Writing Habits with AI
Book Editing, Self-Publishing

Traditional vs. Self-Publishing Book Quality

A lot of people don’t know that I am still very open to the idea of getting traditionally published for some projects; it’s just that realistically it is a tough journey.  As an author, if you want to concentrate mainly on writing and there seems to be a call for your book’s concept in the mass market right now, then keep on that trail. I suggest you speak to as many literary agents as you can, to suss out the chances for your story. Sometimes it’s a matter of knowing what each publisher is currently hunting for, and for that only a commissioning editor or a literary agent can help. A mass market published book has to meet a high standard in quality, especially so that bookstore buyers see it as an attractive package. That’s why publishers seek out the…
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Writing Habits with AI
Self-Publishing

The Skinny on Book Formatting

Most independent authors rightly think that they have to format their print book in a classic, consistent style. But many are worried that employing a book designer will cost them plenty, with custom formatting of interiors running from $500 to $900 or more, depending upon how many images to improve and insert. Half-Price Book Formatting While you could spend many hours learning Adobe InDesign or advanced Microsoft Word, there is a third alternative. Power of Words can show you some different designs. Then, using a pre-made template and the skills to tie the front cover typeface to the interior, we’ll deliver you a well-designed book interior at half the usual design price (around $300 – 400, also depending on length/complexity). To complement this design, we suggest the services of NGirlDesign, who charges only A$220 for a simple book cover, including…
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Writing Habits with AI

How to get People to Adore your Book in Advance

I’ve been working hard to finish off “How to Control your Financial Destiny”, and so at this point — where most authors are thinking about proofreading, layout, printing — I am thinking about MARKETING. How will I get my book noticed?  How will I get people talking about the topic? The answer lies in letting people know about the HOOK of your book. Actually, you can even start them thinking in a whole new way about your topic. And this coverage, if done right and timed right, will lead to your book selling — with hardly more than a simple clear graphic image, interesting description, and a bookstore ‘buy now’ button. The genuis at Author Media (makers of MyBookTable) has a pertinent post on Viral Marketing – called A Viral Recipe for your Blog post. Do you get it now…
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Writing Habits with AI

Promote Yourself – Five Easy Ideas

Many small businesses are wasting fruitless energy on pursuing mass marketing tactics — aiming to blanket their local area. In addition to newsletters, there are plenty of other ways to  promote yourself and your services to a narrower, more interested audience. 1. Publicity in the local newspaper, if you are new in town, have just joined another partner business, are hosting a seminar, or are in the midst of inventing something. 2. Putting on a low cost event that resonates with your target market or a free seminar night at your office. (Or at Redcliffe Hive / event hire space). 3. Ask a supplier or a noted author/blogger to feature your story on their website, if your goals and markets align nicely. 4. For those who write articles, there is a wide range of digital magazines cropping up which you…
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Book Reader profile
Book Writing

Who is your Book’s Reader? Create a Reader Profile

It’s sometimes the obvious things that you miss when you’re caught up in excitedly writing your book. Along with defining the theme, having a specific reader profile in mind can really help in the formation of your book, and later, its marketing. Sure, you can write at a higher level because you know all about your subject… but should you? Because writing a bestselling non-fiction book is about connecting with your reader, not showing off your experience. If you are open and explain in the Preface that you did start off with a struggle in this area, it actually builds a rapport with the reader much better than if you start “preaching from the top”. You’ll notice I said book’s reader (not readers)… this is because it’s much easier to bring out your true writer’s voice when thinking of one…
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Writing Habits with AI
Personal Branding

Show Me Why You Shine in Your Elevator Pitch

Folks, I’ve been to a lot of networking groups in the past six years. As an observer of words, I find it interesting what people say in their 60-second elevator pitch. A lady at a group today said something like “Men and women are talking about anti-ageing and I help you discover how to prevent anti-ageing”. Never mind the baloney, because she said the opposite of what she meant. You want to prevent ageing / wrinkles. People who go to the network marketing events tend to pick up certain lines and re-use them, and soon enough, you’ve heard them before. Even worse, they are very generic. GENERIC is the kiss of death in relating to people. Do you know what people like and relate to? Is it a pitch they’ve heard before…. or is it the Authentic you? Can you…
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