Jeff Goins's Blog, page 93
July 13, 2012
Get More Followers By Breaking the Rules
Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. If we follow the truth, it will bring us out safe at last.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
You’ve launched a blog or finally gotten on Twitter. You’re trying to figure out this whole Internet thing. And now, you’re wondering: How do I get more followers?
The truth is, you already know the answer. But you won’t admit it. Because it has to do with breaking the rules. And this scares you. (Which it should.)
Photo credit: Adrian Boliston (Creative Commons)
Everybody wants more followers
From social media enthusiasts to politicians to preachers, leaders are looking for more influence.
Maybe you’ve been blogging for years or you’re just getting started, and you’re thinking: “Can I grow this thing? Can I really increase my platform?”
The answer, without trying to sound like an infomercial or Barack Obama’s speech writer, is “Yes, you can!” And you can do it for free. But you probably won’t.
I hate saying that. Because I hope that you’ll do what it takes to grow your audience. Not for the sake of the followers or an inflated ego, but for the sake of doing it. Because it will liberate you from the doldrum of creating mediocre content.
Most of you won’t do it, though. Here’s why:
You have to say something dangerous
That’s how you get more followers. Whether in a blog or a speech or a conversation, just make a statement.
Don’t just say anything. Say something.
Do something like this or this or even this (warning: some links include profanity), and see your followers skyrocket.
Break a rule and see who follows
In other words, be Tyler Durden. Take a risk. Buck the system.
Compare it to the usual reactions to your anesthetized, everyday drivel. I guarantee there will be a difference.
Do yourself a favor and answer the following questions honestly:
Are you really saying what you want to say, what makes you come alive?
Or are you saying what you think won’t get you into trouble?
If it’s the second one, run. It’s time to get out. Now.
It’s easy to be boring
Boring is safe. Boring is popular (to other boring people, at least). Boring doesn’t get you fired.
Boring is what scared people choose — nearly every time they’re given a choice. Boring is, quite frankly, the coward’s way.
Boring doesn’t make you come alive. It doesn’t give you purpose (although, it may provide a paycheck). And it doesn’t change the world.
So knock it off, already.
Stop choosing the middle of the road
There are way too many lame messages out there. Way too much crap for you to play it safe. We need you to be dangerous.
Pick a side. Stand for something. Some will love you for it, and others will try to stone you.
But.
Please.
Say.
Something.
You can be remarkable, or you can be mediocre. There is nothing else. (You might want to tweet that.)
You can tickle ears, or upset the status quo. You can infuriate, or earn passive dismissals. One will make you average; the other will make you a hero.
But you have to choose.
Who’s following you… really?
Look around and see who’s following you. Are they, really?
Take a quick mental inventory of how you felt the last time you said something dangerous. Did you feel alive? Were people engaged in what you were saying?
Maybe it’s time you broke a rule. Maybe it’s time you picked a side, said something dangerous.
I’m not saying be contentious, but stop being afraid. And start changing something. You have a voice; use it.
What about you? When was the last time you broke a rule? Share in the comments.
*Photo credit: Adrian Boliston (Creative Commons)
July 12, 2012
How Do You Live Life Fully Alive?
We were all created to live an adventure. To fully embrace the challenges life offers and finish our stories well. So why do most of us feel empty, depressed, and wanting more?
My friend, Ken Davis, just wrote an excellent book on the subject called (appropriately), Fully Alive.
In it, he talks about how he got into shape, reinvigorated his childlike awe with the world, and feels more alive at age 65 than he ever did.
So what’s the secret? What’s the solution to finding your way in the world and living more abundantly?
It’s not what you think, and I can promise you: You’re not gonna like it.
A simple, hard fact of life
If you look carefully, you will find people all around you who show few signs of life. They haven’t flatlined yet, but they stopped singing long ago. Rarely do their hearts race in excitement over the possibilities held by a new day. They lurch through the darkness like zombies, clinging to memories of what life used to be. But deep inside they long to live again.
—Ken Davis
The first step is accepting a simple, hard fact of life. What really makes us come alive? Is it money? Success? Fame? No, it’s none of those. It’s something better, something scarier.
