Dancing Word Writing Workshop

with Tiffany Colter

April 7, 2009

 

Hosted by Anne McDonald

Dancing Word Publisher/Editor

 

Anne McDonald: I'm going to open in prayer, go over protocol, and then introduce tonight's professor. 

Lord, thank You so much for Your infinite love, and Your graciousness to us. Please be with us tonight as we learn more about ways to promote and build our writing businesses. Bless each of the participants and especially bless our special guest. Be with those who couldn't come tonight...meet them at their needs. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Protocol reminder, when the floor is open to questions, please raise your hand by typing ? for questions and ! for comments and wait to be called on in turn. To keep us from stepping on each others' toes, please type ga when you have finished your comment or question. 

Tonight, we are blessed to have writing career coach Tiff Colter. Tiff is going to share some tips to build our writing careers. Please give her a warm welcome.

* Annie leads the applause 

Anne McDonald: Tiff, so glad you could make it. The floor is all yours. 

* Annie turns the floor over to Tiff 

Tiffany Colter: Okay. So, those of you who know me as friends know that....ahem...I know how to talk. =) This is no different here.

* Annie grins 

Tiffany Colter: What I did to keep on topic was I typed out my "lesson" earlier today. I will copy and paste it over and after I've covered a major point we'll discuss it a bit before going on to the next point. 

 Okay, so. First thanks so much for taking time to come to this and thanks Annie for allowing me to share. I really tried to make this all meat and no filler.

I want all of you to feel like this time was well spent. 

I’d like to ask one thing at the beginning. Watch this entire chat. I spent a good deal of time putting the material together for tonight because I want all of you to benefit.  If you have to leave early, get the transcripts. And link back to the transcript when this is posted. Dancing Word is a great website for writers to learn and to promote their work. Please help them by telling other writers and fans about this website. Okay, there is my commercial. 

How can you capitalize on these changes? History shows that times of downturn are the fertile soil that produces exponential growth. First, spend time watching what other people do.

I subscribe to many blogs and ezines because I like to know what people are doing to promote their work. What are they doing that works? What doesn’t work? I am beginning webinars. They are not extremely popular yet but that is why I’m doing it.  

Robert Kiyosaki said in one of his books you never want to be THE first to do something, you want to be AMONG the first. So, watch people. See what they’re doing. Learn about new ways to market your writing and plan your strategy. Then, once things start to grow in that area, you’re prepared to capitalize on it. 

So, I’m learning about and doing small webinars because the internet is growing. That way, once this technology starts to explode, I already know how to capitalize on it. We all know as authors once something is big…the ship has sailed. 

Also, don’t just follow trends. There are popular things that I simply don’t enjoy doing. So I don’t do them. There are enough ways to grow your business without wearing yourself out doing things you hate. I’d suggest a few books for every author. Go to suggested readings on my blog http://writingcareercoach.blogspot.com for a partial list. 

Also, The Long Tail by Chris Anderson and Meatball Sunday by Seth Godin

The first step to capitalizing in a changing market is to start changing your thinking. The reason “unestablished writers” can change more easily is we are not bound by expectations. Also, writers just starting out have the flexibility of adjusting. Don’t assume it isthe larger, best-selling authors who are able to take advantage of great marketing. You are not under the pressure of a deadline. You can create your own marketing plan and be innovative! That was my first big lecture. =) Questions and comments?

Barbara: explain webinars 

Tiffany Colter: Webinars are online seminars. Many times they are done using a PowerPoint and the leader is speaking over the phone. This results in you hearing the audio through your computer's speakers and seeing the PowerPoint on your screen. I am beginning to market Webinars to writer's groups. I began with them when a business group invited me to do some for their group. They went really well and are great for northern winters. When you can have meetings canceled because of horrible roads. You guys can see one by signing up for my free ones starting later this week. Did that answer your question Barb? 

Barbara: yes that did it 

Kathy: Give us some ideas about an innovative marketing plan. 

Tiffany Colter: I'd say for right now it is merging old and new forms of marketing. Like writing articles, Blog, online articles, social networking etc. I just saw today a woman who organizes "Social Networking Tours" which are blog tours that include announcements on myspace, Twitter and other groups.

The main thing is to look at what has worked historically and see if there is a new way to do it. Post cards used to work; do they work now? I don't know.  

I can't write a full marketing plan here but let me tell you a bit about my marketing plan.

I am focusing on building what I call overlapping circles. I want to have three main spheres of influence based on my background, interests and the topics of my books. I find out WHERE the people are in each of those groups and I market to them specifically. So, for businesses I do webinars. For authors I do coaching and for people hit by the current economy. I have my website "The Balanced Life". That website focuses on "Common-sense money mgt in tough economic times because one of my major book projects has to do with people who are faced with sudden illness/income loss like we experienced when my dh was diagnosed with cancer 2 1/2 yrs ago. 

So, since I know the focus and target readership of my books. I know where to find them. I focus my marketing AT them no matter WHERE they are...instead of buying ads in the paper. Follow up questions Kathy? 

