Why Do I Need a Business Plan For My Book?

**As originally posted on http://www.nikkiwoodsmedia.com**

Wondering if you should have gotten the “find my phone” app after you’ve lost your smart phone is sort of like wondering if you should have had a business plan after you’ve completed your book. The answer to both questions is yes, and figuring it out too late can be a costly lesson. Here are five things authors need to know about business plans.

1. Marketability.

It is ideal to write a business plan for your book before you begin writing your manuscript. You may have a great story idea, but you want to ensure that you have a substantial market for that idea, and that it will cater to your target audience. If you think about it – why would you write a book that wouldn’t sell? Do your research to identify readers looking for your type of book and where they are. The bigger the market for your book, the more salable your book is, and the more profitable it will be.

2. Essentiality.

In creating your story idea, think about why you’re writing your book and why it should be published. Is there a need for your book? Are there other books similar in category or genre to yours? Why is your book different? What will make readers choose your book over others already in the marketplace? Do your research and compare your story idea to what is already out there. This ensures that you produce a unique, but necessary book for your target audience.

3. Book structure.

Arranging your book via its content (chapter structure/table of contents, summaries, and book synopsis) help you to streamline all the information you wish to present to readers. It allows you to see if there are any gaps in your story, how your book compares to others in the market, and if what you’re presenting meets the market’s demand.

4. Advertising.

So you know you want to write a book and have the perfect story idea. Have you thought of how you will promote it to your intended audience? Advertising is something you need to carefully think about, as well as develop a strategic and effective approach to build your readership – before writing your book. Waiting until you’ve finished writing your book will have you scurrying to find readers interested in what you have to say. Start brainstorming ideas on how you will get the word out about your upcoming book (blog audience, email lists, social media, and so on), and begin building your author platform now. The more people know about your book, the larger the audience awaiting your book, and the more visible your book will be when it’s released.

5. Future books.

So you know you have a great book idea and have developed your plan on how to make it a success. Have you thought about what other stories you will write? Maybe a sequel or a book series. Is your current book a way to attract publishers to more upcoming books? Is your book part of a strategy to grow your business? Think about your goals surrounding the writing of your book. Writing one book is the start to getting your name out to the masses. However, writing more books will help you to become more discoverable, visible, and profitable.

A business plan is your GPS to success.

Keep Writing!

Multi-media personality, Social Media and Personal Branding Coach, Motivational Speaker and Voice-over artist, NIKKI WOODS is the senior producer of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the most successful syndicated urban radio show in history reaching more than 8 million people on a daily basis. 

www.nikkiwoodsmedia.com

21 Things The Unlimited Woman Does NOT Fear

We all know that women have amazing super powers that allow her to rear children, run businesses, give to her community, excel in her career and do it ALL while looking good! Women seem to naturally have skill sets that allow them to effortlessly be and do much for so many. Even though it seems she can do it all and is the superwoman in her world, there are areas in life where she sometimes feels inadequate or has fear that deter her from using her unlimited 'super powers'.

Fear impacts our drive and will to succeed. When our focus is directed towards "I Can" & "I Will", power is taken away from the fears we have.

The unlimited woman will face many emotions, including doubt and fear but she overcomes when she embraces all the reasons why she is FEARLESS & UNLIMITED!

Check out 21 reasons why the unlimited woman is a winner:

1) Investing in herself and her development.
2) Embracing her unique & authentic self.
3) She does not fear 'getting out of her comfort zone'.
4) Being completely comfortable in her skin.
5) She does not fear failure, she knows it is an opportunity for growth.
6) Being transparent and asking for help.
7) Redefining herself when necessary.
8) Trying something new.
9) Being unconventional and willing to think outside of the "box". She does not accept boxes that she or others try to put her in.
10) Receiving valuable feedback from trusted sources.
11) Change, she knows life happens but she has the power to shift the direction of her life.
12) Being vulnerable, yet wise.
13) Success. She doesn't fear success because it is a reflection of her tribe and her success benefits her community.
14) Managing relationships appropriately. (ie. Building, redefining, ending some, etc.)
15) Collaborating with and supporting other women.
16) She doesn't fear honoring the gifts in others.
17) The future. She doesn't fear the future, because she creates a plan.
18) Love, being loved, giving love.The unlimited woman does not fear love, but welcomes it.
19) She does not fear asking for help and does not fear creating what she needs.
20) Getting 'it' wrong from time to time. She knows that sometimes getting 'it' wrong grants the space to learn a in new or different way.
21) She doesn't fear diversity but she sees the value and beauty in it.

