (to use a baseball analogy), and we look at several factors when considering which titles to call up to the Nelson imprint. We monitor sales of all WestBow Press titles and combine that data with other information, including Amazon rank and reviews, Twitter and Facebook reputation (Klout score), and author platform and commitment (speaking, marketing, etc.). Once a title seems to warrant consideration, the primary determinative factors are the quality of the book and the level of projected sales.
 
All titles that are being considered for acquisition are discussed in a series of meetings to winnow the list down to the strongest candidates. In the Editorial Board meeting which usually consists of the Publisher, Acquisition Editors, other editors, and marketing team members, the goal is to determine which titles are the best ones to take to the Publishing Board (or Pub Board) meeting to present to the Sales team for their feedback and sales projections. Factors that are considered include the quality of the writing, the author’s character and platform, the timeliness of the topic, whether the publisher has been looking for a title on the topic, how the title fits into the publisher’s line, what makes the title different from competitive products, and how big the market is for the title.
 
In the Pub Board meeting, the focus shifts to establishing the level of sales that could be expected during the first year after the title releases. The same factors come into play with heavier emphasis on competitive products, the author’s platform, and the preliminary marketing plan. The sales projections are used to run proforma P&Ls, which are financial statements used to determine how profitable each title is expected to be. The authors (or agents) of the titles that show the most promise are then approached with initial offers in hopes of negotiating agreements.

3/12/2012

You’ve heard the scenario. You’re in an elevator with a potential reader and have only 30 seconds to describe your book. How do you describe your book in only one or two sentences? For authors, having a go-to elevator pitch isn’t only helpful for describing your book in passing. It can act as a mission statement of sorts for the rest of your writing, editing and marketing.

What makes a good elevator pitch:
The perfect elevator pitch is short, intriguing, and unique. It doesn’t give the end of the book away, but it leaves the listener eager to know more. When someone asks you what your book is about, don’t answer “It’s a love story.” Don’t answer, “It’s a tragedy about the death of Romeo and Juliette who were in love despite the fact that they were from families that don’t like each other.” Answer “It’s a love story between a boy and girl who were born to be enemies.” 

Here are some reasons why having a well-prepared elevator pitch will benefit you beyond the elevator:

If you haven’t finished writing the book, knowing the elevator pitch will keep you from getting off track. If you’re still in the editing phase, the elevator pitch will help you cut out the unnecessary parts.

 

Marketing is all about communicating one’s competitive advantage. It’s what makes your book better than the others on bookstore shelf. It should be at the heart of your mission statement. Once you have it written down, you have the basis for your marketing communication.

It doesn’t only help you create your marketing plan, but it helps you stay focused while you’re executing it. It’s easy to be distracted while promoting your book. The great thing about the elevator pitch is that it takes your story down to the bare bone. As your story’s author, you have so much on your mind: plots, sub-plots, characters, settings and themes.

It can be hard to think about your book from an outsider’s point of view. The elevator pitch helps you see your book as your potential reader does. Once you can do that, you’re ready to market to them.

Check out Michael Hyatt’s blog for more tips on creating an elevator pitch.

Free with Signature: Promotion of your author status and your book title is essential for building awareness and establishing a line-up of readers. Invest in promotional materials that you can give away, such as bookmarks, postcards, t-shirts, badges, pens and coasters — and add your author signature. Sign each item, displaying your investment and increasing the value to your readers. Sign, sign and sign your name to everything given to potential readers and set the framework toward becoming a household name.

Writing Prompt

Randomness: Recall the collage art we all used to make during childhood. Flipping through magazines and tearing out words, pictures and symbols of various shapes, colors and sizes. With glue, we would randomly yet strategically place each torn piece onto our paper — each torn piece that for some reason called to us as if depicting our own personalities. Make a collage today. Breathe in the simplicity of its meaning and enjoy in the elementary of its nature. And now analyze your choices, placement and artwork as a whole. It tells a story. Write about what you see.

