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I'm a Writer Not a Speaker: Tips from the stage

 

  

Cheri Cowell here:

My undergraduate degree is in theatre arts, so standing before a crowd and sharing my message comes naturally. But many writers tell me, "I'm a writer, not a speaker." If this describes you, let me offer a few tips from the stage to make your next book signing, author coffee, or speaking opportunity more comfortable

 

1. Get out from behind the podium. Most non-speakers want a podium to hold on to and even hide behind, but the podium is a barrier between you and your potential readers. It makes you look unapproachable, and it makes many look small. If you use a podium for notes, come from behind it often and stand in front of it with your audience. Make your point and then go back to your notes.

2. Speak slower and more clearly than you think sounds normal. Use pauses after making a strong or delicate point. We've all listened to speakers who speak so fast and without good diction and it frustrates us. Slow down, speak clearly, pause.

3. Use a microphone. Most new speakers don't like to use a microphone, but that screams amateur. Professionals use microphones. Arrive a little early to test it out. Have a friend sit in the back of the room and give you thumbs up when you've found that sweet spot where you are to hold the mic, stand near the mic, or where it ought to be on your lapel. Then practice your volume level so you know how soft is too soft.

4. Have an ending. Good speakers know how to end with a bow—not a literal one, but one that lets your audience know they've invested their time wisely in listening to you. Offer a challenge, end with a quote, ask a thought-provoking question, or share a story. If you close with prayer, be certain the prayer is a real prayer and not an opportunity to hammer your message home or make another point. These kinds or "prayers" rub audiences the wrong way.

5. If you suffer from nervous dry mouth, get a product called Throatcoat: The Entertainer's Secret. It produces saliva when your mouth goes dry. A little goes a long way so don't overdo it, but after my embarrassing lip-smacking live television interview (long story) I learned about this product and it is great. No more lip smacking. You can find it on the Internet.

I'd love to hear from you www.CheriCowell.com

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Creating an Article Plan for 2013

 

  

Cheri Cowell here:

The New Year is upon us, so do you have an Article Plan for 2013? When my book came out one of the things I did was create a year-long article plan. Much like an evergreen article plan, a year-long article plan for your book takes advantage of the calendar and what editors are already looking to print. Here are the steps to take...

 

Begin by looking at your book for topics and make a list or the needs it addresses. For instance, in my first book one of the chapters was on discerning God's hand in suffering. In that chapter I used two Bible illustrations, a story from the Holocaust, and three ripped from the headlines stories. I dissected those into three categories: suffering, love, and Holocaust.

Next, look at the calendar and make a list of all of the holidays, holy days, and evergreen article periods. Evergreen articles are those that occur the same time each year such as January is time for articles on goal setting, turning over the new leaf, losing weight and getting fit, and winter blues.

Now look at your book and see how you might address these holidays, holy days, and evergreen article needs. Finally add your topics from step one and you will have a year's worth of article ideas and even deadlines of when they should be submitted. Give this a try and you'll be set for 2013 before you know it.

These ideas also feed into blog posts. To see what I've done with my blogs www.CheriCowell.com

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Related articles

Creating Long Lasting Evergreen Content

Tis the Season to Give

  

Cheri Cowell here:

Christmas is the season of giving, and as people who carry Christmas all year, let's talk about how we can be giving people all year—and how giving makes good marketing sense. It may be the best way to make money. Sounds crazy, I know, but read through these ideas and see if any stir your imagination and your heart. Then give them a try. You'll find the biblical principle of giving works even in marketing—because what we offer can have an eternal impact.

 

Begin by thinking of the kinds of things you can create. Tips sheets, short stories, Sunday school discussion guides, inspirational quotes, excerpts from current WIP, action guides, resource lists, historical background, devotions, e-books, coupons, and photo galleries.

Next, decide what you are wanting your readers to do—what do you want to incentivize by offering your "free" gift. Are you needing people to sign up for your newsletter, join or like your Facebook page, re-tweet a post, write a review, or tell their friends about your new book.

