Honoree Corder's Blog, page 2

What’s the Time Commitment for Writing My Book?

I got more than a dozen responses to the “how does it cost” post…with a follow-up question:

How much time does it take to professionally produce my book?

I thought you might be wondering, too, so here’s the skinny.

Following are the estimated time commitments for producing your book:

Writing. If you can plan to write 500 words a day (less than an hour), it will take just sixty (60) days, or 12 weeks of writing on work days (Monday-Friday). Double your word count, and you’ll have a rough first draft in about a month.Editing. A great editor (read: one who has “Editor” in the profession box on their tax return) will give you an estimate. My editors usually take between 2-4 weeks for a manuscript of 30,000-75,000 words in length. Plan on four weeks and you’ll be golden. You will want to plan a week to go through and review (accept or reject) the edits and make any suggested changes. I usually go through my edits in 3-4 hours, then schedule another writing 2-4 hour block of time to make corrections or do any additional writing.Proofreading. The proofreading process takes less time, and it is the last step before formatting. Plan 1-2 weeks for this step. Plan to take 2-3 days/3-4 hours to go through the proofreader’s marks to make any last corrections. Formatting. Plan ten business days for your custom formatting. The time you’ll spend will be coordinating the formatting and reviewing the final products (ebook and print versions) for any needed corrections. Plan 2-3 hours tops.Cover design. Getting just the right cover takes time, so the minute you break ground on your book project, engage a designer to start working on your cover. It could take two weeks or four months–it depends on the designer, their level of skill, and how well you describe your project to them.Copywriting. A great copywriter can get your copy done in about a week (or less). They’ll need a few things from you to write it (table of contents, etc.), I usually do this step in conjunction with the editing process. Coordinating with the copywriter and reviewing: 1-2 hours.

I cover each of these steps and everything you need to know in my 1-1 coaching and Course. Reply to this email or click here to schedule a discovery session with me if you’re interested. I would be happy to help you.

How Much Does it Cost to Professionally Publish a Book?

A couple of days ago, I wrote about your options for writing and publishing your book. I immediately (within minutes!) received three emails with the same question:

How much does it cost to professionally produce my book?

A fair question, and I’ll give you straight answers–the best I can, anyway, considering I don’t know the size, word count, or other variables of your book.

Following are the estimated costs for producing your book:

Writing. The cost of your time (priceless) or you can engage a ghostwriter (fees range from $5,000 to $100,000 or more).Editing. Fees range, as will your editing needs. Plan on around $2,000 for a standard 30,000 word nonfiction book. Double that if your writing needs additional attention or you don’t consider yourself a writer, it could be less if you’re a seasoned writer and need less editing.Proofreading. Again, fees range, but you’ll pay between 2-5 cents a word. Estimate: $1000.Formatting. There are free options for formatting, but I only recommend custom formatting because you’ll want to include parts of your book formatting software cannot provide. Estimate: $500-$1000.Cover design. You can get a great custom cover package (front cover, full print-ready PDF cover, square cover image for audio book version)for around $2000. Copy writing. a.k.a. your “sales copy” requires two versions of almost identical copy, one for the back cover of your book, the other for retail sales pages. Estimate: $400.

You’re looking at an investment of around $6,000 (all of which you can write off!), which can increase or decrease depending upon your needs and a few other variables. 

If you’ve got questions, leave a comment below or click here to schedule a discovery session with me. I’m happy to help. You also might want to check out my upcoming course: You MUST Write a Book LIVE Coaching Course.

*Still* Powered by Indie

The month of October 2017 was #PoweredByIndie Month at Amazon. They were celebrating great writing published via Kindle Direct Publishing, CreateSpace (now defunct), and Audiobook Creation Exchange. The celebration included a vast spectrum of books presented to entertain, excite, and inform. Amazon’s top authors share their paths as independent writers and showcase their favorite books to take readers on a journey of fact and fiction. You can check out #PoweredbyIndie on Amazon here (still going strong).
I’ve been an indie author since 2004, 51 books, and 14 years later (!), I still love it. Here are just three reasons why:
First: Complete creative control. As an indie, you get to decide your cover, interior design, sales copy, and content.
Second: Speed to market. It was just 122 days from idea to publication for  You Must Write a Book . Some of my indie colleagues write and launch their books within 2-3 weeks! Traditional publishing can take up to two years… Also, updates and corrections can be made with ease (and quickly), which can really come in handy!
Third: Timing is everything. I can publish on my own terms, in my own timing–and so can you! Quick example: You Must Write a Book was released in conjunction with an Amazon media event held in New York City (and this article was published in Forbes as a result).
I truly love being an indie author. There are other reasons, too, and I’ll share them with you if you ask in the comments. Smile. In the meantime, tell me what you love about being an indie in the comments below (or what you know you’ll love about it).

