Writing Inrochester

Everybody knows that publishing a book can greatly enhance your image as a professional as well as having the potential to create a wonderful new profit center for virtually anybody. The only major problem and challenge is in finding the right ideas that will ensure the cash tills are constantly ringing. After all, nobody wants to produce a book that is boring and doesn’t sell.

There are actually several ways to open the floodgates of ideas for your upcoming book and many of them will start with the challenges and problems you gave faced in the past and currently. How did you tackle them? That is the kind of question best answered in a how-to book. It is difficult to go wrong with a how-to book. Especially if you carefully target a narrow niche that can identify completely with what you are saying.

For example this article is targeting all those professionals who have long desired to publish a book but hardly know where to start when it comes to putting their thoughts on paper. Hopefully this article will get them to focus on a central theme that will help their books take off like a NASA rocket.

There is nothing wrong with you widening your research to include methods of dealing with the problems you have identified for your book that have been applied by others in your industry. And you do not have to limit yourself to your state or home country. The World Wide Web enables you to establish contact and send off email questionnaires to any part of the world.

No doubt these changes that technology has brought on us have both positive and negative attributes which have impacted your industry or trade. That is yet another source of numerous book publishing ideas.

The other option is to hire an experienced webcontentprovider.blogspot.com/2007/07/ghost-writer-services-available-for.html ghost writer for books and get them to generate the central ideas for your book as they write it for you. Many smart online writers will work with only your website and regular email questionnaires to produce quality books for publishing. So there is no excuse for you not publishing your book.

It will be useful for your book publishing project to discover how brilliant ideamarketers.com/library/article.cfm?articleid=203877 online writers for hire usually promote websites online and then use the same ideas to promote your book. Or read this detailed article packed with valuable information on kumekucha.blogspot.com/2007/07/publishing-books-will-enable-you-to-do.html publishing your own book.

Want to build your business fast now? And, on a shoestring budget?

Whether you are a soloist or a major publicly listed corporation, writing articles is still one of the best forms of low cost, high impact marketing around.

If you’re a regular reader of my articles, then you’ll know how I turned an article into a media release that generated national print and radio exposure for me.

It was about the McEddie “Everywhere” Personal Brand and I even had people ringing me wanting to contact Eddie and people emailing me with comments about the first Footy Show TV program without Eddie McGuire as host.

For those overseas or who have just picked up this article for the first time, Eddie McGuire is the Australian host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire who has just given up his on air role to become CEO of Channel 9, Australia’s number one national TV network.

If you missed it all, just enter the words “Eddie McGuire Thomas Murrell” into Google and try, and out of the 51,000 listings you will see how my original article and media release dominate.

Importantly, my articles or name dominates eight out of the first 10 rankings on Google.

Go on, have a go now. Just go to Google here and try.

So what? Well, the key is to build relationships with your leads, prospects, customers, clients and advocates.

As my wise mentor Gihan Perera says “people buy from people they trust”.

He says you need to turn strangers into neighbours and neighbours into friends and friends are the easiest people to market to.

So how do you do this, especially in a competitive, crowded and cluttered marketplace?

A well written, well targetted article helps you stand out from the crowd.

It builds expert power which creates reputation capital.

My articles, like this helps do that.

So I turned a media release, which originally came from an article, back into an article.

This is true leverage of expert power.

But I gave the newspaper article a few powerful tweaks.

First, I re-read it and added more depth of content. This made it fresher and more impactful.

Then I asked, how can I turn this into a measurable marketing activity that has the potential to increase sales?

The media will never run a story from a news release about a free or even new eBook - no matter how well written or controversial. It doesn’t have the credibility or newsvalue of a hard copy book by a recognised international publisher.

But an authored article does provide a platform to promote your free eBook. This in turn provides an incentive for readers of the newspaper article to give permission for you to market to them.

So here’s the kicker. Because I had a good relationship with the newspaper editor, he wanted my media release, not as a story, but as an authored article.