Pain: that’s how we begin to experience life. Struggle, strife, hardship. These are the ingredients for a life well lived (told you that you wouldn’t like it).
Muscle is formed when you stretch your body beyond its normal limits. Strength is built when you push past your comfort zone. Courage is created in the face of danger. We are our most alive when we are least comfortable.
Ditching comfort for life
A comfortable life is not the path to being fully alive. It’s a ticket to boredom and despair.
—Ken Davis (Tweet this)
Despite decades of success and fame, Ken came to a painful realization not too long ago: his life was empty. This is coming from a guy who once was the opening act for Ray Charles — crazy, right?
So what was the reason for feeling so hollow inside? He was too comfortable. This man had built an existence around enjoyment and self-preservation, which is exactly where life goes to stagnate and die.
If you are going to check out of the land of the walking dead, you are going to have to give up your addiction to comfort and press into the hardship of life. It won’t be easy, but it will be good.
Become a participant in your own life
In this upside-down world you have only two options. You can choose to stand helplessly, waiting for somebody else to take care of you, or you can analyze the situation and do something yourself.
—Ken Davis
If you’ve ever been stuck in a traffic jam or been coerced by a telemarketer, you’ve likely felt like a victim. At some point, you assumed your role as passive bystander, and you hated how it made you feel. But what choice did you have?
Isn’t this the hand we’ve all been dealt? Life offers a raw deal, and we spend our lives trying to survive? No, there’s more.
The real difference-makers in this world are those who step up and stand out. They lead by example, taking risks along the way and embracing failure for the teacher it is.
You can do the same, if you really want.
The cost of living fully
I know I’m ready for more life; I hope you are, too. But the real question is this: Are we prepared for the cost of life? Are we ready to live?
It’s too easy to say “all you have to do is follow these three steps…” It’s harder to choose to live — to accept that pain makes us grow, to ditch comfort for life, and choose to participate in our own stories.
The abundant life costs something, and that’s the point. It’s why those who are lucky enough to find it are so rich.
If you’re ready to live life fully, check out Ken’s book, which comes out this week.
* * *
In other news, check out the Wrecked book site which just launched this week. More on that soon. For now, tell your friends and make sure you get your free chapter.
How do you live life fully alive? Share in the comments.
July 10, 2012
Why Your Idea Isn’t Spreading (The Salesman’s Problem)
This one’s inspired by you, Mr. Pushy Salesman who tried to sell me a home security system by coercing and shaming me (instead of wooing and charming me):
What? You don’t want your family to be safe?
Yeah, buddy. This list’s for you and all those like you who try to convince the customer to do what you want instead of empowering him to make the right decision.
Photo credit: Kelly B. (Creative Commons)
Please stop this
Here’s why your idea isn’t spreading, why your product isn’t selling, and/or why people generally don’t want to listen to you:
You’re too pushy.
You’re impatient.
You don’t solve a real problem.
You insulted me.
You’re rude.
You put your needs before my own.
You lie.
You don’t listen.
You’re intrusive.
You don’t understand permission.
You think your job is to push people. (It’s not; it’s to help people.)
You can’t control your temper.
You maintain objectivity when I have a subjective problem.
You can’t take constructive criticism.
You try convincing instead of conversing.
You pretend to care.
You have a prepackaged, formulaic approach (instead of one that involves an equal exchange of ideas and information).
You think you’re right and everyone else is wrong.
You invent problems to solve.
You’re inflexible.
You resist alternative solutions.
You told me I was wrong.
You don’t listen!
You have a script that you never deviate from.
You’re insecure.
You didn’t ask, “Is this a good time?”
You didn’t tell the truth.
Can you relate?
Are you guilty of these crimes? (I admit that I sometimes struggle with cutting a few corners to get a message out there.) If so, it may be time to reinvent what you do. I’m talking to myself here, as well.
Selling is serving. Not pushing or forcing people to do things they don’t want to do. It’s caring enough to listen, paying attention to what people say, and having the humility to admit you’re not what they need right now.
It’s disciplining yourself to wait another day, believing that trust and permission are worth your time.
