We sign up for a mailing list to receive updates from people who inspire us or a business that we want to support. You can learn about specific topics, get advice, as well as score deals and freebies. 

But, as we change and grow, so do our needs. Perhaps you've gotten all of the information and guidance you could from the Instagram guru you've been following, or the publishing house that promised to send marketing trends  ended up not fitting your topic. 

Since the New Year is known for freshness and new goals, you want to go through the mailing lists you are subscribed to and check to see if the information being delivered to your inbox is still serving a purpose. Are you learning? Are you inspired and motivated? Are you getting something beneficial out of it? 

If you answer yes to any of the above, then by all means, stay subscribed. Sometimes we are hesitant to sign up for new mailing lists when we are already receiving so many. That's why I think it is important to do quarterly, 6-month, or even annual maintenance on the mailing lists we receive. We want to surround ourselves with uplifting and exciting news and information. It helps big time when working on specific goals. 

Also, if you send out a mailing list, please don't get sad or take it personally if someone unsubscribes from your list. It just makes room for the people who need your information. 

Each time you get an unsubscribe - and you will - go through the content you are sending and make sure that it is valuable for your readers. If you feel confident with what you are sending out, then just continue to work your stuff, and you will attract your people to you. Trust the process!

 
If writing and self-publishing a book is on your list of things to do, keep reading. 
 
After years of helping clients get their work distributed and published, I am opening up 3 spots in a PRIVATE mentorship program.
 
This is for you if...

• You have a writing project, and it isn't organized, and you can't think how to get from where it is to a book
• You have a concept you can't bring to fruition 
• You have a book that's been left too long
• You're a writer who tried self-publishing and didn't get the results you wanted. 

 
I'm using 14 years of publishing and writing experience in order to help you write and publish your book in 6 months. 
 
I'll work with you to:

• Write or rewrite your manuscript
• Keep you on track with your writing goals
• Mentor you through the editing process 
• And walk you step-by-step through the production of your book.

 
If you've been feeling the call to write and publish a book but you've gotten stuck or have been scared to start, this is for you. 
 
If you are interested, here is what you need to do:

• Message me
• Tell me your book idea
• Tell me where you're stuck
• I'll reply and set up a time to talk. 

 
I only have 3 spots available. 6 months from now you may be a published author. Message me now. 

Lately, I have had one too many facepalm moments. It just saddens me. I see authors in prime opportunity positions to network and build their fanbase, and then they drop the ball. Sometimes so hard that it plummets through the floor into the far depths of doom.

But, I am going to use these moments to hopefully inspire and nudge some of you. Those who need the inspiring and nudging. Or maybe you are neither, but you understand my pain, and you are reading in solidarity. Either way, pull up a chair and listen.

A few weeks ago I attended an author event. There were about thirty different authors from around the area tabling with their work. As I approached a table, the author perked up and began to tell me about her book – which is great, that is what you should do when someone walks up to your table. I kept eye contact and listened to her. I appreciated her time, but ultimately her book wasn’t one I felt drawn to purchase. I thanked her for her time and let her know that I just arrived and was going to do a walk around before making any purchases – which was true!
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Within seconds, the author’s smile dropped, and she plopped back into her chair. I was stunned to see her … sulking!

Apparently, she was annoyed that I had wasted her time since I didn’t throw a twenty dollar bill at her as soon as she finished telling me about her book. What a complete turn off for a customer and reader.
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I have been tabling events for over fifteen years, and I understand that the initial contact with a potential customer is everything. I will forever remember that lady as the adult-child who was angry that I didn’t buy her book. When you have a large space packed with vendors, you can’t possibly think that every person attending is going to buy from everyone. Some people may stroll in off the street after reading an outdoor sign, eager to check out the event, and not even have any money on them.
 
Of course, you want to sell books, but at the very least, you want to be remembered positively. Maybe if this particular author had just simply handed me her card or bookmark and wished me a fun time, I would have thought about her book for a future gift for a family member or friend.

​Unfortunately, she did not and I will not.

Last month, I was doing what many other people were doing – holiday shopping. I try to avoid the malls and spend more of my time hitting local craft events and holiday bazaars. As I was browsing the many tables a​t a craft fair, I came across a table that was carrying handmade soap bars and liquid soap. I was delighted! I love handmade soap, but I have never found someone in my area who offers the liquid soap. Yes, I can make this on my own, but that takes the fun out of supporting a local crafter.
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I did the smell test and chose the two liquid dispensers that I was interested in purchasing. I looked around the table for a business card. When I enjoy the product, you have a loyal customer on your hands. I couldn’t find one, so I asked the ladies behind the table for their contact info. They looked at each other a bit dumbfounded. A business card? They told me that they didn’t have any. This was their first craft event. I asked if they had a website or maybe had their goods available on Etsy? The two ladies looked at each other confused, and then it became my turn to be dumbfounded.

I finally said, “Well, what happens if I love this soap and I want to order more?”

