Welcome to My Worlds: A Bipolar Christian Tells All

Here it is Friday already. Today, I’m opening this blog to your questions on:

parenting,
writing,
speaking, or
marketing.

I’ll springboard our “virtual workshop” by posting common questions I receive along with my answers. Afterward, feel free to post your question.

As a parenting speaker Brenda, what topics do you address?
Number one: discipline. Close behind that are toilet teaching, understanding temperament, and boosting a child’s school success. Depending on the program planner’s request, some want my Kindergarten readiness talk and others request a review of normal child development. To keep things interesting and fresh, each of my presentations is unique; some use power point, some use role-play, and some have silly jokes. When I was in Iowa last year, the event planner asked me to close an early childhood conference with “Women Are Winners” — a motivational, lighthearted talk about the volume of work women do. It’s based on the Proverbs 31 poem. For easy access, I’ve posted a menu of my topics at http://www.brendanixon.com/topics.htm.

What are little things I can do to build my daughter’s self-esteem?
Always build up your daughter’s other parent. Think about it this way; it takes two people to make one. Your daughter is a combo of her daddy and mommy. When you say negative, demeaning things about her opposite parent, you’ve insulted half of who she is. Also, value your child’s uniqueness. Kids don’t have to always agree with us or follow in our footsteps. They may have their own opinions, likes, and dislikes that differ from ours. Yet well-meaning parents often push their child to go into a sport, be an academic winner, or pursue the parent’s unmet dream. I love the little poem, “Accept Me” by Ruth Reardon.

ACCEPT ME – for what I am
Not what I could have been or even will be.
Accept me.
Acceptance must be present tense, with no conditions, and based on reality.
If windows of your heart must rosy-tinted be you have not accepted me.
See me as I am without distortion of your dreams . . .
A human being, beautiful, unique.
Free to grow according to the seen within myself.
Accept me – so I need not twist myself to fit your pattern. . .
But resting in acceptance, can grow.

Which is easier to sell, a well-written novel or nonfiction?
In today’s market — there’s less fiction selling than nonfiction. If you’re a novelist, be aware that there’s less opportunity to sell your work so write a stellar book while building strong visibility in the marketplace. All writers need visibility - or a platform - through blog tours, speaking gigs, media interviews, and a website.

What books have you contributed to?
Oh my, at last count it’s 23. Take a peek and tell me http://www.brendanixon.com/writer.htm.Okay, who is next?  

Three Tips for Improving Your Table’s Appeal
by Brenda Nixon

Wow, it’s Thursday already. This week has zipped by. Speaking of zip, do you know how to punch up your table at speaking engagements or booksignings? 

I always offer a table of childrearing resources including my CDs and books. Speaking pros refer to this as Back of Room (BOR) sales.  

Whether you’re a speaker with a BOR table or are doing a signing at a Barnes & Noble store, you must attract attention to your table. Here are three tips for a magnetic table. 

• First, bring a tablecloth and décor in case the store or program planner doesn’t provide such things. In my speaking contract, I ask the program planner to provide a tablecloth as it adds a touch of elegance and is much more attractive than placing my materials on a bare wooden - or scratched - tabletop. (However, I still tuck a white clothe inside my crate just in case a cloth is absent or the provided one doesn’t fit the table dimensions.) Table décor can be balloons, photographs, flowers, confetti, sign up sheets to receive your newsletter, and ancillary products related to your book(s) . . . whatever you like.

• Second, offer an affordable freebie such as individually wrapped candy. Just ask the store manager or program planner if it’s allowed. Some don’t want food indoors. For sanitation reasons, don’t lay out a bowl of M&Ms that everyone digs their dirty hands into – believe me, I’ve seen this and it’s a turn off! My friend and co-author on A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, Cathy Messecar, opts for a bowl of smiley faces to give away. She says you can buy a bag of 200 in different sizes at Hobby Lobby for about $2. Now, that’s a small investment for attracting people to your table and giving them something to remember you by . . . even if they don’t purchase your book.