3/7/2012 

The one question I hear daily is, “Why is it so hard to get my book into a national bookstore chain or local independent retailer?”

When I started at Macmillan publishing as a sales assistant in 1992, bookstores were really the only place to sell a book. Barnes & Noble and Borders were the two biggest players in town and every author and publisher wanted shelf space. Books-A-Million, Hastings and a handful of larger independents rounded out what we considered “national accounts.”  Independent accounts were a significant part of the retail landscape in the late 80’s and early 90’s with online retail only a rumor for the future. 

The game changer happened with Jeff Bezos and Amazon in 1995. While most brick and mortar stores carried about 200 thousand books at that time, the online concept was limitless. This single handedly changed the landscape of retail book sales by under cutting brick and mortar pricing and guaranteeing not only the NYT best seller list, but also obsolete titles that retail had long since returned to the publisher. 

Today, bookstores aren’t just for books.  The mid 90’s brought coffee cafes in most bookstores, gifts at the front of the store and music in the back.  With these additions, the space to actually sell books continues to shrink as retailers dream up new ways to lure customers into their stores. Amazon continues to impact bookstores with one million Kindle devices sold per week in December 2011 and “millions” purchasing a book from an e-reader rather than from their local bookstores.

If the traditional retail bookstore is a part of your overall bookselling plan, make sure you follow their rules of engagement:

PROCEDURE
Follow the retailer’s guideline for submission, which is typically listed on their website.  This will put you in better favor with that retailer when they are considering your book for placement.

PATIENCE

Be patient with a retailer as they receive thousands of single submission and publisher submissions a day. Calling the buying office to inquire about the status of your title every other day will not earn you points with the buying staff.

FACE-TO-FACE

If you choose to go directly into a retail store, be kind and considerate to those individuals working in that store. If you are lucky enough to get in front of a store manager, make sure you have your elevator pitch ready and position yourself as not only an author, but also as a valued customer of that particular store. 

BACK UP PLAN

Before you even publish a book, make sure you have a back up plan for book sales if retailers choose not carry your title. Just because your book isn’t on the shelf in your local Family Christian Store does not mean your book is poorly constructed or your message isn’t relevant. With a million books published a year, there are a lot of forces working against you. Not making it to the shelf is actually the rule, not the exception.  Make sure you have other book sales options in mind and make that part of your overall bookselling strategy from the start.

While getting your book into your favorite national chain or independent bookstore isn’t impossible, consider the obstacles you might encounter along the way.  Be creative and keep in mind non-traditional retailers, check out local events that are appropriate for your participation and remember to lead with social media in your marketing plan and sales strategy.

3/5/2012

In my last post I asked “what are you willing to give up so you can be the leader God intended you to be?” Think about the disciples for a minute. When Jesus asked them to come they didn’t say “hang on, I’ve got to do this or that” - they just went. They recognized who was in control and who had authority over their lives.

Over the last six months a small band of brothers that I meet with regularly has been looking at the Sermon on the Mount. One of the things we identified is that Jesus’ sermon ended by him doing miracles. These miracles show that Jesus’ authority does not only pertain to nature and physical matters, but also to our hearts.

If I’m honest with myself I know that the heart is deceitful above all things. I’m not naturally inclined to seek God. The truth is I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it. The only way to overcome this natural tendency is through the work of the Holy Spirit. In essence, I have to come to terms with the fact that I am under God’s authority. This, my friends, is a constant battle. It’s not a “one and done” type of thing. It requires the armor of God.

As the Holy Spirit works in our hearts we come to recognize that we are under God’s authority and that He has our best interest in mind. For many of us He puts us in positions of authority and says “to whom much is given much is expected.” The reality is we are not in authority for ourselves. But we are in authority to bless and serve others.

There are at least three essential elements to living out servant leadership in the workplace: 

1.) I have to believe that I am under God’s authority and that He has my best interest in mind.

2.) If I believe God has my best interest in mind, then I should order myself under the authority of those He has put me under and pray for them regularly.

