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Publisher’s Corner What is one of the biggest mistakes an author can make? Not building an author platform before they publish their expert book. Most authors write their book to build their business. This month, we talk about all of the elements of an author platform that need to be built, validated, and nurtured before you begin writing your expert book. Where does a business author begin? Market research. Who is your “ideal” audience? The focus on ideal need to be validated. It’s easy to hypothesize who these people are. The hard work begins when you validate and connect with your audience. Where are these people? What are they interested in?

Belief in oneself is the most important bricks in building any successful venture.” ~Lydia M. Child

Branding and messaging are important. Who are you? What does your business stand for? Here is a truth every expert writer needs to know… there are many people who teach the same thing that you do. How are you different? People hire you because they trust you. Your brand, your messaging, and you content all work together to build trust. How do you develop your idea and present to your audience in an engaging way? How do you incorporate your book into your business model? No matter where you are in your book journey, you can refine it and sell more books. Love and Gratitude, Juliet

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Are the Right People at Your Table? A powerful advisory board brings its successes, experience, and expertise to your table. Expect a properly facilitated seasoned team to collaborate and build capital, connections, and ideas in your favor. This collective of six to eight diverse professionals condenses timelines, eliminates costly mistakes, and expands your sphere of influence to increase your growth exponentially and help secure your next round of funding. “Less than 6% of startups, and small to medium businesses have a formalized advisory board and the ones that do are seeing 3X revenues and 2X productivity for a substantial impact on profitability.” Business Development Bank of Canada Report

The value and power of advisory boards is one of the best knowledge-based investments with a very high ROI which capitalizes on the current trends in society – working together to co-create better solutions. Whether a Strategic, Customer (CAB), Community or Peer board, the Advisory Board Builder proprietary approach will deliver tools for monetary, performance and relational capital rewards. This book will show you: »» How the RIGHT advisory board can add huge value and a competitive advantage to your business’ bottom line »» Five steps to having an engaged, effective advisory board »» How to make board meetings, fun and interactive with actionable results »» Which type of advisory board is the best option for your organization and how to implement it successfully

Nancy is a serial entrepreneur and has built and scaled many businesses in a variety of sectors including; Arts & Entertainment, Media, Non-profits, Manufacturing and most recently Software Development. Book Link: The Advisory Board Playbook: Mayer, Nancy, Wong, Sam: 9781513693439: Amazon.com: Books

Too many companies suffer with scattershot advisory boards that fail to deliver meaningful impact. Nancy provides a much-needed framework to build the right advisory board and a methodical process to maximize its value.” Sam Wong - Silicon Valley advisor and the author of 21 Secrets of Successful Startups.

A wise advisor’s hindsight is your foresight.” Nancy Mayer

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s an author, you have a story that needs to be shared. The press junket can be a daunting task of monotonous interviews and luke-warm receptions. However, when you shake up the narrative and understand what your audience is hungry for, this curated message will connect with a larger demographic. (And, fingers crossed, increase book sales). Revealing a glimpse into your life and sharing your brand on diverse platforms is essential for your book’s exposure. As an author, you have the power to engage audiences that are looking for your knowledge and need the power that only your book can offer. The 3Ps (Publishing, Podcasting and Presenting) is a powerful marketing tool that offers authors the opportunity to be cast into the spotlight as experts. It is crucial that your story and brand are consistent and coherent. With the prestigious invitation to speak on stages, guest on podcasts or in the media, understanding that a story consistent with your brand will distinguish yourself from the white noise. Your story should not be a carbon copy of your book blurb. It should be an intimate glimpse into your struggles and triumphs. Make every effort to understand your audience and elicit an emotional connection with them. Emotional connections are the gateway to building relationships with an audience. Consider articulating the highs and lows of your journey, with precision not perfection.

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Consistency is the lynchpin in your media campaign. Find strength in how you present yourself and do not deviate from this approach. Find strength in the story behind the story.

What is your story? Authenticity is key. No one wants to hear canned responses. Remember, your voice is unique. Your voice is one of a kind. Ask yourself: • What makes me different? • How can I speak directly to my desired audience? Have I done the research? Do I know who I am speaking to? • What is something I have done or experienced that can add value to my audience and potential readers?

