Productivity doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by preparation. I firmly believe it is fundamentally the result of your intelligent planning, drive for excellence, and steady efforts. I’d like to introduce to some and present to other one of my favorites ‘Go To Tools’, Evernote.

Evernote is like my second brain that helps me remember everything. It’s a reliable note-making app (and you all know how I love taking notes). But it also reinforces and keeps me organized and enables me to get more done. With Evernote, I capture, organize, and share notes from anywhere so that my very best ideas are always with me and synced. This is a must have tool for those of you writing books because every idea for a chapter, book title, funny story or thought. You won’t lose it and you’ve got a place to keep them all for you. I LOVE it!

I’m a Fan of these Evernote Best Features:

• Collect everything at one place and make it more accessible
• Scan and search information from business cards
• Add attachments, links, and audio recordings
  
  

What tool do you use that you can no longer live without? Tell me about. I want you to win.

To Your Success,
​
MG

​Small businesses often have an extremely constricted marketing budget to use, if at all. Often, this poses a challenge to promoting your business successfully. But that’s okay because today I’m sharing an uncommon marketing tactic that many big companies use to share their products and/or services. So, why not you?  There are plenty of ways for you to market yourself to your customers without spending any (or much) money. Let’s start with this one: Team up and Jump out!

Connect with a business related to your industry (but not a direct competitor) for a joint project. This can be done locally and offline through some kind of special event, or online (which could still be done locally) with a class, webinar or promotional giveaway.

Partnering with another business means twice as much notice and exposure. It also introduces each of you to a whole new audience related to your niche. It’s a win-win!

Industry partnerships are a great marketing tactics because they allow small business owner’s access to marketing know-how, technology, and customer bases that they could not have achieved on their own. You must put careful thought and effort in if you want to form a profitable partnership. Clarify expectations, engage with and vet different businesses, assess how you can work together, and have several conversations before making things official. But once it’s official and yielded good success, take a bow. You made a new colleague and garnered new business for yourself.

Do you want some examples or ideas? Reach out to us and share. We’re happy to give you some feedback and things to consider. We’re here to help you.

To Your Success,
​
MG

I recently thought about listening to the excellent NPR podcast episode a few years back. It was all about how Instagram got started.

Truly a remarkable story. Instagram Founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, launched the app in October 2010. By April 2012 only a year and a half later – Facebook acquired the service for $1B dollars! Yes, that’s right – a billion dollars!

Are you asking yourself? How could someone make a billion dollars in just a year and a half? That’s an incredible TRUE story!

I learned 6 success lessons from this story, and I’d like to share them with you. But I’m doing bite sized- so we can really dig in to this. Here’s the first 3 and I will come back next time with 3 more. Here they are:

1. Find untapped potential.

How do you make something people want? A good way is to find untapped potential, something that could be done but hasn’t been done yet.

For Instagram, the untapped potential was the power of cell phone cameras. In 2010, cell phone cameras had become good enough, comparable in quality to point-and-shoot cameras. But nobody up to that point had made it easy for people to share photos right from their cell phones. Other apps at that time required you to transfer photos to a computer first before uploading them.

The founders saw this untapped potential and decided to make the most of it. They made it easy for people to share photos right from their cell phones.

2. Meet emotional needs.

Finding untapped potential is vital, but it’s not enough. For people to really want what you have, you need to meet their emotional needs.

Instagram did it well. First, it meets social needs. Instagram makes it easy for people to share pics with their friends.

Second, it meets self-confidence needs. A pivotal moment in the story was when one of the founders realized it wasn’t enough just to help people share pics; the pics should make them feel good. So what did they do? They built filters right into the app so that users can polish their looks and photos before sharing.

3. Make something people want.

Making something people want is the key to success in business. You can only thrive if people want what you have. If they don’t, nothing in the world can give you success in the long term.

In the case of Instagram, people want to share their life stories in a visual way. Instagram is still winning today because it meets this desire better than most.

With the app meeting users’ social and emotional needs, it’s a no brainer people love Instagram.
 
Now think about yourself, what creative thing do you have or does your business product? Consider these 3 things as you begin to work on your next big endeavor. Then, come tell us about it. I can’t wait to hear what you’re doing next. Until Then.

To Your Success,
​
MG

Productive members of society are the backbone of our world and our communities.
Individuals that make little or no contribution to society are an encumbrance to it. That said, all work and no play make Jane a dull girl as they, so there’s no plea to look down on people that want to have a little enjoyment in their lives.

However, productivity is critical to your work and success.

No matter if you are an employee or you’re self-employed, your level of productivity will determine how far you will go. It makes it easier to be productive when you like what you do, but no matter how much you love your work, sometimes you need an extra boost.

