r o h t u A
Publisher’s Corner Hello Authors! A New Year is here bringing many changes. More and more, the expenses of publishing a book are cutting into the profits of authors. Everyone wants their piece of your intellectual property pie. Juliet Clark is a six- time author, speaker and podcaster who has spent the last twenty years helping authors, coaches, speakers, and small businesses all over the world build expert audiences. She started out as a mystery novelist and is best known or her books Gypsy, Granny Heist, and Dead by Dawn, and Pitchslapped. At age 46, she received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is an avid hiker and golfer.
Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. ~The Hausa of Nigeria
This year, Breakthrough Author Magazine is focusing on strategies that empower you to ditch the middlemen and keep more money in your pocket. With that goal in mind, we are welcoming new contributors who will share strategies to bypass the distributor fees. Amonda Rose Igoe helps authors make more money selling books through speaking. Sheila Kennedy teaches authors the value and necessity of storytelling. Ally Berthiuame shares ghostwriting and book development tips. Every book is a business and business strategist Aleya Harris will be sharing winning business and brand strategies. This year, we have also added two new contributors to help authors grow their businesses and keep their health in integrity. Karie Cassell is a dietician who specializes in helping entrepreneurs stay physically healthy. Owning a business is stressful and staying physically and mentally healthy keeps your business in good shape too. Jackie Nagle, the founder of Synnovatia, is a business coach with a track record of helping business owners get through the growing pains of reaching seven-figure plus revenues. Jackie’s advice will be especially helpful for those who want to continue to grow revenue in tough economic times. We hope that 2024 will be your best year ever! Juliet Clark
Two Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Write a Single Word Another new year is here and you’ve told yourself (again?) that this year is going to be the year you’ll finally write that book on your bucket list. Do yourself a favor. Before you write a single word ask yourself these two questions:
on the length of the work, how to position it in the marketplace, what areas of your expertise to focus on, etc.
1. What’s in it for me? 2. What’s in it for them (your readers)? them wondering what exactly they should be focusing on.
J
ust sitting down to write and winging it isn’t much of a winning strategy, not even when you know the material blindfolded, walking backwards, in a place you’ve never been. Let’s say for instance, you intend to write a nonfiction book focused on your decades of experience in your field. Having mountains of knowledge at your fingertips doesn’t mean it’ll all just flow out of you. Often I find that clients can get so overwhelmed by all they can say, that they spend more time staring at the blank page than filling it. On the opposite end of the spectrum are those who fill the pages to the brim with every bit of their knowledge. This isn’t a winning strategy either, at least not if the manuscript remains in its overstuffed all-you-can-eat-buffet condition. Too much information can overwhelm your reader and may have
Asking yourself “What’s in it for me?” and “What’s in it for them?” are good precursory questions to help any author with clarity and focus before sitting down to write. No matter if this is your first book or tenth, you want to know the answer to these two questions with each book. “What’s in it for me?” is your time to consider what you want your book to do for you in the long run. What objective or goal do you have for this work? Is it to highlight your expertise? Spread a method or formula to a larger audience? Generate another revenue stream? Open doors to particular speaking outlets? Knowing what you want your book to help you achieve can offer insight into how you approach the work. The answer to this main question may help you decide
“What’s in it for them?” is looking at your book with the reader in mind. What’s the content of your book aiming to deliver to your audience? What promise are you making? What transformation or result will your reader receive in having spent time with your book? What makes them pick up your book over the dozens of others they can choose from on a similar topic? Identifying what your book provides to your reader helps you zero-in on what material to include and what to leave out. It serves as a filter or litmus test for deciding what you’ll include. When you know the results you want your reader to receive, you know what content belongs in your book and what might be considered fluff or fat that likely doesn’t need to be there or will end up being cut out altogether. So before you put pen to paper to finally write your first (or next) book, take another moment to pause, reflect, and determine what you want your book to do for you and what you want it to do for your reader. You’ll thank yourself (or me) later.
Alyssa Berthiaume (usually known as Ally, but published under A.Y.) is the founder of The Write Place, Right Time, her virtual boutique of book coaching and ghostwriting services. Berthiaume serves leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries across North America and Europe in writing the books that will light up their world and ours. Berthiaume is also the award-winning author of Dear Universe, I Get it Now: Letters on the Art and Journey of Being Brave and Being Me and the co-author of Do Not Write a Book...Until You Read This one.
