On Sunday night, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Bridges, Mo’Nique and Christoph Waltz were honored for their on-screen r
oles at the Oscars and what can the rest of us learn from their on-screen roles as it relates to the roles we play in our everyday lives? As an award-winning playwright, actress, author and mother, I answer those questions in my new book Act From the Inside Out (Bush Street Press), which releases today (www.actnowbook.com).
Act From the Inside Out unveils a new approach for self-healing and personal growth that utilizes the transformational tools of acting and explains how to use these methods to enrich our lives. From reading this book, you will learn how to:
- Break through self-limiting beliefs.
- Act out the ideal life.
- Strengthen weaknesses and stretch into new life roles.
- Cultivate an inspired mind.
Act From the Inside Out is my personal journey whose love of acting comes from my love of exploring life through characters and scripts. The experience allowed me to see the world and delve deep into the human experience by overcoming resistance, freeing the subconscious mind, learning to create an artistic lifestyle and more.
The result was a realization that I could apply the techniques of actors to raise self-esteem, overcome personal adversity and create a red-carpet worthy life everyday.
You will also learn the opportunity, through acting, to serve and connect with others through storytelling whether through comforting, educating, inspiring, or just plain entertaining others.
I am excited to announce that today is the launch of my book and readers who purchase the book on March 9 will also be invited to join me for a special empowerment project teleseminar on Wednesday, March 24.
For more information, and to purchase Act From the Inside Out, visit www.actnowbook.com. Thanks so much, and I look forward to joining you on this journey.
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Teleseminars are taking the business world by storm, and for good reason. For a minimal investment of our greatest resources—time and money—teleseminars provide massive exposure and an unprecedented return on your investment. Let’s take a look at the many ways a teleseminar can help you boost your bottom line and benefit your business.
1. Teleseminars automatically establish you as the expert. When you teach what you know, you’re automatically qualified as an expert in your field. Whether you’re a real estate agent, a salesperson, a small business owner, an author, or a coach, when people are willing to learn from your experience, you establish credibility.
2. Teleseminars are amazingly affordable. The Internet and technology have given rise to the popularity of teleseminars by making it both easy and inexpensive to produce, deliver, promote and market these events. Dollar for dollar, teleseminars far exceed traditional marketing applications, providing an avenue to boost your bottom line and make unlimited profit.
3. Teleseminars serve multiple purposes. They generate income, establish credibility, produce unlimited exposure, and they can be reproduced and regenerated as CDs, eBooks, audio files, and other products which will continue to generate publicity and income.
4. They offer convenience to your intended audience. Unlike traditional seminars, teleseminars can be attended from home or work, eliminating the necessity for travel or food accommodations. The convenience and easy access is one of the most appealing aspects of teleseminars to your audience.
5. Teleseminars offer ease of use to your audience. Even the most technologically challenged can participate with little or no effort. Usually, all they need is a telephone.
6. Teleseminars increase your client base. Every person who registers is one more person to add your list of prospects, making this one of the fastest list-building tools you can use.
7. Paid teleseminars allow you to reach more clients in any given timeframe. Gone are the limits of available seats, geographical location, time and travel. You determine how many attendees you can accommodate, without being limited by a physical facility’s capacity.
8. Teleseminars allow you to create a viral buzz about your event. At little or no cost, you can generate anticipation and Internet interest very quickly. Becoming an overnight phenomenon has never been easier.
9. Teleseminars enable you to reach new customers. If you find a partner, affiliate, or a sponsor, you automatically tap into their audience, providing you with a fresh new list of prospective customers or clients.
10. You’ll enjoy increased testimonials and endorsements. Customer satisfaction is one of the best forces to drive future business. Testimonials enable you to generate direct feedback from your audience, providing you with free advertisement and the endorsements of happy customers.
These are just ten of the tremendous benefits that hosting a teleseminar will bring to you and your business. By capitalizing on one of the fastest-growing phenomenons in business, you can take your business to levels never before imagined. The opportunity is available—seize it and watch your business grow.
To find out what teleseminars are happening today, next week, even next month, sign up for the daily email newsletter at http://seeyouonthecall.com and follow on Twitter, http://twitter.com/seeyouonthecall. If you are a teleseminar host and want to promote your teleseminar for free, or upgrade for maximum exposure, list your teleseminars today at http://seeyouonthecall.com.
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Meghan Ward, book editor and award-winning writer of the memoir, “Paris On Less Than $10,000 a Day,” a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Paris modeling industry in the late 80s/early 90s, recently wrote a blog post about the business side of my book, Goal Digger: Lessons Learned from the Rich Men I Dated. Meghan also asked me how I parlayed my book experience into a business coaching career.
In 2007, you self-published a book titled, Goal Digger: Lessons Learned From the Rich Men I Dated. Why did you choose to self-publish?
I shopped it around to literary agents and was told I didn’t have a big enough platform to sell a book, so I did it myself. I thought the whole literary agent/traditional publishing route was a block, and I was on a roll. The book was done, and I just wanted it out. Continue reading here….
