Archives for April 2012

How to Turn Your Content into the Rough Draft of Your Book

If you are a coach, a blogger, entrepreneur or speaker, you already have the content.
You share it with your clients and audiences all the time. Now you can learn how to
repurpose that content to reach a larger audience with your valuable message.

Why would you want to do this?

Because the word “author” is still the key part of “authority,” and writing a book
is still the most recognized indicator of authority.

Join me in a free webinar on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
at 4 PM PDT (5 MT, 6PM CT, 7EST)
to learn how to turn your content into the rough draft of your book.

This is the best time in publishing history for aspiring authors, especially those of you who already have content and a platform (even if you’re just starting.)

You will learn

The one tip that will free you to create your rough draft fast
Why fast is better than good
Three easy ways to turn your current content into your rough draft
How to start your rough draft tonight even if you don’t have any content yet
Why you need a book
Why a traditional outline may not be your friend

Dash over to register at http://www.abookin90days.com/webinarinvite

Filed Under: repurpose content, writing a book

Forget Your Resume, Come from Behind Your Mask, Beef Up Your Bio

By Flora 7 Comments

The growing popularity of social media sites has focused attention on the story people tell about themselves. When I’m considering whether or not to link, friend or follow you, for example, what you say in your profile helps me decide. If you haven’t even taken the time to complete a profile, you can forget it. Why would I want to connect with a mask?

When I was growing up I was encouraged to be modest and keep my personal life to myself. Perhaps this is true for you too. Talking about your quirks, adversities and telling the truth about your misadventures was known as airing your dirty laundry. Only the pretty (often deceptive) version could be shared in public.

Times have changed. According to Michael Margolis, Founder and President of GetStoried.com, we can reinvent ourselves through our stories. He’s not suggesting that we unburden ourselves so that we feel better either. He believes that if you are a coach, entrepreneur or other business person, your perceived worth and value is directly related to your personal story.

Check out what Michael has to say regarding the importance of your About page. Then go over to his site to get a taste of his virtual storytelling summit. http://www.getstoried.com/free-storytelling-mini-conference-preview/

Filed Under: being authentic, being transparent, personal story

How Your Overcoming Story Can Make a Difference

By Flora Leave a Comment

This story of unknown origin is an excerpt from Chapter 3 of my book, Color Your LIfe Happy: Create the Success, Abundance and Inner Joy You DeserveAvailable in print and as Kindle instant download–$7.99 (If you don’t own a Kindle, Amazon provides a free download to your computer or smartphone)

One day, a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. That animal cried piteously or hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovels later the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He shook it off and took a step up. As the neighbors continue to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he shook it off and took another step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed to see the donkey step up over the edge of the well and happily trot off!

In the end, the donkey found the right attitude toward the dirt hitting his back. He didn’t accept it as a death sentence. He shook off the dirt and took a step up.

Like the donkey in the story, at some point in our lives we will find ourselves in deep trouble, stress, or what may seem like a hopeless situation. Our first reaction may be to cry, limit our troubles, cursed and fight against our situation. The sooner we turn from our fruitless actions and calm ourselves, however the sooner we can discover positive actions, shake off our troubles and rise to a satisfying solution. We cannot control or change others but we can definitely control our reaction to outside circumstances.

As a coach, an entrepreneur, or speaker do you have an overcoming story of your own that will give courage, motivation and hope to someone? Perhaps you already share such stories with your clients in your sessions or presentations. You can share your transforming stories in a bigger way through your book. I would like to become your partner in getting your book written, marketed and published.

If you are ready to share to get your book written, let’s talk to see if my program is a good fit for you. If it’s not, no worries because I’ll offer you great alternatives. Pop me an email right now with “READY” in the subject line at [email protected] with your phone number and I’ll call you within 24 hours. I’ll be filling these slots quickly so don’t push this deep desire of yours down again. All it takes right now is for you to step forward and put the universe on notice that you are ready to make a bigger difference.

I’m going over to check for your email right now.

Filed Under: power of your story, writing a book

How to Get Where You Want to Go (and So Much Further)

By Flora Leave a Comment

When I’m working with aspiring authors I often draw upon my own experience and that of others to make a point or stress a concept. For those who
question me about how to get started with their book or other project, I often share stories about success starting from the inside with an attitude.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 4 of my book, Color Your LIfe Happy: Create the Success, Abundance and Inner Joy You Deserve Available in print and as Kindle instant download–$7.99 (If you don’t own a Kindle, Amazon provides a free download to your computer or smartphone)

Be willing to do whatever it takes to get where you want to go.

Do you want to reach goals or make changes in your life? Are you willing to do what it takes?
~ John Addison

I recently had an experience that demonstrates what happens when you are willing to do what it takes.

One weekend I went to see the musical The Color Purple at a theater in downtown Los Angeles with a group of theater-goers from Santa Ana College. We parked our cars at the college and went by charter bus into L.A. I chose to go with this group so I wouldn’t have to drive.