Author
3
The Power of Connection Using the ‘Meeting of the Mentor’ Moment to Grow Your Audience
I
n the realm of storytelling, few moments are as pivotal as the “meeting of the mentor” in the hero’s journey. Just as a wise sage appears to guide the protagonist on their transformative journey, authors have the unique opportunity to embody this mentor role for their audience, both inside their books and their marketing efforts. Crafting this moment with finesse can elevate the narrative and establish a profound connection with readers, fostering their growth and transformation and expanding the author’s audience of adoring fans.
4
Author
Understanding the Hero’s Journey The hero’s journey, as conceptualized by Joseph Campbell, outlines the universal narrative structure that resonates across cultures and time periods. It comprises stages like the call to adventure, the refusal of the call, the meeting of the mentor, and more. The journey mirrors the trials and triumphs of human existence, rendering it deeply relatable to readers from all walks of life. The meeting of the mentor moment is a pivotal stage where the hero (the audience) encounters a seasoned and knowledgeable guide (the author) who provides crucial advice, tools, encouragement, and assistance. The meeting of the mentor serves as a catalyst for the hero’s personal growth and development, enabling them to overcome obstacles and ultimately fulfill their quest. Offering tips on Instagram, creating binge-worthy how-to YouTube videos, or crafting blog short stories with relatable morals all help authors to step into the mentor role.
In the realm of storytelling, the “meeting of the mentor” serves as a beacon of guidance, illuminating the path for both the protagonist and the reader. Crafting Your Narrative as the Perfect Mentor To be the perfect mentor in a story is to embody qualities of empathy and authority. Authors must demonstrate that they understand and have the expertise and credentials to offer helpful insights readers can apply to their lives. The author should share their radically authentic story of transformation to build empathy and foster a deeper emotional connection. For example, one of the social media posts could show another angle of the core crisis that led the author to write their book and talk about what they learned learned that could help others having a similar experience.
Creating a Meaningful “Meeting of the Mentor” Moment The “meeting of the mentor” is a pivotal juncture that marks the beginning of the audience’s transformation. It is during this encounter that the hero’s worldview is challenged and they receive the wisdom necessary to embark on their journey with newfound purpose and determination. By discussing the problems the audience faces and the calls to action they could be refusing, the author can show
that they are the perfect guide with the keys to success.
Impact on Revenue, Audience Growth, and Visibility Crafting a compelling “meeting of the mentor” moment not only enriches the narrative but also has profound implications for authors and thought leaders. By fostering a deep connection with their audience, authors can cultivate a loyal following that eagerly anticipates their future works and actively engages with their content. This, in turn, can lead to increased book sales, speaking engagements, and opportunities for collaboration, ultimately amplifying their visibility and influence within their respective fields.
Aleya Harris, CPCE is the spark for your sparkTM. She is a powerhouse StoryBrand Certified Guide, BioEnergetic Business Consultant, empirebuilding CEO of The Evolution Collective Inc., host of the Radical Rebirth Retreat, LLC, host of the award-winning Flourishing Entrepreneur Podcast, and international award-winning speaker. She’s committed to helping entrepreneurs, executives, leadership teams, and thought leaders differentiate themselves through radically authentic strategy, coaching, and training. Media Kit with photos, etc: www.aleyaharris.com/media-kit
In the realm of storytelling, the “meeting of the mentor” serves as a beacon of guidance, illuminating the path for both the protagonist and the reader. By embracing this pivotal moment and infusing it with depth and authenticity, authors can create narratives in digital marketing that not only captivate but also inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of their audience. As authors embark on their own hero’s journey, may they recognize the power they hold to shape and enrich the lives of their readers, guiding them towards a brighter and more enlightened future.
Author
5
From Book to Stage
Captivating Your Audience Beyond the Written Words
Y
ou’ve poured your heart and soul into your work as an author. Every word, every story, every phrase is a testament to your dedication. But when it’s time to start speaking to groups and sharing your ideas, should your written words be read verbatim, or should they be delivered in a different way? The answer seemed clear when I posted a simple question on social media: “How would you feel if a SPEAKER read their ENTIRE presentation... and you were in the audience?”
6
Author
The responses were immediate and passionate: • • • • •
Waste of time. I could read it. It wouldn’t be as powerful. Bored and Disconnected! They are a reader and not a speaker. I’d feel for the speaker.
The overarching sentiment? Audiences crave connection, emotion, and spontaneity.
