How do authors build a thriving business around their published work? Spoiler alert: it's not by selling more books. In my work over the past decade with authors, coaches, and speakers, I have been behind-the-scenes of multiple 6- and 7-figure businesses. I've seen how their businesses are structured, developed the commercial offers they make to [...]
In every story, there are three characters: the hero, the villain, and the victim. A century ago, American film was born out of the vaudeville scene. The main storytelling medium at the time was melodrama, when the characters were almost comically basic. Think of the mustachio-twirling villain, tying a damsel in distress to the train [...]
What's the secret to getting more done? Is it: Working harder, or Working smarter? If you've ever hit burnout before, I'm sure you know the right answer. Sometimes the answer isn't in doing more, but in having less to do. One of the best ways you can do less, but still get everything done, is [...]
Do you have haters? People who despise what you do, what you say, or who you are? This could be a good sign that you are saying something meaningful. People who dare to take a stand on a topic will be divisive. Some people will hate your message, while others will adore it. If you [...]
Picture this: Your 3-hour Zoom workshop just started, and your computer freezes! 😬 What do you do? The show must go on! In last week's Magnetic Messages Masterclass, my computer froze precisely at 10:01 am. (My suspicion, for other event hosts, is: I was sharing a Zoom whiteboard in a browser window, and annotating with [...]
New ideas are only found in surprise. Before Thomas Edison demonstrated the electric lamp on 31 December 1879, he was a laughingstock in the press. "I have not failed," he famously said, "I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." To innovate something new, Edison had to leave behind what he already knew. New ideas [...]
It took me an extra two years to get around to it, but I finally recorded Marketing Yourself as an audiobook. If you're the type of person who prefers to listen to your book, then let me read you a story: https://marketingyourselfbook.com/audiobook
Multiple revisions make better content. Every draft is another chance to get it perfect. But once you stop, you are stuck with what you've got. Sometimes I publish fast - when you're prolific and you like to publish, it's easier to tweet out an idea than write a list of dozens of revisions. "Done is [...]
When it's time to market yourself, promote your products, and sell your services, most marketing tells a story about the business. This is a common mistake. "When you're going to the market with what you're selling, everybody doesn't care." - Seth Godin Image courtesy of Lucasfilm But you are not the hero of your [...]
Recently I taught an improv workshop at the local repertory theatre. We played many fun games, rapid games which sharpened our wits and made us laugh. What made this workshop work so well was the bell. Whenever the bell sounded, two things happened: Everyone onstage took a bow and went offstage, and Everyone in the [...]