Jennifer Lancaster

March 27, 2020

A Writing Coach is Your Accountability Partner

Just having a partner to share your goals with increases the likelihood that you will achieve them. It gets better… when you hire a good writing coach, getting to your goal is even more probable. Marie Forleo says having a partner takes your chances to up around 85%. While the writing and research work is up to you, it’s been said by a known authority that if a writer makes their writing goals public, they will be more likely to achieve those goals. A lot of us spend our spare time without thought to our big goals. In fact, we could do plenty of writing if we just get off our darn phones! That is, get off scrolling through news feeds–and allow a modicum of time to research real news stories and the odd inspiring article. There’s also a lot…

February 19, 2020

Course Content, Selling eBooks and Media

How Can I Recession Proof my Book Publishing Business?

It’s that time in the economic cycle where the rubber hits the road… and starts flying off everywhere. Only 1 in 3 employers state they are going to increase salaries by over 3 percent. Costs are rising. Small businesses are hard enough to run, but with the global competition of book publishing at an all-time high, it starts to make you worry about the future of your fledgling book publishing business. There is no need to wail. One, because business training for adults is getting cheaper (more on that soon). Plus, while others still seek to get their first book published, you can start looking at creating online courses, workshops and membership offers. While many are ‘trying’ to do this and going on side ventures and $$$ courses, you can whiz by them and actually do it, launch it, and…

August 14, 2020

Book Marketing, Publicity

Networking to Improve Your Book Attraction!

Once published, it takes a strong story to stand out at a book fair or author meet. But what about in general business groups? Here, a published author can appear special and maybe capitalise on the pain point that her book talks about, but in a business context. Some books relate to the business mindset and other stories relate to the personal life challenges. Either way, a business person is a human being first! Most can relate to your story if you include it in conversation. For instance, my book Creative Ways with Money has parts that apply to personal life (saving and investing wisely, productivity, income) and business life (skills and passion to start a new business). If your past (as related in the book) is a bit too deep for light conversation, then start your story with the…

November 29, 2021

Book Marketing, Personal Branding

Best Marketing Tips for the Unbranded Author

So, you’ve got yourself a visibility problem. Rather than throw a huge list of author marketing tips at you without a well-crafted strategy, I’d like you to do few planning steps. I call it the Who, Where, What and Why. Then I’ve got some simple marketing advice below it. WHO Every marketing plan starts with the group (or segments—fancy marketing jargon) of people you want to reach. There are all different things to consider, e.g.: Demographics – M/F, age, income, stage of life Psychographics – what they have in common interest wise, e.g. fantasy readers, grannies who read to their daughter, etc Benefit sought – perhaps a mix of people that all seek the same specific outcome I believe it’s good to consider each in turn. Don’t be like the telemarketers, e.g. “I can get you first page on Google!”…

January 24, 2020

Self-Publishing

What does your Financial Life hold for 2020?

We made a fun 1-minute video to interest you in my new book, Creative Ways with Money, launching: eBook – via Draft2Digital on 27 JANUARY. $4.99 only that week. Paperback – all retailers on 7 FEBRUARY. $23.99 Book Trailer Template (copy) on Biteable. What’s Hiding in Creative Ways with Money–the Book? Everyone can create their own goals unhindered by Government rules. I believe the key to financial independence is down to doing several basic things: 1. Start a budget and monitor your spending 2. Create new income streams from easy-to-look-after investments and/or online educational products 3. Be careful with where you invest your money, whom you invest it with, and invest relative to risk 4. Reinvest dividends or profits and don’t spend it on fripperies. 5. Only borrow for good debt (investments, business, education), rather than bad debt (personal consumer…

January 4, 2020

Self-Publishing, Selling eBooks and Media

How to Optimise a Book Sales Page

A book sales page — aka a landing page — focuses the action on just one thing: your book or course. This is so new visitors can read the benefits about it without getting #distracted… as we are likely to do. When creating your book/course landing page, start with these questions: 1. What’s the purpose of my landing page? Have one clear call to action, like signing up the first video lesson, subscribing for a free chapter, or take this special fans & followers offer. 2. What am I offering my readers? — Not more information, but an ability to earn more, do more, be more productive. 3. How will my prospects benefit from what I’m offering them? — A strong “what’s in it for me”. 4. Have I incorporated the strongest selling points in the headline? 5. Is there one clear…