Thanks!
-Dan

http://wegrowmedia.com

I often ask writers if their family and friends are aware of their writing, and if they are supportive of it. Frequently, writers tell me that their friends and family are NOT supportive. So today, I want to discuss why this is, and share some really compelling quotes from writers I have spoken with.

Thanks.
-Dan

I had the pleasure to speak with Barry Eisler, discussing what it is like being published by Amazon, the issue of quality and ebooks, and on the value of the craft of writing.

You can find Barry at http://BarryEisler.com
Thanks!
-Dan

I had the chance to chat with Jeff Goins about his book You Are A Writer, and the importance of owning that identity of calling yourself a writer if you want to become an author.

You can find Jeff in the following places:
http://GoinsWriter.com
http://YouAreAWriter.com
http://twitter.com/JeffGoins

Thanks!
-Dan

This week Michael Hyatt is launching his new book called PLATFORM, and offering some great bonuses if you buy it this week. I want to take a look at two aspects of his book launch in order to illustrate the powerful things Michael is doing, and how other authors can learn from it.

You can learn more about Michael’s book here: http://michaelhyatt.com/platform

I also talk about similar themes in a blog post I wrote about Eric Ries’ goal to become a New York Times Best Seller.

Thanks.
-Dan

A writer I am working with recently told me that they have “gone as far as they can,” because they don’t use social media, and didn’t intend to. So today, I want to talk about moving beyond self-imposed limitations.

Thanks.
-Dan

Today I want to talk about the “problem of success.” That point when all of your efforts to develop a platform starts setting things in motion. When you finally get that sense of momentum, when people engage with you, when people start asking things of you. How do you balance the needs of your writing, the needs of your own platform (blogging, social media, etc), marketing opportunities, and community engagement? And how do you do so while still honoring the other needs in your life: family, friends, personal wellness, your day job if you have one, mowing the lawn, etc?

With some of the successful authors I am working with, I find that momentum is both an INCREDIBLE opportunity, and a challenge as well. That a lot is asked of their time, and they are forced to make decisions on a daily basis as to who to say yes to, and what opportunities cannot be addressed at this moment.

This is a topic that is very important to me, and one that I am doing a lot of behind the scenes work on with a new project. Stay tuned…

The video above explains this all in greater detail.
Thanks!
-Dan

A writer I am working with expressed to me how they don’t enjoy meeting other people, and think social media is a waste of time. So they asked “how little engagement on Facebook and Twitter is good enough to get me a book deal?”

My answer, explained in the video above, is that they need to rethink their goals, and the story they tell themselves about social media.

Thanks.
-Dan

We live in an age where it is easy to create and share. But whose responsibility is it to create work of the highest quality – living up to exacting standards that even your audience doesn’t expect?

My wife brought home a cup that she bought at a second-hand shop, a cup that was crafted by a local artist out of pottery. The artist felt it wasn’t perfect, and thus, she couldn’t sell it in her gallery.

The video above tells the story, and why it is important for creators to consider how their work should create a legacy that lasts for generations.

Thanks.
-Dan

With all the talk of building an audience, of growing a platform, I wanted to reflect on the leap it is to go from asking someone to “Like me on Facebook,” to “Please buy my book.” That making a purchase is a big commitment for most people, and a multistage process of pulling out your credit card, etc.

I was speaking with the owner of a small press the other day who told me about the wonderful publicity they had received around one of their books, that multiple large websites mentioned it. And that unfortunately, this didn’t translate into huge sales numbers for the book.

That there is a difference between asking someone to pin something on Pinterest, vs actually shelling out cash to buy it.

When I saw Kevin Smokler and Richard Nash each speak at a conference the other week, they both made the point of how big of a commitment it is to not just buy a book, but actually read it. Kevin calls it a “third date.”

So in this video, I discuss taking that leap, and being aware of the difference between a Like and a sale.
Thanks!
-Dan