This gave me permission at the end of the article to add value to readers by pointing them to my website and allowing them to download my free eBook.

And, this builds my expert power and reputation capital with complete strangers.

Plus I got the bonus of a well laid out article with a great graphic that added enormous value to my original words.

You can see the final newspaper published article Brand marks out leader here because I got permission from the newspaper editor (thank you Western Suburbs Weekly) to put a PDF version on my website.

This leverages even further the value of the original article.

But when the article was published in the newspaper it was read by more than 52,500 people.

Far more prospects than I could reach in a speech, direct mail out or even through this article you are reading now.

So traditional media still have greater reach and impact than emerging media like blogs. Plus it is tangible, providing a lasting record. People still like to feel ink between their fingers and not just electrons on their eyeballs!

So here are five amazing ways to grow your business through articles.

1. Choose A Newsworthy Topic.

The Eddie McGuire move, at least in Australia, was big news and speculated upon for months and months prior to the official announcement.

2. Make Sure This Topic Matches Your Area Of Expertise.

My area of recognised authority status is branding at a corporate, internal and personal level. And, I’ve had more than 20 years experience working in the media.

Plus, my media experience covers periods as both an on air personality and as a Senior Executive in a leadership role.

Eddie’s making that move now. I made that move from on air broadcaster to manager when I was 28 years old with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

So that background gives me a lot of expert power and credibility because I’ve been there and done that.

(By the way Eddie if you’re reading this and want help, my number is 61 8 9388 6888).

3. Identify A Problem.

Most people have aspirations to be like Eddie McGuire, whether that is to be more attractive, to be more influential or to have more money.

That is a universal challenge across all demographics and applies to all areas of your career, business or life.

4. The Content Of The Article Solves A Problem.

Provide a solution to people’s problems and then you have a sustainable business, career or life.

5. Have A Strong Call To Action.

Make sure readers take action after reading your article.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting 8mmedia.com 8mmedia.com Thomas can be contacted directly at 6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom’s blog at 8mmedia.blogspot.com 8mmedia.blogspot.com

When you come to ‘know’ something, there is a temptation to stop thinking about it. You put it in a box as ‘known’ and are happy to argue with anyone who disagrees.

This is both a good and a bad thing.

It is good to hold firm to your beliefs, to be true to yourself, to stand your ground over knowledge or a belief that is fundamental to your character and values.

That said, holding stubbornly to your point of view, allowing no space for doubt, can be limiting. Oliver Cromwell is reported to have said to Charles I, on the eve of the king’s execution, “I beseech you, in the bowels of Christ, consider is possible that you may be wrong.” Or words to that effect. Charles I was clearly in no mood to change his mind, and the outcome was not pleasant for him.

Holding true to what you ‘know’ in terms of copywriting is clearly small potatoes when compared to the decision Charles I faced.

However, we are still faced with the same questions. Should we always hold fast to what we know about our craft? Or should we allow for the possibility that there are better ways to write, different approaches to take, alternative words to consider?

No and yes. No, we shouldn′t back down every time a client or colleague questions our work. Yes, we should consider the possibility that what we knew from last year may not be the best choice this year.

So at least, when you have written some copy, seek out a contrarian view. Find someone who’s opinion you respect. Ask them to read your copy carefully and criticize it in any way they want. And then consider their views carefully.

Discard criticism that you truly feel is not on target. But also, leave yourself open to the opportunity to grow as a writer, expand your knowledge and skills, and find new, better ways to extend your craft.

Nick Usborne is a copywriter, author, speaker and advocat of good writing. You can access all his archived newsletter articles on copywriting and writing for the web at his excessvoice.com/archive.htm Excess Voice site. You′ll find more articles and resources on how to make money as a freelance writer at his freelancewritingsuccess.com/ Freelance Writing Success site.

(excerpted from the “How to Use a Journal” audio series by Jim Rohn)

If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.

