Forgotten Follow-up

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In some ways, my continual pitching podcast hosts is like putting together a puzzle. You have to turn the different pieces around so they fit into the right picture. If you’ve done puzzles, sometimes toward the end you discover you are missing a key piece.

I’ve had this sort of experience with PodMatch which has a database of over 90,000 podcasts. I reached out for help from support and for a couple of days, I had more matches of podcast hosts to pitch. In fact, I booked a couple more podcasts, then the matches again stopped. I asked support what else could I do and received a short list of suggestions.

The first suggestion almost leaped off the page:

1. Go through your messages and send some follow-ups. 

During the months I’ve been with PodMatch, I have not gone  back to any of the podcast hosts who did not respond and follow-up with a second pitch. I had forgotten to follow-up.

 

I’m aware there are many reasons why I didn’t get a response. Some of those podcast hosts didn’t see my pitch as a fit for their show. But there are many other reasons why they didn’t respond and a second pitch may generate interest. Here’s a few of the other reasons (speculation on my part) why they didn’t respond: 

--Maybe they never received my pitch

--Possibly the pitch went into their spam

--Or my pitch arrived at the wrong time when their schedule was stacked.

--Or maybe they were distracted and rushed when they read my first pitch and didn’t give it careful consideration.

Through PodMatch, I do not have their email address to follow-up. I do have the ability to send a follow-up message. My plan is to return to the first matches (even six months ago) and craft a second follow-up pitch. In my pitch, I’m going to highlight my own connections and how I promote each podcast. The suggestion from the PodMatch help support was brilliant and worth some of my effort.

Sometimes in these articles, I confess to being behind as an acquisitions editor processing the flurry of Morgan James Publishing submissions. In some cases, I’m many weeks behind in reaching out to an author and processing their work. Last week I got a creative follow-up email from an author. He reached out and said it had been weeks since we communicated and he believed my silence told him that we were not interested in his submission. Then he said he was leaning toward self-publishing. 

His unusual and pointed follow-up caught my attention. For the first-time I looked at his submission and scheduled a time to explore publishing this book. He used a brilliant and attention getting strategy.

As editors we have mounds of material to process and a simple gentle follow-up is a good way to catch the editor’s or literary agent’s attention. Everyone needs to follow up no matter what you are pitching--books, magazine, speaking gigs or anything else. 

Each of us have limited time to pitch our books or our writing. There are also crazy things that happen which prevent others getting our pitches. Timing is a huge element with pitches--which is another reason a gentle follow-up is important. 

What are you neglecting to follow-up? Do you have other ideas about follow-up? I look forward to your comments.

Tweetable:

Follow-up is one of the most important skills for every writer according to this prolific editor and author. Read the stories and learn the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Practice Short Writing

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Thousands of new books are published every day. Two of my bestselling author friends released a new book over four weeks ago. I heard about the book and requested a review copy which they sent. I have read the book and I’m trying to find a few minutes to write my review. I checked Amazon and Goodreads  for this book and they have zero reviews. 

Why are these reviews important? It’s been proven that 98% of people who purchase a product online have read a review before they buy it. In general, book reviews are short articles and can be written in a brief amount of time. It’s an important skill to write a book review and every writer can learn this skill. In these articles, I’ve written a number of articles about book reviews (follow this link to easily find some of them). 

Another bestselling author friend hired me to write some profiles for a large project. As we spoke, she admitted that her skill was writing longer pieces of writing like books but not in the shorter profiles. This friend was placing limitations on her writing through her resistance to write the shorter pieces. When you write a short piece, you learn to write for a particular audience. You also gain the insight of which sentences are extra or fluff and can be easily eliminated. You improve as a writer and a commuicator through the continual practice and execution of these short articles.

After a recent writer’s conference, another writer reached out to me asking where she could publish her writing. I suggested magazine articles because they are short pieces and when published you can reach thousands of readers. As we exchanged emails, this author was a grief chaplain and wanted to know where to publish her writing. 

