PLUS the fast free publishing method which I just used to put out a book in 7 days.
It’s available at a “no brainer” intro tuition of only $17 Through LABOR DAY 2010 ONLY.
My mastermind partner said I should charge $97 for it at least, but I want you to get successful and get published so I can include your success story!
Now – I don’t know if you remember this from a couple days ago, but one of my stories is featured for the big promo party for a bestselling book called Glory.
I wrote a story called “Allies” about a young Wolf.who wants to take on adult responsibilities. You get that story with Glory
Being an author brings very fun experiences to you.
Well, I decided that I have some visionary, suspenseful tales that need to see the light of day, so I published a book called When Assassins and Allies COnspire.
You can pre-order it and be notified when it comes available (within the next 10 days or so)
I LOVE writing stories, and it’s great to publish them so YOU can enjoy them.
There’s more. It’s been a big week…
I’m writing inspirational pieces for someone who creates very special materials. What fun! He gave me some feedback on my first submissions, and we’ll be moving forward creating –I’ll tell you what soon – with most of them.
AND I’m consulting with a fabulous company to help the owner become a published author.
And I’ve met some of the most amazing people this week, like Nicola Bird, the creator of this fabulous system called Jigsaw Box that I’m starting to use for my coaching and other products. http://asktsl.com/jigsaw.
There are so many webinars and teleseminars these days and many of them blur into the background. But recently one captured my attention. As I watched, I got more and more excited.
As someone who offers mentoring, classes and info products, one of the saddest truths is that about 90% of people buy a package from someone and do absolutely nothing with it. I suppose it’s because when you make a purchase, your brain tells you that you have the solution now, so you don’t take
You swear that you’ll do whatever the self-paced study program or ebook is about, but chances are it languishes forgotten on your hard drive.
I’ve been wanting an online interactive training tool, but the one with which I am familiar is sterile, remote and hard to use. That online environment is a pain in the behind to use for creating a product or course, because you have to flip back and forth between various areas, and you can’t rearrange things either. Plus on the client side, it’s really not enticing. Oh, and the one I know doesn’t let the mentor/trainer brand it in any way. You only get this sterile, cold, YUCK background.
I wanted something better.
I want a flexible interactive arena that empowers me to create various online writing courses, mentoring or coaching programs, and even information products that help you the customer interact with and use the materials in a fun and easy way.
Here is my wish list for an online interactive training environment.
Ability to include audio’s, videos, hunks of html code, and text easily.
Ability to upload materials, such as work sheets, graphs, documents, etc.for the client.
Interactive so the client can answer questions right there, not in a downloadable workbook.
Easy for me to use with one area for me to create a module or a course (or coaching / mentoring program).
Has my logo on it and my branding
Ability to change the background color.
Ability to adjust font size
Spell check
Ability to edit all aspects of the module even in a live course
Affordable
Scalable
Ability to formulate various packages without re-inputting the materials
Ability for client to export their questions and answers for continued use on their computers.
So imagine my glee when I discovered Jigsaw Box! A British coach developed this program so she could deliver her services without using so much of her time. This tool gives me 95% of my wish list. And with a 2–week free trial, I was able to try it out at no risk.
Jigsaw box lets you create multimedia modules. You can include whatever materials you want, including uploaded documents. Then, like a jigsaw puzzle, you can create various packages, selecting the modules you want as if you’re choosing items on a menu.
One example of Jigsaw Box in action…
I’ve already made sales on the first product I created with Jigsaw Box. It’s Easy Write & Publish Your Book. I show you the 5 fastest, easiest ways for how to write a book and publish it fast
See how easy it is to create a module with an article that I “dressed up” using the editor inside Jigsaw Box. I added a few questions, then included a video. Watch this…
I had a blast turning articles I’ve submitted into directories into interactive teaching modules with questions for you to answer. Since the materials were already done, it only took me a couple of minutes to fancy them up a bit and add some questions.
This takes an article and makes it a valuable tool for you because you can incorporate the teaching into your life.
The best part
There are 2 “best parts” of this tool.
One is how infinitely malleable the program is. You can move modules around and create whatever packages you want. Plus there is no limit to number of clients or size of package.
The other best thing is that you can create scalable programs with this tool. Scalability is important for your business growth.
If all you had was 1–on-1 coaching, you only have so many hours in the day and maybe you’d like to have a LIFE too. Now with Jigsaw Box all your training materials are there in an interactive format, so you can offer a mid-range product to hundreds or thousands of people. This vastly increases your income potential.
