Monday Morning Marketing Tip - December 27, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Over the weekend, my wife and I attended a Cirque du Soleil performance called "Ovo." It was absolutely magnificent. It's rare to be in a room with 2,500 cynical adults who suddenly start shouting "Wow!" all at the same time. However, it wasn't just the performers who blew our minds with unbelievable stunts and death-defying acrobatics. Cirque du Soleil filled the entire experience with "wow" moments from start to finish.

For instance, when I purchased tickets, there was cool feature on their website that lets you click on a desired seat and see your view of the stage. In the middle of the show, two of the actors put on an unexpected comedic routine that had the audience roaring with laughter. And, by the end of the program, you could feel the energy that the performers were exerting to make the night feel special. There were no prima donnas or stage hogs. The entire cast was devoted to giving you a "wow" moment.

You and I may not be daring enough to walk on a tightrope or skilled enough to juggle with our feet. But, regardless of what we do, each of us has the power to make other people say "wow." The question is whether we're willing to stop and analyze what it's really like to be one of our book readers or business customers. Do you just pump out product to sell? Or, do you stop and actually think about how to make others say "wow"? Those who succeed in the business of wow are people who internalize what it's like to be their own customer. So, imagine that you're buying something from yourself. Could you make yourself say "wow"?

Start off 2011 with a book-selling bang!

Get Rob Eagar's 5-CD audio teaching set:

"Speak and Sell Books in Any Market"

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - December 20, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

In order to start a fire, you must gather together kindling. Once you light the kindling, the result is a flame so intense that it quickly spreads and ignites larger branches around it. As the larger branches catch on fire, they generate enough energy to ignite bigger pieces of wood and. If the resulting fire is left uncontrolled, the flames can get so powerful that they create a wildfire that sweeps through the entire forest.

If you want to sell your books, products, or services like wildfire, utilize the same principle. To start your fire, you need to identify and ignite an initial group of readers or customers (your kindling) who will get so excited that they turn into raving fans. I like to call them "word of mouth warriors," because they will forcefully take up the cause to tell others about your book or product. You don't have to ask them to promote for you. They will do it naturally and willingly, since your value touched an emotional fuel that lights them into action. They freely want to tell others how you improved their life. Or, they want the joy of being the first person to tell others, which makes them feel cool and influential.

How do you find your "kindling" to start a marketing wildfire? Ask yourself these two questions:
1. Who needs my value the most?

2. Who stands to lose the most if they never get my value?

Start off 2011 with a book-selling bang!

Get Rob Eagar's 5-CD audio teaching set:

"Speak and Sell Books in Any Market"

To hear a sample and purchase, click here.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tip directly to your email inbox,

click here.

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - December 13, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

"Marketing doesn't work for me." This is a common response I hear from frustrated authors and entrepreneurs. However, when I probe into the details of their recent promotional activities, I tend to find these problems:

1. Tried something once, expected a marketing miracle, then immediately stopped when results didn't intially pour in the door.

2. Sent out a promotional piece that was too self-focused and failed to provide value to the recipient, so people ignored it.

3. Created a new marketing tool that looked homemade and shot the sender's credibility.

No wonder marketing didn't work. The recipe for good marketing requires three key ingredients: consistency, value, and professionalism. If you leave out one of these ingredients, your marketing efforts will leave people with a bad taste in their mouth.

Need a Christmas gift that an author will truly appreciate?

Get Rob Eagar's 5-CD audio teaching set:

"Speak and Sell Books in Any Market"

To hear a sample and purchase, click here.

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - December 6, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Most of the major corporations around the world focus their marketing efforts on building a strong brand. If they can get you to keep a positive association locked in your mind, then you'll be more likely to purchase their products. For instance, here are some examples of famous company brands:

Wal-Mart: "Save money. Live better."
Maxwell House Coffee: "Good 'til the last drop"
The Home Depot: "You can do it. We can help."
Lowes: "Let's build something together."

What do these corporate brands have in common? They're short, memorable, and answer the all-important question that consumers ask, "What's in it for me?" Likewise, your goal as an author or business leader should be to answer the same question.

Brevity, remembrance, and value are critical to creating a powerful brand. However, your focus should be primarily on explaining the value that you provide. Cleverness is cool, but companies know that it takes more than just a witty phrase to satisfy today's savvy consumer.

