It’s Easy To Ask For A Click/Like/Pin, Hard To Make A Sale

With all the talk of building an audience, of growing a platform, I wanted to reflect on the leap it is to go from asking someone to “Like me on Facebook,” to “Please buy my book.” That making a purchase is a big commitment for most people, and a multistage process of pulling out your credit card, etc.

I was speaking with the owner of a small press the other day who told me about the wonderful publicity they had received around one of their books, that multiple large websites mentioned it. And that unfortunately, this didn’t translate into huge sales numbers for the book.

That there is a difference between asking someone to pin something on Pinterest, vs actually shelling out cash to buy it.

When I saw Kevin Smokler and Richard Nash each speak at a conference the other week, they both made the point of how big of a commitment it is to not just buy a book, but actually read it. Kevin calls it a “third date.”

So in this video, I discuss taking that leap, and being aware of the difference between a Like and a sale.
Thanks!
-Dan

Check Out Jeff Goins’ eBook: You Are A Writer

Jeff Goins just released a new eBook called You Are A Writer: So Start Acting Like One. In this video, I give you an overview of who it is for and why you may want to check it out.

Jeff encourages those who struggle with becoming a writer to “become who you are,” and own the title of “writer.” He shares his journey and that of others, being honest about the challenges that he and others face in becoming writers.

The book is intended to motivate writers to double down on their dream, or make a conscious choice that it isn’t for them. A sample of his style and focus here is his list titled “What Nobody Ever Tells You About Writing,” which includes the following items:

  • It’s harder than you think.
  • It’s not enough to be good. You have to be great.
  • Nobody cares about you. People care about themselves.
  • It’s more about who you know than what you know.
  • You’d better love it. (Otherwise, quit now.)

He also shares lots of very tactical advice on how to develop your author platform. He reviews in detail the “Three Tools Every Writer Needs:”

  1. A platform to share your writing.
  2. A brand to build trust with readers.

  3. Channels of connection to distribute your art.

You can check out the book at http://youareawriter.com

Jeff was kind enough to send me a free copy of the book (thank you Jeff!) but I would have bought a copy anyway. My opinions here reflect my honest take on the value of the book.

Thanks!
-Dan

Registration Ends Tomorrow: Build Your Author Platform Online Course

Registration ends tomorrow, Tuesday April 3rd at Noon PST for my 8-week online course BUILD YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM.

An incredible group of writers is already on board to spend the next two months learning how to grow their audience, and create the community they need for a successful writing career.

You get so much in the course, including:

  • 8 career-shifting lessons that take you step by step through the process of how to develop your author platform.
  • Personalized feedback via weekly homework assignments, where I directly address your challenges and opportunities with advice to ensure you are on the right track.
  • The ability to ask questions 24/7 via our private online forum. Here, you can discuss key topics in developing your platform with myself and other students in the course.
  • 8 Exclusive Insider Calls, where I get on the phone with the entire class and you can ask anything. Here you have a chance to brainstorm ideas; dig into specific challenges you are trying to move past; and build close relationships with myself and the other writers in the course. All Exclusive Insider Calls are recorded, so if you miss a call, you always have access to the recording.
  • 6 Guest Expert Calls from leading publishing professionals. These experts get on the phone with the class, and allow you to ask them any question you want. They provide personalized insight that helps you build your author platform. All Guest Expert Calls are recorded, so if you miss a call, you always have access to the recording.

For full information, and to register, click here.
Thanks!
-Dan

Author Branding: Building Communication and Trust With Your Audience

In a guest post for TheCreativePenn.com, I dig into why writers need to consider the brand they are developing:

“This is about connecting your work to readers who will appreciate it most. In one form or another, this is about story. When you consider your identity as an author, consider framing your own story, of using elements of branding to help communicate this more effectively to potential readers.”

Read the full post at TheCreativePenn.com.
Thanks!
-Dan

The First 3 Things To Consider When Developing Your Author Platform

In a guest post on Kathy Pooler’s website, I share tips on the first steps to building an author platform. In the post, I share three core things I address when I begin working with an author:

  • Focusing their goals
  • Defining & communicating their purpose
  • Targeting their audience

I dig into each – please consider checking out the full post on Kathy’s site.
Thanks!
-Dan