Writing IS a Business

Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job seriously? I once heard it said that writing is one of the most under-rated cottage industries in the world. I believe it.

Perhaps it is because many of us do so much writing in the course of a day anyway. We write reports for work. We send emails. We take down messages. None of that is creative writing (on second thoughts, some work reports might fall into that category) - but it's part of the reason that "writing" per se is taken for granted. Since the people around you write frequently anyway, they can't see your hours tapping away at the keyboard as being anything much more difficult. It's your 'hobby', isn't it?

Sometimes, you can change people's attitude towards writing by changing your own attitude first. It's very easy to lose track of the reality that writing IS a business when you're creating fictional worlds. (Imagine having so much fun and getting paid for it as well!)

1. Talk About Writing In Businesslike Terms

Let's imagine for a moment that you're not a writer. You run some other business. To make it a paying business, you have to look at income and outgo carefully. Note that not all businesses make a profit in the first year. (Many go into business expecting to run at a loss for the first year or even two years.)

A writing business works in just the same way. You're likely to put in a lot of hours, a lot of effort and at least some money before you can expect to see any results. Those results - payment for your labour - might be in the form of a flat fee, or an advance payment with royalties at intervals later.

Try putting it all down on paper. Work out:

• your expenditure on supplies - paper, toner, hardware, software, etc
• your expenditure in hours - keep a writing log
• your expenditure in training - workshops, seminars, professional journals and books, courses
• your expected return - what do you expect to earn? This is, of course, hard to work out if you're writing fiction. Try surfing the web and asking around at writers' groups/discussion lists to get some idea. If you're a freelance writer of non-fiction, you may be able to set your own rates.

It won't take you long to see that you need to put in a certain number of hours to get a return on your investment. When you talk about your writing, talk about it as your writing CAREER. Start dropping into the conversation a few terms like 'return on investment' and 'business plan' and watch for the change in the listener's expression. Quite often, this is the first time they've ever thought of writing in terms of being a business!

2. Plan Your Expenditure

Any business requires some start up money. Traditionally, writers have not spent much at all on their craft. (Even today some writers still have that 'starving for my art' mentality... writers should sit and scratch away with a quill in a cold room and hope for a government grant so they can afford more than soup.)

Let's get real here. If you want to establish a thriving writing career, you need to plan as carefully as you would for any other business.

Sit down and look at your budget. How much does your writing career mean to you? Are you prepared to go without other things in order to invest in your career? Do you need to sit down with the family and say: "This is important to me. This year instead of spending money on XXXX, I want to put aside $500 to go to this conference," or "I can't write while I'm trying to fit it in around the rest of the family's computer usage. I need my own computer."

Only you can know (a) how much money you can put aside in the next 12 months for your writing career and (b) the best way for you to spend it. A computer may be your most urgent need. It could be a fast internet connection. It could be an advanced writing course.

Here's a list to start you thinking:

• books for your professional library
• a computer
• a second telephone line (for your own internet connection)
• a writing course/conference/workshop/writers' retreat
• ergonomic furniture
• renovations to the house to provide an office for your writing
• software - a word processor or office suite
• filing cabinet/bookshelves

Keep in mind that the cost of an internet connection could be repaid many times over by the amount of information you gain (either for research purposes or at writers' sites.)

If you've been having trouble getting your career on track - or getting people to take you seriously - then start with your own approach. If you treat writing as a business, then it's much more likely that others will too.

Book Report Writing

Why Write a Sales Letter for Each Product?

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. Entrepreneurs know their products. But after the initial one-year honeymoon, sales slow down. To counter this make sure your ebook, product, or service you offer will keep on selling from the first day, the first year, even for life. Write a short sales letter for each product or ebook.

Whether you have a Web site or not, you can write a first class, must-buy-now sales letter. Write one for each teleclass, eBook, product, or service. I even write one for my bookcoaching services.

If you are like me and have a Web site, it is content driven. Why? Because that's why people come to any site—to get free information. You must also give them a reason to buy. Most home pages say too much about the author or the book instead of intriguing their potential buyers with a benefit-driven headline, which in turns leads them to the benefits of their books--the sales letter.