 More Good Stuff…
~ BONUSES! Get access to my podcast pitch emails (and so much more) when you read You Must Write a Book.
~  You need reviews for your books! This tool will get you lots and lots! 
~ Authority Self-Publishing Episode 59: Why You Must Write a Book
~ 3 Things I Wish I Knew by Mark Dawson
~ I can help you craft, write, publish, launch, and market your book (and earn multiple streams of income, too). More info here.
Not receiving these posts in your inbox yet? If you’d like to receive more articles about writing and making money as a writer – and how to become a prosperous, full-time writer go here .

3 MORE Ways to Write (and Publish) Your Book in 2019

Just two weeks ago, I gave you three ways to make sure you write your book in 2019. ICYMI, it’s right here.
While you’re enjoying the holiday season, you can be noodling on your book’s title, content, and avatar. If you want to write your book next year, there are several ways you can make sure it gets done.
Here are three more super simple ways to make sure it gets written:
1. Give yourself a daily word count goal. Just 500 words a day, 300 days a year, results in 150,000 words. One hundred and fifty thousand words is the equivalent of three to five non-fiction books (or at least two fiction books). Five hundred words is the equivalent of a few wordy emails, which means you crank that out, no problem. This year, I wrote over 500,000 words in multiple books, and my goal in 2019 is to write 2,000 words per day, one day at a time. What’s your goal? I’d love to know.

2. Get accountability. If you already have a coach, make sure they know about your daily word count goal. Or perhaps you have a friend who is also working on their book. Exchange goals and keep each other accountable (who has to buy lunch if they don’t make it? What’s the reward if you do?). If you have a young child, tell them they get something if you reach your goal (you might have to work on shorter time frames, which is just fine). I promise you they will ask every single day (sometimes twice a day!) if you’ve done your writing yet!
3. Go ahead and have your cover designed (by a professional). I personally love to “write to a cover.” Once my cover is designed, I’m extra-motivated to get the book written. Explain your book’s concept and message, and let your designer take it from there. Sometimes it takes a few attempts to get it just right (meanwhile, you’re writing consistently and racking up the words). Cover reveals are fun, and start the conversation about your book. If your designer gives you a couple of options, do a post on Facebook and see which one your ideal prospective readers like the most.
I’ll continue this conversation in the next post, early next year. I hope you have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and day, and the New Year is everything you want it to be!

Happy writing!


 
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3 Ways to Write Your Book in the New Year

If you, like more than 80% of the people I meet, want to write your first book, next year just might be the year you take on that challenge. I shared with Forbes why I passionately believe every person would benefit beyond their wildest dreams from writing their own book. I can’t predict what amazing things will happen for you as a result of writing your book, but let me ask you this: wouldn’t you like to know? I can promise you this: you won’t regret it in any way but I’m 100% confident you’ll be grateful you did.
Here are three simple ways to make sure it gets written:


Decide it’s time and commit to writing your book. Finish this sentence: I commit to writing my book about …… in 20__. Write it in your Bullet Journal, or on a sticky note … put it somewhere you’ll see it on a regular basis.




Give yourself a publication deadline, a.k.a. a goal with the deadline to have it done and out in the world. Finish this sentence: I am so excited to publish my book on ….. {date}. Add that to your sticky note or wherever you wrote down your goal.




Read You Must Write a Book  or sign up for the You Must Write a Book LIVE Coaching Course. I’ll help you learn everything you need to know to craft, write, publish, launch, and market your book–and turn it into multiple streams of income). I put everything in the book I could possibly share without talking to you about your specific situation, and the Course is the next level.


Please comment below and tell me the goal you have about your book. 
If you’d like to explore having a coaching conversation with me about your book to see if I can help, send me a message and we’ll get it scheduled. If you want to build a bonafide empire, check this out.


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Run Through the Tape

Welcome to the last month of the year. While it might be tempting to take your foot off the gas, coast through the remainder of the year, and set your sights on how great next year is going to be (and it’s going to be great, without question), consider a few things:


December is 1/12th of the year – equal to 8.333% of your productivity and bottom line.