Jigsaw Box gets my 5–star recommendation. What a fabulous tool! It is easy to use.
Improvements I hope to see
As I mentioned, I got almost my whole wish list with Jigsaw box. Here are the enhancements I hope will come forth in updates of the program.
Ability to edit questions after a program is live.
Ability for clients to easily export their questions and answers to their computer.
I’m thrilled with this amazing solution. Also, I have to say that Jigsaw is fun for me to create in.
Resource
First off, do yourself a favor. Before grabbing your free trial, think of one of your electronic info products that you’d love to make interactive. Maybe it’s an ebook you are offering. Start thinking of how you can break that ebook into modules and what questions or activities you can add to it to increase the value for your customers.
Get your 2–week free trial of Jigsaw Box. Then put your ebook-turned-interactive course into it. You can even start selling it before the whole thing is ready. Just get the first couple modules there and your customers will have something to start with immediately. Then you can add the other modules. So you can pay for your affordable membership with sales you make during the free trial..
Now if you want to know the 5 fastest ways for how to write a book – pick up my Easy Write & Publish Your Book program..
Before I get to the hodge-podge, I am bubbling over
with excitement and I HAVE to share it with you!
My new book The Instant VIP is out, and the cover
looks so incredibly fabulous! This book truly shows you
how to showcase your brilliance in a book AND in
a business that touches lives.
As of this moment, I don’t have the video up yet about
the special gift, but I’ll get to that this afternoon.
You have so much to share, and it is
my honor and delight to assist you in bringing forth
your greatness.
***
Enjoy this collection of items over a cup of coffee
(or tea or whatever).
I love to give you something fun, something useful,
something to read, something to inspire you, and
something to think about in the middle of the week…
“Hump day”
First – the inspiration…
This week’s something to inspire a personal message from
my heart to yours.
Live from the Light of Your Greatness
Why are you hiding your greatness?
Why covet your gifts in the dark?
Your talents and skills are for sharing
your distinctive, special spark.
You are unique in all the world
with important work to do.
Desire and longing fill you
To show you the path to choose.
The passion that rouses your soul
As it sets your heart on fire
Is there to fuel your action
To nourish, guide, inspire
Follow the path of your longing,
Do everything that is required.
Bring forth the greatness within you
To fulfill your soul’s desire.
Everyday honor your Vision.
Nourish the passion within.
For living from your greatness,
Means that everybody wins.
This week’s something useful is a free tool that lets
you share files with other people easily. Much
easier than Google Docs in my opinion.
–> http://asktsl.com/dropbox
.I use it to share files with project partners.
This week’s something to read is a cross between
historical novel, screenplay and story of timing.
There are defining moments in each of our lives
when the universe gives you a chance to make
a difference.
On the night of August 31st 1997, Jack and Robin
Firestone didn’t realize their chance had come.
They were the only American eyewitnesses to the
aftermath of the crash that killed Princess Diana.
And… they saw condemning evidence of an
international conspiracy and cover-up
With Chasing Diana, the screenplay novel inspired
by their true story, the Firestones have recognized
their personal mission and have become Princess
Diana’s personal ambassadors of truth – even though
their safety has been compromised in the process.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charities
Diana loved. How often can you treat yourself, share
important information and help someone in need – all
with a single purchase?
If you act quickly and purchase your copy today, you’ll
receive many bonuses that are essential companions to
this incredible book.
This week’s something to think about comes from a
recent conversation.
One of my friends has created a powerful system.
He offers a package in which he shares it and
is thinking about putting it into a book.
But he said why should he share the same information
he sells in a higher priced product for the lowly cost
of a book?
I told him, “You are thinking from a place of lack and
not from a place of abundance.”
I said, “If you just skim the surface with your book
without revealing your system, people will KNOW you
are holding out on them. They’ll give the book bad
reviews and tell everyone you’re full of c-ap.”
Indeed, we are in an age where people put up
reviews, tweet, share and talk about anything and
everything.
The great thing you did 2 or 3 years ago means nothing.
AND when you instead do business from a place of
service, the story changes completely.
The principles I teach in The Instant VIP http://TheInstantVIP.com/book
are so powerful you can literally use this 15 dollar book
to grow a million-dollar biz.
What if you invest in this book and are able to grow a huge,
thriving biz, get all kinds of media attention and become
The One everybody wants?
You’ll rave and rave about how useful the book is,
and you’ll be an evangelist for me.