My first Web site had many fine books and kits in personal growth and book writing and marketing. Sales never went over $200 a month. To correct that, I created a new site and paid special attention to its sales language (without hype) for each teleclass, eBook, and book coaching opportunities to suit each income and need. Sales were $75 the first month, and in four months they reached $2265. The next year they went around $3000 a month.

What Every Sales Letter Needs to Pull Orders and Profits

You can write each sales letter in less than four hours the first time. As you practice, you can write them in two hours.

1. Start the Letter with a Benefit-Driven Headline.

Include these headlines throughout your sales letter. "Want a quick and easy way to quadruple your Online Income in Four Months?

If you answered, "yes" to yourself, the headline succeeds, because you will keep reading. If you said "No, I don't believe this, " but I'm curious where this is going," the headline still succeeds. You win when your headline seduces your potential customer to read on in your sales letter to discover your product[']s benefits and features, some fine testimonials, and finally to click "buy now" which takes them to the order page.

2. List the Top Five Benefits of your Product or Service in bullet form.

To define your top benefits start with a list of problems your client or customer wants solutions for. Each specific problem you answer can be labeled a benefit. If you are not rock sure of who your audience is, your sales copy dribbles away and doesn't meet its target. Keep redefining your audience and know as much about them as you can.

Remember that one benefit is the top undeniable benefit—usually more money easier, more clients faster, more profits from Web sales, better relationships, and health.

If you have more than five benefits collected in a list, sprinkle the rest throughout your copy. How will your book make someone's life easier, richer in time or money, help their personal growth, provide additional income, entertain them? How will your product or service make them a better business person, more attractive, feel better, avoid catastrophe, sickness, or surgery?

3. Address your Potential Buyer's Resistances.

Remember to tell a background story of where they are NOW so they will emotionally connect with your solutions (the product or service). Let's say they want to write an eBook or print book to make themselves the "expert," make life-long passive income, or share their unique message.

Many people don't write a book because they doubt it will sell well enough for all the effort, it may not be significant enough, it will take too long, cost too much money, and they really aren't writers. One, by one, your sales letter addresses their concerns and shows these potential buyers how they can become an excellent author and make their books more saleable, while building their profits.

4. Sprinkle Testimonials Throughout your Sales Letter.

Potential buyers who visit your site or another one that sells your products are more pulled to buy when they think other people have already. If other people are happy with your product or service, they will be too.

Include testimonials from experts in your field, celebrities, man/woman on the street, and other people who have profited from your advice. Learn how to approach influential contacts through email friendly notes and requests. Ask them to look at and give their opinion on your table of contents, one chapter, and your back cover or sales letter information

Make it easy to buy. Add a few sample phrases and benefits they can use to save these busy people time. They want to help, but consider it's difficult to create testimonials, or it will take them away from their priorities.

Give as you receive. Give that person something of value. Study their Web site or read their ezine, and send them a short helpful tip or joke.

5. Offer your potential clients three or four chances to buy.

They may have already decided to buy before coming to your sales letter, so offer a "Click Here," "Buy Now" near the top of the letter. Offer more buying opportunities along the way after a list of benefits, what's in this book (features), and testimonials.

6. End your Sales Letter with your 100% Money-Back Guarantee.

When you offer an ironclad guarantee, people see your book as so valuable that you put yourself on the line for it. They will be more likely to buy and be satisfied with their purchase.

"This product comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Read the book cover to cover, and if the strategies don't work for you within 60 days, we'll cheerfully refund your money, and you can keep the product too!"

7. Make your Sales Letter Credible.

To boost sales, authors need to add free bonus reports related to their book. Make sure your free bonus reports do not cost more than the price of your product. Would you believe this offer "order this for $49 now and receive 4 special bonus reports worth $395?"

8. Share the downside of your book to create empathy.

For example, "this ebook won't write the book for you, or even get it published, but it will show you the steps and resources to write compelling copy, finish fully and sell well."

9. Include your expert credentials

"I spent 6 months researching this book and 3 months writing it. My background includes 23 years coaching, presenting 70 writing seminars a year, and 43 published clients since 1999."

Without a sales letter to guide your potential buyers on your Web site, you leave them bored, uninspired, without enough information to make that decision to buy. Your Web site and ezine must entertain, inform, and give enough benefits to convince your readers to order your book.

