Using a Blog to Promote Your Book Video + Upcoming Blogging and Event Marketing Workshops

I have a few things going on right now that I wanted to let you know about.

While I have been making updates to my classes and workshops page, I realize that not everyone checks static website pages on a regular basis.

And, guess what? If you are an entrepreneur, author, nonprofit or small business, this is a huge reason for you to be maintaining a regular blog! (hint, hint)

classroom

So here’s what I have coming up.

First, I’m excited to announce that I recently partnered with Zeeen to produce instructional videos on blogging and social media specifically for authors and aspiring authors. This partnership, as well as the company itself, is in the very early startup phase. I’m excited to offer my very first video on using a blog to promote your book.

I know I have readers who are writing books or who have written books in the past. I would love your feedback on this video (assuming you decide to purchase it, of course) and what other videos related to blogging and social media might be helpful to you.

Read more: Instructional Video: Using a Blog to Promote Your Book

This Thursday (May 23rd), I’ll be co-presenting with Bob Hutchins, owner (with his wife Ann) of Maine Made Photos, and Jim Bouchard, the guy who helps you think like a black belt. We’ll not only be talking about how to use social media to promote your event, you’ll actually help us create a social media marketing plan for the upcoming Oktoberfest event! This free workshop will be at the Priority Group Business Center in Topsham, Maine.

Read more: Event Marketing From Soup to Nuts: A Hands-On Workshop

On Tuesday, June 11th, I’ll be offering my How to Write, Grow & Sustain an Effective Blog once again. If you went to my 5Ws of Business Blogging workshop, this is the next step. In this class, we’ll talk about the how. Topics will include:

  • Basic blogging best practices - We’ll go over blogger etiquette
  • The anatomy of a blog post - We’ll discuss how to structure a blog post and make it the most readable for your audience
  • Identifying and avoiding common grammar mistakes - Some tips and resources for proof reading and looking up grammar rules quickly
  • Brainstorming your best categories / topics -A discussion on blog categories + members of the class will come up with a specific list of categories and topics their blogs should cover
  • Finding your voice - We’ll talk about the best ways to keep the writing and creativity flowing
  • What to do after you publish a blog post - A discussion on the best ways to share your blog post using social media, commenting and other techniques
  • Time management tips - We’ll talk about ways to incorporate blogging into your busy schedule

This class will also be offered at the Priority Group Business Center in Topsham, Maine. I’ve had several people outside of Maine tell me that they are interested in this class and am considering taping the class and offering a video for a small fee ($10-$15 or so) after the fact. If this is something you would like, let me know in the comments or contact me so I can gauge interest.

Read more: How to Write, Grow & Sustain an Effective Blog

Finally, I was going to to hold my online class, How to Write Blog Posts That Build Community, again at the end of June. However, I’d really like to revamp this class a bit. Skillshare online classes are a little different from when I first started teaching the class (in a good way).  I just need some time to create a few videos and resources for you. I’m thinking August for the next time I run this online class.

With that said, my focus right now is on creating a brand new class on writing a personal giving strategy. I’m not ready to reveal too much yet, but if you read this blog and enjoy my posts on philanthropy, I think you’ll really love this class. More on this soon!

Phew. Lots going on.

Will you join me?

photo by: dcJohn

My #BTCE2013 Recap in Quotes and Mr. Bacon Photos

I just spent 4 straight days getting my mind blown at the Be the Change event (#BTCE2013 on Twitter) in Orlando, Florida.

The days were long (8:00am – 10:00pm or later on most days). The experience is almost indescribable.

There was a DJ, thundersticks, a marching band, cheerleaders and circus acts involved. Oh, and a whole lot of swearing.

Seriously, Suzanne Evans knows how to put on an event.

I laughed. I cried. I learned. I danced. Above all, I gained some serious clarity for my business and the direction I want to will commit to going in.

I took a ton of notes and came back with a library of resources. Following is my recap in the form of quotes (in the order that they were heard) and photos of my travel companion, Mr. Bacon. (Mr. Bacon totally partied the whole time, as you will see.)

“Indecision is a form of self-abuse – be ready to step up!”

Suzanne Evans

from Maine to Be the Change

The journey to Be the Change started in Maine with an awesome group of entrepreneurial women.

“Whenever you can make something more simple, do it.”

~ Bert Jacobs

“Takers may eat well, but givers sleep well.”

~ Bert Jacobs

“Business is a tool to do what you love.”

~ Bert Jacobs

Mr. Bacon in the airport

Mr. Bacon and I traveled from Portland to Orlando via Baltimore. We had an extraordinarily expensive lamb burger for lunch.