I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off corners and backs of old envelopes. I wrote ideas on restaurant placemats. On long sheets, narrow sheets and little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer. Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas is to keep a journal. I’ve been keeping these journals since the age of twenty-five. The discipline makes up a valuable part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part of my library.

I am a buyer of blank books. Kids find it interesting that I would buy a blank book. They say, “Twenty-six dollars for a blank book! Why would you pay that?” The reason I pay twenty-six dollars is to challenge myself to find something worth twenty-six dollars to put in there. All my journals are private, but if you ever got a hold of one of them, you wouldn’t have to look very far to discover it is worth more than twenty-six dollars.

I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you′d have to say that I am a serious student. I’m not just committed to my craft, I’m committed to life, committed to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into the building blocks of a productive life.

Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the three treasures to leave behind for the next generation. In fact, future generations will find these three treasures far more valuable than your furniture.

The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of pictures. Don’t be lazy in capturing the event. How long does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second. How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of a second. So don’t miss the pictures. When you’re gone, they’ll keep the memories alive.

The second treasure is your library. This is the library that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy. It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy, sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the ghetto. Your library, the books that instructed you, fed your mind and fed your soul, is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind.

The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered. But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you’re a serious student. Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book store, that’s pretty easy. It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You’ll be so glad you did. What a treasure to leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn’s Weekly E-zine.
Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved
worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn’s Weekly E-zine, go to
Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

You are attending a business or association meeting, when out of the blue, the meeting chair asks you to say a few words. How do you get through this? Follow this sure-fire process to write your speech in five minutes or less.

Decide on the message that you want to give to this group. Do you what to congratulate them on their accomplishments, advise on the road ahead or sell them a new direction. Pick one message. Anything more is counter productive.

Start drafting an outline on a sheet of paper. List these headings: Main Message, Opening, Supporting Points, and Close.

Write your main message in one sentence and in plain language. e.g. ‘For the company to survive we must double our sales revenue.’ Write this first because everything else you say must support this message. If it doesn’t support it will only detract.

Think about your main message and write your closing statement - because that is where you want to end. Your closing statement might be a call to action - telling people exactly what you want them to do; e.g. buy this product, smile at the customer, donate money to the cause. This type of call to action is best made with the sentence - ‘If you want…(desired results)…. then do…..(call to action).’

If your message is an inspirational one you might end with a quotation: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”

If you are soliciting volunteers try, “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”
If you do not remember who said it or you get the words wrong - just say you are paraphrasing.

Once you have your have your close, develop the supporting points that form the body. List five points that support your message. After you have five, examine them and pick the best three. Use statistics or an anecdote to illustrate each point. Make the anecdote funny or reach the audience in a personal way. Your audience needs this to absorb, understand and remember each of your points.

Finally, work on your opening. Use just a few sentences to grab their attention - with a challenge, question, bold fact, analogy or quotation. One technique, which ties everything together, is to open and close with the same statement. Let people know where you stand on this issue and what your message is. Never assume that they will figure it out for themselves.

Review your draft and make adjustments. You might want to change the order of your three points. Rewrite your notes on an index card or paper of equivalent size but just write the key words - in large print.

Ready? As they are introducing you, take a deep breath, look confident, smile and walk to centre stage. Wait for everyone’s attention, pause a moment to survey the audience - acknowledge their presence, collect your thoughts and go… “You have nothing to fear but fear itself”.

PS: Always finish before your allotted time is up. They’ll love you for it.

George Torok specializes in helping people present themselves with impact. He delivers keynote speeches and practical training programs. He works with executives and professionals to help them present with impact. You can arrange for George to work with you by calling 905-335-1997. For more information visit SpeechCoachforExecutives.com SpeechCoachforExecutives.com

There is no doubt that Internet content providers from India have already had a huge impact on the online writing freelance market.