• Third, practice the marketing motto, “Build ‘em high to make sales fly.” Create visual interest in your table by building assorted tiers. Stand books up on end or prop them up with bookstands like stores use. Never leave your book laying flat on the table. With authors, the saying goes, “flat books mean flat sales.” Sometimes I use my bright, red plastic crate and pile books or CDs on top and inside. If you emptied a box to put materials on your table, invert that box, cover with a cloth and make use of this new elevation.

 You may think you’re a writer - or speaker - first, but being a savvy marketer is part of the job description. Do you have other attention-getting techniques? Please share what you do to pull people to your table. 

©2008, Brenda Nixon.

By Brenda Nixon 

This is Wednesday and as promised I’ll share some uncommon book promotion tips. . . no, not store signings, they’re blase and not a good way to sell bunches of books anyway.

Winnie the Pooh author, A.A. Milne observed, “Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being.” Well, I don’t know about the fame part, but I’ve collected money from some maverick promotion methods. Here are a few. 

• Rubber Stamp. As soon as my first book was published, I purchased a rubber stamp promoting with, “New book takes terror out of raising tots; Parenting Power in The Early Years by Brenda Nixon, order toll free,” then gave a phone number. I branded every out-going envelope and box with this stamp. I never knew who might read my information while it was in transit. Are you missing opportunities to promote your book by failing to stamp every out-going piece? True, it’s difficult to measure sales using this method, but I believe it works.

• E-mail Signature Line. At the end of every e-mail message, subtly mention your book. It’s simple to go into your e-mail options and add a standard line – the signature – that will be included in all out-going messages. At the bottom of mine I have: “Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com. Author of The Birth to Five Book.” Don’t let one e-mail pass without utilizing this stealth promotion technique.

• Join Professional Associations. Writer’s associations are mutually beneficial; you can learn to hone your craft plus network and promote your book. If you’re an author, consider The American Society of Journalists (ASJA), 1501 Broadway #302, New York , NY 10036 ; 212-997-0947; execdir@asja.org; www.asja.org. I’m a member of other professional associations. While promoting my book isn’t my goal for joining, it happens; and I’ve sold some through this avenue.

• Published Excerpts. “I find that writers often overlook the possibility of having book excerpts published in magazines,” says Stuart. “What you get paid for the excerpt is not as important as the exposure you book will receive.” Query a publication to see if it prints book excerpts. Then select a chapter from your book that is on a topic the publication is interested in or meets its editorial calendar. Many times I’ve sold a chapter from my self-published Parenting Power in the Early Years book to a magazine. It is easier to do this with self-published works. If you have a traditionally published book, first ask your publisher the policy about excerpts — since the publisher owns it.

• Think outside the box. Even if you write in the CBA market, you can promote to ABA.  Even if you self-publish you can get your book carried in chain bookstores — I’ve done it.
  Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, creatively think of organizations, groups, and individuals who need to know about your book. Say you write a book about Tuscany. Contact travel agencies about carrying your book in their office to sell to travelers or sell quantities to the agencies to use as an incentive to those who book a trip.

• Finally, do your Independent Reading . We’re all on a learning curve about publicity. I recommend reading Sally Stuart’s Guide to Getting Published (still available directly from her). There’s some information on marketing in her book. But, in my opinion, the bibles of marketing are Carmen Leal’s You Can Market Your Book: All the Tools You Need to Sell Your Published Book and The Publishing Game: Bestseller in 30 Days! by Fern Reiss.

Now, chime in with your uncommon book promo stories.  

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09) Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info

 By Brenda Nixon

On average, bookstore shoppers spend a mere 15 seconds scanning a book’s back cover. If you’re the author, this stat means you have precious little time to grab and hold a potential buyer’s attention, and help him make a purchase decision.

How do you do that? With glowing endorsements, of course.

People love reading what others think of a book, and endorsement can persuade people to buy it. Even if you’re self-publishing, you can secure endorsements for the back cover before your book goes to the printer.

How do you get endorsements before your book is published? Do the mental gymnastics and think of authors, doctors, theologians, celebrities, politicians, or high-profile people who have a wide circle of influence.

Then email those “influencers” asking if they’d provide an endorsement for your upcoming book. Be sure to give each a deadline to respond. Hopefully, they’ll reply in the affirmative and you can send the manuscript, the galleys, or a few chapters. Then gather the ones you like or those that best fit the book and send them to your publisher (or printer if you’re self-publishing).