For all email promotion campaigns, without a short or long sales letter for each product, your unique, useful and inspiring information will not get read, people won't know you as the expert, and you won't make the sales you want.

Book Report Writing

Book Publishing Contracts For Writers: What Should I Look Out For?

Dave, I just got a contract for a book from a publisher that I haven't worked with before. These long, tedious legal documents just befuddle me, however! Would you mind spinning through this and seeing what you think about the terms and clauses herein?

Here are my thoughts on this contract. Note up front that I'm not a lawyer and haven't received any particular training in contract interpretation. I do have an MBA and have spent lots of time with lawyers reading and rewriting contracts, however, so I think my advice will be helpful. Also, as a note to my faithful readers, I cannot review contracts for you without charging for my time, and frankly you'd be much better off asking a lawyer to help you out anyway. :-)

Rather than reproduce the entire contract, I'm going to just excerpt the highlights and follow them with my comments or thoughts. I am deliberately not talking about royalty percentage, advances, and other specific numbers because those aren't really appropriate to publish in a public forum of this nature.

.. there shall be no royalty payment on copies of the Book sold at less than Publisher's cost...

Determined by? Audited by? Actual number? These vague and hard-to-enforce clauses always make me anxious because it's built on trust without any ability for you to audit the books (with most publishers, at least). What if the book has a retail price of $19.99 and the publisher decides that $10 is their cost? Then any book sold at any sort of discount are 'less than the publisher's cost' and you don't see a dime.

NET RECEIPTS - For purposes of this Agreement, the Publisher's "Net Receipts" from sales shall mean net profit received by the Publisher from sales of the Book, less credits, returns and funds required for reprints.

Funds required for reprints is a printing / publisher cost of business, assuming that I'm understanding what's being referenced, and that cost shouldn't affect the author. This clause is bogus and should be eliminated.

All monies received for direct sales will be held for a period of 12 months to allow for credits and returns.

That's ridiculous. All my MBA "future value of money" instincts cry out on this one. If there's a 'hold on reserves' that floats from payment to payment, then que sera, sera, but having a 12 month lag is exploiting the system without any benefit to the author. I'd reject this.

TAXES - All payments made under the terms of this Agreement will be subject to USA Federal income tax withholding, as required by the United States Internal Revenue Code.

The only instance where this 1099MISC might not be relevant is if the author is overseas, in which case the publisher needs to pay taxes on the amount that's being paid to the author. Not sure exactly how that'd be structured, but any halfway decent accountant should be able to shed some light on this topic.

ACCOUNT - All royalties and other income accruing to the Author under this Agreement shall be credited to an account maintained on the records of the Publisher (the "Royalty Account"), which Royalty Account will be charged for all amounts paid or payable to Author, including any advance payments, and for all amounts Author is charged, or obligated to pay, pursuant to this Agreement.

This smells of some sort of cross-accounting trick, somehow. I'd kick this out. Each book should have its own account or it should be explicitly stated that the account will not interweave credits and debits from different projects.

OVERPAYMENT - If any person comprising the Author has received an overpayment of money from the Publisher or has an outstanding monetary obligation to the Publisher, whether arising out of this Agreement or any other agreement with the Publisher, the Publisher may deduct the amount of such overpayment or outstanding obligation from the Royalty Account or any sums due to such person under this Agreement.

And there's the cross-accounting clause. Debt with one book should not affect credit (royalties) with another book. Absolutely reject this. Each book project should stand on its own two feet.

AUTHOR DISCOUNT - The Author shall also be entitled to purchase additional copies of the Book for the Author's personal use (self-promotion) at a discount of twenty-five percent (25%) off the suggested retail price of the Book, plus the cost of shipping and handling, while the Book remains in print.

That's ridiculous. The book should be available to the author at cost plus shipping, not at a discount rate that's less than the discount a typical bookstore sees! At least 45% off, if not 60% off the cover price. The publisher shouldn't try to exploit the author in this fashion. Theoretically, the author and publisher are partners on this publication, after all.

AUTHOR'S CORRECTIONS - Author alteration costs in excess of ten percent (10%) of the cost of the original composition, and any expenses incurred by the Publisher in the making of Illustrations replacing those originally submitted with the Book, shall be charged to the Royalty Account.