If you are a published author of a print book, you could be featured in my upcoming book, Instant VIP, which teaches entrepreneurs & other business owners how to write a book that increases customers, contacts and profits.
Here’s what I’m looking for:
I am featuring stories from entrepreneurs/business owners sharing how being a published author has changed your business.
If this is YOU – I’d love to include your experience!
ebook cover- Instant VIP
You’ll find out how to submit your experience in a moment.
Examples of results attained because of being a published author:
I have already received some fabulous stories from author experts! I’m really excited about each and every story, AND about the wide variety of niches in which they do business. For example:
One author in a highly competitive market submitted a project bid. Competition was stiff. He included a signed copy of his book and got the job.
A pair of co-authors instantly established themselves in a related but new niche by authoring a book.
Another author uses her book to generate leads for her training program and has seen a dramatic increase in enrollments.
A coach became an author and finds it easier to attract coaching clients as a result.
These are just a few examples that I’ll be including in my book. Soon I’ll be sharing the names and stories of these authors on the blog – AND, most important – in Instant VIP.
A Flash of Inspiration
I decided to request stories when I was reading my HARO (Help A Reporter Out) update one day. HARO is a fabulous and FREE way to connect reporters with sources.
Reporters can be reporters for media outlets such as magazines, TV shows or internet radio shows – OR even someone writing a book looking for sources.
Sources can be experts in any niche or industry seeking ways to share your knowledge.
You never know what you’ll find in a HARO! And lots of people will respond, so you really can select the “cream of the crop” – the best story/resource – for your need.
The description below of what I’m seeking is a modified version of my HARO query.
How to receive the HARO reports
Experts can register to receive requests 3 times per day on weekdays. There can be 30 or 50 or more requests from reporters in each issue.
Why am I including stories from authors about how writing a book has improved your business?
(What I’m about to share applies to YOU as well) Simply take this idea and use it for YOUR niche or need.
When you see numerous stories about how writing a book improves business, you will build belief that you, too, can get results like that.
Stories catch your attention more than facts or even step-by-step. It’s part of how your brain works. You’ll remember stories You’re wired for stories.
Reaching out to people you don’t know (or don’t know well) as well as people you already know increases your circle of influence.
People love to see their name in print.
Someone who shares even a short blurb is likely to tell other people that they’re featured in a book.
And they’re likely to buy a copy and perhaps cause several or dozens more to be purchased.
Authors featured in your book may want to promote your book when it comes out.
Promoting the Book
A few of the author experts who responded to my first request have already asked me to let them know when the book is out so they can promote it. Woo-HOO! Build-in promotion partners.
If you use this strategy:
Here are some things to consider when you use this type of strategy. And actually, you’re getting the inside scoop, because I haven’t even told my HARO people some of the cool things I’m doing for them.
If you’ve worked with me or read this blog before, you know I’m going to say “start with the goal.” What do you want to happen? First, get clear on what you want from the submitters so you don’t have to go back and forth.
Now for the “cover your rear” piece of advice. Get a signed release that gives you permission to use the material in the work and in promotion of the work. Doing so gives you protection from someone, for whatever strange reason, deciding they don’t want their name and story in your material. I got 1 note back from someone with an AWESOME story who said it just didn’t feel right (to get a whole bunch of free publicity for them and their business). Go figure, but cover your assets.
Acknowledge the submission in a special way inside your book/project. I’m including all the names of authors whose stories I’m using in the Acknowledgments section of the book.
Thank the sources for their submission. They’re adding depth and richness to your book or other project.
Update the sources on the status of the project. I’ll let them know when the book is ready to publish and how to order.
Give the sources a way to profit from the project if possible. I’ll offer them the opportunity to join the affiliate program. I’m also providing them a special resource to share if they choose.
How to Submit YOUR Experience for Possible Inclusion in Instant VIP:
All you have to do is leave me your blurb (a couple of paragraphs is fine) in the comment box below.
Here is what I’m looking for:
I have a book almost ready for print that teaches entrepreneurs, business owners, speakers, coaches and the like a simple system for how to write a book that explodes your business.
I am including statements from entrepreneurs in various industries who have written a book. What I want is
a statement about how writing and publishing a book has changed your business. Have you gotten more media attention? More referrals? Bigger ticket sales? more long-term clients? Something more unusual? Your story could be selected for the book.
Please share the following information:
full Name:
Industry/niche:
Book title:
Publication year:
Logline (1–sentence description of the book)
How has becoming the author of a book changed your business?
Thank you for enriching my book with your experience. I truly appreciate YOU!
