Carma Spence's Blog, page 64
March 23, 2023
Are you chasing two rabbits?
An ancient proverb states that “a person who chases two rabbits catches none.”
That’s what happens when we lose focus.
And I get it, it can be challenging to maintain focus and discipline when writing a book, especially when dealing with the other demands and distractions that busy entrepreneurs and executives face.
But, lack of focus is, thankfully, is a fairly simple problem to solve. And I’ve talked about some of the solutions already!
So, let’s recap the 5-step process that can get your short book laser focused:
Step 1. Clarify your brand promise.
Step 2. Identify your goals.
Step 3. Pinpoint the pains, desires, or aspirations of your audience that match up to the first two steps.
Step 4. Develop a book idea that fulfills the promise, takes you closer to your goals, and speaks to your ideal clients’ pain, desire, or aspiration.
Step 5. Draft a well-researched outline for your book.
What’s left?
Get help! Hire a coach who can help you do these five steps quickly, easily, and effectively, and then hold you accountable as you flesh out the outline.
Now that your battle with Mind Goblins is over and you’ve completed and published your manuscript, how do you get it into the hands of your ideal prospects? That’s what next week’s series will be about. So come back on Monday – same bat time, same bat channel, and learn four different ways to get your book in the door!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help? Check out the Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart: authorneering.com/shortbookjumpstart
That’s what happens when we lose focus.
And I get it, it can be challenging to maintain focus and discipline when writing a book, especially when dealing with the other demands and distractions that busy entrepreneurs and executives face.
But, lack of focus is, thankfully, is a fairly simple problem to solve. And I’ve talked about some of the solutions already!
So, let’s recap the 5-step process that can get your short book laser focused:
Step 1. Clarify your brand promise.
Step 2. Identify your goals.
Step 3. Pinpoint the pains, desires, or aspirations of your audience that match up to the first two steps.
Step 4. Develop a book idea that fulfills the promise, takes you closer to your goals, and speaks to your ideal clients’ pain, desire, or aspiration.
Step 5. Draft a well-researched outline for your book.
What’s left?
Get help! Hire a coach who can help you do these five steps quickly, easily, and effectively, and then hold you accountable as you flesh out the outline.
Now that your battle with Mind Goblins is over and you’ve completed and published your manuscript, how do you get it into the hands of your ideal prospects? That’s what next week’s series will be about. So come back on Monday – same bat time, same bat channel, and learn four different ways to get your book in the door!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help? Check out the Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart: authorneering.com/shortbookjumpstart
March 22, 2023
Every author should use this tool
Did I not say earlier this month that it was madness? I've been sitting on this offer because I didn't want to overwhelm you. However, I just learned that it is only available this month and I don't want you to miss out.
There is a new AI tool that I've been playing around with, and it keeps getting better. No, I'm not talking about Jarvis (which I use) nor ChatGPT (which I also use), but QuickWrite. This is an AI tool specifically made for writers and authors.
And here's what it can do:
Fiction:
• Plot Suggestions
• Create a Character Description
• Write a Background or Backstory Description
• Create a Unique Name for a Character, Location or Item
• Create a Book Title
• Create a Book Description
• Rewrite an Existing Book Description
• Create a Writing prompt
Non-Fiction:
• Create a Book Title
• Create a Book Description
• Rewrite an Existing Book Description
• Create a Book Outline
• Create a Chapter Outline
• Create a Content Section
Marketing/ Business:
• Email
• Video Sales Letter
• Tagline
• Social Media Post
• Twitter Post
• Sales Copy
• Business or Product Name
• Business Plan
• Business, Product or Service Description
Blogging:
• Brainstorm Article Ideas
• Create Article Titles
• Blog Outline
• Blog Intro
• Blog Sections
• Blog Conclusion
• Meta Description
Now that you’ve seen what QuickWrite can do…
Click here to grab it with this never-to-be-repeated deal (if you’re fast enough).