It’s alarming to realize that by simply reading a presentation, you risk losing 80% of your audience. This isn’t just a figure; it’s a testament to the need for genuine engagement that the audience deeply craves every time they listen to someone speaking. Right after my post on social media about speakers reading their presentations, I witnessed first-hand where one of the presenters read from her book for approximately 40 minutes. I watched how the audience quickly began to tune her out, and some even left the room to make calls and visit the restroom. When attendees choose to attend a presentation, they desire an experience, not just a recitation. They wish to be moved, inspired, and captivated. Reading a presentation can create a barrier, making it challenging to establish a deep connection with the audience.
Rather than reading your work, embody its meaning and essence. Understand the core message you wish to convey and practice delivering it conversationally.
you when they feel you are speaking directly to them rather than simply reading something. And if you feel like you need a little extra help, use “short” bullet points to jog your memory. This allows for a structured flow, feel more confident that you will remember the most important elements. And if you do forget something, trust that it wasn’t meant to be shared, and the audience doesn’t know you left it out.
AmondaRose Igoe provides Speaker Coaching and Training specializing in Authors, Coaches, Consultants and Service Based Businesses. She provides high-caliber group, and private coaching services focused on Mastering Your Message, Monetizing Your Talk & Masterfully Book Speaking Engagements. AmondaRose has over twenty years of experience as a master trainer, speaker and coach.
Of course, there are circumstances, like a nervous first-time speaker, where reading notes becomes a safety net. And that’s okay! Taking that first step is commendable. But as one progresses, it becomes evident that to truly impact, one must transcend the written word.
As authors, often connected very much to the written word, you will want to take steps to overcome the need to read all or a large portion of your presentation.
In conclusion, every time an author chooses to speak, they have a responsibility — not just to themselves, but to their audience. The decision on how to present is deeply personal, but always remember: it’s about creating a lasting impact and forging genuine connections.
Rather than reading your work, embody its meaning and essence. Understand the core message you wish to convey and practice delivering it conversationally. The audience will rave about
Whether you are a novice or seasoned speaker, your commitment to sharing your voice is admirable. Keep pushing boundaries and making a difference in your unique way!
Author
7
Cracking the YouTube Code:
Why Every Author Should Make Time for Video
I
n the whirlwind world of modern authorship, finding time for everything can be an unending battle. Between writing, editing, and promoting your work, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. One platform that often gets pushed to the back burner is YouTube, the unsung hero of author promotion. In this article, we’ll explore why YouTube should be at the foundation of your promotional strategy and
8
Author
how to make time for it while keeping things light. AuthorTube: A New Frontier AuthorTube, the niche community of writers on YouTube, has gained popularity over the years as authors have discovered the power of video content. But why should you consider adding YouTube to your busy author schedule? It’s simple: video engages your audience in a way that text alone cannot.
Lights, Camera, Action! Imagine sitting down in front of a camera and sharing your insights, advice, or snippets of your writing process with an eager online audience. YouTube allows you to connect with readers on a personal level, giving them a glimpse into your world and your creative process. It’s a way to humanize the author behind the books and build a dedicated fanbase.
The YouTube Paradox You might be thinking, “I don’t have time for YouTube. I’m too busy writing!” However, YouTube can be a time-saving paradox. By creating a presence on the platform, you can reach a wider audience and build your brand more efficiently. Videos are shareable and can reach new readers organically, making your marketing efforts more effective in the long run. Prioritizing YouTube in Your Schedule Now that we’ve convinced you of the benefits of YouTube for authors, let’s discuss how to make time for it. First, decide on a realistic schedule. Whether it’s a weekly video, a monthly vlog, or occasional live streams, consistency is key. Block out specific time slots for video creation and stick to them. Lights, Manuscript, Camera To keep things light, don’t stress about creating cinematic masterpieces. Your audience is more interested in your content than in Hollywoodlevel production. Use simple equipment and focus on delivering valuable and entertaining content. Consider creating short, informative videos about your writing process, book recommendations, or authorly advice. Let your audience have the opportunity to fall in love with you.
Scroll Less, Create More Time management is about priorities. To make time for YouTube, try to cut down on scrolling through social media or watching other people’s videos. Think of yourself as the content creator that others are seeking. Use those moments to brainstorm video ideas or even jot down a rough script for your next upload. You’d be surprised how those short bursts of productivity can add up. The YouTube Revolution YouTube is a transformative tool that can help authors connect with their audience in new and exciting ways. By making time for YouTube, you can propel your writing career to new heights. So, get ready to hit record, share your passion, and unlock the full potential of YouTube for your author brand. Conclusion YouTube is more than just a video-sharing platform; it’s the foundation for author promotion. Don’t let time constraints hold you back from exploring the incredible possibilities of AuthorTube. With a lighthearted approach, you can engage your readers, save time, and build a strong author brand through YouTube. Embrace your phone/camera and the messages you want to convey and watch your author career soar to new heights.
