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February 20, 2018
Writing a Book Helped Build the Success of My Business – An Author Success Story with Rebecca Coleman

You’ve probably heard that writing a book can help your business, but that can raise so many questions. How exactly does a book grow my business? Where would I fit in the time to write one? What is my best option for publishing?

Come and see Rebecca Coleman speak in person on March 6, when she will be sharing true tales and lessons learned from her author journey. Rebecca’s presentation is just one part of our upcoming Book Publishing Boot Camp, where you’ll learn exactly what it takes to plan, write, publish and market a nonfiction book that can boost your business, showcase your expertise, and build your personal or professional brand. See the full program here.

What is your book called? Do you have more than one?

Aquafabulous!: 100+ Egg-Free Vegan Recipes Using Aquafaba (bean water)

Aquafabulous

Why did you decide to write a book?

I’m a food blogger—it’s the ultimate dream! I actually wrote it because it was a huge challenge for me, and I like challenging myself.

You are a busy entrepreneur! How did you fit in the time for writing a book?

I wrote a large chunk of it during the summer when I normally take time off. Which, of course, meant I didn’t get to take time off…

What was your business model before the book? Has the book changed this? If so, how?

Before, I was doing the things most food bloggers do: looking for businesses to partner with to create sponsored content, mostly. Now, it’s a bit different. I have my own product to sell, and that’s cool. I now think of myself as someone who can do recipe development, and that opens up another world to me.

How has the book leveraged you and/or your business to greater success and increased its reputation?

I just think being able to list yourself as a “cookbook author” gives you a kind of legitimacy.

What advice would you give to a business owner or professional who is sitting on the fence about writing a book?

Just go for it. Honestly, I was terrified. I didn’t know if I could do it. But a friend of mine said to me, “if you don’t write it, someone else will, so it might as well be you.” Wise words. 😉

February 16, 2018
Writing a Book Helped Build the Success of My Business – An Author Success Story with Rachel Scott

You’ve probably heard that writing a book can help your business, but that can raise so many questions. How exactly does a book grow my business? Where would I fit in the time to write one? What is my best option for publishing?

Come and see Rachel Scott speak in person on March 6, when she will be sharing true tales and lessons learned from her author journey. Rachel’s presentation is just one part of our upcoming Book Publishing Boot Camp, where you’ll learn exactly what it takes to plan, write, publish and market a nonfiction book that can boost your business, showcase your expertise, and build your personal or professional brand. See the full program here.

What is your book called? Do you have more than one?

Head Over Heels: A Yogi’s Guide to Dating. Yes, this is my second book! The first is called Wit and Wisdom from the Yoga Mat.

Head Over Heels

Why did you decide to write a book?

I entered the dating ring, and started sharing stories with my yoga class about how much I was practicing yoga while swiping on Tinder. They loved it and really resonated with the material. After all, we can all relate to being ghosted on, being rejected or getting those first date tingles. I started to realize that there was so much to share. Blogs and reflections turned into a book.

You are a busy entrepreneur! How did you fit in the time for writing a book?

Ha ha! Not easily! It took four years. I had to really discipline myself for the last six months to get it out.

What was your business model before the book? Has the book changed this? If so, how?

Not really. The book for me is not really about the sales, but about the sharing. I put it out there and am active on social media. But I’m not really trying to make money as much as use the book as a tool for storytelling and connection.

How has the book leveraged you and/or your business to greater success and increased its reputation?

I think that a book seems to give someone a bit of legitimacy, but my work as a yoga teacher isn’t really so directly linked to the book. I hope it serves my students, that’s it.

What advice would you give to a business owner or professional who is sitting on the fence about writing a book?

Get clear about your WHY. That is what will sustain you in the dark hours. If your why speaks to your heart, then do it.

February 15, 2018
Writing a Book Helped Build the Success of My Business – An Author Success Story with Charmaine Hammond

You’ve probably heard that writing a book can help your business, but that can raise so many questions. How exactly does a book grow my business? Where would I fit in the time to write one? What is my best option for publishing?

Come and see Charmaine Hammond speak in person on March 6, when she will be presenting an in-depth, one-hour seminar on how to attract significant sponsorship support for your book project. Charmaine’s presentation is just one part of our upcoming Book Publishing Boot Camp, where you’ll learn exactly what it takes to plan, write, publish and market a nonfiction book that can boost your business, showcase your expertise, and build your personal or professional brand. See the full program here.

