North Star

Your North Star

Want to write a book? First consider what your area of expertise is. Then you might ask yourself:

·      What is unique to me: experiences, interests, talents, education?

·      What can I talk endlessly about and still feel energized when I’m done?

·      What do I daydream about? Is it a story, a concept, or an innovation? 

Worth It

The idea that you want to get on paper is worth it, whatever it is. Why? Because you are worth it, and this concept is a reflection of you. So before you begin, affirm your ideas and your desire to write. 

Find It

Your idea is like the North Star, but until you identify it, you won’t be able to follow it. I live in Wyoming, and at night I can step outside to see the stars unfolded for me like a celestial nightcap, but I’m embarrassed to admit that often I can’t find the North Star. Last night I called my husband outside to help me find it.  

Write It

Sometimes you need help finding the North Star, pinpointing the ideas that you are passionate about, and putting them into words. That is where I come in. My business, Clear Wind, is here to help you find your North Star. With a little help, I will empower you to identify your areas of expertise, your passion, and your brilliance! Let’s get writing!

Top Ten Tips for a Great Book Proposal

Have a great book idea? Daydreaming about your book signings? Well, then let’s make it happen! But, first things first. The modern writer needs to acquire a literary agent before they can get their book deal started. So, before you start, you will need to write a great book proposal that hooks your agent and gets you that book deal. Here are the top ten tips to help you conceptualize your manuscript and write a winning proposal.

1.     Identify your content.

·      The premise

·      Book overview

2.     Identify your market audience.

·      Demographic description

·      Psychographic description

·      Competition (books that are similar)

3.     Describe the problem or need you are trying to solve.

4.     Present your solution.

5.     Develop the solution through concrete application.

6.     The Author––You

·      Background

·      Who will endorse your book and why?

7.     What do you want to say, and to whom are you saying it?

·      Determine the book’s content.

·      Identify the book’s audience.

8.     What is the book’s title? (Title should encapsulate the book’s premise and communicate the premise to the reader while “hooking” them.)

9.     What makes you the expert on this topic?

10.  What are the motivations of your readers/audience?

·      What needs and frustrations are characteristic of the target audience?

·      What is the problem they are trying to solve?

Write a paragraph synopsis for each chapter and use active voice when possible.

Remember to begin each chapter with an attention-getting anecdote. Breaking up the chapters using subheads is a great way to boost the readability of your work. My favorite features are stories and illustrations that bring the work to life. Proof your work and start contacting literary agents with your great book idea!

Need more help? Set up a consultation today by contacting me at: sarah@clearwindpublishing.com

Marketing Magic

You’ve got a great book and a great message, but now what? Marketing may feel like you need to mix magic with luck, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple tips you can get your message to your audience with the least amount of sweat possible. Here’s how!

1.     Start with a great website. Make it clean and keep your message conversational.

The main purpose of your website is a landing page for your site visitors to engage with your message and to connect with you. Decide what your actionable goals are and direct site visitors to content that meets their needs and grows your audience. 

2.     Build that email list. Create a popup window when people visit your site so that they can subscribe to your weekly newsletter. Studies show that the best way to advertise your book is through email. Most people think social media is the best place to make a sale, but they are wrong. People use social media to do just that—be social. But recent studies show that the person with the biggest email list will be the person with the greatest sales. So, start building that email list. When people visit your site, offer them something free like an e-book or an engaging newsletter in exchange for their email address. Then send them helpful information weekly with a link to purchase your book.

3.     Connect with other noteworthy influencers. Have a friend who already has an established audience? Ask to be on their Podcast or to allow you to write a guest blog for their page. In exchange, you can allow them to do the same for your site. Contact others influencers and experts in your field and see how you can join forces in a way that works great for you both.

4.     Promote your book signings, new blogs, and free giveaways on social media with the intention of drawing them to your website. Why? Because you want them to join your email list! Again, the email list has potential, and potential is power.

5.     Design weekly newsletters that are helpful, engaging, and fresh. Discover your audience’s needs and help meet those needs through your content. Keep your subscribers in the know of when your next book is coming out or where your next speaking engagement will be.

Your message is unique because you are unique, so give it voice and give it power. And remember, you are never too young to learn a few magic tricks.