Analyze your brand. Is it merely clever, catchy, or even non-existent? Or, does it clearly communicate the value that your target audience will receive? To be sure, ask a few of your readers or customers this week to give you feedback on your brand. You may be surprised by what you hear.

Need a Christmas gift that an author will truly appreciate?

Get Rob Eagar's 5-CD audio teaching set:

"Speak and Sell Books in Any Market"

To hear a sample and purchase, click here.

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click here.

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - November 29, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
If you're an author selling books or a business selling products, your customers are internally wondering, "If I give you my money first, will I get a return on my investment?" The return you provide could be increased knowledge, a problem solved, or hours of pure entertainment. But, it better be something that the customer deems worthy of their purchase. If you create a positive result, you will win the exciting prize called "word-of-mouth." If you fail to create a positive result, you may wind up with the booby prize of obscurity and looking for another job.

What kind of return on investment are you confident that you can create for your target audience? Take a moment today to write out at least three distinct results. Then, examine if that information is clearly communicated in your marketing materials, such as your website, brochure, bios, newsletters, etc. If it's missing, don't let this week pass by without improving those materials and making your results apparent.

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - November 22, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
My wife loves horses, so we recently went to see the movie, "Secretariat." Boy, were we disappointed. For a major motion picture, we were surprised by how many obvious questions were left unanswered, such as:

• How did the horse get the name, "Secretariat"?
• How did the owner, Penny Tweedy, suddenly become an expert with horses?
• How did her family stay together while living apart for several years?

As patrons, we left the movie frustrated that these obvious questions were never addressed and felt hesitant to spread word-of-mouth to our friends.

If you're a business leader or author, don't make the same mistake. Make sure you answer the obvious questions that consumers have about your product, service, or book. Obvious questions would includes thoughts, such as:

• Will this purchase give me a good return for my money?
• How will this product/book make my life better?
• Why are you qualified to be an expert worth listening to?
• What's in it for me?

Good marketing should always answer the obvious questions that your audience is thinking. Make your value apparent, and you'll spread your message as fast as a thoroughbred race horse.

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - November 15, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
When setting a fee for your books, products, or speaking presentations, practice looking in the mirror by yourself and saying the requested amount out loud. Repeat the exercise until you can say your fee without stuttering, laughing, or cowering. You must convince yourself that you're worth the money before you can convince someone else. When you can justify your value in your own mind, you will find it much easier to explain to someone else.

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - November 8, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
Recently, I was riding my bike on a trail through the woods, trying to get some exercise after work before the sun went down. As dusk set in, the light faded and the trail got harder to see. Anticipating this issue, I pulled out a pair of orange-tinted glasses that I had brought with me. As I looked through these glasses, I was struck by the change that happened. Within seconds, I went from squinting in the dim light trying to see the path ahead to suddenly seeing everything around me with bright, clear vision. I felt like someone turned on the lights, and my ability to continue bike riding became much easier. Even though nothing had actually changed, my perspective was enhanced by wearing the colored glasses.

Now, I'm not making the sappy suggestion that wearing rose-colored glasses is the solution to life's problems. However, I think this incident represents an important lesson for authors and businesses who are trying to marketing their message. When you look at your readers and customers through value-colored glasses, things will come into much better focus. In other words, if you concentrate on providing value and helping other people, your path to effective marketing will be easier to see.

For example, your newsletters will yield better results when write articles that tangibly help your subscribers. Your website and social media activities will be more productive when you give away free advice, samples, and resources. Your revenue will actually grow when you view people as individuals who need answers and inspiration, rather people who need to buy something from you.

Look at marketing through the lens of helping people and providing value. The view may not always be rosy, but your next step as a marketer will move from the dark into the light.

Author Workshop was a big success!

I want to thank everyone who attended my one-day workshop, "How to Sell Books Like WildFire," in Atlanta this past Saturday. We had a great group of authors who flew in from Missouri, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. It was a very productive day, and I look forward to doing more of these workshops in 2011. If you'd like to attend or host one in your area, contact me at 1-800-267-2045.

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - November 1, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
Most people can't retain more than 5 - 15% of what they hear while listening to a speech. Therefore, your job as the presenter is to control what five percent of your presentation you want people to remember. If the focus of your message wanders, then your audience will also tend to wander in thought. Worse, bored and confused audiences don't usually buy many books. Thus, if you're an author who wants to use public speaking as a springboard to more book sales, you would be wise to create a concise presentation with one main point.