YouTube is more than just a video-sharing platform; it’s the foundation for author promotion. Don’t let time constraints hold you back from exploring the incredible possibilities of AuthorTube.
Fran Asaro is the founder of The Senior Tuber Community where she mentors YouTube Creators on optimizing and monetizing their YouTube Channel Schedule time with Fran to get your questions answered. SeniorTuber.com YouTube Channel
Author
9
The Potential Benefits of Blogging for Authors
B
logging can offer many advantages for writers looking to enrich their author journey. From honing skills to building readership, a regular blogging practice brings opportunities to add value. Consider the following benefits:
Keep Readers Engaged Blog content beyond an author’s books gives readers added value to keep them engaged. For example, writers can share behind-the-scenes peeks at their writing routine, upcoming works, or even just fun musings. Delighting readers with these extras promotes loyalty.
Share Your Perspective A blog allows authors to share their unique point of view with readers. By writing about the creative process, opinions on trends, or insights from research, an author’s distinctive perspective can shine through. This gives readers a window into what makes the writer’s voice special.
Establish Credibility Consistently publishing high-quality, insightful content over time can organically demonstrate a writer’s knowledge and proficiency with a topic or genre. As readers come to rely on the author’s expertise, it cements their authority and credibility.
Build Community Through comments and social shares, blogging fosters conversations between the author and audience. Readers can ask questions, offer feedback, discuss ideas - helping cultivate an engaged community around the writer. These interactions can be highly rewarding.
Hone Writing Craft The consistent writing practice required for blogging helps strengthen key skills like pacing, headlines, SEO optimization, and more. It provides valuable experience tailoring writing for an online audience. Drive Website Traffic Optimizing blog content to rank well in search engines can
significantly increase an author’s website traffic. This expanded digital reach exposes their work to new potential readers. Supplementary Income From affiliate sales to sponsored content, a blog can generate incremental revenue for a writer. As their audience grows, monetization opportunities arise to create additional income sources. Connect with Community Commenting on other blogs and linking to fellow authors introduces networking opportunities. Such connections can lead to collaborations, crosspromotions, or other mutually beneficial relationships within the writing community. In summary, blogging can support multiple aspects of an author’s career. While requiring dedication, the practice ultimately rewards those who stick with it. The connections and exposure gained can take an author’s career to the next level.
Iris Goldfeder is a long-time entrepreneur with more than 25 years of success in the marketing field. Her passion is to help her clients grow their businesses and her motto is- “I meet you where you are.” Iris firmly believes, “If you’re not online, you’re not an option!” Contact info: iris@gasstovecreative.com
10
Author
Amazon Ads for Authors
Authors often ask about Amazon ads and if they are effective for selling more books. Understanding your validated, ideal audience is essential to deciding which type of ad to use on KDP.
Sponsored Products Sponsored ads are designed to increase searchability and boost sales. These ads appear in multiple ways on a search. Sometimes they are on the top of the page, sometimes in the middle, or on the bottom of the page. This type of ad requires no creative. The ad contains the book cover, price, and a small amount of text provided by the person creating the ads. This type of ad works for backlist books and new releases. Authors should focus a strategy around this type of ad because most books will not be on the first page of a search. Remember that Amazon is a search engine, so the algorithms determine what comes up on the first page of any search. By using this type of ad, your book can beat the algorithm and show up as an ad on the first page. The search results can be refined as the author becomes better at targeting. For the beginning ad person, there is automatic targeting that can be useful while you master ads. Lockscreen Ads Lockscreen ads are full-screen ads that appear on the home screen and lock screens of Kindle. The components of the ad are the book cover, review stars, and a small teaser blurb about the book. When the ad is clicked, it takes the reader to your eBook detail page. This type of ad is only available to Kindle readers. These ads are useful for a 1-3 month push during a book launch. 60% of Kindle readers are female so this is a good strategy for books that are generally popular female topics like romance
and other genres with a female protagonist. Sponsored Brands These ads usually appear above the fold and above other search results and ads. This type of ad is well- suited for authors who are more advanced and have larger catalogs. A minimum of three books is recommended, along with a custom headline, logo, or author headshot. When the readers click on the ad, it goes to a landing page with a curated list of books. This ad is prime real estate and may be more expensive. All the targeting is done manually with key words and category selections. This means that the author should have an extensive list of keywords to upload into the ad to attract the most readers. Since these ads are considered more advanced, it is recommended that author play with the other types of ads and reach a proficiency level for these ads. Just jumping into a sponsored-brand strategy without understanding ads may result in a lower click rate and wasted ad dollars. While other ad strategies can be used long-term, because of the added expense of sponsored brands ads, it is recommended that authors turn them on and off instead of running continually. Before embarking on any of these strategies, it is wise to understand the different types of targeting and have a full list of keywords to try out. Authors can always test keywords and targeting to see which methods yield the best use of ad revenue.