3.) If I am in a position of authority, I must recognize that I am not in that position for myself, but to serve others.

Ephesians 5:25 provides great insight here where men are called to love as Christ loved the church. What did Christ do for his church? He died so that we might have life. So, friends, the question remains what do you have to give up to be the leader that God wants you to be? Remember, we cannot serve both God and Mammon; we will love one and hate the other. Take heart, you don’t have to do this on your own for our Lord has promised us a Helper.

On Fridays, we like to share writing tips and tricks with our readers. We hope this section will encourage and inspire you to continually improve as a writer.

Writing Prompt

Nonfiction: Remember something you’ve done in your life that brought you a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment. It can be anything — from reading your child a bedtime story every night to a major success in your career. Write about that activity, and explore what makes it so meaningful to you. Think about what drove you to that action in the first place. Consider what influence it had (big or small) on your own life or in the lives of others. What’s the most important thing you could tell others about your experience?

Writing Tip

First Drafts: As you begin work on a book, it’s easy to get wrapped up in small details. You want your writing to be great, so you spend a lot of time and energy editing words and sentences as you go. While there’s nothing wrong with your high standards, this can be a slow, tiring way to write. Instead, give this a try: write a true first draft (filled with typos and ramblings and poorly written passages), and feel good about the accomplishment. Try to write without reservations, and see where you end up. When you’re done, you’ll have a better idea of your book as a whole. It will be easier to make big changes that will strengthen your ultimate message. Then you can put your detail-oriented perfectionism to work on the content you know is there to stay.  

2/29/2012

It’s just my opinion, but Grace is hard. Well, it is if you’re not doing it right, and most people don’t do it right. Some start off okay but then they fall into the false belief that it is their job to be the “Gatekeeper” of God’s grace. They live a very normal life, and when someone offends them they want to curse them out or go gossip about them and often they do, but then they remember they shouldn’t because of that Forgiveness and Grace “thing” that comes with being a Christian. We then jump into the proverbial Christian phone booth and put on our Grace cape and come out with a fake smile and say something like, “I am praying for you”…or…”Even though I was hurt and offended I am extending Grace to you because I am a Christian.”  We make the other person feel like we have just done them a huge favor. That is not Grace.

One of my favorite expressions regarding Grace is, “I showed them Grace even though they were wrong.”  First of all, I have uttered words to that effect many times until I realized I was treating Grace like a pet that I would bring out to show at a party. It also dawned on me that if I had to bring it out and show it like a parlor trick then it meant most of the time it couldn’t be seen. I was hiding it most of the time. It would only be necessary to bring Grace out when someone offended ME. 

We treat Grace like it is ours to control and dole out to those who are lucky enough to get it. I could easily be the world’s richest man if Grace was a commodity and traded on the NYSE. I need it from everyone, including God, and I give it out sparingly. I was a hoarder of Grace when I didn’t understand it. When you realize that you have been using Grace to manipulate and control and make YOURSELF feel good you are on dangerous ground. When it hits you square in the heart that you have treated forgiveness as a weapon to make people feel bad then it’s time to re-think what your Christian life has become. 

When the modern church is full of people who are so easily offended that they have to keep checking their supply of Grace like their cell phone minutes then, well, “Houston we have a problem.” Actually, we just may have a wrong definition of Grace. 

You don’t give Grace. You live Grace. Think about it.

2/27/2012
 

In my professional life, I have recently been criticized for "deferring" to my immediate supervisor for approval and guidance rather than taking an immediate stance regarding certain decisions that are critical to the overall health and wellness of the brand I manage. The accusation surprised and caught me off guard because I have also been charged with not having a filter and talking before thinking.

So while pondering this particular critique, I reached out to a fellow colleague and asked if he agreed with this particular assessment. He carefully thought about the question and agreed that in certain instances, I often times will defer to the "popular vote" for fear of being exposed as having the "wrong" answer. My heart sank, and I immediately started the self-deprecating mind speak I have become accustomed to throughout my life.