I think it's important to specify that it depending on why these changes are required. If there's a new version of the program and the screenshots need to be replaced, or if there's a major corporate reorganization or change in the laws or economy, that's not a cost the author should incur. It's just part of the risk of trying to capture in print an element of our fluid, ever-changing world.

COPYRIGHT - The Author hereby expressly grants, transfers, and assigns to the Publisher full and exclusive rights to the Book, including, without limitation, the copyright in the Book, all revisions thereof, and the right to prepare translations and other derivative works based upon the Book in all forms and languages...

And what payment does the author see if the publisher prepares a translation or derivative work? Curiously that isn't specified in the contract as far as I can see...

The Publisher will register copyright in the Book in the name of the Publisher in compliance with the United States Copyright Law. If the Publisher supplies artwork (including artwork for the cover of the Book), it may register copyright separately therein in a manner satisfactory to the Publisher.

Note that there are publishers who let the author retain copyright of the material while the publisher copyrights the overall work. A much nicer approach, in my opinion, much more respectful of the author.

Tip to new publishers: the author can retain copyright without infringing on your rights of publication or compilation copyright.

The Author represents and warrants that, except as previously disclosed to the Publisher in writing, the Author has not aided in the preparation of and is not under any obligation to any other publisher or person to prepare any publication directly competitive with the Book, or which could interfere with his or her performance of this Agreement or interfere with or impair the sale of the Book.

And here's the first glimmer of the non-compete clause. This is a no-go. You need to have it either MUCH more specific (like "author is under no obligation and shall not produce any other work that is specifically addressed at the introductory Bash shell script programming audience, to be marketed online through Amazon marketplace and other ebook venues") or strike this entirely.

The publisher doesn't own you, the author, they're just buying your words.

NON-COMPETITION - The Author agrees that so long as the Book remains in print, the Author will not participate in the preparation or publication of, or allow his or her name to be used in connection with, any work which might compete with the Book or the exercise of any rights granted Publisher hereunder. The Author may, however, draw on and refer to material contained in the Book in preparing articles for publication in professional journals, for teaching purposes, and for delivery at professional meetings and symposia, provided appropriate credit is given to the Publisher and the Book.

Which, of course, is unacceptable. If I write a book for this publisher called, say, Fifty Ways to Hack your Shell (Hey! That's a good title!) I would be prohibited from ever writing about shell programming or, ostensibly, any Unix topic that included discussion of shells because it *might* compete with the book.

This needs to either be much, much more tightly defined or removed entirely.

Actually, I hate all these non-compete clauses because they're where you can really see how most publishers stack the deck against the author, even though it should be a fair, equitable and professionally respectful relationship.

OUT-OF-PRINT PROVISIONS - If at any time, the Publisher determines that the demand for the Book is insufficient to warrant its continued publication, the Publisher may declare the Book out of print. In such event, the Author shall have the right to purchase the Publisher's stock of the Book, if any, at one-quarter (1/4) of the Publisher's established list price, but not below cost.

That's just daft on the part of the publisher. If it's out of print, then they have a warehouse problem and they should just liquidate the remaining books to the author even at just shipping costs. It'd be cheaper than having to pay for them to be destroyed...

If the Publisher declares the Book out of print, then upon the Author's written demand, the rights granted by the Author under this Agreement will revert to the Author...

I'm not sure that's consistent with copyright law. This is really why it's better to have the author retain copyright because then once the book goes out of print the material naturally falls back to the author anyway, without remembering to notify the publisher in writing.

I hope that this review has been helpful and informative. What you're willing to accept in a publishing contract is directly affected by why you are writing the book in the first place, so think through your motivations, the big picture, and your career before you decide exactly what you'll accept and what you'll insist must be removed. For the record, I have rejected contracts and lost writing gigs because of unacceptable clauses. I think it's worth it, but you, in my position, may not think so.

Again, just to reiterate, this is not offered as legal advice and I disclaim any responsibility for your acting upon anything I've said herein! :-)

Book Report Writing

Make More Money Self-Publishing Special Reports

1. YOU CAN DO IT! WILL YOU?

You CAN succeed in your own information empire. Self-publishing
valuable, how-to information is in great demand by people
today. In today`s busy society, people are pressed for time.
They need concise, simplified, practical information. They will
pay dearly for it if it will improve the quality of their lives.