Next, make it easy for your readers to do what you need them to do. Create clickable links to your website, Facebook, blog, or Amazon link, and shorten URLs using TinyURL or other shortner service. Create the post you want them to re-tweet, the email you want them to forward, or the announcment you want them to share. Don't expect them to create it; make it easy for them to copy and paste.

Finally, post the freebe on your website or create and save the email so it is ready to go when you receive notice someone has done as you've asked. Be thankful and gracious in your response. Some programs offer a way for you to automate the "free gift" such as Constant Contact and Pay Pal.

One more thing. Pray over your free gifts that they may reach those who need to be blessed. It doesn't hurt to ask God for blessings to return to you. As Christmas people we believe we cannot outgive God. So let 2013 be your year to give, and let the storehouse of God open unto you and your readers.

Sign up for my quarterly newsletter and receive my daily devotions as my "free gift" to you www.CheriCowell.com

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If you need a quote on creating an ebooklet for your freebe, contact me through www.Living-Parables.com

New Approaches to the Study Guide

  

Cheri Cowell here:

If you've been in this business for some time you've noticed a change in approach to the Study Guide. We've come through the change where everyone simply added a list of questions at the back of their fiction and non-fiction books. With the advent of e-readers and tablets, and more people comfortable with downloading from the internet, there are more options available when considering this great tool for engaging your audience. Here are a few ideas currently rocking the publishing world. Which one best suits your next project?

Downloadable Study Guide: It is still a good idea to add a few study questions for each chapter at the back of your book as a bonus added feature, but consider making this a short version with a note that a "full Study Guide" is available at the author's website. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website. Make it a free PDF that is clickable and downloadable.

E-Book it! You can also make the full Study Guide available on your website as an ebooklet for a couple of dollars. I did this with my current book and sales have been strong.

Podcasts: We are such a visual society, why not record a 5-7 minute discussion starter podcast for each chapter, which can be followed by the questions in your book or by the downloadable questions we discussed earlier.

I-BookClubs: Perhaps one the the hottest rends is the online bookclub where authors can host discussions and this includes "Meet the Author" events. At these events you can share how the book came to be and how to use the study questions in the book or from your website as lauching pads for great discussions on the topics to which your book hints. For instance, Kathy Macias is doing a great job talking about the hot topic of sex trafficking, which is the topic her new fiction book takes up. You can offer a list of resources on your website for those who want to go futher or take action. Perhaps you could offer a tip sheet or action sheet for free for those who sign up for your newsletter, then use the Author Event to promote this free resource.

When it comes to the Study Guide for your next project, I hope these ideas will help you to think a little differently and meet the needs of a new set of readers looking to connect with the author in new ways.

See my Study Guide at www.CheriCowell.com

Come check out my Pinterest site - follow me and I'll follow you: http://pinterest.com/chericowell/

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If you need a quote on creating an ebooklet for your project, contact me through www.Living-Parables.com

Thinking Outside the Bookstore

  

 

Cheri Cowell here:

One of the questions most often asked by new authors is when do I start making money? The truth is if you are in this to make lots of money, you are in the wrong place. But there are ways we can make some money and the place to begin is by thinking outside the bookstore. At my Marketing in the Mountains Retreat held each Labor Day weekend in the Smokey Mountains, TN, I offer an hour-long workshop on this subject. Here are a few highlights...

E-Blasts That Hit the Target

  

 

Cheri Cowell here:

My new Bible study Parables and Word Pictures From the New Testament is out and it is now time to put my database into use. One great way to connect with potential buyers/readers is through the use of E-Blasts. The very name tells what this is and what it isn't. E- means it is electronic so you must have your database in some kind of program that will allow you to send multiple emails. I use Constant Contact. Next, it is a blast meaning it is short, direct, and sent multiple time like a rapid-fire water gun. Okay, maybe not the best metaphor, but you get the idea. Below are a few more tips to help you use this great marketing tool.