Seth Godin, best-selling author and marketing guru, has become a part of my morning ritual as I dive into his blog to retrieve pieces of practical, usable advice. To my delight, Seth Godin has recently provided two days of invaluable encouragement as I am thrown head first into a new position that demands quick and decisive response to my team.

I wanted to share both of these gems which are noted below:  

The Privilege of Being Wrong by Seth Godin

When you are truly living on the edge, walking on the moon, perhaps, or caught in the grip of extreme poverty—there's no room at all for error. It's a luxury you can't afford.

For the rest of us, though, there's a cushion. Being wrong isn't fatal; it's merely something we'd prefer to avoid. We have the privilege of being wrong. Not being wrong on purpose, of course, but wrong as a cost on the way to being right.

As you gain resources, the act of being wrong goes from being fatal to annoying to a precious opportunity, something that you've earned. You won't advance your cause or discover new truths if you're obsessed with being right all the time—and so the best way to compound your advantage and accomplish even more than you already have is to set out (with relish) to be as open to wrong as often as you can afford to be.

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the LORD your God will go with you wherever you go. 

And to those self-deprecating voices that try to tear me down every single day:

Just Imagine How Much You'd Get Done by Seth Godin

. . . if you stopped actively sabotaging your own work.

We must be talented, powerful and resilient creatures indeed given how much we manage to produce despite the constant undercutting, ridicule and needless censorship we aim at ourselves.

Psalm 139: I am amazing! I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

My precious friends, be strong and courageous. Know that God makes no mistakes and that you are perfectly created.

Writing Prompt

Within each of us is that special place. A place we look to for comfort, for happiness, for warmth. It is a collaboration of sight, sound and feeling, that even when simply thought of, you are able to relive this place with its sensations centered in your being. It may be the sound of the ocean and the waves curling over your toes, sand beneath your feet. Or the heat from your grandmother’s oven with the smell of her home-baked pies strategically placed on the checkered tablecloth. Think of this place – this feeling – and dig deeper. Find the meaning behind its importance. Write about each ordinary detail that makes up your special place.

Writing Tip: Perspective

Walk around the block or hike a new trail. Absorb your surroundings. Stop, turn around and look back, observing where you have just been. This change of perspective offers a surprisingly different view. Pay attention to the details you failed to see when walking forward and how those details alter the scenario. It is this backward or alternate perspective that will help to open up your story while discovering uniqueness from another view.

In any creative endeavor (and in life, for that matter) there is nothing more disappointing then having someone look at something you’ve poured your heart and soul into only to have them respond,  “…yeah, it’s okay.”   I’d almost rather have an audience respond with passionate loathing than to have them consider something we’ve created as “okay” or “fine.”   When setting out to create a video to help market your book, what steps can you take to give yourself the best opportunity of delivering something great as opposed to something that’s simply average?

1. SOLID STORYTELLING:  If your story isn’t told in a clear and compelling way, and your audience walks away from your video confused as to what your book is about, you’re on the fast track to “average.”  Even if you have Spielberg behind the camera, if you’re story isn’t focused, the video will most likely not be successful.  If your story isn’t clear on the page, it’s not going to be clear on the screen.

2. QUALTIY CINEMATOGRAPHY AND EDITING:  Video is a visual medium, so you obviously want your video to look as captivating as it possibly can.  Even on a limited budget, there are ways to make your video jump off the screen if you have a talented and resourceful creative team behind it.  Do your research and make sure you have an experienced team of professionals working for you.

3. CLEAR TONE AND MESSAGE:  Know what you want your audience to feel when watching your video and be clear about the message you want to convey.  Is your book a suspense mystery?  Then make sure your video creates the necessary tension and suspense your book deserves.  Have you written a romantic comedy?   Then make sure your video feels more like When Harry Met Sally as opposed to Jaws.  You also need to understand what demographic your book might appeal to and make sure you’re delivering a message that speaks directly to that target.

