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Okay, it’s not at all perfect, but I did put up a YouTube video of me reading a story from my book, Abundant Gifts.

I told you I would enter that Simpleology “Be The Next BestSelling Author” contest, and I did. (Haven’t heard whether I won, or when I would hear. If you submitted a video, too, please comment and tell us where it is.)

The rules were pretty tight: You had to read something from a book you wrote, that is either the funniest moment of your life, or the most life-changing–all in less than 2 minutes.

Truthfully, my story isn’t about THE most life-changing moment, but it is A life-changing moment I could tell in 2 minutes.

I have two versions. You’re welcome to click on them and weigh in. Version 1 is on my Abundant Gifts blog, and Version 2 is the one I submitted (accidentally-it’s not the better one).

The lesson here: Don’t wait for perfection before you try something new!

This of course applies to many other things: starting your book, writing and posting an article to promote (or create) your book, setting up a web page. I made these words clickable because I give help on each of these, so there really is no excuse not to start!

Do you aspire to become a best-selling author–for real?

And are you willing to put nearly $900 toward that goal?

If you are, check out the BestSeller Blueprint webinar. I believe this link will get you $100 scholarship toward the course. You can listen to the replay if you sign up, I believe.

And, if you haven’t yet read The Rise of the Author, you must do so. Some important ideas here. If Joyner is right–and I think he is–there is a window of opportunity open NOW that may close, no one knows when. The way things change these days, it  could be soon. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Remember I told you about the Simpleology “Be the Next Best-Selling Author” Contest? Well, I made my first YouTube video so I can enter (I think!). More on that soon.

Last Wednesday’s call with Jeff Herring was packed with more than 90 minutes of GREAT information on article marketing.

If you missed the live call, you may listen to the replay here.

I’ve broken up the audio into 4 parts for easier listening.

Please make sure you print out the Action Guide and take notes as you follow along. This can be your blueprint for great action.

Jeff also offered two free article templates (and described a couple more on the call), so just from this call, you can conceivably create (more…)

There’s so much going on, I hardly know where to begin!

I’ll start with the most urgent, bcause there’s a deadline attached.

How would you like to become a best-selling author?

Let me explain…. (more…)

I promised you yesterday that I would tell you one of the BEST ways I know to:

• market your book if it’s already written
• write your book if it’s not yet written
• build your platform (whether your book is written yet or not)

Can you guess what it is?

In a word: (more…)

Thanks to all who filled out my survey so far.

(If you haven’t yet done so, weigh in here–it only will take a couple of minutes.)

As of this writing–with the first batch of responses–100 percent of you said the topic that interested you most was promotion and publicity!

I shouldn’t be surprised–it’s what sparked my own journey into Internet marketing of information products some 4 years ago.

(I wanted to alternative ways to market books besides going the exhausting route of speaking gigs.)

For many of us authors, writing comes easier than marketing.

I have good news about this!

First, as I’ve said many times before, this is the BEST time to be an author.

Publicity/promotion opportunities abound.

In some ways, however, the multitude of choices can feel overwhelming.

However, not to worry. In the coming weeks, I will help you sort through not only what’s possible, but what’s right for you.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s post. It will be about one of the BEST ways to promote your book–before OR after it’s written.

Every day, when I sit down at my computer, I literally ask myself, “What can I write or do today to provide value to the people who have signed up to hear from me? What do they want to know about writing, publishing, or marketing their book or other information product?”

Then it hit me: I’m asking the wrong person!

YOU are the one I should be asking!

So, if you would be so kind as to take a quick, 5-question survey (question 6 is optional), that will help me know what you want to know … so I can give you what you want, how you want it!

Sound good?

Many thanks!

Because I have so many friends in publishing, I’m privvy to lots of “insider” information.

One thing I heard recently was a discussion about electronic rights. Publishers are catching on to the fact that these can be pretty lucrative. Not to mention, this is the way our culture is going: mulit-media modes of communicating.

The trouble is, (more…)

If you’ve read me over the past few months, you know that I like to quote Michael Cader about how wonderful the Internet is for authors. (Read the full story here.)

Maybe I’ve been working too hard lately, but when a friend sent me some comics about Internet marketing, they really cracked me up.

So here are 15 comics about the joys(??) of trying to market via the Internet. Some will make you laugh out loud and some will make you groan, but all are worth taking a minute to peek at.

Enjoy!

You know I advocate everyone having a blog. It’s just a great way to either start building your audience (if you’re not yet published) or to expand it if you’re already published.

I know for some of you, the thought of creating a blog is daunting. It need not be.

Cathy Perkins, “the WordPress Wizard,” has started a teleseminar series on creating and using a WordPress blog. You can listen to the very first one, and even download the Action Guide and transcript. This first teleseminar is on important steps to take before you even start your blog.

It’s only 30 minutes of your day (if you listen), or even less if you skim the transcript. If you need to start a blog, tune into this free resource. And sign up so you can continue learning.