These last two years have been life-changing, to say the least. With school closings, we had to become home school teachers, we learned to navigate the virtual world of zoom meetings, and some of us had to do all of this and more after losing our incomes and stability. We’ve all heard stories or know someone affected by the devastation of this global crisis, which led to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and people struggling with their mental health. And now we are living a new normal around the country and the world.

On the flip side, thousands of businesses were created and launched, while others learned to shift in order to compete in the new online space.

When you look back, have you thought about your story and what changed in it? Did it teach you anything about yourself and being able to get through to the other side of the madness? All those experiences made you an expert, and someone is waiting to learn and be inspired by your resilience.

Have you ever considered that sharing your story can help you create a business and income? That’s right. There is Power in the Pen, and those words can change the lives of others who may need your expertise as you create a profitable business and legacy.

Yes, writing a book may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve never thought of yourself as an author. But, I assure you that everyone has a story inside of them just waiting to be written, and the 8 ‘P’s of the Pen is just the blueprint you need to get started.

The 8 P’s of The Pen

1. Power: There is Power in the Pen! Writing your story allows you to take action and share your message with the people who need it.
2. Purpose: This is the reason you are here; Your purpose in this life is to rediscover your mission and give your whole heart and soul to it. Writing can help you realize your purpose.
3. Plan: This is the structure of your story. It includes why you are writing it, who you are writing it for, what you are writing about, and what the return on your investment will be.
4. Partner: Here is where you network with experts in the writing and publishing space so they can help you bring your story to life.
5. Promote: Marketing your book and getting the message to your ideal audience.
6. Presence: Be present and visible while writing and marketing to create anticipation and excitement about your book.
7. Process: How to bring all the pieces of your story together.
8. Profit: How to profit from the writing of your story.

As you navigate this new year, take time to reflect on your experiences and expertise over the last two years. Write them and consider sharing them with the world so that you might empower and inspire those who have been assigned to you. And, on the other hand, this could be the start of a new business for you.

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P.S. Don’t forget to join us for the live launch of our latest project The Image in The Mirror ll: Manifesting A Dream Deferred on February 23, 2022, from 12 pm -2 pm EST live on Facebook

So, you finally decided to start your book; you figure that you have waited long enough, and you’re ready to dive right in. But, wait, there’s just one problem, you don’t know where to start, and you can’t figure out how to put it all together.

Don’t worry; it happens to a lot of people. Even the most experienced writer has times when they don’t know where to begin. In your head, you know exactly how it all comes together, but when you try to put it on paper, it’s hard to know where to start.

Here are some tips about structuring your story that will help you to lay it out in a way that holds your reader’s attention and keeps them captive to the end:

· Introduction: Although it may seem strange, the introduction should be written after you have finished the contents of your book. It is an overview of the book, and it lets your readers know what your message is and why you chose to share it with them.

· Hook: You want to be able to reel your reader in so that they want to keep going. The first chapter of your book is where you get to do that. What happened in your life that was profound, compelling, or amazing? How can you tell it in a way that hooks your reader and keeps them until the end of the book?

· Body: This section is where the bulk of your story lives and will take your readers on a journey as they learn more about you. It might include things like childhood experiences, parents, and any other significant thing that may have happened in your life. It’s a great idea to use bullet points to structure the story in chronological order. One thing to remember when writing a guide, devotional, or any other kind of self-help book is that you can add your references and quotes here.

· Resolution: Use this part of your story to let your readers know how you resolved the conflict from the account you shared in the hook. What problems or ideas are being addressed that relate to the content of that first chapter? You can also add your references, case studies, or quotes from other sources with credits.

· Conclusion: The takeaway. Now that you’ve written your hook, body, and resolution, it’s time to wrap your book up. So, how can your readers benefit from your story, and what action can they take to get them to that benefit? What if, any, are other resources that can be shared or are available for them? And you can let them know how they contact you.

· Parking Lot: While you are writing, you may remember some things you want to add, or maybe you have ideas that you didn’t include in your outline or bullet points. You can put them right in the parking lot to avoid starting over. Then, once you finish structuring and outlining your story, you can go back and see where it fits best and add it. If it doesn’t make a difference or enhance the level of the theme, you can choose not to include it.