4. ORIGINALITY:  Make sure there is something about your video that sets it apart from the crowd.  Aim to create that “wow” moment somewhere in your video where the audience is forced to rewind and watch it again because they’ve never seen anything like it before.  Keep in mind that originality is not synonymous with big budget.  With the right creative team behind your video, you can pull off that “wow” moment without breaking the bank.  Some of the most original and creative movies to come out of Hollywood in recent years have been lower budget indies.  Push your own level of creative thinking and encourage everyone working on your video to do the same.

Writing Prompt

Describe the characteristics and qualities of your surroundings right now. What gives it life? Who is there and how do they contribute to the overall mood? Look for things that usually go unnoticed and how they add to this motif.

Writing Tip

Avoid wordiness. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. Use only what is needed to relay your meaning.

While visiting with my sister and brother-in-law over the holiday, I tripped on a book called, Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done In Less Time by Brian Tracy.  I hate to admit it but some of my favorite and most memorable marketing and self help book finds have been discovered in their “library” located in the downstairs guest bathroom.  Eat That Frog! is one of those fun bathroom reads that have inspired me to get organized and stay focused in 2012.   So what does, Eat That Frog!, mean and how does it relate to what you want to accomplish?  Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.  Your “frog” is the biggest and most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t plan for and tackle first.   For me personally, I am a list maker and I get a thrill out marking items off my list that I’ve completed in a day.  But I am a huge offender of taking out the easy tasks first and often find that at the end of day, the hardest, most time consuming and important tasks are left to roll over until the next day which means I am facing those same “frogs” the next morning.

According to Eat That Frog!, the key to reaching high levels of performance and productivity is to develop a habit of tackling your major task at the start of your day.  You must develop a routine of “eating your frog” at the start of each day or face the reality of never getting those high level tasks moved over to your “complete” column. Here are a handful of suggestions when tackling your “frog”:

• Torn between two frogs?  If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest frog first

• Take action immediately.  If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn’t pay to sit and look at it very long

• Think on paper.  Only three percent of adults have clear, written goals.  These people accomplish five to ten times as much as people of equal or better education that have no written goals

• Learn to say, “no.”  Say “no” to anything that is not a high-value use of your time

• Technological time sinks.  Technology can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  As a society, we feel compelled to communicate incessantly via email (work/personal), text, blogs, Twitter and the mother-of-all time sinks, Facebook.  Technology should act as your “servant,” not your “master.”
  

Anyone who has ever been a social media skeptic—particularly in relation to book marketing products and building brand awareness—is now painfully aware of the powerful impact that an online presence can have. Through social media, users are finding jobs, products are finding fans and media members are even finding stories (a national survey conducted ein 2010 by Cision found that an “overwhelming majority of reporters and editors now depend on social media sources when researching their stories”).   In all of the aforementioned cases, networkers have gained interest, trust and loyalty through social media—which is no easy feat.  A rookie mistake is to just set up social media sites and desperately hope on a wing and a prayer it will take off on its own.  Another mistake is to send into cyberspace repetitive and impersonal posts that boast “Check out Billy Bob’s (insert product here) –It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!”

Imagine yourself as a consumer:  Would you take an interest in this person or product?  In order to generate interest, you must put effort and work into the relationship-building aspect of social media beyond simply “hawking wares.”

The Enlightened Consumer

In part due to social media and the age of instant communication and information sharing, businesses are quickly adopting an even stronger customer-centric approach in order to be recognized among all the noise and build a fan base. Consumers today have the power to spread support for or veto products instantaneously; therefore, it’s more common now for the consumer’s interests to be represented and feedback listened to.

After all, if every consumer’s opinion is broadcasted to a forum of millions of potential readers, wouldn’t you want comments to be positive rather than negative?

Converting Visitors to Followers

Let’s assume you have a finished product and you’re ready to promote it online. Your Twitter page, Facebook Fanpage, official blog, and other sites have been set up, but now what? Before you dive into social media, consider things from the average consumer’s vantage:

“And WHY should I care?”  Your focus is on your product, but resist the urge to post about it only. Give visitors a reason to be interested beyond your own product, and you’ll reach a wider audience and earn followers. Keep posts personal and varied—more people will become engaged if they know the sites aren’t maintained by a single-focused robot.