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My book, Goal Digger: Lessons Learned from the Rich Men I Dated, got a stunning review from Elizabeth Gordon, founder and President of Flourishing Business®, and the author of the business bestseller The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels. I always appreciate it when other business women see the value in the approach I took - thanks Elizabeth!
Ever wonder how millionaire men think? Or what their day-to-day lives look like, what they do that makes them so successful?
A key best practice of rich and successful people is to surround yourself with other successful people who can act as mentors, advice givers and guides to your along your journey from where you are to where you want to be.
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It happens all the time. I meet someone and they get excited when they learn that I’m an author. Then, they tell me that they’ve always wanted to write a book, too. “I’m going to write a book,” or an adamant, “I’ve been wanting to write a book for a long time. I just can’t seem to sit down and do it.” A year later, I see that person again and ask how their book’s coming along. Too often, I hear that they haven’t started it yet or that they haven’t made much progress since the last time I talked to them.
Don’t let another year bite the dust! Make 2010 the year you finally become an author! If you have a desire to write a book to share your message or your concept, establish yourself as an expert, increase your exposure, or boost your bottom line, then you need to stop talking about it and start doing it.
Unfortunately, though, I know that writing a book is a time-consuming and daunting task, especially for first-time authors. That’s why I’ve developed an easier way to write a book than starting from scratch, with no experience, support, or guidelines to get you from page to page. In just one short day, you can learn how to accomplish your goal of being an author with less time and effort than you ever thought possible!
I know your pain, your setbacks, and your uncertainties. That’s why I’m offering a LIVE full-day workshop to catapult you on your way to writing, publishing, and actually selling your book. In just one day, you’ll learn the secrets to starting (and finishing) that book you’ve always wanted to write, and I’ll even share marketing strategies that can make a first-time author an Amazon bestseller!
You won’t find another workshop like this! I’ve dedicated eight hours to this intensive workshop, packed with everything you need to know to write your book and become an industry expert. Here are just some of the things we’ll cover:
- How to write a book at warp speed and with little effort! (Yes, I did say little effort!)
- How to create the most marketable and niche subject matter for your book.
- How to self-publish or submit your work to a literary agent or traditional publisher.
- How to start securing PR with media giants (think the NY Times, GMA, and CNN) about your book before it’s even published.
- How to become an Amazon® bestseller!
- How to use social media to sell books, connect with readers, and build your platform.
- How to leverage your book to create multiple streams of income.
When you’re done with this workshop, you’ll have the tools and information you need to create a marketing buzz that will build your brand, boost your business, and increase your net-worth. You’ll unlock the mystery of writing a book that can attract:
- High-paying consulting gigs
- High-paying speaking engagements
- Free exposure on TV, radio, newspaper, and online media outlets
- Your own reality TV or radio show
- More credibility as an expert in your industry
- More clients seeking your services
…all resulting in higher fees
Mark your calendars and reserve your spot for this one-of-a-kind workshop. I’ve made it as easy for you as I can, even scheduling it on a Sunday! Join us in San Francisco on February 21, 2010 from 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM (PT) and you’ll benefit from the most powerful and effective writing and marketing information and experience available. Give me eight short hours and I’ll give you:
- The confidence that you CAN write your book - and get it done fast, so you can start reaping the benefits.
- An extensive outline of your book, including A “Fill-in-the-blank” easy-to-use book template.
- A kick-butt book marketing plan.
- A 2010 business strategy goal sheet.
- A LIVE webcast interview with a literary agent and manager, David Dunham (WOW!)
- Plus, resources including the MP3 of 17 mistakes wanna-be authors make and the eBook, 10 Free Publicity Tips (for authors) + more.
In just one day, you can learn how to successfully do what you’ve wanted to do for years! You don’t want to miss this workshop, but because there are only 30 spaces available, you need to act very quickly. Don’t put it off another day—this is your year to become a successful author and to take your business to the next level. I’m looking forward to seeing you at the top!
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While it’s many an author’s dream to have their book published, it’s unfortunately, also a rarity. Not only is the process of querying agents and publishing companies a lengthy and daunting one, it’s also one that ends in rejection 95% of the time—even for some whose writing is on the level of best-selling authors.
To avoid rejection and delays in getting their book to their audience, some authors choose self-publishing. You can contract with a company who specializes in self publishing books such as LuLu.com or Amazon.com’s CreateSpace, but in doing so, you’re still giving up some of your profit and handing over the success of your manuscript to someone else. But, did you know that it can be faster and more profitable to publish your book on your own? That’s why some authors are placing their manuscripts in their own hands and starting their own publishing companies.
If you’re a first-time author or the author of several books, the benefits of owning your own publishing company can be well worth the effort involved. There are certain skills which will be necessary, but many authors have successfully mastered the publishing industry. To determine whether you would benefit from owning your own publishing company, let’s look at the skills and steps involved.
