No author plans to fail … 8 tips for reaching your goals

No author plans to fail; what he or she does is fail to plan. -Judith Briles

Snappy Sassy Salty-Wise Words for Authors and Writers

Goals—identify them—they are your friends … a good thing to have and do for any author who wants to be seriously successful! A few “authoring and publishing” years ago, I completed and published Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers. As I write this blog, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, volume two is in the works. It still stands as one of my personal favorites of my published works. Why? Because it is woven with quotations to kick-start and propel authors and writers forward. That’s YOU … and … that’s ME. The goose many need to re-juice ideas, repurpose old content, add inspiration, get motivated, to move forward … the list is endless. This week launches a New Year … many look forward to it; many are still wondering where 2021 went, and so many are thankful that they survived the topsy turvy roller coaster that started in 2020. It’s a year that so many have “hope” for—be it personal, professional, health, for the community—you name it, the word “hope” is at its core.

If you are going to succeed in this writing, authoring, publishing, book marketing arena, you need to be kick-started and refueled to propel forward. 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. 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; earning book awards–sure; getting in front of media is totally possible; having a formidable 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 2022, here are a few tips. 1 Be Realistic. You might want your book to sell 20,000 copies … Do you have a Game Plan in place to initiate and support it. Do you have the time to support it? Do you have the energy? Do you have the network? If not, perhaps it’s not a realistic goal for you right now.

2 Determine if Your Goals Are Measurable and Make Them So They Are. Don’t be vague or up in the air. Put numbers, facts by them. Don’t say “Get on TV” or “Sell more books.” State what TV show you will get on … how many shows you want to be featured on … how many books you will sell (a specific number).

3 Get a Goal Buddy or Friend. 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 your author and book marketing goals in 2022!

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 37 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 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.