Becky Robinson's Blog, page 69

Featured on Friday: #FlyingWithout Author @ConnellLessons

The majority of our Weaving Influence team reside east of the Mississippi, and if you’ve been following the weather reports then you will know that most of us have been hit with an Arctic blast of snow and ice. Comfortable companionship was found this week as we compared snow stories.

We could easily go about our days as contractors, exchanging work-related emails and never communicating the personal details, but if we want to build the team, sharing a bit of our private lives with each other is important.

This idea of creating community online has infiltrated our client work as well. Last month I requested a meeting with Joanie Connell, author of Flying without a Helicopter, and suggested we do it “on camera” so that I could share my screen as we worked. As it turned out, it was one of the most fun work calls I’ve had.

We all laughed when I confessed my “stage fright” as they watched me type in real time, and we grew excited as we came up with ways to support and promote her book launch. Along the same lines, I love writing these Featured on Friday posts because I feel like they’re a more relaxed, personal way to introduce you to our team of contractors, authors, and buzz builders. So grab a mug of something warm and get to know today’s Feature…

Meet Joanie Connell

Joanie B. Connell, Ph.D. is the founder of Flexible Work Solutions, a consulting firm that specializes in leadership assessment, development, and retention for all levels–executives, professionals, early career, and youth. She works hand-in-hand with organizations and individuals ranging from the Fortune 100 setting to not-for-profit, government as well as a host of other industries.

Joanie (who pushed back when I called her “Dr. Connell” on our video call) also serves as a university professor. She teaches business and psychology students of all ages at the Rady School of Management at the University of California San Diego, the Marshall Goldsmith School of Management at Alliant International University, and in the Masters in Human Behavior program at National University.

Joanie earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and holds a B.A. in Engineering from Harvard University. In December 2014 she celebrated the publication of her first book, Flying Without A Helicopter: How to Prepare Young People for Work and Life – which we’ll be officially launching next week.

Connect with Joanie Online:

Visit the Flying without a Helicopter book site, follow her on Twitter, and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Let’s Talk About Flying without a Helicopter

This is the first of two books that Joanie will be writing to the parents (primary audience of Flying without a Helicopter) of the Millennial generation, and to those who now find themselves in a position of managing and leading Millennials in the workplace. Certainly a timely topic as the workforce changes and parents want to help their children start off well on their journey into adulthood.

Flying without a Helicopter is scheduled for launch on February 23, and if you’ve already had an opportunity to read it, I would encourage you to leave a review on Amazon between now and Friday, February 27th. We want to see those numbers rise and to do that, we need your help!

On Tuesday, February 24th at 1 pm (ET), Joanie will be joining Becky Robinson for a FREE 1 hour webinar (registration link | learn more).

If you’d like to learn more about Flying without a Helicopter (or find resources to share with your online communities), I invite you to visit the book’s website where you can download a sample chapter, order in bulk through 800ceoread, and see what others are saying about Joanie’s important book.

My favorite endorsement of the book comes from Alexandra Watkins (author of )…

“This book should be required reading for any parent who wants to ‘help’ their child in the workplace. I will be sending it to the dad who contacted me to set up an interview for his Ivy-league graduate son.”

Visit the website | Order the book | Register for the FREE webinar

You Tell Me: If you would be interested in writing a review of Flying without a Helicopter in exchange for a book – email me!

What You Might Not Know About Amazon Book Rankings, Reviews, and Stock

I spend a fair amount of time stalking my clients’ books on Amazon, checking for reviews and rankings.

We’ve now launched more than 40 books in about two and a half years.

Here are a few observations I’ve made through my endless Amazon stalking:

Everything is relative. 

This might seem evident, but it’s easily overlooked. Your book will rank higher or lower depending upon how other books are selling. If your publisher chooses categories with fewer books, your book may rank more easily in those categories, but you have to weigh that against the relevance of the categories.

Rankings update hourly. 

Your book ranking may update as often as once an hour. Books ranking higher than 10,000 on Amazon will typically change hourly. There is no reason to check more often than that!

Your categories will show up when you rank in the top 100. 