How do you face & overcome your fears and doubts as you lead an unlimited life? Use the hashtag #unlimited15

Join other unlimited women who are fearless, getting out of their comfort zones, and building lives they love at the 12th Annual Unlimited You Conference! Register TODAY.

About the Author: Cassandra N. Vincent is the creator of The Cassie Brown Project and loves to inspire women to live their most liberated lives. Connect with Cassie at Unlimited You Weekend April 10- 12, 2015 www.unlimitedactions.com for more.

Turn Your Ideas into Income (With IMPACT©)

“Good ideas are not adopted automatically.

They must be driven into practice with courageous patience.”

~ Hyman Rickover

     How many times have you had ideas churning in your head…little ones; big ones; dreams; goals; intentions; projects? How many times have you acted on those ideas? Even more telling, how much income have you realized from your ideas? What stops you? What challenges you?

     There are a plethora of books, seminars and programs on creativity and how to get ideas. Yet once you have them, how do you organize your thoughts and make sense of them to determine which ones to pursue? How do you communicate your ideas and convince people to act on them? How do you determine your own actions? Which ideas are your “money ideas”?

     You typically want your ideas to have an impact whether they are for an invention, a solution to a problem, an easier or more efficient way to do something, a change to a process, the next book or movie premise, a way to better establish a relationship, or a suggestion for working smarter rather than harder. I define a methodology for organizing, communicating, selling, and acting on ideas as a process I designate IMPACT^©, detailed in my book Hey, That’s My Idea! . Let me overview this process that takes you “from idea to implementation” so that you turn your ideas and suggestions into income and being impactful.

     IMPACT^© is my mnemonic that helps you recall the six stages you navigate to take your ideas from mind to money and matter. This diagram visually represents the sequence of thoughts and actions for you to follow to organize, document, communicate, and encourage action on your ideas.

The IMPACT^© process comprises six stages:

I - Initiate your idea.

Choose your “money idea” with import.
Apply critical and creative thinking to develop it.
Capture your thoughts.

M - Mold your message.

Take inventory of reasons, data, and facts – ask questions for more details.

Edit them down to their essence.

Organize the elements for persuasion.

Clear them up, write them down for visual perspective.

P - Plot your strategy.

 Use sales strategies to “sell your idea” (even if it is not for sale).

Pace yourself: before, during, and after.

A - Attention…command It.

Consider your audience’s norms.

Capture their attention in a way to which they’ll respond.

C - Communicate for action.

Listen purposefully.

Use positive verbal and nonverbal techniques.

Integrate effective presentation skills.

T - Terminate assertively.

Tell ‘em what you want; make your call for action.

Make the tone commensurate to the request.

Be gracious and grateful.

     Let’s explore each stage in a bit more depth. For the record, I use “idea”, “suggestion”, and “thoughts” interchangeably to indicate the “stuff that’s in your head”.

Initiate your idea.

     This first stage of the IMPACT^© process is where you examine your ideas and determine the one on which you will focus your energies this time. Capture your other ideas so that you don’t lose them, yet choose one with the most import to the time, situation, and target audience on which to focus.  Apply critical and creative thinking techniques to develop your chosen idea. Once you experience the IMPACT^© process you will be able to return to your other ideas and repeat the process.

Mold your message.

     This second stage is where you do a “ideastorm”—a transfer of everything you can think of and learn through research that relates to your idea—from your head and disparate notes, into the documentation of your choice (paper or electronic) so that your idea is physically in one place. It must be highly visual so that you “see what you’ve been thinking”. Then use proven organizational patterns to sort and shape the bits and pieces of your idea to see it more clearly.

Plot your strategy.

     This third stage is where you fine-tune your organized idea. Plot your implementation action strategy so that you effectively communicate and persuade other people to accept and act on your idea. Create your sales strategy to figuratively “sell your idea” (even if it is not literally for sale). Work out how you will present your idea to your target audiences.

Attention…command It.

     The first three stages of the IMPACT^© process involve thinking, planning, organizing, and writing—so not sexy, yet necessary before you implement a strategy. Legendary Quarterback and Hall-of-Famer Roger Staubach said that spectacular achievements are usually preceded by unspectacular preparation. The first IMPACT^© stages are the unspectacular preparation for communicating and implementing your idea. The last three stages are your ACTion ones.

