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How to Turn Your Ideas into E-Books

ebook money machine

Information marketing is a wonderful business model. It can be quite lucrative as a standalone business. You can also incorporate it into an existing business model for more profits and credibility. However, sometimes taking that leap from idea to e-book can be quite a challenge. Here are a few ideas to get your idea turned into an e-book reality.

Get someone else to write it. No, I am not talking about hiring a ghostwriter, though that’s certainly an option. Some of the best e-books are actually collections of articles written by industry experts.

For example, if you have a website devoted to dog training and want to write an e-book about training your dog’s unusual tricks, you could ask ten animal trainers to each contribute their favorite trick to the book. Each dog trainer would get exposure for their business in the book and you’d get a complete, and quite valuable, e-book to sell. You didn’t have to write a single word!

Break it down. Sometimes the hurdle between book idea and actual product is a feeling of being overwhelmed. There’s an easy way around that challenge. Break your main topic into ten to twenty supporting topics. It may be easier to pose them as questions.

For example, an e-book on sales techniques might have the following supporting points or chapters:

  • What are the benefits of better selling?
  • How do listening skills play a role in increased sales?
  • How important is relationship building?
  • Should I network for more sales?

Each of these supporting chapters can then be divided even more into ten or more supporting points. Thus, for a ten chapter book you end up with 100 smaller, almost article size, topics to address. It makes writing a book much more manageable.

Turn to audio. Some people just don’t have the time or the inclination to write a book, but still want the results. No problem. You can create an audio file instead. There are actually two ways to approach this. You can interview people on your topic, have the interviews transcribed, edited and polished. Then compile them into an e-book format.

Or you can simply speak your book and then have someone transcribe it and edit and polish it into an e-book. For some, it’s easier to flesh out their ideas if they’re talking. If this is you, consider recording your book instead of putting fingers to keyboard. Additionally, there is software like Dragon Naturally Speaking that will transcribe your audio for you. This saves you the cost of a transcriptionist, though you may still want to hire someone to edit and polish your book.

Finally, though I did mention it in the beginning, if you do have an idea for an e-book but don’t have the time or inclination to turn it into a reality, then consider hiring a ghostwriter. Look for one who is experienced with writing books. Discuss your needs and work together to turn your idea into e-book profits.

Once you have your ebook, you can give it away and grow your list, you can sell it on ClickBank, or publish it on the amazon Kindle and get another income stream.

Click here to learn How to Publish Your Own Hot Selling eBooks to Amazon Kindle… And Reach a Massive Market… Starting Today!

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Managing Fear During Growth Spurts

We all deal with fears, stress and anxiety at times as we expand and grow.  It seems to be a natural part of life and brings our attention to the fact that something is missing for us in that moment.  What is missing during those times is usually a feeling of safety and certainty.

Here are some simple techniques to help create stability and center us during our growth spurts as conscious entrepreneurs.

Break it Down. When facing new challenges that elicit fear, overwhelm or stress the first thing to do is break it down into a series of small steps.  Complete each small step one at a time to make it more manageable and increase your chances of success.

Take a Breath. Sometimes we get stressed when everything seems to happen all at once. When this occurs, take a deep breath and refocus your mind away from the challenge for a few minutes. Get some fresh air, listen to music, or do an activity that will give you a fresh perspective on the situation.

Visualise. At times we can experience fearful thoughts that may be hard to manage. Visualize a Red STOP sign to interrupt the negative thought. Take a breath and replace the thought with a positive affirmation eg. ‘I am always given the courage to move through difficult situations and succeed’.

Get the Facts. When we encounter challenging situations that upset us it is valuable to remember to get all the facts. Gathering the facts prevents us from scaring ourselves with exaggerated and fearful assumptions.  Check out what is real and what is not by asking yourself – ‘Is this real?’, ‘What is the worst that could happen?’ ‘What support could I get to help me with this?’

Re-focus. We always have a choice to dwell on the negative things in life or choose to focus on all the positive things around us and acknowledge and be grateful for those. As they say ‘Energy flows, where attention goes’. Whatever we focus on expands – choose what you focus on.

Take Action. Ask – ‘What small action can I take right now that will make me feel in charge?’ then take it.  Taking action gets you moving rather than going round and round in your head, empowering you to move through any fears and anxieties that pop up one step at a time.

Everyone faces fears at some time in their life especially when trying new things, it is normal. Overcoming fears and anxieties is not always easy and might take some hard work and persistence but by using strategies to face, move through and overcome these fears your trust in your own abilities grows along with your self confidence and self belief.

