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At the end of the year we often reflect on and define what was successful in our marketing plan. We also endeavor to fix what is broken and polish what already shines. A powerful desire for success in our ventures is one inspiration to create our books. Before you published your book did you define what success would look like for you? Not every person who publishes their first book will create a big splash, be a financial success, or make their name as a speaker or workshop presenter. Let’s define what we mean by success: the achievement of something planned or attempted or something that turns out as planned or intended. Maybe your success was becoming a “local writer makes good”, or a name as an online writer, or your book was reviewed in magazines. One of our authors consistently made it into the top 25 in her category on Amazon. And those who do make this kind of success inspire the rest of us to keep showing up. What did you do that was a success this year with your book? Next year do more of what works for you and your book.

You can also let go of what hasn’t worked. You can stop doing book-signings if only 2 people come every time you show up. Offer teleseminars instead to your mailing list that includes contests to win your book. Sales not where you want them? Find a distributor that will take on your book, or at least get your book into Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and Amazon. Your readers need to be able to find your book easily. After radio interviews, does host suggest that you could do a better job? Get a reliable radio coach to improve your on-air presence and make you more entertaining. Your workshops are not well-attended? Find someone in your field you can collaborate with and develop a joint-venture. People comment that they don’t like your cover? Republish your book as a 2nd edition with a new cover. When you are willing to let go of what isn’t working there is always a solution to improve your success track.

Did you take advantage of the “local writer” angle as much as you could?

· Connecting with local press

· Speaking to local businesses, schools, and churches

· Writing short columns for local papers

· Making a connection with local retailers appropriate to your genre

Often authors develop a following locally and then that local following jumps to a regional, and then national level. What worked for you best in being the local author?

Did you write a blog, or submit articles online?

· Connecting your blog to networks

· Submitting your blog as an article with article clearing houses

· Re-posting your article to your social network

· Collaborating with other authors who write blogs

Do you wonder how someone puts together an entire book? Do you sometimes think you have something to say that others would benefit from hearing? Here’s the story of how “101 Ways to Love Your Job” came to be:

As a workshop leader, I get a lot of phone calls and emails and personal visits from employees. I started to notice that I would answer the same question, several times, in one week. I would also hear about trends, concerns and upsets in my workshops. Instead of answering these issues one by one, I decided it would be much more efficient to start a regular email tip weekly newsletter. I sent an announcement to all the employees in my organization, and said, “If you want to get these emails, let me know. I won’t be sending these to everyone, because some people may not be interested.”

In about one week, I had over 800 people on my list.

I sent out a little paragraph, a thought for the day, or a link to an article. Sometimes I got feedback, sometimes no one said anything about that week’s entry.

Fast forward five years later—-and I had 88 entries!

No one at my job had asked me to do this. I received no extra money for this activity. I did NOT think that one day these suggestions would be published. I just did it, because I saw a need.

Eventually, I added some more entries until I had 101 and submitted the draft to my publisher. While there were many changes, edits, rejected rewrites and a real struggle to find a title (which I’m still not happy with), it was still thrilling to have my work considered. While your “baby” may not look the way you envisioned in the end, you can still scratch a major entry off your bucket list. Whether you choose to publish traditionally, or go with the more accessible e-book format, you will know you put your unique wisdom out into the world.

Where can you fill a need? What do you know that can help someone who may be struggling? You never know how these actions might attract a publisher, employer or business owner. Don’t hold back just because you aren’t “famous” or because you think you need a Ph.D. Contribute for the sake of contributing. It feels great, by the way. Be sincere in your wish to make people’s lives better. You never know how it might turn out.