I have worked with authors for more than three decades. Based on my observations, here are 7 characteristics that separate the highly successful ones from the others.
Archive for Influence
Guy Walks into a Board Room
How Leaders Can Stand Up and Cast a Compelling Vision
Comedians refer to an audience that hasn’t heard any jokes yet as a “cold room.” It is thus the job of the comics who go first or second in the night to warm them up. You tell some jokes, suggest a convivial mood for the crowd, and hope they’ve brought their funny bones. I have […]
What It Takes to Become a Person of Influence
4 Simple Behaviors Any Leader Can Adopt
I was recently talking to a neighbor about an ordinance being considered by our city council. She didn’t like it and felt strongly that it shouldn’t pass. She went on to make the case to me, raising several valid points I had not considered before. I reminded her that the city was holding a public […]
Want to Earn a Living Creating? Here’s Your Mountain
4 Truths You Need to Know to Get to the Top
At this point in my career, I’ve sold a lot of books. But I was hardly an overnight success. First came work in publishing and agenting. I learned how book sales worked—and didn’t work—well before I published a word of my own. I want to use my experience here to puncture a thought bubble I […]
Why Great Customer Service Is So Important
5 Ways We’re Focused on Making Ours Great
Customer service is a double-edged sword. Get it right and you can make loyal, lifelong customers who sell your products for you. Get it wrong and you can find your business in real trouble. The Wrong Way to Do It My friend Frank gave me an example of the exact wrong way to do customer […]
Why You Don’t Need to Be Involved in Every Social Media Channel
3 Simple Steps to Get Traction and Build Your Following
I get asked a lot, “How do you find time to do it all? If I participate in every social media channel, I don’t have time to do anything else!” Exactly. The reality is that I don’t do it all. You can’t be everywhere in social media—and you won’t be effective trying. But the good […]