Without knowing it, this chaplain had a wealth of writing possibilities. As a former magazine editor, I know editors are actively looking for writers. It’s why they publish writer’s guidelines (use google to find them). I encouraged this author to use her Christian Writer’s Market Guide which had over 150 magazines in their listing. You need a current guide because a great deal of the information changes every year. Editors move and magazines close or new publications begin. The current guide gives you the best possible chance with your pitch. Some publications require a query letter (learn how to write one) while others want the full manuscript. 

The chaplain asked me what she could write? Almost every magazine will publish personal experience stories. This writer had a vast number of experiences that she could easily write into a 500 to 1200 word article. Yes, she would have to learn how to write a magazine article and how to properly format it and pitch it to the editor. Each of these skills can be easily learned. At the end of your articles, you have a simple statement like: Terry Whalin is the author of more than 60 books including 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed. (with a link to my book and website)

If you follow these simple steps, you get published. Then editors and literary agents will be more interested in your submissions because you move from an unpublished author into a professional writer. 

There are many types of short pieces that you can learn, practice and submit over and over including (but not limited to) book reviews, devotions, jokes, short filler pieces, magazine articles, quotes, and short social media posts. The possibilities and the opportunities are endless. 

My bottom-line emphasis in this article is that short pieces of writing is a valuable skill which can be learned and exercised over and over throughout your writing career. What am I missing here? Does it stir some ideas for your writing? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

What is the value of writing short pieces? How can you expand your publishing efforts and reach more readers? This prolific author and editor gives the details and the reasons here.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched: 

Mike Wagner and I spoke about publishing expectations on The Mike Wagner Show. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4oniMkn

Many authors have an unrealistic idea about the details of publishing. 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS is a practical easy reading book to help you. Get my decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Subscribe to Terry’s Newsletter:

During the last year, once a week I’ve been sending a short free newsletter. Just follow this link to subscribe. When you are added to the newsletter, you will receive a FREE 87-page Ebook which is packed with insights for every writer.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Take Control of Your Interview

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Whenever you are interviewed, the questions and shape of the conversation is mostly outside of your control. You can only control your answers and the stories you will tell during that conversation. In the business, this interview control is called media training.

I enjoy watching an author get interviewed on The Today Show or Good Morning America or some other program. As I watch it, I’m listening carefully to see if the author answers the questions. I notice that sometimes they do and sometimes they do not. Also I want to see how they weave the name of their book into their answer. Some authors do it too much and it becomes annoying while other authors don’t even include the name of their book. How you answer the question, what stories you tell and how you include your information is something you can control (if you think about it and take action).

Some media experts will charge large amounts of money to train an author for a six to eight minute interview on a national program. During this training, they will role play with the author, ask questions and coach them on how to talk aboutd their book and weave that information into the stories they tell. The information should look like a natural part of the answer and not something contrived. To do this process successfully takes forethought and planning for the author.

Also I’ve watched this interview process go in the wrong direction for the author and her book. Years ago on a short deadline, I wrote Vonetta Flowers’ book, Running on Ice. She and her partner, Jill Bakken, won the gold medal in the bobsled during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. 

Four years later, Vonetta and Jill defended their title in Turin, Italy during the 2006 Winter Games. Katie Couric interviewed Vonetta on The Today Show. While the interview was interesting and well-done, I was yelling at my television because Vonetta made no mention of her book, Running On Ice. It was a missed opportunity when she appeared before millions of potential readers. 

To be honest, it was a failure that the publisher didn’t invest in any media training for Vonetta to help her. The author can’t weave the name of her book and availability of it into the conversation without media training. 

As I’ve mentioned in these articles, someone has to hear about the benefits of your book and the name at least a dozen times before they will decide to purchase the book. 

As authors, we need to seize each of these opportunities and take control of which stories you tell and how you answer the various questions.

Here’s some additional action steps:

1. Before you are interviewed, take a few moments to review your talking points or the specific stories and information you want to give during the interview. This review will put the action firmly in your mind and action plans.

2. Take the time to review whatever you can find about the person who is going to be interviewing you.What is the purpose of their program? Take a guess at some of their agenda in interviewing you. Then use this information to merge it with your talking points and the information you want to convey during the conversation.

3. During the interview, you take control of your answers and no matter what is asked, make sure you include your key points. 