So, you could look at fear as a positive opportunity to grow and expand as it is moving you towards a stronger believe in yourself, how good is that?

Create Your Own Destiny

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suzanne Masefield is a contributing author to Align, Expand and Succeed; Shifting the Paradigm of Entrepreneurial Success. This “just released” book is based on the premise that the world is changing at a very rapid pace. We are starting to see that cooperation brings better results than old style competition. It’s a new era and we need to work together to create success for everyone, not just for a few.

This book features dozens of conscious entrepreneurs who share their wisdom, expertise, stories, lessons and insights about the new and exciting shifts that are happening for entrepreneurs worldwide.

This book is designed to raise the vibration of the planet like never before. Get your copy of Align, Expand and Succeed and enjoy an abundance of gifts with your purchase. http://www.aesbook.com

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Are You a Conscious Entrepreneur?

Are you among the millions of entrepreneurs who are awakening to the new, conscious model for business success?

You may ask: what is this model? It is about finding the sweet spot in your business (and your life) that blends purpose and passion with profit.

There is a new book by Christine Kloser and Lynne Klippel called Align, Expand and Succeed, in which 47 conscious entrepreneurs reveal their personal stories, strategies and successes so you can experience your highest and best success, too!

Here’s what this book will offer you:

  • 5 easy steps to finding and following your true path,
  • How to overcome any setback and turn it into an opportunity,
  • How to write marketing copy that easily reaches your ideal customer,
  • The secret power that unleashes purpose, passion and profit in your business,
  • Discover the 6 hidden traits that create conscious leadership and success

What people NEED to read this book and WHY?

People facing transition: anyone starting a business, anyone wishing to improve their business, and anyone wanting to save their business always need fresh insight.  This book is value-added to their businesses. (Robert Bridges, MD)

When confused about business direction, when stuck, when disappointed, when held back and not able to express what you love, this book provides guidance on gaining clear vision, strength and love. Guang Yue (Sun) Chen

Anyone who owns their own business, or is considering starting their own business, who wants to be a positive force in their industry as well as the world at large – you need to read this book! Align, Expand and Succeed will inspire you, give you practical tools and techniques to use in your business, and be a powerful resource for you as you grow personally and professionally. Indie Wolf

People that need to read this book are those that are in some transition in their life, business leaders and others that are looking for inspiration. This book will give them tools for business and personal growth and development. Iris Rosenfeld, DC

Anyone who feels they have a higher purpose in life but feels stuck in the day to day, lack mentality life.  Anyone who wants to be inspired to take their life to the next level. Jane Strassel

This book is for those people who have noticed the paradigm shift from cut throat competitiveness to an attitude of cooperation and collaboration that goes totally against all the rules we learned in business school.  Lauren McMullen

People who are fed up with the old model of success in business. People who want more out of life. People who want to go to work and have their heart sing. People who want to move from mediocrity to Extraordinary Suzanne Masefield

Wouldn’t YOU benefit from reading this book?

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Branding Strategy is Foundational, Not Random

If you’re a small business, you’ve probably heard the buzz bandied about on the web about branding, personal branding, social branding, etc.  Branding, branding, branding!

The buzz is actually for a good reason.

Branding is important.

In fact, a good branding strategy is what your business should be built upon.  When you lay out a branding strategy for your business, it suddenly becomes so much easier to make decisions regarding where you want to go in your business, the message you want to send out, how you will interact with your customers, how you will handle negative feedback, etc.

It also helps you nail down the image you want to project in the form of packaging, like logos, taglines, slogans, brochures, your website, etc.  When you know the ultimate destination, it’s much easier to map out a road to get there.

That said, if you did not create a branding strategy as the foundation of your business, but are keen to rectify it, there’s always hope.  You can make the decision today to make branding a priority when it comes to your business and start thinking about just how you want people to see you.

The sad fact is that even if branding isn’t important to you, and you don’t think you need to do it… you kinda already are.  Whether you know it or not, the things you do in your business or for your business impact the way your clients and customers perceive you and your business.

And if you’re not at the helm, directing them where you want them to go, then they’ll see you however they please, whether it’s complimentary or not.  Like it or not, you’re branded in one way or another.  It’s up to you to choose the reality you want.

Key Questions to Consider When Creating a Branding Strategy

First of all, you need to know your audience.

  • Who are you marketing to?
  • Who do you want to do business with?
  • What are the types of people you want to convert into paying clients and customers, and ultimately brand ambassadors that sing your praises?

Know your offer.