The Recipe: A dash of vulnerability (not oversharing) and a sprinkle of lessons learned, topped with a dollop of advice are the ingredients that draw in an engaged audience. When you engage your targeted audience, you build a community of loyal readers. Forget rhetoric, or what you think you are supposed to say. Dig deep and share the pain and joy of your journey. You will find that many others also need to hear this message. Consistency is the lynchpin in your media campaign. Find strength in how you present yourself and do not deviate from this approach. Find strength in the story behind the story. Creating an authentic connection, a clear message and deep understanding of the stage you are on, will propagate a dynamic call to action that draws you into the lives of your audience. Your voice as a published author needs to be rooted in an authentic history that speaks directly to your audience. If you are unsure of your brand and its strength, we invite you to fill out our “Branding Brainstorm”. This easyto-follow questionnaire is a catalyst to help you understand your brand presence. The Mediacasters Branding Brainstorm (jotform.com)

Corinna Bellizzi, MBA is a natural products industry executive who pioneered the growth of the omega-3 giant, Nordic Naturals, from less than $1 million in annual revenues to over $100 million. As a mom of two young boys, podcaster, and executive, and future author of “Audiocasters”, due out this spring. Her mission is to leave the world a little better than she found it, while inspiring others to do the same. Corinna began her broadcasting journey as a guest on many nationally syndicated radio shows and even acted as an MC for fashion shows in her spare time to improve her public speaking skills. As part of her lifelong education journey, she earned her MBA from Santa Clara University, graduating at the top of her class with a triple focus in Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Marketing in June 2021. Corinna launched her first podcast show, Care More Be Better, to share the stories of inspired individuals and conscious companies to show us all that one person with one idea can have a big impact. It now ranks in the top 2.5% of all podcasts globally.* Julie Lokun, JD. a legal eagle and facilitator of dreams, is changing the trajectory of underserved entrepreneurs who are using their voice to make an impact. As a mom of four (4) boys, Julie has learned to leverage her power to lead a bustling household while also serving as the head maven of Crown & Compass Life Coaching. She adeptly “anoints and points” -- directing the strategic growth of businesses and professionals around the globe. Julie has delivered presentations on the big stage, and in virtual events. With a background in law, she teases through complex information and gets to the root of issues, telling deep, compelling stories that resonate with audiences far and wide. She is a celebrated best-selling author of the entrepreneurial series, Hustle Smart, the owner of The Mediacasters Publishing House which boasts several bestselling titles, and is a 5-star business coach. In the spring of 2021, Julie launched a swiftly growing podcast, Obsessed with Humans On The Verge of Change which is already in the top 3% of all podcasts globally.* In November 2021 these two business besties and podcasting partners (with 6 boys between them) co-founded Femcasters to elevate the voices of women through podcasting, branding and public speaking. In February 2022 they merged this effort with The Media Queens Publishing House to form The Mediacasters. The Mediacasters is a podcast, a community, a publishing house and a launch platform that elevates the voices of inspired people of all ages and identities with the power of “The 3 P’s”: Podcasting, Publishing and Presenting/Performing. *as reported by Listennotes.

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Creating Media in Alignment with Your Book Launch

ince the invention of the printing press in the late 15th century, the ability to share ideas through books inspired influential movements of thought such as the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. Now, information is exponentially exploding across multiple platforms. Media is embedded in every nook and cranny of the modern world. Even when you are filling your car with gas, a video is playing on the pump, pumping you with the latest news, like it or not. On the positive side, the digital revolution has liberated the media arts, giving the ordinary person access to make their own media and distribute it globally. This revolutionary turnof-the-century technology makes it possible for you to build an audience and communicate your message across many different platforms. There is very little barrier of entry to be a published author or the host of a podcast. The question is, “How will you authentically connect with an audience that will receive the value of your ideas? What is the social and cultural relevance of your content?” These are questions to ask yourself before launching media out there into the world wide web. If you are feeling the call to produce and distribute media, such as authoring a

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book, you really need to know who you are creating it for and how to find the interested communities of people who are looking for, and will resonate with, your specific content. A book is the number one way to contribute to the evolution of thought. Within the pages of a book, you can explore ideas that will lead to a transformation in the lives of your readers. This is where a top-notch book coach or developmental editor comes in. The worst thing you can do is confuse your reader. They will simply move on to the next book. That’s a surefire way to alienate your audience. A video can also be a great way to bring attention to the ideas expressed in a book. Consider this: instead of constantly creating new content, you can choose one idea from your book and explore it in depth using video or podcasting. You could potentially invite other experts to speak, which contrary to what you might believe, in fact adds to your credibility as a thought leader. After all, those experts are valuable and can bring attention to your book. This adds even more value to using the services of a book coach or developmental editor as they can help you focus these ideas as well. The bottom line is this: you must be clear on your message, and who your message is for, and how their lives will improve. That’s the key to success.