“You’ve got to give love to get love.”  As cliché as it may sound, you must give due attention to other products and related services to receive attention in return. If you’re an author, support other authors when possible. When interacting with potential followers, take an interest in and comment on what they are reading, writing or involved with.

What Can I Get Out of This?  Providing posts of value to consumers is a must. Make it a priority to dispense valuable tips, previews, photos and thought-provoking questions as often as possible. Research and share interesting statistics, articles or videos related to your genre, and make sure to supply interactive options like email subscriptions and applications.

By taking the consumer into consideration, you’re more likely to build relationships that yield positive results (a win-win situation). As a consumer, what would you like to see done more often with social media?

Writing Tip: Study Your Genre

Attention Writers…Read, Read, and Read. As with any trade, the more you explore the more knowledgeable you become. Be specific to your genre.  If you are a mystery writer, read mystery books. A children’s writer – read children’s books. Understand the story layout and observe creative elements. Studying your market will help to define the range of story lines and help to create an edge to your work. Stay ahead of the moving industry and build your knowledge of your particular consumer base.

Writing Prompt

Stories are derived from visual inspiration captured in moments of everyday life. Whether you are sitting on a park bench observing your surroundings or viewing a photograph, the collected image imprints a feeling. Why are we touched by a glimpse? Perhaps it is the simple perfection of a moment or a true slice of life. Take a moment to observe … appreciate. The smallest of gestures may hold the most meaning or character. Utilize what is seen every day, and give it a new perspective. It may be the heart of your story.

“History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”  – B.C. Forbes    It’s not easy. And it’s not always fun. Passionately pursuing your dream is tough work. At every turn there is something (a looming mortgage, your eye-rolling friend, that critical voice in your head) telling you that you should be doing something else, something more practical, something more responsible. Don’t let the stories of so-called overnight success fool you, this is hard stuff. To keep going, you will have to dive into reservoirs of faith and determination that you never knew existed.   But here’s the thing—the reservoirs exists. So in the moment when you want to throw in the towel, look back at how much ground you’ve already covered. Go grab your self-published book and hold it in your hands and know that the distance to the finish line is much shorter than the distance to go back to where you started.   Take too this encouragement—you’re not alone.

Here are just a few of the warriors who, like you, took their destiny into their own hands:

Anaïs Nin – After being turned down by traditional publishers, Anaïs decided to publish herself. Starting her own press (Gemor Press), Anaïs published her own writings. She became famous for her published diaries, which spanned more than 60 years. Her writings continue to be celebrated.

William Strunk, Jr. – Professor William Strunk, Jr., self-published The Elements of Style in 1919, distributing the “little book” to his students. The Elements of Style has now become an authority in English writing guidelines. Millions of copies have been sold and there are over six editions in print.

Robert T. Kiyosaki – Author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the bestseller that remained on the New York Times bestsellers list for over six years. The book caught the attention of a major publisher and was later republished, along with Robert’s many spin-off titles. He has been featured on Larry King Live, Oprah and CNN.

Can you think of other self-publishing success stories? Comment and share.

Writing Tip

Carry an "inspiration notebook." Fuel your creativity by recording snippets of overheard conversations, quotes of important or ordinary people, song lyrics or captured moments of daily events. Paste a picture that moved you or tells of a reminiscent time. Continue the habit of writing by hand and write often. Remember that writers are collectors, and these keepsakes are the simplest means of intensifying your craft. They cultivate awareness and imagination and encourage artistic thinking. These notes will open your inner resources of a world that is complex and absolutely delightful.

Writing Prompt

Timeline: When developing a storyline, it is common to create notes or timeline that your story will follow. Take a look at a timeline you recently worked on, or if you don't have one, consider your own life's history. What are the defining moments and the turning points? Look at each story element and approach it individually. Now, try moving a key event earlier or later in the timeline. How does it change the story? How does it affect the character(s)? Write a short piece that reflects the changes in your characters and story.

