Your Voice, Inc.

Meryl Streep’s brilliant performance not withstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed Julie & Julia for more reasons than originally predicted.  In addition to my love of food and all things creative in the kitchen, I was inspired by the journey each woman took on her way to sharing her passion with the world.  The strongest emotions came from the shortest lines spoken and the simplest scenes acted.

For every need, there is an audience.
Julia Child’s focus was to spend her time doing what she loved.  Along the way she began her quest to bring to market something she was searching for without success; a book about French Cooking written for Americans.

• What expertise or passion do you have?
• How often do you find yourself talking about it simply because you want to share what you love and have learned?
• What need exists that you can fill?

Imagine how much easier your marketing efforts will be if you follow your passion and produce a quality product that has universal appeal and is also unique in its delivery or approach.

It’s not all about me
Julia was inspired by her desire to help her readers, even down to the smallest of details.  (Who knew there was a correct temperature for a mixing bowl when making mayonnaise?)

Let’s face it, adding Author to your title has a nice ring to it.  However, keep your focus on always adding value.  Share your expertise, your mistakes and your guidance.  Even memoirs have lessons built in.

For those of you regularly engaged in social media, you know what it is like to have “followers” or “friends” who consistently post solely about themselves or their businesses. They seldom engage in adding value to others without it being tied to a subscription, special offer or free trial.  After a while, you find yourself passing right by their entries or you un-follow or de-friend them altogether.  Give, give, give…and ye shall receive.

Show me the money
It was quite a surprise to Julia Child when she first learned that authors were paying publishers to print their books.  No matter what shifts continue to occur in the traditional and independent publishing word, writing for love and not money is the best approach for realizing your dream.

Remember that you don’t make money on a book; a book is there to make you money.  Unless you are pulling down 6-figure advances, your book should be seen as your calling card; it is a catalyst for visibility and credibility.  It helps to draw attention to your skills, separates you from your competition, and establishes you as an expert in your field.  It will help you garner more clients, more speaking engagements and more opportunities to earn the interest of literary agents and publishers for future projects.

Rewards Realized
You don’t need to know how the story plays out in order to take the first step.  It will all unfold in front of you, so long as you start down the path focused on giving rather than taking.

It will all be worth it the first time you see your words in print or your name on the program.  The day I sat on the floor in the business section of my local Borders Bookstore is still such a vivid memory. When I opened the book and saw my own words, my stomach tightened, my mouth went dry and my eyes became wet.  That moment was relived as I watched the final scene of Julie & Julia.  I won’t spoil the ending for you….