AUTHOR BIO Jared Rosen is the founder Of DreamSculpt. As an innovator in digital media publishing, he has published over 50 media enhanced e-books for many best-selling authors and filmmakers and has published dozens of books in print. Jared is the author of three books including the groundbreaking book The Flip. As a thought leader he has presented in venues ranging from TED X Malibu, to McKinsey and Company, Sydney, Australia. In 2000, Jared co-created the Children’s Emotional Literacy Project endorsed by Mayor Richard Riordan and Norman Lear.

How Your Market Research and a Book Developer Can Make Your Content Flow for the Reader By Kristy Boyd Johnson

aking your content flow in a non-fiction book is quite the challenge, especially for new authors. It is essential that your book flows in a logical sequence so that your reader can follow your train of thought and not get lost in a stream-of-consciousness form of writing. That will kill the reader’s interest and you lose a potential loyal customer. A good book coach or developmental editor can help you avoid this costly mistake. One of the simplest ways to help you make sure you aren’t confusing your reader: Do NOT use jargon. Every industry has its own unique internal language. For example, the way I would speak with fellow teachers (when I was teaching) was completely different than the way we teachers would speak to parents. It wasn’t about being smart. It was about jargon. Here’s the benefit: when you put a difficult concept into easy-to-understand language, it helps your readers understand and learn. If you can do that without making them feel dumb, you will gain fans. DON’T USE JARGON. The one exception is if your book is for other professionals in your specific industry. They will understand the jargon, so it works. For example: years ago, I helped a fellow teacher write a book. She was a highly trained Resource teacher who also trained Resource teachers (which are the teachers who work with the kids with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and that was my background). She was the top of that particular food chain. We had to decide which audience she wanted to “talk to” in her book: parents, regular classroom teachers, or specifically to other Resource teachers. Why? Each one of those choices required a completely different language. Your audience determines your language.

This is why your market research is so important. You have to know your audience. You must know how to communicate with them in a way that resonates. Working with a good book coach or developmental editor should be able to help you with all of this. Once you decide on your audience, you tailor your language to fit that audience. In the above teacher example, my friend decided to write her first book for parents. She focused her topic on identifying possible learning problems in their children and used lots of examples to illustrate her points. It was a complete hit. Her school district ended up handing that book out to parents as their go-to resource. She helped many kids get early-on help by guiding their parents to become informed about a difficult subject. She made them feel educated and eased their confusion. There is no substitute for expert advice. When you want to write your expert book, don’t be shy about asking a professional coach/editor for help. We are here to help.

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.

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Market Research Is Essential to a Successful Book and Business Author platform building is more than just connecting with a few people and asking them to purchase your book. If your non-fiction book is a part of your business strategy, you need to have validated market research to benefit your business and your book.

ne of the biggest reasons that marketing fails is that marketing is a guess until it isn’t. Many marketing companies in the Internet space will ask the business owner to give them the details about their audience to help them formulate messaging and a plan. Most business owners do not have a clue about whether the ideal audience they think they serve is really the audience that they do serve.

Here are four areas of research that you should know before you write your book: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Audience Overview Brands and Influencers Press and Websites Consumer Semantics

Let’s look at all of these and why they are important.

