Ray Brehm's Blog, page 23
July 21, 2021
Tapping your “Zone of Genius”
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
When I was writing my first book, Author Your Success, everything was foreign and uncomfortable.
It is now the proverbial author’s first book that makes you cringe at the thought of it (every author I talk to has one of these).
Worst of all, after my first read-through, it didn’t sound like me.
Turns out that is pretty common too.
The goal then is, of course, to find your authentic voice.
My friend Sierra Melcher, after becoming a mother, really wanted to be an incredible role model and live more authentically.
Panicking, she became a content-consuming junkie, buying courses and trying to figure out the secret to being the best version of herself. Stressed out to the max? Yes. Full of doubt? Absolutely.
She started writing daily in her journal and from there realized the real way to be more authentic – was to own her story.
That is when she took the leap of faith and invested every penny I had in her first book, _How Change Really Happens. _
That’s when she discovered the true power of her voice and how one can create real transformation for others.
The end result was going from curiosity about her life to full acceptance, ownership and even excitement.
Guess what? You can have this too! Imagine using your gift to create real change in the lives of others and creating a new revenue stream while doing it.
Whether you are a single mom, an established entrepreneur, a gal on her journey through crazy land, or wherever else you fit in, you can create this reality. Telling your story changes EVERYTHING.
That is why she created Story Incubator, to help women get their stories out to the world.
You can find out more here, and book a call with her to see if it is a fit for you. The next Story Incubator (for women) starts this month.
https://ray.fm/storyincubator [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/VW5Ho7Fc...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. Getting that first book written can have a tremendous impact on your confidence (it did for me). So check out Sierra’s program here:
https://ray.fm/storyincubator [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/VW5Ho7Fc...]
July 20, 2021
Defeating the Fear Factor of Writing Your Book
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
I remember it very well, because it happens every time I write.
That little voice that says,_ _
_”This is no good. Who in their right mind would read this?”_
Or sometimes it shows itself in its most common form, procrastination.
_”I have so many other things to do, and so little time.”_
When we look deep enough, it is always the same culprit:
_Fear and imposter syndrome. _
This doesn’t go away on its own. In fact, it never does.
That is why I am always looking for allies in the publishing space.
In my mind, authorship is not a solo venture.
You will always need support and guidance.
Sometimes you just need a fresh path to writing as well.
That is why I love the unusual method my friend Sierra Melcher uses to write.
Sierra is the founder of Integral Women and Red Thread Publishing.
She empowers women through writing and publishing because she says _”the only thing you can really do with your story is own it.”_
A note from Sierra:
_”I help women do this fiercely so their journey and their knowledge can impact the world. _
_I started reading Ray’s books early on in my own self-publishing journey; last year I co-authored THE SUCCESS CODE with him. Now I offer very complimentary support in the writing & publishing space. _
_You wouldn’t believe how many women have the intuition to tell their story but hold off because of fear. _
_Every time I hear someone struggling to publish, I walk them through the 5 essential elements of a successful creative project. _
_What are the 5 steps? _
* _Prewriting_ * _Writing _ * _Editing_ * _Publishing _ * _Launch/book marketing_
_And what’s happening with a lot of writers is most of them start with the what if’s or the how am I going to’s and forget to just write and let it flow._
_That’s when I created the STORY INCUBATOR._
_In my live Story Incubator workshop, I will be helping women cross the finish line with their books. It starts in a few weeks. _
_You can find out more information here:_
_Can’t Wait? Book a call with me now & we can see if you are a fit for the program. _
_
July 18, 2021
Last Call: Amazon Bestseller Formula for $97
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
A quick note, the exact system I use for all of my books, and my done-for-you clients goes away at midnight PST tonight.
If you want to learn it and do it yourself, consider joining the course.
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/dUV7CIWE...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
The Fallacy of Write Privilege
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
I will never forget that moment.
It was November 2015, and I was attending a mastermind group of other “like-minded” entrepreneurs.
I took part in my first book just two months prior, _The Soul of Success Volume 2_, with Jack Canfield and around 60 other authors.
It was a bestseller, and I finally found a path that excited me (more on that in a minute).
Back to the mastermind, two months after the book hit bestseller.
During a break, one of the other participants approached me and asked what my business plans were.
I told her I was going to HELP ENTREPRENEURS BECOME BESTSELLING AUTHORS.
The plan (at the time) was to ghostwrite and launch their books for them.
Her response not only shocked me, but became a rallying point in my career path.
She said…
_What are your credentials for doing that?_
She said it in a friendly way, but I knew what she meant.
Turns out, she was a journalism major and, like many who like the gatekeeper system of old, she did not like the non-journalistically educated writing books.