     This fourth stage is where you fully develop your communications strategies and start presenting your idea. Research your audience to determine how your idea best meets their needs. Use effective presentation techniques to capture your audience’s attention and interest them in your idea.  Communicate with authority to command respect, and return focus to your idea when discussion goes off on a tangent.

Communicate for action.

     This fifth stage is a seamless continuation of the previous one where you hone your persuasion and presentation techniques. Employ positive verbal and nonverbal communication skills. Listen purposefully. React appropriately to challenges and questions. Persuade your audience with your messages, reasoning, and public speaking skills.

Terminate assertively.

     This sixth stage is where you “seal the deal”—make your call to put your idea into action. Present an action plan and schedule next moves. Involve your audience in your plans and get commitments, with deadlines. Be specific. Communicate the pay-off for acting on your idea. Make your tone commensurate to your request. Express your appreciation. Remain in control of your idea by steering the course for its implementation.

Increase your income IMPACT^©-fully: stop churning and start earning

     Anyone can have a great idea. Yet, the leap from inspiration to implementation is too wide for many to make. The gap between idea and income is even wider for so many. By following the IMPACT^© process, the giant leap becomes manageable because you have tools that help you stop churning and start earning. As an entrepreneur; professional; person seeking to experience the “next chapter” in your life; a leader...implementing a system, with tools and resources, to move your thoughts and projects from your head to intentional action enables you to increase your income and make an impact on your bottom line, your family, your community, and even the world. You turn your dreams into dollars, your concepts into cash, and your ideas into income and impact!

 

About the Author:

Sylvia Henderson, Implementation Strategist, moves individuals and teams to get out of their heads and into action with their ideas for profit and purpose. Clients call her the “Maven of Implementation”. Using her design thinking process called IMPACT^©, Sylvia helps you build a foundation and develop strategies for, take action on, and be accountable to your ideas. Sylvia is the author of multiple books including Hey, That's My Idea! How to Speak Up & Get Recognized for What You Know and Think, and hosts a cable TV program and radio show on implementing ideas. Turn your dreams into dollars, concepts into cash, and ideas into impact with Sylvia’s expertise & experience to guide and encourage you. Meet Sylvia at the  Unlimited You Weekend, April 10- 12, 2015, Baltimore, MD. www.hwhn.org for details.

What Will You Gain When You Lose

I adore the principle of the Kellogg’s Gains Project. You’ve seen the commercials that ask the question “What Will You Gain When You Lose?” The campaign is all about women deserving to feel more beautiful and sharing positive inspiration. While, the campaign takes this personalized approach to weight loss, it makes me think of the weights that hold us back from living freely in mind, spirit and body. What will you gain when lose?  We’re often afraid that to release means that we’ll lose some key part of ourselves. But what would happen if you lose fear? Doubt? Insecurity? Thoughts of Lack? What could we gain by releasing these limits?

I recently had a conversation with a friend who lives on the West Coast. I shared how sometimes it seems like while we work hard, I doubt whether we make the impact that we desire to see in the lives of women. I’m not sure if women “get IT”, that feeling of support, accomplishment and growth. Well, in her unique no nonsense way, she sho’ put me in my place. She helped me to lose so that I could gain.

“Says who?” was her response.  She spoke from her truth, sharing that she’s attended our annual conferences and seminars since 2008. “And not cause I like ya’ miss ma’am.” Well the nerve of her, of course she likes me. Lol! I literally tried to laugh off the conversation. How many times have had awkward moments where we feel vulnerable and want to rush through the experience?

Not with my sister friend, she made me face the scale with her own level of vulnerability. She shared that our events have helped her gain renewed purpose and clarity. Her journal writing and poetry went from a dark place to light and fresh. She is healthier and feels freer to be herself, which affected her family in much the same way. But that’s not all; she’s started a successful businesses based on her passion, has made an awesome connection with a national organization for her emerging business and moved across the country (a long time dream). Her words, “I know it’s a reflection of HWHN.”

Needless to say, I was humbled. Then I felt that emotion rise from my belly and bubble out of my skin…gratitude.  Imagine if I allowed that weight to lay on my mind and heart. Often we don’t move because we’re afraid of being exposed, yet when we do, we can find freedom in that movement and greater joy where fear once lived. What we gain, when we lose is filled with amazing freedoms. The principle of gratitude, no matter! The joy of learning something new! The ability to teach what we’ve learned! The chance to change a life!