Even if you have never written for money before, you can do so
if you apply the information in this report. Lack of formal
education should not deter you. Large sums of cash are not
required. What is required is the application of the
information in this report.

You must have more than good intentions, though. Your strong
desire to succeed, not only in making money, but in making a
difference in other peoples` lives, will motivate you. Then,
following through, you will execute your planned tasks to reach
your goal.

2. WHY IS SELF-PUBLISHED INFORMATION THE PERFECT PRODUCT?

Information can be sold on the basis of its value. For example,
if you could receive a thousand dollar tax-free grant, would you
pay ten dollars for that information? Most persons would.
They`d be $990.00 ahead. Yet, that information might fit on one
printed page. So, the cost of producing the information has
almost no relationship to the value of the information. Thus,
the potential for high markups and profits exist in this business.

Information products (unlike other hard goods like cars,
refrigerators, et cetera) are relatively light and so incur
lower shipping costs. In fact, the post office gives
preferential treatment for shipping books.

You could sell other peoples` products, but then you would not
have control over your business. At any time, your suppliers
could change their commission structure, let your competitors
sell the product, or even discontinue your relationship. If you
own your own proprietary product, your own copyrighted
information product, no one can legally sell it without your
permission. You control its production, promotion, and
distribution.

3. WHY SELF-PUBLISH SPECIAL REPORTS INSTEAD OF BOOKS?

A Special Report (sometimes called a folio) is a written
document of from one to several pages on a specialized subject
of interest to certain readers. It should be concise and
practical information of value to a particular audience. It
might be professionally bound with a cover and personalized for
the reader or it might just be a few pages stapled together or
it may even take the form of a computer file or electronic
book. This publication is an example of a Special Report.

Books and booklets must be produced in certain minimum
quantities. This is fine, when you`re well-established
financially. However, Special Reports can be produced on
demand, one copy at a time, if necessary. This means that if you
receive one order, you can publish it from your home computer by
simply printing a copy of your file.

Even if you have no computer, you could type one copy of your
report and have it photocopied as required. This results in
virtually no money being tied up in inventory. You spend money
only when you receive orders.

Books are lengthier and require more time and effort to
produce. Therefore, it will take you longer to make money from
your efforts. A Special Report, being only a few pages long on
the average, is a product you can develop and produce quickly
and economically.

Many customers will appreciate the concise treatment of a
particular subject in a Special Report. They could pay forty
dollars for a complete book on home-based businesses, but maybe
they just want information on self-publishing.

Perhaps they have already bought books on How To Publish Your
Own Book, but the area of Special Reports wasn`t really
covered. For a few dollars (and often for considerably less
expense than a book), they can get the essential information
they need to accomplish their goal.

If time is money, then your customer will really appreciate your
to-the-point consideration of his selected subject. You are not
being paid by the word; you are being paid for results.

As you write further Special Reports in your area of expertise
and interest, you will find you will have a number of products
to sell, instead of just one. Then, you will have diversified
your income, having developed multiple income sources. Instead
of making money only when you are working, these products could
generate passive income for years to come. While on vacation or
while sleeping, orders could be coming in for these products you
developed.

As well, a series of Special Reports or folios on related
subjects could be combined later to produce a book. If, for
example, you produced twelve different folios on various ways of
making money from self-publishing, they could be combined in a
book on the same subject.

Thus, Special Reports can be used as the basis for creating
other information products, such as books, booklets, audio
cassettes, videos, courses, software, speeches, website content,
electronic books, business kits, and so on. The more products
you have and the more choices you offer your customer, the more
income streams you will generate for yourself.

4. WHAT SHOULD YOU WRITE ABOUT?

Of course, it is natural that you would want to write about
something that is of interest to you. However, is what you are
writing about of interest to others? You may be an excellent
poet, but the market is very limited for poetry.

On the other hand, practical and simple "how-to" information
sells. As an example, you presumably bought this report to
accomplish a number of objectives. First of all, you wanted to
make more money. Secondly, you wanted to learn how to create
valuable information of use to others, so that they could pay
you for it.