I suppose I was moving in on her territory.
My response was spontaneous and simple…
_“Passion and enthusiasm!”_, I said.
I read many articles back in the day, about what I call Write Privilege.
But I hadn’t experienced it firsthand.
It is this idea that you have to be a journalism major, or an English teacher or one of some other approved class to be allowed to author a book.
I am just happy I had come up with any response at all, especially to someone who was obviously talking down to me. This occurred in a mastermind group where supporting each other is the theme no less!
You and I don’t need anyone else’s permission to write.
Think of all the valuable things you can now learn through books and online courses, because there are no gatekeepers or permission warriors stopping the creators.
The funny thing is, I then asked her if she had authored a book and she said no; she was working on it.
Imagine that. She was judging me on my credentials, and in fact, she had none.
I looked her up a few years later, and she had published that one book with her partner. I had already passed 10 books by then.
Indeed, her Amazon book page told me she did not know how to actually launch and market a book.
That is something you will learn to notice quickly after going through the Amazon Bestseller Formula.
Once you set up a high-quality Amazon book page, the many others that aren’t stand out like a sore thumb.
The AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA Masterclass closes tonight.
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/S8LXgOeR...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. The last time I checked, fairly recently, Ms. Journalistic Superiority still only had the one book, with an improperly prepared Amazon book page.
It just goes to show you, those that claim to have the _right_ to be authors and judge you may not have all that much expertise.
But you can…
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/S8LXgOeR...]
July 17, 2021
The three ways people find your book on Amazon
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
The goal when we publish to Amazon is to get as many eyes as possible on our books.
In order to do that, we have to understand how people will find your work on that platform.
There are three major ways.
THE FIRST IS THROUGH SEARCH.
The search bar on the Amazon page is probably the most common method.
Someone wants to find a book on _“retirement plans”_ and they type that into the search bar using Books or Kindle Store.
Amazon then provides results based on what books it believes best fit that search.
Selecting the proper 7 keyword phrases for your book inside KDP, as well as the title, subtitle, book description, and other parts of your page on Amazon all factor in.
THE SECOND WAY THEY MIGHT FIND YOUR BOOK IS VIA THE BESTSELLER LISTS (AKA CATEGORIES).
This is where the rank of your book plays a role.
Someone might browse the bestselling books in _Authorship_ for something to help them write or publish their own book.
So making sales and increasing your rank will also help you get even more exposure.
THE THIRD WAY YOUR BOOK GETS MORE EYES ON IT IS…
YOU.
If you have other books, especially in a series, those books will bring attention to all your other books.
When I was starting out, I read something by Ryan Deiss that stuck with me.
He said,
_“Instead of writing a book on social media marketing for entrepreneurs, write four books. Facebook for entrepreneurs, Twitter for entrepreneurs, YouTube for entrepreneurs and Instagram for entrepreneurs….”_
And, of course, you could put those four books into a series.
A series gives you and your books the best real estate on the Amazon book page, above paid ads.
If you focus on those three ways to get more eyes on your books, you will be ahead of most other authors who just publish and hope.
I cover the first two in the Amazon Bestseller Formula.
But I just decided to add a bonus, about using a series (I will add it on July 31).
Oddly, I call it _HOW TO USE A SERIES TO SELL MORE BOOKS._
There are just a couple more days to grab the AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA Masterclass (I shut it down tomorrow night).
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/BiEHmxJF...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. I can’t wait to show you the module on using a series. I have literally sold about 700 books in the past year, just by adding them to a series (before even attempting to advertise them and before even writing a book description).
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/BiEHmxJF...]
July 16, 2021
This is The Kiss of Death on a Consulting Call
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
About 15 months ago, I was working with a client who, from the beginning, had seemed to be miffed about spending money with me.
After a few calls, he went _“there”_ and asked the question…
_Exactly how much time will it take you to do this?_
He wasn’t asking because he was waiting for me to do something.
You have probably been in this situation before.
SOMEONE IS ASKING YOU TO JUSTIFY YOUR PRICES BASED ON HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE YOU TO DO THE WORK.
In his case, I mentioned it all depended on the client and the niche (which is true).
I also fired him as a client the next day.
THAT WAS THE LAST TIME someone asked me that question, and I didn’t have an immediate answer for it.
In fact, nowadays, I have two answers to that “how long will it take you…” question.
I use them interchangeably…
* You are asking the wrong question. You should ask yourself how much time it would take you to do it. Then compare that to my fee and see if it is worth your while. * _It has taken me over 5 years and tens of thousands of dollars to learn what I know. Would you prefer to go that route? (it may be cheaper)_
Either way, now if I have to answer that question, it is the kiss of death to that relationship.