Thoughts? Share your own pushy salesman stories in the comments.
*Photo credit: Kelly B. (Creative Commons)
July 9, 2012
It’s Time to Get Intentional About Blogging
Playing around with a blog?
Let’s see if this sounds familiar.
You have a blog, but you update it maybe once or twice a month. You started strong, writing all sorts of content, but now you can barely remember your password.
Or…
You’re tirelessly slaving away at the keyboard every day, but you just can’t seem to get anyone to read your writing.
So what’s wrong with you? Maybe nothing.
Spend the summer learning a new skill
This summer would be a great time to renew your vows to your blog, to dig in and do the work — and see the results you’ve been longing for.
It’s time to get smart, to do what the online rockstars and blogging heroes do. To stop spinning your wheels and start working in the areas where you’ll see a reward.
There’s a reason why you’re still struggling, why you’re not seeing breakthrough with your blog. And as much as it pains me to say, it may have nothing to do with writing.
What most writers don’t know about the Internet
Do you wish you knew:
The secret to getting a ton of blog subscribers?
How to land a guest post on an A-list blog?
How to write content that actually gets read and remembered, instead of scanned and forgotten?
What the deal is with SEO? Do you really need to care about search engines?
And a whole lot more?
There’s more to blogging than being able to write great content. And it’s about time you learned what this craft was all about.
If this sounds like you, you should take my free online blogging course (which I just updated) to learn the answers to these questions.
Oh, and did I mention that it’s 100% free? Yep.
I’ve been blogging and training people how to blog since 2006, and these are some of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned — and I’m giving them to you, gratis.
All you have to do is click here to join Intentional Blogging and begin your blogging journey today. (If you’ve already taken the course, feel free to share this article online or forward it to a friend.)
What would learning to be a better blogger do for you? Share in the comments.
July 6, 2012
Why I’m Bribing You to Buy My New Book
Photo credit: La Flaf (Creative Commons)
My first print book, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life, comes out next month (Aug. 1).
If you wait until the release week to buy it, I’ll give you over $158.00 worth of free stuff (more details on this soon).
Don’t worry: These aren’t stickers with my picture on them. They’re REAL products with real value.
Why am I doing this? I’ll tell you in a minute. But now, let’s talk about the book — specifially, the story behind it.
It all started with a manifesto
A couple years ago, I wrote an eBook for Change This, a website that Seth Godin helped start. The eBook was about my experience working with the nonprofit Adventures in Missions and how I saw lots of young people going overseas and returning home, feeling “wrecked.”
After serving in the developing world, these people couldn’t go back to their old, normal lives. The way they saw the world had been changed, ruined for good. I had a hunch that other people (not just missionaries) had experienced this, too, but I had no idea…
Over the years, thousands of people have come out of the woodwork to share their “wrecked” stories with me — in person, online, over the phone, wherever. This is an epidemic.
Then, a call from a publisher
Those of you familiar with my story may remember that I started this blog in 2011 and in about eight months had a book deal.
The longer version of that story is Moody Publishers contacted me last summer, wondering if I’d be interested in turning that manifesto into a full-length book.
I said I’d never thought of that, but I loved the idea.
A few days later, I told them I was “in.”
A year later, a book
It took four months to write the book and several more to edit it. What emerged from the process was a message about the choices we make that shape us into the people we’re supposed to be.
Wrecked is about the life we’re afraid to live — one full of radical sacrifice and selfless service. It’s a look at how we discover fulfillment in the least likely of places.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each covering a different aspect of leaving comfort, finding an adventure, and committing to your life’s work. Some of the main lessons are:
Your life is not about you.
Compassion doesn’t come without suffering.
We are most alive when pouring out our lives for others.
Commitment (not adventure) is what really causes us to grow.
If you’re someone who knows you were born to make a difference but are struggling to find your way, this book will help — and frustrate — you.
Why the freebies?
So here’s why I’m doing this, why I’m “bribing” you to buy a $14 book with stuff that’s worth well over 10 times that amount:
I don’t think of you as customers. I consider you my “tribe” — the people who help me reach a larger audience. I don’t take that permission lightly. This is my way of showing my gratitude for your attention.
