Mike Capuzzi's Blog, page 10

Unleashing the Author Factor: Essential Takeaways from Intimacy Expert, Magda Kay

Are you a business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate leader with a story to tell? Have you ever considered writing a book to share your knowledge and expertise?

If so, you're in for a treat! In this Author Factor interview, we'll explore the inspiring journey of Magda Kay, author of the insightful book "No More Faking It: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Love, Pleasure, and Fulfillment She Deeply Desires." Magda's story will serve as a catalyst to encourage you to consider your own book and how it can positively impact your professional journey.

Book Writing Takeaway 1: Unleash Your Unique Perspective
One of the most powerful aspects of writing a book is the opportunity to share your unique perspective with the world. Magda's book demonstrates how she found her voice as an intimacy expert and transformed her experiences into valuable insights. As a business owner, entrepreneur, or corporate leader, you possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can benefit others. Embrace your unique perspective and use it as fuel to inspire and educate your audience.

Book Writing Takeaway 2: Embrace Vulnerability and Authenticity
Magda's book delves into the importance of being vulnerable and authentic in our relationships. As an author, it's vital to infuse these qualities into your writing as well. Business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who authentically share their stories and lessons learned not only engage readers but also build trust and credibility. Embrace vulnerability in your writing process, and watch as your audience connects deeply with your words.

Book Publishing Takeaway 3: Overcome Challenges and Share Your Message
Magda's book faced challenges and censorship due to its intimate subject matter. However, she persevered because she knew her message was important and needed in today's social media-driven world. Similarly, as you embark on your own book journey, be prepared for obstacles and setbacks. Remember that your message is valuable, and don't let challenges deter you. Seek guidance from experts like me, who can support and guide you through the publishing process at BiteSizedBooks.com/the-next-step.

Magda Kay's book journey serves as an inspirational example for business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who are considering writing their own book.

Now, it's your turn to make an impact through writing. Schedule a meeting with Mike Capuzzi at BiteSizedBooks.com/the-next-step and explore how your own book can enhance your professional journey and benefit others. Unleash the author within you and transform the lives of those who need your expertise.

Tune in to the full episode here and explore the world of authorship, branding, and marketing with The Author Factor Podcast!

Listen here: https://authorfactor.com/magda-kay

The post Unleashing the Author Factor: Essential Takeaways from Intimacy Expert, Magda Kay appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Your Short Book: The Bridge Content

Today’s article focuses on a section of a short book that I have developed and refined over the years and is one thing that separates my short, helpful book or shook recipe from every other type of nonfiction book out there.

The Bridge Content is one of the main reasons why the shook formula is so powerful for business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who want to use their book as a positioning and marketing/sales tool.

This section represents a “bridge” between your Main Matter chapters and your “selling” chapters. Up to this point, you have shared helpful information, and now it’s time to connect the dots for your readers and share with them how you can specifically help them. Here are the three suggested chapters:

Who Relies on Us/Me chapter—I discovered this strategy from Dan Kennedy and tweaked its use for shook authors. Including this chapter is a smart strategy for your shook because it reassures readers that you serve people just like them-for a specific reason. This chapter allows readers to find himself/herself and learn the specific reason others like him/her work with you obtain/fix/strategize the specific reason articulated.

Your “Special Sauce” chapter—this chapter should describe your unique product or service advantage, which ideally is branded to you and your business. In my opinion, if you can develop this for your business, you have a valuable and unique advantage over your competition. Years ago, I wrote an entire newsletter about this.

The Next Step chapter—It’s critical your short, helpful books tells readers the next thing they must do in order to achieve the goal they were seeking when they first picked it up. I call this the “Active Call-to-Action,” and it’s the thing you want the reader to do after reading your shook. I like to keep this limited to one thing, so it’s clear and simple to do. Depending on your business, it could be to call you, visit you, fill out a survey, etc. Give explicit and detailed instructions on what to do next if they truly want to solve their problem or achieve their goal.