Upcoming Event Reminder - Last chance to register!

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Almost sold-out. Signup today.
Click here for details and registration

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

E-Books Aren't Capturing College Students

Here's an interesting report from Judith Rosen at Publishers Weekly:

E-books and e-readers may be making headlines off campus, but a new study by OnCampus Research, a division of the National Association of College Stores, reaffirmed last fall’s OnCampus Student Watch study that 74% of college students prefer print. According to the study taken by 627 college students earlier this month, only 13% purchased an e-book within the past three months. And just over half, or 56%, did so because it was required for class.

“It seems like the death of the printed book, at least on campus, has been greatly exaggerated, and that dedicated e-readers have a way to go before they catch on with this demographic,” says Elizabeth Riddle, manager of OnCampus Research. “The college-age market is definitely a growth opportunity for companies providing digital education products.”

Nor did dedicated e-readers fare significantly better on campus. Only 8% of college students own a dedicated e-reading device, and 59% of students who don't own a device have no plans to purchase one anytime soon, i.e. within the next three months. Of those who did buy an e-book, the overwhelming majority, approximately 77%, read it on a laptop or Netbook. Currently the iPhone is the e-reader of choice with 23.9%, followed by the Nook at 21.6%. Nearly 15.7% read on the Kindle DX and the same number use the Kindle 3. Although 26% expressed interest in purchasing an iPad, only 13.7% own one, roughly the same percentage as the Sony Pocket reader.

My take: The moral of the story is that just because an idea seems hip and cool, it doesn't mean the hip and cool kids will necessarily adopt that idea. Remember how the "experts" last century predicted that we'd all have jet packs and flying cars by now.

Most people, young and old, are pragmatic-minded, and there has to be real value involved to make a significant change in the way you process important information, such as passing a critical college exam or transferring important business knowledge. People make decisions based on what they deem is in their rational self-interest. If you're an author or business leader trying to market your message, never forget this truth.

Article link: Print Books Still BMOC

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - October 25, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
When you receive a speaking invitation, you'll soon face the inevitable question, "How much do you charge?" Here's a secret: The longer you put off saying your fee amount, the more time you have to build your value in the eyes of the other person. Thus, the higher your chance of getting a higher fee.

If a leader pushes you for a fee early in the discussion, sidestep the request until you get a chance to explain your value. If necessary, you can buy yourself time to discuss the results you can create by saying, "I don't have a set fee. Instead, I offer options based on your needs. Tell me more about your goals for this event."

Ideally, you want to discuss your speaking fee AFTER you talk about the leader's needs and confirm that you can meet them. Once you complete that conversation, then you can mention an initial dollar figure or ask the leader to specify the allotted budget for speakers.

Upcoming Event Reminder - Time is running out!

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Only a few seats left...signup today.
Click here for details and registration

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - October 18, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
If you know about a subject well-enough to write a book, then you're probably familiar with some of your subject's annual conferences, retreats, or trade shows that attract industry leaders and influencers. If not, then conduct an Internet search, or ask the leaders that you know for a list of the major events they attend.

Consider attending at least 3 - 5 of these events per year as networking opportunities. Contact the event organizer, and ask if you could teach a workshop or sit on one of the discussion panels. Your goal is to get your name and expertise in front of the attendees. If those efforts fail, you can still meet a lot of leaders by attending the event's sessions, dinners, or extracurricular activities. Don't hide in your hotel room. Walk around and engage people with confidence knowing that you have real value to offer.

Action step: Make a list of 3 conferences you should attend in 2011 and contact the organizer about speaking or exhibiting opportunities.

Upcoming Event Reminder - only 5 seats remain!

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Space is filling up fast...signup today.
Click here for details and registration

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click here.

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - October 11, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
The 10 Commandments of Author Marketing - How many are you breaking?