Kathy: Then that is pretty much what I am doing right now? 

Tiffany Colter: One thing I forgot to say is don't rule out Radio. Mainstream books run ads on the radio...it is something to look in to as part of a marketing plan. 

Kathy:  Sorry, but I was still thinking. Tiff, I've joined the Historical Society that I am concerned with and am becoming more involved with it, so that would be one circle, writing another, and speaking at church groups the next? 

Tiffany Colter: Yes, that is excellent. And also see how they can overlap. Like a book club at your church or a historical writer's club. 

Kathy:  Thanks, I am further along than I thought I was. 

Tiffany Colter:  Cool. Okay, if no more questions I'll go on to my next point. 

* Annie hands floor back to Tiff 

Tiffany Colter: We will now talk about how writers can prepare their writing business in this time of slow book sales. Chip MacGregor is my #1 blog. I will read it even if I am so pressed for time I can’t do anything else. He says a writer needs 3 things:...A great platform, A great story and Great craft. [He may use excellent instead of great, if then I’m sorry for misquoting you, Chip!] We take time to go to writers conferences and read books in our genre. We need to spend about as much time learning about marketing our work as we do creating it. I happen to love this part of it which, I think, is why I have so many happy coaching clients. I devour the books on marketing and pull out the nuggets for them.

If you really hate following marketing, or are totally confused, find someone who loves to do it and work with them. Follow my blog and get my ezine [they’re both free] and I talk quite a bit about this. Oh, and remember I’m give a month of free coaching to one lucky person tonight!! I’ll tell you all about the discount later. So, you’re already starting to prepare your business.  

Okay, so beyond reading marketing books [or hiring a writing career coach to help you] what else can you do? Create an exercise regimen. I can tell you that one of the best things I did early on in my writing was create a routine. At that time I had a 4-year-old, a 20-month-old and was 6 months pregnant with #3. It wasn’t easy to have a routine SO since my time wasn’t my own my routine became playing “what if” in my mind.

Many days I’d only have 30 minutes of writing time [unless the kids went right to bed then I had about 90 minutes]. I would try to “think” my character in to really awful situations, then try to figure out how to get them out. It was like mental aerobics. I did this whenever there was down time. If I was able to listen to a book on tape I would pause at a high moment in the story and try to think of 4 or 5 ways to get the character out of the mess. 

As my kids got older and I had more writing time I continued to brainstorm while I got the kids ready in the morning so when I sat down to write I was fully creative. Then have a routine so your family knows when you’ll be available and when you won’t be. Write on a regular schedule as much as possible and be sure to leave time for family. This one I left fairly open. Questions or comments anyone? 

Lukedamouse: How can one work writing around school, extra-curricular activities, and family? Any tips? 

Tiffany Colter:  Good question Luke. I work pt, write full-time, speak pt, teach SAT/ACT prep pt and homeschool 4 kids. The key is focus and time management. One great tip is to not check your email constantly. Another is to have a system. I created a system of folders. I had rough drafts, edits, markets and story ideas. [this was primarily for articles] I do the same thing on books now too, however. That way if I feel creative I write, if I don't I edit. Otherwise you spend your writing time playing solitaire or something and you lose all that valuable time. Time mgt is very important so having a plan about what you'll do when you are in the office really helps. As do those story 'exercises' I mentioned before. Other ? 

Barbara: Do you keep a file on marketing tips, agents, and publishers too 

Tiffany Colter: YES! Actually I just started something new with the marketing ideas I find online. I have a single word file labeled "Marketing Ideas." I put them all in there. If it is an email I copy and paste it [along with the person's name]. If it is online I copy and paste and put the website address. 

But then let's say I am trying to remember the idea of marketing blogs I go in to Word and I click the "Find" feature and I type in "blog". It brings up every place that says "Blog" and I quickly scan for the idea I wanted. It makes it SUPER fast. So, yes. having folders for marketing is great. since I work with an agent I don't keep one on agents/publishers anymore. But I used to. 

Linrose: I'm terrible at routines! I can think them up easily enough, but not follow through.. What works one day, doesn't work the next. So I can't get my kids to respect my routine when I don't have one. 

Tiffany Colter: And that is part of why I have one now. I used to do things whenever and I found that I was ALWAYS working...not good. Now, I have a routine, schedule, that says I work on THESE days and not on THESE days. My schedule is double crazy because my husband is a paramedic with a rotating schedule. No two days are ever alike around here. 

Linrose: That's exactly it! I'm ALWAYS working! 

Tiffany Colter: Okay, this is only a partial plug but I taught an entire 1 hr webinar on time management for a business group last Tuesday. Here is the link www.mypvncommunity.com/webinars.html 

Anne McDonald: Tiff, do you have methods for fighting discouragement? Every time I get immersed in a writing project, a crisis takes my attention away and it has to be postponed again. 

Tiffany Colter: Oooooh, that is an excellent question. I understand completely.