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who work with me, get my personal help on developing power Bridge Content for their short book.

If you would like my help creating your own shook, schedule a Zoom meeting with me (link below).

Business Growth Opportunities

I'm excited to offer you four unique opportunities to stand out, elevate your business, and attract your perfect customers (clients, students, patients, etc.):

1-Read my short, helpful books.
Get them here: https://mikecapuzzi.com/author

2-Listen to The Author Factor Podcast. Each 20-minute episode is packed with real-world and helpful tips to leverage a book in your business.
Check it out here: https://AuthorFactor.com.

3-Work with me to publish your short, helpful book. I enable business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to publish the ideal “customer-attraction” short book in less than three months. Want to discuss how? 
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me here: https://bitesizedbooks.com/program

4-Join my Capuzzi Private Coaching Group. I’ve been helping clients since 1998 and if you are looking for the most personalized, advanced way to leverage my two-plus decades of success this is it.
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me to discuss: https://mikecapuzzi.com/coach

The post Your Short Book: The Bridge Content appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Your Short Book: The Main Matter Section

Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing my personal suggestions and recommendations for putting together the content for your own short, helpful book (a shook). The structure and flow I am sharing is based on years of marketing and sales experience and the publishing of over 250 short, helpful books for myself and others.

Today, I want to focus on the Main Matter Section which is your book’s main content chapters.

Remember, short, helpful books are NOT designed to teach readers everything you know about the topic of the shook. They are meant to provide valuable information and then guide the reader to the next step, which is typically contacting you.

I like to target 5-7 main content chapters, but based on your specific shook, you may have more. The typical length of these chapters is 1,000–2,500 words depending on how many you have.

These chapters are focused on the BIG IDEA of your book and should help the reader achieve the PROMISE of your book, but without overloading them with unnecessary bloat.

You want to be strategic in the flow and content of your Main Matter Section.

When I work with clients, we figure out the best Main Matter content to include and pay particular attention to the chapter titles, amount of content shared, and any specific chapter calls-to-action.

I do recommend considering having either a specific call-to-action in each chapter or you can reiterate your main call-to-action a few times.  In my own shooks, I will often include a link to download a bonus resource in specific chapters.

I recently interviewed CEO and author, Brandon Barnum on my podcast (https://authorfactor.com/brandon-barnum/) and Brandon did something I think is really smart and I have not seen anyone else do. 

He created chapter-specific videos for each of his main chapters and used hyperlinks and QR codes to allow readers to quickly access them.

Not only did this provide additional, relevant content for readers. It also allowed Brandon to build his email list.

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who work with me, get my personal help on doing all this early on, so you know exactly what is needed. What is important is the structure of each chapter and the option to offer additional valuable information with a chapter-specific download.

Business Growth Opportunities

I'm excited to offer you four unique opportunities to stand out, elevate your business, and attract your perfect customers (clients, students, patients, etc.):

1-Read my short, helpful books.
Get them here: https://mikecapuzzi.com/author

2-Listen to The Author Factor Podcast. Each 20-minute episode is packed with real-world and helpful tips to leverage a book in your business.
Check it out here: https://AuthorFactor.com.

3-Work with me to publish your short, helpful book. I enable business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to publish the ideal “customer-attraction” short book in less than three months. Want to discuss how? 
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me here: https://bitesizedbooks.com/program

4-Join my Capuzzi Private Coaching Group. I’ve been helping clients since 1998 and if you are looking for the most personalized, advanced way to leverage my two-plus decades of success this is it.
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me to discuss: https://mikecapuzzi.com/coach

The post Your Short Book: The Main Matter Section appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Your Short Book’s Main Matter Section

Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing my personal suggestions and recommendations for putting together the content for your own short, helpful book (a shook). The structure and flow I am sharing is based on years of marketing and sales experience and the publishing of over 250 short, helpful books for myself and others.

Today, I want to focus on the Main Matter Section which is your book’s main content chapters.