Here is 1 Quick Tip to boost your productivity at work.

Set a Schedule for Yourself with Time Blocks

Regular employees have work schedules, but that does not mean they are productive the whole time they are at work. I don’t have the data, but I’d bet there has been some increase to productivity with Work from Home situations. Let’s face it water cooler talk- seriously shut down, breakroom besties- that’s done and the casual chat at your colleagues’ desk for 7 minutes-it’s over!

Now, the self-employed are even in worse case, because they don’t have a regular schedule unless they set one they lived by. But often, that isn’t really the case. But a schedule provides structure to your day, and narrows down your choices on what you should do at any given time. I live by time blocks. Without them, I could literally spend my day in ‘Squirrel Mode’ and who can really get everything one like that.

An American psychologist named Barry Schwartz says in his book The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less, “choose less and feel better.” With too many choices, you feel unhappy and anxious, and tend to make bad or wrong decisions on what you should do based on emotions (how you are feeling).

Eliminate the pains of indecision by scheduling your tasks according to priority. What needs your attention now? Then, consider how much time you need to accomplish the task?  If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done, for example, you may be tempted to simply walk away from it and take too long getting back to it.

Scheduling your tasks helps you concentrate on one thing at a time. With this type of plan, before you know it, you’ve done everything you planned to do. Dice up a major project into lesser, more manageable blocks to avoid the feeling of overwhelm.
​
Setting a schedule with realistic time blocks will also help you decide what you need to delegate, and when you should say no. I hope this tip helps you. If it does, drop me a note and let me know how. I’d love to hear from you.
 
To Your Success,

MG

It’s 2021 and like many businesses and people after 2020, we were required to pivot. I hate using trendy buzzwords since they change so quickly, but pivot was truly required in order to move into the next phase of what YOUR life should be. Purpose Publishing and Michelle Gines was no different. I, too, had to take some time, review my current plan, gain revelation perspective and then execute. So, that’s what’s been going on. You hadn’t heard much from us as the new year took shape, but we’re ready to share with you what you can expect from us beginning NOW, Q2 through the end of the year.

Purpose Publishing is pleased to a fresh look at what we’re doing today. Every Thursday, expect to see us drop something in your inbox – but we’re providing book writing advice with a wider perspective for broader reach, resonance and response. Here’s what you can expect:

1st Thursdays – Thermostat Thursday (It’s time to take your temperature). This is the first of the month and often a very good time to check on your goals, plans, thoughts and ideas. Its way too easy to let these things get away from you. It’s time to work on what matters. Are you writing a book or relaunching an old one? Or perhaps it’s not a book at all, but needing to reclaim some brain power and bandwidth for the next leg of your race. Either way. We have something to help you get yourself in gear.

2nd Thursdays – Thursday Think Tank (It’s time to get your creative juices flowing). This is the perfect time to grow your energy in your writing for your manuscript or ad copy, social media, tools and techniques to run your book and your business better. We got some help with guest bloggers and content inks to help you do what you do best. Who knows what you might find in the ‘Think Tank’.

3rd Thursdays – Thrifty Thursday (It’s all about the budget baby!) This week’s edition is focused solely on marketing, planning and promotions with your budget in mind. Now, not everyone’s budget is the same, but there’s something that can fit your budget- you’ll find it here. We will be sharing timeless and time-sensitive ways to maximize your mission.

4th Thursdays-   Thankful Thursday (It’s all about what has made life a little easier). This is the best way we know how to share people, processes and products that help us do business better and well. In this week’s edition it’s from a grateful heart that we share things that make life run a little bit smoother and I will be sharing them with you.

5th Thursdays- Thoughtful Thursday (It’s all about what they need, they want, they say). This is when we will do a pulse check and see if we are meeting the needs of our authors, clients and friends. There may be something you need that we can help or better serve you, but we won’t know what you need without you telling us. So, 4X’s per year we will ask you for your opinion on an area, service or product that will help us help you. And we appreciate your feedback and support in making Purpose Publishing all that it can and should be.

I’ve had time to sit, to think, to pray and ask the Lord what He wants from Purpose Publishing this year. This is it. So, I’m going to give you what I heard. We are still helping newbies publish their books, old heads find better ways to write more and coaching business leaders in leaving the legacy. We’d love to help you too. Email us at contactus@purposepublishing.com.

To Your Success,

MG

I hear this a lot at book events I attend, authors wondering how to promote their book before it’s published and I love this kind of brainstorming – mostly because it means the author is really trying to plan ahead for their success.

The key is timing. Yes, there’s no reason you can’t learn all you can about book marketing and plan far in advance, but you really want to find the sweet spot between building buzz for your release, and starting so early you lose steam or your potential buyers lose interest while waiting.

