I have finally reached the end of the A to Z Blogging Challenge 2013. It’s been a lot of fun! I’ve met some great fellow bloggers—and even picked up a new client along the way. The best thing was forcing me to blog daily, and I plan to take that discipline with me long after this month. I highly recommend the challenge, and I plan to participate next year.
So here is my “Z” entry: the zen author. In my mind, “zen” is a place of reflection and enlightenment. Zen is a good place to be in—and a place where you can be successful. How do you get there as an author?
Own your niche. Decide what major subject area you’ll publish in, and concentrate on it exclusively. Know all about it. Join relevant associations, subscribe to all the trade journals and newsletters, get to know the movers and shakers in the subject area. Become the authority, the place where others turn for trustworthy information.
Cultivate word of mouth. Getting a buzz started—people talking about the book—is the result you desire. Do it by soliciting advance blurbs, getting reviews everywhere, tenaciously pursuing feature stories off the book pages, giving away tons of free review and reading copies. A complimentary book is your cheapest and most effective advertising. .
Apply the 80/20 rule. You’ll get 80 percent of your PR results (or orders) from 20 percent of your efforts (or customers). Determine who they are, and concentrate your efforts on them.
Follow up, follow up, follow up. Perseverance equals profit, so don’t give up.