Juliet Clark is a sixtime author, speaker and podcaster who has spent the last twenty years helping authors, coaches, speakers, and small businesses all over the world build expert audiences. She started out as a mystery novelist and is best known or her books Gypsy, Granny Heist, and Dead by Dawn, and Pitchslapped. At age 46, she received a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is an avid hiker and golfer.
Author
11
A
delicate balance exists between running your business daily and strategizing for tomorrow. The good news is that small business entrepreneurs do spend time thinking about their future. The bad news is that it’s done on the fly.
Importance of Strategic Thinking
We don’t think so! And, neither should you!
Thinking about the future of your business in an organized manner is essential to growing your business. Although it won’t allow you to predict the future, it empowers you to shape your future.
Several years ago, I enrolled in the MDE (Management Development for Entrepreneurs) program at UCLA Anderson School of Business. It was a course held on campus every Friday for 6 months. I cringed at leaving my business “unattended” for 8 hours! And I wasn’t alone!
Dedicated time for strategic thinking challenges the status quo. It gets you out of the “business as usual” mindset and trains your brain to see things that are new and vital to the future of your business. And, when you’re better informed about your business, your decision-making produces quality decisions.
Is that the kind of quality strategic thinking that moves the business growth needle in 2024?
12
All the enrollees were engrossed in the daily operations of our business, but we also recognized the necessity of setting aside dedicated time to contemplate our futures.
Author
Strategic thinking helps you shape that future. And there’s no better time than now. Time to Think Strategically As business owners, we need to make time to think strategically. We can’t just be operationally busy all the time. We need to escape the day-to-day business operations to achieve a strategic perspective. How much time? That varies from entrepreneur to entrepreneur. Because of current commitments, it may be necessary to ease into it by blocking out 1% of your schedule for uninterrupted, quality strategic thinking. If you generally work 40 – 60 hours weekly, that’s only 40 – 60 minutes. Every two weeks, increase the percentage of your strategic thinking time until you can adjust your schedule to accommodate 10% of your time. Your primary responsibility as an entrepreneur is planning and transformation, so carving out time for strategic thinking is vitally important.
effectively using your artfully committed strategic thinking time. You may think it’s time to get caught up on that lengthy to-do list. But, trust me, it’s not! During your strategic thinking time, explore the issues in your business. Look to see what’s happening around you, in your business and industry. What’s changing? How do you need to adapt to the changes? What opportunities exist? How can your business capitalize on them?
Jackie Nagel is the Founder of Synnovatia, a strategic business coaching and consultancy firm. She is known for her unwavering commitment to supporting small businesses and her deep interest in science-based performance strategies. Jackie’s approach involves providing personalized strategic coaching tailored to the individual needs of her clients, both on a personal and professional level. Her clients greatly appreciate her keen insights into what it takes to succeed in a constantly changing and increasingly demanding business environment. For more information about Jackie Nagel and the services offered by Synnovatia, you can visit their website at www.synnovatia.com.
Depending on the time, you’ll find that your strategic thinking time takes on a strategy of its own. Tap into Unzip Your Success! 5 Types of Planning Every Small Business Needs for a more detailed outline of what to think about daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Thinking about the future is not linear. However, as you take steps and regularly commit to a predetermined quality amount of time each week, you’ll notice a positive influence on the future of your business.
Now What? It may feel a bit odd if you’re not well-practiced in
Strategic thinking helps you shape that future. And there’s no better time than now.