This structure is a guide for breaking your story down in a way that helps you get your thoughts on paper. This format can be transferred to a whiteboard as well. So go ahead and get those creative juices flowing! You can use colored post-it notes for each section using the whiteboard idea. Then, when you complete writing each section, remove the post-it notes and watch your story come to life!

You’ve written, launched, and have gotten your book printed, now you’re wondering what in the world to do next right? How are you going to get your book in front of your ideal reader? Well, now is the time to be talking about your book to any and everyone who will listen, because if you don’t tell people about it, they simply won’t know it exists. And contrary to popular belief, just because your book is available on Amazon does not mean anyone will see it.

A big part of being an author also means becoming a marketing expert. Hiring a marketing agency is one option, but for many authors – especially first-timers – it’s not a budget-friendly one. The key is to get you and your book in front of as many people as possible to grow a community of readers who are attracted to your message.

1. Schedule a national book tour. Now, this requires a lot of footwork and research to be successful. Target independent bookstores as well as the big box in areas where your ideal readers are located. The stores will be interested in how your book will bring people in so be sure to include a synopsis of your book in your pitch. Also, create a social media plan that aligns with their current campaigns, and use their platforms to attract readers. Keep in mind: Scheduling tours in big cities is best done well in advance due to the high demand.

2. Schedule television and radio interviews. When you plan your book tour, reach out to local television and radio stations to land interviews; decide which segment(s) you’re best suited for, and do your research on specific programs, hosts, and producers. Make yourself stand out from the rest of the pitches by including any relevant fun facts or ties to that local area. And don’t think any show is too big for you to land.

3. Arrange blog tours and podcast tours. Over the last few years, blogs or podcasts have become a popular platform for authors to share their messages as part of their promotional efforts. Podcasts and blogs have national, and even international reach and will expand your reach exponentially. A blog tour is simple – you are being featured with a written interview that is published on a blog, and they usually include contact links to your website. Podcasts are similar to traditional radio talk shows and can be found on platforms such as iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify.

4. Create social media events around your book launch. This is where a lot of authors tend to fall short. You already have a following so don’t forget about inviting them to watch parties or live events. If you have a Facebook group create events in your group as well! Tell your group all about your new book; go live and share an excerpt or chapter to build interest; create custom hashtags and ask your audience to share about your book and live events; have an online panel discussion via streaming software with other authors or colleagues to discuss your book’s topic. Being consistent and present on social media BEFORE your book launches is important and will help build your momentum. People want to know more about you and your story before they think about buying your book, so don’t hide.

5. Embrace new social media platforms and/or advertising avenues. There are new social media platforms popping up all the time. Creating a following on as many of them as possible will greatly increase your chances of gaining new fans but only if your target audience uses those platforms. Conducting some market research before learning another platform is important so you can see where your audience spends their time and what their pain points are. Take advantage of the marketing features offered, Facebook, for example, offers paid ads and Sponsored Posts. Knowing the difference and how best to use them to target your audience will increase your reach and get more eyes on you and your book.

You have put in the work to create an awesome book and now it’s time to share it with the world. There is someone out there waiting for your message to impact their life, but you won’t reach them if they don’t know you are there. Planning any kind of tour is worthwhile when you think about how many people you’ll attract to your brand.

The first step to changing the way you experience life is to change how you think and speak about yourself; your mind will lie to you and have you believing that you are unworthy of greatness. Fear chains you to the past and affects how you see yourself, which ultimately keeps you from moving forward in your life.

Where you are and where you go in your life are both determined by your mindset. Do you have a growth mindset and beliefs? Or is your way of thinking that of a fixed mindset? Do you believe that you can grow and thrive no matter the circumstances? Or do you think lack and struggle will always be a part of your life, no matter the circumstances? Your success depends on how you show up for yourself.

It’s easy to say you want things to be different, but if you constantly mistreat yourself and think negatively, nothing will change, and you’ll stay stuck in that thought pattern. While the first step to becoming an entrepreneur is finding a profitable business idea, the foundation of entrepreneurial success rests in a growth mindset. A good idea can take you only so far; you must be clear about who you are, what it is you want, and what you’ll do to make it happen. Determining to stop at nothing to achieve your goals will get you straight to the finish line. That’s where the Triple-A Mindset comes into play.

What is the Triple-A Mindset?