“Entrepreneurs are 300% more likely to have ADHD.”

~ Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC, SCAC

Squirrel! (Sorry. I got distracted.)

“Commit to telling your truth, not just the truth.”

~ Darla LeDoux 

“Truth never speaks to us through fear.”

~ Darla LeDoux

Ducks in the pool at Peabody Hotel

We stayed at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando. There were ducks that paraded through the lobby. These wild ducks were just chilling in the pool.

“You create your own economy.”

~ Suzanne Evans

“God gave you a gift and he deserves a return on his investment.”

~ Suzanne Evans

“Find a problem that you can provide a solution to.”

~ Larry Winget 

hell yeah props

There were long days with tons of amazing content. Suzanne kept us entertained with awesome props, loud music, dancing and entertainment.

“To make the best, most prominent transformation and live it!”

Scott Robley’s interpretation of the meaning of “Be the Change”

“Be flexible about how to do things, but inflexible about why.”

~ Scott Robley

“Anything you do fearless, you do in mediocrity.”

~ Suzanne Evans

f-bomb

There were several f-bombs dropped during the event. Mr. Bacon giggled every time. He’s wicked immature.

“The cash is always behind your fear.”

~ Monica Shah

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

~ Suzanne Evans

“You cannot be a secret and be profitable.”

~ Suzanne Evans

Mr. Bacon drinking coffee.

Despite the long hours and information overload, Mr. Bacon’s enthusiasm (and mine) did not wane.

How would I sum up my Be the Change experience? Two words: Game changer.

While in Orlando I developed a nice tribe, and we plan on staying in touch to support each other and keep each other accountable.

Next year, Be the Change is going to be held in Las Vegas from April 23- 27, 2014.  Do you know what I say to Be the Change in Las Vegas?

Hell yeah!

hell yeah!

My kids now own many items that say Hell Yeah! on it. Because I’m a rockin’ mom.

If you are interested in getting a complimentary ticket to the event – you would still have to pay for your travel expenses and lodging, of course – let me know. My good friend and colleague, Bambi Thompson, is going to be a sponsor again next year and has a limited amount of tickets she can offer to people. You don’t necessarily need to commit now, but I can keep you in the loop as we get closer to the event.

Are you an entrepreneur? Have you ever spent 4 straight days committed solely to your business? What was the result?

[p.s. Mr. Bacon thinks he wants to start his own Tumblr blog to share his adventures with his fans. What do you think?]

Introducing the 2013 Writing Prompts & Editorial Calendar!

As National Blog Posting Month comes to a close (at least the November version anyway), it only seems fitting to reflect back on a month of daily writing.

Compared to last November, this year was a lot easier.

2013 writing prompts and editorial calendar

The 2013 Writing Prompts and Editorial Calendar is for anyone who writes on a regular basis.

Despite the fact that I’ve been blogging since 2007, I really feel like I found my voice by the end of NaBloPoMo last year. I wrote daily for the months of November and December and really got myself disciplined to the point where blogging was not as much of a chore anymore.

A big part of this transformation was planning. Knowing what I wanted to write about and when I wanted to write it. Timeliness counts in blogging, particularly if you are concerned with getting more people to read your blog.

The secret to my planning? I had a Word document where I would note upcoming days and months that celebrated things that interested me. Unusual holidays or awareness months that I might want to use as prompts to write a post, while also taking advantage of the fact that other people and organizations would be promoting similar thoughts and ideas. This helped me plan ahead for posts.

As I compiled these writing prompts by month, I realized that even if I didn’t want to use them, there are still various themes that come up when you look at what happens from month to month. Seasons, holidays, big sporting events, awareness campaigns, times of busyness or relaxation. They are cyclical.

Being aware of what is on the horizon helps me figure out what I want to write about now and in the future. I always have a few blog posts in my head now, and I fill in the blanks with the random things that come along and inspire me to write.

Content is easy to come up with when you let it come to you. So, I’m excited to launch my very first e-book that’s really more like an e-workbook. It’s my 2013 Writing Prompts and Editorial Calendar that delivers month by month ideas and resources to use for your blog posts, newsletter articles or whatever else you might be writing. You’ll also get a blank editorial calendar that you can use to plan posts ahead of time and/or document posts that you have written. It’s a great tool that you can use the entire year.

The e-workbook is designed to help you write more often, using timely content, in an organized manner. And you can get it for free when you sign up for my monthly newsletter.

Sign up, download the ebook, and let me know what you think. I hope it will help you come up with great content throughout 2013.

What’s your secret to coming up with regular blog content?

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