Do Authors Have The Right Attitude To Succeed?

Do you have the right attitude to be a successful author?

There’s no one attitude that fits all, but there are some clear patterns as to the type of attitude that generally succeeds and the one that fails.  Which attitude do you embrace?

I don’t want to turn this into a psychology circus, but I do believe that writers operating out of a certain frame of mind stand a better chance at achieving their goals than those who have the wrong attitude.

A losing attitude is one that:

·         Makes excuses rather than finds a way to compensate for deficits.

·         Delays things instead of planning ahead or sticking to a schedule

·         Lets doubt takeover and infiltrate one’s mindset

·         Allows fear to steal their confidence and not take risks

·         Wants to blame others rather than take responsibility

·         Doesn’t welcome help but needs some

·         Really doesn’t conceive of having wild success or happiness

·         Feels limited but fails to take corrective action

·         Accepts “No” and even expects it

·         Lets past failures dictate future performance

·         Fails to see him/herself as a leader, only as a follower

A winning attitude is one that:

·         Acts as if they’ve already won

·         Sees everything as a competition that he can win

·         Acts with confidence optimism, and drive

·         Sets goals and has a stick-to-it mindset

·         Welcomes help and utilizes resources

·         Sees a “No” as a delayed Yes

·         Looks to improve all the time

·         Knows he or she can always learn from others

·         Is curious and questioning

·         Persists when others don’t

·         Believes he or she can achieve what they focus on

·         Tries new things or new methods

·         Has faith and trust in himself

Attitude is everything – along with your abilities, brains, connections, personality, and experiences.  There’s little that limits you from infecting others with an empowering, positive, and forceful attitude.  You can smile, have pep in your step, be friendly, offer help, tell a joke, and be supportive of others.  You can have a terrific attitude towards life, your book, and others.

It’s hard to change one’s attitude, but it’s not impossible.  Plenty of inspirational books, motivational seminars, and the support of friends and family can nurture the winning attitude that may already reside within you.  But in the end, look no further than yourself to bring out a winning attitude.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

Step Out of Your Book Marketing Prison

 

On a recent visit to Philadelphia, the home of American democracy and the birthplace for freedom, my family and I came upon an unusual tourist attraction:  a prison.

We’d been to Philly numerous times over the years and had already been to Betsy Ross’s House, The Franklin Institute, Independence Hall, Mutter Museum, Liberty Bell, Please Touch Me Museum, The Barnes, and the Rocky statue by the base of the steps of the public library.  We wanted something different.

The Eastern State Penitentiary popped up on a Goggle search for things to do in the land of cheese steak sandwiches.  Off we went in search of education and entertainment.  What we found was enlightenment.

The prison, last used in 1971, served the community for nearly 150 years since it opened its doors in 1829.  At the time it was created it was reported to be the world’s largest prison and one of the first of its kind, serving as a model for other soon-to-be built prisons.  It attempted to see prison with a purpose, not just a way to punish people, keep criminals off the street, or deter would-be criminals.  It sought to reform them and to instill a fear of recidivism.

However, it seems the well-intentioned and very expensive attempt at this was misguided.  In the first few decades of its existence, all prisoners were kept in solitary confinement.  They never saw each other nor spoke to one another.  It was enough to make a person go mad.

The prison, nearly two centuries old, is too dilapidated to be anything but a showcase for architecture, social justice and history, but it is amazingly well preserved.  Its hallways and bars tell so many stories.  There were even a few celebrity prisoners there, including gangster Al Capone and Willie Sutton, the bank robber who used to rob banks “because that’s where the money is.”

Towards the end of the tour there’s an excellent display of images, statistics, and prisoner testimonials, raising a thoughtful discussion about prisons. What are they for and how should they be run? Does it make sense that the U.S. is the incarceration capital of the world?  Is it cost effective to spend annually for a prisoner what would equal two and a half times the cost of a state college education? Is the justice system fair with who it sends away and for how long?

Okay, so you may find this interesting, but where’s the analogy to book marketing you ask?

Well, I have two analogies.

First, let's look at the concept of how one’s ability to control his or her mind can dictate his or her ability to succeed.  For those in prison, I can’t imagine the strength needed to overcome their misery.  Either they are isolated and feel helpless or worthless – or they are amongst others who want to do them harm. How do they keep up hope and see a way out, a life beyond prison?

Authors sometimes feel they are prisoners of their mind, victims of negative thinking. They feel limited or helpless when it comes to promoting a book.  How do they find a way to see beyond their self-imposed jail and look beyond their surroundings to find hope and optimism when it comes to marketing their brand?