Book publishing is weird. If a book does well the first week, it has a greater likelihood of reaching more people. If it doesn’t, you face an uphill battle. These incentives are an attempt at giving my book a fighting chance.
I’m a new author. I’m still earning the trust of readers. Since this book isn’t simply an extension of my blog, I don’t take for granted that people will read it. If this offer helps get the book into more people’s hands, then the ideas in it will spread (which is what it’s all about).
I don’t really think of this as bribing you (I was just trying to be clever). Honestly, I thought it would be a fun way to launch a book and create some momentum.
So… are you in?
Don’t miss out: If you want a reminder when Wrecked releases, enter your email in the box below. As an immediate thank-you, I’ll send you the first 30 pages of the book for free.
(Can’t see the form in your inbox or RSS? Click here to view it in a browser).
If you know someone who’s been wrecked — or needs to be — feel free to share this by pointing them to the book page for more info.
Have you ever been “wrecked”? Share your story in the comments (we’ll be doing something cool with these next week).
*Photo credit: La Flaf (Creative Commons)
Why I’m “Bribing” You to Buy My New Book
Photo credit: La Flaf (Creative Commons)
My first print book, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life, comes out next month (Aug. 1).
If you wait until the release week to buy it, I’ll give you over $158.00 worth of free stuff (more details on this soon).
Don’t worry: These aren’t stickers with my picture on them. They’re REAL products with real value.
Why am I doing this? I’ll tell you in a minute. But now, let’s talk about the book — specifially, the story behind it.
It all started with a manifesto
A couple years ago, I wrote an eBook for Change This, a website that Seth Godin helped start. The eBook was about my experience working with the nonprofit Adventures in Missions and how I saw lots of young people going overseas and returning home, feeling “wrecked.”
After serving in the developing world, these people couldn’t go back to their old, normal lives. The way they saw the world had been changed, ruined for good. I had a hunch that other people (not just missionaries) had experienced this, too, but I had no idea…
Over the years, thousands of people have come out of the woodwork to share their “wrecked” stories with me — in person, online, over the phone, wherever. This is an epidemic.
Then, a call from a publisher
Those of you familiar with my story may remember that I started this blog in 2011 and in about eight months had a book deal.
The longer version of that story is Moody Publishers contacted me last summer, wondering if I’d be interested in turning that manifesto into a full-length book.
I said I’d never thought of that, but I loved the idea.
A few days later, I told them I was “in.”
A year later, a book
It took four months to write the book and several more to edit it. What emerged from the process was a message about the choices we make that shape us into the people we’re supposed to be.
Wrecked is about the life we’re afraid to live — one full of radical sacrifice and selfless service. It’s a look at how we discover fulfillment in the least likely of places.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each covering a different aspect of leaving comfort, finding an adventure, and committing to your life’s work. Some of the main lessons are:
Your life is not about you.
Compassion doesn’t come without suffering.
We are most alive when pouring out our lives for others.
Commitment (not adventure) is what really causes us to grow.
If you’re someone who knows you were born to make a difference but are struggling to find your way, this book will help — and frustrate — you.
Why the freebies?
So here’s why I’m doing this, why I’m “bribing” you to buy a $14 book with stuff that’s worth well over 10 times that amount:
I don’t think of you as customers. I consider you my “tribe” — the people who help me reach a larger audience. I don’t take that permission lightly. This is my way of showing my gratitude for your attention.
Book publishing is weird. If a book does well the first week, it has a greater likelihood of reaching more people. If it doesn’t, you face an uphill battle. These incentives are an attempt at giving my book a fighting chance.
I’m a new author. I’m still earning the trust of readers. Since this book isn’t simply an extension of my blog, I don’t take for granted that people will read it. If this offer helps get the book into more people’s hands, then the ideas in it will spread (which is what it’s all about).
I don’t really think of this as bribing you (I was just trying to be clever). Honestly, I thought it would be a fun way to launch a book and create some momentum.
So… are you in?
