Tom Blubaugh's Blog, page 9

Is it true? What you don’t know won’t hurt you.

There is an old saying, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you.” I heard it a lot when I was a child, but I’ve found this to be a false statement. What you don’t know will hurt you. Granted, what you don’t know–you don’t know. None of us can know everything. So, if what you […]

Do You Know Where You’re Going?

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you arrive? Having a destination in mind is crucial to literary success. You can’t just say, “I’m going to write a book.” Those are just words. One of Steven Covey’s Seven Steps of Highly Effective People is begin with the end in mind–kind […]

Do you know where you’re going?

If you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you arrive? Having a destination in mind is crucial to literary success. You can’t just say, “I’m going to write a book.” Those are just words. One of Steven Covey’s Seven Steps of Highly Effective People is begin with the end in mind–kind […]

Are You Running a Race or a Marathon?

In 2011, my novel Night of the Cossack was published. After selling 500+ copies to friends and relatives, I jumped on the Internet with big plans of selling thousands upon thousands books to the entire world. I bulldozed my way into social media. Then one day someone told me I was in a Marathon–not a race. […]

What Single Ingredient Is the Key to Success?

Several years ago I was interviewed for a business magazine. The reporter wanted to know what was the one thing that caused me to be successful. I could tell she was surprised when I responded, “persistence.” “Persistence”, she asked? “Yes”, I replied. I went on to tell her I had hired those who failed who were: […]

Never, Never, Never Take Your Eye Off of the Target.

I have found in my fifty years of business that there is a specific type of person who succeeds. Admittedly there are many levels of success, but I’m talking about the top level. Ultimate success. What is ultimate success? Only you can answer this question for yourself. Whatever it is, only you can achieve it […]

Five Components of Success.

Several years ago I conducted seminars in churches on the topic of evangelism. In particular, using used school buses as a tool to reach children. This was a new concept, not mine, and it took a fair amount of selling and time before a church would see the vision. Why? There was a substantial element called money. […]

Do You Expect Others to Want Your Success More Than You?

It seems this is the attitude of many authors: They have a dream, goal, and vision to write a book. They spend one to five years or more accomplishing this. They look for a traditional publisher. Why does it seem to be so important to find a traditional publisher? In my opinion–one of two reasons or […]

Are You Promoting Your Product Instead of its Benefits?

Spend a couple of minutes and take a 365 degree  turn in any room in your house. Let your eyes fall on each item. Pick out any piece and ask yourself this question —why did I spend my hard earned dollars on this article? Was it the: • Price? • Usefulness? • Color? • Design? […]

The Myth Surrounding Book Signings.

What stops writers from stepping out on their own and creating their own book signings? A myth that writers need a book store or a writing event to sign and sell books. The truth? All a writer needs for a book signing is a table, chair, pen, space, sign, and some books. Here’s an idea! […]