When we made our way to our seats, I was disappointed to see that we were in the highest balcony, jokingly called the “nosebleed” section. Whoever designed that steep slope of a balcony must have never had to sit there. I’m not squeamish, but I was beginning to realize that I was not going to enjoy this musical so many miles from the stage, with the actors appearing three inches tall.

It was still twenty minutes before curtain. I was so discontented. A feeling of settling for less than I deserved welled up inside me. Different scenarios and dialogue started playing loudly in my head.

“I refuse to sit in these inadequate seats.”

“Who do you think you are? Everyone else seems to be okay even though they are complaining about how high up these seats are.”

“That’s them. I’m not happy.”

“What are you going to do about it? The musical is about to start.”

“I don’t know, but there’s no way I’m going to enjoy the show in this seat.”

“I wonder whether they have any available seats left in the lower levels?”

“Go and see.”

“You’re willing to spend more money on another seat?”

“Yes, I’m willing to buy another seat.”

“I’m going to the box office and buy another seat in Orchestra, or at least Mezzanine.”

“What if they don’t have seats left?”

“If they don’t have any available seats, I’ll just call a friend to pick me up.”

“Hell! I’d rather hang out in the lobby than sit in this seat!”

“You mean you’re willing to make all those folks between you and aisle get up to let you out?”

“Yep. I’m outta here.”

I rose from my seat and slid my way to the aisle, murmuring, “Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me,” causing people to pop up like Jack-in-the-boxes.

As I approached the ticket booth outside the theater, a lady walked up to me.

“Do you need a ticket for this performance?” she inquired.

“Where is the seat?” I asked, leaning over to verify that it was a better section than I had been in.

“Mezzanine,” she announced.

“Great! Are you trying to sell it or give it away?” I checked.

“You may have it for free because my friend couldn’t come,” she explained.

“Thank you,” I said, as she placed the ticket in my outstretched hand.

I felt very satisfied, but now wanted to try to give away my balcony seat if possible. I began scanning the approaching crowd trying to spot anyone headed to the ticket booth.

Just then a gentleman approached me extending a ticket toward me. “Would you like a free ticket to today’s performance? My wife couldn’t attend,” he explained.

“Where is the seat?” I inquired. I definitely wasn’t going to settle now.

“Oh, it’s a great seat,” he insisted, practically begging me to accept his free ticket. “It’s in the Orchestra.”

“Thanks!” I said, cheerfully scooping the ticket from his hand.

Now I had three tickets to this performance. I tried to give away my two extra tickets, but found no takers.

It was now less than ten minutes before curtain, so I gave up trying to give away my extra tickets and dashed to my seat.

I enjoyed the performance immensely in my wonderful seat eleven rows from the stage. I saw every nuance of the cast’s telling facial gestures and the lively directing of the orchestra leader. The stirring vocal and dance performances and heartwarming story were made even better by my proximity to the action.

I am positive that I would not have attracted this great seat into my life if I had not first been willing to do whatever it took.

Please note I didn’t have to take any of the drastic actions that played out in my head. I just had to be willing to do them.

When you refuse to accept what you don’t want, declare with passion what you do want, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it, the universe conspires to bring what you want and place it in your hands.

If getting your book written and published has been on your to do list longer than you care to admit, I’d love to be your partner in reaching this life-changing goal. Right now I have space for five new clients in my private program who are ready to do what it takes to get their nonfiction book completed in the next 90 days. No magic incantations or secret potions are involved, just your readiness to do what it takes.

If this is you, and you’re ready to do what it takes to get your book written, let’s talk to see if my program is a good fit for you. If it’s not, no worries because I’ll offer you great alternatives. Pop me an email right now with “READY” in the subject line at [email protected] with your phone number and I’ll call you within 24 hours. I’ll be filling these slots quickly so don’t push this deep desire of yours down again. All it takes right now is for you to step forward and put the universe on notice that you are willing to do what it takes.

I’m going over to check for your email right now.

Filed Under: achievement, attitude, reaching goals

Here's One Way to Let the World Know About Your Book or Service

By Flora Leave a Comment

Every business, entrepreneur, and service provider knows that to succeed you must let people know you exist. The old school way of taking out newspaper ads or buying listings in the Yellow Pages are as ineffective as they are expensive.

Taking a lesson from movie trailers, many authors and others are now creating videos to introduce their work to the world. (See my recent blog post here to get ideas on creating your book trailer.)

When you have the budget and chutzpah to get the public involved in your promotion, however, you can create a promotion that will have legs and go viral on its own. That’s what happened when the TV channel TNT launched in Belgium. I defy you to watch this video below and not laugh as well as tell others about it.

Don’t despair if you don’t have the cast and money to recreate a similar event for your book or service. Instead, use what you DO have to think of a creative way you market that will make folks take notice. Then, when you do, come back and share what you did with us on this blog.

Filed Under: marketing your book, promote your product, video marketing, video trailer