  • What sort of services or products do you offer?
  • What sort of packages?
  • What is your pricing structure?

Know your USP.

  • What about your company makes you different from the competition?
  • What makes you great, and how can you prove it?
  • What’s your mission or goal with your business?
  • How do you want to be perceived?

Know your morals and ethics.

  • How will you handle negative feedback?
  • How will you handle customer support issues?
  • How will you conduct your business?
  • How much “under the hood” are you willing to reveal about your business practices to your clients/customers?
  • What sort of guarantees are you willing to offer your people?

These are just a few of the things you should be thinking about when considering your brand.  Of course there are other considerations as well, but this is a good benchmark to get you started.  Once you figure out the why’s, where’s, and how’s of your business and the image you want to project… then the path to getting there becomes much clearer.

Consider the Great Brands

All good brands stick in your head for a reason.  When you think of their product or service, the only name that comes to mind is THEIR name.  Why?  Because they’ve successfully branded themselves in a way that’s connected with you emotionally somehow.

Think of Nike and all those Just Do It commercials.  Because of those, when we think Nike, we think Just Do It.  It’s because Nike created a movement with their branding, geared toward athletes and wanna be athletes, with an underlying message of if you want to be someone, if you want to be great, just do it.  Don’t be afraid, just do it.  And wear Nikes while you’re at it.

Or consider Zappos.  They believe that your culture is your brand.  If you get your culture right, the rest will fall into place naturally.  They’re not just about retailing, or selling shoes and clothes.  Their brand is about their culture and creating a spectacular customer experience, with superior customer service.

They believe that a company should be built on core values, and on core values you can commit to. Not just values that “sound good” in theory.  In short, they practice what they preach.  They focus on making sure their customers are well taken care of, and as a result have built an almost cult-like following… and brand ambassadors galore.

So your take-away today should be that a brand isn’t just about creating a cool logo or design, or introducing a new product.  It’s about the foundations your company is built upon, the core values that you commit to each and every day.  It’s your mission, the integrity of your business practices, and yes, even about you as a person.

It’s never too late to begin a good brand strategy, and it’s vital to remember that if you don’t do it yourself, like it or not someone else is doing it for you.

Cori is a wildly hire-able freelance ‘ghost’ as well as the creative brains and dubious brawn behind her blog Big Girl Branding.  If you’d like to harness her creative brains and dubious brawn to guest post on your blog, just stalk her on Twitter and ask her.  I’m “almost” sure she doesn’t bite. Well… like 95% sure.

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5 Tricks to Create a Workable Calendar and Actually Get Things Done

Guest Post By Amber Singleton Riviere

My business is one big balancing act.  I have a radio show, an online magazine, and a podcast to keep up with and get produced or published on a regular schedule.  I have three websites with their own respective newsletters to manage.  Not to mention, I have clients and customers through project-based work, writing gigs, and a membership program on one of my sites.  If I think too long about my workload (just writing out that paragraph was enough), I begin feeling nervous and overwhelmed.

Thankfully, I know I can handle it.  Why?  Because all of those moving parts were added over time to an ever-changing schedule that allows me to get the most done in the least amount of time.  That schedule gets a lot of attention, but it helps me to be more productive and more proactive over the direction of my life and business.  Here are just a few of the tricks that I’ve learned to help me create a workable calendar and schedule and actually get things done.

Trick #1: The calendar and routine can’t be static.

My calendar and to-do system is a constant work in progress.  I actually enjoy tweaking and modifying it to better suit what’s going on in my life and business at any given point.  Why change a good thing, you ask?  Well, our lives and businesses are fluid and ever-changing, and one mistake I think we often make with our calendars and routines is thinking that they should remain static.  That’s unrealistic and will lead to us abandoning the system when it stops working for us as our lives and circumstances change.

For example, every afternoon at around 3:30, I stop working for a couple of hours so that I can go for a one-hour walk and run any errands I might have for the day.  It’s a nice routine, and I’m loving it.  I can work from around 9:00 or 10:00 in the morning to 3:30, cut out for a couple of hours, and then come back for an hour or two of work in the evenings.  It’s a nice way to break things up, maintain an exercise schedule, and give myself a mental break mid-afternoon.  In about a month, though, I’m going to have to change the routine.  Why?  I live in Louisiana, and come June, I’ll be able to fry an egg on the concrete.  No way am I going walking in Louisiana heat at 3:30 in the afternoon.  My schedule is going to have to change dramatically.  At that point, the only times that will be halfway comfortable and safe (you can seriously have a heat stroke out there) to walk will be before 7:00 in the morning or after 6:30 or 7:00 in the evening, big difference from my current routine.