What will you gain when you lose this week? You never know the difference you’ll make in the life of another. 

About the Author: Sister Mothyna James-Brightful is a self proclaimed “Self Love Revolutionary”. She has spent the last decade empowering women and girls to live authentic lives. Sister Mothyna is the Visionary Director and Co-founder of Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation. Sister Mothyna is co-author of Because I am a Queen...100 Affirmations for Daily Living. Stay connected www.hwhn.org: Twitter @mothyna

8 Steps to Achieving Your Goals

A new year is here and if you've set goals or resolutions we'd love to see you accomplish them and much more.  Read on for eight steps to achieving your goals. And I look forward to seeing you hit it soon.

Take small steps and be patient. Think about the speedometer on a car. Unless you're racing the Indy, you don't want to go from 0 to 120. Instead you might want to move a needlepoint at a time. Small steps are alright... just keep moving.

Once you start, you're already finishing. Understand that it's hard to start new things, but it's easier to keep things rolling once they're started. Just don't stop until you're finished, and if you do it's OK to reset.

Not now doesn't mean not ever. Be sure to prioritize. You don't have to do it all at the same time. Choose the tasks with the most immediate timeline or the greatest payoff to start.

Get up early! There is a truth to the early bird gets the worm. Use your time wisely and get your day started early. This also applies to the task, don't wait until the absolute last minute, get started early when you can.

Do things that excite you! This means enjoy the work! Yes, it may be a task you don't love but if it needs to be done...find something to enjoy about the process. It maybe that you enjoy knowing that it's something important or just getting it finished. 

Multitask. Also, don't multitask. This may seem funny but it's true. In some areas you may be able to multitask well, in others it's overrated so check in with yourself. Are you getting more done or less? Running a load of laundry while, vacuuming... GREAT! Reading text messages while driving...BAD.

Get UNBOXED! Often, there has to be no box. Experiment with crazy stuff to see if it works for you! Talk to yourself (just make sure you record it so you can listen to your brilliant ideas later). Buy a personal dry erase board. Write on your walls! Just get crazy!  

Begin with the End in Mind. What will it look like and feel like when you accomplish your goal? Get clear about what you're really after! Then begin to work your plan.

Author: Monokia Nance, Executive Director of HWHN, Inc. learn more on About Us page www.hwhn.org.

Success Isn't for the Weak

Whether you have owned a business for years, just starting one, or a leader in some way, we all have strengths and weaknesses.  As I described in my book, Max Out I Want It All, strengths are the traits that help you excel in your talents and weaknesses are the traits that hinder your progress with your talents. One way in planning for success in the gifted area you lead is getting to know you. Until you are real with yourself, you are unable to help and lead others. When you can identify your weaknesses you will no longer be blind to the things that hinder you from your business goals. The reason these traits are so important with identifying yourself as a person and a leader is because are key elements in the outlook of your success.

Two ways you can minimize your weaknesses are:

1. Act on your Gift - How do you act on your talent? Acting on your gifts with your strengths is what will bring you the desired success. Operating through your weaknesses is a door opener for a weight to hold you back. Weaknesses build obstacles that keep you from your potential! Acting with your strengths will make the process to a maxed out life less tedious.

2. Set Goals - Setting goals is so important because that is a great way to act on your gift! Doing this, you are able to see the areas where you are weak. What is that is keeping you from maxing out your life? Are you great at what you do, but find yourself having trouble getting customers because you are advertising? Everyone specializes in something! This will help you identify what you are spending so much time in that it is actually keeping you from reaching your goals.

Your time is so precious. People are waiting for YOU to change their lives! You will not be heard if you are letting your weaknesses waste your time. Focusing on your strengths will keep you positive and confident. Your weaknesses are signs of struggle that open a gate for fear. So, use your strengths as stepping stones to MaxOUT your life! This is your season to go BIG! I would love to help you Maxout your life and business!

Author: Zenovia is a highly sought after Speaker, Author, Business Development Strategist and TV/Radio Personality.  She is the Founder and CEO of Max Out, Inc., a successful company committed to empowering, and revitalize women to discover their purpose and walk in their divine destiny in Life while radically “Maxing Out” their unparalleled potential regardless of the obstacles or challenges in their way. Zenovia will be joining us as a presenter for the 2014 Unlimited U Conference, April 12, 2014.