Readers On Demand

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Check out this free online summit.

Women in Publishing Summit 2020 | Women in Publishing Summit The Summit Whose Time Has Come. Women writers, publishers, graphic designers, editors, book coaches, & publishing experts provide tools to other writers.

So one week ago I did a thing… I officially sold my book marketing business, Readers On Demand, to the magnificent Alexa Haddock Bigwarfe.

If you want to implement the Book Buyer’s Path method, she’s your gal now!

For the record, I never planned on selling my business.

I believe that books change lives, and I have loved working with A-MAZING authors, helping them get their books into the hands of more people.

But somewhere along the way, my business became a substitute for my own books. And instead of helping me achieve my vision, it began taking me away from it.

Rather than throwing everything away though, never to help another soul again, I passed it all off to Alexa so she could continue helping authors with the Readers On Demand Workshop and Book Buyer’s Path methodology.

For those of you wondering, I’m still writing, I’m still coaching, I’m just doing it in 100% alignment now.

And speaking of, I also officially launched Permission to Thrive! (Here, I’ll make it easy for you web stalkers out there: permissiontothrive.com)

Business and my pursuit to write bestselling children’s books are now one and the same, serving the same mission just via two different vehicles:
to help people not be dictated by their past; to empower them to be and achieve all they desire, regardless of what they’ve been through or where they come from.

I’ve said it a hundred times before and I’ll say it again…
We might not be able to change the first chapters of our life, but we can take back the pen and write the rest of our story.

This being my last post here, I want to say thank you for your love and support over these last few years! I appreciate every one of you and believe your words and your stories matter.

Are you looking for great deals for WRITERS this BLACK FRIDAY? Don't miss this incredible line-up!

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[Author Rant Alert!!! You’ve been warned...]

Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen so many “experts” be an expert in EVERYTHING. (Which completely nullifies the word, doesn’t it?)

I am no editor. CAN I edit? Yes. Is it my expertise? Absolutely not!

I am no cover designer. CAN I do graphic design? Yes. Is it my expertise? Nope!

I am no ghostwriter. CAN I write a book? You betcha. Is writing for others my bread-and-butter? Not at all.

I can put you in touch with a kick-butt editor, an amazing cover designer, and the best ghost-writer I know.

Marketing books is what I do. It’s all I do. Every single day. So guess what? I’m an EXPERT in it.

Would you trust a “handyman” to build your house?

Or do you want the electrician to do the electricity, the plumber to do the plumbing, and the carpenter to do the woodwork?

When it comes to your book - your dream, your passion, your career, your livelihood, your future - stop getting advice on book marketing from people who also help you write your books, design your books, and publish your books.

STOP expecting expertise and results from jack-of-all-trades!!!

One size does NOT fit all. So why are you trusting people like this with your dreams?!

While their intentions are good, their advice is not. And they are leading people down the wrong rabbit holes, wasting people’s time, money, and sanity.

There’s WAAAAAY too much information out there. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, lost, and confused as to what is legit… what to do, what not to do, and how to do it all.

So here's the deal...

💡💡💡 I’m starting a free Book Marketing Facebook Group to help writers/authors get super clear and straight on what you need to do so you can get actual results.

In other words - a place where I can undo all the junk other people are feeding you! 🤦‍♀️

If you - or someone you know - would be interested in joining, comment below with “I WANT IN!!!” 👇👇👇

Whether you have a book yet or not, if you know you need to grow your platform and email list to be successful, this will absolutely help.

👉👉👉If I get at least 50 people, I’ll start the group. And if not, then I’ll just keep ranting… 😜

P.S. Feel free to share this with your writer friends! I’m on a mission to rid the world of bad book marketing advice.

A friend and I were just talking about this!!! 😂🙈

I think we've all been here at some point! LOL

While some of the best spring cleanings get accomplished during "writer's procrastination", these are my top 3 favorite author-procrastination-elimination strategies:

1. Set urgent deadlines (no more than 1-2 weeks out at a time)

2. Have an accountability partner and/or mentor (extra points if they have the ability to inflict some type of painful consequence should you not follow through)

3. Take 5-10 minutes to journal about "Why?" you are procrastinating (spoiler alert: it's almost always due to some underlying doubt or fear)

How To Write A Book In The Next 30 Days…The 5 things you MUST know!

You’ve accomplished a lot in your life, and have dreamt of writing a book to maximize the number of people reached by your mission and message.

You've helped set people free and want to pass on the wisdom and experiences you’ve learned, while increasing business opportunities and establishing an everlasting revenue stream.

You’ve never written a book before though, and you just can't find the time (plus you don’t know which stories to even share), so you want someone to help SPEED things up.

I’m going to do a free training on the 5 things you need to know on how to write a book in the next 30 days, even if you’ve never written a book before.

Just throw a “yes” in the comments if you want that free training and I’ll send it to you. 👇👇👇

JA Andrews said she's going to start having a Jack Sparrow response to bad reviews. 😂😂😂 I love it!

A little Friday humor... not that anyone here can relate. 😉

I just updated my in-house checklist for writing a Nonfiction Bestseller in 30 days or less.

This checklist breaks down the 6 fundamental steps I teach my clients for writing well-written books quickly and easily on a regular basis.

Comment "YES" below if you want it. Offer good until 10:30 PM tonight.

UPDATE: I'll send it to you via messenger tomorrow.

How you view yourself and what you have to offer the world, will directly affect how many books you sell.

Almost every author I talk to doesn't have purely a marketing issue - they have a self-image issue.

Recently I spoke with one author who has published 6 books, sold thousands and thousands of copies…

Yet every time she posts about her new book, she immediately posts a picture of her child right after, to “cover up” any self-promotion.