To understand this way of thinking, you must first get an idea of where it originated. Two types of mindsets determine your level of success in every area of your life: a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. When you have the mindset of abundance and growth, your thoughts are empowering and encourage you to go after your dreams. For example, you say, “I can learn anything I want to,” or “When I fail, I learn.” Not only should you think these thoughts, but you must also believe them. Get into the habit of speaking encouraging words to yourself, and carry yourself powerfully. Abundance will flow to you effortlessly because you can only attract goodness toward yourself.

On the other hand, a lack mindset will tell you, “When I’m frustrated, I just give up,” or “If I succeed, people will look at me differently, and I don’t want to stand out.” This way of thinking keeps you struggling and wishing you could move forward. On the other hand, the Triple-A Mindset is one of growth and will lead you to prosperity.

THE TRIPLE A’S

Acknowledge: Here, you are acknowledging the thoughts and actions that need to be changed to experience the success you desire in your business and personal life. You have admitted you recognize that a change is necessary and are willing to do what it takes to make that change happen.

Accept: To see real change and move away from the lack mindset, you must take full responsibility for where you are in your life and the actions or inaction that got you there. Accept that you are in this space but know it’s not permanent. Part of that acceptance is knowing that you will need some assistance along the path to your purpose.

Ask: Now that you have acknowledged and accepted that there is work you must put in so that you can grow into the next part of your assignment, it’s time to ask for guidance. Getting direction from people in the space you want to be in and doing what you want is the best way to get the tools you need to help you grow. But, you must send the invitation and be prepared to receive what you ask. That’s why you must be intentional with your thoughts and actions; you must ensure that the coach or mentor you find has your best interest in mind when they agree to work with you.

The Mindset of the Successful Entrepreneur

Always reaches higher, focuses on the up-sell, and knows how to make $1 out of 15 cents.

Prepares an elevator speech and recites it to anyone willing to listen.

Values the power of marketing and sticks to proven marketing tactics; knows the power of effective marketing and markets whether the business is booming or in a rut.

Believes in the ability to achieve the best and constantly pushes beyond comfort zones for the good of the business.

Believes customer service is just as important as promoting and providing quality products and services.

A problem-solver who doesn’t hesitate to do whatever is needed to get the results.

Keeps moving when things are slow and quickly goes on to the next thing to improve the business.

Values money and the energy that surrounds it. Yet, knows there must be giving to receive abundance in life and business.

Implements ideas into an existing business plan to increase revenue and customer service.

Have the courage to confront issues with a calm attitude and firm intent. Notices everything and handles all confrontations with class.

The Mindset of the Unsuccessful Entrepreneur

Believes that good enough is good enough, and a dollar in revenue is better than no revenue.

Embarrassed to celebrate micro wins and often downplays business complexity and skills.

Markets only when business is slow. Would rather cut corners and believes there are shortcuts to success. When business is booming, marketing expenses become unnecessary.

Allows low self-esteem issues and emotional overwhelm to carry over into business leadership and causes marketing, networking, public perception, and revenue to take a hit. As a result, doesn’t show up as the boss and has limited progress because there is a feeling of being unworthy of success and a better life.

Afraid to take chances and rarely invests in oneself or the business.

Easily cracks under pressure when the hard times come knocking.

Doesn’t trust intuition and takes advice from the wrong people before acting.

Puts ideas on the back burner until business brings in more money.

Afraid of failure but operated from a lack mentality.

An abundant mindset, a willingness to succeed, and take risks for your business are the foundation for reaching and maintaining higher profits. Changing the lack or limited perspective and following that of the successful entrepreneur, you’ll experience the business you’ve been dreaming about while bringing in revenue for yourself instead of breaking your back for someone else’s vision.

Okay, you’ve written the book, started the business, created the course, built your website, and you’re impatiently awaiting your first sale. But wait, does anyone even know what I have to offer? Are clients going to fall from the sky? Um, no.

Now that you’ve created some buzz around your business/product, it’s time to start collecting the email addresses of potential clients or leads, as they are sometimes called. First, of course, you’ll have to offer them something free in exchange for it. That’s where the lead magnet comes in. It is a free resource that you use to attract your ideal customers and converts them to paying customers. That’s what makes it such an essential part of your marketing strategy.

There are many forms of lead magnets, but they all have these things in common:

• They are FREE.