Author
13
Thinking in Terms of TV-Friendly Speaking Points Excerpt from The Ultimate On-Camera Guidebook: Hosts*Experts*Influencers by Jacquie Jordan (@TVGuestpert) & Shannon O’Dowd (@theshannonodowd)
T
hink in terms of small, digestible, and TV-friendly sound bites. They should be things that you might actually say that make a point. They should be short and concise. Speaking points usually accompany a pitch under a hot-topic title following the opening sound bite. They are the answers that you provide to the producer and host in anticipation of questions the host may ask you on air. They become agreed-upon content. This agreed-upon content becomes the composition for the choreography of your segment. The practice of consistently writing out these speaking points helps our clients develop their opinions and/or expertise on a particular topic at a particular time period. It also allows TVGuestpert, representing our B2B and B2C, to lay out the score for the upcoming choreographed tango, which will become a dance and a segment. The practice of writing up speaking points thus has several benefits: 1. It will help you acquire the booking opportunity. 2. It establishes your unique point of view, distinguishing you from other experts of similar experience competing for the same booking opportunity.
14
Author
3. It puts you in control of representing your brand messaging. 4. It serves as an informal agreement between you and the producer who will be representing you to the show and the show’s hierarchy of decision makers, including the host. 5. It sets the expectation for what you will be delivering on air. A red flag of a green guest is when the guest expert expects TVGuestpert to pitch the host of the show rather than the producer of the show. Such a guest doesn’t understand the power, influence, and responsibility the producer has in laying out, designing, and creating the narrative for the host on the show or the segment. I often suggest participants think of their speaking points as sound bites you would share with a stranger at a cocktail party. Simple, tight content that contextualizes who you are, your experience, and your point of view on a topic. It shouldn’t be a lengthy dissertation. If it’s long on paper, then it will be too long out of your mouth. Producers pre-write their scripts, even for supposedly “unscripted” news or reality shows. That’s because they already know the point of view they are looking to have represented; they are simply plugging in an expert to deliver that message. At TVGuestpert, when we present speaking points to producers, we’re trying to help them flesh out their vision, or to up-level what they may have preconceived by offering a point of view they hadn’t thought of themselves. After all, the producer isn’t the expert, YOU ARE! You might be asked to submit your speaking points to a producer in advance or to discuss them during the preinterview. Your speaking points serve as the unspoken and
unwritten contract between you and the producer of the show. Regardless of which speaking points you actually cover in the segment, which might come down to the flow of the conversation or what questions the host chooses in the moment to ask you, the speaking points are understood by all to represent the spirit of what you intend to talk about and the spirit of what you are there to deliver. You had better be prepared to handle a host who offers up questions that might stray slightly from your point of view and the agreed-upon content. When that happens, it’s your job to acknowledge the question, then redirect the focus and the conversation back to your speaking points. An example would be, “That’s a great question, Jim, and it reminds me of the importance of medication …” By that same token, even though a producer might not be micromanaging what a host asks you or what answers you provide to certain questions, she knows from your speaking points what to expect from your messaging. During the pre-interview process between the Guestpert and the producer, the producer will ask the Guestpert to modify how she tells a particular speaking point, if the content needs to be redirected. This same producer should also review the speaking points in the green room before you are walked on set by the stage or floor manager, and before you are seated with a microphone on in the interview chair.
Jacquie is the founder and CEO of the 15-year-old cuttingedge, media and content development, promotions and booking platform, TVGuestpert that offers full-service promotion, marketing, business strategy and media services for her clients, partners and collaborators, TVGuestpert Publishing - a NY Times Best Selling publishing house, and The Guestpert Academy - an online program offering visibility, media training and TVGuestpert OnCamera Training. She is also a two-time Emmy nominated TV Producer, three-time author and the host of Front & Center with Jacquie Jordan, a broadcast podcast.
Sound bites can contain such elements as follows: 1. Personal stories. 2. Referencing your findings in your book. 3. Points of debate. 4. Contextualizing your expertise in relation to the topic. 5. Statistics or other substantiating content.
Author
15
Nourish to Flourish The problem with Diets and New Year’s Resolutions
What will you do this year? The answer: Focus on what to eat vs. not eat, focus on the micronutrients.