Second, just as the penal system has undergone changes and reforms over the years, so should an author’s approach to book marketing.  There’s no one “right way" to do this, and not every approach serves everyone well. Authors must find the path that’s right for them.

Alright, so maybe it is not a fair comparison to make – prisons and book marketing – but you get the idea.  Go out there and live your life fully and freely.  Experiment with the best way to market your book and release the shackles, real and perceived, to soar high and far.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

Would You Want To Be Called A Bookworm?

We live in a world of labels, some of which we place upon ourselves, some of which get placed upon us.  Racist, sexist, or homophobe are certainly not positive monikers, but what about names that used to be seen as deeply negative that are now deemed, in certain circles, to be cool, accepted, or something other than their original meaning? How do some terms go from being offensive to complimentary?

It used to be a nerd was seen as a social outcast and an undesirable.  Now people think a tech geek is cool, that nerds are endearing and that bookworms are savvy.

Who would think that during the protest march led by women at around the time President Trump was inaugurated that some women, as a show of confidence and defiance, would march bare-chested or don what they called a "pussy hat"? Women are taking control of their bodies as well as the terminology and dialogue used to talk about them.

Bitch seems to be a term that some women have co-opted and taken ownership of, reducing the sting the word used to have.  Bitch used to be a nasty word. Period. No one wanted to be called one -- especially by a guy.  It sounded so demeaning, crude and disparaging.  But a bitch now is seen by many as a campy term, depending on how it’s used -- and by whom. Women refer to one another as a bitch -- or some self-identify themselves this way -- and hold the term in an endearing or proud way. Times have changed!

Now, don't get me wrong, many people still throw around "slut" and "bitch" and mean it in a derisive, hurtful, negative way, but it does seem that pop-culture and the new generation have chosen to also use these words in a joking and less serious way.

In a recent visit to a bookstore I was amazed to see so many newly featured books with the F-word in the title of the book. I counted no less than three such books out of about 50 or 60 that were shelved together. What is going on that words are becoming meaningless or turning from undesirable terms to instead connote a seemingly preferable name. Someone from 1960 would hear bitch, slut or the F-word and run the other way. Now we seem to open our arms to such words. 

Pop culture is largely to blame for this change of how we process such words. Popular television shows and movies have eroded the harshness that used to be associated with some terms. Shows like Girls and Sex and the City made it commonplace for friends to refer to each other as sluts or bitches. Musical lyrics also desensitize us to such labels when these words are used repeatedly and at times fondly. Social media is littered with the use of these terms.

So which term would one have the least issue with if he or she was to be called a bitch, slut, or bookworm?  Which term is the one likely to ascribe to their lifestyle or personality, almost proudly and with confidence?

A bookworm, to me, seems the most innocent of the three.  If there’s a negative connotation it is that one is so book smart but not so people smart.  We may assume a book nerd is not the most attractive or physically capable person, but that seems like an old stereotype.  Today the bookworm is seen as someone who is unapologetically bright, even witty and insightful.

I’m sure, depending on who says it and with what kind of intent, the shouting of “bitch” or “slut” to another can still sting and feel like an insult.  But I hear more and more girls, women and even guys call themselves those things – jokingly.

Language is a funny thing.  As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, 1970s, I remember hearing a lot of terms being thrown around and it was not endearing to hear one called a bitch, slut, or any other racial, sexual, or religious slur.  It seems like these terms are used less often, in some cases, and in other cases, they are being used in a far different way than they used to be used.

A bookworm, on the positive side, is a label one should be honored to have.  Book nerds are:

·         Vociferous readers and knowledgeable about many things.

·         Interesting people who can converse on numerous topics.

·         People you want on your side when you need to solve a problem.

·         The backbone of a literate society.

Bookworms can be:

·         Beautiful

·         Sexy

·         Funny

·         Loving

·         Friendly

I don’t exactly know how great it is to be labeled a slut or bitch, even if it is done affectionately by a friend, but a bookworm has little negative backlash to it.  Only bullies or morons will try to dirty the tag of a bookworm. They are jealous, fearful, and insecure dolts who deep down know they are inferior to bookworms.

It is an upside down world, where the bookworm or nerd is cool, a woman can proudly declare herself a bitch, and a slut can be seen as someone who is desirable and sexually empowered.

You can call me a bitch or slut if you like, though the names don’t seem to fit me. But call me a bookworm or nerd and you’ve just made a friend.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

--Albert Einstein

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

--Wayne Gretzky

“The way to get started is to stop talking and start doing.”

--Walt Disney

“Confidence sells – people believe in those who believe in themselves.”

--Simon Black

“We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful.”

--Carlos Castaneda

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Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. 