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Audience Overview Who are you connecting with and talking to? Most authors can tell me the demographics of their audience, but have they done a deep dive into who actually purchases their product or service? Are men or women purchasing? Or both? Are they within a particular age group? What is their educational level? Are they experienced in their educational fields or just starting out? Why does this matter? This matters in terms of what kind of content they consume, where they consume it, and how it is received. One of my clients recently published on Amazon only. As she promoted her book, she found out that most of her people consumed books via Google Books. What she found out after the launch was that Amazon did not have the consumer numbers that her audience served. Her audience was reading more through Apple and Google because she had a large Asian audience from her time in Malaysia as an executive. Most of her audience had a master’s degree or higher in education. She knew that from the clients and products she sold but had no idea it would impact her book sales. If she had queried this with her audience in advance, she may not have hired the publisher who produced her book.

Brands and Influencers This covers social media, podcasts, and YouTube. It is important that you understand where your audience is so that you can connect and have relevant conversations. I hear from many authors that they are comfortable with Facebook and are struggling to connect with potential clients on that platform. The reason is usually because their audience is over on LinkedIn and they just never learned how to get comfortable on that platform. Case in point: a couple years ago a client who worked with women to scale their businesses was not getting any traction for her programs. When we evaluated why she wasn’t

connecting, it turned out that her audience was over on LinkedIn. She knew that but was so comfortable with how she used Facebook that she did not want to go over to LinkedIn and look at how to use this platform, what sort of content would connect, and how to connect. Podcasts and YouTube are other mediums to take a hard look at. Are you listening to the podcasts that are at the top of your industry? Chances are your audience is listening to these podcasts to get more information. Same with YouTube. Knowing what your audience is following helps you understand the topics that are relevant to them. On a side note about social media platforms, there are new ones coming out all of the time. They are worth exploring to see if the algorithms are better. Many people have recently reported that they have more of an audience in Rumble (a YouTube competitor) than over on YouTube.

Press and Websites What websites is your audience going to regularly, hanging out, and purchasing? All of that is worth knowing and understanding why. That may mean that you subscribe and check them out too. As for press sites, we live in complicated and divided times. It is a good idea to understand where your audience consumes their news/ propaganda so you can have an educated conversation about world events. Being up on current events is a likely clue that you keep up with cutting- edge topics in your area of expertise as well. A great example of this is in the publishing industry. I watch several news channels- both liberal and conservative. If I did not, I wouldn’t know that Amazon has been de-listing books on topics they disagree with or not allowing ads to be run. Other publishers are speaking out about this. This kind of censorship is really unpalatable in a free- speech country and most people don’t know it is happening.

The downside of this is that threats being made against publishers who do publish books that go against the narrative. One of my good friends recently received death threats over a book she published that ran against the mainstream media narrative.

Consumer Semantics This is all about searchability of your content, books, products, and services. What platforms are you on and are you using hashtags? Are you using hashtags that are viewed by thousands of people or three people? Are you utilizing crossplatform hashtags? Even bigger when it comes to your book - what are your keywords? Are they heavily searched? When your publisher enters your book, are they using multiple categories and maximizing a combination of BISAC Codes, Amazon Categories, and Thema Codes? Are different platforms using different codes? Is your publisher dumping your book in a general category with thousands of other books where no one will find you, or putting your book into categories where you can stay on the first page? Most people don’t move past the first page on Amazon when they search for a book. Are you searchable and visible? This research will not only help your book, it is a must for your business as well. The more you understand your niche and your brand, the more your audience will understand you and your products. In advertising perception is reality. What does that mean? It means that your brand is not what you think it is. It is what your audience thinks it is. I recently gave a talk on this topic and a woman raised her hand and asked, “How do I do all of this without doing all of this? It looks hard.” The answer? You can’t skip it and be successful. You must do the work.

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How to Move from Surviving to Thriving

L What life teaches us about healing, writing and purpose.

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ife is all about being able to heal and move forward, with resilience and love. Whether you’re an author, entrepreneur or just a human being - we all have this journey we go through that shows us both the light and the dark parts of the world. Our experiences shape us and teach us lessons that allow us to instill purpose and meaning into the world around us, the relationships dear to us and the work we choose to do. Like many authors I work with, Liz Dunne is a wonderful example of how life can be brutal, leave us with loss and we can use that to heal and become a light to others who have shared in those experiences. Losing two husbands, close family and even pets seemed like an abnormal amount of loss for Liz and her mind went directly into the “woe is me” mentality so many of us know all too well. When that became more of a prison than anything, Liz decided there had to be a better way to do life. Her book, Finding Hidden Courage, is a beautiful piece of content, complete with inspiring artwork, that teaches readers how to move from pain to freedom -