Remember, short, helpful books are NOT designed to teach readers everything you know about the topic of the shook. They are meant to provide valuable information and then guide the reader to the next step, which is typically contacting you.

I like to target 5-7 main content chapters, but based on your specific shook, you may have more. The typical length of these chapters is 1,000–2,500 words depending on how many you have.

These chapters are focused on the BIG IDEA of your book and should help the reader achieve the PROMISE of your book, but without overloading them with unnecessary bloat.

You want to be strategic in the flow and content of your Main Matter Section.

When I work with clients, we figure out the best Main Matter content to include and pay particular attention to the chapter titles, amount of content shared, and any specific chapter calls-to-action.

I do recommend considering having either a specific call-to-action in each chapter or you can reiterate your main call-to-action a few times.  In my own shooks, I will often include a link to download a bonus resource in specific chapters.

I recently interviewed CEO and author, Brandon Barnum on my podcast (https://authorfactor.com/brandon-barnum/) and Brandon did something I think is really smart and I have not seen anyone else do. 

He created chapter-specific videos for each of his main chapters and used hyperlinks and QR codes to allow readers to quickly access them.

Not only did this provide additional, relevant content for readers. It also allowed Brandon to build his email list.

Business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders who work with me, get my personal help on doing all this early on, so you know exactly what is needed. What is important is the structure of each chapter and the option to offer additional valuable information with a chapter-specific download.

Business Growth Opportunities

I'm excited to offer you four unique opportunities to stand out, elevate your business, and attract your perfect customers (clients, students, patients, etc.):

1-Read my short, helpful books.
Get them here: https://mikecapuzzi.com/author

2-Listen to The Author Factor Podcast. Each 20-minute episode is packed with real-world and helpful tips to leverage a book in your business.
Check it out here: https://AuthorFactor.com.

3-Work with me to publish your short, helpful book. I enable business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to publish the ideal “customer-attraction” short book in less than three months. Want to discuss how? 
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me here: https://bitesizedbooks.com/program

4-Join my Capuzzi Private Coaching Group. I’ve been helping clients since 1998 and if you are looking for the most personalized, advanced way to leverage my two-plus decades of success this is it.
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me to discuss: https://mikecapuzzi.com/coach

The post Your Short Book’s Main Matter Section appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships (with Brandon Barnum)

On this episode of The Author Factor Podcast titled, Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships, I am joined by author, CEO, and referral marketing expert, Brandon Barnum.

Brandon is the author of the book, Raving Referrals, and during our conversation, I was constantly amazed at all the smart things Brandon is doing with respect to his book marketing and referral marketing.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from this super-valuable episode:

1-Harness the Power of Referral Partnerships: Referral partnerships are an invaluable asset for amplifying your brand's reach and attracting quality leads. By forging strategic alliances with other professionals serving the same ideal clients, you can tap into their networks and create a systematic referral process that drives consistent business.

2-Build Lifetime Client Campaigns through Automation: The episode emphasizes the importance of having a CRM system to automate follow-ups and keep your brand top of mind. With their own CRM system at HOA.com, Brandon uses dynamic client campaigns to nurture long-term relationships, ultimately driving client loyalty.

3-Craft Niche Versions of Your Book: A brilliant idea discussed during the episode revolves around creating niche versions of your book. By customizing your content to fit specific industries, such as "Raving Referrals for Dentists," you can tailor your message and examples to resonate deeply with your target audience, attracting attention and establishing yourself as an expert in their field.

4-The Art of Asking for Referrals: Asking for referrals can be an uncomfortable task for many professionals. That's why the episode highlights the importance of setting the stage, actively listening for referral triggers, and confidently asking for introductions to potential clients. By systematically incorporating these steps into your interactions, you can unlock the potential of referral partnerships and experience exponential growth.

5-Add Multimedia Elements to Your Book: Gone are the days of a book being confined to printed pages. As discussed in this episode, incorporating audio and video content into your book allows readers to better understand and connect with your message. Don't shy away from embracing technology and leveraging QR codes and videos to enhance the reader experience and make your book truly unforgettable.