I won’t work with anyone who doesn’t value my knowledge.
The irony is, if someone thinks they are paying you too much based on how long it will take you to do the work, not only do they not value your knowledge or your time…
…but by taking this tact they suggest that those with less knowledge are actually more valuable (because it will take them longer to do what you do).
Your skill makes you fast at doing your work, and more valuable. Not less because you take fewer hours to complete it.
Those types value money over time, and aren’t good clients for anyone.
Yesterday, we had a blowout on one tire on our trailer on our way camping.(the same thing happened last October except this time it sounded like a bomb went off).
We called Good Sam and got in the queue for roadside assistance.
About 15 minutes later, a tow truck pulled up.
He wasn’t from Good Sam, but just saw us there and pulled over to see if we wanted help.
He offered to fix the flat for $85.
Good Sam was probably a two-hour wait, but would be free to change it.
We paid the guy $85.
My time is far more important to me (especially in this situation).
Never did I ask the guy how long it would take so he could justify the $85.
_Was it worth $85 for someone else to do the work and get me to the campsite before sundown?_
YOU BET IT WAS!
It was probably worth a lot more, but don’t tell him that – actually we gave him $100.
In most situations, you usually have two choices.
Pay someone what they are worth or learn it yourself.
If it is something you might use over and over, that may justify learning it yourself.
That is why I suggest you consider learning how to launch your book on Amazon as a bestseller (there is probably a chance you will want to do it again).
There are just a couple more days to grab the AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA Masterclass…
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/CHY5UMv9...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. Be sure to use one of those two responses above if you are ever asked to justify your fee based on the hours you take to implement it.
And once you know the Amazon Bestseller Formula, you will see why I don’t ever answer that question.
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/CHY5UMv9...]
July 15, 2021
This is like WD-40 for Authors
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
Yesterday, I pulled out an old can of WD-40 to loosen up a couple of bolts on something I was working on.
That stuff works like magic.
In fact, they created it in a lab in San Diego in 1953 to prevent rust on rocket parts by displacing water.
The name stands for “water displacement, 40th attempt.”
It has many other uses.
If you have ever removed tape from something you just bought, and the tape leaves a sticky residue on the product, WD-40 is the best thing I have found to remove it.
It also removes tar, bumper stickers, kid’s crayon marks on walls.
It solves squeaky hinges (a little shorter term than graphite though).
Just to get things loosened up and moving or as a cleaner, I always reach for a can of WD40.
Speaking of tight and in need of loosening…
When I launched my first book, I figured that the will to spend money on Amazon Ads would equal sales.
If you have ever tried to run Amazon Ads, you no doubt already know this.
No matter what your budget is per click, it does not translate to clicks.
IT DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOU THAT AMAZON WILL SHOW YOUR AD.
In fact, many times they will show ads with lower bids.
_Why?_
Because their ads platform shows ads it knows will get clicks over how much the bid is.
That means you can bid as much as you want, and Amazon won’t spend your money.
_What the heck, don’t they want my money?_
I asked that myself until I figured it out.
YOU HAVE TO PRIME THE PUMP FIRST, or more appropriately, spray on some “Author WD-40” to loosen it up.
I do this for my book launches using Bookbub, and a couple other key promotions.
I turn on some Amazon Ads, but I expect little from them until I prove to Amazon that my book will sell.
Bookbub and those other promotions act as that _Water Displacement 40th Attempt_ on Amazon.
It took me quite a few attempts to figure it out myself.
I share those in the AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA Masterclass…
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/JDNj4RAd...]
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. By the way, most cans of WD-40 have a little red straw attached to the can by a small piece of scotch tape. The red straw is used to spray more accurately on small targets.
I have never seen anything more resilient than that small piece of scotch tape. I know for a fact the can I used yesterday is 20 years old, and that red straw still fits and sticks inside that little strip of scotch tape on the side of the can.
Grab Amazon Bestseller Formula now, and like that strip of scotch tape, it will be ready for you even if you don’t use it right away.
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/JDNj4RAd...]
July 14, 2021
Amazon Bestseller Formula – Bastille Day Sale!
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
Today is Bastille Day in France, the anniversary of the “Storming of the Bastille.”
It was a major part of the French Revolution.
I can’t say I know many non-US holidays, but this one I always remember.
My college buddy (and soccer teammate) Kevin always reminded us that his birthday was on Bastille Day.
So, Happy Birthday Kevin!
If you are an author, there is no better way to declare your own independence than learn how to market your book as a bestseller on Amazon.
Yes, I have a done-for-you service for book launches, but most of the time I recommend that authors learn this skill themselves.