As I’ve written in these articles, during the last six months, I’ve been using PodMatch to book conversations with different podcasters. In fact, I’ve recorded or booked over 50 interviews. In this process, I provide a list of quesions and an introduction (what I can control). The focus of each podcast host is different and nothing that I can control. 

During the podcast recording (some are live and some are recorded), I make sure my agenda is achieved. I want to tell people about my social offer where they can go to Publishing Offer and get a printed copy 10 Publishing Myths including the shipping along with over $20 of valuable bonuses. Besides this special offer, I also mention the missing 11th Myth which a listener can get for free at terrylinks.com/11thmyth. This second offer is a free way the listener can get on my email list and I can continue to build a relationship with that person. 

I want to finish this article with several resources:

1. Be aware of your control and responsibility during the interview.

2. Get Brad Phillips book, The Media Training Bible: 101 Things You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know Before Your Next Interview. Read this book and apply the information to your interviews. 

3. Several years ago, I interviewed media expert Gayl Murphy. Listen to this free webinar and get her free ebook, Interview Tactics Special Report.

When you are interviewed, are you taking control? Do you know of some other resources in this media training area? I look forward to reading your comments.

Tweetable:

As an author, when you are interviewed, do you take control of your interview and make sure you include your talking points? Get some action steps and resources from this prolific author and editor.  (ClickToTweet)

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more podcast recordings launched.

Linda Goldfarb (@Lindagoldfarb) and I spoke about Publishing Myths That Ruin the Success of Writers on the Your Best Writing Life Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3EETRXi 

Nathan Bollman (@nathan_bollman) and I debunked publishing myths on the Just A Dude Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4cNghCC

Ana del Valle and I spoke about Hybrid Publishing Exposed: What No One Tells Writers… on The Novelist Studio Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3RsAaFa 

Dr. Doug Gulbrandsen (@DougGulbrandsen) and I spoke about busting publishing myths on the Inspire Vision Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/44ytNaY 

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Connections Can Sell Books

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

In the pages of these articles about The Writing Life, I’ve encouraged you to keep building new connections--in person at live events but also online through places like LinkedIN. If we aren’t connected, let’s get connected. In this article I want to tell a couple of stories about how connections helped authors sell large quantities of their books.

Recently through my work at Morgan James Publishing, I heard about a children’s author, Amanda Kline who sold 10,000 copies of a picture book called Kenny’s Bright Red Scooter. This sales number is unusual for a picture book. A solid sales number would be 300 to 400 copies during the lifetime of a picture book. They are not easy to sell--unless the author gets involved and uses their connections to facilitate the sale of their book. I asked David Hancock, the founder of Morgan James how this happened.

This story highights a veteran and the different branches of the United States military. Amanda Kline had a connection to the Navy and worked that connection to get her book into every commisary throughout the world during December last year. The story is perfect for Christmas giving and took off. The success happened because of the author’s actions combined with working with the right publisher. Such sales do not just “happen” but the author has to take action with the idea then use their connections to make the sale. 

Years ago when I worked as an acquisitions editor at David C. Cook, I contracted a book from Henry Gariepy called When Life Gets Tough. Although my colleagues were skeptical about it, the Salvation Army purchased 10,000 copies of the hardcover. The only modification between the book sold in the bookstore and their book were the words on the back cover along with the Salvation Army symbol. These types of books are called White Label or a special sale. Publishers love these types of sales because the sales are final and even when the books are discounted the books are never returned (a big problem inside publishing). 

In each of these cases, the author was the connection or sparkplug to stimulate these quantity book sales. Most authors never think about these types of volume sales but if you do and build the possibility into your book proposal (pitch), you will be different and appeal to publishers. 

What sort of connections do you have to sell your book in volume? To learn more about this area of publishing, I recommend two books:  Beyond the Bookstore & How to Make Real Money Selling Books (both from expert Brian Jud) I encourage you to read these books then apply the suggestions to your books. Many authors never explore these options but they can become a critical way to boost the sales and income from your book--if you take action. Beyond the Bookstore is out of print but you can track down the CD version and get the used copy.

