The 8 Options for Author & Publishing Learning …
What’s Best for You?

Last month, I led and participated in my first live, in-person event. This month, I’ve had two. Next month, there will be two more and in October, there will be a live AuthorYOU Extravaganza. Bringing experts to Denver–a modified of the original three-day event done years ago.

From now until the end of the year I will be at eleven live in-person author related events. Meeting many hundreds and learning from other experts. Their expertise expands my learning and my connections. It benefits me professionally; it benefits me mentally; it benefits my publishing clients; and it benefits my writing—I have two new books on my plate: The Savvy Author’s Guide to Book Marketing and The Author’s Walk. That’s a win-win-win.

There are eight key options for author learning:

1. Attend live publishing and book marketing related events.
2. Attend online publishing and book marketing events.
3. Become a DIYer and learn by the school of hard knocks with your instinct as the magnet in the direction you go.
4. Troll what the Internet world offers.
5. Buy every book you can get your hands on in the topics that you need help with.
6. Hire someone or a company that does everything for you and hopefully, you absorb something along the way.
7. Visualize where you are going and what outcomes you desire.
8. Get a coach.

The best athletes have coaches. The ones that are up and coming have coaches. Do you? Visualizing is an essential factor for athletes in their rise to the top. Did you listen to last week’s podcast with Dr. Lynn Hellerstein on the art and power of visualization. Are you visualizing your author and publishing success?

Get tips HERE. http://bit.ly/BookPublishingPodcast

I’ve done … and am doing … all of the above and there’s merit in each. I’m a visual learning. I read lots. But my #1 way to get information is showing up at live events. A different world from the interruptions that my office can generate from sunup (and sometimes before its up) to many times long past sundown.

Yes, it would be easier to stay home and do “it” all online. Certainly, I avoid the hassle of airports. The different hotel rooms. And definitely some of the mediocre food I’ve had a too close encounter with. So, why do it?

It’s the connecting power. I put that in the priceless category.

In other words, I’m a huge proponent of just showing up.

Do you love the ability and ease to “click” quickly and get info for marketing, publishing or “whatever” you are seeking? Most of us do. But what about the other way … the “brick” approach? Brick meaning “in person.” That’s me.

I get it… the “click” method is fast. Register, be there when it begins. Or wait for the replay to be sent to you. Easy peasy. Bricking it takes a commitment. That “show up” thing that means hours, maybe days away. Maybe added costs—travel, hotels, food.

You may be thinking—the “click” way is the only way to fly. But think again. Yes, it certainly takes more time, energy, and sometimes money. For me, if my schedule has the opening, or I can clear it, I will choose the “brick” method every time. Why?

Participating in person has major perks to it.

1. You get sit down time and face-to-face. You have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with the top influencers, experts, and speakers in the industry—getting direct answers to your questions that related to you and your book. That connection you make could become the tipping point for your author and publishing success. Plus … you never know. That person who sit down with may be the missing link you are look for. Who doesn’t want that?

1. It’s all about connecting with others—and opening a huge probability of learning from their experiences—those others are like you. It’s a two-way win-win. Heck, maybe more ways than you can count on both hands and feet. That means relationship building. Getting help and input fast.
2. It’s usually brain overload … and good for you! You come away with new ideas, concepts and strategies that are often the tipping point toward a new vision; strategies for moving your book into a direction you hadn’t thought about; and re-energized. There has never been an event where I haven’t come away with a “home run” that I start the implementation of something new … and often—a “hold on … you were working on a version of this some time ago—here’s a whole new approach”—I love it and at the event I was at earlier this month create two of those homeruns which have already domino factor for my clients. Yup, I love it.
3. It’s a get-away for you and away from your office and others. Yes, we all need that. Especially after the mega months long lock down and in. This could be a huge benefit that you just don’t realize until it happens. When I get on a plane to head away from my Colorado base—quite time settles in. No emails hounding me for a few hours; no phone calls; and a refocusing comes into play. Concentrating on just you and your improving what you are doing and will do.
4. In person—those “brick” events are exhilarating and fun. And, sometimes exhausting. But with that exhausting, comes a rejuvenation and vision for success.

The reality is: when you enter this thing called publishing, it’s a never-ending story. As long as you want to sell books, think perpetuity. Staying ahead in publishing means you make a commitment to continual learning.

There is always new ideas and strategies for book marketing; for how to be this and how to be that. Most likely, you are bombarded with pitches online for “stuff” to get to enhance yours. And you buy it, never looking at it. I confess … I’ve done it.

Online has become the infomercial world of marketing—marketing anything—and authors and writers are a key target. I know … count me in the mix. I’ve sat in on more webinars; read more articles, and I have clicked away. And I confess, I’ve bought “stuff” that I’m clueless where it went to; what computer file it’s hiding in; or if it’s truly relevant today. Many of my publishing pals are online marketers. When I share that I’ve done this—they often laugh … and then share this raw fact: the great majority of stuff bought via online is not used or implemented. If you are a clicker and buy something, use it. If you don’t, you’ll lose it. I know I’ve done it. How about you?

In person, events have a different twist. A plus for me is I’m away from the office a few days and my regular routine. I like the personal interaction and face-to-face time. And sometimes, the intensity can be an overwhelm—so much information at once.

Click or Brick … Which is for You? The best “click” event this year for authors unfolds this October here in Denver, Colorado. A day and one-half. Be there October 1-2 at the AuthorYOU Extravaganza. We have a special kick-butt writing/editing workshop pre-conference from 4-6 pm as a “preconference add on the later afternoon of the 30th. Then … John Kremer will take you into a deep dive of marketing. Patty Moosbrugger will flip your thinking and strategy on getting book reviews. Jaclyn Kostner will reveal tips and secrets to creating an online presentation that soars. Barb Wilson will take you deep inside the 9 block writing cube. Nick Zelinger will have you drooling with new ideas in cover design. Rebecca Finkle will take you through a maze of interiors, eBooks, and the swag world. Daniel Hall will reveal strategies for soaring online success this month in Colorado October 1-2. For those staying for dinner Friday, not only will there be tasty delights … but we have the winner from the Boston Comedy Festival and a sellout performer at Denver’s Comedy Works to wake-up your funny bone and end a perfect day. Saturday kicks off with a Sunrise session. When Saturday noon comes, the Extravaganza ends.

I’m there and so are the key influencers who I trust … and learn from. Meet me at the October Extravaganza—early bird is on—Get registered HERE.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 37 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences. 

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. 

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact me.

©2021 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.