Carma Spence's Blog, page 71
January 12, 2023
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Are you ready to get a little uncomfortable so that you can have something you really want? Stepping out of your comfort zone is often the best way to experience growth if life and business.
If you want to lose weight, you’ll have to change the way you approach food and exercise, which may look different for you than it does for me. It may mean eating less or differently. It may mean finding new ways to move your body. It may mean passing on that heavenly stack of French fries wafting their tempting aroma your way.
If you want to read more, you’re going to have to find time to read. That may mean reading at unusual times or places. It may be giving up your favorite binge-worthy Netflix show in exchange for curling up with a good book.
If you want to attract ideal clients and build your business with a book, send me a DM.
If you want to lose weight, you’ll have to change the way you approach food and exercise, which may look different for you than it does for me. It may mean eating less or differently. It may mean finding new ways to move your body. It may mean passing on that heavenly stack of French fries wafting their tempting aroma your way.
If you want to read more, you’re going to have to find time to read. That may mean reading at unusual times or places. It may be giving up your favorite binge-worthy Netflix show in exchange for curling up with a good book.
If you want to attract ideal clients and build your business with a book, send me a DM.
January 11, 2023
From the Do As I Say, Not As I’ve Done File:
I first started my own business in 1999 and jumped right in not knowing the first thing about what that meant. I chased one squirrel business idea after another – Freelance writer, gift basket consultant, cosmetics consultant, insurance salesperson, web designer.
If you can see a throughline there, you’re better than I am.
I never stopped to think about who I was, and what my values, dreams, and skills were. At least not until I had several failed businesses under my belt.
Do you know what turned the tide? Getting clear on my personal brand and identifying my brand promise, all rooted in what makes me light up. If you’d like to stop chasing squirrels down unsatisfying rabbit holes – and shave years, money, and frustration off your author journey – message me.
If you can see a throughline there, you’re better than I am.
I never stopped to think about who I was, and what my values, dreams, and skills were. At least not until I had several failed businesses under my belt.
Do you know what turned the tide? Getting clear on my personal brand and identifying my brand promise, all rooted in what makes me light up. If you’d like to stop chasing squirrels down unsatisfying rabbit holes – and shave years, money, and frustration off your author journey – message me.
January 10, 2023
Keep Calm and Develop Your Author Brand
When it comes to book writing and platform building, it’s easy to get so excited about jumping into the project that you miss a critical step: Getting clear on your author brand.
Without this clarity, all of your hard work may be for naught.
So, what does crafting an author brand entail? Check out this blog post: https://authorneering.com/brand-befor...
Without this clarity, all of your hard work may be for naught.
So, what does crafting an author brand entail? Check out this blog post: https://authorneering.com/brand-befor...
January 9, 2023
Wonder what an author platform is?
Let me tell you: It is, at its very essence, your ability to reach your intended audience and influence them to buy your book.
That means it is not a specific thing, although there are specific things that help you do this better than other specific things.
Remember, you can reach your intended audience, but if they aren't buying your stuff, something else is wrong and your author platform isn't as strong as it could be.
If you'd like to learn how to build a strong author platform, check out my video at https://authorneering.com/platformclass.
That means it is not a specific thing, although there are specific things that help you do this better than other specific things.
Remember, you can reach your intended audience, but if they aren't buying your stuff, something else is wrong and your author platform isn't as strong as it could be.
If you'd like to learn how to build a strong author platform, check out my video at https://authorneering.com/platformclass.
January 7, 2023
Everything you do now is for your future.
Do you remember this? It was a Far Side cartoon that had the Devil welcoming someone to Hell and there was a sign on the wall that said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” Well, that is, indeed, what today is. So why not make it the start of a beautiful relationship with your future self?
Dream big. Dream so big that the dream scares you. Then take the first step toward SPEAKING and LIVING and DOING and BEING it into existence. That’s how the future happens … one moment at a time.
Dream big. Dream so big that the dream scares you. Then take the first step toward SPEAKING and LIVING and DOING and BEING it into existence. That’s how the future happens … one moment at a time.
January 6, 2023
A quick introduction
Hi! Just in case this is your first time meeting me, this is a quick introduction: In a nutshell, I help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their businesses with books.
WHAT I DO: I help my clients write, re-launch, or reboot their books so that they attract their ideal clients.
So, do you have a plan for building your business with books? If not, you need a strategy fast! In my experience, the first best step is getting clear about your brand promise.
How relieved would you feel knowing you had your values identified, your target market described, your brand differentiators articulated, and your mission, vision, and brand promise written down and ready to inspire and inform all the actions you take in your business?
In my Author Branding Bootcamp, you’ll get two days with me to help you get clear on your brand and what it promises your ideal clients. By the end of our time together, you will have a brand bible that you can refer to time and again when you want to create a new book, webinar, program, or whatever! You will be able to confidently say “yes” to the right opportunities and say “no” to the wrong ones.
Curious to learn more? Check it out here: authorneering.com/authorbranding
WHAT I DO: I help my clients write, re-launch, or reboot their books so that they attract their ideal clients.
So, do you have a plan for building your business with books? If not, you need a strategy fast! In my experience, the first best step is getting clear about your brand promise.
How relieved would you feel knowing you had your values identified, your target market described, your brand differentiators articulated, and your mission, vision, and brand promise written down and ready to inspire and inform all the actions you take in your business?
