How to Avoid the 11 Biggest Mistakes of First-Time

Written by Roger C. Parker


“If you want to change your life,” Harry Beckwith wrote in The Invisible Touch, “write a book.” But, writing a book can also be tremendously frustrating and unrewarding.

Following arerepparttar 11 biggest reasons most first-time authors fail to receiverepparttar 124178 rewards they are due.

1.Unrealistic expectations

Don’t expect to get rich off your book, even if it’s a success by publishing standards. The vast majority of books fail to earn out their advance.

Instead, develop a personal marketing plan to leverage your career off your book. Instead of trying to make money onrepparttar 124179 book itself, use your book to open doors, promote your credibility, and build relationships with readers.

2.Writing without a contract

Never write a book without a signed contract. Instead, prepare a polished proposal and two sample chapters.

Publishers are increasingly selectiverepparttar 124180 titles they accept. Often, less than 1 in 20 titles proposed are published. Writing a book that isn’t accepted is not a good use of your time.

3.No agent

You must be represented by a literary agent. Publishers rarely accept unsolicited book proposals. Unsolicited proposals are frequently returned unread or are simply discarded.

The right agent will know exactly which publishers might be interested in your book. Agents can also negotiate terms more effectively than you.

4.Weak titles

Titles sell books. The title of your book is likerepparttar 124181 headline of an advertisement. The title represents your one and only chance to attractrepparttar 124182 attention of acquisition editors or bookstore readers.

Successful titles stressrepparttar 124183 benefits readers will gain from your book. Successful titles arouse curiosity and offer solutions. They often include consonants and alliteration (repeated ”hard” sounds like G, K, P or T).

5.Title versus series

Focus on a series of books rather than an individual title. Publishers want concepts that can be expanded into a series rather than individual titles.

6.Going it alone

Successful careers involve a nurturing support group of readers and peers.

Your quest should includerepparttar 124184 support of your friends, other authors, book coaches, readers and others who will help you maintain your enthusiasm while providing ideas, assistance, and feedback.

10 Steps to a GREAT Newsletter

Written by Claire Cunningham


A newsletter can be a wonderful, economical way to communicate with prospects, customers, employees or distributors. Just follow these ten easy steps for newsletter success.

1) Define Your Audience -- Who are you publishing for? Clients (customers) – present, past and prospective? Employees? Your audience will define your content.

2) Set Objectives -- Create a solid foundation for your newsletter by writing down what you want to achieve.

3) Plan Content -- What interests your audience? Build your newsletter around whatever that is. Plan content at least half a year at a time. You can make changes alongrepparttar way.

4) Establish a Budget -- Newsletters can be cost effective, but they’re not FREE. When you set a budget, consider start-up as well as ongoing, per-issue costs.

5) Decide On a Schedule -- Like any new habit it takes time to establish a pattern for a newsletter. But DO establish a pattern. Your reward will be consistent readership.

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