Thou shalt:

1. Tell people about the results your books create, not the topics you write about.

2. Test your manuscript on focus groups and get actual success stories before you publish your book.

3. Include your contact information on all of your marketing materials - or lightning may strike you.

4. Make sure your website lets visitors test-drive your expertise.

5. Refrain from blaming your publisher for being the devil. Only you control the success of your career.

6. Maintain a growing database of leaders and send them regular newsletters...righteous!

7. Honor the Sabbath. Carve out regular breaks in your schedule to recharge your mind and soul.

8. Renounce false prophets who claim they can make your book hit #1 on Amazon...for a small fee.

9. Abstain from idolizing your book. Take your material and turn it into spin-off products, such as audio, video, coaching, curriculum, etc.

10. Avoid false humility. Don't be afraid to tell people about your book when you know it can help them. That's the real point of evangelism.

Blessings be upon you and your books.

Upcoming Event Reminder - only 5 seats remain!

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Space is filling up fast...signup today.
Click here for details and registration

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click here.

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - October 4, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
If you want people to buy your book, product, or service, sometimes they only need one reason to pull the trigger. However, it's your job to create that one reason and make it apparent.

For example, I wrote a book that has a page in it called, "31 Character Questions." This list of questions was designed to help the reader determine the character of the person he or she was dating. I found that whenever I mentioned this list from the speaking stage or during a media interview, my book sales immediately increased. Listeners would rush up to my resource table and say, "I want to buy your book to get those 31 character questions." My list was reason enough for some people to make a purchase.

Likewise, I recently attended an expensive training conference because the teacher included two months of personal follow-up in the event price. That feature was the primary reason that I chose to buy. How about you? Maybe you bought a pair of uncomfortable shoes because you couldn't resist how good they looked. Perhaps you frequent a restaurant because their menu is the only one around that offers healthy eating options.

Marketing your message is usually less complex than you think. You just have to give people one convincing reason to buy. Here's the secret: One of the best ways to create your reason is to understand what makes you buy the stuff that you purchase. So, take this week to create three common reasons why you've bought specific items in the last month. Apply that knowledge to your own products, and give your target audience one reason why they can't resist making a purchase from you.

Upcoming Event Reminder:

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Space is limited to the first 10 authors who signup.
Click here for details and registration

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click here

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - September 27, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
Social media is popular because it's the "poor man's" version of marketing. It's free and anyone can do it. But, that doesn't mean it's always effective. Now, before you techie-types send me a bunch of mad emails, remember that I've got more evidence than you have emotion. I watch hundreds of authors, businesses, and non-profits spend inordinate amounts of time (which equals money) on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn trying to boost their business. For the most part, it's like watching a lot of hamsters spinning on a wheel. Lots of effort with little results.

Here's the problem. Everyone jumped on the social media bandwagon so fast that too many people are vying for our attention. In those situations, the most humorous, salacious, or ridiculous usually win the battle. How do you compete with all of this noise? Don't try to win the battle. Focus solely on attracting and providing value to those who need you the most. No one really cares about what you had for lunch or where you went on vacation. But, they do care if you can help make their life better.

Are you using social media, or is it using you? Focus on how you can help people, and let your value be the spark that starts a wildfire for your message.

Chew on this:
"Social media has become a form of reality television. People with essentially nothing to say have a venue to say whatever they please, making them believe that they have do have something to say. The medium has become the message. And, the message is vacuous and vapid."

- Alan Weiss

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Space is limited to the first 10 authors who signup.
Click here for details and registration

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tip directly to your email inbox,

click here

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - September 20, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
You must beware of listening to unsolicited feedback. Some authors and business leaders are especially notorious for letting random comments, both good or bad, radically influence their direction. For example, just because someone posts something negative on your Facebook wall, blog, or book's Amazon page doesn't mean they're right. Have they ever written a successful book? Are they an expert in their field? Are they worth listening to, or are they just trying to put forth their personal agenda?

Be careful who you listen to. Only accept advice from someone you trust who has the expertise to back up their credible point of view. Seek critical feedback from those who have gone before you successfully. You wouldn't take legal advice from someone who isn't a lawyer. Why listen to critics who haven't done it well themselves?

Chew on this:
"Never take financial advice from a broke person."

- Anonymous

Authors with marketing savvy sell more books...

it's time you became one of them.

Rob Eagar announces his new workshop:

How to Sell Books Like WildFire!

November 6, 2010 in Atlanta, GA

Space is limited to the first 10 authors who signup.
Click here for details and registration

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tip directly to your email inbox,

click here

© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - September 13, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
One of the keys to successful marketing is the ability to convince skeptical people that your product or service is worth buying. Your job is to build enough credibility and value in someone else's mind that they believe it's worthwhile for them to part with their money and make a purchase, or part with their time and participate. A great way to generate this belief is by using success stories. Yet, I rarely see authors and business leaders take advantage of this tool.