By implementing these strategies into your author journey, you can establish a strong brand presence, foster valuable relationships, and pave the way for long-term success. Remember, partnering with fellow professionals, embracing technology, and continuously seeking growth are the keys to becoming a true authorpreneur.

Tune in to the full episode here and explore the world of authorship, branding, and marketing with The Author Factor Podcast!

Listen here: https://authorfactor.com/brandon-barnum/

The post Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships (with Brandon Barnum) appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships (w/Brandon Barnum)

On this episode of The Author Factor Podcast titled, Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships, I am joined by author, CEO, and referral marketing expert, Brandon Barnum.

Brandon is the author of the book, Raving Referrals, and during our conversation, I was constantly amazed at all the smart things Brandon is doing with respect to his book marketing and referral marketing.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from this super-valuable episode:

1-Harness the Power of Referral Partnerships: Referral partnerships are an invaluable asset for amplifying your brand's reach and attracting quality leads. By forging strategic alliances with other professionals serving the same ideal clients, you can tap into their networks and create a systematic referral process that drives consistent business.

2-Build Lifetime Client Campaigns through Automation: The episode emphasizes the importance of having a CRM system to automate follow-ups and keep your brand top of mind. With their own CRM system at HOA.com, Brandon uses dynamic client campaigns to nurture long-term relationships, ultimately driving client loyalty.

3-Craft Niche Versions of Your Book: A brilliant idea discussed during the episode revolves around creating niche versions of your book. By customizing your content to fit specific industries, such as "Raving Referrals for Dentists," you can tailor your message and examples to resonate deeply with your target audience, attracting attention and establishing yourself as an expert in their field.

4-The Art of Asking for Referrals: Asking for referrals can be an uncomfortable task for many professionals. That's why the episode highlights the importance of setting the stage, actively listening for referral triggers, and confidently asking for introductions to potential clients. By systematically incorporating these steps into your interactions, you can unlock the potential of referral partnerships and experience exponential growth.

5-Add Multimedia Elements to Your Book: Gone are the days of a book being confined to printed pages. As discussed in this episode, incorporating audio and video content into your book allows readers to better understand and connect with your message. Don't shy away from embracing technology and leveraging QR codes and videos to enhance the reader experience and make your book truly unforgettable.

By implementing these strategies into your author journey, you can establish a strong brand presence, foster valuable relationships, and pave the way for long-term success. Remember, partnering with fellow professionals, embracing technology, and continuously seeking growth are the keys to becoming a true authorpreneur.

Tune in to the full episode here and explore the world of authorship, branding, and marketing with The Author Factor Podcast!

Listen here: https://authorfactor.com/brandon-barnum/

The post Creating Raving Referrals: Unleashing the Power of Referral Partnerships (w/Brandon Barnum) appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

What Should Go in the Front Matter Section in a Short, Helpful Book

In a previous article, I outlined the 5 Essential Sections of a Short, Helpful Book (a shook).

I thought it would be valuable if I went a bit deeper on a few of these sections and give specific tips and examples for the most critical parts and chapters in each section, starting with the Front Matter Content.

Please note you could have other content in this section, and I describe some of these other parts in both The 100-Page Book and The Magic of Short Books (you can buy here).

Here is a brief, but helpful description of the major parts of a short, helpful book’s Front Matter section:

1-Reader Bonus/Gift Offer: This is the right-hand side page that is first seen when somebody opens your shook. In many books, this page is left blank or is the title page. In a shook, this page is specifically designed to be a reader bonus/gift page where readers can get a valuable bonus/gift (your Passive CTA).

2-Foreword: This is optional, but if it makes sense and you can find a V.I.P. to write the foreword to your shook, it can make it that much more powerful. My client, Dr. John Frank did this when he had his former NFL teammate, Joe Montana, write his Foreword. When thinking about a person to write it, consider who you would like to have associated with your shook and who may be inclined to share it with their circles of influence simply because they were asked to write the foreword. If you cannot find a notable V.I.P., consider asking a valuable customer to write it for you.