However the interesting thing is that most content providers from other parts of the world and mostly those based in the United States have simply chosen to ignore them. As Internet content providers based in India continue to win one online writing assignment after another, many are simply writing them off as low quality writers who hardly stand a chance in the competitive world market for content providers.

Actually this is the same mistake folks in other industries in The United States did to products coming in from China and to a lesser extent India and are today deeply regretting their folly because it is too late to do anything about it.

It is useful to study the advantages many an Internet content provider from India has over other competing content providers based in other parts of the world.

Internet content provider India Enjoys Much Lower Costs
One huge advantage that the Internet content provider from India brings to the table is the unbelievably low costs of living they seem to enjoy in India. The result is that they can charge low single-digit-dollar figures for each article they churn out and still end up not only paying their bills, but also greatly prospering. This is an advantage that cannot be ignored because one of the things the Internet has done is to open up business to the entire world meaning that geographical barriers have come crashing down. Customers are no longer limited to choosing a local service provider, they can actually select one from any part of the world if they can get a price advantage and still end up with acceptable quality.

This is why despite the language issues, it seems many webmasters and blog owners feel that the quality of Internet content provision they are getting from India is good enough. In fact many webmasters who can hardly write themselves find it very easy to make slight changes and corrections to the content they receive from India and end up with very acceptable quality to use on their sites. Others have even found Internet content providers from India who are able to produce quality content that has no American language or grammar issues in it.

One Does Not Require A Picasso for Internet content
I have met some perfectionist Internet content providers who are busy killing themselves and their businesses ensuring that every piece of writing they produce is a work of art. There is even one particular one who has painstakingly produced a sort of rigid template that writers should stick to for every article they write for him. He has ended up very frustrated and now firmly believes that he is one of the very few online writers on earth who can write decent copy.

Christopher Kyalo is a successful online entrepreneur and publisher. Read the rest of this article at his 100grandonlinewriters.blogspot.com self publisher blog.

While not an official, legal symbol, the copyright symbol with a line through it has become the generally accepted way to indicate that a work is in the public domain. It is usually accompanied by one of the following two statements:

1. This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. This applies worldwide.

2. I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

When copyright or other intellectual property restrictions expire, works will enter the public domain and may be used by anyone.
More specifically, the public domain comprises the body of knowledge and innovation, especially creative works such as writing, art, music, and inventions, in relation to which no person or other legal entity can
of the common cultural and intellectual heritage of humanity, which in general anyone may use or exploit.

Imagine The Possibilities!

Can you imagine having a nearly unlimited, free source of
completed information which you can use to enhance your bright idea?

What if you could simply tap into that source and create
products which you can resell and turn into a
profitable stream of income?
When you know how to tap into the
public domain, all of this is possible.

Works created before the advent of intellectual property laws are part of the public domain. The Bible and Qu′ran, the works of William Shakespeare and Ludwig van Beethoven and the inventions of Archimedes entered the public domain long ago. However, intellectual property rights may exist in translations or new formulations of these works.

In addition, works of the United States government are excluded from copyright law and may therefore be considered to be in the public domain. For example, works created by a U.S. government agency become part of the public domain at the moment of creation. Other examples include: NASA photographs, military journalism, federal court opinions (but not necessarily state court opinions), congressional committee reports, census data, and the U.S. government website. Availability of such documents may, however, be limited by secrecy laws.

In the United States, all copyrights and patents have a finite term when this term expires, the work or invention is released into the public domain. For example, patents expire 20 years after they are filed. However, a trademark registration may be renewed and remain in force indefinitely provided the trademark is used, but could otherwise become generic. Copyrights are more complex; generally, they expire in all countries when a variety of specific conditions are satisfied.

Before 1978, unpublished works were not covered by the federal copyright act. This does not mean that the works were in the public domain; it means that they were covered under state copyright acts. Websites that claim that “pre-1923 works are safe” are wrong. These works, now under federal copyright, will not expire for several more decades.