You can use it to launch a book, re-launch a book, or create a boost in sales whenever you want to.
The great news is, you can eliminate most of the fluff that is being taught out there and focus on the most important parts.
Amazon Bestseller Formula is the exact process I use when I launch clients’ books, and you can learn it for yourself with this masterclass.
In recognition of July 4th (US) and 14th (France), I am opening up access to the course at over 67% off.
If this is something you want to know how to do, you can check it out here:
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/WAplQSq8...]
Just make sure you enroll before it closes Sunday.
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. You can get access via this flash sale today for AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA through Sunday night.
Then it goes back in the vault.
It has not been available since January this year, and only to members of Youru TV.
But you can grab it ala carte (if you are a member of Youru TV you can add it to your collection too).
https://www.raybrehm.com/bestseller [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/WAplQSq8...]
July 12, 2021
The Peculiar Hacking of My Blog
*** For More: Check out our podcast https://ray.fm ***
Hi Blog,
Saturday afternoon, I received a normal email receipt from WordPress, letting me know the post I added was live.
Working as expected.
But strangely, 21 minutes later, I received another email.
There was another post.
I use a bit of automation through Zapier to make posts, so at first I thought something was wrong with the logic.
Then I looked at the post, it was a short post about an “_abundance_” blueprint with a link to optin.
I tracked it down and realized whoever made that post had figured out a way to tap into my Zapier system for posting.
It isn’t that hard to hack, really; I created the Zapier logic for ease of use, not security.
It just had never occurred to me that someone would actually try to abuse it and post to my blog.
Never mind how ironic it is that someone selling “_abundance_” would need to _cheat_ for their business.
However, I suspect this person hired someone to get her leads, and it was that person using black hat tactics.
The bewildering part for me is…
_Why waste your time posting to someone else’s audience? _
_It is most likely completely unrelated to your target audience. _
Even if this person tricked someone into opting into that _blueprint_ (for the less than 30 minutes that post was live), that someone would probably not stay in that audience long.
Heck, if you are going to hijack an audience, at least hack into a blog that has the right audience.
Don’t they teach that at Cheaters 101 school?
Real audience building will come from your book, your virtual summit, your partners’ lists.
Not from ridiculous shenanigans.
And don’t let this worry you as an author.
That posting system was just a temporary, easy button for me.
I will fine tune it. It is unlikely to happen to you.
But it teaches us all a great lesson.
Your true audience will come from the people who consume your books, blogs, etc.
So it is important you get eyes on your book and build your own audience.
That is why I love book publishing, virtual summits, email list building and video.
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. Tomorrow through Friday I will be opening up flash sale access to my AMAZON BESTSELLER FORMULA course for 4 days only.
It has not been available since earlier this year, and only to members of Youru TV.
But you can grab it ala carte with some great bonuses tomorrow. (if you are a member of Youru TV you can add it to your collection too).
You will also get a few extra emails for the next couple of days as we encourage you to add bestseller launches to your skillset.
But I won’t be hacking into other peoples’ blogs to try to sell this product!
This deal is only for my audience.
July 10, 2021
Why you should use the “Eff” word more
*** For More: Check out https://www.youru.tv ***
Hi Blog,
A quick tale of two virtual summits run by authors I have witnessed recently.
PLAYER ONE ran a virtual summit, and before it even started…
decided that _the summit was doomed to failure._
It was a _“bomb”_ was the word used.
On the first day of his summit, he started making a long and detailed list of all the reasons it had _bombed_. Yes, past tense, even though it had just begun.
Player One said things like…
* he was too new * it was summer * summits don’t work * and those who recommended a summit were a bunch of other names
Curiously, the main reason he so called failed is not even on that list.
More on that in a minute.
PLAYER TWO ran his summit even deeper into the summer (if that is even a bad thing).
He ran into multiple gotchas (many more than Player One), and _kept pressing forward._
He didn’t hit his goal early in the summit, and expressed his frustration, but _kept pressing forward._
By the end of the summit, he had done very well.
He admitted to his premature frustration early on, and that things had turned around in a big way.
Then he hosted a webinar the week after his summit.
He made over $10,000 in two days following the webinar, with more to come.
Both of the summits had brilliant speakers and content.
THE DIFFERENCE WAS SIMPLY THAT PLAYER TWO USED THE “EFF” WORD.
_Effort._
_Leap. Love. Grow._
RAY BREHM
P.S. Heny Ford said, _”Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you’re right.”_
Check out the latest episode of the Book Profit Secrets podcast here, where Qat will get you believing you can: MAXIMIZING BOOK PROFITS WITH QAT WANDERS [https://raybrehm.krtra.com/c/lhi9VP45...]