The point of a good success story is to show how someone benefited from your expertise, whether through a tangible book or an intangible service. If the testimonial is specific and genuine in nature, then it allows the reader to feel a greater sense of trust about you. Trust is one of the most important factors in the buying decision process. For example, here's an example of an ineffective and effective success story for the bestselling book, The Five Love Languages (I chose these randomly from Amazon.com):

Ineffective - "For anyone in any sort of relationship, this book is a must read! I devoured it in two days, and I look forward to reading it again. Love is such an important topic, yet so many of us equate it only to romantic involvements. The Five Love Languages will give you a vast understanding of how all the people in your life will benefit from knowing their particular love language and that of those around them." (This testimonial is too vague and cliché to build trust and value with the reader.)

Effective - "The Five Love Languages is absolutely incredible. Having serious marital problems with my husband, I was desperate for any kind of help. Not expecting too much, one lazy morning I suggested to my husband that we lay in bed and begin reading this book out loud to each other. We read 120 pages that morning! We couldn't put it down! Both of us shed a lot of tears, because the book really hit home. That morning, everything seemed hopeless for us. But, after reading this book, we had new hope that our problems could be resolved. Our attitude toward each other has greatly improved since read Dr. Chapman's book." (This is a powerfully convincing testimonial, because it's specific and relevant to the reader.)

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, whether you run a large business or a small non-profit, success stories are some of the most powerful marketing tools you can use. So ask yourself this week:

1. Is my book or business so good that it improves a person's life? Can I prove it?

2. Am I asking customers for success stories?

3. Am I posting great success stories in all of my marketing materials?

Chew on this:
"Success breeds success."

- Anonymous

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

This is how NOT to give a speech in public!

A hilarious testament to the principle that energy and enthusiasm during a speech can never overcome a lack of value.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - September 6, 2010

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip is written to help authors, publishers, and organizations spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
Since Labor Day is a national holiday, most people typically celebrate by taking time off to enjoy family, traveling, or rest. However, I find that authors, speakers, and business leaders sometimes have extreme difficulty breaking away from their work to relax. We usually push ourselves to constantly create, connect with our audience, or manage all the duties of moving an organization forward. For instance, some of you reading this email are working right now, rather than resting. National holidays are nice, because they give everyone a reason to slow down. But, I'd argue that 10 federal days off per year is nowhere near enough time to keep the soul recharged.

So, this week's marketing tip is about rest. That's because rest directly relates to marketing, since you can't remain creative if you never give your brain a chance to reset. For instance, when you rest, do you give yourself the freedom and priority to fully break away from your all of writing or business responsibilities? Or, are you the type who constantly checks email on vacation, or spends your time off trying to get ahead in the office or get ahead on your manuscript?

Some of my author clients have told me that resting is the most difficult challenge they face. They work like crazy, and over time they feel like their candle is burning at both ends, which saps them mentally, physically, and spiritually. The problem is that it's usually too late when we recognize the real need for rest. The light bulb goes off in our head when a health concern demands that we slow down, or our family complains that we act driven or too distracted.

This week, take a moment to do two things:

1) Set aside at least two hours before next Monday to really rest, such as go on a relaxing walk, play extra with your children, take a mid-day nap, go out to dinner with your spouse, etc. Whatever you do, give yourself the freedom to fully disconnect from work. If resting is difficult for you, start making this activity a weekly priority.

2) Commit to going on a multi-day vacation sometime in the next 3 - 4 months. Go somewhere that helps you recharge. If money is tight, stay in a local hotel, visit a friend, rent a cabin in the woods, go on an outdoor adventure, etc. The point is to prioritize rest and commit to it on your calendar. When you make rest a priority, you help build balance into your life.

Think about it this way: If taking a Sabbath was good enough for God, why can't it be good enough for us?

Chew on this:
"On the seventh day, God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So, God blessed the seventh day and made it holy."