If you want to learn more of this type of information about actions you can take which will help you sell books, I encourage you to attend my continuing class at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in Asheville, North Carolina May 26-30th. 

Through these stories, I’ve shown how your connections can sell books. What actions are you going to take for your books to make these types of connections? Let me know in the comments.

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week another podcast recording launched.

Nicolette Nierras (@nierras_nic) and I talked about publishing and the Dangers of Relying Too Much on AI on the You’re Worthless Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/3FWl7kC    

I Need Your Help

Last week I had a new book launch called Pivot Driven Devotions:

Are you willing to write an honest review? If so, please email terry@terrywhalin.com with your mailing address. I’m limiting this offer to the first ten people in the US. Thank you in advance for your help. 

Tweetable:

Your connections can sell books. How do you use them and what actions do you take? Get ideas in this article from this prolific author and editor.  (ClickToTweet)

When I’ve worked with different publishers on a variety of  books, I’ve learned the hard way that much of the publishing process is outside of anything an author can control. As an editor, I’ve spoken with different authors about their books, I’ve found many unrealistic expectations. There are actions every author can take with their books. I wrote  10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Let’s meet on April 26th at the Bluegrass Writers Coalition in Frankfort, Kentucky. I will be speaking at the general session and meeting with authors. Get registered and more details at: https://bit.ly/41QGw5X 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Important Old School Practices

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

While I’ve been involved in publishing for a long time, there are some simple but important practices that writers need to be using. Some people would call these actions “old school.” In this article I want to give some examples and encouragement.

Build Relationships

As writers, we need relationships with others in the publishing world. How are you build these relationships and adding to them? For example, this week I received an email from an author that I had not heard from in seven years. I exchanged emails with her then I checked my phone and her number was still in my address book. I called the number and had a short conversation with her. I encouraged her to come to another writer’s conference, listened to her book pitch and affirmed the value of this concept. It didn’t take much time but I believe I passed on some value to this writer and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future.

Throughout my day, I will get an idea to contact someone, pick up the phone and call or leave them a message. It is an old school practice that I do often. Sometimes it leads to something and sometimes not. At least I’m knocking on the door, and trying to get it to open--not just thinking about it. As writers we have to be proactive in our actions and maybe you can do so through making more phone calls.

Monitor and Respond to Your Email

As editors and writers, we are in the communication business--which unfortunately often doesn’t communicate. Everyone has email. Are you reading and responding to your email? 

Several weeks ago, I received an email from an author who last fall considered our Morgan James Publishing contract offer and turned it down. In the new email from this author, he asked if the contract was still available. I checked with my colleagues and learned the contract could still be available. I revised the date on the contract and returned it to this author. It took some time but he signed this contract and is moving forward to publish his book.

Is there an offer that you have turned down which you could return to that publisher and make a different decision? The possibilities are there if you take an old school action and follow-up.

Design and Carry Business Cards

Do you have a current business card? If not, I encourage you to create one and carry it with you. I’ve used my business cards in many different places such as on an airplane or in a restaurant or even in my local post office. Whenever I give a card, I will often ask for their information or business card. Sometimes I get it and sometimes not.

Keep track of The Data on Those Cards

When you receive a card or address information, do you keep track of this data or actively put it into your computer address book? It's an old school practice. You never know when you will need to reach out to this person and you can’t if you don’t have the data. Take consistent action to preserve and add to your data collection. If someone doesn’t have a card, I will often gather the information with a pad and paper which is an old school practice.

Use The Gentle Follow-up Method

If you don’t hear from someone, do you follow-up and see if they need something additional? Last week, I remembered a proactive author who was enthused about his second book contract with Morgan James Publishing. Because I never received this author's signed contract, I called him to see if he had any update or questions?

I learned that he had signed and returned his contract over a week earlier. As we were on the phone, he resent his signed contract so I could get it moving forward. Without my follow-up, the contract would still be stuck in limbo. Technology is not perfect and as people we make mistakes and don’t get something done that needs to be done. Are you using the old school method of email or phone to follow-up?

It is not a perfect process. Each of us have more to be done than any of us can do. When something important to you does not get done, it’s important to follow-up and take action.