If you’d like a reminder for when Wrecked releases (Aug. 1, 2012), enter your email in the box below. As an immediate thank-you, I’ll send you the first thirty pages of the book for free.
(Can’t see the form in your inbox or RSS? Click here to view it in a browser).
If you know someone who’s been wrecked — or needs to be — feel free to share this by pointing them to the book page for more info.
Have you ever been “wrecked”? Share your story in the comments (we’ll be doing something cool with these next week).
*Photo credit: La Flaf (Creative Commons)
July 5, 2012
How to Get Those Creative Juices Flowing
Let’s get something straight: You are creative. You’ve completed term papers, finished science fair projects, and participated in school plays. Maybe even written a poem or two for that someone special.
The creativity is there, somewhere — so how do you get it to come out?
Photo credit: Luke Addison (Creative Commons)
A formula of sorts
Here’s how this works:
Information + Inspiration = Creation
Without information, it’s hard to create. You need some “stuff” to start with:
If you’re a writer, you need a topic.
If a musician, you need a key.
If a painter, a canvas.
You get the idea. But it doesn’t stop there. Without inspiration, your work will fail to be creative and you’ll end up regurgitating the same content over and over again.
You are capable of creative, innovative work the world has yet to see. It may take time and effort to get to a point where it flows, but it’s in there.
Although you’ve heard all kinds of steps and solutions about working through creative blocks, I’m going to tell you the truth: This is about choices. Plain and simple. And here are several important ones you should make to get the creativity flowing:
Do your homework
Homework is practice. It’s not glamorous, and it’s rarely fun. Homework is digging ditches with your bare hands; it’s playing that same stupid scale on the piano — over and over. This takes intentionality. It means less time on the couch and more reps.
Don’t kid yourself — this is going to be painful. Pain is inevitable; it’s part of the process. Embrace it for the gift that it offers, because the struggle is what makes it worth it.
Practice usually takes longer than we’d like, but never longer that we need. The consolation is that if you chase your passion, the work may be tolerable, even enjoyable, at times. But it will still be work.
Expect resistance
Roadblocks, irritation, and failure are all realities you face. Expect them and push through, anyway.
There will always be resistance, always another challenge to overcome. If you fall, get back up. Pity parties have no place in this work. What you need to do is keep moving.
Stubbornness is now your greatest ally; use it to persevere. Embrace these difficulties; they’re a sure sign you’re on the right path.
Read… a lot
You need to read a ton. Seriously. Watch fewer movies, spend less time on Facebook, and quit needlessly checking Twitter.
Use your library card for the gift that it is. Swap books with friends, read a few blogs (but not just blogs), and open the newspaper once in awhile.
Continuously fill your mind with compelling content and inspiring stories; these will fuel your process.
Read widely. Don’t be too quick to dismiss a book or magazine as irrelevant; if a subject doesn’t resonate immediately, give it time. You never know where inspiration may be lurking.
Learn from others
You are not in this alone. So stop acting like it.
Join a community group or create one yourself. These can provide great accountability and encouragement. Moreover, they’re a great way to get feedback on your work and grow in your craft.
Another way to learn is to meet potential mentors and coaches in person. Ask them out to lunch or coffee — and pay the bill. Be intentional: show up on time, ask questions, and pay attention.
These conversations will provide the insight you need to take the next step in your journey.
Keep creating
Write until you can’t write anymore. Paint until your arm hurts. Sing until your voice goes hoarse.
Now is the time to go for broke. Don’t fall for the myth of perfectionism; start moving and see happens. Do not give into your fears of failure or make excuses for why you haven’t shown up.
Just begin — and keep going until you get good.
Get ready for the overflow
Always be alert and ready for inspiration to come. You never know when it may strike.
Have a notebook or voice recorder handy at all times. Why? Because inspiration will come at the most random times. And when it does, the overflow will come.
The overflow is when the boring, tedious work you’ve been plowing through suddenly comes together to create something beautiful. It’s when your work begins to feel effortless.
Your inspiration may lead you to make something very different from what you first envisioned, and that’s okay. The point is when it really starts to flow, it should stop feeling like work.