Patents

Publishing the details of an invention before applying for a patent will generally place an invention in the public domain and prevent its subsequent patenting by others. For example, when a chemistry journal publishes a formula, this prevents patenting the formula by anyone. There is an exception to this; however, in U.S. law, the rightful inventor may file a patent claim up to one year after publishing it.

Trade Secrets

If guarded properly, trade secrets never enter the public domain. For example, a business may keep a product formula like that for Coca-Cola a secret indefinitely. However, if it is disclosed to the public, the former secret enters the public domain, although the former secret may still be patented in the United States.

Trademarks

A trademark registration is renewable. A trademark owner may maintain a registration indefinitely by paying renewal fees, using the trademark and defending the registration.

However, a trademark or brand may become a generic term for a particular type of product or service if people do not use it as a trademark (i.e. as a name or graphic representation exclusively identifying that that product or service originates from a particular business).

A genericized trademark — sometimes known as a generic trade mark, generic descriptor or proprietary eponym — is a trademark or brand name which has become synonymous with the general or formal term for a particular type of product or service, to the extent that it often replaces this term in colloquial usage.

One famous U.S, example is “thermos”. An interesting philosophical issue is that a manufacturer who invents an amazing breakthrough product which cannot be succinctly described in plain English (for example, a vacuum-insulated drinking flask) will inevitably find its product described by the trademark (”Thermos”). If the product continues to dominate the market, eventually the trademark will become generic (”thermos”). Other examples are: escalator, trampoline, raisin bran, linoleum, dry ice, shredded wheat, mimeograph, yo-yo, nylon, kerosene, cornflakes, cube steak, lanolin, and high octane, masonite, allen wrench, pabulum, styrofoam, and zipper.

One consequence of a trademark becoming generic is that the exclusive rights which may attach to the use or registration of the trademark can no longer be legally enforced. Genericide typically occurs over a period of time where the trademark owner does not maintain or enforce its proprietary rights (e.g. by using the mark or by pursuing infringement action).
However, genericide is not an inevitable process. In the late 1980s “Nintendo” was becoming synonymous with home video game consoles but Nintendo was able to reverse this process through marketing campaigns. Xerox was also successful in avoiding its name becoming synonymous with the act of photocopying.

Domain Names

A domain name, which may be bought and sold, never enters public domain. If nobody owns it, it simply doesn’t exist. Top level domains, such as .com, are controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.

Internet Public Domain Resources

Many people are using the Internet to contribute to the public domain, or make works in the public domain more accessible to more people. For example, Project Gutenberg is coordinating the efforts of people who transcribe works in the public domain into electronic form in order to create e-book. See the Resources section of this newsletter for key links.

SOURCE:
The information for this article was retrieved from wikipedia.org.

Rosemary Hauschild is an innovation and creativity business coach serving individuals developing intellectual property. impactcoaching.biz Impact Coaching International™ offers a year-long program showing creative individuals how to protect, promote, and profit from their innovative ideas in less time and with more profits. Individual coaching services are also available.

To learn more about how to protect and promote your intellectual property, you are invited to subscribe to the free e-zine, mailto:subscribe@impactcoaching.biz Creations Of The Mind™, by sending an email to mailto:subscribe@impactcoaching.biz subscribe@impactcoaching.biz with the following phrase in the subject line of your e-mail: ’subscribe creations list’

Article marketing is one of the very coolest things online today in the area of driving traffic. I believe that with all my heart. Now, I also believe this – article marketing is changing, and changing in a big way. You see, no longer can you just blindly submit to 500 article directories and get the kind of results you used to be able to get.

You have to know exactly where to submit, exactly how to make your links right, when to put in live links and when not to. It is not the same as it was a year ago. In fact, I think it is not the same as it was 6 months ago – and some big changes may be coming this year. Some article directories are rising to the top – one is at the top – but others are drowning. Do you really want to submit to a drowning article directory?

OK, back to my premise. Here’s what I think – I think in order to make real money online, everybody needs a coach – someone who is doing it now, and can show them exactly what is working today.