Within the publishing world, we understand that it is a process. There is no right or wrong way to do these old school practices. The key is to use them on a regular and consistent basis. It will yield results for your publishing. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

My Articles in Other Places:

In these articles, I encourage you to guest blog and write for other places. Here’s a couple of my recent published articles:

Once a month, I guest blog for Writers on the Move. When you record a radio interview, how do you use it for on-going promotion? Get specific action steps how to repurpose your radio interviews in this article: https://bit.ly/426ATlf

Each month I guest blog about some aspect of book proposal creation for Almost An Author. This month I wrote about how ppPublishing is a Relational Business at: https://bit.ly/4lnZwBV

Each month I guest blog at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference blog. This molnth I asked Can You Avoid Publishing Pitfalls? at: https://bit.ly/4iKoVUa

New Podcasts:

In these articles, I’ve encouraged you to use PodMatch or some similar tool to book and record podcasts. Last week two more of my podcast recordings launched.

Timothy Brien and I spoke about publishing myths debunked on the Create Art Podcast. Listen to it at: https://bit.ly/41MHRMr 

Brett Ingram and I had a great conversation: Write Your Book and Change Lives on the optYOUmize Podcast. Listen at: https://bit.ly/4iTuWOU

Tweetable:

There are important old school practices. Are you using them in your writing life? This article gives the details from this prolific author and editor.  (ClickToTweet)

Currently I’m working with my third publisher as an acquisitions editor. During these years, I’ve spoken with many authors about their expectations, dreams and desires for their books. I find many unrealistic expectations. Many aspects of the publishing process are outside of anything an author can control. I wrote 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses. 

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

How to Find the Secret Sauce

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Where is the secret sauce for success as an author? Your definition of success will be different from mine but each of us have a level of success that we are eager to achieve with our writing and our books. I’m constantly wondering if I am using all of the possible actions and steps to achieve consistent book sales and success. I’m actively looking for the secret sauce that will propel my book sales. 

Recently I reached out to one of my colleagues at Morgan James Publishing. Along with her husband, she wrote one of our top-selling books which is quite an accomplishment. Morgan James Publishing has been around over 20 years with over 200 bestselling books and over 6,000 titles and 20 million sold books. With each of the numbers in this last sentence, it is not easy to become one of those bestselling titles but this author has found the way into this elite group of authors.

As we spoke I asked what actions they were taking on a consistent basis to sell books. They were booking and recording podcasts, and during those conversations giving value to the listeners and pointing people to their book.While those steps sound simple, I’ve read this book and it is well-written and targeted to a particular business audience. The cover design is excellent and other elements in the creation of the book (foundational). In other words from the beginning this book was positioned for success and something many authors miss in the creative process.

I asked this colleague what they were doing to promote the book. The purpose of my question was to see if I was missing some secret sauce that would help me generate more sales. She affirmed they were booking and appearing on different podcasts using PodMatch and delivering value to the listeners with each appearance. I didn’t learn anything out of the ordinary that they were doing in this area.

Also during my conversation, I quickly ran through some of what I’m doing to tell people about my 10 Publishing Myths book. I’m booking and filming podcasts using PodMatch. I’m blogging and pointing to the book in my consistent, once a week newsletters. I’m also guest blogging on a regular basis. As I’ve been doing for years, I post on social media 12-15 times a day to promote the book and tell people about the benefits. Like my colleague, I continue to offer value to the reader with each exchange. Behind the scenes on PodMatch, I can see my number of downloads have increased to over 3,000 in the last two months and the social reach to over 1,300 (which is a good indicator that people are listening to these podcasts and getting value).

From my conversation, I did not find a secret sauce and in many ways I doubt such a sauce exists. As authors, each of us are on a journey. We need to take our own responsibility for our passion about our book and perservere with consistency. As I’ve written in these articles in the past, there is no exact formula to become a bestseller. In fact, the exact steps are different for every author and every book. 

For every author, there is always more to do but your consistent actions will pay off in the long run. That's why marketing expert John Kremer’s book, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books is over 700 pages. It will take continued effort and work to find your path so keep on keeping on.