 I co-authored a delightful Christmas giftbook, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Months before the manuscript was finalized, I sought endorsements from several authors and even a university professor of Christmas history. One of the endorsements came back with a rave review. . . unfortunately after deadline. Now we’re using that comment on our book’s webpage. 

My parenting title, The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start, includes a variety of endorsements. One came from a dear friend and multi-published author, Martha Bolton. She writes, “Brenda Nixon’s new book is not a ‘look at everything you’re doing wrong’ instructional guide for parents. Rather, it is an encouraging and helpful aid to get you through those challenging early years. She answers your questions, treats mom and dad as important partners in the parenting process, and she does it all with the spirit of a teacher and coach. I highly recommend Brenda’s book to all new parents.” Signed, Martha Bolton, Emmy nominated writer and author of over 50 books. Isn’t that a compliment — but more important a way to woo potential readers to buy the book?

Think outside the box. Suppose you’re working on a book about hot vacation spots. Then contact travel agencies and the American Automobile Association (AAA) about giving your book an endorsement. Remember the adage, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Think beyond your book contract. Secure your cover endorsements now.

©2008, Brenda Nixon.

Brenda Nixon, www.BrendaNixon.com
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09)
Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info

Hello,
I’m Brenda Nixon, Kelly’s guest blogger this week. Here’s my plan. Today, I’ll introduce myself so you know a bit about me and my writing history. Tomorrow, I’m posting on how to get endorsements for your upcoming book (you’re all writing a NY Times best seller, right?). Seriously, securing “influencer” endorsements for your book cover is a strong publicity strategy. Wednesday, I’ll share some uncommon book promotion tips. . . no, not store signings, they’re too common and they’re not a good way to sell bunches of books anyway. Thursday, I’ll share a bit about dressing up your booktable when you speak or do those booksignings. You do want to get people to come up to your table, right? And Friday, I’ll field any questions y’all may have. So that day, I’ll check in a couple times and see how I can serve you individually. Sound okay?

Growing up I did not aspire to be a writer. (hear the gasps?) I did not go to college and major in English, journalism, or communication. I did earn a Masters in Education. After marriage and two kids, God nudged me to leave my school district position, where I served as a parent educator, to become a professional speaker on child behavior/parenting. Little did I know what He had in store as I launched a vertical learning curve!

Since raising kids is universal, I spoke to both corporate and faith-based organizations. Sometimes I’d keynote a childcare conference or a PTA Open House, and sometimes I’d speak to parents every night at a church’s Vacation Bible School.

After a couple years developing a local speaking reputation, I began to recognize the marriage between speaking and writing. You see, audiences wanted something beyond the platform. I began writing parenting articles in a small publication. Then I contributed to compilations like Life’s Little Rule Book. I self-published a book, Parenting Power in the Early Years, continued building my speaking career, and became the parenting expert for Kansas City’s FOX TV4 Noon News.

My passion for helping parents to be more confident and competent drove me to join the National Speakers Association, local writers groups, and learn simultaneously about these two industries. I’m still learning. Even now after 12 years, I discover new information or ways to improve my platform or writing skills.  

To date, I’ve contributed to 24 books, co-authored A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, and  Parenting Power in the Early Years was picked up by Revell to release this January as The Birth to Five Book. I try to participate in and often serve as faculty for writers conferences as well as maintain an active speaking calendar. My heartbeat is helping parents in their sacred and enormous task.

If you’re not yawning yet, you can read more about me on  http://www.shoutlife.com/parentingauthor or feel free to browse the free parenting articles and menu of my speaking topics at  http://www.brendanixon.com/

This week will be fun and full of information! So, check in every day and at the end of this week we can chat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brenda Nixon, http://www.brendanixon.com/
Speaker to parents & professionals who serve children.
Author of The Birth to Five Book (Revell, ‘09)
                Parenting Power in the Early Years (WinePress, ‘01)
Get a dose of discipline tips at http://www.brendanixon.com/newsletter.htm Co-Author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts www.Christmas-scrapbook.info