1. Are you a good writer, one who is skilled at editing and proofreading? Can you learn the technicalities of formatting a book for print? Getting your manuscript print-ready is an important part of book publishing. If you don’t know how, you’ll have to learn or hire someone to help you.
2. Do you have the marketing skills necessary to give your books the publicity they’ll need to reach your audience? You’ll need a media kit and plenty of time to contact the media, bookstores, newspapers, and radio and television stations. The Internet has also defined itself as a marketing phenomenon and you’ll need to strive for massive exposure there, as well.
3. Do you have the time and desire to make public appearances? To be a successful author, you’ll need to book plenty of signings and interviews to receive maximum exposure and sales.
4. Are you a good businessperson? A publishing company is a business and it will require a financial investment, bookkeeping, inventory, and marketing skills. In return, though, you get to reap the rewards, keep the profit and enjoy the tax deductions it can bring.
5. Do you have an image? Your book cover is a big part of your image and the initial appeal which attracts your readers. Your name is also part of your image and brand, as is the name of your publishing company. Note: Naming your publishing company after yourself isn’t always a good idea. It’s a red flag that your book is self-published. Make your company’s name memorable, but professional, if you don’t want people to know that your book is self published.
6. Your publishing company will need to be licensed with government agencies, so you’ll need to fill out the appropriate forms and request a taxpayer identification number for it. This step will go a long way in establishing your publishing company as a professional entity. While you’re at it, don’t forget to open a business bank account, something that you’re surely going to need for tax purposes and expenditures.
Once you’ve set up your publishing company, you’re ready to get started. Here’s how:
1. Even great books won’t sell if they don’t attract customers. Design a book cover or hire a graphic designer who is experienced in book cover specifications and design to create an eye-catching cover for your book.
2. Purchase an ISBN, which is the publishing industry’s unique identification for your book. It’s also required if you intend to sell books at retail establishments, or independent or major bookstores. To get yours, visit www.isbn.org.
3. Decide how much you will charge for your book. A good rule of thumb is to compare your book to similar books on the market and price it competitively. Pricing it too high will turn off buyers, and pricing it too low might give the impression that your book is inferior. Also take into consideration your costs and how much profit you need to make from each book sold.
3. Hire a printer—look for quality print and good references. You can choose traditional printers or print-on-demand printers, such as LightningSource.com, depending on how many books you initially want printed and the financial investment you’re willing and able to take.
4. After your book is printed, review the galley print, which is a draft of the interior of your book. This is an important step in making sure your manuscript is polished and print ready and the last chance to make any corrections or revisions.
5. Develop a marketing plan and hit it hard. That plan can include interviews, book signings, press releases, virtual and physical book tours, affiliate marketing campaigns, and advertisements. It takes a lot of work to receive the exposure you need to sell a lot of books, but it can be done. You should also know that while you may not sell as many books as an author published with a high-profile traditional book publisher, you also won’t be sharing your profits with them.
6. Last, but not least, your publishing company must have a professional website which promotes its authors. Purchase a domain name and spread the word, driving traffic to your website with updated information, blogs, events, and links to social media like Facebook and Twitter.
As you can see, publishing and promoting a book takes a large investment. The biggest investment you’ll make will be required when publishing your first book. There is a learning process which you’ll have to master, but when it comes time to publish your next book, you’ll be experienced and more efficient.
Running your own publishing company isn’t for everyone. But for those who are dedicated and willing to learn, it’s an investment that can produce rewards down the road. You’ll enjoy full ownership and say-so in your book and how it’s marketed. You’ll also get to stake claim to all of your book and company profits. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy every author’s dream and have a successful publishing company which will guarantee that you’ll never have to read another rejection letter again.
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Before we get started, I want to collectively send out our thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti. Despite all the challenging times many of us faced in ‘09, we are still blessed enough to be able to “pay it forward” and give back - just like these two authors, Kristof and WuDunn, who really mean business when it comes to women’s rights worldwide. Also, my dear friend, who is also an author, informed me of her ‘100 Days of Gratitude’ stance, and challenged me to come along for the ride.
Guess what! Wanting to help other people is an even better reason to SUCCEED OUTRAGEOUSLY in 2010. When you succeed today, you are not only helping yourself, but you are helping others, and they, in turn, can help others as well - I call it the ‘circle of hope.’ Think about all the great organizations, such as Kiva.org and Women for Women International, that you can support financially when you are on your ‘A’ game back at home.
Yes, I did say ‘A’ game. That’s right, the pity party of 2009 is over, and it’s time to step it up a notch and massively achieve your personal and business goals in 2010. Why? Because the world is depending on y(our) success.
Always remember, we are empowered with greatness, and it’s truly in y(our) hands to change the world. Forget about your mortgage payments, it’s your civic, rather global, duty to succeed, give back, and be grateful (not necessarily in that order!)
Here’s to y(our) success and Happy New Year!
Alicia Dunams
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