What steps are you taking for telling others about your book and finding success? Let me know in the comments below and I look forward to learning from your efforts.

New Podcasts:

I enjoyed my conversation with Giuliano Grimaudo (@getmypineapple) on the How to Be a Person Podcast at: https://bit.ly/41cuuVp Learn more about publishing at: http://publishingoffer.com

 

Tweetable:

What is the secret sauce that authors need to find success and sell more books? This prolific author and editor describes his own search, then gives his conclusions. Read the details here.  (ClickToTweet)

rewrite Much of the publishing process is outside of the writer’s control. 10 Publishing Myths helps writers have a realistic perspective and take action. Get 10 Publishing Myths for only $10 +FREE shipping + over $200 of free bonuses.

Get these articles on your email: 

Since 2004, I have blogged about The Writing Life over 1,700 entries and one of the top 27 content writers. With this simple form, each week you can get my new articles, encouragement and insights at: https://t.co/W6uU64u6aA

Opportunity Is Everywhere

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

When you look at our world, you can go two different directions. You can buy into the negativity and rejection or you can see abundance and opportunity. I’m intentionally going toward the opportunities. In fact, we are surrounded with incredible opportunities. Thousands of podcasts, print publications, people to write their books, important stories to tell, and the list goes on.

As I look at my own writing life, there are several keys in this process and here’s a few of them:

--We each have limited time and resources. Each of us have the same 24 hours and seven days of the week to accomplish what we will do. It is important to be conscious of this limited time and use it carefully.

--We have to make wise choices with our time. Each of us waste time (including me) doing things like watching mindless television or scrolling through social media. Awareness and choosing wisely is important.

--When opportunity comes we have to seize them. For example, I have new books from authors and publishers which continue to pour into my office. I write book reviews about some of them and some I do not. It’s just one of a multitude of choices and opportunity for each of us.

--We have to be organized and choose wisely. For example, each of us as writers have to maintain and keep our connections. This past week I saw my youngest son and his wife. They looked at a tech issue on my phone and were amazed at the number of addresses in my gmail account. I was not surprised because gathering this information is something I am working constantly to increase and expand--and I encourage you to gather as well.

 

--Whatever you want to get done, you have to build with careful planning. For example, I have a book that I want to write. I have a scratched outline but to get it moving. I have to organize my thoughts into a book proposal (something every author needs to do when they begin whatever type of book you are writing). Then I have to plan my strategy to write this book. I want to have a nearly finished manuscript before I pitch it. I know where I will publish it but also want to take a reasonable deadline for this book. Each of these details is important to build into your creative process. I’ve done this work over and over. I’m aware of my future steps to get it done and into the world.

I agree with Markus Dohle, former CEO at Penguin Random House who said on a webinar I attended, “We live in one of the greatest times in human history since Gutenberg invented the printing press.” Let this statement drive your activity and your seizing of various opportunities. We live in a remarkable time in history.

--For example Morgan James Publishing has recently started a new TV and film division and getting those rights to shop for the authors. Just consider the new opportunties in recent years--streaming and expanded people in film--which were not available as broadly only a few short years ago. 

In this process of exploring your opportunities, I encourage each of you to cover the basics:
--do what you promise to do.

--return your calls and emails.

--develop new relationships.

--keep learning new things and trying them.

--be consistent and keep moving forward no matter what happens.

Each of us must seize the day and use our time and opportunities wisely. I’m definitely a glass half full type of person rather than half empty--yet I try and balance my optimism with a realistic perspective. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below.

Tweetable:

According to this prolific writer and editor, opportunity is everywhere. In this article, get some of the key insights and details for every writer.  (ClickToTweet)

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A great deal of the publishing process is outside of our control as authors, yet there are specific actions every writer can take. Get my decades of insights in 10 Publishing Myths for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of

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How to Knock on New Doors

 

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

As writers, it is important to get our books in front of new people on a consistent basis. It’s why in these articles, I encourage you to make new connections on LinkedIN and other actions. In this article, I want to give another resource so you can tell others about your book and stories: podcasting.