A final word
The creative process is not easy; it takes time, energy, and effort. But nothing worth doing is ever easy, is it? That’s what makes it wonderful.
It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.
—Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own
Your work will be hard, but it will also be great. Stick with it and enjoy the challenge the journey provides — it’s part of the reward.
How do you get your creative juices flowing? Share in the comments.
*Photo credit: Luke Addison (Creative Commons)
July 4, 2012
The Revolutionary Power of Words
Never, ever, ever underestimate the power your words can have. Take today July 4, for instance. In America, we call this day, “Independence Day”, because it marks the beginning of our freedom.
Photo credit: Flickr (Creative Commons)
And just how did this revolution begin? With a Declaration, of course:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Powerful, right? I like that scene in National Treasure where Nicolas Cage says, “People don’t talk like that anymore.” I wish they would. It’s time to reclaim the revolutionary power of words.
Whoever said “talk is cheap” is a liar
Words are powerful, painful, awful, and amazing tools. They can hurt, help, hinder, and heal.
But they are not cheap. They are quite expensive.
Words cost something. Like your time and money. Sometimes, they even cost your patience or self-worth. Words have a price tag.
Words can change the world
They have before. Here are some examples of how communication has changed the world:
When Martin Luther tacked his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenburg.
When Gutenberg created the printing press and gave the power of thought back to the people.
When JFK asked us what we could do for our country.
When MLK wrote his letter from Birmingham.
When Gandhi spoke on nonviolence.
When Jesus gave a short speech on a hilltop.
When Neil Armstrong took his first steps (and spoke his first words) on the moon.
Words matter
You know this already. You have felt it. Sometimes, it was subtle, but you knew it was there. The potency of words. It’s immeasurable and unmistakeable.
If you listen to your life you can recall moments when you felt the brutal sting of words:
When the other kids called you “fat.”
When that boy dumped you for no reason.
When your dad called you “stupid.”
When you received that letter of rejection.
When your boss told you that you were fired.
When someone told you that cancer is “God’s will.”
When your wife asked when you were going to get a real job.
You personally know the impact words can have.
It’s your turn now
Say something worth saying. Don’t give in to the temptation to just fight back, to return an angry voice by raising your own. Don’t join the crowd of hurt people hurting other people.
Instead, use your words for something else. Something powerful, something subversive.
Better yet, let the words of your mouth reflect the actions of your life. Act first, speak second. But please, speak up.
Say something.
Silence has often ushered evil into the world. There is a reason why Hitler gained power so quickly. He could speak. And there is a reason why he didn’t win the war. Someone else spoke up.
Be the person who says something when no one else is. Be brave. Dare to speak and have something worth talking about. Start a revolution with your words.
Talk is not cheap. It doesn’t have to be, anyway. Talk can be valuable. Talk can be rich and worthwhile and a gift to the world. So do us all a favor and open up your mouth.
SPEAK.
July 2, 2012
Join My Book Launch Team and Get Six Unique Opportunities
For awhile, some of you have been asking me if I’ll ever publish a book that doesn’t have to do with writing. Well, here’s what you’ve been waiting for…
Photo credit: Charles McCain (Creative Commons)
A year ago, Moody Publishers contacted me, asking if I was interested in publishing a book. I said yes, and a year later, we’re a month out from the release of my first print book, Wrecked. (I’ll be sharing more about this later. For now, hold off on buying it; I’ll make it worth your while — promise.)
The launch
A lot of work goes into successfully launching a trade book, and frankly, I can’t do it alone. I have too many ideas, and I need your help implementing them.
Most projects I are crowd-sourced because I believe in the importance of empowering your “tribe,” so that’s nothing new. However, we’re going to do something really different with this team, and I’m excited about it.
This group is going to be special. I plan on personally pouring everything I have into it, enabling the team to spread this message. We’re also going to experiment with some innovative book promotion ideas, which you’ll get to see first-hand.
If you ever plan on doing something like this yourself some day, the experience will be invaluable. Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
What you get
If you sign up to join the Wrecked Launch Team (and get accepted), here’s what you’ll get for your time:
An advanced electronic copy (PDF) of the typeset manuscript that you can read a month before anyone else will get a copy.