3-Who Should Read This Book?: I like to be upfront and transparent with my shook’s goals and exactly who I created it for. While I appreciate people who are interested in my shook, if they don’t fit the profile of the types of business owners I’m looking to attract and work with, they do me little good. This chapter allows me to boldly proclaim who should and should not read my shook. In turn, this will strengthen the bond with my target readers, since they know I wrote it specifically for them.

4-My Promise to You: Starting your shook off with a bold promise is a smart way to keep you focused on what you must deliver and prepare your readers for what to expect. Few business owners set any sort of lofty expectation these days, so making a promise from the beginning shows you are different than the masses.

5-Introduction: I recommend all shook authors start their shook with a “reason why” introduction that articulates the reason(s) why you are publishing it. Let your readers know what they will get by reading it, why it’s different, and why it’s important they read it now. An excellent book recommendation for crafting your “why” is Start with Why by Simon Sinek.

Business Growth Opportunities

I'm excited to offer you four unique opportunities to stand out, elevate your business, and attract your perfect customers (clients, students, patients, etc.):

1-Read my short, helpful books.
Get them here: https://mikecapuzzi.com/author

2-Listen to The Author Factor Podcast. Each 20-minute episode is packed with real-world and helpful tips to leverage a book in your business.
Check it out here: https://AuthorFactor.com.

3-Work with me to publish your short, helpful book. I enable business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to publish the ideal “customer-attraction” short book in less than three months. Want to discuss how? 
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me here: https://bitesizedbooks.com/program

4-Join my Capuzzi Private Coaching Group. I’ve been helping clients since 1998 and if you are looking for the most personalized, advanced way to leverage my two-plus decades of success this is it.
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me to discuss: https://mikecapuzzi.com/coach

The post What Should Go in the Front Matter Section in a Short, Helpful Book appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Finding Purpose After Service: Mentoring Veterans and Sharing Wisdom Through Writing (with Rich LaMonica)

On this episode of The Author Factor Podcast titled, Finding Purpose After Service: Mentoring Veterans and Sharing Wisdom Through Writing , I am joined by author, U.S. Army veteran, and podcast host, Rich LaMonica.

Rich's background is one that's shaped by hard work and determination. After initially feeling unfulfilled in college, Rich joined the army and served for 22 years, including four trips to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. After retiring from the army, he struggled to find a job but eventually found purpose in mentoring other veterans.

Rich's accomplishments in the writing world include his book The 13 Step Guide to Success, which draws inspiration from his experiences and advice from his father. He also launched a podcast called "Misfit Nation" to give veterans a voice and provide support. Rich emphasizes the importance of promoting his work through word of mouth and shares his belief in humility and hard work, values instilled in him by his father.

During the episode, Rich shares insights into the challenges of self-publishing, including the need for a team to handle marketing and promotion tasks. He also discusses the significance of his book's connection to a cause and the importance of building strong communities at the local level.

Rich also reveals his current project, a book titled "The Climb," which explores the story of a soldier dealing with multiple deployments and PTSD.

In this engaging and inspiring episode of The Author Factor Podcast, listeners will gain valuable insights into the writing journey, the importance of connecting with others, and finding purpose in the pursuit of their passions. Whether you're an aspiring author or simply looking for motivation, this episode with Rich LaMonica is sure to leave a lasting impact.

Listen to this episode here: https://authorfactor.com/rich-lamonica

The post Finding Purpose After Service: Mentoring Veterans and Sharing Wisdom Through Writing (with Rich LaMonica) appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

The 5 Essential Sections In a Short, Helpful Book

If you have read any of my short, helpful books or listened to my podcast, you know I have developed my own brand of what I consider the ideal type of book for most business owners and corporate leaders to publish—the shook.