I did- in fact, I had several coaches – and without them I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today. Don’t get me wrong – I was determined to succeed – and I think I would have anyway – I am real stubborn like that – but the coaching helped. It went right to my core – and I just did things the way the top people today are making money – and I like to think I am doing it better, but that is for you to judge.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘

Download it free here:

Anyone can become a freelance writer. But successful “working″ freelance writers all share ten characteristics. If your freelance writing career isn’t what you’d like for it to be, maybe you need to develop a few more of these characteristics.

1. A “working” freelance writer writes on a regular basis. That should be no surprise. But it’s probably the number one difference between people who dabble at freelance writing and those who make a living at it. “Working” freelance writers write every day. Even if they aren’t working on a particular writing assignment they’re usually writing something, even if it’s just updating their blog, posting to their website, or writing promotional materials for their writing and writing services.

2. A “working″ freelance writer knows how to study the freelance markets. He takes the time to get to know the publications he wants to write for BEFORE he queries them. He studies each publication’s guidelines, reads several months’ worth of back issues, and digs around online to find the editorial calendars for publications so he knows the best times to “pitch” his article ideas.

3. A “working” freelance writer knows how to write winning query letters and book proposals. He knows editors want to read a query that “hooks” them in the first paragraph and is written in the same style and tone as the proposed article. He knows all the components of a winning book proposal and he also knows how to find an agent and/or a publisher to submit it to.

4. A “working” freelance writer knows how to write for specific markets. He knows that an article he writes for AARP Magazine should not have the same tone as an article for TEEN magazine. Obviously, the subject matter for these publications should be different, also.

5. A “working″ freelance writer knows how to find many lucrative writing assignments. He doesn’t sit around waiting for jobs to fall in his lap. He knows how to find jobs at online job boards. He subscribes to a variety of ezines that list freelance writing jobs. He also knows how to develop relationships with editors so they call him back for assignments over and over again.

6. A “working” freelance writer always has a weekly marketing plan for his writing and writing services. He knows that marketing his work, and developing a “platform” for himself, is just as important as his actual writing assignments.

7. A “working” freelance writer has a network of contacts that help him promote his writing and writing services. He knows writers all across the country (and even across the globe) and networks effectively with these people.

8. A “working” freelance writer has developed a focus for his writing career. That is, he knows where he wants to go with his writing. He doesn’t waste his time writing a slew of short articles each week that pay peanuts and eat up his time. He goes for larger, more lucrative projects, and also develops presentations, courses and workshops that pay him well for his time and expertise.

9. A “working” freelance writer knows how to stay focused so he lives the writer’s life of his dreams. He has a plan that keeps him focused. When he can’t stay focused alone he hires a coach to help him stay on course.

10. A “working″ freelance writer has developed his own informational products to market and has other people marketing them for him as well. Most top-notch freelance writers know a LOT about the subject of freelance writing. They use that knowledge to create articles about writing, tips booklets about writing, and books and courses about writing. They market many of these items themselves but also have affiliates who sell the items for them as well.

Develop all ten of these characteristics and it won’t be long before you’re a “working″ freelance writer, too.

Suzanne Lieurance is a fulltime freelance writer, children’s author, and The Working Writer’s Coach. Visit her website at workingwriterscoach.com workingwriterscoach.com to find out more about her coaching program designed to help people who like to write become “working” freelance writers. Visit her blog at the-working-writers-coach.blogspot.com the-working-writers-coach.blogspot.com for more helpful tips for writers. Join her mailing list at her blog, and every weekday morning you’ll receive The Morning Nudge, a few words to motivate and inspire you to get a little writing done. For free weekly networking teleconferences for writers, visit The Lieurance Group blog at lieurancegroup.blogspot.com lieurancegroup.blogspot.com.