- Genesis 2:2 - 3

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - August 30, 2010

This week's focus:
We live in a visually-oriented society, and you need to consider the lowest common denominator of your audience. Thus, it's important to consider ways to make your message memorable. For example, using visual aids and word pictures makes it easier for everyone to understand the benefits of your book. One of my clients, Johnny Parker, uses a metaphor about blueprints and home construction to describe how his message can help couples build stronger marriages. Then, he cleverly gives away a Home Depot gift card to people as a prize. As you can imagine, listeners find it easy to remember his message and expertise.

Take a moment right now to consider a creative way that you could build similar connections with your readers, listeners, and customers.


Chew on this:
"A negative image or brand will usually be the default position. You must proactively and aggressively establish a positive and leading-edge brand."
Alan Weiss - author of How to Establish a Unique Brand in the Consulting Profession

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - August 23, 2010

This week's focus:
If you're a speaker, remember that you're audience is never captive. Even if they're sitting right in front of you, they don't have to listen if they don't feel like it. They can ignore you, pay attention to something more interesting, or simply let their mind wander. It is your responsibility to keep an audience riveted on your message. Content is king, but useless if you can't keep your listeners engaged.

If you're an author, remember that you can't force people to finish your book. Readers can daydream, skip to the conclusion, leave your book on their never-ending "I'll finish it someday" pile, or try to sell it used on Ebay. Thus, challenge yourself to write a book that deeply inspires or profoundly instructs the reader from beginning to end. This is how you sow the seeds for word-of-mouth.


Chew on this:
"He nurtured life instead of destroying it, and was sensitive to the beauty of this continent, and did something to create here a civilization. Johnny Appleseed stands for ourselves at our best."
- Writer Charles Smart on the legacy of Johnny Appleseed (speaking of sowing seeds)

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - August 16, 2010

This week's focus:
There's a silent financial killer plaguing the author community called "trinkets." Trinkets are those inane little products that you see some writers trying to sell, such as T-shirts, mugs, pens, figurines, jewelry, etc. There's nothing wrong these items on their own. The problem is they can kill your cash flow when you don't sell them quickly. I know several authors who bought too much inventory and now their garage is filled with useless trinkets and they're struggling financially.

Unless you can turn inventory on a frequent basis and maintain a high profit margin, avoid trinkets altogether. Stick to the essential author products that expand your message, such as books, audio CD's, DVD videos, ebooks, workbooks, study guides, etc. Leave trinkets to the retail professionals, and keep your business running lean and mean.


Chew on this:
"Financial peace isn't the acquisition of stuff. It's learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest. You can't win until you do this."
Dave Ramsey, bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - August 9, 2010

This week's focus:
If you want the world to treat you like a professional author or speaker, then you've got to act and appear professional. Yet, I'm surprised by how many of you shoot yourself in the foot by presenting a homemade image that damages your credibility. Here's a few tips to help influential people take you more seriously:

● Use a professional email address to communicate with your audience. If you're still using an old AOL.com email, it means you're an "Amateur On Line." The same goes for Gmail / Yahoo / Hotmail and similar email services. You're email should be your first name followed by @yourwebsitename.com

● Don't try to save money by getting a family member to build your website on the cheap or using a free blog service. Get serious and hire a legitimate graphic artist and website designer to create your website and marketing materials. The saying is true, "You've got to spend money to make money." If you don't want to spend money to be a professional author, you're in the wrong business.

● If you're dissatisfied with your book sales or lack of speaking engagements, invest in your professional growth. You can't grow if your skills remain stagnant. Take a class, join a critique group, read insightful books, attend a writers conference, hire an expert consultant, etc. Spending money to make yourself better is never an expense - it's an investment, which creates long-term benefits.

● Don't title yourself: "Jane Doe - Author, Speaker, Consultant, Mother, whatever..." Nobody cares. People want to know how you can improve their lives. Instead, create a personal brand that showcases your expertise, such as Jane Doe - "The Stress Buster," "Seatbelt Suspense," or "Leading Women in the Adventure of Faith."

If I sound harsh it's because your success is at stake, and I've got your best interests in mind. Some of you reading this tip need to get serious about being an author or find another line of work. Life is too short...why waste your gift when you can maximize it?


Chew on this:
"The master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.'" - Matthew 25:23

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© Rob Eagar 2010. All rights reserved.

Great joke about Facebook

"Facebook announced that it now has more than 500 million users...which may help explain why unemployment is around 10 percent."

- Jimmy Kimmel