In my Author Branding Bootcamp, you’ll get two days with me to help you get clear on your brand and what it promises your ideal clients. By the end of our time together, you will have a brand bible that you can refer to time and again when you want to create a new book, webinar, program, or whatever! You will be able to confidently say “yes” to the right opportunities and say “no” to the wrong ones.
Curious to learn more? Check it out here: authorneering.com/authorbranding
January 5, 2023
Big Goals, Little Goals
Every 3 months or so, I like to reconnect with my goals so I can stay on track. And with a fresh new year barely begun, I thought this week would be a great time to do so.
So, guess what? I decided to share them with you today!
1 - Write another book. I have a lot of ideas in the hopper, but to honor (and model) the new direction I've recently taken in my business, I'm going to follow my own advice and write a book that grows my business by attracting ideal clients. Sounds like a plan, eh?
2 - Lose at least 25 lbs this year. Last year, I re-joined NutriSystem because what I had been doing for the past couple of years had flat-out stopped working. Well, the holidays derailed me a bit (I love my eggnog!) so I'm recommitting now.
3 - Learn TikTok. I hear that some authors are killing it on TikTok, so I've decided to learn how to use the platform and give it a try. I've enrolled in a program and am looking forward to growing my audience there. You can find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@carmaspence.
What’s one big goal you have this month?
So, guess what? I decided to share them with you today!
1 - Write another book. I have a lot of ideas in the hopper, but to honor (and model) the new direction I've recently taken in my business, I'm going to follow my own advice and write a book that grows my business by attracting ideal clients. Sounds like a plan, eh?
2 - Lose at least 25 lbs this year. Last year, I re-joined NutriSystem because what I had been doing for the past couple of years had flat-out stopped working. Well, the holidays derailed me a bit (I love my eggnog!) so I'm recommitting now.
3 - Learn TikTok. I hear that some authors are killing it on TikTok, so I've decided to learn how to use the platform and give it a try. I've enrolled in a program and am looking forward to growing my audience there. You can find me at https://www.tiktok.com/@carmaspence.
What’s one big goal you have this month?
January 4, 2023
Why have an author brand?
If you want to build your business with a book, you need to follow a process that will get you the best results. I’ve found that starting from a clear author brand and brand promise is one of the best indicators of success.
https://authorneering.com/brand-befor...
https://authorneering.com/brand-befor...
January 3, 2023
I’m as good as they are
If this has happened to you, please drop something in the comments and tell me that I'm not alone in this.
Have you ever looked at someone else's stuff, at their books, at their products and what they offer, and thought, "I'm at least as good as them, if not better. Why are they getting more success than I?"
Some of that stems from your mindset, but a lot of that stems from your author platform.
If you'd like to learn how to build a strong author platform, check out my video at https://authorneering.com/platformcla....
Have you ever looked at someone else's stuff, at their books, at their products and what they offer, and thought, "I'm at least as good as them, if not better. Why are they getting more success than I?"
Some of that stems from your mindset, but a lot of that stems from your author platform.
If you'd like to learn how to build a strong author platform, check out my video at https://authorneering.com/platformcla....
January 2, 2023
3 things you need to stop doing
Time for some tough love…
It kills me to keep seeing first-time authors (and sometimes even repeat authors) make similar mistakes that hold them back, especially given how motivated and talented they are!
With anything you want to do there are universal truths. There are things you need to do more of. And things you need to STOP doing.
Today’s STOP doing day
👇🏻
✅ Stop jumping into your idea for a book and running with it. It's great that you are inspired, but if you want that book to reach its potential for you and your business, you need to take a step back and do the research you need to ensure it is successful.
✅ Stop flying by the seat of your pants. That can work with some things in business, but it rarely works with books intended to grow a business. You have to be strategic and methodical (even if that makes you want to puke in your purse). Luckily, I've created systems you can use to make those strategies and methods support your creative side, rather than stifle it.
✅ Stop dreaming and start doing. Talking about writing a book is NOT the same thing as writing a book.
Remember that publishing a book to build your business is just as much about what you DON’T do as what you DO do. It’s important to develop the right habits and routines and stick to them.
Reminder: Grab my Authorneering 101 Checklist!
https://carmarecommends.com/authornee...
It kills me to keep seeing first-time authors (and sometimes even repeat authors) make similar mistakes that hold them back, especially given how motivated and talented they are!
With anything you want to do there are universal truths. There are things you need to do more of. And things you need to STOP doing.
Today’s STOP doing day
👇🏻
✅ Stop jumping into your idea for a book and running with it. It's great that you are inspired, but if you want that book to reach its potential for you and your business, you need to take a step back and do the research you need to ensure it is successful.
✅ Stop flying by the seat of your pants. That can work with some things in business, but it rarely works with books intended to grow a business. You have to be strategic and methodical (even if that makes you want to puke in your purse). Luckily, I've created systems you can use to make those strategies and methods support your creative side, rather than stifle it.
✅ Stop dreaming and start doing. Talking about writing a book is NOT the same thing as writing a book.
Remember that publishing a book to build your business is just as much about what you DON’T do as what you DO do. It’s important to develop the right habits and routines and stick to them.
Reminder: Grab my Authorneering 101 Checklist!
https://carmarecommends.com/authornee...