A free copy of the paperback before it releases.
Exclusive access to a private Facebook group, where we’ll share promotion ideas and you’ll have direct contact with me.
The opportunity to interact with other launch team members and see the behind-the-scenes of a book launch.
A special mention on my blog with a link to your website.
A bunch of other freebies I can’t talk about yet (seriously cool stuff).
What I’m asking from you
If you’re picked to be a part of this team, I ask that you agree to:
Read and review the book online (e.g. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or your blog).
Spread the word any way you can during the week of August 1 (when the book launches).
Interact with the rest of the launch team and participate in the community to help come up with promotion ideas (we’re open to experimenting).
I’m going to be “all in” for this, so I ask that you take it seriously. Please don’t apply if you don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to helping get the word out.
Apply now
Because of how personally invested I’m going to be in this project, we need to keep the group to a manageable size. Therefore, we won’t be accepting everyone who applies. Applications close this Friday, July 6 at 5pm CDT.
We’ll be emailing individuals to let you know if you made the team. If you don’t hear from us in a week, you can assume you didn’t make it. Don’t worry; there will be other opportunities to get involved in the launch.
Update: This form is now closed. Thanks to the hundreds who applied! I’ll be posting the team on my blog, so make sure you’re signed up for updates. You can also download the first part of the book here.
Thoughts on this idea? Recommendations? Share in the comments.
*Photo credit: Charles McCain (Creative Commons)
Join My Book Launch Team (I’ll Bribe You)
For awhile, some of you have been asking me if I’ll ever publish a book that doesn’t have to do with writing. Well, here’s what you’ve been waiting for…
Photo credit: Charles McCain (Creative Commons)
A year ago, Moody Publishers contacted me, asking if I was interested in publishing a book. I said yes, and a year later, we’re a month out from the release of my first print book, Wrecked. (I’ll be sharing more about this later. For now, hold off on buying it; I’ll make it worth your while — promise.)
The launch
A lot of work goes into successfully launching a trade book, and frankly, I can’t do it alone. I have too many ideas, and I need your help implementing them.
Most projects I are crowd-sourced because I believe in the importance of empowering your “tribe,” so that’s nothing new. However, we’re going to do something really different with this team, and I’m excited about it.
This group is going to be special. I plan on personally pouring everything I have into it, enabling the team to spread this message. We’re also going to experiment with some innovative book promotion ideas, which you’ll get to see first-hand.
If you ever plan on doing something like this yourself some day, the experience will be invaluable. Plus, it’s going to be a lot of fun.
The benefits
If you sign up to join the Wrecked Launch Team (and get accepted), here’s what you’ll get for your time:
An advanced electronic copy (PDF) of the typeset manuscript that you can read a month before anyone else will get a copy.
A free copy of the paperback two weeks before it releases.
Exclusive access to a private Facebook group, where we’ll share promotion ideas and you’ll have direct contact with me.
The opportunity to interact with other launch team members and see the behind-the-scenes of a book launch.
A special mention on my blog with a link to your website.
A bunch of other freebies I can’t talk about yet (seriously cool stuff).
What I’m asking from you
If you’re picked to be a part of this team, I ask that you agree to:
Read and review the book online (e.g. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and/or your blog).
Spread the word any way you can during the week of August 1 (when the book launches).
Interact with the rest of the launch team and participate in the community to help come up with promotion ideas (we’re open to experimenting).
I’m going to be “all in” for this, so I ask that you take it seriously. Please don’t apply if you don’t have the time or energy to dedicate to helping get the word out.
Apply now
Because of how personally invested I’m going to be in this project, we need to keep the group to a manageable size. Therefore, we won’t be accepting everyone who applies. Applications close this Friday at 5pm CST.
We’ll be emailing individuals to let you know if you made the team. If you don’t hear from us in a week, you can assume you didn’t make it. Don’t worry; there will be other opportunities to get involved in the launch.
Go apply here. I’ll be sharing more about Wrecked soon.
Thoughts on this idea? Recommendations? Share in the comments.
*Photo credit: Charles McCain (Creative Commons)