So, if you’re a go-getter author looking to build early buzz, wondering how to promote your book before it’s published, here are 10 easy, yet smart ways to make that happen:

1. Put it Up on Your Website

Obviously I encourage authors to have a website, even if it’s a simple, one-page site to call home base. These are really easy to create now, and customize, and it takes your brand up quite a few notches.

Be sure your book is prominently featured on the home page with the release date. It can live somewhere else after it’s been out awhile, like a dedicated book page, but give it the credit it deserves by making it the focal point leading up to the release.

2. Create a Blog Entry About it

If you have a website, you should have a blog page where you can create content, include keywords, and improve your SEO. And of course, I want to see you do a blog post or a few about your upcoming book.

Simple but fun ideas include “behind the curtain” posts that tell potential readers about your research, your inspiration, your connection to your topic or genre, your favorite books from the genre you wrote in – there are so many creative, interesting ways to talk about your book without selling your book – and that’s the goal.

3. Post About it on Social.

You should have at least one social account for your author brand. I always say, don’t worry about being everywhere, but be where it matters.

So, consider who your target buyer market is, and where they like to hang out on social. Is your crowd more the Twitter type or the Instagram type?

You should know this, and you should be there.

And here’s where the smart marketing comes in, use the ideas you’ve brainstormed for your blog, and convert those into social posts. Work smarter, not harder.

Give potential readers an insider look into your process and who you are as a person, because that personal connection will sell more books than any display ad ever will!

4. Tap Into Your Network

Ask friends to share your book, shamelessly! Create an email they can forward.

Create great images for your book they can share on social. Your people want to support you, now is not the time to be shy or humble with them!

5. Create a Fun Video

Video is the best way to support your brand because it’s incredibly personal – no one can compete with your authenticity on video – and that’s marketing and branding gold.

Video is also a great way to break up posting written content to promote your book, which can get repetitive. People will start to scroll by if you’re always posting the same “check out my book” content, but video will re-engage them in a valuable way.

Video doesn’t have to be long, 30 seconds is plenty, and here we go again – tap into the ideas you brainstormed for your blog, that I encouraged you to turn into social posts, and now I’m encouraging you to use those same ideas to come up with video topics. Repurposing good ideas is smart marketing and a great way to beef up your content.

6. Create Promotions to Give out Advance Copies

When figuring out how to promote your book before it’s published you always want to work in opportunities to get books in hands early. Advance copies also help generate reviews on Amazon sooner.

Tap into your network, your social media connections, and let them know you’re giving away 20 advance copies to readers who are willing to post an honest review on Amazon when the book comes out. Those who contact you should also go on your newsletter list!

And sure, you could worry that a couple people might flake on you and forget to post on time, but do your follow ups, and focus on the majority of the people who will come through for you and how amazing those early reviews

7. Be Sure to do a Countdown

In the last 12 days before your release, do a countdown. If you’re really creative you can come up with 12 fun things to post about that relate to your book, your genre, your brand etc.

Post 1 thing each day leading up to your release. If you’re a hyper fan of your genre, you could recommend a book a day for 12 days leading up to your release – it’s a great way to network with other authors, it’s really helpful content for your fans and followers, AND you get to talk up your book too.

If your book has historical elements, do some cool facts every day. If you write mystery novels, share a bit of insight into your research process each day and what you uncovered.

If you write non-fiction share really helpful, and practical tips related to your book topic that people can run with.

Get creative. Have fun. But more than anything else, take a page out of the Nike playbook- Just Do It!!!


To Your Success

MG

We often mix up those ideas, simple and easy. But really they’re two completely different things. You hear this confusion sometimes after a successful strategy is revealed to be incredibly simple, when people respond by saying, “it can’t be that easy.” It’s not easy, it’s simple.

For example, imagine if I told you that in order to create a popular blog or podcast or youtube channel, 80% of your success comes down to the simple strategy of publishing consistently and frequently. This strategy is simple, but it’s not easy by any means. In fact, this strategy is so difficult to pull off that only a tiny fraction of people who attempt it will succeed. I mean I will be honest creating a simple blog post each week gets to be difficult for me. But I’ve committed to it, so every week in order to have something interesting and worthwhile to share I have to make it easy on myself to make it happen.

This is true of so many things we want to achieve. We know what needs to be done. The strategy part is almost laughably simple. But the execution… the execution phase is the graveyard of good intentions. And you know what I say about good intentions. You have to give them some attention. If you don’t have the book, get it. It’ll help you.

Showing up day after day after day, to do repeatedly do something, requires incredible self-discipline and focus. Most of us would rather give in to the part of our brain that prefers a quick hit of dopamine from the nearest Tiktok video or shiny new project.