What Happens Next?
Once you submit your information below, I’ll review it. If I select you for the book, I’ll email you a release form to sign and return to me.
Thank you
OK – time to share!
Remember:
full Name:
Industry/niche:
Book title:
Publication year:
Logline (1–sentence description of the book)
How has becoming the author of a book changed your business?
The most valuable commodity of any expert is your time. Why? Because as an expert, in only a few minutes, you are able to save someone a huge amount of time and headache by sharing your expertise.
rite you this post to assist you in your own business development. Learn from a mistake I made – and I should have known better!
The husband of one of my affiliates is considering writing a book. That in itself is a good thing! My affiliate told him that I coa
ch entrepreneurs on how to write a book, which of course is very
much true.
I broke one of my own rules, and I will not break it again.
This affiliate has not made a purchase from me. Why I mention this is because I offer a $500 value strategy session with me as a gift inside of my products. That means by the time you meet with me about author coaching or business mentoring or story coaching, you are already a buyer, not a freebie seeker.
Some business mentoring for you:
I don’t sell coaching through a sales page. only offer coaching after I’ve had a consultation. This allows me to decide whether I believe you are a good candidate for author coaching. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not up to the client to choose the coach, it’s important for the coach to screen and select the best clients.
When I worked for someone else, I inherited a LOT of “problem children” because he took anyone who would throw money at him, and many of those people were expecting too much done for them. (One of many reasons I am SO glad I work totally for myself is I get to screen my own clients instead of inheriting people who want me to serve them their completely formed business on a diamond-encrusted platinum platter when they are only paying for a guidebook for how to write a book served in a wooden goblet).
When I Offer A Complimentary Consultation
In the past, I used to offer a strategy session to
Anyone who bought a product/service from me.
Anyone at a live event with me.
Anyone who came via one of my trusted allies.
Now, I typically give free strategy sessions under only 2 circumstances.
I include a consultation as a bonus inside a product.
We meet at a live event and I give you a consultation/strategy session.
In other words, I do not generally (except that I broke my own rule last week) give a free consult to an ally or affiliate. Experience shows me that these are not necessarily good candidates. I have various ways for people to experience my systems in the form of free gifts, inexpensive products and classes first.
When you develop a system, stick to it!
as I said, I broke one of my own rules to be nice to an affiliate. I know better. Please don’t make my mistake.
Back to the conversation with the affiliate’s spouse. I met with him for about a half hour about his potential book-business. I gave him top-notch business mentoring during this time. At the end of the call, he asked for a discount, figuring he deserved one as the husband of an affiliate.
Because he is not a proven buyer; he has not invested in himself and his book-business idea with me yet.
Because he immediately asked for a discount as if it were “owed to him” as an affiliate’s spouse, demonstrating he is more of a haggler than someone willing to truly invest in himself.,
Because he has not experienced any aspect of the teaching within my system.
Because a lot of his questions and concerns would be answered by knowing what and how I teach in the system and beginning to formulate his book idea before talking with me.
And remember, he would get a free strategy session anyway as a buyer of either the Instant Credibility ebook or the Instant VIP Author Multimedia Home Study Program. (both of those are links to my products available for purchase). So after either purchase, he would qualify himself to receive a half hour of my valuable time.
And here are a few other considerations as well. Keep in mind that coaching sessions are a half hour long and there is no “done for you” in it:
I got the feeling what he wanted from coaching was for me to write FOR him or at least do some of the writing with him. That is an increased level of service, not coaching.
I got the impression what he wanted was for me to read everything he wrote. Again, this is another level of service different from coaching.
He wanted approval for his work. Deep down, everyone wants approval. However in terms of your book and business, approval is demonstrated by actions such as customers investing in you, media attention, and joint venture opportunities – not by your mentor.
He wanted me to do his editing. Again, different service. Editing is not coaching.
In other words, he would have treated coaching as if it were a “do it for you” service. I do offer ghostwriting and “write with you” services at a higher investment, and I am particular about the projects I take on.
What is coaching/mentoring?
For simplicity’s sake, I call the individual sessions where I guide you through writing your book coaching. People understand author coaching but not so much “author mentoring.” Not everybody has had guidance of that nature.
So, what is coaching?
I asked the would-be author if he ever had a child in little league or other sports.
He had.
“Did the coach ever pick up the bat and hit the ball FOR your child?”
“No.”
“Because that wouldn’t be coaching. That would be doing it FOR him. Coaching or mentoring is I teach you and give you the best possible tools, and you do the work.”