using her own personal journey as the foundation. Over the years, at Superbrand Publishing, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many healers and spiritual coaches and consultants who share similar journeys with Liz. It’s not lost on me that people who often struggle in life and find their way out, through inner work, feel compelled to turn that into a book to share with the masses. Some of the greatest books of all time have this in common with Liz. They are stories of triumph and overcoming incredible odds. In our chaotic and stressful world, survival mode seems to be the norm. We are inundated with fear of war, disease… and it’s everywhere, every single day. And while we might need the struggle to get to the triumph, constantly existing in that place is not healthy or conducive to growth - or writing. For us to truly tell the story of healing, we must have first lived it. Good books come from the entire journey, not just the suffering. As Liz suggests, if we want to get to that light at the end of the tunnel, it’s important to tap into our own hidden courage.

What does it mean to tap into hidden courage? »» Commit to Peace- As the Law of Attraction states, your attention and your commitment to peace is moving you to a state of being that vibrates in alignment with this very intention. Get comfortable using mantras like: I am peaceful, I am the Creator of peace, I am a peaceful leader of a transformed world. »» Listen for Your Truth- As we mature, we stop believing that our answers come from outside of us (parental authority, government, teachers, etc.) and we deepen our connection to ourselves and to Source. We find our truth and our purpose or calling in the experience and we take the time to feel into what is authentic and real for us. »» Trust Your Own DecisionsTrusting your decisions and sticking to your chosen path (or getting back on track and on task when you lose focus for a time) will really allow you to tap into the deepest levels of intuition and allow the universe/your soul to guide your path in ways you (have been secretly expecting) only dreamed of until now. Keep aligning and when you notice that you are not feeling the alignment, take a break, relax, restore breath, and recommit to your inner peace. More will always be revealed!

If this messaging resonates with you, I highly recommend you check out Finding Hidden Courage and connect with Liz Dunne on moving from pain to freedom. As the lovely Brene Brown put it,

One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide”

Buy Hidden Courage here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=liz+jamieson+dunne&crid=3V D80KYCHQZ3K&sprefix=liz+jamieson%2Caps%2C115&ref= nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_12

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How to Show Up In All the Why convenience is your best bet at bestseller status.

hen authors come to me at Superbrand Publishing, some of the first questions they ask me are, “Should I put my book solely on Amazon or try to just turn it into an ebook for digital sales and sell it on my website? Are audiobooks still popular? Is hardback still a thing? DO people still shop at brick-and-mortar bookstores?” Authors want to know, right off the bat, where and in what format to sell their book. The conversation that follows is a breakdown of their target audience, where that audience spends time and how they consume content. When we look at the demographic, it becomes easy to see where the book should be sold. At least that used to be true. Things are changing and the world we live in now requires convenience more than ever before. By convenience, what I really mean is showing up in more than one place, so your audience can consume your content however they want. We call this a multiplatform approach for authors and it is becoming more and more routine. Amy Powers, Emmy nominee, Bestselling Author, Life Coach to those unhappy with that status quo, wrote a great book, and when it came time to sell it, we chose not to choose. Her book, No Degree Required, reaches an audience that ranges in age from 18 to 80 and we quickly realized that we needed to show up for each of those readers in different places and with different formats. Understanding Your Audience Younger readers tend to want to consume online, while those with flexible day schedules fall more into listening to audiobooks. There is still a huge consumer market who demands to carry a physical copy of a book around and even takes

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People will tune in when they know where to find you and if your book is in the format they want to consume it in.” -Bestselling Author, Amy Powers

notes in said book. And when all of your readers show up in all of these categories, your task becomes clear - customize your approach across multiple platforms to make it convenient for your audience to consume your book. “I was in a place where my work was not working for me. I was tired of keeping up the facade, I figured out that there was a better way, and I knew this was not a unique problem. The Great Resignation proved my theory, so I wrote a book about it and I knew I needed to put my book, No Degree Required, in front of a lot of people so Juliet and I came up with a strategy. I went to bestseller status , and stayed there for an entire week. Which tells me we were right on target with the messaging. But that was really only the beginning.” Here’s How It Went Down Amy published almost a year ago today in soft cover and on Kindle. As the year marched on Amy discovered that her original target market was actually much more widespread than most authors. Her market truly is, as she put it, from ages 18 to 80, meaning her demographic spans a wide range of consumers. With that discovery, we switched gears to start reaching the other consumers we hadn’t targeted yet.