How Blogging Helps Authors

Blogs can be an author’s best friend, even if it seems like a time suck to read, share, or post on blogs.  But let’s take a look at how many successful authors strategically use the world of blogging to advance their brand and promote a book.

There are lots of blogs out there of varying sizes and shapes.  Some have millions of followers and others have only a handful.  One of the first uses of blogs is to inform the author of what’s going on in the world of books and publishing, as well as the subject area he or she writes on or the industry he or she works in.  You can easily monitor what’s being said out there by connecting to popular blogs on a targeted topic.

The next thing authors should do is try to connect with these influential bloggers and befriend them.  Offer to write a guest-post or provide comments to their blog.  They can help you build up your following by sharing your voice and exposing it to their tribe.

Look at who else comments on the blog.  Try to connect with them as well.  They, too, want to be active in the online community and perhaps you can help one another.

Of course, one of the best ways to establish yourself is to write a blog and post regularly.  Share your posts with others and invite your family, friends, and social media followers to sign up for the blog.

Now just because you have a blog, it doesn’t mean everyone’s reading it or even knows it exists.  You must promote the blog just as you would a book.  You may ask:  Why bother?

Well, it depends on the pay-off that you seek – and that’s attainable.  A blog can outlast a book.  A blog could be a lifetime thing, where a book comes and goes.  The blog is your epicenter, a reliable, consistent place where people can connect with you.  As you build the blog up, it will be there for you for your future book releases.  You’ll have built up a following that’s hungry for that next book.

There are cons to blogging.  For one, it doesn’t earn you money until your following is large enough to attract advertisers or requests from others to pay you as an influencer to mention their product.  Most blogs don’t earn money.

Blogging is time consuming.  You must write, research, edit, post, and share your blog on a frequent basis.  If you respond to comments, that’s even more time used that could be applied to knock out a book.

One way to keep a blog going is to write short posts, invite guest-posts, interview others, or to use visuals that get a message across without having to labor over a long post.

Blogging is not for everyone but I think once you get into it and stick with it for a few months, you will find it rewarding.  To take your book marketing to the next level, strongly consider being an active blogger.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.

How Much Money Should You Spend On Book Publicity?

It is becoming apparent there are several types of authors out there.  Which one are you – and what type of approach to book marketing should you take?

The first way to look at authors is how they are published.  Are they with a major traditional publisher, a small press, university press, hybrid publisher, or self-publisher?

Another way to look at authors is whether this is their first book or not.  One also has to determine if they are writers who hope to generate many books, or if they are not writers by trade but merely consider this a hobby.

Do authors see their book as:

Launching a series and a writing career?

Having true best-seller potential?

A mere calling card for their business or profession?

A one-time event to tell their story and legacy?

A way to promote a movement or useful information?

Being unique, amazing, first to say something, or newsworthy?

Depending on how a writer views the purpose and potential of his book, one can then determine an appropriate book marketing strategy and set a budget to reach certain goals.

Certainly other factors play a role in what types of PR campaign you should execute, including:   timing, distribution, genre, and competition.

When I broke into book publicity nearly 30 years ago an old standard for book publishers was to invest one dollar per book printed for book promotions. So if you printed an initial run of 7,500 books, you spent 7,500 bucks on marketing that book.  But today’s metrics have changed.

Sales are hard to predict, no matter who the publisher or author is.  Many publishers overguess sales of an anticipated blockbuster and end up pulping leftover copies, while other times publishers need to scramble back to press to fill orders for books where they didn’t predict such demand would exist.  However, one knows that publicity is needed to jumpstart sales and give a book at least a chance at success.

So how do you determine how much money and effort to put into a book?  It comes down to this:  Will you benefit from getting publicity, even if the book doesn’t sell a ton of copies?  How do you put a value on marketing when the payoff may come through other means?

For instance, maybe the book publicity exposure allows you to get a better job, launch a business or grow your consulting and speaking gigs? Maybe the publicity helps change people’s lives and push forward a movement or agenda that until now had been lacking? Perhaps the publicity helps you get a book deal with a literary agent or publisher – or earns interest from movie houses?

When it comes to setting a budget, you need to spend what it will take to get the job done.  You can’t half-repair a broken car, can you?  

You need to determine what types of job you want done.  You don’t want to just throw money at something, thinking it just has to work – and you don’t want to shortchange a dream or a real opportunity at success.

Some authors borrow money, find investors or determine to make financial sacrifices in order to do what it takes to fund a strong book publicity campaign.  I don’t recommend taking a second mortgage out, but I do see the appeal in authors stretching their budget in order to have a legitimate opportunity to break through and advance their careers.

It’s not an easy decision.  I get that.  But if you are willing to write a book and put your all into it, don’t stop supporting it.  Do what you can to give yourself true fulfilment.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America.