When I used to work on someone else’s team, he had a TON of clients who expected to pay for breakfast and be fed for a year. In other words, they bought a coaching package and expected their coach to spend hours and hours and hours doing things for them that they needed to do themselves.
There is no real way to guarantee coaching results, because I’m not coming to your house and forcing you to sit down at the keyboard to do your market research, formulate your business and write your book. Can I do that? Yes, but it will cost you exponentially more than hiring me to coach you. use the contact form to ask me about this extra special service.
the Deeper Issue for Many Would-Be Entrepreneur Authors
First understand that what I’m about to share is NOT a criticism of this person or anyone who feels similarly. Ultimately, this individual wanted things done for him because he lacks confidence in his message. He wants to write a book and simultaneously shrink into the background and hide behind someone else’s skill.
It’s common for a “messenger” who feels a strong desire to share your truth to feel uncertainty. After all, you’re about to be bold and brave and put your thoughts into print. You’re about to “take a stand” regarding what you believe.
Every entrepreneur author needs to develop your expert voice and your confidence. Remember, you are not only writing a book but building a business around it. You will share your message, promote your book, gain customers and in every other way grow your influence.
That means you are in charge of building your platform. Part of developing your business involves developing your expert voice. You gain confidence by speaking/writing/sharing your most important message over and over again.
I only take on ghostwriting or write it with you projects under certain conditions. Generally speaking, if you have an established platform and materials already “out there,” I will let you hire me, because you already have your business in place and your voice established.
The reason is because if I become your voice for you, I will cause you not to grow, and because you won’t have confidence in your message, you won’t get the media attention, instant VIP status, instant credibility, increase of customers and other benefits of becoming an author.
Although I might financially gain from taking on un-confident wannabe authors with no voice and no platform, I would not truly gain – and YOU would lose – because I would short-circuit your personal and business development.
My mission is to guide you through bringing out every ounce of greatness within you out into the light so you can be whom you are meant to be.
I hope that sharing how I re-learned a lesson I should have known will profit you.
Sometimes you get into sticky situations. Sometimes you get into situations in which friendship and business collide. One of my friends has a product he wants me to promote. It’s not cheap,either. It’s a few hundred dollars US.
So I’m in this sticky spot. I am not recommending the product, but as I write a commentary, I don’t want to name the product either. It’s in the realm of books. So if you’re considering any large purchase in that arena, just write and ask me first.
Let me share what I look for in a product, so you’ll understand how I evaluate what to offer as an affiliate or what to present to potential joint venture partners.
I look for the following aspects in a product:
GREAT product that people want.
step by step instructions in it or some sort of easy to follow plan.
when I review it, I can honestly say I would refer it without a moment’s hesitation to my closest friend and to my tribe.
So here’s the thing. I got a copy of the product from him and…well…um…I’ll say it this way…it’s multimedia, because there are 5 CDs and a manual.
It’s NOT great. It’s OK. Well, it’s OK if it were about 80% off. If I had to pay full price for it I would have thrown it across the room first and then packed it up to send for a refund.
It is supposed to solve a big problem, but it doesn’t. Not really. It is a hipey more fluff than substance product where the 2 people who did what they did remembered back to how they did it. Out of 5 CDs, 2 are good. 2 are almost duplicates and the last misinforms completely.
There is no step by step. The system has more holes than a pound of Swiss cheese. You couldn’t possibly follow the steps and accomplish what you’re intended to do unless you have a lot of tenacity. And then it wouldn’t be their steps but your tenacity that got you there.
It makes a hard task even harder, because they don’t tell you how to get “the thing” listed where it needs to be in order to use the system at all.
What this product shows you how to do (supposedly shows you how to do) has been done so many times that it has lost its shine. And with so little detail, unless you are already on a path to a solid business, you’d never get the intended result.
One whole CD has a system that is flat out wrong on it. They tell you to do something, and if you know how the company you would be dealing with works, you KNOW it doesn’t work that way. Plus at another point they give wrong information about when changes are calculated in the system.
Someone else I know puts out a truly great multimedia product that gives you a blueprint and makes things simple, requires less of an investment and gives much more detail, information, and step by step. I’ll make less money per unit promoting this product but sleep well at night knowing I served my audience well.
Although I very much want to support my friend’s product, I cannot honestly do so with a joyous heart and a clean conscience. So, when friendship and business collide, which one wins? Business.
I hope this has helped you consider how you select products and services to recommend.
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