A shook is a short, helpful book that uses a foundation of proven direct response marketing principles to craft the perfect lead generation or positioning book for business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders.

While there are many unique characteristics of a shook, one of the most important is the content structure I recommend 100% of the time.  At a high level, here is what the sections of a shook look like:

Here is a brief, but helpful description of each of these critical sections:

1-Cover Content: This is the content on the front, back, and spine of your book and consists of things like an attention-grabbing pre-title, title, and sub-title, plus a back cover description.

2-Front Matter Content: This content includes all the content and chapters that precede your main subject matter. I recommend all my clients include a Reader Bonus offer, a “Who Should Read This Book?” chapter, a “My Promise to You” chapter, and finally an Introduction.

3-Main Matter Content: This is your book’s primary content and focuses on all the important topics you want to cover in your book. In a shook, I typically recommend 5-7 chapters that are about 1,000-1,500 words each.

4-The Bridge Content: This is unique to a shook and it is the transition section of a shook from “helpful information” to “positioning you and your business. In a shook, there are three chapters I recommend, including a “Who Relies on Me/Us” chapter, a “Special Sauce” chapter, and “The Next Step” chapter.

5-Back Matter Content: This section is at the end of your book and may include your biography, frequently asked question chapter, glossary of important terms, and a Reader Bonus reminder offer.

If you read either Main Street Author, The Magic of Short Books, or The 100-Page Book (available here), you will see exactly how I use each of these five essential sections of a short, helpful book to help my readers and give them a clear path on what to do next.

Business Growth Opportunities

I'm excited to offer you four unique opportunities to stand out, elevate your business, and attract your perfect customers (clients, students, patients, etc.):

1-Read my short, helpful books.
Get them here: https://mikecapuzzi.com/author

2-Listen to The Author Factor Podcast. Each 20-minute episode is packed with real-world and helpful tips to leverage a book in your business.
Check it out here: https://AuthorFactor.com.

3-Work with me to publish your short, helpful book. I enable business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders to publish the ideal “customer-attraction” short book in less than three months. Want to discuss how? 
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me here: https://bitesizedbooks.com/program

4-Join my Capuzzi Private Coaching Group. I’ve been helping clients since 1998 and if you are looking for the most personalized, advanced way to leverage my two-plus decades of success this is it.
Schedule a Zoom meeting with me to discuss: https://mikecapuzzi.com/coach

The post The 5 Essential Sections In a Short, Helpful Book appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.

Avoiding Strategic Blunders in Author Websites (with Pauline Wiles)

On this episode of The Author Factor Podcast title, Avoiding Strategic Blunders in Author Websites, I am joined by author website expert, Pauline Wiles, who brought valuable insights on using books to grow a business and how to create an effective author website.

Here are some of the key takeaways from this episode:

Incorporating books into your website can be a great way to showcase your expertise and add value to your visitors. However, it's important to be intentional and strategic about it. For example, if you're using your book as a business card, then it should be prominently featured on your main website.|Starting small is often the best way to launch a website. Rather than trying to have everything in place from the outset, focus on creating a few key pages that clearly communicate what your business is about and what value you offer. You can always add more pages later if needed.Avoid common website mistakes, such as unclear messaging, outdated designs, and poor optimization for mobile devices. Your website should be easy to use and communicate your value proposition effectively.Writing and publishing a book can be a long-term strategy to grow your business. It's important to understand the time commitment required to promote your book, rather than focusing only on the short-term sales results.Videos can be a powerful tool to engage with your audience and highlight your expertise. Using short, conversational videos can help you connect with visitors and build trust.

I hope you find these takeaways helpful as you look to improve your author website and grow your business. Remember, writing a book is just one piece of the puzzle. You need to have a solid strategy in place to promote it effectively and use it as a tool to attract and engage with your audience.

Listen to this episode here: https://authorfactor.com/pauline-wiles

The post Avoiding Strategic Blunders in Author Websites (with Pauline Wiles) appeared first on Mike Capuzzi.