Writing and Book Publishing Coach | Judith Briles
The 7 Traits of Highly Successful Authors
Trait #5: Highly successful authors become the Expert.Knowing what sets you apart from the crowed author sky allows you to boast a tad. You are the expert. You’ve done the work, paid your dues, and completed the research. Yes, you are the expert. Now let others know.
Money Fears # 6 … The Fear of Borrowing Money
Wouldn’t it be great to pay cash for everything, including your home? Few can. Sometimes, it makes sense to borrow money. But, over-borrowing and too much credit is quite common.
A credit card is used over 600 times every second of the day; over 36,000 times a minute; over 2 million times an hour; and over 52 million times a day. The average household owing in excess of $9,200 in credit card debt. What’s yours?
Money Fear #6 The Fear of Creating and Sticking to a Plan
Twenty-five percent of the American population believes that they will fund their retirement years by winning the Lottery! Fat chance.
The 7 Traits of Highly Successful Authors
Trait #4: Highly successful authors know where and what their Niche is.
If there is ever a formula for failure, it’s the one that where the author believes, truly believes, that her book is for everyone. Nonsense. The more you niche yourself and your work, the more you “drill down” into that niche, the greater the success you have.
# 4 … The Fear of Making Mistakes and Failing
Everyone makes mistakes. I wished I had $10 for each one I’ve made over the past 50 years plus. Mistakes that lead to a money loss can be personally and professionally crippling.
They happen. You get to choose—will they handicap and paralyze you? Or will you look at them as a learning and growth experience?
What you have to guard against is the reaction that the fear of failure and making mistakes can generate paralysis . . . getting stuck mentally.
Trait #3: Highly successful authors know how to Communicate.
You’ve got the book, do you have the voice? Voice comes in all kinds of packages. Taking your unique approach to your topic, what’s your pitch for it … and who are you going to pitch it to? Knowing your crowd, your target market, saves time and energy. This book business is work. Whether you publish via NY or your tackle it on your own, be prepared to work your butt off.
#3 … The Fear of Talking About Money
Upbringing is a key factor that shapes your money practices. Most adults “wish” that they had had training and guidance about money and investing as they grew up.
If you grew up in a family that openly discussed money and its many facets, you’re in the minority. Not all of your friends will be on the same wave link as you are in money matters. Your awareness, and possibly non-intimidation to the topic, may actually intimidate them!
Highly Successful Authors Are Salty, Current and Meaninful…
Trait #2: Authors must create books that are Current, Meaningful, with a little bit of “Salt”.
Is what you are saying the same old thing that can be found in dozens, maybe, gulp, hundreds of books? Get with it—tweet the old stuff, be sassy, controversial, yes, salty.
If you love independent bookstores like I do, I would encourage you to support yours--bookstores are the heart of many communities.
All you need to do is go to IndieBound.org and add your Zip code ... in seconds, all the indie book stores in your region will pop up. Please support them.
