The difference between a successful writer and an unknown writer is tenacity
SO! A BIG-TIME AUTHOR wants to help me!
Really? So a best-selling author says he or she can teach you the secrets of his or her success? For how much money? And how can he or she assure that your book(s) will be as successful as HE or SHE SAYS their books are?
Please note, I'm not talking about industry association conferences. Sponsored (and endorsed) writers conferences provide a tremendous value for the dollars (i.e., compelling topics, workshops, networking, keynote speakers, etc.) spent to attend.
What I'm talking about is the "I'm more famous and successful than you so you need to pay me to attend my seminar where I can pass on my secrets (wink wink) for selling tons of books." If you've received an invitation to one of these in your email inbox or SPAM folder lately you know what I'm talking about.
Before you leap, ask yourself these questions:
- How many books has this author sold and when?
- If he or she has a website, what is the traffic ranking?
- If he or she has an Amazon ranking what is it?
- Google the book(s) and check out the media coverage. What did you find?
- Why is he or she charging for marketing advice if that person is successful as a professional writer?
- What’s the promise or guarantee?
We keep an eye on what's going on in the world of books. One trend is that supposed, big-time authors are hocking their advice to unsuspecting and very hopeful writer rookies. Most of the real big-time authors we've met are so busy writing their next best seller that they don't have time to host how-I-sold-my-books seminars that promise to make you a NYT Best-Selling Author.
In fact, the top authors we know and work with actually give of themselves to different causes. Yes, they sell books and, yes, they are actively involved in their promotions, but they are grateful to be where they are and are happy to give back to their communities. Oh, and they are happy to share information on how they got where they are today. Here's a hint. Hard work, research, never giving up and developing good contacts in the publishing world. (There … I just saved you hundreds of dollars in seminar fees.)
What cracks me up -- sorry to be so crass -- is that some of these supposed, big-time authors selling their "secrets to success" really haven't sold very many books recently (per our findings via Baker & Tayler, Ingram, and other sources). We found that some were either riding the coattails of another author as the "less-than-famous" half of a co-authored title, or (if they did go it alone) still cling to past fame and glory derived from market conditions that barely apply to the state of today's fiercely competitive publishing marketplace.
We do our homework, and you should, too. If you've got a few hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket then spend it on something that will last more than a couple of days! After all, that's one expensive way to get a famous author's autograph! ;-)
Questions or comments? Send them to me: sandy@bookcandystudios.com
Please note, I'm not talking about industry association conferences. Sponsored (and endorsed) writers conferences provide a tremendous value for the dollars (i.e., compelling topics, workshops, networking, keynote speakers, etc.) spent to attend.
What I'm talking about is the "I'm more famous and successful than you so you need to pay me to attend my seminar where I can pass on my secrets (wink wink) for selling tons of books." If you've received an invitation to one of these in your email inbox or SPAM folder lately you know what I'm talking about.
Before you leap, ask yourself these questions:
- How many books has this author sold and when?
- If he or she has a website, what is the traffic ranking?
- If he or she has an Amazon ranking what is it?
- Google the book(s) and check out the media coverage. What did you find?
- Why is he or she charging for marketing advice if that person is successful as a professional writer?
- What’s the promise or guarantee?
We keep an eye on what's going on in the world of books. One trend is that supposed, big-time authors are hocking their advice to unsuspecting and very hopeful writer rookies. Most of the real big-time authors we've met are so busy writing their next best seller that they don't have time to host how-I-sold-my-books seminars that promise to make you a NYT Best-Selling Author.
In fact, the top authors we know and work with actually give of themselves to different causes. Yes, they sell books and, yes, they are actively involved in their promotions, but they are grateful to be where they are and are happy to give back to their communities. Oh, and they are happy to share information on how they got where they are today. Here's a hint. Hard work, research, never giving up and developing good contacts in the publishing world. (There … I just saved you hundreds of dollars in seminar fees.)
What cracks me up -- sorry to be so crass -- is that some of these supposed, big-time authors selling their "secrets to success" really haven't sold very many books recently (per our findings via Baker & Tayler, Ingram, and other sources). We found that some were either riding the coattails of another author as the "less-than-famous" half of a co-authored title, or (if they did go it alone) still cling to past fame and glory derived from market conditions that barely apply to the state of today's fiercely competitive publishing marketplace.
We do our homework, and you should, too. If you've got a few hundred bucks burning a hole in your pocket then spend it on something that will last more than a couple of days! After all, that's one expensive way to get a famous author's autograph! ;-)
Questions or comments? Send them to me: sandy@bookcandystudios.com
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