The lifetime deal is only good through the end of March or when they hit 300 new users whichever comes first.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
When they open it again, QuickWrite will be a monthly recurring charge.
Claim your lifetime deal spot before it’s gone here: https://carmarecommends.com/quickwrite/
Can’t wait to see what you create with QuickWrite!
There is a new AI tool that I've been playing around with, and it keeps getting better. No, I'm not talking about Jarvis (which I use) nor ChatGPT (which I also use), but QuickWrite. This is an AI tool specifically made for writers and authors.
And here's what it can do:
Fiction:
• Plot Suggestions
• Create a Character Description
• Write a Background or Backstory Description
• Create a Unique Name for a Character, Location or Item
• Create a Book Title
• Create a Book Description
• Rewrite an Existing Book Description
• Create a Writing prompt
Non-Fiction:
• Create a Book Title
• Create a Book Description
• Rewrite an Existing Book Description
• Create a Book Outline
• Create a Chapter Outline
• Create a Content Section
Marketing/ Business:
• Video Sales Letter
• Tagline
• Social Media Post
• Twitter Post
• Sales Copy
• Business or Product Name
• Business Plan
• Business, Product or Service Description
Blogging:
• Brainstorm Article Ideas
• Create Article Titles
• Blog Outline
• Blog Intro
• Blog Sections
• Blog Conclusion
• Meta Description
Now that you’ve seen what QuickWrite can do…
Click here to grab it with this never-to-be-repeated deal (if you’re fast enough).
The lifetime deal is only good through the end of March or when they hit 300 new users whichever comes first.
Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
When they open it again, QuickWrite will be a monthly recurring charge.
Claim your lifetime deal spot before it’s gone here: https://carmarecommends.com/quickwrite/
Can’t wait to see what you create with QuickWrite!
Don’t put off ‘till tomorrow that which you can do today
🎵 Little Orphan Annie likes to sing about Tomorrow being only a day away, but if you’re always singing that song, you’ll never get anything done! 🎵
Alas, the Mind Goblin of procrastination is a common barrier to getting started and staying on track with writing a book.
Even with an outline that practically writes your book for you, many authors still find themselves singing about how the sun will come up tomorrow for their book project. But it never does.
There is always another project to do. Another family event to attend. Another load of laundry to put in the dryer.
One thing that keeps people stuck in the procrastination cycle is the belief that it is an issue of time management. If they can just find the right productivity tool, they would finish their book in no time.
However, procrastination is more an emotional issue, than a time issue.
If you are putting off writing your book time and time again, it may be time to discover what about your book project is triggering an unpleasant emotion that you want to avoid. Then get the help you need to overcome that trigger.
Some examples of emotional triggers that can cause procrastination are:
• You are writing something that is outside your normal wheelhouse and feel that you don’t have the chops to do it justice. You are avoiding a fear of failure.
• You are writing about something that reminds you of a past trauma or just a sad time in your life. You are avoiding unpleasant emotions such as fear, anger, or even grief.
• You’ve written yourself into a corner and don’t know how to fix it. You are avoiding the fear of having to toss the words you’ve written and start over again (thus wasting the time you spent to get there).
You may not even be aware of these emotions that you are avoiding, that’s why it is worth doing the inner work necessary to discover them. Only when you understand the root cause of your procrastination, can you fix it.
Phew! That was a tough Mind Goblin to vanquish, but you did it! So tomorrow I’ll tackle a lesser Mind Goblin: Lack of focus. This one is also very common, but it is also relatively easy to fix. See you then!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help with your short book? DM me for details on my Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart being held on April 15. Only 25 slots are available and some are already spoken for.
Alas, the Mind Goblin of procrastination is a common barrier to getting started and staying on track with writing a book.
Even with an outline that practically writes your book for you, many authors still find themselves singing about how the sun will come up tomorrow for their book project. But it never does.