As an author you have many choices on how to market your book, but like many of us your time is limited and unfortunately you don’t have an unlimited supply of cash.  So the question becomes, how can you make the highest and best use of your limited resources (time and money) to develop a relationship with your readers?   Welcome, to the world of blogging.  A blog provides an outlet where you can engage your readers, share your opinions, expertise and even excerpts from your book.   It is one element of social media outreach that can put you on a path to achieving 1000 True Fans. Imagine 1000 people following you, your ideas and your work, not a bad way to make a living.   So, for someone who is just starting out, what are the key components to producing a blog that people will tell their friends and acquaintances about?

• Be consistent – set up an editorial calendar and follow it (at least one post every other week is a good start)

• Identify what you are an expert in or where you have a particular point of view and write about it

• Link to other thought leaders in the industry, who share your interests

• Don’t give up, it takes time to build an audience

This is by no means intended to be a comprehensive list, but a good starting point.  There are several tools you can use set up your blog and as Seth Godin, best selling author, points out in his blog, the best way to learn blogging is to do it.

My boss recently gave me a book about brainstorming called, “Jump Start Your Brain” by Doug Hall.  I flipped through it a little bit, but one chapter called “Borrowing Brilliance” stopped me in my tracks. I thought about all the times I’d people-watched while walking in the mall, getting fashion advice from magazines, listened to other people brainstorm, watched them while they work, and the ever-present question, “What would you do?”   After reading Jump Start Your Brain I quickly realized, I’ve always borrowed brilliance. I have always looked to those wiser, older, and more knowledgeable than I to gain information and principles that I could use as well.

This book offered a “David & Goliath” example in which you can learn something by “looking at other David’s who have done battle and won” to learn how to succeed yourself.  Very similar to learning from other people’s mistakes I’d say.  But, that’s precisely how I’ve lived my life. I’ve learned from other people’s actions, fashion, writing, and even communication skills.

Authors come to me often and ask what they should write about on their blog, and while the answer varies from author to author, it’s always the same.  “Take a look at this blog, this blog, and this blog.” I tell them that often reading a blog will give them inspiration on how to write one. It’s how I’ve always led my writing, especially for blog topics. Borrowing ideas and “brilliance” from other people seems to fuel the fire the best, and I say why not use the kindling?

As an author and marketer, take heed from your favorite writers, mentors, and friends. Every second is a learning experience, and life always has something to teach.

Many of the new authors I work with seem to be focused on gaining national news coverage right out of the gate. And, while Oprah would surely be tickled to receive your book (among thousands of others she receives every year), the truth is that most unknown or otherwise un-established authors are often neglected by big-name media outlets. This is becoming even more prevalent due to newspapers closing or shrinking their book review sections (such as the Washington Post in January 2009).   I’m sensing your next logical question: “But how do I become an ‘established’ author?” Lasting credibility and national recognition takes time, effort and hard work. I’ll use a reference from one of my favorite clients, Charles Asher of Simon’s Crossing, and say that it’s akin to fanning a flame into a “small, spreading fire.”

Authors:  Never overlook the benefits of local media coverage. Small-town and community-oriented media outlets are likely to be interested in an author from the area they cover, so your locale automatically adds “newsworthy” appeal. By approaching and networking with local publications, you’re one step closer to reaching a local audience and building a fan base (you want a following at local events, right?).   And, once you score a review or interview, you have that news clip in your portfolio to tout to even bigger outlets.

A little-known fact is that large publications are always scouting for story ideas, and they just might be looking in your local paper. I’ve seen stories in smaller newspapers get picked up by national outlets on more than one occasion. You may have heard the common phrase “media breeds media”—and it’s true! Every opportunity to become noticed is worth pursuing.

So, what are the first steps to get recognized by local outlets and increase credibility? Here are some:

• Approach a local or independent bookstore or a library about a book signing or author event. You become even more newsworthy to local media if you show that you are involved in the community.