In 2023, the top 5 categories for New Year’s resolutions were: 1. Health and Fitness 2. Personal Development 3. Financial Goals 4. Stress Reduction and Mental Health 5. Relationships
And, of those 5, as the list suggests, Health and Fitness topped the list of priorities. It usually does. Why? Well, there are a few reasons, one of which is the goal of longevity and quality of life because overall most aspire to live longer. Another, however, is the impact of social media and advertising which convinces us we need to look better and weigh less in order to be accepted and to feel good about ourselves. Consequently, the typical resolutions at the start of a year usually include goals such as losing weight, eating healthier, exercising more regularly, quitting smoking,
16
Author
or reducing alcohol consumption. Expectations often revolve around achieving better overall well-being, increased energy, and a sense of accomplishment. It should therefore come as no surprise that no other time of year rings in the word DIET than New Years. However, inevitably, the search to discover the ways to change eating behaviors meets with the newest diet hype…which changes every year. From liquid diets to fasting, to carb-free, fat-free, or proteinfree and everywhere in-between, the battle of the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein fat) remains. In the last 4 decades of my career, I’ve watched the carbohydrates (carbs) in the 80s take the stage until the fat craze in the 90s where the diet and light
products were invented. Then the “where’s the beef” and eat more protein took the spotlight while axing carbs. Today, the plantbased diet is getting attention, which by the way, are carbs in disguise. So, when it comes to staying to a new resolve (the true meaning of resolutions) on your diet and feeling like you failed by not sticking to it, it may not be your fault. These extreme misleading trends are not only setting you up for failure, but they may also be taking the Heal out of Health and the vitality that inspired us to set the resolution in the first place. The truth is, inside the macronutrient, are the army of micronutrients that should be getting our attention. The micronutrients are vitamins, minerals, fiber, omegas etc. To take away a macronutrient is to take away that which helps fight diseases, assist immune systems, provide healing and more. Instead, it might be worth becoming a Flexitarian of whole foods, with all 3 macros, inclusive of the micronutrients. In fact, the less whole the food, the more processed foods which means they are often stripped of nutrients like fiber. Take note that many outdated diets are painstaking, and temporary, and they line the pockets of companies while robbing yours. While some diets can help provide a path to health, many diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancers, and digestive disorders are still on the rise. Wouldn’t there be a downward trend if they worked? Many diets even come with disclaimers like “not recommended for children” or “not recommended during pregnancy,” which hardly sounds like a way of life. The true meaning of the word diet, comes from the Greek word diata, meaning, a way of life. A focus on what we eat yes but also sleep, hydration, and activity. This also means understanding your cravings, hunger cues, digestion times and changing the scoreboard on how you measure your health successes. In my programs we make intuitive eating or “Intuition Nutrition” front and center, as your way of life.
healthy way of life, there would be less debate on New Years Resolutions-we may not even need them. So, what’s the answer? What should you be doing to improve your health and nutrition? How do you nourish to flourish? One of my favorite healthy breakfasts is a poached egg (not fried in butter or oil) on top of multigrain or a toasted slice of sweet potato toast with a topping of mashed avocado. It’s easy to make and loaded with fiber, protein, healthy fats and micronutrients! Over the months ahead, we will look at a new resolve on diets as your way of life and ways to not only dial up your vitality, but to live your best life yet. For more tips towards a
Nourish to Flourish
mindset, click the link here for more Micronutrient-Packed meals, tips and recipes. www.KarieCassell.com/ Nourish
Karie Cassell Dietitian, Life Coach and Author of the #1Bestseller-The Domino Diet. “A dietitian on a mission, bringing back heal back in health and the true meaning of the word diet.”
Know this, what worked in our 20s-30s, doesn’t always work in our 40s-80s. The amperage or willpower for vanity alone doesn’t have the same sticking power. The truth is that our level of desire changes and we want less push from social media, and more pull towards energy to serve our dreams and goals. Ironically, if we adopted a
Author
17
1 Simple Tip to Strengthen Your Writing It astounds me, when editing a book, how often I have to change passive voice into active voice. In this article, I’m going to explain what that means, why it’s important, and the effect it has on your readers. Verbs are the action in your sentences. They give your writing movement, and help the reader go on the journey with you. Take the sentence I just wrote. How much less effective would it be if I had written: They are giving your writing movement and helping the reader to go on the journey with you. See the difference? What are passive voice verbs? One simple way to determine if you are using active voice or passive voice is by the use of the -ing ending. (Did you notice that this sentence was passive voice? If you did, kudos!). Let me give you an example: The boy swam across the pond. The verb (or action) is swam. How less effective would it be to write: The boy was swimming across the pond. Or even worse: The pond was swum across by the boy. Ugh. Please don’t do that. Keep it simple and stay in active voice as much as possible. Let’s do a couple exercises. Identify which is passive and which is active in the pairs below: First pair: The horse galloped over the desert. VS. The horse was galloping over the desert. Second pair: My parents were drinking wine and throwing heckling comments at the comedian. VS. My parents drank wine and heckled the comedian. Why is this important? How did you feel when you did the above exercise? Tell the truth- you laughed a little, right? The effect on your readers is subtle, but powerful. Have you ever read a book which felt bogged down, slow, and had the effect of you, as the reader, losing interest? Chances are that author used a lot of passive voice writing and relied on lots of descriptive words to boost it rather than staying active. Let’s look at this example again: The horse galloped across the desert. VS.