Next Steps A readily accessible ebook along with an audiobook let us show up in many places for many different types of readers/listeners. People learn in different ways. As I mentioned, some people like to have that hard copy, some like to hear it, and some really like to just consume content online because that’s what they’re used to. Understanding where your readers are and how they consume content is vital to your success as an author. “People will tune in when they know where to find you and if your book is in the format they want to consume it in.” -Bestselling Author, Amy Powers

Let’s Talk Numbers Ebook reading went up 24% in 2021. The cost of paper went up, which we saw translate into book prices, along with a paper shortage. Audiobook sales went up 40% last year as well. Understanding these markets will let you make the best decision for your own book. Release In Phases Each new bump, each new platform or format release is an invitation for your readers or audience who hasn’t purchased yet, to come back and see what you’re up to. Those bumps are reaching new readers as well, who haven’t heard of you yet, to get to know your content in the way that is most convenient to their lifestyle. “I learned, through all of this, that plenty of people who listen to books often go buy the soft cover if they love the book and want to have it as a resource. And the same can be true of ebook readers. If the book is valuable enough, they will double down and get a print copy.” Just like Amy’s book points out, we put ourselves in boxes and build parameters around what our success could or should be, and these limiting approaches to life - and book sales - minimize our impact. In publishing, if we force ourselves to choose, we miss a lot of readers who would benefit from our solutions and our words.

No Degree Required: Powers, Amy: 9781513675428: Books (amazon.com)

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How Authors attract new readers and grow their email list with powerful content syndication tools The statement “content is king” remains pertinent no matter what part of the journey an author is on currently. Authors are likely already to have a lot of content that they can recycle and repurpose for other uses. If they are just getting started or have already made it as a bestseller, every author needs a media landing page on their website. This page often includes podcast or radio interviews, articles about the author or written by the author, video interviews, and most importantly, a speaker one-sheet to encourage hosts to reach out.

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Another benefit of press release syndication is that it can help to improve the search engine rankings. One content-building strategy that can be extremely effective is to syndicate a press release. This content can be used to attract new readers or listeners, and it can also be used to grow their email list. The book or a book chapter can get individuals to opt into the author’s email list. Content from your press release can be used to create an optin freebie that will help the author get to know their audience better. And, of course, authors can also use the press release itself to generate media attention for the book.

More Exposure: Perhaps the most apparent benefit of press release syndication is that it leads to more exposure for the authors’ brand. When authors submit a press release to multiple outlets, it will significantly increase the chances that someone will see it. And, the more people that see the press release, the more likely it is that they will visit the author’s website.

For example, creating a press release about their book will generate new content that can be used on a website and social media pages. By syndicating the press releases, the author will be able to get their content in front of a larger audience, ultimately leading to more website visitors. For those who are not familiar with press release syndication, it is simply the process of submitting a press release to multiple online news outlets. Several benefits come with syndicating a press release, including the following:

Improved Search Engine Rankings: Another benefit of press release syndication is that it can help to improve the search engine rankings. Many press release submission sites are high-quality websites with a lot of authority. When authors submit a press release to these types of sites, they are essentially getting a backlink from a high-quality site, which can help to improve their rankings.

Increased Traffic: In addition to more exposure, press release syndication can also lead to increased traffic to the website. Many people who read the press release will be intrigued by what the author says and will want to learn more about their business by researching and visiting the website.

For authors looking for a way to generate more traffic to their website, press release syndication is definitely worth considering. By submitting your press release to multiple online news outlets, you will be able to get your content in front of a larger audience, ultimately leading to more website visitors. To learn more, go to www.ShannonProcise.com/superbrand

AUTHOR BIO Shannon Procise has successfully attained over $3.2M in FREE publicity and is notorious for being the owner of the “Million Dollar Rolodex” and teaching others how to do the same. She has trained and coached thousands of individuals in marketing, event production, business development, and personal growth. Shannon is the creator of a magnetic community, the Business Acceleration Network, where she guides businesses to build a successful enterprise while having fun and making lots of money.