Is there a market for moneymaking information like this? You
bet there is! Just check out the business opportunity magazines
at the newstands to see that this is true. Use internet search
engines to find moneymaking or other how-to subjects and to
learn about what your competitors are doing.

The key to making money from your self-published information is
to write on a subject that is of interest and benefit to your
reader. There must be a sufficient number of persons interested
in your subject in order for you to justify the time and expense
required to undertake writing about it.

You must be able to reach these persons economically (through
the internet, magazines, or other means). Most important, what
you write should address a concern, want or need of your
reader. Provide the benefits implied in your title and
advertising. Provide good value for the money charged, and your
customers will be happy and buy other products from you.

5. HOW TO PRODUCE A SPECIAL REPORT

It is likely that you already possess information, knowledge,
and skills in areas of interest to others. Meditate on what you
already know. Sometimes we assume that other people already
know what we know. This is not the case. If this knowledge can
help others save money, increase their income, improve their
health, be better liked, improve their happiness, or give some
other important benefit, you can use this knowledge as the basis
of producing your information product.

As well as your own expertise, you can consult other sources to
add to your knowledge. Research at the public library, in
bookstores, on the internet, through personal interviews of
experts, and by taking educational courses on your chosen
subject will all help you develop additional expertise needed to
write your folio.

As for writing ability and skill, practice makes perfect. Get
constructive criticism from others. Have a friend proofread
your report. Check your grammar and spelling. Use simple
sentences. Don`t get too complicated or you`ll lose most of
your readers.

Use of a personal computer will help you immensely. Prepare
your document in text format so that you can use your
information in different formats, such as for your website, in
electronic books, for e-mailing to a printer, et cetera. If you
wish, you may export a copy of the text file you used to prepare
your own Special Report to a word processing program to format
it for printing. Only print the copies needed to fill orders.

Writing any information product requires self-discipline. You
must find a suitable time to write each day. Buy out the time
from less important activities such as TV viewing or idle
conversation. If you have specific goals and stick to them and
your schedule, you are likely to accomplish your objective of
making more money with self-published special reports.

If, for example, your goal is to produce one Special Report per
week, you will need to schedule the required time for research,
then writing, editing and corrections.

Be realistic about your goals. If you can only produce one
special report per month, don`t be discouraged. Adjust your
goals to what reasonably can be accomplished. Just think!
Producing only one Special Report per month would produce a line
of twelve different products in a year and could form the basis
of a newly published book!

6. HOW TO SELL SPECIAL REPORTS

Writing, although hard work and akin to giving birth, is only
part of the battle. Now you need to sell your Special Reports.

Remember, you didn`t just write on any subject that interested
you. You deliberately chose a subject that was marketable. You
wrote a subject others were interested in. Otherwise, you
wouldn`t be able to sell it.

Whether you use a website, magazine ads, direct mail or other
methods of advertising and promoting your Special Reports, make
sure that all your communications stress the benefits to the
target reader. They must be convinced that your folio is a
product that is needed by them and is worth the money.

Don`t forget to take advantage of free publicity for your
products. Send press releases and try to get your publication
reviewed or featured as a new product in appropriate magazines
or other media.

Special Reports can be adapted as articles that you can offer
for sale to magazines. Some consultants and professionals use
Special Reports to promote their own business and to establish
credibility as experts in a certain field.

7. THE BEGINNING OF YOUR INFORMATION EMPIRE

From small beginnings come big things. Your following through
on the information in this report could result in many
benefits. A steady production of appropriate Special Reports
will give you control and ownership of profitable products in
high demand. These products can create income for years after
they are produced. They can also form the basis of other
products: books, audio tapes, videos, courses, internet content,
software, and other salable, unique products. Establish your
credibility as a respected expert in your field.

Don`t delay; follow through. Best wishes to you in building a
profitable and enjoyable information empire!

Book Report Writing

Promote your Coaching or Speaking Business Through eBooks

In these uncertain times when we all would like to feel safe, when we don't really want to travel so much for our business, we need to look to the Online Marketing Machine of ePublishing.

Your audience today is Internet savvy. They love the Web, surf it regularly and are looking for specific information that. You have that expertise already and can easily put it into an eBook.