Until your book ranks in a category, it won’t show the category. The overall rank that you need to show up in a category varies depending upon what categories your book is in (again, everything is relative!) We seen some books rank in a category when the book’s overall rank is around 20,000 and other books not rank in categories when the overall rank is as high as 7,000.

You Don’t Need to Stalk Rankings — Login to Amazon Author Central Instead. 

While there is a definite thrill in watching your book rise through the ranks on Amazon, you can also see rankings in your Amazon Author Central account. Additionally, you can view Bookscan sales numbers through your Amazon Author Central account.

Early reviews matter. 

The more reviews you can gather in the early weeks after your book launches, the more you will eventually gather. People seem to want to add their reviews to often-reviewed books. And, often-reviewed books sell more copies. Typically, I tell authors that 50 reviews is the ideal number to set as a goal within a month or  two of your book’s publication. To get those early reviews, you will need to ASK. People may not think to leave them if you don’t remind them. The book we are currently supporting that has the most reviews (141) got 100 reviews very soon after its publication. In the time since its release (about 18 months), the book has sold steadily and added more reviews over time.

Amazon Stock is Unpredictable.

Have conversations with your publisher in advance of your book’s launch to find out about how many books Amazon will stock. The more information you can provide to your publisher about your publicity efforts and events, the more successful they will be in convincing Amazon to stock up on your book. Despite the most proactive planning, there will be times that Amazon will be out of stock. We recently worked with an author. Despite his best efforts and our support and focus, his book was out of stock on Amazon for his entire launch week. His publisher couldn’t provide an explanation. You’ll notice that Amazon’s stock/messaging may change frequently, with indications that your book is out of stock or will take more time to ship. This is normal, but worth talking with your publisher about to be sure they are aware and working with Amazon to restock your book.

Tell me something! What other questions do you have about Amazon stock, rankings, and reviews?

 

Sprinkled with Magic

In line for The Barnstormer, one of Disney World’s kiddie coasters, my daughters and I wondered how we would get onto the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. We missed our chance for a 20 minute wait during magic hours. We didn’t have a Fast Pass. And the ride had been closed for a few hours for maintenance.

While waiting, I started chatting up the ride attendant, who pulled us out of line and started making phone calls to find out when the ride would reopen.

Then she handed us a certificate — in effect, giving us a free Fast Pass.

We experienced a magical moment.

The next day, while shopping outside the gates of Hollywood Studios, my daughters asked the cast member to trade pins — their first trade. Instead of merely trading pin for pin, the cast member offered the girls a choice of an extra pin.

Another magical moment.

Then while my youngest daughter Maggie and I waited for the older girls as they enjoyed an attraction, a crew member who had noticed Maggie’s patience gave her a special pin.

Even other guests sprinkled our Disney experience with magic.

While waiting for a funnel cake, a man behind us in line mentioned he had free snacks to use up from his Disney meal plan. He then bought the girls and me THREE funnel cakes, which we ducked out of the drizzling rain to enjoy.

We expect magic moments at a place aptly named The Magic Kingdom. The latest book from Chip Bell posits that any company can create loyal customers by sprinkling everyday service with magical special touches.

You don’t have to be Disney to sprinkle service with unique surprises to make your customers smile.

Chip’s book is filled with stories, examples, and recommendations for innovating customer service. If you haven’t yet read it, I encourage you to order your copy today.

A sneak preview: the book is absolutely beautiful and colorful. This is one time that I’d encourage you to buy the print edition instead of Kindle. It would also make a fantastic gift for every member of your team!

 

The More Things Change

One afternoon in High School, I watched in awe as a friend connected his IBM PC Jr to a touch-tone telephone. Moments later, after a series of loud squawks and whistles, we were staring at the login for the local university’s library mainframe. That was 1982.

Then came Compuserve, BBSs, Prodigy, and finally America Online. The free AOL discs were suddenly everywhere. But just as quickly as it grew to one million users, AOL was absorbed into the larger Internet and World Wide Web.

Along came social networks. MySpace quickly eclipsed Friendster, which already left The WELL in the dust. In a few short years, Twitter and Facebook took over the world.

