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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Lead Magnet Ideas For Self-Published Authors






Living in the information highway has made life easier for all of us. We transact things faster, meet people faster, we communicate faster and of course, we share our ideas and talents faster. A lot of people are taking advantage of the technology they have to make their lives better and more fun.

The Internet has made the world smaller and denser in terms of making connections and forming social bonds. It is the perfect virtual social hangout and marketplace. You have no limits or hindrances when it comes to using the World Wide Web.

Even the world of literature has taken use of this technology advancement for wider coverage and reception from different people. Nowadays, not only mainstream authors can use this, but also self-published authors.

Ideas come in different forms, shapes and sizes. To make a list of those would only take forever. In order for you to get up the ladder faster, you need to step up to the plate and be creative. In the first place, your creativity and imagination is the reason why your self-published book came to be. So promoting it in creative ways is also a big plus in reaching out to a lot of people who are interested in your genre or field.

Thankfully, you have a fighting chance in the current market because it is all about finding your target market. You can find your target market and the people interested in your work through lead magnets. A lead magnet is an offer that could entice potential customers to buy your books. However not all forms of lead magnets apply to a specific field of interest, so it has to be appropriate.

To help you understand further, here are some lead magnet ideas that can be of interest to you. Check it out and learn a thing or two.

    Post quotes or excerpts from your work. Make sure you place quotes that could bring an impact to your audience. Let them wonder about what it means, what message it brings and the main idea you could possibly formulate. It gives them the anticipation leading them wanting to know more.

    Give your audience a sneak preview by letting your audience read the first chapter of your book for free. This gives them a heads up on what to expect the nature of the book’s story, the possible characters involved and the overall mood of the story. With this type of lead magnet, they are able to make a choice whether to buy the book or not.

    If you have a website, you can place lead magnets in obvious places for visitors. Your home page and the right column are great areas for your lead magnet.


For all those struggling authors out there, now is your chance to share your talent with the rest of the world. Strategize on good lead magnet making by following these suggestions. This could be of great help to growing your author brand.  

Friday, June 20, 2014

Market Your Services with Auto- Responders


Auto responders are very important for your business growth. You can use auto responders to promote your products and services.

The concept of an effective auto responder is this - you sign up for a newsletter or free merchandise on a website and after you have fully registered, a number of emails promoting other products will be mailed to your email address. This may last for a couple of days or even weeks.
For public speakers, this is also one way of promoting yourself to people that have expressed interest in what you speak about. If you have a website, you can use auto responders to send messages in different forms of internet media. You can send YouTube videos, eBooks, or eCourses. With this process, you tend to attract prospects and stay top of mind. As they gain interest in you, you are granted the opportunity to offer your services and market your speaking gigs.
Here are some ways of building your list in order to make your services marketable. Let’s check them out.
  • Whenever people are following you on social networks, it’s your time to show them some links that will take them to where they can subscribe to you.
  • Offering freebies also increases the chances of you getting noticed by people.
  • Install a pop up plug in on your website. This can spark curiosity among people and convince them to sign up for your newsletter. 
  • If you have your own YouTube videos, at the end of every video, you can encourage people to sign up for your list. Without this, the interest of people might dwindle.
  • Give a good, catchy name or tagline for your newsletter. This entices people to dig deeper and possibly, check it out and sign up.
These tips are very useful. Try employing these tips when trying to grow your your email list.



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

How Does He Get So Many Speaking Gigs?

Are you still looking for ways to grow as a professional speaker? 
I have a tip for you:

SELL YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

This is my overriding principle that came from years of hard knocks trying to get people to hire me to speak. I get more speaking engagements than I ever had before.
I made a change that had a positive effect on my career.
I quit trying to sell the hard knocks and began selling my knowledge.

Once people start recognizing you in your industry booking speaking engagements will be a lot easier. 

I sold my knowledge with informational products in many different formats. 

There are many people out there that have the dream of earning money while they sleep but many never make it out the dream stage. I don't want you stuck in your speaking career so this blog post will help you move forward. 

Here are 5 Tips to help you create info products that can leverage your speaking career:

Valuable Content
Everything is a C.S.I (Crappy Stupid Idea) until you make money from it. Your content does not have to reinvent the wheel but it does have to be something somebody needs and would buy. 

Target Market
Decide who needs your knowledge and how to reach them. Your knowledge should clearly define who you are helping and how. 

