Welcome to another Be My Guest post – we have the lovely Dee Blick of The Marketing Gym with us today.
Dee is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing and a genuine Number 1 bestselling small business marketing author, regarded as one of the most respected and influential marketers in the UK. She’s the author of 3 bestsellers including: The 15 Essential Marketing Masterclasses For Your Small Business. Rated ‘an excellent read’ by The Sun Newspaper, CityAM, Elite Business Magazine, winner of the Bookbag nonfiction book award and one of Talk Business Magazines ‘Best books of 2013’. Her previous book, The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book has sold 20,000+ copies to date. It has been translated in to Chinese after Dee was offered a publishing deal by CITIC publishing in Beijing.
Dee’s latest book The Ultimate Guide to Writing and Marketing a Bestselling Book on a Shoestring Budget has just been published and reached #1 in hot new releases in the competitive ‘Writing’ category on Amazon on the day of its release for pre-order. So over to Dee….
Describe yourself in 3 short, fab and fun sentences
52 year old Mum, marketer and author with more laughter lines than wrinkles often found huddled in her log cabin writing her latest book, coffee to hand, hens tapping at the window for welcome distraction.
What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I have never described myself as an entrepreneur. However I decided early on in my writing career that I wanted to be a genuine #1 bestselling author and I have become one which is how I prefer to describe myself.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in business?
No one person but I admire any small business owner who has grown a successful business whilst overcoming adversity and I have had some amazing coaches along the way too that have really helped me unlock my potential and tackle my gremlins!
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
What other people think of me is none of my business! I remember that when I get the occasional stinging Amazon review.
What three tips would you give when working on a book?
- Spend time planning your big idea, scoping out the content and identifying your readers before you start writing chapters
- Invest in an editor; it’s impossible to edit your own work to the standard required to pen a bestseller
- Know when it is time to stop being the author and start being the sales person for your book
What are the three biggest mistakes that coaches/people make when writing a book?
- Rushing into writing chapters and then losing steam mid-way through their book because they have not thought the content through from the first chapter to the last. Underestimating their immense knowledge, know-how and experience and so not bringing this in its full capacity to their book
- Writing a great book but not having a robust marketing plan in place to promote it coupled with not investing the time in marketing that is so needed in the first year
- Your book deserves an audience but you have to make them aware it exists!
What if I have no idea where to start with writing a book, what do you suggest?
Well cheekily I would say buy my latest book because I have written the book I would have so welcomed when I wrote my first book. I was high on enthusiasm but low on know-how and didn’t have a clue about my publishing options and to be honest what was needed to write a bestseller. I was naive but thankfully managed to sell several thousand copies. I have put my heart and soul into this my latest and last book because I want thousands of authors worldwide to invest in it and then write to me telling me how it has helped them achieve bestselling status! But practically every book starts with a big idea and with great content so buy a gorgeous big pad with space to stash blogs and articles you have written. Get some lovely pens and start filling your pad with your ideas and existing content. Use it to decant the content that is in your head now, just waiting to to be mined!
How much time do I really need to spend on writing a book?
It depends. A book of 20,000 words will not take anywhere near as much time as one of 40,000 words and so on. The most important thing is to sweat over your book. Craft it, don’t rush it but have a deadline at the end to inspire you to invest the time on a regular basis and allow time for editing it.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Coaches are incredibly talented and resourceful people. You have great ideas for a book that will really help others but what’s often holding you back is the nagging voice saying ‘what can I bring to the table that has not been covered before?’ Remember you have a unique voice, unique experiences and case studies. Don’t worry that there are thousands of coaching books. You can still make the bestsellers by virtue of your powerful voice. Back yourself big time. Quell the voices of doubt because they do not serve you well! On April 18th for the first time ever I am running a one day author workshop appropriately called an Author Book-camp. I have been asked to do this for years and at last have got my finger out and will be running it with a publisher and book PR specialist. Any coach needing inspiration and practical advice will find it in abundance on that day.
If I wanted to connect and/or work with you where would I find you?
Please connect on twitter @deeblick and email me [email protected] Whilst you are at it, tell me all about the book you are writing or planning on writing! You can email me through my website: www.themarketinggym.org where you can find out more about my Author Book-camp and can call me on 07845 439332.
Dee has kindly shared the first chapter of her new book with us, just click this link to get your download - Free PDF First Chapter and Chapter overviews
Fascinating Dee, thank you for sharing! I have a book on my list of things to do, so will definitely be buying your book. Just reading your post makes me want to get my pretty book and coloured pens out. In fact, I’ve added your book to our Coaching Book Club board over on Pinterest as a possible read for the group. If you’re not a member yet come and join! It’s free and we have now have guest authors joining us for Q & A’s. It’s all about the books! Here’s the link, just pop on over and ask to join.
Share Your Thoughts