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Articles from Melinda Copp | Selfgrowth.com
- Self Publishing versus Traditional Publishing -- How to Choose the Best Option for Your Book - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2011 from Melinda CoppEvery aspiring author thinks about publishing his or her book. And with so many options available in this day and age (self-publishing, electronic publishing, traditional publishing, print-on-demand, etc.), if you're writing a book, then you have a lot to think about! Many writers think one ...
Views: 933 - How to Make Writing Your Book Easier - by Submitted on Jan 28, 2011 from Melinda CoppI'm no expert in human behavior, but as far as I can tell, we as a species thrive on routine. I know for a fact that both my sons behave better when they know what to expect. For example, this morning school was delayed for two hours because of the weather. So instead of eating breakfast at ...
Views: 940 - Nonfiction Book Blueprint; How to Construct Your Book One Layer at a Time - by Submitted on Jan 13, 2011 from Melinda CoppWith a project as big and important as writing a book, working from a plan-or blueprint-will make everything easier and more fun. Following a blueprint allows aspiring authors to make their ideas work, just like construction crews use blueprints to build solid and strong buildings. It tells you ...
Views: 1085 - How to Find Your Book Writing Rhythm - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from Melinda CoppWriting a book often takes longer than anticipated because many writers don't have a process or ritual that helps them work efficiently. All experienced writers develop a rhythm to their work with practice and experience. They do things to become more efficient and productive. They understand ...
Views: 1012 - Some Books Don't Work! How to Write a Book that Grows Your Business - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Melinda CoppYou've probably heard all this before: writing a book is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to coaches, consultants, speakers, and professionals. It can establish or enhance your brand and unique positioning. It can attract a steady stream of those ideal high-paying clients we ...
Views: 853 - Finish that Book--How to See Your Book Through to 'The End' - by Submitted on Aug 13, 2010 from Melinda CoppOne of the most common book writing challenges is getting started--taking action on your book idea and actually sitting down at the computer to write. This holds more aspiring authors back than anything else, and I spend a great deal of my time telling people where to start. Just last week I ...
Views: 1036 - When Writing a Nonfiction Book, Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2010 from Melinda CoppWhat's the point of writing a book? Publishing it. In the end, that's what we're all after because writing is about sharing our ideas and knowledge. However, although publication is the ultimate goal, focusing too heavily on that—particularly when your book idea isn't fully formed, let alone ...
Views: 1205 - See the Trees in the Forest; Where to Start Writing Your Book - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Melinda CoppWhen you want to write a book, figuring out where to start is one of the most problematic obstacles. When I talk to aspiring authors, this is one of the most common challenges that comes up. And it can hold back even the most motivated people. You know writing your book will be good for ...
Views: 1236 - Your Book Won't Succeed Without It--Seriously - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2010 from Melinda CoppAs writers, we tend to think about writing and what it takes to write a book. But what about reading a book? Although it doesn't take near as long as the writing part, it still takes a while. When you ask someone to read your book, you're asking them to set aside other things they could be ...
Views: 1147 - Why NOW is the Best Time to Write Your Book - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2010 from Melinda CoppIf you've been thinking about writing a book for a long time, then you're definitely not alone. It's one of those projects that can easily be put off so more immediate things can get done. I know I tend to put things off (especially big things) unless I have a compelling reason to do it now. ...
Views: 1822(1 vote) - Commitment; The Only Way to Get Your Book DONE! - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Melinda CoppMillions of people want to write a book. However, less than 10 percent of them actually accomplish that goal. The reason, I'm willing to bet, is that the other 90 percent of aspiring authors are not truly committed to the project, and so they never get it done. Are you committed to writing ...
Views: 1404 - How to Manage the Scary What-ifs of Publishing a Book - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2010 from Melinda CoppAll aspiring authors look forward to publishing their book…until it actually goes to press. Then all these fears start showing up. What if no one likes the book? What if I never sell a copy? What if it comes from the printer riddled with errors? Tears, depression, horror—these are common ...
Views: 1020 - Think Big for Your Book, and Make It Happen - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2010 from Melinda CoppVisualizing goals is one of the most important foundations of human achievement. By using your imagination, and envisioning life after your dreams have come true, you can actually attract what you want into your life. And just like athletes are trained to visualize victory, aspiring authors can ...