There is always another project to do. Another family event to attend. Another load of laundry to put in the dryer.
One thing that keeps people stuck in the procrastination cycle is the belief that it is an issue of time management. If they can just find the right productivity tool, they would finish their book in no time.
However, procrastination is more an emotional issue, than a time issue.
If you are putting off writing your book time and time again, it may be time to discover what about your book project is triggering an unpleasant emotion that you want to avoid. Then get the help you need to overcome that trigger.
Some examples of emotional triggers that can cause procrastination are:
• You are writing something that is outside your normal wheelhouse and feel that you don’t have the chops to do it justice. You are avoiding a fear of failure.
• You are writing about something that reminds you of a past trauma or just a sad time in your life. You are avoiding unpleasant emotions such as fear, anger, or even grief.
• You’ve written yourself into a corner and don’t know how to fix it. You are avoiding the fear of having to toss the words you’ve written and start over again (thus wasting the time you spent to get there).
You may not even be aware of these emotions that you are avoiding, that’s why it is worth doing the inner work necessary to discover them. Only when you understand the root cause of your procrastination, can you fix it.
Phew! That was a tough Mind Goblin to vanquish, but you did it! So tomorrow I’ll tackle a lesser Mind Goblin: Lack of focus. This one is also very common, but it is also relatively easy to fix. See you then!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help with your short book? DM me for details on my Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart being held on April 15. Only 25 slots are available and some are already spoken for.
March 21, 2023
Kick those biz problems to the curb
Got offer problems?
Marketing problems?
Sales problems?
Scale problems?
Business just a big ball of problems & anxiety about the problems?
Well, fortunately, I have a solution.
There's a brand-new breakthrough called The brAIn Revolution
…and it is based on a system that has been tested & optimized over 80,000+ businesses across 152 industries..
And it is solving offer, sales, marketing problems for business owners everywhere.
In minutes…
Today, I witnessed the birth of a brand-new business from scratch in under 60 minutes using The brAIn.
Of course, what really matters though is what it can do for YOU.
I'm confident, since it's worked for so many business owners, it could be exactly what you've been looking for.
Learn more here:
==> https://carmarecommends.com/60minsoft...
Marketing problems?
Sales problems?
Scale problems?
Business just a big ball of problems & anxiety about the problems?
Well, fortunately, I have a solution.
There's a brand-new breakthrough called The brAIn Revolution
…and it is based on a system that has been tested & optimized over 80,000+ businesses across 152 industries..
And it is solving offer, sales, marketing problems for business owners everywhere.
In minutes…
Today, I witnessed the birth of a brand-new business from scratch in under 60 minutes using The brAIn.
Of course, what really matters though is what it can do for YOU.
I'm confident, since it's worked for so many business owners, it could be exactly what you've been looking for.
Learn more here:
==> https://carmarecommends.com/60minsoft...
You won’t fail if it isn’t perfect
Perhaps you think that so much is riding on your client-attracting short book, it must be perfect. Besides, striving for perfection isn’t so bad … it just means aiming for excellence. Am I right?
But there is a dark side to the desire to get things right. Dr. Jane Bluestein, author of The Perfection Deception, told me in an interview that "the whole idea of needing to be (or appear) perfect is almost always linked to some kind of fear, whether we’re talking about a fear of failure, rejection, intimacy, or abandonment, or a perceived risk to our job or financial security or social status."
Fear of failure or negative feedback can prevent some entrepreneurs and executives from even starting their books. Others may struggle with perfectionism and feel that their writing is not good enough to be published. They fall into the trap of refusing to accept any standard short of perfection.
Of course, striving to do our best and look our best is generally a good thing, it becomes something much darker if we feel like a failure when we fall short of our ideal.
So how do you overcome the Perfectionism Mind Goblin? Here are some suggestions:
• Use mindset tools to overcome these mindset issues. There are plenty of books, apps, and online courses that can help you overcome a fear of failure or a penchant for perfectionism if they aren’t too deeply rooted or spring from past trauma.