Business audiences want concise, easy-to-read short books on subjects from personal growth to how-to books. They are willing to print short eBooks, often only the chapters they plan to read immediately. Hardly any business person wants to read a long book any more. If you are like me, you probably don’t want to either.

Ebooks are the wave of the future, and anyone, even those who think they can't write, can create a quality eBook in less than a month. With a little help from a book coach, you can learn the three or four best ways to use your eBook with other Online Promotion-and watch your client base grow.

If you are a speaker, you already have several talks you can give. One of those talks can be your first short eBook. Print books and traditional publishing don't support the author. They take way too long, and only give the author a pittance for a lot of hard work.

E books are easy work. In fact, with the articles you have in your files, plus the talks you already have written, you have the beginnings of your first eBook. Instead of 200 pages, think 10-30 pages. Instead of 15 chapters, think of 3-5 sections. Instead of long stories, think of tips.

Why an eBook?

Today, professionals need a Web site to market their services. In that Web site they need a home page with marketing pizzazz that uses benefit-driven headlines to drive the visitor to their coaching pages as well as to their product pages. On these pages you have your "sales letter" crafted to entice your reader to buy.

EBooks help your coaching business because you can give the very short ones away when people subscribe to your eNewsletter. Your ezine helps promote both your eBooks and your services. Even if you don't have your own Web site, you can sell eBooks on other sites. Many pay up to 70% royalties-a much better deal than Amazon.

The "Big Three" Marketing Machine

1. Write or use short articles already in your files. Subscribe and submit them to Opt-in Ezines.

2. Expand several articles to become an eSpecial Report, or eBook as some call them. You can give these away also, and you can also charge $4.95-$7.95 for them.

3. Write your short eBook including a short introduction (sales letter), table of contents, a simple cover, and apply the essential "hot selling points" like the 30-60 "Tell and Sell."

In each of these include all of your promotion information, your list of other products, your announcement about your coaching services, your one-page for speaking, and an order page with instructions that make it easy to "buy."

Why Write an eBook?

Using this trio, you will attract many more people to your Web site, to your talks, seminars and teleclasses. You will attract new clients as well as new subscribers to your ezine. In the long run, you will create a business easy and fun to operate. You'll create even more client loyalty and trust while building your reputation. And you create an ongoing, lifelong income-enough to keep you sound and secure in any economic situation.

Book Report Writing

Top Ten Things to Do to Make Your Signature File Sell

Always include a powerful signature on every email you send out, even to friends. It's even more important when you send out articles to opt-in ezines (no spam) and top web sites in your field--more important than your article's message.

This resource box contains your subtle sales message as well as giving people multiple ways to contact you. This billboard calls for action, so write it accordingly. Entice your reader to subscribe, to go to your site to get your free report. There's more.

The biggest mistake business people make is a too long signature or a too confusing one. Make yours easy to read.

1. Write your full name in the top line with your title.

Make this the strongest you can. If in business for over 5 years, put that information after your name. For instance, Judy Cullins, 20-year author, speaker and book coach.

2. Write your concept statement, which includes a major benefit on the second line.

Ask associates to give you feedback on your best five. For instance, "Helps entrepreneurs manifest their book and web dreams." Or, "Empowers you to live your ideal work dream."

3. Write in one book title in the third line.

Like me, perhaps you've written several books. Depending on your purpose such as sending a how to article on say, a topic like "Submit Articles to Opt-in Ezines--the #One Way to Promote your Business on the Net." Even though authoring other books on writing, in this signature file, I included "eBk: "Drastically Increase your Targeted Web Traffic and Sales"

4. Follow the 2004 new law. Write your street address, city and zip in the fourth line.

I imagine this is to stop spam. Some people may not be so Internet literate too, and may want to contact you by mail. Always make it easy for your reader to connect.

5. Put your web site address in line five.

Be sure to include the hyperlink such as http//www.-------.com. It will be underlined in blue. If you submit articles to opt-in ezines you will not use hyperlink, but can ask your article reader to use the hyperlink when they put your article up on their web site.

6. Make a free offer in line six.

This may be a free report or your free ezine. Include the title of your free ezine or report and include a hyperlink to get it at your site. Or, if you don't have that set up yet, give directions to put "free report" in subject line of their email back to you.