Now my teenage children roll their eyes at Facebook if they even acknowledge it at all. They’re connecting with friends on Instagram, Reddit, and Snapchat. Or they meet virtually in Minecraft.

Despite all of these changes, there is still a common thread running from the invention of the telephone to the connected smart phones of today.

Physical networks are enabling human ones.

And the only thing we can be certain about is change. And the pace of change is increasing exponentially.

Most importantly, the tastes of our audiences change faster than the platforms’ ability to catch up. Teenagers are leaving Facebook for Instagram. Next month a new platform may be all the rage. Someday those same teenagers will be adults and consumers and we’ll have to find them to reach them.

What does this mean for marketers today and in the future?

It’s no secret that humans are social creatures. We crave connection. We constantly invent new tools and platforms to connect ourselves to each other.

Because things change so rapidly, it’s vital for marketers to not grow complacent in one network or another. In the 90’s, companies spent millions building out communities on AOL. Look where that got them. But marketers must also stop worrying about the Next Big Thing. The only thing that’s certain is that we can’t predict what’s over the horizon.

Those two ideas may seem contradictory, and they are. But the message is clear. 

Use the tools available to you but adopt a flexible outlook.

And focus on connectivity and content instead of the platform.

If you are creating quality and compelling content, targeting the right audience, and it’s available on myriad platforms, you’ll do just fine. If you are betting the house on a Facebook strategy or Twitter strategy, you risk getting left behind.

I can state with confidence that Facebook isn’t going anywhere. But I’m certain that our audiences will move on and we will need the flexibility to meet them wherever they are.

Image by geralt-9301

Featured on Friday: Keep Jamie Rocking at Home

As far as I can remember, it started with a square of dark chocolate.

I first met Maren and Jamie Showkeir at a Berrett-Koehler event in San Francisco during the summer of 2013. In a room where many of the people had long-lasting friendships and collegial relationships, I felt like (and was!) a newbie.

But the Showkeirs, among others, welcomed me warmly. (Maren welcomed me by sharing a square of dark chocolate.)

We bonded instantly. Jamie is a graduate of Miami (OH) University, also my alma mater.

As a couple, Jamie and Maren exude warmth, openness, and genuine affection for and interest in others. Their commitment and love for each other is immediately evident. They interact with ease, respect, and grace.

We ate dinner with a group of common friends outdoors one night, laughing and sharing. I picture the two of them walking away at evening’s end, Jamie’s arm draped over Maren’s shoulder, bracing her against the chill.

After the event, I had the pleasure of working with the Showkeirs on social media strategy. We met over Skype, with Jamie and Maren on camera from their home in Phoenix, their cat wandering on and off camera. Those meetings, too, filled with laughter — in my memory, those calls are studded with sun, warmth, and true enjoyment and pleasure in working with dear friends.

Shock and deep sadness filled me when I received an email from Jamie about a year after our first meeting with the news that he had received a confirmed diagnosis of ALS. Even in that message, Jamie communicated with clarity and grace. He wrote “our life has become intensely focused, and we are determined to live with joy every day, stay present to each other, and to deal with the things we must deal with as they come in the best way that we can.”

And he wrote “Even though we haven’t known each other all that long, knowing you, working with you and having you in my life is a gift and I am grateful. You are delightful to be with and your competence is exceptional. Thanks for being a part of our journey.” Even in the midst of his most profound challenge, he took the time to lift me up.

Jamie and Maren have been a gift to me since that first meeting. It is an extreme honor to know and interact with them.

In these difficult days, as Jamie’s physical condition worsens, I am grateful for the opportunity to join with others in supporting Jamie and Maren on their journey.

Along with Jesse Stoner, Jennifer Kahnweiler, Bill Treasurer, and the Berrett-Koehler author community, we’re raising $60,000 to provide funds for care at home, not covered by insurance.

We started the campaign to ease the journey for the Showkeirs by providing needed finances.

What we’ve seen, in just two days, is that this campaign is providing so much more than that; every gift is evidence of the love and care Maren and Jamie have poured into others. Each gift represents how very deeply this community loves and cares for them.