Views: 977 - Five Reasons to Stop Procrastinating and Get Your Book Done - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2010 from Melinda CoppSharing what you know in a book helps everyone. But if you have a business to run, a job to do, or a household to maintain, then putting off writing a book is easy-even if you really want to become a published author. Writing a book takes time, plus there are costs involved in getting it done ...
Views: 1029(2 votes) - Authors: Blog Your Way to Friends, Followers, and Readers - by Submitted on Apr 15, 2010 from Melinda CoppSocial media marketing without a blog is like a fish without water, or a dog without a bone. Without it, things just aren't right. Authors who want to use social media sites, like Twitter and Facebook, to market their books should use a blog as the centerpiece. Not only are blogs easier to find ...
Views: 1079(2 votes) - Do You Need to Hire a Ghostwriter to Write Your Book? - by Submitted on Mar 25, 2010 from Melinda CoppWhen a person with little or no writing experience decides they want to write a book, their first instinct is often to find someone with writing skills to do it for them. It sounds easy enough, right? You can't write, so you just get someone who can. However, a lot more goes into finding and ...
Views: 1491(4 votes) - How to Write Better and Faster -- And Have More Fun Doing It! - by Submitted on Mar 24, 2010 from Melinda CoppWe are a quirky bunch-that's for sure. Every writer has different habits, unique strengths, and mistakes they always make in their work. For example, some can't get started without a cup of coffee. Some always forget when to use "that" or "which." And in some cases, these quirks severely limit a ...
Views: 881(2 votes) - Seven Ways to Add Value to Your Self-Help or Business Book - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2010 from Melinda CoppWhen you're working on a book, the question, "Will people actually want to buy this?" inevitably comes up. Although in most cases this is your inner critic trying to sideswipe your creative efforts, the question is valid. Will people actually see the value in the information you're providing? ...
Views: 1098(3 votes) - How to Develop the Writing Habit—Even if You Don’t Have Time to Write - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2010 from Melinda CoppWriting takes time, which isn't easy to find. I know, because although I write for a living, I still don't always spend enough time on the writing that I most want to do. Work, kids, vacuuming all get in the way. And for those people who aren't writers by trade, but need or want to write for ...
Views: 927(1 vote) - Make Your Book Personal; Engage Readers with the Story of Your Experience - by Submitted on Mar 10, 2010 from Melinda CoppIf you're writing a business, self-help, or other instructional book, then it may not seem important to share information about your personal experiences. The purpose of your book is to give people strategies and tips they can use, right? Well, yes, but sharing your background is a powerful way ...
Views: 941(1 vote) - How to Develop Your Best-Selling Book Idea - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2010 from Melinda CoppEveryone has at least one book in them-I firmly believe that. But bookstore shelves are packed with titles, all competing for readers' attention. So how can you tell if your book idea is ready for the competitive publishing business? The key is to target your market and zero in on an ...
Views: 1016(2 votes) - Are You Writing a Book for the Wrong Reasons? - by Submitted on Mar 04, 2010 from Melinda CoppHave you been struggling to finish your book? If you've been working on the project for what seems like forever, and made little or no progress, you might need to reconsider your motive for taking on the project in the first place. So why are you writing your book? If you haven't asked ...
Views: 998(1 vote) - Four Tips for Marketing Your Book on Facebook - by Submitted on Mar 09, 2010 from Melinda CoppMillions of people visit Facebook every day, making it one of the best viral marketing opportunities for authors online. It's easy to set up and maintain pages specifically for your book, you can find lots of traffic for your blog or web site, and it's free, at least for now. (I've heard they're ...
Views: 975(1 vote) - Chapter by Chapter: Ten Self-Editing Questions Every Writer Needs to Consider - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2010 from Melinda CoppCongratulations, you've finished your first draft! Take a day or two to celebrate your accomplishment. Then, get back to work-you have a manuscript to edit. When writing a book, self-editing skills are important to your success as a writer. However, many writers don't know where to start when ...
Views: 1046(1 vote) - Promote Your Book on Twitter in 10 Minutes a Day - by Submitted on Feb 13, 2010 from Melinda CoppIf you're marketing your books online, then you've probably heard of Twitter. It was all the rage last year in social media, and millions of people have joined this micro-blogging community. Maybe you even started a profile page and sent out a tweet or two. If so, that's great. And if you've ...