• Sometimes the DIY path isn’t enough. You need a village to raise your book. That’s when joining a support group of fellow authors to support you in your journey, cheer you on, and help you celebrate your wins, can be really helpful. Caveat: Choose your group wisely. Not all are created equal.
• If going alone or journeying with a support group doesn’t cut the mustard, it is time to bring out the big guns and hire a coach or mentor to help you up your game both in mindset and with your manuscript. Professional support – whether from a life coach, a book coach, or even a therapist – can be just the thing you need to overcome your internal resistance.
Now that we’ve dealt with the Time and Perfectionism Mind Goblins, it’s time to bring out Orcrist (the Goblin Cleaver) and engage the most common Mind Goblin of all – Procrastination. We’ll enter that battle tomorrow!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help with your short book? DM me for details on my Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart being held April 15. Only 25 slots are available and some are already spoken for.
But there is a dark side to the desire to get things right. Dr. Jane Bluestein, author of The Perfection Deception, told me in an interview that "the whole idea of needing to be (or appear) perfect is almost always linked to some kind of fear, whether we’re talking about a fear of failure, rejection, intimacy, or abandonment, or a perceived risk to our job or financial security or social status."
Fear of failure or negative feedback can prevent some entrepreneurs and executives from even starting their books. Others may struggle with perfectionism and feel that their writing is not good enough to be published. They fall into the trap of refusing to accept any standard short of perfection.
Of course, striving to do our best and look our best is generally a good thing, it becomes something much darker if we feel like a failure when we fall short of our ideal.
So how do you overcome the Perfectionism Mind Goblin? Here are some suggestions:
• Use mindset tools to overcome these mindset issues. There are plenty of books, apps, and online courses that can help you overcome a fear of failure or a penchant for perfectionism if they aren’t too deeply rooted or spring from past trauma.
• Sometimes the DIY path isn’t enough. You need a village to raise your book. That’s when joining a support group of fellow authors to support you in your journey, cheer you on, and help you celebrate your wins, can be really helpful. Caveat: Choose your group wisely. Not all are created equal.
• If going alone or journeying with a support group doesn’t cut the mustard, it is time to bring out the big guns and hire a coach or mentor to help you up your game both in mindset and with your manuscript. Professional support – whether from a life coach, a book coach, or even a therapist – can be just the thing you need to overcome your internal resistance.
Now that we’ve dealt with the Time and Perfectionism Mind Goblins, it’s time to bring out Orcrist (the Goblin Cleaver) and engage the most common Mind Goblin of all – Procrastination. We’ll enter that battle tomorrow!
Missed a post in the series? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
Want my help with your short book? DM me for details on my Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart being held April 15. Only 25 slots are available and some are already spoken for.
March 20, 2023
A Networking Opportunity that's loads of fun!
Social Saturday LinkedIn Audio Networking Event
April 1, 2023
8 am PT | 9 am MT | 10 am CT | 11 am ET
The first one was held March 11 and it was on fire! Because it is audio only, you don't need to be concerned with how you look (a benefit for a Saturday morning!). I'll be co-hosting the next one, and I would love to hear you there!
If you can't make it on the 1st, no worries. We'll be holding them every other Saturday!
Register for Social Saturday here:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/socia...
April 1, 2023
8 am PT | 9 am MT | 10 am CT | 11 am ET
The first one was held March 11 and it was on fire! Because it is audio only, you don't need to be concerned with how you look (a benefit for a Saturday morning!). I'll be co-hosting the next one, and I would love to hear you there!
If you can't make it on the 1st, no worries. We'll be holding them every other Saturday!
Register for Social Saturday here:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/socia...
Vanquish the Mind Goblin of Time
I’m going to be honest here: Today’s Mind Goblin haunts me relentlessly. He’s practically my travel buddy sitting in the back seat of the jalopy I’m using to travel on my Author’s Journey. He’s why I didn’t write my first book until I was in my 40s.