We are grateful to be able to do something to demonstrate our concern, to show Jamie and Maren that they are not alone. We are standing with them, and though miles may separate us, they are in our hearts.

Whether you know Jamie and Maren personally or not, I invite you to be a part of the supportive community we are creating by giving to this effort (click here to visit the site). Scroll through the notes of encouragement friends have shared on our Go Fund Me page for a taste of the sweetness the Showkeirs have brought to the world.

As of 8 a.m., February 6, 2015

 

As I write this, we are close to 75% of reaching our goal of $60,000. Every $20 increment pays for an hour of care.

Our “Featured on Friday” posts always feature someone special, but today is a bit of a departure. I am sure once you read through the comments on Jamie’s site,  you will see why this was simply the only choice.

Today’s choice reciprocates the good will and generosity that began with the simple sweetness of a square of chocolate.

What Really Matters

Amy, a long-time Weaving Influence team member, lost her mother, Carolyn, last week.

In the week or so before her mother’s death, she took off some time to plan music and gather photos for her mother’s memorial service.

She said, wisely, “I don’t get a do-over on this.”

As I sat in the back row at her mother’s service, witness to and observer of the friends and family who gathered to remember and reminisce, I remembered Amy’s words and felt grateful that she did what mattered most at exactly the right time.

We don’t get do-overs in this life.

We can do what matters most, in the moments we have, or those moments are gone.

What’s needed is to have clarity about what really matters and to be decisive to take action, moment by moment, to pursue what’s most meaningful and important to us.

Though I didn’t know Amy’s mother, the stories her friends and family shared brought her to life for me. In each story, the themes of what mattered in her life resonated loudly.

Here’s what I heard:

Family matters. After many miscarriages and a deep desire to have a child, Carolyn became pregnant and gave birth to Amy at age 40. Her nieces and nephews, whom Carolyn invested in over the years as if they were her own children,  recounted her joy and anticipation of Amy’s birth and her dedication to her daughter. Carolyn cherished Amy because family, especially those closest to us, matter.

Friends matter. Carolyn’s friends described her house as a home where they were always welcome and where laughter, fun, and homemade pie always topped the menu.

Faith matters. Amy narrowed from 49 of her mother’s favorite hymns to 5 for the service. Friends remembered Bible studies and Carolyn’s love of a cappella songs at church.

Pets matter. Amy’s mom loved boxer dogs, especially her dog Kip. Our furry friends are a big part of our lives and happiness.

Hard work matters. Friends recounted the two jobs Carolyn worked to provide for Amy, particularly after her husband’s death. Work is an important and meaningful part of our lives and the reason we work, as much as the actual work that we do, brings meaning to the sacrifices work sometimes requires.

What was missing from the conversation at Carolyn’s memorial: no one mentioned the cars she drove, how much money she made, what clothes she wore, or places she traveled. No one mentioned a list of possessions or even awards/accomplishments.

Instead, everyone focused on what really matters, the things that loss brings into focus for us.

For today, I am reminding myself, I don’t get a do-over. Moment by moment, I want to choose what matters. Thanks, Amy. Thanks, Carolyn.

Featured on Friday: #Sprinkles Author @ChipRBell

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m thankful it’s Friday. It’s been a long week with lots of late nights and the occasional feeling that my eyes might just pop out of my head if I look at a computer screen for one more minute.

However, whenever I have found myself working on something for the upcoming launch of Sprinkles, I couldn’t help but smile.

Writing about Chip and his newest book seems like the perfect way to kick off – what I hope will be – a relaxing weekend.

Meet Chip Bell (Again!)

Chip is a senior  partner  with the Chip Bell Group  and manages their office near Atlanta. A renowned keynote speaker, he has served as consultant,  trainer, and speaker  to such  major  organizations as GE, Microsoft, Nationwide,  Marriott,  Lockheed-Martin,  Cadillac,  KeyBank, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, United Technologies, Caterpillar, Eli Lilly, Verizon Wireless, USAA, Merrill Lynch, Hertz,  Accenture, Cornell University, Harley-Davidson, and Victoria’s Secret. [Impressive, isn’t it?]