The older woman replied, “Oh, we’ll be tabling at the blah blah blah craft event on December blah blah blah.”
Okay, she didn’t say blah blah blah. Her words just became that way in my brain. After telling them I probably wouldn't be able to attend their future event, she didn't attempt to connect with me as a customer on any level aside from selling me the two liquid soaps. 

I don't mean to sound unpleasant, but how do you invest your time and money into a product, pay to table a craft fair, and then drop the ball because no one can contact you with praise, feedback or reorders? My inner entrepreneur was silently screaming. I smiled and left knowing that I probably wouldn’t see those two again. And the sad part? I adored their handmade soap. I would have happily ordered more.

What does this have to do with you, dear writer? Everything! Your book is your business. You have to make sure people can contact you. For a reasonable fee, you can visit sites likes Vistaprint or GotPrint and create a simple but effective card with your name, email, and website/blog address.

You never know when you’ll be sitting in a doctor’s office or at your kid’s sporting event and someone starts talking about writing or being a book nerd. You will want to tell them about your writing and leave them with a way to follow you further. Every encounter with someone who loves books is an opportunity! Don't lose out because you were unprepared. 

I planned on writing a blog post about patience because it’s a wonderful thing to work towards when working on a publishing project, but then I received an email for a book review request. That’s when my brain did a u-turn, and I decided I wanted to write about lazy marketing. Oh, yes. I said it. What is lazy marketing you ask? Well, here is an example:
 
Hello,

Treasure Chest Mysteries was released on August 18, 2016. This frightening tale of two pirates deserted on a desert island is sure to give you chills. Review copies are available through Super Lightning Publishing. Email my publisher at superlightningboss@email.com

Sincerely,
Bob Author
 
Okay, first, I made all of the above up. It is based on the many emails I, along with a lot of other readers receive from authors. It’s lazy marketing. Let me deconstruct this for you.

Problem #1 – The greeting doesn’t include my name. Now, I know there are way too many people who do not include their name with their contact info. It’s a must if you are trying to gain a following or be contacted with great opportunities. But, I know for a fact my name is always available. So, if Bob Author was able to locate my email, he was definitely able to locate my name. Not including my name lets me know that Bob Author simply copy and pasted a generic request and sent it off to my inbox. He didn’t choose to email me because he thought I was a good fit. He was lazy and didn’t do his research.

Problem #2 – He never introduces himself. He immediately assaults me with his book’s info. It would have been nice for him to start off with, “Hi, my name is Bob, and I am a mystery writer based in San Jose, California. I recently released my debut novel, Treasure Chest Mysteries.”

Problem #3 – Where are your links at, bro? I’d like to check out the cover, your publisher, your bio, etc. If you are contacting me with a request, why in the world would I need to hit Google to search for your book? You need to make things convenient for me. Why? There are by far a lot more authors than there are book reviewers. Book bloggers receive more requests than they can read, so you need to be creative and informative to stand out and grab their attention.
 
Don’t be lazy. Take the time to choose reviewers. As a book marketer, I know you can’t write 300 original book review request emails per week. Or month or year. What you can do is take the time to read the about me and contact page of the reviewers to get to know them. Pull info out of their provided information to include in your email to them that shows you made an honest attempt to select them for a solid reason. It matters. I promise.

Good luck,
Sage

I am often asked: when I took the leap into starting my own business, how did I know I was ready? The answer is simple. I started investing in myself. I took multiple courses online that were both creative and business-oriented. I bought the tools and resources I needed to succeed, such as planners, books, and computer software.

I feel that this same advice applies to writers. In order to move to the next level, you need to invest in yourself. In my eCourse, Self-publish with Confidence, I explain some productive ways that writers can invest in themselves – eCourses, writing groups, software for authors, and attending writing conferences.

I know it can be challenging to do these things without having money readily available to spend. So it’s important to create space in your financial budget for your writing. Just as you would plan for your monthly water or phone bill, you should begin to plan on how much you can set aside for your writing. It may not be easy if you are already living on a tight budget, but I also believe that it’s not impossible.

The first no-brainer is to locate where you spend money unnecessarily . Are you eating out, ordering pizza, buying a lot of coffees from your favorite barista, or meeting at a local hangout to get some drinks with your friends? This is the easiest place to save money. Setting aside a month worth of Starbucks coffee money could probably buy you a weekend pass to a nearby writer’s conference.

Maybe your budget is so tight that you are unable to spend any extra money on food or drinks, or any “fun” activities. I hear you and understand that. So here are some ideas I have for you:
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• Do you receive tax returns? If so, are you able to set a portion aside to spend on your book or writing career for a year? For 6 months?
• What skills do you have that could help bring in extra income? Babysitting, pet sitting, house cleaning, social media management for a small business owner, blogging, or selling things on eBay or Craigslist?
• Some workshops offer scholarships for those who fall into a certain financial bracket. It’s worth asking about and looking into!
  

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At the very least, utilize your local library in the way of ebooks, print books, audiobooks, and free business courses. Call your library branch, let them know what you are looking for (free classes or reading material) and they will guide you in the right direction.
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Most importantly, don’t give up! Even if you can only collect a little bit at a time, that’s okay. Just keep moving forward to your goal.