Let me think just a second on that. I remember that God equipped me to be exactly what I was to be...a writer. I also know that He holds my future, but I do face MAJOR discouragement. Like 2 months ago when, during the course of 90 minutes, our car got stuck in the snow TWICE as we drove home from church. My hubby and I had a fight. I came home to an email where my agent told me it was No Go from publishers on 3 different projects. And while I was crying about that I heard my daughter flush the toilet and it started to overflow all over the bathroom [#2, of course!] 

Anne McDonald: (so much fun) 

Remade Gold: (at that point you just have to laugh.) 

Tiffany Colter: It was a rough 90 minutes. I also have had a crazy 3 weeks where one daughter has had dr appts EVERY WEEK!! And my husband is gone all the time...Yes, I did laugh!! I have to tell you, some days I wonder "Why try!!" So little is selling, shouldn't I be doing something that pays more than 1 cent an hour or less =) But that is why I love marketing!! When I get frustrated like that I can get creative on sharing tips and tricks. I can find a new way to get my name out. The webinars I teach were born out of that 90 minutes of frustration.

And before I forget, here is the link to the webinars on time management I did for ProVision Network. They are an hr and on demand and cover everything.  

http://www.mypvncommunity.com/webinars.html 

I guess what really keeps my frustration at bay is I keep writing. I have a quote on my wall from Marlene Bagnull, author of Write His Answers:  "If it's God's will to write, then it's logical that publication should eventually follow."  Some days that is all I have to go on...But His call is enough. That sounds really spiritual but that is truly how I do it. I just stopped giving myself excuses and said "Suck it up, Tiff." 

Linrose: Tiffany really knows how to cast her bread upon the waters and it will come back! 

Tiffany Colter: Before everyone has to sign off can I share my final point then I'll be available for more questions.

* Annie gives the floor back to Tiff 

Tiffany Colter: We will also look at opportunities to build the business you have now.

Consider the opportunities you have in front of you right now. Are there local papers you can write for? Does a group you’re a part of need a copywriter. I do as much public speaking as I can. I contact as many writing groups as I can about webinars. I always try to think of new ways to reach people with my Writing Career Coach message. That is because I have a passion for what I’m doing. This chat is part of that. 

I hope that you all came because you want to learn how to grow as a writer and as the owner of a writing business. Some of you are here just to see what I have to say. Others may have been enticed about free coaching. I hope all of you will walk away with something that will help you grow your writing business. I also hope most of you will learn so much that you’ll subscribe to my Ezine, invite me over to your blog or ezine to chat to your readers or even purchase my coaching package.  

This is an opportunity to build the business I have now. The economy is down. People are uncertain about the future, but in this time we can get our name out there. People are STILL buying. I still see cars in the Mall Parking Lot. People are still buying stuff-you want them to learn about you so it will be YOUR stuff. One of my favorite examples is that Hershey Chocolate Bars still sold all during the Depression of the 1930s and 40s. People couldn’t find work, but they wanted chocolate. For me, my business is growing. People aren’t selling many books, but they want to. 

I have been establishing myself for years. I’ve spent 5 years learning, reading and experimenting with marketing. Think about some of the things you know how to do that can help you build your writing business. To get you started I will give away a free month of coaching to one lucky participant and a special discount to all who come. 

Let me tell you what you get with coaching. You get my entire Writing Career Coach: Intro to the Writer’s Life, PLUS Creating a Platform. These two products together retail for $50. The intro teaching how to set up your writing “Business”. The second helps you with creating your platform. 

I am not a marketing person in the business sense. I hate to cold call-I even get butterflies when I call family members. So I teach you what I do. My coaching is normally $40 the first month, then $30 each additional month. There is a minimum 3 month commitment so that you can really start to see some results. I’m giving away a free month of coaching tonight. Also, I said there was a special. Each of you who sign up can get the first month ½ off [so $20] 

If you don’t want coaching right now but want content editing on your project I have a discount for you too. Anyone who wants editing who contacts me before July 25th to reserve a spot will get their project edited at 25% off. All you need to do is contact me through TheBalancedLife.com or WritingCareerCoach.com by midnight June 10th and say “I want to take advantage of the Dancing Word Discount for XXX [coaching or editing].” 

I even extend it to people who read the transcripts. The deadline is June 10th for them too, so come on over!! 

Anne McDonald: Great deals, Tiff! 

Tiffany Colter: So, anyone have questions? I've covered a great deal of info.  Go have the drawing now and people can email me other questions.

*Annie picks a name out of the barrel

Anne McDonald: The winner for Tiff's free month of coaching is Linrose!!!

Tiffany Colter: Yeah Linore!!!

Anne McDonald: congratulations.

* Annie does her Snoopy dance

Anne McDonald: (the RAT and dragon had to spirit off, but they extend their congratulations as well)

Tiffany Colter: I kept you guys a long time. I really appreciate your attention!

If there are no more questions/comments I'll flutter off to the living room.

Anne McDonald: Thanks so much for chatting with us tonight and sharing your expertise. 

Tiffany Colter: Thanks so much for having me. It was an honor.

 

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