Prior to starting  a consulting  firm in the early 1980s, he was director  of Management and  Organization Development  for NCNB (now Bank of America). In 2014, The Chip Bell Group  was ranked  number six in North America among mid-sized consulting  firms for leadership development.  Additionally, Dr. Bell [he has a Ph.D. in addition to his other achievements!] was a highly  decorated  infantry  unit commander in Vietnam with the elite 82nd Airborne. [And we thank you for your service, Chip!]

In his “spare” time, Chip is also the author or co-author of 21 books, including several award-winners like Wired and Dangerous (with John Patterson) and Managers as Mentors (with Marshall Goldsmith). In August 2013 he released The 9 1/2 Principles of Innovative Service - and if you enjoyed that book, you’ll love Sprinkles (launching on February 10)!

Connect with Chip Online:

Visit the Sprinkles book site, learn more about his consulting group, follow him on Twitter, and connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Let’s Talk About Sprinkles

My favorite line about Chip’s newest book is this one: “If Cirque du Soleil wrote a book on customer service, it would probably sound like Sprinkles.” Having attended my first Cirque du Soleil show last summer, that paints a vivid picture in my mind of what I can expect from Chip’s book. Just as sprinkles make a good cupcake special, this amazing book provides the perfect recipe for elevating the loyalty of today’s picky, fickle, and vocal customers. And as Flo from Progressive likes to say, “Sprinkles are for winners.“

Sprinkles is scheduled for launch on February 10 – the same day as our FREE 1 hour webinar with Chip, hosted by Becky Robinson (registration link below).

If you’d like to learn more about Sprinkles (or find resources to share with your online communities), I invite you to visit the book’s website where you can download a sample chapter, order in bulk, and see what others are saying about Chip’s latest addition to the innovative service library.

Visit the website | Pre-order the book | Register for the FREE webinar

You Tell Me: If you could send a copy of Sprinkles to any company leader, which company would it be? 

Featured on Friday: #HiddenLeaders Authors @ScottKEdinger and Laurie Sain

I’ve defined myself as “a reader” since I was five years old, and am a sucker for Jane Austen (Mansfield Park is my favorite), Agatha Christie (Murder on the Orient Express), and C.S. Lewis (The Four Loves). When my husband found out I would be working with a company that provided free books, he knew I had found my dream job.

As an individual with natural introverted tendencies I would never have defined myself as a leader, but after years of working in environments where leadership was non-existent I started looking for resources to share with others. Long before I met Becky on Twitter or had the opportunity through Weaving Influence to work with so many wonderful people in the leadership realm, I was gaining a passion for books on leadership.

With (literally) millions of books on Amazon, it’s easy to see how readers like me wouldn’t know where to start – there are so many good (and not-so-good) books in the world; I hope that when you see a book promoted by Weaving Influence, you find your starting point, place and order, and begin reading.

Last week we shared about one of our first book launches of 2015. Well get ready, because I’m about to tell you about the second one – and it’s authors – taking place the same week!

Meet Scott Edinger and Laurie Sain

Scott and Laurie co-authored The Hidden Leader: Discover and Develop Greatness Within Your Company (AMACOM, 2015). Their Weaving Influence launch is February 2 – 6, with the book officially debuting on February 4. 

Scott Edinger is recognized as an expert in helping organizations achieve top and bottom line growth.

He’s a regular contributor to Forbes and the Harvard Business Review, and co-authored The Inspiring Leader (McGraw- Hill) and the Harvard Business Review article Making Yourself Indispensable, called by HBR a “classic in the making”.

As founder of Edinger Consulting Group, Scott has worked with leaders in nearly every industry sector, helping them formulate and implement growth strategies, increase revenue and profit, develop leadership capacity, drive employee engagement, and attract and retain talent.

Laurie Sain is a professional writer and consultant, whose clients span virtually every major industry and include Fortune 1000 companies such as Apple, IBM, Union Pacific, Weyerhauser, and Charles Schwab Corporation.

She leads clients through strategic planning at the conceptual level, and then develops realistic executive and front-line solutions that enable each company’s vision to thrive. Laurie was formerly the director of content for Ninth House Network.