18
Author
The horse was galloping across the desert. In this example, some authors would enhance the passive voice with description: The horse was galloping across the desert in a panic after seeing a rattlesnake. How can we make it more active? Try this: The panicked horse galloped away from the rattlesnake. Active verbs help your writing improve very quickly. To go a bit deeper, you will also want to consider the meaning of the verb. Choose more interesting verbs skyrockets your writing. Let’s play with that idea. Check out this passage. How could you rewrite it using more interesting verbs (it’s okay to rearrange and choose better verbs). Circling the earth, the aliens were planning an invasion. They were thinking it would be so big that it would be ending civilization as we know it. There was a lot of laughing and planning about how to use Earth’s resources. Now rewrite. We’ll wait. Okay, here’s my take: The aliens circled the earth and launched an invasion that wiped out Earth’s population. They laughed as they ripped out the last remaining tree and Earth sighed its last breath. Remember, while you rewrite, correct as much passive voice as you can. That simple act elevates your writing and creates interest for your readers.
Kristy Boyd Johnson is an award-winning children’s author, and has ghostwritten over 30 books for entrepreneurs over the years. She is a sought-after developmental editor and transformational book coach. She recently launched Starseed Journey Retreats because she can’t imagine anything better than being a beautiful location with beautiful people who want to reconnect with their deepest selves through writing.
Storytelling to Stand Out
W
hen writing nonfiction it is easy to educate -- to relay facts and processes that might improve a reader’s life, business, health, or whatever area of improvement is necessary. Think about the explosion of books that extol the answers to a successful life or business. Everyone seems to have a solution and there are thousands of books to prove it. Not all of them are popular or purchased though. What makes one more readable than another when they are written about the same topic? If I were a betting woman, I would put money on their storytelling ability. Writers that are able to educate often pique curiosity by sharing a story, an anecdote, or a case study. Typically a writer would lead with a story that not only illustrates a particular point, but also helps the reader connect to the material emotionally. When they get caught up in the emotion of whatever you are sharing, a natural curiosity appears begging for how to achieve a similar result. They move on to the process or facts with hunger because you won their emotion before teaching them. Years ago, particularly in the nonfiction book industry, a writer released the top secrets to success. Then there was an influx of those types of books. It became all about who could talk the loudest and it became so noisy that readers stopped listening. Writers switched tactics to one of storytelling in order to capture an audience’s attention. Now, you read less about the top ten secrets to success and read more “rags to riches” or “overcoming” stories. Why? Because if someone is struggling to succeed, reading ten ways to do
it without context of success isn’t truly going to help. If they read a story about someone else that was struggling and found success despite all of the challenges, it might feel attainable, because the reader sees themselves in the illustration. How can you stand out in a very crowded marketplace who often seem to be writing about the same topic you are? I have often said that there are a limited number of universal truths. That is a problem when your ego discovers what it thinks is a new truth. It wants to be “the only” or “the first” and that isn’t possible. I can’t tell you how many times in a week I hear the phrase, “No one else is talking about this.” That simply isn’t true. There are plenty of others that are talking about it, maybe not in the exact same way, but I assure you it is being talked about. What will always be unique is the story of how you learned the truth you want to share. You aren’t sharing new information; you’re sharing how you interacted with the information. No one else can tell it in exactly the same way. If you want to share a universal truth that will help humans, share the story about how you learned it. We are wired to connect to story, and how and what you tell is going to be unique to you. Sharing stories shifts the power dynamic between you and your audience. Your willingness to share a personal story signals that you are investing in them. By trusting them with what is true for you, you invite them to return the favor and invest in you. Your willingness to connect, rather than instruct or sell, will help you stand out whenever you have something important to share.
Sheila Kennedy is a champion for storytellers, writers, authors and speakers. Zebra Ink Magazine is currently the home where storytellers can share their stories. Sheila celebrates courage, moxie, confidence and empowerment that is a by-product of trust and making choices. Every choice you make is another story to tell and a point of connection to another person. There are so many stories to unravel and people to influence when you find the courage to share. A two-time solo author, co-author of best-selling memoir of Justice Joseph D. Valentino (RET), and numerous anthologies, Sheila has been a part of the publishing industry as an author or publisher since 2013. She not only understands the technical parts of the industry, but also provides mentorship and coaching to aspiring authors and storytellers all over the globe. thezebraink@gmail.com
Author
19