No author plans to fail; what he or she does is fail to plan.
–Snappy Sassy Salty Success -Wise Words for Authors and Writers
A few “authoring and publishing” years ago, I completed and published Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers. Last year, I updated, revamped it, and added another word to the title. I also added 150 more of my quotes to it.
It still stands as one of my favorites. Why? Because it is woven with quotations to kick-start and propel authors and writers forward. The goose we authors all need to rejuice ideas, add inspiration, get motivated, to move forward … the list is endless.
Goals-identify them … all of them. Write them out, a good thing to do for any author who wants to be seriously successful!
This week launches a New Year … one that countless millions have been praying, wishing, doing almost anything to cross into. It’s a year that so many have “hope” for–be it personal, professional, health wise, for the community–you name it, the word “hope” is at its core.
If you are going to succeed in this writing, authoring, and publishing arena, you need to be kick-started and refueled to propel forward. That means YOU.
Most of us have resolutions at this time of the year, loaded with good intentions. By mid-January, they begin to dwindle. Most likely, when February hits, they become nothingness. Make this year different.
Let’s not do that. First, start with realism. Not pie-in-the-sky … reaching to stuff that is more fantasy and fiction vs. “yes, this can happen” approach.
- Becoming a best-seller is totally possible.
- Being a best-seller on Amazon is totally possible.
- Winning and earning book awards–totally possible.
- Getting in front of media is totally possible.
- Having an awesome book event is totally possible.
- Speaking at an event and selling lots of books is totally possible.
Is being on the New Times bestseller list possible? Maybe. Probable? Hmm, most likely not. It’s time to get real and start adding “notches” to your pushing achievements.
Being realistic is critical to tying in with success for you and your book. It’s goal-setting time …
To set you and your book into a positive book strategy mindset for 2024, here are a few tips.
1 Be realistic. You might want your book to sell 10,000 copies. Most self-published authors squeak by and sell ONLY 100 copies of their book. Usually to friends and family, what many of us call the “low-handing” fruit. Could that be you? … do you have a Game Plan in place to initiate and support it. Do you have the time to support it? Will you make it? Do you have the energy? Do you have the network? Will you work on growing it? If not, perhaps it’s not a realistic goal for you right now.
Stop living your fears … live your dreams.
If you believe your book will be successful, it’s the first step.
– Snappy Sassy Salty Success
2 Determine if your Goals are measureable and make them so they are. Don’t be vague or up in the air. Put numbers, and facts by them. Don’t say “Get on TV” or “Sell more books.” State what TV show you will get on … what podcasts you want to be featured in. How many books you will sell. Write a specific number.
3 Get a Goal Pal. Someone you connect with once a week … a someone who will help hold you accountable and be an encourager as well.
4 Create a visual Goal Board. Write yours down. It’s time to get the sticky notes out and start noodling ideas.
5 Create an Action Plan for you and your book. Once you get these in writing, “ahas” happen. It is also a crucial and realistic checkpoint.
6 Review as the year flows. Tweak here and there. If they have become unrealistic, move them off your Goal Board and let your Goal Pal know. Stay on track.
7 Revisit your Goals. Record your accomplishments as the year progresses. It keeps you “goosed” and IDs what’s working … and what is not.
8 Celebrate when you achieve a Goal. And here’s the fun part… you design the celebration around what you want to do.
Ta Dah! Here’s to reaching all of your personal and book marketing goals in 2024!
It’s Your Turn … create your favorite beverage and block a time just for YOU and write your goals down for the coming year. And then, open your calendar and block time each week to support them. Color code YOUR TIME. It’s an appointment with you … and your book. Totally success is in your future.
Wake up. Kick ass. Repeat. Don’t you love it? –Snappy Sassy Salty
Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 44 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut The Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 50 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.
Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.
Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.
©2023 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.