During a recent meeting with David Hancock, the founder of Morgan James Publishing, we were talking about how to get more traffic to my special offer. He suggested I use PodMatch. It’s a monthly subscription but he also told me that if you schedule too many podcasts, you can also put it on hold for a few months. It’s important with these different opportunities to see the potential and also the different options with it--some which might not be obvious when you sign up with it. 

After I joined PodMatch, I carefully filled out my profile (which is often one of the first steps whatever you are starting). I made a point to focus on my 10 Publishing Myths book and my special offer. Every aspect of my profile points to this book. Follow this link to see my profile. 

PodMatch has internal training about how to use their system. These videos are short, interesting and to the point. I watched each one of them as I began working with the program.

This program uses the keywords and other data in your completed profile to match you to podcasts in their system. On the dashboard you can get these matches several times a day and they come in trios or three matches at a time. With the matches, you read the profile of the host which tells you the type of guest they are looking for, then I crafted a message or pitch to each match with an emphasis on the type of guest they want or targeted to that host. 

Within the first week of pitching, I booked six new podcasts and more of them are on the way. Also podcasts hosts can pitch you through their internal system. A journalist in India, Khudania Ajay pitched me to come on his podcast live. I've done a number of podcasts before PodMatch but they were all recorded, then produced and launched. I had never done a live podcast but accepted Ajay’s offer which was filmed in the morning in India but I’m in California so it was midnight here. Before the recording, Ajay moved me to an earlier time so it was locally 10:30 pm. My point is to take the offer and do it--no matter what time of day it happens. I made a point to tell stories and if I’m honest it was not my best podcasting appearance but it happened. I gave Ajay a five star review and he gave me one for the appearance. All of these details add up to more exposure and more podcast bookings. My key point is to take advantage of the opportunities whenever they happen for you. It's not easy to pull off but take a risk and try it.

I booked six new podcasts in the first week and I have more podcasts which I will be booking through this service. Maybe you are like me and reluctant to join another service where I make another modest monthly payment. Here’s another way to look at it, if I get on these podcasts and sell more books, then it is worth the regular investment. 

Within PodMatch on the dashboard there is a ranking of the top performing members. I noticed one of my Morgan James authors was placing among the top ten in the system. I reached out to him. He had no idea of his ranking and told me he has done about 15 podcasts. I learned it does not take a lot of activity to get on this list--just consistency and willingness.

If you look at my PodMatch profile, you will see that I am intentionally pointing to one place which is my special offer of 10 Publishing Myths. I have made a simple way to do that with the website www.publishingoffer.com which someone can remember orally and it goes directly to the place.

Through their syste, PodMatch will match my profile with different podcasts. What I've been doing consistently is looking at the pitches and what type of guest the host is looking for their program. After reading that material, I use it when I shape my pitch. If I don’t see a connection then I pass on pitching that podcast and go on to the next one. I’m consistently pitching and I continue to book new opportunities.

When I make a connection and see they are based in the US, I offer to send a signed print copy of my book to the podcast host if they send their mailing address. It’s a way to stand out from other possible guests to send this signed book. What steps can you take to stand out and be distinct in your pitch?

 

When I do the podcast or speak with a podcast host (such as a pre-interview), I make a point to tell stories and be entertaining. Why because these hosts are looking for people who understand their podcast and know how to tell good stories. It makes you memorable to that podcast host. From my experience, success breeds success. As I have a number of successful podcasts, these hosts will talk with each other and they will book me so I can speak to their listeners.

What are you going to do to apply this opportunity for your own writing life? I hope you will take the action, join PodMatch and spread your message to new readers. Let me know your plans in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

If you want to reach new readers with your book marketing, you have to knock on new doors. This prolific author and editor gives some action ideas and resources in this article.  (ClickToTweet)

When I’ve worked with different publishers on a variety of  books, I’ve learned the hard way that much of the publishing process is outside of anything an author can control. As an editor, I’ve spoken with different authors about their books, I’ve found many unrealistic expectations. There are actions every author can take with their books. I wrote  10 PUBLISHING MYTHS to give authors practical help. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.  

Do The Hard Work of Publishing

By Terry Whalin @terrywhalin

Our work as writers doesn’t involve physical labor but it can be equally as challenging. If you are in a hard situation with your writing, I want to offer some some ideas and encouragement in this article.

