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VI-SION
1 something seen in a dream; especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation b : a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination c : a manifestation to the senses of something immaterial 2 a: the act or power of imagination b (1):mode of seeing or conceiving (2): unusual discernment or foresight {a person of vision}


Every Vision Begins with the Ending in Sight


To be a person of vision, you must have a vision for where you want to be as a writer and author. It is important for both aspiring and established authors to have goals for the New Year! This is the time to write that new manuscript, to apply for a writing grant, or start your writing-related business. But you must have FOCUS, PATIENCE, EXCELLENCE, PERSEVERANCE & COMMITMENT to accomplish any GOAL....

If you have accomplished goals you set prior to the start of the year-- set new ones this year! With a new decade upon us, 2011 provides us with an opportunity to begin with a renewed focus and a fresh vision. Once your vision is clear, be sure to write it down. Writing it on paper is a way of holding yourself accountable for your vision. It also serves to remind you of what you set out to accomplish. After you have written it, keep it in sight.

What is your vi-sion? There is power in our words, and how awesome it is for the words you create to be an avalanche of hope for a stranger in another town, city, or continent.

When I was in seventh grade, I was moved by the words of one of my classmates. She didn’t know it; but, her words compelled me to ACTION. Immediately, I realized I wanted to have that same influence. I wanted my words to create a positive impact and inspire others in the way her words had inspired me—this was my dream!


Don't Be Afraid Of Change

Things you can do to start the New Year off RIGHT! Give your web site a face lift. Make your home on the web attractive to the eyes of readers. Don’t keep your site stale -- add current information, updates, events, and photos; or create a brand new site! Moving through your web pages should be simple to navigate and not a journey. It is also important to serve your audience with relevant information. Does the content on your site inform, or offers some form of value to readers? Web sites with good content are the sites readers come back to and keep in their favorites.

Don't do the same thing expecting a different result. Authors should always be willing to change. What haven't you done before? Try something NEW.

-Change your marketing approach

-Diversify your marketing plan

-Implement new ideas for the new year

The book promotion process is a difficult one, and there is no one-size-fit-all marketing plan to selling your novel. And while promotional resources are useful and necessary for creating a web presence—promoting this way alone also has its limits. Authors are required to multi-task, which basically means doing more than one thing simultaneously to market your book.

For example, an author might consider doing both a virtual book tour, a traditional book tour, speaking engagements, at the same time also getting assistance from a book promotion service. It is best not to rely on just one way or method of marketing. Authors should also try something they haven’t done before. For example, put up signs around their neighbors about their books. Or they can put their book information on a bumper sticker and place it on their vehicles.

When it comes to selling books, presentation matters; so you must do whatever it is you decide to do to market your books well. If writing is your purpose then do everything to the best of your ability—whether you are writing, public speaking, or engage in other forms of book promotion. Be a person of excellence!

Find marketing tips & articles, resources, awards, contests... on www.author-promotion.com – one of the largest promotional resources for authors on the Internet!




What Authors Should Know

I spoke to Chris Anderson who is the editorial assistant to Booklist. After speaking with him by phone he sent me a link with information on how authors can self-market their books to libraries (the information is provided on Author-Promotion website). Many of the reviewers mentioned on that list including Booklist only provide pre-publication reviews (once your book is out you are no longer qualified for a review). Many libraries nationally look to Booklist and those reviewers mentioned on the list when it comes to buying books. In other words, a good review by them helps your books get into libraries.

It is important for authors to start promoting their books "before" they are published! I’ve provided many resources for authors to make their marketing a tad easier. If you take the time to go through the site daily, read the articles, research, develop a marketing plan… the website should be beneficial to those who really make use of it. Your publisher can provide galleys to reviewers that only review your work before it is published. A galley is a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages.

Any author who has yet to be published should find out from their publishers about providing galleys for review. That way you can add professional reviews from PW, Booklist and others on the back of your book covers. Libraries look to those reviewers in particularly when deciding to order books. How you start off makes a huge difference! Although, all-is-not-lost for authors who are already published. But it does make a difference.


Also read: What is My Purpose!

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