What is your book called? Do you have more than one?

I have several books:

Why did you decide to write a book?

I first decided to publish a story about my dog Toby in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.  A publisher later saw my work and connected with me.  After a lengthy conversation she said “that story needs to be a book.”  Over the next few years that followed, Bettie Youngs Books then published my books, starting with On Toby’s Terms.
On Toby's Terms

You are a busy entrepreneur!  How did you fit in the time for writing a book?

Setting time aside to write was extremely important for me (or there would be no book).  I discovered that I am a much better story teller verbally and “talked my book”.  I wrote my book by using Dragon Speak software, a voice recognition program that typed the words I said.  We then cleaned it up and edited it before sending the chapters to my book editor. She immediately noticed the difference between the first few chapters (that were written by me simply typing my stories) vs the “talking my book” approach.  We decided that the whole book would be written in that way.  Talking my book worked for me.

What was your business model before the book?  Has the book changed this?  If so, how?

I have had several businesses, Hammond International Inc. has been my primary business since 1997.  I speak and train corporately on communication, conflict resolution and collaboration.  My writing became a way of sharing my knowledge with my audiences through ebooks, booklets and other small book products.

In addition,  I also co-own Raise a Dream with Rebecca Kirstein, we help authors, speakers and entrepreneurs raise their dreams, launch their books and projects through collaboration, partnership and sponsorship.  We know that writing a book is a dream for many people… and we help make that dream a reality.

How has the book leveraged you and/or your business to greater success and increased its reputation?  If so, how?

My book has helped me secure speaking engagements (in the corporate world, at schools, conferences, women’s events, service clubs and author events and conference).  It has helped me secure a different level of credibility and be recognized as an expert in new industries. Being a best selling author has also secured many media opportunities.

My book was the main way I started securing sponsorship for my books, speaking and business in general.  From having marketing, printing of banners and book marks, some of my travel, event venue and food/refreshments and more sponsored.  It’s a great way to launch a book, do a speaking/book tour, and get your message into the hands of readers around the world.

What advice would you give to a business owner or professional who is sitting on the fence about writing a book?

If this is a dream or a goal, set time aside every day, even if only 15 minutes.  Find out what way you write best (talking your book, typing your book, writing outside or inside, writing in the morning vs evening).  Keep a writing journal close by at all times… sometimes your best ideas develop at the strangest times or places.

Remember your book may be what changes someone’s life in a profound way.  Just start 🙂

February 9, 2017
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Business in 2017

Do you have big dreams for business success in 2017?

Do you have a vision for your business in 2017? Have you created an action plan that will guide you and your team to help make it happen?

Here are 5 areas of your business to focus on this year that could help take your business to new heights of success!

  1. Become a trendsetter – do you have a ‘millennial’ or younger person on staff? Harness their talent on a research project. What’s trending? What’s not? What does the future hold? Once the information is found, hold planning meetings to add new and innovative trends into your company. Create ‘Ideas’ teams that will help you turn the plans into reality.
  2. Hire, hire, hire – If you are chief cook, pie-maker and doing it all, hire. If you have staff members that don’t make a contribution to the team, revenue or the bottom line, replace them! The company won’t grow if you don’t hire the right people. Hire for creativity, energy, personality and flexibility. You can always teach skills.
  3. Get organized – Your business is not a teenagers’ room. No one likes chaos, not your customers or your staff. Don’t profess to do it alone. Get some help. Install systems that will streamline efficiency. You’ll create loyal customers, improve average sales, and create consistent business practices.
  4. Celebrate – identify important benchmarks and targets that you want the business to hit this year. React as soon as possible to the success. Publicly cheer on the staff that have helped get you there. Share the wealth. Create incentive programs and reward those who helped you get to these landmarks. Be sure to thank the customers who also helped to make it happen.
  5. And finally, the most important tip of all: Know your financial numbers. Become comfortable with your financial statements. Set targets to increase revenue but more importantly, improve profit. Create budgets. Manage your money and your cash flow. Know where it goes, where you can save money and when to borrow money. Borrowing money for new product development, inventory purchasing, vehicle replacement, or to pay off higher interest rate credit cards is a smart business decision. If you are planning for growth this year, an affordable, short-term cash infusion can be just the right thing to help you take your business to the next level.

Make 2017 the best business year yet!

Copyright Pamela Chatry 2017. All Rights Reserved