Views: 903(1 vote) - Just Starting to Write? How to Get Help and Improve Your Writing Skills - by Submitted on Feb 02, 2010 from Melinda CoppThe other day I was talking to a woman who was frustrated by the fact that she'd given her friend the first three chapters of her book to read and offer feedback, and weeks later her friend still hadn't read the pages. This was the woman's first book and she hadn't written anything since high ...
Views: 907(1 vote) - So, You Want to Write the Next Eat, Pray, Love? - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2010 from Melinda CoppMillions of American women loved Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. Chances are you're one of them. And although I am not a fan, I am constantly amazed at how it's become more of an inspirational, self-help phenomenon than just a memoir about a woman who gets divorced, goes on vacation, and ...
Views: 951(1 vote) - When and How to Copyright Your Book - by Submitted on Jan 22, 2010 from Melinda CoppCopyrighting your book is an important step in the process of becoming an author because it helps protect against people taking or using your work without permission. But how do you get a copyright? And when should you file for one? If you're unsure about how to protect your work, consider the ...
Views: 1929(1 vote) - Is Your New Year’s Resolution to Write a Book? - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2010 from Melinda CoppEvery New Year's, thousands of aspiring business and self-help authors resolve to make this the year they get their book done. I've heard that 80 percent of people want to write a book-that's a lot of people. But even if that figure is wrong, and, say, 40 percent of people have the goal of ...
Views: 975(2 votes) - Writing a Book and Feeling Stuck? How to Break Through Three Common Challenges - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2010 from Melinda CoppIt may come before you even write a word, or it may come well into your draft, but when it does, your progress completely stalls. Many aspiring authors have felt stuck at one point or another. And this feeling can prevent even the most motivated writer from completing their work-in-progress. The ...
Views: 1007(1 vote) - 5 Simple Self-Editing Tips - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2009 from Melinda CoppOkay, you're finished with your first draft. Congratulations-that in itself is a big accomplishment. However, don't celebrate for too long because all first drafts need a good clean-up before they're ready for the reading world. When it comes to self-editing, writers often struggle for a ...
Views: 1019(3 votes) - How to Find an Endless Supply of Article Ideas - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2009 from Melinda CoppHave you ever sat down at your computer, ready to write your next marketing article, and then wasted thirty minutes or more trying to come up with something to write about? If so, then you know a few uninspired days can make article marketing seem like a huge burden, taking up way too much of ...
Views: 1088(4 votes) - Writing Articles; STILL One of the Best Ways to Invest In Your Success - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2009 from Melinda CoppHave you ever heard the phrase, "content rich"? Well, when writing your way to wealth, writing an article that showcases your expertise is like investing in a sure thing. Writers (both online and off) have used articles to get traffic on the web, entice prospects to call, and sell their books ...
Views: 1141(3 votes) - Writing Articles; STILL One of the Best Ways to Invest In Your Success - by Submitted on Nov 30, 2009 from Melinda CoppHave you ever heard the phrase, "content rich"? Well, when writing your way to wealth, writing an article that showcases your expertise is like investing in a sure thing. Writers (both online and off) have used articles to get traffic on the web, entice prospects to call, and sell their books ...
Views: 1038(1 vote) - Self-Editing Success; How to Edit Your Own Writing - by Submitted on Nov 24, 2009 from Melinda CoppWriting and editing are two different processes. Writing requires creativity; editing requires analysis. The writing process should be free and experimental; the editing process should be systematic and critical. Because of these differences, making a conscious shift in your thinking will ...
Views: 1119(5 votes) - How to Write Articles that Attract Ideal Clients - by Submitted on Nov 17, 2009 from Melinda CoppWriting and publishing articles, as long as they relate to your area of expertise, will always result in traffic to your web site. However, not all those visitors will become clients, or even prospects. Why? Because oftentimes they don't find what they're looking for. But this can be ...
Views: 1161(4 votes) - How to Market Your Book with Social Media - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2009 from Melinda CoppSocial media web sites, such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and even MySpace, can be perfect places to market a book. If you are already connected to the online networking and media world, stay there, and start promoting your work. If you are not connected, consider adding a few of the following ...