During the past year or so, I have done nearly a hundred talks about my book, “LADIES: A Conjecture of Personalities.” It’s about the First Ladies – the OLD First Ladies, Martha through Mamie. Since they talk to each other and cross through centuries, it is, of course, an historical fiction. In doing so many lectures, I thought it might be interesting to discuss are some of the things I have learned….

1. Sadly enough, while my audiences LOVE my talks (and they are never the same), not too many actually BUY the book.

A lesson learned: People need to be interested in the subject or genre. They read what they like to read – sci-fi, romance novels, murder mysteries, etc. So while they may enjoy spending an hour listening attentively and say lovely things about you and your presentation, it doesn’t mean they will outlay twenty bucks to read the book. Do not take it personally.

2. Be selective in choosing your target audiences. A book about raising two-year-old twins probably will not appeal to the Rotary Club. My book about the “old gals” appeals to a wide range of audiences, but mostly women, and mostly older women at that. I have done well by appealing to Woman’s Clubs, Historical Societies, Libraries, Senior groups, etc.

A lesson learned: Be very selective choosing senior groups. The “younger” seniors are wonderful. They are still working, still driving, still traveling, etc., and reading. They love having interesting speakers. The older seniors, or super seniors” who live in senior residences or assisted-care facilities are not your best audience for obvious reasons of frailties. Go if they invite you (and if they will pay). Do not solicit them.

Another lesson learned: Be very selective choosing religious groups as an audience. Of course this depends upon the subject matter of your book/lecture. Many church or synagogue groups will be happy to have you as their guest and will enjoy your talk, but few actually purchase books that don’t deal in some way with their religion – at least not in that venue.

3. To charge or not to charge: Fortunately for my financial circumstances, I am not dependent on book sales for a living. So I started out by doing my programs for free, hoping that publicity and book sales would follow. I wound up doing a lot of talks and driving a lot of miles for limited publicity and very few (usually under 10) books sold. Like I said, you have to be interested in the subject.

By the time I did a couple of dozen free talks and having my audiences LOVE me and refer me along for more FREE talks, I did a little soul-searching. If I am good enough for FREE, maybe I am good enough for PAY. After all, I reasoned, when people call me, they always ask about my fee, indicating they are prepared to pay an honorarium. So I decided that “I don’t charge but my CAR does.” I’ve kept it nominal: If the group is within 20 miles from my home, I charge $50; if it is more than that, I charge $100.

A lesson learned: Few groups object. My car is happy.

Occasionally I still do a freebie, or go to a senior care facility (although those facilities usually have a budget for programs). I like doing a good deed, and the “oldies” love hearing a talk on something other than cataracts, blood pressure or managing their incomes.

Another lesson learned: Do not be afraid to turn down a group if it is far away and they won’t pay. Unless, of course, you usually sell a heap of books. Then you can go to the North Pole if you like.

4. Finally, know your audience:

This is important to any speaker, of course, but doubly so for me, since my subject is so varied and can be arranged to suit my listeners. Always as the Program Chairman (or whoever contacts you) to tell you a little about their members: their general age category, general income category (particularly if you are contacted by a social worker), the general purpose of the group, i.e. charitable, social, academic, etc.) and anything else that may be of importance to the speaker.

For instance, I was invited to speak at a banquet given by the Ladies’ Auxiliary of a large hospital. So I decided to talk about the health problems of some of the “old” First Ladies. At a “Red Hat Society” program, I picked three First Ladies who I thought they would enjoy having as “honorary members.” For other groups I sometimes choose one or two “old gals” that might be pertinent to their organization.

A major lesson learned: Do not forget to promote your book and read to them a little. Sometimes I get so carried away about my subject matter that I neglect to encourage book sales. Make sure you talk about your book, why you wrote it, why they should purchase it, why it makes a wonderful gift, and why they should recommend you and your program to their friends.

About The Author

Feather Schwartz Foster is the author of “LADIES: A Conjecture of Personalities” and “Garfield’s Train” (to be release in 2005). She has made nearly 100 personal appearances to discuss her book.