Would you light more than 8% of your income on fire just because you needed amusement? (That’s not a trick question.)




You have a couple of choices for December: double-down on any goals you haven’t quite achieved yet, or relax and let the chips fall where they may.


Have you ever seen a race where the leader eases up at the end, only to lose the race to the guy who is giving his all? I suggest you run through the tape (in this case, December 31st), which also means you’re going to have some pretty sweet momentum as you start the new year!
{Even if you take off the last couple of weeks of the year, like I do, you can finish strong and set yourself up to win big time next year.}
Now, I’m sure wondering how I suggest you finish strong and start next year with momentum. I’m glad you asked …
Step 1: Create a plan for December and be intentional about the days you work, and the days you don’t. Set 3 goals for the month, find some accountability, and go for it like you mean it (’cause I know you mean it)!
Step 2: Schedule time (1-2 hours at most) to do a review of the year. What worked? What didn’t work? How did you do on your goals this year? What would you do differently if you had the year to do over? What did you learn about yourself? What was great about the year? Any wins you might want to celebrate?
Step 3: Schedule another block of time to create a new year Plan and Goals, and then do a 100-Day Plan so you exponentially increase your odds of achieving your desired outcomes. You can get a *free* copy of my 100-Day Plan by visiting here (password: success).
Bonus Step: Take the 7-Day Challenge if you want to get a head start on your first 100-Day Plan for next year, but aren’t sure exactly what to do. It includes a special surprise, too!
I hope you make the most of everything this month now that you know what it can do for this year and the next.
To your success!
I am on a mission to inspire and motivate people to turn their vision and dreams into their real-life reality, sharing leading-edge processes I’ve created for myself and my executive coaching clients. I write about business growth and personal development, including shedding limiting beliefs, dreaming big and living the life you truly want. If you enjoyed this article, then join my free newsletter and you’ll get a free copy of my best-selling book Tall Order! 7 Master Strategies to Organize Your Life & Double Your Success in Half the Time.
MORE GOODNESS


 The 10th Anniversary Edition of Tall Order! Organize Your Life and Double Your Success in Half the Time! is now 3 years old. It’s sold over 100,000 copies, and if you haven’t read it yet, you can get it here .


A guest on the Author Biz Podcast: How to Make Next Year Your Best Year Yet . Yes, the advice is 3 years old, but it is still good!

Do You Know WHO to Develop Relationships With? {Part 2}

Last time I told you how to initially determine who you would definitely want to develop a relationship with in business.
Once you’ve checked those first three boxes, there are five other critical pre-qualifiers for a professional relationship:


They need/require what you’re selling, and


They want/desire what you’re selling, and


They have pleasure you can help them get, pain you can help them avoid … or both, and


They have the authority to hire you (or strong influence over the person who does), and


They can afford what you’re selling.


My advice for these five qualifiers is very similar to the first three:  Don’t move forward with intentionally building a relationship unless the answer to all of the above is a resounding “YES!”
You’re looking for prospective business. Unless, and until, all of these pre-qualifiers are met, you might just be building a relationship with someone who won’t ever, or can’t ever, work with you. You have a finite amount of time to devote to your business development efforts, so you’ll want to make the best use of your time by making sure each person meets the above criteria. Make sense?
I’ll continue the conversation next week. Until then …

Want all of my proven strategies on relationship development? I’ve given you the “who” …  Business Dating: Applying Relationship Rules in Business for Ultimate Success  outlines the when, where, how often and how long of building relationships. Get it right  here .

 

 

I am on a mission to inspire and motivate people to turn their vision and dreams into their real-life reality, sharing leading-edge processes I’ve created for myself and my executive coaching clients. I write about business growth and personal development, including shedding limiting beliefs, dreaming big and living the life you truly want. If you enjoyed this article, then join my free newsletter and you’ll get a free copy of my best-selling book Tall Order! 7 Master Strategies to Organize Your Life & Double Your Success in Half the Time.
Website: honoreecorder.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Honoree
Twitter: twitter.com/Honoree

Do You Know WHO to Develop Relationships With? {Part 1}

Building relationships in business can seem like a never-ending task. In fact, we don’t have a finding people challenge, we have a sorting through people challenge. We’ve been taught to “get out and meet as many people as we can,” and yet, lots of us are still looking for key people who can make a difference in our lives, careers, and ultimately, bottom lines. Clearly, “spray and pray” doesn’t work!
So, how do you know if you should pursue a business relationship with someone? Here are three quick pre-qualifiers that will take out the guesswork for you:


Do you like them?