But stay the course, simple can be easy if you try these 3 tips:

1. Start. It doesn’t matter what it is starting a YouTube channel or writing a book. The key is to start. Start well by thinking of a title. Decide on a goal the reader should get from reading it. Then, give titles to the first 5 chapters. You’ll be amazed at just how much momentum will follow a good start.

2. Minimize to Maximize.  Make the minimum thing you need to accomplish to consider your attempt successful as small as possible. Don’t require a perfect blog post every time, just require that you publish something. Whew! How simple is that? You’d be surprised at how counterintuitive it is to have a low expectation give you really high results.

3. Don’t confuse simple and easy. The greatest strategies are incredibly simple to describe, but exceedingly difficult to pull off. It’s up to you to set your bar in a way that’s easy to clear every time you commit to showing up. This enables you to be sure your “simple and easy strategy” doesn’t take a dive on the one inevitable day when you just don’t have the energy to go big ‘all in’.

To Your Success,
​
MG

​If you've ever needed the motivation to get your life down on paper then look no further. I'd like to share 6 great reasons why writing your life story might be the best thing you’ll ever do.

Maybe you’ve been thinking about it, or maybe your children or grandchildren are nagging you to do it.

Whatever the case, you now have 6 more than compelling reasons that will make you want to put pen to paper, or hand to keyboard, straight away.

1. Leave A Legacy For Your Family

This is often the reason that resonates most with older people.

Writing the story of your life will ensure that you’re not just a name on a family tree. Think of it as achieving your own little piece of immortality.

The generations that follow you will know and understand who you were, what shaped and influenced your life, and what life was like in your era.

It’s a fundamental human need to know our past, how it links to the present and where we fit in.

By writing your life story you’ll be helping your descendants to understand where they come from and to know themselves better.

2. You Gain A Sense Of Purpose

Telling your story can give you a goal to aim for - a reason to get up in the morning.

You will feel that you are making a contribution to your family and society, that you are part of something that extends beyond yourself.

Older people in particular sometimes feel aimless, and that their life is not of much value or worth to the rest of the world.

Writing your life story is the ideal remedy!

But what if writing your whole life story is too much?

Maybe you could start with a memoir, which covers a particular time or event in your life.

3. Ignite Your Creativity

Writing your life story gives you a chance to be creative.

Transforming your life into words is one of the most creative pursuits you can engage in, and brings a terrific sense of achievement.

You don’t have to be a great writer - even if you’ve written nothing more complicated than a shopping list since you left school, don’t worry.

Just start and learn along the way.

You may surprise yourself, especially if you’ve been an avid reader all your life.

People who read a lot usually have some sort of ability when it comes to putting words on the page, because they’ve subconsciously picked it up from the books they’ve read.

It can be easier if you have a mentor to guide you.

They can help with such things as planning and structuring the book, the writing process and editing, or all three.

Purpose Publishing offers a coaching service for those who are keen to write their own life stories and I offer an obligation free discussion about the best way to approach your book.

If you want your life story written but don’t want to do it yourself, we offer ghostwriting services too.

With this service, our team will write the book for you the way you want, but you are credited as the author.

4. A Boost to Your Health

Writing your life story uses a lot of your mental resources.

Digging deep into your memories, creating the structure of the book and the process of writing it all help to keep your brain active, especially important as you get older.

And being involved in something that you find fulfilling contributes to your overall physical and mental well-being.

5. Cultivate a Connection

Storytelling is one of our most basic forms of communication and we are hardwired to respond to stories.

Through telling your story, you find parts of yourself that are mirrored in others, and vice versa.

As Michelle Obama said, ‘When we share our stories, we are reminded of the humanity in each other.

And when we take the time to understand each other’s stories, we become more forgiving, more empathetic, and more inclusive.’

When others read your life story and make comments such as, ‘I can relate to that,’ or ‘That’s exactly how I felt when that happened to me,’ it gives you a feeling of connection to that person.

Sometimes you think you’re the only person to have reacted in a certain way to an event, or to have had particular thoughts and feelings.

To discover that others have had similar experiences is gratifying - often a relief - and helps you to appreciate being part of humanity as a whole.

6. Understand You, Even Better

Socrates said, ’The unexamined life is not worth living.’

Often it is not until you put your stories down on paper and evaluate the highlights, milestones, struggles and disappointments, that you can put things in perspective and see the big picture.

While we’re in philosopher mode, Danish philosopher Kierkegaard said, ‘Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.’

Writing your story enables you to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, lessons you’ve learned and how you’ve overcome obstacles.

You can see patterns in your actions and behaviors which perhaps you hadn’t noticed before.

You'll see how everything that has happened in your life, good and bad, has led you to where you are today.