• They are tied to your business/niche.

• Valuable, helpful, and informative.

• They can be used right away.

Why Your Business Needs A Lead Magnet

To generate leads, you must have a lead magnet, Period. There’s no getting around it. No matter your business, if you want to attract clients online, this is where you must start. Email is very personal; no one will give you their address without getting something they deem valuable. For example, you come across a blog post from a bakery that is talking about new Christmas cookie recipes they will be trying out this year. In the end, It asks you to sign up to get updates. Are you eager to join, or would you be more inclined to participate if they offered a free PDF download with delicious cookie recipes? Exactly…option two is much more appealing, and you get your download right away, so you can start making those delicious cookies!

So, What Makes a Good Lead Magnet?

Now that you know how crucial a lead magnet is for marketing your business use these tips to create a killer freebie that will keep your email list growing! Your lead magnet should:

• Solve one of your avatar’s problems. It’s pointless if it doesn’t.

• It helps them easily and quickly achieve one thing.

• Be specifically related to your niche/product/offer.

• Be easily consumable, e.g., a checklist or tip sheet.

• Be valuable.

• Highlights your expertise.

• Immediately available.

If your lead magnet has these qualities, you already have a jump start on converting those leads into paying customers!

Here are some examples to get you started:

• The Checklist: Everyone loves a good checklist, and they’re super easy to create.

• The Cheat sheet: It’s almost like a checklist, but they give the user steps to follow to solve a problem.

• A Template: This is one of my favorites! Entrepreneurs are busy, allowing you to copy and paste your content in minutes!

• A Planner: These are great for busy people who want to organize something in their life/business.

• Webinars: Live webinars have a high value and create a sense of urgency since they usually happen once, and people don’t want to miss out.

Of course, these are just a few examples of what a lead magnet is and what it can do for your business, and you’ll need to find the one that serves your audience the best.

Do you want to get updates in your inbox? Join our email list here, and don’t forget to join the free Books 2 Business and Beyond Facebook group here

Marketing your message should be ongoing if you want to run a successful and profitable

business. I know that might seem an obvious statement, but some of the actions of many small business owners indicate otherwise. Many will build a website, create a promotional flyer for social media, attend a few networking events, and then wait for customers to come to them.

Unfortunately, effective marketing rarely works that way. Consistency is the key to keeping your pipeline full of good high-quality leads that you can work on converting into paying clients. At the same time, it does not have to be an all-consuming effort.

Here are four ideas for continuously moving your marketing forward:

1. Study marketing trends and ideas:

There is no shortage of resources to help you with your marketing efforts, including books,courses, groups, etc. Look for the ones that offer proven, hands-on strategies and tactics andnot get-rich-quick schemes.

2. Form or join an accountability or mastermind group:

Get involved with like-minded individuals who care more about your success than theirs and intentionally hold each other accountable. This is not just a group of friends who will tell you what you want to hear but instead support you and hold your feet to the fire as it relates to your actions and results.

3. Attend business events and workshops regularly:

If you go and participate fully, you will often get just as much from the other participants as you will from the talk itself. Brainstorm with those you meet to find out what works for them in their business.

4. Develop a marketing mindset:

Sales can sometimes be scary if you are uncomfortable with selling. Potential customers will pick up on your fear and uncertainty and may refuse to buy. Instead of thinking about selling as an awkward act, change that mindset and try telling the story around your offer to let people know how your product solves their problem.

A recommended suggestion is to get support from a business or marketing coach. They will help you focus, set goals, prioritize, create action plans, and implement strategies for marketing your message. In addition, knowledge-based courses, workshops, seminars, and masterminds are

some of the best investments you can make in yourself and your business. The points listed above and additional support from mentors and subject matter experts can help you shift your mindset and make marketing the major priority it should be so your business can grow!

I just returned from one of the most inspiring vacations I have ever taken. My sister and I visited one of the tiniest islands off the coast of Belize, called Caye Caulker. We wanted to choose a vacation spot to honor our Mom this year. She passed away 26 years ago on my birthday; coincidentally, my sister was born on her birthday in October, so we intentionally chose to celebrate her life together on an island during their birth month.