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Melanie Herschorn

The picture of them holding the book.

’m going to let you in on a secret: the marketing you do for your book needs to be intertwined with the marketing you do for your brand to truly help you grow your authority online. When you write a nonfiction book with a goal to establish yourself as a thought leader, you’ll want to leverage the book to grow your brand as a whole. Of course, you’ll showcase the book and get your community excited and ready to purchase it, but try not to think of the book as something completely separate from your brand. Some authors believe that posting pictures of their book over and over will inspire their community to buy it.

The picture of the stack of books. The picture of them walking with the book. The picture of the book on a bookstore shelf that’s pretty obvious they placed it there themselves. Not to sound harsh, but these pictures are not going to have the desired effect. The people who already love you may be moved to grab a copy, but are they your ideal reader? If the people purchasing your book are not going to be the ones to buy your book, fill your programs and courses, and watch you speak on stages, then the answer is no. So how do you incorporate your book marketing into your brand marketing? Here are some ideas: • Highlight the messages, stories, and tips from your book within

AUTHOR BIO Melanie Herschorn wants to make your book and brand sparkle online. As a content marketing strategist for coaches, consultants, and speakers worldwide, she’s on a mission to support and empower her clients to create clear messaging and content that shines a light on their individual experience, skillset, and books. With her unique combination of entrepreneurship, awardwinning journalism and PR experience, Melanie guides her clients to attract and nurture leads and position themselves as industry experts. She also loves to provide book marketing tips on her show, AUTHORity Marketing LIVE!

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your social media posts and emails to show your audience how your book will bring them tons of value. • Alternate your calls-to-action between requests for sales calls, offering your lead magnet, request for comments, and buying your book. • Go live to share with your audience what you do, how you can help them, and how you wrote the book on it! When my client Carey published a book about a personal tragedy that changed her life forever and set her on a different path in business, we spent a great deal of time weaving elements of her book into her marketing messages. We crafted livestream plans, social posts, and emails incorporating the subject matter all while leading her audience to buy her book and join her programs. Not only did it boost her book sales, but she was also able to demonstrate her abilities as a coach by delving deeper into the book topics. If up until now you have been viewing your book and brand as separate, have no fear. Take a fresh look at your book and try to make those connections in your messaging going forward. Now’s your chance to grab your Ultimate Book Marketing Checklist to make sure you know what it takes to grow your community and boost your authority online. Get it here: vipdigital.live/checklist.

NO - You Can’t Just Write How to make social media your friend and the foundation of your author platform. “Aghhh! Do I really need to post online every single day?! Can’t I just write my books and that be enough??”

This is a real post from an author in one of my Facebook groups. And the answer to her all too familiar question is yes and no. Let me explain.

uthors must build up what we call an author platform to be successful. If you write it, they will come, but only if you ask them to - like a million times. A necessary component to this platform and often the most successful foundation we see is built through social media. The reason is because your author platform requires a network, a community, supporters who will loyally buy your book and then tell people about it. And the majority of those people spend their time on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, in that order. So yes, you must show up online and yes you must prioritize building a network of support around your work - just like any other business. But no, you don’t have to do it all yourself and no you do not have to do it every single day. Delegating is the easiest and most difficult thing to do. Relinquishing that control can often feel like the most nerve-wrecking thing we do but so can social media. So as an

author, it is up to you to decide: are you able to dedicate time to create meaningful posts online? Or is this a task you need to hand off to a VA or someone who does this every day for a living? If you’re leaning towards the latter, there are great apps like Upwork, where you can hire someone reliable for a very reasonable rate. If you know there is no way in hell you are handing this over to anyone (at least not yet), there are also wonderful apps to help you schedule posts in bulk so you don’t have to commit to this task every single day. Hootsuite is the most popular for their free functions, with the opportunity to purchase a premium account as you grow. Let’s switch gears. Everyone is talking about Facebook groups because they work. Plenty of my clients built up a group of like-minded people, not to sell to them, but with the intent of growing their network. Group members can tell, so don’t be a sleazy salesman. Those groups become friends and engage with posts you share. So when the time

comes for you to release your book, it won’t take much to get their backing. You’ve established a relationship with them so buying your book becomes a much smaller ask. This brings me to my last point - if you wait to build your author platform until your book is completed - you’ve waited too long. You’ve left no time to invest in these relationships or build these groups without ulterior motives and a publisher wondering when you’re going to start moving copies. Start now. Whether you’re on chapter one or outlining. Pick one platform if it feels overwhelming. And start building your network right now. Whether you’re scheduling posts, posting daily through a content calendar (we have a great one if you need it!) or you’re delegating - do not wait another day. Social media is your friend because it’s where all your friends are already hanging out. The more you show up, the more books you’ll sell.