This kind of clarity and insight can only be achieved from reviewing your past can also result in changing your future.

You may decide to go on a long-desired trip, write that novel or take those art classes, visit the friend you haven’t seen in 20 years.

The feeling of accomplishment in getting your life story into print is indescribable.

It's an achievement that you can be reminded of every time you look at your bookshelf. If you need help, schedule a call with us now. We are here to help.

To Your Success,

MG

Life Changes can be major as changes come in many forms. There are adverse events like divorce, job loss or a death in the family. There are also many positive changes such as a new job, the birth of a baby or moving to a new city. Or how about the completely unexpected Covid-19 virus that has wreaked havoc on the year 2020! One thing all of these changes have in common is that they all can produce negative mental states including anxiety and depression.

Yes, even things you look forward to can cause emotional discomfort. Why? There are a number of possible reasons. For many people, a consistent routine is what feels best, and when it is altered, they experience stress. For others, a major change causes a sense of fear of the unknown. In any case, there are things you can do to minimize or eliminate the negative impact of a big life event. I’d like to share some ideas about navigating such terrain.

4 Techniques for Navigating Big Changes

When you experience a significant turning point in your life — or better yet, when you see it on the horizon or when you don’t. Please begin by taking time to prepare — try these strategies for experiencing less fear and sadness and, when possible, more excitement and joy.

  *   Acknowledge your discomfort. Often we try to hide our feelings about a major life change, not only from our family and friends but also from ourselves. Acknowledging to yourself that, “I’m worried. This situation scares me,” is a great first step toward dealing with your anxiety in a positive way. From there, making the same kind of admission to your loved ones can help even more.

  *   Focus on physical relaxation. The positive or negative state of our mind and our body go hand-in-hand. Taking time to release your physical tension can have a very positive effect on your emotions. Exercise, proper nutrition, a massage… there are many ways to sooth your body and soul.

  *   Take charge of the change. Being in the uncomfortable position of wondering “What’s going to happen next?” is a major cause of depression and anxiety. One of the best ways to counteract it is to take action. For example, if you’re nervous about starting a new job, drive by the location before your first day so you have your commuting strategy in place, plan what you’ll wear the first week, grocery shop for lunch and snack food, ask the HR representative questions about company culture or your new boss about your job responsibilities. In short, be proactive.
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  *   Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude.” For positive life events, this isn’t hard to do. The new baby, the adventure of relocating and getting to know another town or the new relationship all have many exciting aspects. Remind yourself of them regularly, and be thankful that you get to experience them. With negative life events, this strategy is more challenging. However, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and an opportunity to begin a “new chapter.” Practice mindfulness to keep your mind in the here and now. Observe thoughts and feelings from a distance without classifying them as good or bad. Keeping those things in mind can help prevent negative thoughts from dominating your thinking.

The ability to prepare for and manage major life events is a valuable skill. People think that in times like these we can’t prepare, but the truth is we should plan ahead as best we can, but stay in a posture to change plans as needed. We’ve learned in this COVID climate that being blindsided doesn’t mean we stay blind. But rather we stay ready for whatever lies ahead.


To Your Success

MG

As a writer, you are presented with so much advice; figure out what feels right for you. Enjoy the journey and stay engaged. It’s a long and glorious road, just take one step at a time.

I recently heard about a writers conference in New York and it happened to be on the same weekend of the New York Marathon.  And you know what, independent authors and marathon runners have a lot in common!

One, writing and publishing a book is certainly no sprint. Not unlike the runners on race day, a book’s release happens after weeks, months, and years of careful, meticulous work and planning. Just like the runners at the start of the race, the authors who make it to release day are truly hardy, tenacious, and driven.

I often think about all the wonderful books that will never be read because their gifted authors lacked some single quality that would otherwise have taken their book to finish line. Whether it’s a lack of self-confidence or a tribe to support and encourage them – whether it’s a lack of tenacity, self-motivation, thick skin, or work ethic necessary to hone their craft and reach their goals – without perseverance in the face of many obstacles, making it all the way to publication will always be just a dream.

Two, I meet so many ambitious authors who were hungry to learn everything they can to get their book to the next level. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Just like a runner has good days and days when shin splints keep them sidelined, an author will experience a combination of good flow days, painful editing days, no-motivation days, beautiful sentences, mixed metaphors, blocks, inspiration, re-writes, boosts of self-confidence, moments of insecurity, and a resolute finish strong attitude. (actually, it just might be harder to write and publish a book than it is to run a marathon.)

So how do we make sure we are ready and motivated to run the long race and not peter out after the fanfare of launch day? Just like a runner’s need to load carbs, writers need to stay fueled. Attending a writers conference does just that. Hanging out with fellow authors – people who truly get you – is fortifying.