Caye Caulker is 5 miles long and less than a mile wide, and you can walk from top to bottom in less than an hour. The roads are made of packed sand, and their modes of transportation are golf carts, bicycles, and feet. By all American standards, this is a poor third-world country, but I saw a group of people that are rich in mindset.

Their way of living is simple yet beautiful. Clean air – no exhaust from motor vehicles; white sand beaches without pollutants; the incredible Caribbean Sea breeze that warps your skin like a fragranced blanket; and food that has none of the additives and chemicals that are included in the ingredients you see on the packages in the US. For seven days, I had no indigestion and no joint pain.

The mindset of these natives is what blew me away. No one cared about what you wore on your back or feet or your designers purses or sunglasses. They lived their lives in peaceful harmony while using every talent, gift, skill, and purpose they were blessed with to support, sustain, and create commerce within their eco-system.

So the fishermen bring in the fresh catch, the skilled cooks have street-side businesses and restaurants, the teachers are in the school system, the nurses work in either of the two clinics, and the creatives draw, paint and make crafts for the tourism industry, etc. I saw every person contributing to the success of that tiny community as they used what they have in their hands – and when asked if they would consider their community poor; their answer was, “Poor is a state of mind, and in our minds, we are wealthy because we have each other.” WOW!

So what is your mindset saying to you? Do you think you are rich because you know that your gifts, talent, skills, abilities, and life lessons will make room for you? Or are you still wondering what you are purposed to do and how to make that purpose work for you?

During the September Books2Business Challenge, I discussed the upcoming Power of the Pen Retreat and talked about momentum. Here is what I know from being in the workforce/business space over the last 40 years. MOMENTUM is that giant wave that surfers use to propel them into excellence.

M = Movement

O = Opportunity

M = Mission

E = Execute

N = Now

T = Time-sensitive

U = Understanding

M = Motivated

With that said, do not let this MOMENTUM pass you by. We want to invite you to experience the POWER of what God will do at the Power of The Pen Retreat. I desire you to create a sustainable life for yourself and your family that will leave a legacy. So I am giving you the opportunity to purchase a General Retreat ticket as a two-for-one deal. This means you pay for one ticket and bring a friend along for free.

There is nothing like partnerships and accountability when doing something new. All you need to do is put their name and email address in the ticket section so we can send them their login information and Retreat agenda. Here is the link for the tickets www.victoriousyoupress.com/retreat

This is a last-chance advantage as this is only valid until Wednesday, November 2nd, at 11.59 pm. The General Conference starts on Friday, Nov 4th at 9 am.

If you are interested in the VIP ticket, we also still have those available, and the VIP day is Thursday, Nov 3rd starting at Noon.

Listen, I want to walk hand in hand with you through this process, and time is of the essence

There are times when we allow golden opportunities to slip through our fingers, don’t let this happen to you. We want to empower you to own your brilliance, build a legacy, and impact lives while creating a sustainable lifestyle with this business in a box.

Even If business ownership is not what you desire, here is your chance to be a self-publishing expert and write and publish your own books.

You have only a few hours left to take advantage of my special Black Friday offer for the Books 2 Business & Beyond Publishing Boot Camp before the doors close.

Don’t wait until the New Year to make a resolution to invest in yourself and create your legacy. Do it now and start getting results by the end of the year.

Just to Recap Here is What You Get:

• THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EDITING AND WHEN TO USE THEM

• THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL FORMATTING AND WHAT TO DIRECT

• THE ART OF THE COVER

• DETERMINING BISAC CODES

• STORYTELLING FOR SELLING AKA MARKETING

• SEO/AND KEYWORD PHRASES

• THE BEST-SELLING STRATEGY

• CREATING YOUR SELF-PUBLISHING IMPRINT

• AUTHOR COACHING CERTIFICATION –BONUS

• CREATING ONLINE COURSES FROM BOOKS

• AND MUCH MORE

Here is what you can expect from the boot camp:

In addition to the amazing strategies and bonuses, you’ll get:

• (2) 90-minute 1:1 coaching session with a VYP Coach based on your needs

• Weekly 60–90-minute training sessions

• Training from subject matter experts

• Workbooks, templates, worksheets, and other resource materials

• Accredited author coaching certification

• Private Facebook group with accountability partners

• Peer sessions

• End of program event

• The opportunity to leave the program with a fully functioning author-publishing business

• Graduation Recognition

• Super Bonuses