International Content Expert Sara Burke is the Founder of HLCC, a content creation firm dedicated to boosting small businesses around the world. Sara has authored three books, and ghostwritten over 100 books, ebooks and workbooks. Sara recently launched The New American Dream, a podcast dedicated to helping business owners understand how our changing business ecosystem can support their success.

Buy Amy’s Book Here: No Degree Required: Powers, Amy: 9781513675428: Amazon.com: Books

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No Time? Not An Option

How to break through the beliefs that keep you from becoming a bestseller.

rocrastination, hiding from your potential audience, shying away from video content- you might be cringing reading this because you’re guilty of at least one of these author mishaps. I see this so often, where authors wait until the very last minute to get online or build their author platform. A lot of the time, this happens because authors aren’t sure where to start or they’re afraid of messing up, or they think platform building is more complex than it actually is. So I brought in Sara Burke, Owner of High Level Content, to break down exactly what it takes to build your author platform and how to start right now, where you are. Breakthrough Truth Bomb: You should be platform building before you ever write page one of your book. So many authors

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come to me with an almost complete book and no online presence at all. Stop waiting start now! What Is An Author Platform? Words like author platform and personal brand can sometimes become so buzz-wordy that we don’t attach meaning to them. Your author platform is: Your ability to sell books based on who you are and who you know. Which means, your passion, your message who you are - needs to be crystal clear. Once you have that, it becomes so much easier to know who you’re talking to and what they need from you. When we keep things like this simple, it takes a lot of pressure off because the task at hand becomes undiluted.

discover people that align with who you are and what you have to say - and they’ve already self-selected into those groups. »» Facebook Groups: Rather than building a group around what you’re selling, build a group around your passion. If you help people with anxiety, build a group for people with anxiety and give away free advice, hold Q&A’s, share memes and quotes, be a real person. »» Instagram: With stories, reels, live and posts there are plenty of options to connect in a way you feel comfortable. IG users tend to be good with using hashtags properly so use the search function to connect with people. What’s Next? Once you know who you are and who you’re talking to, you have to decide your strategy to reach that audience. Funnels are everywhere right now and popular because they’re sold as an easy, one-sizefits-all solution. Which to me falls under the category of “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Still Not Sure? If you have no idea what content to put where, delegate it out to a content specialist. I utilize Sara for my own business because I know I can send her a video recording or a transcript and she knows what to do with

it. That content becomes articles, social media posts, emails, etc. Delegating should NOT feel like yet another task you need to complete. If you find the right person to work with you on content, delegating makes your life easier and puts time back in your day. “Not having time cannot be an option. If you don’t have a platform or a following, you will never sell books. When you work with a content specialist, you don’t have to have all of the pieces completely planned. A true expert can take a look at your brand and your book, then do discovery and research your target audience, and suggest content that will be effective. A lot of authors don’t start because they think they aren’t ready.” -Sara Burke, High Level Content It all comes down to figuring out who you are and then figuring out how to stay focused on your money makers - content being one of those. So, if you are up against a wall, delegate but don’t put it off any longer. Saying you don’t have time for content is like saying you don’t have time to sell books.

“I’m choosing a network over a funnel any day of the week. Networking and building relationships are fundamental to the success of any author. Social media has made it very easy for us to connect with people in meaningful ways - so the old networking luncheons where you exchange business cards with 30 people you’re never going to talk to again is outdated and ineffective.” -Sara Burke, High Level Content Sometimes we fall back into these old routines because we don’t know a better way so let’s talk about that next. »» LinkedIn Groups: When you click My Network at the top of your LinkedIn profile page, the left sidebar has an option for Groups. Here you can

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