There are many opportunities to get inspired, and even to get a keener sense of your own writing projects. By the end of a writers conference, attendees inevitably experience an endorphin high. Capitalizing on this state of excitement is crucial.

You will probably not feel more stoked than you do on the way home from a writers conference or workshop. Let that work for you. While some people feel lightheaded from all the information they’ve gained, and it may take a thoughtful plan to accomplish some of their new goals, I say do something immediately! As soon as you get home, or the next day, do something small. Something that will take little time and effort. It will feel productive to have taken a first step. Even the smallest adjustment could create momentum.

What’s the easiest thing you can do? Maybe take a look at your Amazon book page to see if your book description has great keywords, or maybe you want to turn on the “Ask the Author” button on your Goodreads author page, or maybe you will link your website to your Author pages on Amazon and Goodreads. After you tackle some of the simpler things, think about taking on some larger goals; perhaps you want to list a book giveaway on Goodreads. You will not feel this excited a month from now. This is the height of your “writers conference endorphin high.” Use it to your advantage!

The truth is, you won’t be able to do everything. No one does it all. At a conference, you are presented with so much advice from a variety of professionals. Some of the ideas will strike a chord with you, others will not be right for you or your projects. Figure out what feels right. What can you do on your own? What do you want to hire others to do?

Most of all, allow yourself to get excited about the small victories. This way you are enjoying the journey and staying engaged instead of feeling burned out or overwhelmed. Hopefully, it will be a long and glorious road, take one step at a time. And hey … no shin splints!
 
To Your Success,
​
MG

If you are considering entering a writing contest and wondering why it is charging an entry fee, consider the operating costs of the contest provider.

I was recently sent an email asking, “Do you think I should enter a writing contest? I, considering it, but I really don’t want to pay the fee. “I’ll sometimes find a contest that might work for me, but then the publication requests $10, $20, and sometimes more to enter. Most times I just pass. Why should I pay to present my work? I have paid a few, but generally I balk at anything over $10.” What do you think?:
 
My first reply is, “Would you fund a contest out of your own pocket and work for free?”

Contests can present remarkable opportunities for authors, particularly unpublished authors. They can expose your work to audiences and jumpstart your career – not to mention pay you for your writing. They are an oft under-appreciated chance to further a writer’s reach and reputation.

A tiny minority of writing contests out there do not charge a fee. Why? Perhaps they have a major sponsorship or the financial means to operate without having to ask for fees. Most contests simply do not have that luxury.

I managed a contest for nearly a decade, and I can tell you it was not cheap to run. Still, we offered a category that required an entry fee, and another that didn’t. To make a point, the winner of the no-entry-fee category received a meager $50 first prize, while the winner of the entry-fee category earned a more generous $500 prize.

If you are considering entering a writing contest and wondering why it is charging an entry fee, consider the operating costs of the contest provider, including:

1. Prize money. No organization has bottomless pockets. The money for operations, including prize money, has to come from somewhere. Why not entry fees?
2. Judges. If the contest boasts the participation of a reputable judge or two (or more), they have to cough up the money to pay these judges. Just as no writer should be expected to work for free, no writer, publisher, or agent who serves as a contest judge should either.
3. Advertising. You’d never hear about a contest if it were not advertised. Advertising is not free. That money has to come from somewhere.
4. Publishing. Many writing contests include publication as part of the prize. Whether print or online – but particularly in print – there are expenses affiliated with publishing.

There’s also the qualifier of setting a barrier to entry. In my experience, contests that that require an entry fee typically attract better work. The first contest we ran was a bit of an experiment, and the results confirmed what we expected: the quality of writing was higher in the entry-fee category. When there was no financial barrier to entry and writers had nothing to risk, the quality of the writing submitted was notably inferior. It wasn’t even close. That fact alone justifies the entry fee.

Back to the email I received, I look at things precisely the opposite way: if I see a contest that does not charge an entry fee, I’d advise you to  investigate more to determine how they can afford to fund the competition. Even then, I wonder why an organization would choose to forgo the income stream provided by entry fees and avoid drawing funds away from other needs in its enterprise.

In short, if you find a contest that seems legitimate and suits your writing, pay the entry fee. A reputable contest provider has the right – and the need – to charge it. Plus, it might inspire you to submit a better-quality product.
 
To Your Success,
​
MG

There can be benefits to using a pen name, but I believe there are many more downsides to using a pseudonym than upsides.

I don’t think I’ve ever talked about it here or if anyone ever asked. But I thought I’d take a little time to discuss a few notes on using pseudonyms as authors. I read about Nora Roberts, the author of more than 150 romance novels, when asked why she writes romantic suspense novels under a pseudonym. Her answer: “It’s marketing.”