• Research! Get to know what media covers your local area. This means looking into more than the well-known traditional outlets; look into websites, blogs and community forums. Follow what they are covering, and connect with the outlet and readers through comments.

• Make sure to attend local events, in addition to your own. Take this chance to network with local personalities and promote your book.

 For those of you that have tried grassroots promotion, what’s worked for you and what hasn’t?

in•spire  verb \in-ˈspī(-ə)r\:  to influence, move, motivate or guide   At the beginning of my professional career at Macmillan Publishing, I remember being the youngest person on our sales team and I was proud of that fact.  I always felt lucky to be in the right place at the right time and to work for managers that valued my opinion and encouraged my development as an account manager and sales professional.   I look around our offices today and realize I have suddenly become one of the oldest people on our team and often wonder to myself, “….how did that happen?”  Some of my colleagues are honestly old enough to be one of my kids and a year ago, that really bothered me.   Twitter, Facebook, Hootsuite, LinkedIn, WordPress, Flickr, Yahoo IM, YouTube. I had a vague knowledge of social media and could talk my way through a meeting but the reality was, I was being left behind.  As a marketing manager, I was diminishing my value proposition to my employer as an effective part of our marketing team because I was feeling uninspired to know and use the tools that are essential to our industry today.

Once I got past the fact that I had aged much quicker than I had realized, much of my inspiration, energy, education and enthusiasm in 2011 came from the wide-eyed, untarnished and courageous ideas of our young creative team I work with on a daily basis.

While I have taken the position of the “industry veteran” (old-bat) on our team, my young colleagues have taught me a whole new way of communication with social media.  I have been inspired to keep up, stay fresh and educate myself about trends and technology that are essential to the success of my job.

On a personal level, the sound of my kids laughing, a grin from my sweet husband and my faith in Jesus Christ are what get me out of bed in the morning.  I get so wrapped up in my Blackberry, work, kid schedules, etc that I forget about the things that inspire and mean the most.  So often my life is driven off the rails by things that are so inconsequential and meaningless and I don't even know it's happening until my 10-year-old reminds me to stop looking at my phone and look at him, "....look at me Mom, look at me....." Heartbreak!

So what inspires you day-to-day?  What makes your clock tick? What gets you out of bed in the morning? What inspires you to step out on the edge and take risks to have the life you really want?

A colleague once said to me, “as you move up the ladder the more you have to ask for help and the more rights you lose.” In a culture where independence, the self-made man and entitlement are put on a pedestal this advice seems paradoxical.  Didn’t Jesus life illustrate a paradox, the idea that to die is to live? As leaders we bring a lot to the office.  We bring our dreams our hopes, our thoughts about how things should be done.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we know that we can quickly let our selfish ambitions cloud our judgment and create an atmosphere that is all about personal gain, looking only to self interest without regard for the interest of others.   As a society, this may be exactly where we have failed ourselves and caused our economy to be in turmoil. Servant leadership requires that we look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of those around us: customers, colleagues and even our bosses.  If we’re truly followers of Christ this requires us to believe that He has our best interest in mind.  Believing this, we then have to realize that part of our duty is to align ourselves under the authority of the leadership we serve and ensure that we’re leading those who report to us in a worthy manner.

God has given us strategic minds and wants us to use our talents to bear fruit for our organizations.  We will never be perfect, but we can pursue excellence.  So practically what does this look like?  It might begin with a simple prayer in the morning on the way to the office that your heart be open to the needs of your colleagues.  Instead of asking, “What’s in it for me?” Ask, “how can I help those who report to me accomplish their goals and aspirations?”

It’s not that I have fully attained servant leadership, but I do know that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Sometimes dying to ourselves is the start of an adventure and blessing that we would have missed out on completely if we just stayed in control.  The question for you is what are you willing to give up so you can be the leader God intended you to be? If you find yourself struggling with this question you just might be starting an amazing journey.