How to Eliminate Your Competition

It is easy to have competitive feelings in the publishing world.
Admittedly there are thousands of books and websites all trying to get your
attention and eyeballs. Whether you have a manuscript and are trying to get the
attention of a literary
agent or publisher or your book is published and in the marketplace and you
are attempting to get readers and buyers of your book. It can feel crowded and
hard to break through the noise.



I've been at conferences and new writers are trying to get my
attention for their project or book.It can be a challenge to have your few
minutes with an editor or agent in that environment. In this article, I want to
give you a couple of tools to eliminate your competition (or at least reduce
this tension).



1. Your Attitude 



Some writers view themselves
surrounded with competitors. Others see the competition as someone to partner
with and help. It is old visual of the half-filled glass. It is half empty or
half full? Your attitude will be a huge part in this process. I view my
“competitors” as someone that I can learn from and help. If I help them, then
they are prone to help me.



There is always something new to learn from anyone who crosses
your path—whether they are brand new in the business or they are experienced. 
If you take this open attitude, then it will draw others to you instead of
propel them away.



2. Your Actions



With the attitude adjustment, take a careful look at others who
are in your field or niche. Now ask yourself the question, “How can you help
that person or business?” Take several minutes to brainstorm some answers on
paper. Can you post a tweet or Facebook post about that author or business? Can
you write for a review copy of their book, then read the book and write an
honest review? Can you approach them about guest blogging for them or
contributing an article for their website or newsletter? Do they have an
affiliate program? Can you join their program (usually free) and market their
book or product to your audience and make money? These types of efforts create a
win-win philosophy for each party. You are helping them to reach a new audience
and you are also earning money from the effort.



When you begin to be open to these possibilities, you will see
there are many different ways you can help others. The key is to take action and
move forward with these ideas. It does not happen in isolation but in
partnership, great things transpire.









Several months ago, Patricia Fry approached me to possibly
endorse her new book. Propose
Your Book is a targeted to people who want to learn how to successfully sell
a book proposal. If this topic sounds familiar, it should because almost ten
years ago I wrote and launched Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets to Speed Your
Success. The book has over 130 Five Star Amazon reviews and continues to
help many people. I've not updated this printed book in years but I hold the exclusive Ebook rights and
have continually updated the Ebook version. I even created a free book proposal
checklist (follow the link).



On the surface, I could have balked at Patricia's request
because this new book is one of my competitors. To be honest the thought did not
cross my mind and instantly I wrote back saying, I'd be honored to help and
requested a printed copy of the book. If I'm going to endorse a book, I read the
book cover to cover to make sure I have something unique and honest to say about
the book.  Patricia sent the book and gave her publisher's deadline for the
endorsement.



Last week, I received an autographed copy of Propose Your Book. Prominently
on the back cover are these words:



“To learn a skill like book proposal
creation, I want to turn to someone like Patricia Fry who is aware of the
current market needs, authoritative, detailed, and honest. Read this book and
follow the instructions, then an editor or literary agent will want to champion
and sell your submission.”



--W Terry Whalin, bestselling author of more than sixty books
including Jumpstart Your
Publishing Dreams



My endorsement helps Patricia but also promotes my latest
writing book. Because Propose
Your Book is brand new, I noticed there are no reviews on Amazon—at this
writing. Often the publisher will include the endorsements on the Amazon page
(something which has not happened yet for this book). Even though I write a
number of reviews, it would look odd to endorse and also review this book. Part
of my effort in helping Patricia is writing this article and promoting it—which
tells people about the availability of this excellent book.



The next move is yours to apply this information to your own
writing life. What actions are you taking today to eliminate your
competition?