She says that writing quickly makes it difficult for her publisher to publish all of her work with an appropriate amount of time between each release, so she writes works which are “edgier” than her romance novels under the pseudonym J. D. Robb. She says, “Putting it under a pseudonym helps brand it for the reader.” Children’s writers often separate their real names or their “other” writing names from their children’s work to keep work intended for children untainted.

All these reasons are absolutely valid, and there are many more. But I believe there are many more downsides to using a pseudonym than

Now, this is just my take on it and of course, you’ll personally have to weigh the pros and cons for your title and your career, but keep in mind that Ms. Roberts has a powerhouse publisher and marketing department to help her navigate the difficulties inherent in using a pseudonym.

If you are considering using a pen name, here’s 6 things you should know:

1. It is difficult to keep a pen name secret. Everyone knows who Kristie Leigh Maguire is, for example, but most know that it is a pen name. Once they know, the author has lost the privacy value of using a pseudonym.
2. If people didn’t already know that “Robb” was Nora Roberts’ pen name, most of them do now since Time magazine let the cat out of the bag in a featured interview. The magazine also revealed (big time) that Nora Roberts is also a pen name! Suddenly, I don’t feel the same affinity for her as a person or an author. I don’t even know her name. In one fell swoop her pen name lost some of its branding value.
3. It is very hard to promote a book in person when you use a pen name, especially if you choose an opposite-sex pen name. In fact, promotion of all kinds can become touchy. You may lose authenticity. That loss must be balanced against whatever reason you are using to convince yourself it’s a good idea.
4. Consider this, how hard it is to be a good liar? It requires having an amazing memory and as well as a deceptive nature. Most authors struggle enough learning to nurture the marketing, publicity, TV, radio, and speaking skills they had no idea they’d ever need when they started writing. Trying to remember all the little white lies (or big whoppers) you may find yourself telling may not be worth the effort. I mean, Nora Roberts finally gave up on the biggest fib of all: that she uses pen names. In the Time interview, she discarded pretense and became herself.
5. Then there’s the technical, time-consuming – and potentially expensive – mire of branding yourself over and over again for every pen name you have. Consider everywhere you publish your brand- websites, blog posts, email accounts, and social media exploits. And even worse, think how much less effective those efforts will be because they are diluted since you only have so much time to devote to branding each of those names. If you think you will never have to do that, that you never expect to change genres or run into a marketing misstep that forces you to return to your real name, you may be mistaken. Many multi-genre authors didn’t expect to do that when they wrote their first book. And, like the kid getting his driver’s license at sixteen, most of us don’t expect to have marketing accidents.
6. Using a pen name isn’t necessarily an effective barrier against lawsuits. But do ask your attorney.

Just a little food for thought. Of course, at the end of the day your book your name. Whether you choose your birth name or a name you birth, you’ll still have the responsibility of doing everything you can to market, promote and sell your book.
 
To your Success,
MG

Communication plays a fundamental role in all facets of business. It is therefore very important that both internal communication within your organization as well as the communication skills of your employees are effective. The following six reasons will explain why effective communication should be a focus in your business:

1. Builds and maintains relationships

Relationships are built and can be maintained by positive encounters with others. Communication will be key to this process – without effective skills, it will be difficult to properly construct and foster productive relationships.

2. Facilitates innovation

When you and those around you feel comfortable in openly communicating -new ideas, cooperation and innovation will be at an all-time high. In addition, if staff are unable to convey their ideas due to limited communication skills, it is likely that the idea will not be implemented to its full potential.

3. Builds an effective team

If open communication within our work space is encouraged, a more cohesive and effective team will emerge. Good communication within a team also tends to boost morale. When people feel that they are well informed of the company’s direction and vision, they will feel more secure within their role. Regular communication can also lead to an improved work ethic - if those who work with you are reminded of achievements and feel that they are working towards a common goal.

4. Managing Teams

When you are an effective communicator, you are more able to inform our team adequately of their responsibilities and what is expected from them. Good communication skills also helps you to provide constructive feedback to our contractors, build better relationships, and understand personal goals that our team may wish to work towards. Communicating is key to not only you as the business leader achieving your goals, but also in you helping your team achieve theirs.

5. Contributes to growth of your company or platform

A lack of communication can lead to the collapse of any organization. While that is a bold statement – without proper marketing, collateral materials and communication internally (with yourself) and externally (clients, contractors, vendors), most businesses will struggle to survive. Communication can also lead to productivity and helps to avoid unnecessary delays in the implementation of your growth strategies.

With so much in the narrative these days, I thought it important to remind us that we too have to be great communicators. So, I wanted to just pop this in. I hope you enjoyed and got a little something you can take with you as you build and grow.
 