So, I think I might just be an expert at vanquishing the Mind Goblin that whispers into your ear, “You don’t have the time for this!”
In Thursday’s post, I shared two strategies for finding the time to write your short book: Writing in short bursts and hiring a ghostwriter or editorial partner.
But I know that busy entrepreneurs and executives often struggle to find the time to write a book while managing other aspects of their business or career, even when they attempt to use either of those strategies.
So here are 5 more ideas:
1. Use time blocks: Block out the time you will work on your book and commit to honoring those time blocks.
2. Create time through delegation, even if it is temporary. Can your significant other or older children do the dishes for a month to give you some extra time? Can you hire a virtual assistant to take some of your tasks off your plate, even for a month?
3. A spin on this concept is to put things off temporarily. I know you love to watch episodes of She-Hulk, The Chosen, or The Last Kingdom as they drop, but can you put that off for a month and binge-watch them as a celebration for completing your book?
4. Leverage technology to make writing easier. Does your phone have an audio recorder? If you have a smartphone (and who doesn’t these days), it should. Talk your book instead of writing. Then use an AI-based audio transcription tool (I use either Happy Scribe or Descript) to turn your vocalizations into text. Then polish the text (which can take less time than writing).
5. A spin on that idea is to turn your short book outline into a series of questions. Then have a friend or coach interview you using that handy phone or Zoom. Get the audio recording of that interview transcribed and edit the text from there. You could probably come up with all the content you need for a short book from one 2-hour interview.
So now that Time has been wrangled, let’s move on to another BIG Mind Goblin that many authors face, whether new or seasoned: Perfectionism or Fear of Failure.
PS: Guess what one of the bonuses is for my forthcoming Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart? You guessed it: Some additional tips and tools to help you find the time to write your book! Don't miss out on this opportunity - apply now before the 25-person capacity is filled: https://authornering.com/shortbookjum...
Missed a series post? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
So, I think I might just be an expert at vanquishing the Mind Goblin that whispers into your ear, “You don’t have the time for this!”
In Thursday’s post, I shared two strategies for finding the time to write your short book: Writing in short bursts and hiring a ghostwriter or editorial partner.
But I know that busy entrepreneurs and executives often struggle to find the time to write a book while managing other aspects of their business or career, even when they attempt to use either of those strategies.
So here are 5 more ideas:
1. Use time blocks: Block out the time you will work on your book and commit to honoring those time blocks.
2. Create time through delegation, even if it is temporary. Can your significant other or older children do the dishes for a month to give you some extra time? Can you hire a virtual assistant to take some of your tasks off your plate, even for a month?
3. A spin on this concept is to put things off temporarily. I know you love to watch episodes of She-Hulk, The Chosen, or The Last Kingdom as they drop, but can you put that off for a month and binge-watch them as a celebration for completing your book?
4. Leverage technology to make writing easier. Does your phone have an audio recorder? If you have a smartphone (and who doesn’t these days), it should. Talk your book instead of writing. Then use an AI-based audio transcription tool (I use either Happy Scribe or Descript) to turn your vocalizations into text. Then polish the text (which can take less time than writing).
5. A spin on that idea is to turn your short book outline into a series of questions. Then have a friend or coach interview you using that handy phone or Zoom. Get the audio recording of that interview transcribed and edit the text from there. You could probably come up with all the content you need for a short book from one 2-hour interview.
So now that Time has been wrangled, let’s move on to another BIG Mind Goblin that many authors face, whether new or seasoned: Perfectionism or Fear of Failure.
PS: Guess what one of the bonuses is for my forthcoming Authority Building Short Book Jumpstart? You guessed it: Some additional tips and tools to help you find the time to write your book! Don't miss out on this opportunity - apply now before the 25-person capacity is filled: https://authornering.com/shortbookjum...