Laurie lives in Lander, Wyoming.

About The Hidden Leader

From Amazon: Think you can spot the leaders in your company? Don’t assume that you can identify them by their positions. What about those employees who consistently step up: the field agent who solves a previously intractable problem; the service rep who thinks outside the box and creates unshakeable customer loyalty. These are more than “good employees”…these are “hidden leaders”…and they are critical to an organization’s long-term success.

Managers today need to make the most of all their resources – and The Hidden Leader shows them how to recognize and cultivate these talented but under utilized employees, who: demonstrate integrity; lead through authentic relationships; focus on results; work from clear customer purpose; and, fulfill the value promise of the company.

Pre-Order on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | 800ceoread 

Find Scott & Laurie Online

You can connect with both Scott and Laurie on LinkedIn, and Scott is also on Twitter, so make sure you say hello.

To learn more about their new book together, or find resources to share during the launch week, visit their book page at thehiddenleader.com.

Excited about their book (great for all those managers AND “hidden leaders” out there!)? Send this Tweet Now!

Do you have #HiddenLeaders on your team? @ScottKEdinger & Laurie Sain have written a book for you! http://bit.ly/hiddenldr {Click to Tweet}

Want to find more tweets to share? Check out the The Hidden Leader on Aha Amplifier – 140 Ahas to share on Twitter!

You Tell Me! What’s the best leadership book you’ve EVER read?

Featured on Friday: #RefireBook by @KenBlanchard and @DrMHShaevitz

Readers and Book Reviewers, Team Buzz Builders and Casual Promoters – GET READY! February 2nd starts our busy spring book launch season, and our team is in full swing working to get everything ready for an exciting line up of authors and books covering a variety of topics. 

Due to the number of books we launch, it can become problematic for me to have direct contact with each author, which is why most of the time I choose to work through the project manager to communicate questions and gain approval of our work. We’ve found that it simplifies things for me, as well as for the client.

However, there have been a few instances when I have stepped back into the role of project manager, adding “Client Communication” to the hats that I wear. In the case of Refire! Don’t Retire by Ken Blanchard and Morton Shaevitz, I have had that opportunity to work directly with Dr. Shaevitz and various members of Ken’s team, and I am so excited to tell you about these great authors and their newest book – launching February 2 – 6.

Meet Ken and Morton

Ken Blanchard, one of the most influential leadership experts in the world, is the co-author of the iconic bestseller, The One Minute Manager, and 60 other books whose combined sales total more than 21 million copies. His groundbreaking works have been translated into more than 27 languages and in 2005 he was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time.

Ken is also the co-founder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.

When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego.

For more than three decades, Dr. Morton Shaevitz has been helping individuals and organizations to grow and change through his work as a clinician, author, consultant, and speaker. Much of his early career focused on gender issues at home and in the workplace. He and his wife Marjorie wrote Making It Together As A Two Career Couple, the first US book published in this area.

As a member of the Internal Medicine division at Scripps Clinic, he developed a number of behavioral health programs and his interest turned toward medical and geriatric psychology. He is currently the chair of the section of Geriatric Psychology for the California Psychological Association.

He has served as a member of the Leadership Advisory Council of the Stein Institute for Research on Aging and is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego.

Find Ken and Morton Online

If you’re not already doing so, I highly recommend you follow, like, and in any way possible connect online with both Ken and Morton. You will find yourself encouraged and challenged in your thinking on a daily basis – and that’s a good thing!

Ken: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+

Morton: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

About the Book

Refire! Don’t Retire asks readers the all-important question: As you approach the remainder of your life, what are you going to do to make it joyful and meaningful? Ken Blanchard and Morton Shaevitz point out that too many people see their later years as a time to endure rather than as an exciting opportunity.

Both research and common sense confirm that people who embrace these years with gusto – rather than withdrawing or waiting for things to happen – consistently make the rest of their lives the best of their lives.

The authors tell the compelling story of Larry and Janice Sparks, who discover how to see each day as an opportunity to enhance their relationships, stimulate their minds, revitalize their bodies, and grow spiritually. Readers will find humor, practical information, and profound wisdom in Refire! Don’t Retire.