First, you'll want to divide your contacts into like groups because E-Blasts are target marketing. For my Bible study, I have churches and ministry leaders in one category and fans/readers in another. I have a list of women's ministry directors and a group of fellow alumni from seminary.

Next, you want to make a list of the features and benefits for each target group. What need will your book answer for each group? The church and ministry leaders are looking for something different - they have a different need - than my readers/fans.

Now create your email for each group with those features and benefits in mind. I love Constant Contact for this because I can create a mini magazine looking email for my first E-Blast complete with photos of my cover and other photos that speak to their need.

Think about what day of the week is best to send your E-Blast. Most churches are closed on Mondays and during the summer, many are also closed on Fridays so those would not be good days to E-Blast them.

Finally, think about when a second and third E-Blast should go out. Because mine is a workbook Bible study perfect for small groups, I am sending one now and another at the end of August as school begins and small groups are forming. I'll send a third one at the end of September because many will be planning their Spring calenders then before they get into the holidays. If your book would make a good Christmas gift, think about sending an E-Blst before Thanksgivng with an incentive to order early.

Happy E-Blasting...

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Check out my new Bible study at www.CheriCowell.com

Benefits for Attending the International Christian Retail Show

  

Cheri Cowell here.

I'm often asked why authors should attend the yearly industry conference called the International Christian Retail Show? As I'm preparing to attend this year's convention in Orlando July 15-18, I thought I'd share a few marketing tips for those attending this year or who plan to attend next year in St. Louis.

I finally took the Pinterest Plunge: tips

  

Cheri Cowell here.

I've been a lurker for several months. There were several reasons for my reluctance 1. I didn't want to spend time on a fad that would fade, 2. I couldn't see adding one more social media need-to on my list of must-dos, and 3. I just didn't get it. I didn't see how I'd use Pinterest and how the time invested would offer a worthy return. But, after several months of reading the stats (Pinterest looks like it is here to stay and its power as a good return on one's investment is now proven), I finally decided to take the plunge. Here is what I found.

Parables And Word Pictures By Cheri Cowell - A New Release

Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament: Following God series by Cheri Cowell

Publisher: AMG Publishers
ISBN: 0899573495

Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament is a 13-week workbook-style study of 118 parables from Jesus, Paul, and the apostles. This comprehensive look at the New Testament parables will help readers develop an ear for the message they convey—that the Kingdom of God is both here and near. Through the study readers will be challenged to live faithful and holy “Kingdom lives” in a broken and unholy world. Of the thirteen weeks, the first nine explore the parables of Jesus in the four gospels; the next three look at the parables in Acts and those from Paul and the apostles. The study culminates in a look at what the author calls living parables, with Jesus as the Parable of all parables. Through Him we come to know God the Father, and through Jesus we come to live as living parables in a world begging to “see God.” Living story-shaped lives allows others to see God in us—this is Kingdom living.

Author, speaker, and sidewalk theologian, Cheri Cowell is passionate about discipleship and challenging the body of Christ to holiness of heart and life. As the author of Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill, 2007) and over 300 articles, Cheri’s love of story and the Holy Word shines through in her writing and teaching. In 2009 she was one of six journalists chosen for a tour of the Holy Land by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, a blessing that only deepened he love of the parables Jesus told. Cheri is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary where she learned the Inductive Bible study method used in this study to encourage, challenge, and equip the body of Christ to live Story-shaped lives. Cheri and her husband, Randy, call Orlando, FL home.

This new release information was uploaded by Cecelia Dowdy. Happy reading!

Social Media Stats: Why Authors Should Join the Bandwaggon

 
From Cheri Cowell's desk:

In preparing for a weekend retreat I'm hosting on Marketing for writers I came across these social media stats. If you need a push to join the social media bandwaggon, perhaps these social media stats will help you decide to jump on board.