Missed a series post? Go here for a link list: https://bit.ly/shortbookpostseries
March 19, 2023
Are You Coming?
Just checking in with you to make sure you have your seat reserved at the 5 Day 60 Minute Business Challenge.
It’s going to be THE Challenge of the year, covering;
60-minute offer
60-minute copy
60-minute social
60-minute membership
60-minute launch
The Queen of bringing speed and ease to your business, Bushra Azhar is running the 5 day challenge and I for one will be attending. I have FOMO when I don’t attend her sessions and it’s with good reason, because her methods have transformed my business.
There’s just a few hours left now before it kicks off & it’s not one to miss: https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
When you sign up, you also get instant access to Slay 1K: A Science-backed, Battle-Tested 30 Day Plan to Get Your First 1K Subscribers, Sales & Buyers (This is not just some half-assed, fluff-filled 30 minute training, it’s a full course with $500 that you are getting absolutely free just for signing up to the challenge)
https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
It’s going to be THE Challenge of the year, covering;
60-minute offer
60-minute copy
60-minute social
60-minute membership
60-minute launch
The Queen of bringing speed and ease to your business, Bushra Azhar is running the 5 day challenge and I for one will be attending. I have FOMO when I don’t attend her sessions and it’s with good reason, because her methods have transformed my business.
There’s just a few hours left now before it kicks off & it’s not one to miss: https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
When you sign up, you also get instant access to Slay 1K: A Science-backed, Battle-Tested 30 Day Plan to Get Your First 1K Subscribers, Sales & Buyers (This is not just some half-assed, fluff-filled 30 minute training, it’s a full course with $500 that you are getting absolutely free just for signing up to the challenge)
https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
March 18, 2023
Writing a book is a journey of self-discovery
Writing a book is a journey of self-discovery that will challenge you to clarify your thoughts, confront your fears, and hone your communication skills. It can push you past your limits and force you to grow as a person.
Embrace the struggles and frustrations that come with the process and use them as fuel to drive you forward. You have what it takes to make a real difference in the world. Write your book and unleash your full potential.
And if you need some help, I’m here. Just ask.
Embrace the struggles and frustrations that come with the process and use them as fuel to drive you forward. You have what it takes to make a real difference in the world. Write your book and unleash your full potential.
And if you need some help, I’m here. Just ask.
March 17, 2023
Want your golden ticket?
"I got a golden ticket
I've got a golden chance
To make my way
And with the golden ticket
It's a golden day!"
~ Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Have you signed up for The 60 Minute Business Challenge yet? Believe me, it could very well be YOUR golden ticket to making this year the best in your business.
The 60 Minute Business Challenge is a 5-day challenge being run by the Queen of Persuasion, Bushra Azhar, and during this week, she will show you how you can launch the right offer idea for your business.
In fact, over the course of 5 days, she will cover your:
60-minute offer
60-minute copy
60-minute social
60-minute recurring revenue systems
60-minute launch
Did you ever think that you could achieve SO MUCH in just 60 minutes a day?!
Well, now you can.
Sign up right here, it’ll take you less than 60 seconds.
https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
I've got a golden chance
To make my way
And with the golden ticket
It's a golden day!"
~ Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Have you signed up for The 60 Minute Business Challenge yet? Believe me, it could very well be YOUR golden ticket to making this year the best in your business.
The 60 Minute Business Challenge is a 5-day challenge being run by the Queen of Persuasion, Bushra Azhar, and during this week, she will show you how you can launch the right offer idea for your business.
In fact, over the course of 5 days, she will cover your:
60-minute offer
60-minute copy
60-minute social
60-minute recurring revenue systems
60-minute launch
Did you ever think that you could achieve SO MUCH in just 60 minutes a day?!
Well, now you can.
Sign up right here, it’ll take you less than 60 seconds.
https://carmarecommends.com/60minbizc...