Who is this book for? Those facing retirement, adult children with older parents, anyone looking for a plan to help them make the latter half of their life as exciting – or more so – than the early years. You don’t need to wait until you’re of retirement age to start putting the lessons from Refire! into practice. Pre-order your copy on Amazon today!

How to Be Involved in the Launch

There are several ways to be involved in the launch of Refire! Don’t Retire.

The easiest way is to visit the book’s website where you can find resources to share (tweets to send, graphics to include in blog posts, and links to buy the book).
You are also invited to join Ken and Morton as they sit down (virtually) with Becky Robinson on Monday, February 2nd. It’s free to attend the webinar, but you’ll need to sign up in order to join in the conversation.
Pre-order Refire! Don’t Retire from one of the online retailers, like Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It’s also available as an Audible book, for those who would prefer to listen.
Once you’ve read the book, go back to Amazon and leave a review! If you’re on Goodreads, make sure you put it on your bookshelf (and leave a review there when you’re done).
Ready to promote now? Click HERE to send this tweet now: I’m excited about the new book from @KenBlanchard & @DrMHShaevitz, coming Feb. 2: http://bit.ly/MBrefire #RefireBook

Featured on Friday: Meet TBB Member @JenniferVMiller

One of the things that I love about doing book launches is the opportunity to get to know people like Andy, Jane, Chantal, and John. As I’ve said before, without the faithful members of Team Buzz Builder, we could not be as successful in our launches.

While some members may think, “I’m just sending a few tweets” or “It’s only a short review”, I see it as fantastic promotional material for our amazing authors and will retweet and share everything I can find. One person talking about a book turns into five people, then 25, then 1,000.

The power of social media is  that one tweet can be amplified to thousands, and that’s just one of the reasons I like turning the spotlight on some of our most faithful Buzz Builders. It’s a small way for us to say “thank you” for being part of our social megaphone.

Meet Jennifer Miller

Jennifer V. Miller is a leadership development consultant whose writing and digital training materials help business professionals better lead themselves and others towards greater career success. Follow Jennifer on LinkedIn or Twitter. You should also sign up for her free tip sheet: “Why is it So Hard to Shut Up? 18 Ways to THINK before you Speak” and read her award-winning blog The People Equation.

Why do you like being a part of Team Buzz Builder?

It’s wonderful being a part of a community that wants to put positive, upbeat messages out to the world for the business community and for business professionals. I’ve been a member of other book launch communities, but didn’t feel as “plugged in.” Because I know Team Buzz Builder’s founder personally, I have trust that the books selected are not only of the highest caliber, but the authors stand for integrity and positive messages as well.

What benefit do you think you receive from being a part of TBB?

I’m a learning junkie, so from a personal standpoint, I’m always learning something new from the TBB authors. From a professional standpoint it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends in business management and leadership. I can count on the Buzz Building team to present me with books tailored to my interests. As a blogger, my readership counts on me to bring them fresh and current content, and there’s nothing like a being able to say, “I’ve got an advance copy of [name of famous author]’s book and here’s a tidbit that I can share with you.”

If someone asked you why they should join Team Buzz Builder, what would you tell them?

Join because today’s business world moves fast. Staying up to date is the only way to stay relevant, and reading business books is one way to do that.

Tell us more about your work/family/life/hobbies… the fun stuff!

It probably comes as no surprise that I’m an avid reader – historical fiction, chick lit, biographies, science fiction (in small doses) –  I love it all! I actually read cookbooks as a form of relaxation. My life is a kaleidoscope of of writing, running my consulting company, and chauffeuring my kids to and from their school and sporting events. My favorite hobby is vegetable gardening. Flowers are lovely, but there’s nothing like being able to eat the fruits (and veggies!) of ones labor.

I don’t know about you, but I learned something new about Jennifer while writing this (feel free to send me some of those home grown veggies, Jennifer!), and I hope you will connect with her online if you haven’t already done so.

Interested in joining Jennifer and the others as part of our Buzz Building team? Sign up today!