Respect Your Business and Have a Plan

Let me start with a quote from Dr. Myles Munroe:

“Do not seek greatness, but seek to serve others with your gift to the maximum extent that you can, and you will become a sought-after person. In essence, Jesus defined true leadership as becoming a person who is valuable to others rather than a person of just position or fame.”

Authors have a talent, a gift God has bestowed upon them. Many chose to share this gift while others are still pondering the idea of putting pen to paper. No matter who you are or when you decide to do it TREAT YOUR BOOK LIKE A BUSINESS. Your books are going to make you revenue when people purchase them. Your book is a product and you should promote like one.

Many non-authors say, “If you are writing for the love of it, why have a business plan?” To sum it up, if we were only writing for the pleasure of it, our notes, short stories and poems would still be tucked away under our mattress for our eyes only. It takes a lot of work to get a book published; did I say it takes a lot of work to get a book published? So why would it not be for the money or at least some money.

I started my Simon Says Series because I want to make an impact on society. I wanted to reach children, parents, and teachers by sending a positive, creative message. I also wanted to make some money. Money was and is still not my motivation but it is part of the equation. I created a business plan, a working business plan; the same plan I keep next to my computer and follow. I make changes to it regularly by taking out what does not work and adding what does. I keep up with all the free promotional sites and online tours anything to make my book a success in progress.

Your book is your business and you must have a plan. Business plans are no longer the 100-page documents they use to be; they can be as simple as five pages as long as it fits your book needs and addresses all of your book needs. I have a few business plan samples that I cut and pasted from to create my business plan for my Simons Says Series, in fact, when I finish the entry I have to update it to add blogging.

Remember, treat your book like a business, and respect your business by having a plan. If you would like a copy of the sample business plans, I have just log onto my website Simon Says Books and send me an email. Happy writing and God Bless.

Fresh Start

Wow, a year has come and gone. GOD has blessed us. Now that we are well rested and recovered from the Holiday Festivities we must get back to work. We as self-publishers do not have time for New Year’s Resolutions, like loose weight, going to the gym and stuff like that. We have books to write, publish and market.

So what do we do first?

First, we must pull out those business plans that we have tucked away, dust them off and make the necessary updates. I know with all of the networks I have joined in just 2008, I know my marketing section needs to be updated along with adding the virtual book tours and blogradio shows that generated some revenue.

Second, pull out those first editions and look them over…is it time for another edition with a little flare? My friend just revamped her first book by making some suggested changes and is making more revenue from the second edition than she did with the first.

Third, look at your team, the people surrounding you. Think about what you did not like and what you will not stand for in 2009; address it now tomorrow will be too late. We never want to make the same mistake twice especially in our business, it cost us too much. Basically kick them to the curb, yes I know the pain of finding someone else is time consuming but it is better than settling when you are suppose to be in charge so take charge

Fourth, review your networks and myspace pages. Get rid of the ones you don’t use, try to consolidate the ones that over lap. I know I have so many NING accounts I am staring to get 10-12 emails from the same people because we are friends on so many of the same networks. If you must keep all the networks try to put them all on one page for easy access.

Lastly, enjoy what you do, stay strong and motivated. Distance yourself from the naysayers. Surround yourself with positive people, smile, believe in what you do and again enjoy yourself. We as self-publishers knew this was going to be hard work, sleepless nights in some cases and trying on the nerves at times, but we love it. Yes, the work is hard but look what we have accomplished. I am so proud of all of the people I have met since I decided to self-publish and proud to carry that positive relationship into my 2009.

Happy New Year Everyone….GOD Bless!