Let’s be honest. Not every part of the publishing journey is fun or interesting. Some of the details of publishing involve a great deal of detailed work and repetiton--which in many ways is boring and hard to accomplish. Yet these steps are a necessary part of the process whether the repetition is boring or not.

For example, consider the marketing of a book proposal. It’s hard to write a complete proposal in the first place (check out my book on proposals for guidance in this area). Then you need to search for the right places to send it. You often need to access a database, then cut and paste the information, and craft the query letter and proposal (creative) but then the boring part of sending out a professional submission. You or your literary agent (also it is hard to find an agent and then you have to monitor their work) sends out your proposal over and over. 

The submission process involves boring repetition and hard work but it is a necessary part of the process. It involves lots of cutting and pasting from one file to another in order to gather the information then use it in a personal way to reach the editor and capture their interest. You don’t send a mass mailing to many editors or agents (which is obvious and ghosted or little response. Instead you send a individual submission--which is clearly marked as simultaneous (important to tell them). I’m only searching for one yes or acceptance but I have to receive many nos in this searching process.

Or with my work at Morgan James Publishing, I will exchange multiple emails and phone calls with an author to understand and capture his vision for the book and put together the different pieces my colleagues need to make a decision. When my colleagues look at it, they turn it down or pass on it. In a sense, my efforts fail and don't produce a book.

Or in another situation, I work hard with an author on his book and vision, secure a contract from my colleagues then he decides to self-publish his novel. A few weeks later, this same author returns to me with a nonfiction book which is more of his passion with a solid proposal and gameplan. Once again I work hard to get him a book contract from my colleagues and this author decides to pass on signing his contract and moving forward. 

Or I work with another author who spends years searching for a publisher for her excellent middle grade novel. She finds a publisher and struggles to communicate with this publisher since they don’t talk on the phone and only via email (happens in the publishing world). Now this publisher decides to close their doors and return their rights to this author. She wonders what next and I give her some ideas but it will take work and effort on her part for those ideas to happen. 

Repeatedly within the publishing world, I find I can’t control the reactions or responses of others (even if I would like to do so). I can only be responsible for my own actions and I need to keep pushing forward. 

I write this article as a reality check for each of us along with some action steps for your own writing life:

1. Do something every day that scares you and stretches the boundaries of your writing life. Maybe it is an email or phone call or something you want to write or whatever. I’m often scared but I do it anyway.

2. Continue to knock on doors of opportunity to see if they will open for you. To succeed, you need to be in the right place at the right time with the right stuff. It doesn’t happen if you are not pitching and knocking on these doors.

3. Continue to write your stories and get them into the world in various ways--in print and online and in magazines and in books.

4. Continue learning and growing and looking for the right avenue for you. It will be different from my way but it will be work to find right one for you.

Years ago I interviewed Ann Kiemel Anderson who published a little bestselling book, I Love The Word Impossible. Ann’s book was funky and started every sentence with a lowercase letter throughout the book but her story and encouragement was moving. If she heard the word impossible then it led her to the Lord of the Universe and stretched her faith to see if that impossible event would happen. It’s the journey each of us are on as writers. Don’t lose heart but keep marching forward is the only answer in the face of the hard work. As Ann writes in the book’s preface:

“I love the word impossible because my God believes in adventure and extraordinary mountains, and He dares to be alive in a world crawling with terrible situations. He promises to be bigger than any impossibility because He is love…and love always finds a way through, in time.”

No matter what you write or publish, I encourage you to do the hard work of publishing. What am I missing? Let me know in the comments below. 

Tweetable:

It’s not easy to do the hard work of publishing. There is little we can control. This prolific writer and editor gives the details and action steps for every writer. (ClickToTweet)

Throughout my years in publishing, I’ve reviewed thousands of submissions. As a part of the process, I speak with them about their dreams and plans. Often these authors have  unrealistic expectations about what will happen with their published book. Many aspects of the details of publishing are outside of anything an author can control. You can get decades of insights in 10 PUBLISHING MYTHS for only $10, free shipping and over $200 of bonuses.