As a result, her platform is suffering and her book sales are unpredictable.

And yes, while there are things I can do to help get her marketing machine up and running, there’s something only SHE can do:

>>> Accept that what she has to offer the world is of value.

She’s not alone in her feelings of disgust, guilt, and discomfort when it comes to self-promotion.

But the anecdote isn’t simply to go in the opposite direction of the self-esteem spectrum, becoming some arrogant, haughty, “I’m better than thou” jerk.

The cure is seeing your book as others see it.

To start, ask yourself this question:

Where would you be without books?
How would your life be different?
How have books in your genre positively impacted your life and others you know?

Both fiction and nonfiction books, regardless of genre or topic, have been responsible for helping people relax, rest, escape, entertain, think, change.

Now ask yourself what would have happened if the authors of those books that have impacted your life, decided to never promote their work?

What if...
They never marketed?
They never shared?
They never got their written words out into the world?

What if their written words lived in boxes instead of on bookshelves?

(Are you ready for this? Brace yourself…)

Your book is the same for someone else.

Someone out there needs your voice, your unique perspective, your stories.

Their life needs the change your book can bring.

So it is no longer about “self-promotion”, but rather about giving people the opportunity to be impacted.

When you believe in your work...

(and I mean REALLY believe that it can be good and helpful for SOMEBODY)
..then you will no longer despise marketing as something only sleazy, slimy, car salesmen do…
..but as something that - when done honestly, with humility, gratitude, and authenticity -

>>> has the power to change the world with every person who reads your words.

That power is within you.
It’s just waiting to be let out of the cage your insecurity, fears, and doubts have put it in.
And you’re the one who holds the key.

Something's coming...

🤣😂

// MOVING THROUGH THE FEAR OF FAILURE //

The other night there was a loud storm and my daughter was afraid to go to bed because of the thunder.

I held her, I put on calming music, I wrapped her in her blanket and made sure she had her favorite stuffed animal.

But none of it worked.

She was still scared.

Finally I asked, “Why are you scared?”

“It’s loud,” she said.

“Can the loud hurt you? Are you in danger?” I replied.

“No. But it’s loud.”

“I get that. Loud noises are startling when you don’t expect them. But is it dangerous?”

“No,” she finally resolved, a little calmer than before.

A loud clap of thunder sounded again, and she jumped, the fear rising back to where it was before.

“Every time it startles you, tell yourself this: It’s loud, but not dangerous. I am safe.”

She repeated it a few times, and finally was able to go to sleep by herself without any problem.

This is what happens with writers.

You feel afraid of rejection, judgment, not being good enough, not getting published, not selling enough copies, not having ideas for other books, not having a big enough platform…

And when you focus on those fears, they paralyze you, and keep you from being able to accomplish your goals.

You need to ask yourself, “Am I in danger? Is what I’m afraid of going to hurt me or someone else?”

If the answer is, “no”, then why are you letting it stop you?

Why are you letting it slow you down and get in the way?

The most successful people I know have figured out how to evaluate their fears; recognize 99% of them as just feelings, not legitimate dangers; and do what they need to do in spite of those feelings.

They don’t let the fear control them. They control the fear.

Love and rain clouds,
Carissa

Just one more reason it's important to always be authentic and honest!!! 🤣😂 (Can you imagine???)

Dreamers = Talk about taking action.

Writers = Take action.

Best-selling Authors = Take the RIGHT action.

This week I've talked with several authors who are surprised to hear that they need to begin marketing their book BEFORE it's ready, not after.

[After we talk] "That makes a lot of sense. I just didn't know." - one woman I spoke with whose name won't be shared.

Waiting until your book is ready for launch day before marketing is like going to a fancy restaurant, excitedly anticipating the perfect meal…

After waiting half an hour for the chef to prepare the delicious food, the waiter comes out and informs you it is ready.

[Eeeek! You - and your stomach - are SOOO excited!]

Except for one small thing…

All the dishes are dirty so the food is going to have to sit and wait until they get washed.

So you sit there…
waiting…
thinking of your perfect meal now getting cold,
while they wash the plates, wash the utensils, wash the cups, rinse, dry, and set the table.

By now, you are a little aggravated (and much less eager to eat than when they announced the food was ready).

A lot of time and careful attention went into making this meal perfect… only for some dirty dishes to mess it up.

Don’t get me wrong, it will still taste good - but not GREAT.

You had planned on eating it when it was ready - not 20 minutes later.

Other people in the restaurant who were having the same experience get up and leave. It’s not worth the wait.

This is what happens when you wait to focus on marketing until AFTER the book is ready.

You should be getting your marketing in place BEFORE you are ready to sell your books.

You put all that time and attention into the book.

It deserves to get out into the world, into the hands of readers, once it’s done.

So take some time to wash the dishes, set the plates, and prepare the table so you have guests ready to devour the book as soon as it is ready.

That's all. Have a nice day now. ;)

I'm convinced it's a conspiracy. Anyone else???

Tell me, would you be excited or upset selling 3 books on launch day?

When our copy-writing communicates clearly and effectively, we resonate and connect with the hearts of our readers. 💞💓💕

Out enjoying the weather when spontaneous rain drops began falling from the sky directly over the bench where we just happened to be sitting. He wasn't happy getting wet, but he's smiling now that we are inside.

One of the perks of the job... 😆

Wise words from one of the best.

How we roll... 🤦‍♀️ 🛒

Editors are some of the nicest people I've ever met. I think they go above and beyond with kindness to make up for their usage of red lines! 😜