Views: 2024(4 votes) - How to Grow Your Following of Ideal Clients and Readers - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2009 from Melinda CoppImagine having a following of people anticipating the release of your book, awaiting your next seminar, or planning on working with you in the future. And imagine these people are your ideal clients, having self-selected themselves to receive your marketing messages. These are the people you ...
Views: 1050(4 votes) - Two Sentences that Make or Break Your Article Marketing Success: How to Write a Resource Box that Attracts Ideal Clients - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2009 from Melinda CoppAfter composing a brilliant marketing article that showcases your expertise and gives your ideal readers information they love, you'd think your article marketing work was done. But wait! The resource box-those two or three sentences tagged onto the end of all your articles. Think you can just ...
Views: 1513(5 votes) - Magnetic Marketing Copy; Writing from a Position of Partnership - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2009 from Melinda CoppDo you ever feel sleazy or inauthentic when you write marketing or sales copy? Like you're pushing people, rather than pulling them in? I know I have. Let me tell you a story. A few years ago I wrote my first sales letter for my business. I'd written sales copy before, but always on behalf of ...
Views: 886(8 votes) - How to Design Your Book to Grow Your Business (and Your Income) - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2009 from Melinda CoppMany savvy business owners know that a book can be the ultimate marketing tool. Writing a book on a topic related to your business establishes expertise, expands your marketing influence, and generates new leads—all while bringing in income from book sales. However, you can’t just ...
Views: 809(3 votes) - 8 Ways to Make More Money by Writing and Publishing - by Submitted on Oct 24, 2009 from Melinda CoppWriting for print and online publication can generate new business leads, drive traffic to your site, build relationships with your clients and prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to grow your business, consider the following ways to get your byline out there. 1. Online Article ...
Views: 1034(4 votes) - Make Writing a Priority, Not a Pain - by Submitted on Oct 19, 2009 from Melinda CoppWhether you're working on a book or an article marketing campaign, writing is like exercise. And if you want it to really work for your business, then you need to make writing a priority, just like going to the gym or your yoga class. Let me guess what you're thinking: "But I'm so busy, how ...
Views: 802(3 votes) - How to Motivate Your Readers to Work with You - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2009 from Melinda CoppWhen you sit down to write your marketing copy—whether for a web site, article, or report—your ultimate goal is getting your readers to buy your products or services. But you can’t just type, “Hire me,” and expect people to come calling. You have to convince them that you’re better than everyone ...
Views: 1034(2 votes) - Speakers, Coaches, and Experts: Write to Sell During a Recession - by Submitted on Aug 31, 2009 from Melinda CoppMoney is tight, but that doesn’t mean people don’t need you and your solutions. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that the people in your market need the guidance and insight you provide now more than ever. But in a recession, it takes a little more encouragement to get people to help themselves by ...
Views: 963(4 votes) - How to Use Written Reports to Grow Your Business - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2009 from Melinda CoppGiving something away for f-r-e-e is one of the best ways to attract attention. People just can’t resist it. And for this reason, giveaway reports are an essential marketing tool for businesses that want to generate prequalified leads online. In other words, if you’re trying to build a list of ...
Views: 1122(3 votes) - Start Marketing Your Book Today - Whether You’ve Finished it or Not! - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2009 from Melinda CoppAlthough everyone thinks about book marketing AFTER they’ve published a book, smart authors start before they even go to press. Especially as a first-time author, if you start marketing your book at least six months before it’s done, then you can build an audience of readers who are ready to buy ...
Views: 1057(1 vote) - Persuasive Writing: How to Harness the Power of the Story - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2009 from Melinda CoppMost people love stories for entertainment—we go to the movies to watch stories, we read novels before bed, and we share our own stories with friends. But aside from the entertainment value, storytelling is a powerful marketing and selling technique that you can use for business-related writing ...
Views: 921(2 votes) - How to Grow Your Business by Writing and Publishing - by Submitted on Jun 24, 2009 from Melinda CoppWriting for print and online publication can generate new business leads, drive traffic to your site, build relationships with your clients and prospects, and attract an audience. If you need to grow your business, consider the following ways to get your byline out there. 1. Online Article ...
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