In just 4-7 times of reading your ezine or reading your special reports (change them periodically in your signature file), you will gain a loyal supporter who shares your reports and ezine with others. Great Internet marketing!

7. Include your email address with a hyperlink.

For example, mailto:cullinsbks@aol.com is better than cullinsbks@aol.com. The hyperlink makes it easier for your reader to take action because all they have to do is click straight through to the goodies.

8. Include your toll-free number for orders.

You never know when someone will see that number and call you immediately after reading your email full of useful information. That's a way to build your practice, clients, and customers.

9. Include your local telephone number.

For people out of country, you need to include a number they can use. Again, you are making it easy for your client to be to reach you.

10. Alter your signature file now and then.

Many coaches and speakers like the paragraph form for their signature file. You can also combine the information in a list and then with a line to separate, a paragraph or bio about you.

Without a powerful sales-oriented signature file you will lose many contacts that can lead to sales. Modify yours today and watch your profits grow.

Book Report Writing

Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them (Part 1)

Did you know that you already have an eBook inside you? And, like your coach, you can earn thousands of dollars each month?

Even if you are a non-techie like me, you can write your ebook at the same time you write your print book. Or, solve your readers' problems using other articles and reports already in your files. Expand a two-page article with a story or add other how-to's.

If you want to double and triple your present book income, check out these mistakes and correct them now.

Mistake 1. You don't write a short e-Book first to test the waters.

Short is in the eyes of the beholder, but let's say from 15-90 pages. Your future customers will be glad to download these pages and print only the ones they need to.

Your e-Book needs to be more concise, easy-to-read, and compelling than your print book. That means you can shorten your analogies and stories. You can use a "success format" that poses a question (a heading) your reader wants answered, then answer it. This formula gets to the point quickly, and always remember, your Online audience is busy and doesn't want a wordy style.

Mistake 2. You don't check in with a professional editor or book coach before you sell your e-Book.

Yes, it's good to get feedback from peers, but you need to get a professional look at the final edition -someone who can set you straight about words and grammar that makes your writing vital and original. For instance, you need to drop your passive constructions such as "there is" or any form of "is, has, begin or start". Limit the -ly adverbs that merely tell rather than show. Your readers want a picture and want to respond with their emotions. Limit your -ing forms of the verbs. Keep your copy in present or past tense.

Mistake 3. You don't know your audience before you write your e-Book.

Emerging authors make this biggest mistake. They have information, so why not write an e-Book? Instead think about the audience you will serve. More targeted works well. People who want something quick and easy that will save them time and money - another audience. The best one so far in the untapped Internet or Online audience. Mostly small business people, they are eager to buy what they need to make their life or business more enjoyable, profitable, and easy.

Right now, think of your one or two preferred audiences, and keep their profile of their needs, complaints, or problems as well as their picture by your workstation. Then you will write the book your pre-sold audience already wants!

Mistake 4. You don't automate your business.

As a newbie or non-techie, at first you may resist learning how to do this. Three years ago I knew nothing about the net, and today I've published five e-Books on Internet marketing and e-Book writing and publishing. You can too, little by little.

Since each book will not bring you landslides of profit, think about limiting your small priced books. Or, bundle them so that each sale is around $20 and up.

Offer your e-Book for sale through an 800 number. One with excellent service is MRC business Support at 800-366-5596. Set up a link for people to download your book. Two companies to investigate are Clickbank.com and Paypal.com.

Delegate some of this work to your computer assistant. Contact your local high schools and technical schools where Online geniuses live. And, the cost is nominal in comparison to the results.

Mistake 5. You don't have a title that sells well.

A good title is short, clear, and clever. The best title includes your book's number one benefit. Use words your audience can relate to. Even cliches are OK for book titles. Instead of "How to Market Online," offer a title like a Web site headline: "Quadruple your Monthly Book Income - Market Online."

Brainstorm a list of your possible titles with associates through a small marketing survey. Ask them to vote from 1-10 and offer their own title ideas that would make them reach into their wallets and pay $15-20 or more.

The e-Book earning curve while short is important for all writers to conquer. It's easier when you contact a professional coach or take a teleclass to inform yourself. Stop making e-Book mistakes so you can earn the money you deserve.

Book Report Writing