Do they like you?


Do you know that you know that you can help them (or their clients)?


Don’t move on to the second or third question unless the answer to the previous question is a resounding “YES!” Any hesitation or quick intuitive hit is a sign you probably should move on to the next person.
You won’t love every person and vice versa — and that’s okay! You’re looking for about twelve dozen people total for your entire career to be blossoming and prosperous. Life is much too short to spend it trying to “make the relationship work.”

 

You can find out much more about my philosophy and strategies for building amazing business relationships in here .

 

 

 

 

 

I am on a mission to inspire and motivate people to turn their vision and dreams into their real-life reality, sharing leading-edge processes I’ve created for myself and my executive coaching clients. I write about business growth and personal development, including shedding limiting beliefs, dreaming big and living the life you truly want. If you enjoyed this article, then join my free newsletter and you’ll get a free copy of my best-selling book Tall Order! 7 Master Strategies to Organize Your Life & Double Your Success in Half the Time.
Website: honoreecorder.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Honoree
Twitter: twitter.com/Honoree
***Resources You Might Like***

I was a guest on the Create Your Own Life Podcast discussing How to Write a World-Class Book. 
I’ll be hanging out at Best Year Ever Blueprint LIVE with Hal Elrod in December. You should join us!​​​​​​​
Do you take “nappuccinos” or even know what they are? It’s a 25-minute nap preceded by a cup of coffee (or a Vivarin). I use the Pzizz app to facilitate my nappuccinos, usually once a day around lunchtime, and I highly recommend this practice.

How to Make an Awesome Business Introduction

I have an awesome way to make a business introduction. It’s a three-step process that takes just a few minutes yet works like magic. Of course you want both parties to want to know each other, you want to make a powerful introduction so both will want to make the connection, and finally, one that leaves you out of the loop. Here go you!

Make the Connection
Let’s assume you’re in a conversation with someone, and you hear a need a strategic partner can fill or determine there’s a problem they can solve. Follow these three steps to make a great referral:


Ask the person with the need if they’d like to meet someone you know personally who might be able to help them. Explain who they are, how you know them, and how long you’ve known them.


Call the person you believe can help, explain the situation, and make sure you’re right! I recently had a previous client “refer” someone to me who was looking to buy a condo in my area. Since I’m neither a condo owner nor a real estate agent, I was unable to help and it was a waste of time for both of us.


Make an introduction. I prefer to send both parties an email with each other’s contact information and let them communicate amongst themselves.


The Introduction
When I’ve gotten the go-ahead from both parties to proceed with an introduction, I send an email similar to this:
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION
John & Bill,
Meet each other!
John, Bill Smith is a top-shelf corporate attorney with eighteen years of experience. He helps companies from formation to liquidation, as well as having a hand in many mergers and acquisitions. You can read about him here {link to bio on website}. You can connect with him via email, above, or at 555-555-5555.
Bill, John Davis is a family attorney with more than a dozen years helping wealthy clients navigate the challenges of divorce, child custody, and modification agreements. Read about him here {link to bio}. He has a need to strike out on his own, and could use your expertise in business formation. Connect with him via email, above, or at 555-555-5555.
Gentlemen: I feel it would be beneficial for the two of you to connect as there seems to be a need that could be filled immediately, as well as future mutual synergies. I look forward to hearing you’ve successfully connected. Let me know how else I can be of service to you.
To your success!       Honorée 


You can use this process to make introductions in an effective and classy way. The bonus is that making introductions that really work for both parties will make you look and feel great.
As you might imagine, this is adapted from my new book, Business Dating: Applying Relationship Rules in Business for Ultimate Success, which you can read more about here and buy here.

Honorée Corder helps professionals go from disorganized and frustrated to focused and massively profitable with strategic planning and coaching. She writes about business growth and personal development, including shedding limiting beliefs, dreaming big and living the life you truly want. If you enjoyed this article, then join her free newsletter.

Website: honoreecorder.com

Facebook: facebook.com/Honoree

Twitter: twitter.com/Honoree

Back-to-School Means Back-to-Work

I remember singing the song at the beginning of each summer break “School’s Out for the Summer!” With school back in session, we can all now get back to work. As a side note, my parents did a much better job of containing their glee the first week of school than I am able to do. My daughter graduated in May, so this is the first fall in sixteen years we aren’t going back to school. She’s taking a year off to figure out what she wants to do when she grows up, I hope she figures it out faster than I did!