If I wasn’t willing to adapt my current schedule and prepare for that change, then I’d abandon the whole routine, and chaos would soon follow.  Nothing would get done, I’d feel very overwhelmed, and I could forget about exercising.

Trick #2: Use the right mix of tools.

I use three tools to manage my schedule.

  • Google Calendar takes care of appointments.  I check it first thing each morning to see what scheduled meetings I have on tap for the day.
  • TimeDriver helps me coordinate appointments with other people.  I do anywhere from six to nine interviews each week with guests for the different media outlets within my business, and coordinating that many schedules was once a nightmare.  Now, I decide my availability for interviews (set blocks of time each day/week), and guests find a time that works for them as far as four to six weeks into the future.  From there, I move over the appointments to Google Calendar.  (Note: TimeDriver actually syncs with Google Calendar automatically, but I prefer to manually add new bookings because of extra steps I need to take around each appointment.)
  • Backpack is my to-do hub.  This is where I keep anything that doesn’t have a set time attached to it.  I have a weekly to-do list template that I duplicate each Monday, which breaks down all my to-dos by day.  For instance, the radio show is due each Friday by 4 PM, so that’s on the Friday to-do list within the page.  I have a lot of recurring to-dos like this, so instead of reinventing the wheel each week and writing out the same things over and over, I use Backpack’s page-duplicating feature to make things simple.  This makes it really easy to manage, and nothing slips through the cracks.

A fourth “tool” I like to use is Google Calendar’s ability to create multiple calendars.  This is where I mock up my overall schedule for the week.  I color-code as many calendars as I need to encompass all the types of activities I do each week and then put in time blocks within the respective calendars.  Once I have it mocked up the way I like, I take a print-screen of it and create an image with it in GIMP.  I then have an image that I can refer to while I get used to a new schedule (see image).  Once I have the image, I hide all the mock-ups within Google Calendar and put back my main ones with appointments and such.

sample schedule

Trick #3: Use time blocks to organize the day.

It’s easy to get distracted and feel pulled in twenty different directions.  Inevitably, I’ll get new ideas all the time and will want to change things up and chase after those new possibilities.  To stay focused on the most important things, I have to think in terms of my “Big 3,” the top three priorities of my work life or business.  For example, I have to publish and produce content on a regular basis.  That’s a very big rock to move each week, so it’s one of my “Big 3” and gets its fair share of my attention.

I divide my days into quadrants, giving the three big rocks (the “Big 3”) two hours of concentrated time each day.  The last quarter of the day goes to admin-type things, like responding to emails, staying in the loop on blog feeds and social networks, commenting on blog posts, etc.  I can work above and beyond a 40-hour week, if I want to chase things that aren’t top priorities, but I absolutely have to get those big rocks moved each day at minimum.

Trick #4: Trust the system.

All the planning in the world doesn’t amount to much, if I don’t follow the plan.  I keep two tabs open in my web browser at all times, my Backpack’s weekly to-do list and my Google calendar with all my appointments.  When I get to the end of a work block, I check the calendar for time-sensitive appointments, and then I go to the to-do list.  If I’m getting used to a new routine/schedule, I put the schedule image as a tab in the browser as well so that I can refer to it often.  It usually takes a couple of weeks to adjust to it, and then I can go back to the main two browser tabs.

Trick #5: Stay true to your intentions.

I map out my routine and my to-dos when I’m clear-headed, not stressed, and not overly attached to outcomes.  That way, I’m sure to create an objective and achievable schedule and plan for myself.  On top of that, it lets me trust the system even more, knowing that I’m clear about the intentions for my life and business and know exactly what should have my attention.

Once I know that, I just have to stay true to it.  Email gets closed, alerts are turned off, and my phones are set to go to voice mail until it’s admin time.  My full and undivided attention is on that one big rock in front of me, and if I can give it it’s full block each day, I know I’ll make major progress by week’s end.

Managing the days is not always easy, especially with so many distractions and interruptions tempting us to get off track, but with the right planning, the right mix of tools, and a clear focus, it’s much easier to approach the day with purpose and actually get things done.

Amber Singleton Riviere is the founder of Upstart Smart, a resource for small business owners, as well as the Rock Your Genius radio show, which focuses on small business and entrepreneurship.  She also runs the Give Back Project, a web design and marketing firm, and writes for websites like Web Worker Daily on topics relevant to small business owners.  You can find out about all of Amber’s work by visiting AmberSingleton.com.

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