To Your Success
MG 

Well in the super age of technology and startups, there is one that most readers aren't even aware of.  I would like to take a moment to introduce to some and present to others BookTube which is actually a  is the unofficial name given to a collection of YouTube channels that discuss all things bookish. Each day, thousands of online creators, or BookTubers, share videos about books they love (and hate), literacy, fandom and being generally crazy for reading. We are living in a time when there is something out there for EVERYBODY, including you. Huffington Post shared an article in April of last year that I thought was pretty good and I'm sharing it with you here. 


As with all things social, don't let it overwhelm you. Check it out and see if you can glean anything from there that you can use as you market, promote and share your book. If nothing else you might gain another community to collaborate with. If so, let us know. Email me at contactus@purposepublishing.com

To Your Success,
​
MG

This month I'm really trying to give you the people the things you need to make good and wise decisions concerning writing a book and how it can help you and how you can make it the best. The articles are short and sweet every week I'm sharing from around the web. With that, here's another area that I believe is SUPER important to every business bottom line, taxes. I think Jane Friedman has provided some truly sound advice when it comes to how to handle making good tax decisions as a newly (or not so new) published author. You can check out here article here. 


If you need support in making the best business decisions with your book. Contact us. We can can help at www.PurposePublishing.com.

To Your Success,
MG

 As an avid reader and writer myself, I'm always focused on how to get better. I've tried my hand at being a perfectionist and with all honesty, even as much as I've tried to with my own writing. I'm not perfect. My writing is not perfect. Such is the case with any good book, it's not impossible for you to edit it yourself. It's just highly unlikely you'll catch everything. And, your friend who got 'A's' in English back in high school just might not be the perfect person either. The truth of the matter is you really don't have to be. But, I do recommend that you invest the time and money in getting the help you need to make your book great. I recently stumbled on an article by one of the writing greats, Max Lucado, who shares some insight into his process for making sure that only the best goes into his book. You can read his advise here.  


If you've ever read any of his books, you'll testify that it's worth. Great writing makes for easy understanding and simplified application. Editing is not only important, but its critical to your writing. Don't have an editor?  Contact us. We can help at www.PurposePublishing.com.


To Your Success,

MG

I was recently on the Self-Care Inspiring Hope Show & Podcast with Traci Williams. Shout out to Traci Williams whoop-whoop!! Check Traci out LIVE Saturday mornings at 10am via Facebook Live and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

Well, I was on her show and we were talking about book publishing. So, she asked me the following question, "Do you think people are writing books now?" I told her, Traci, books are the new business card." People are parlaying books into speaking opportunities, adding credibility to being a Subject Matter Expert and becoming consultants and such in short order. With that question alone, I had a lot to share. But don't just take my word for it, check out an article in Fast Company back in 2012. You can check it out here.

It's now 2020, if you don't have your book written yet. Contact us. We can help at www.PurposePublishing.com.

To Your Success,
MG

The reward of holding a copy of your published work is indescribable. But it’s just one of the many exciting milestones in your journey to self-publishing success. One key objective in your publishing journey is selling your book successfully. Here are five tips we think may help improve your efforts to increase book sales.

Build up your image as an author and a brand

Book buyers and readers gravitate to books—and authors—that appeal to them. The more you project yourself in a way that holds their attention, the more you gain their trust. Highlight the fact that you are now a published author. Add that to your email and forum signature lines. Don’t forget to add your website or social media profiles to here, as well as to your press release boilerplates. These may be small things, but they’re the building blocks to a positive image.

A quality 3rd-party review is important to successful bookselling
​
An honest and well-written 3rd-party review is invaluable. A positive review from a respected book reviewer will make your book stand out, improve its marketability and enhance your titles, as well as your, reputation. Don’t be afraid to invite readers and indie reviewers to evaluate your book. Published reviews on sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstore bolsters the credibility of your book encouraging new readers to part with their money knowing that they will get a good read in return.

Librarians are your best customers—and allies

Librarians are savvy, well-informed book buyers. They are the favorites of the traditional publishing houses, small presses, and self-publishers. If librarians like your book and trust your brand, they will likely become some of your most effective bookselling allies. Their participation and support are valuable aids to your bookselling activities—sponsoring book signings, readings, meet-and-greet affairs, and Q&A activities at their libraries. So be sure to visit your local libraries and befriend your librarians.

Use your social media networks to connect and sell your book

While Purpose Publishing carries all the titles of its authors in its online bookstore and through its partnerships with Amazon and Barnes and Noble, one of the most effective ways to sell you book is through social media networking. Generate news, book-related updates, and positive reviews through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and to the other online communities you belong to. Social networks are also great places to meet fellow authors and find new opportunities for selling your book.

To Your Success,

MG