Keep your Costs Low
This is why Internet marketing is great. You can start on a shoestring budget and allow your idea, knowledge and brand to grow with you. 
You don't have to rent a building, take a risky business loan, or save for a lifetime to just get started. 

Find Other Industry Professionals 
Build relationships with other brands in your industry. There are many opportunities for joint ventures and affiliate products online. You can create a webinar to sell to another brands email list. This is how you get your name in front of more people and create a buzz. 

I know the above tips will help you grow as a professional speaker because it forces you to think, of ways to to sell your knowledge.
I use to make $75.00 per speech, barely making  a living. But when I changed my mindset and started selling my knowledge I started making $17,500.00 per speech. Now I only accept the best a speaking gigs.
Now the ball is in your court go out and book those gigs! 

Check out the, Wake 'em Up Video Professional Speaking System and discover how to knock the socks off your audience.

How to Be a Professional Speaker - Tom Antion's Wake 'em Up Video System









I want to help speakers turn into professional speakers!



No-cost media marketing methods that get new clients to call you.
Advanced database marketing techniques . . . you'll know just who to call and exactly when to call them.

How to pre-sell products and educational materials so you don't have to schlep them with you, OR sell from the platform.

How to use hi-tech electronic time savers that cost only $1.00 per month.



Get your details HERE http://www.antion.com/speakervideo.htm




Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Content Tips for Professional Speakers



As a professional speaker, it is important for you to utilize social media to grow your brand. Social media is a great platform for speakers to spread their message and meet like minded people.
You should know exactly why your brand is using social media and what goals you want to accomplish. Be as specific as possible in your approach so you can stay focus. Here are 3 types of social content mediums that help professional speakers grow their brand:

Don't Neglect Your Blog
Sometimes entrepreneurs become confused and overwhelmed  on what topics they should blog about.
Consider your keyword research when developing topics. Your blog should answer questions that an interested prospect would have about your industry.

You should also consider blogging on related subjects. For example, if you are a motivational speaker for college students your blog should include college tips, speaking tips and how to’s. Don’t over think this part, you do not have to know everything to share your unique knowledge.

YouTube Marketing
Video marketing is a great approach to building trust in your industry. Place one of your speeches on YouTube to show off your skills. Add a video to a blog post so you can go into more detail. Adding video to your social media strategy will let prospects see you and what you have to offer in action. When you visually connect with the viewer, you will stay top of mind.

Podcasts 
You can include an audio recording of your short speech on your website. You can give how to's, or little quick snippet tips. Audio is a great way to display your knowledge and expertise.

Once you start creating consistent content that shows off your brand you will start to understand your audience. Once you produce your great content do not forget to be social. Remember to engage with your audience. Also, by mixing up the delivery of content. Give your audience options on how they can consumer you information.Some people like an audio file over a video because they have along commute to work.

What techniques are you using to grow your brand?

Sunday, March 30, 2014

11 Public Speaking Quotes





Public speaking is the number one fear in America. Many people absolutely hate speaking publicly and have physical reactions to the process. As an author, speaker, or coach it is important that you master the skill of speaking publicly.

Below are 11 public speaking quotes that will offer you some inspiration and motivation. Becoming a great public speaker is a journey. So don't stop trying to improve your craft.



“If you don’t know what you want to achieve in your presentation your audience never will.” - Harvey Diamond

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.” - Mark Twain

 “Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.” – D. H. Lawrence

 “No one ever complains about a speech being too short!” – Ira Hayes

 “If you don’t use stories audience members may enjoy your speech, but there is no chance they’ll remember it.” – Andrii Sedniev

 “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.” – Dale Carnegie

 "Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

 “There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” -Dale Carnegie

 "A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something." - Plato

 "If anything can go wrong, it will, and at the worst possible moment." - Murphy

 "Only the prepared speaker deserves to be confident." - Dale Carnegie

Monday, March 24, 2014

Are You Scared to Sell Yourself?



What is your response when a person asks, “What do you do?”

Is the answer boring and lifeless? 




Do you tell them what you really do?

Or, do you tell then your job title?



Selling yourself can be a difficult task for many entrepreneurs. 

Selling yourself can be a difficult task for many entrepreneurs.

We are  brainwashed as entrepreneurs, and have become accustomed to believing that any form of self promotion is a turn off to potential clients.

You heard about the bad reputation used car salesmen have received over the years. They have a terrible reputation for being pushy and impersonal, and you do not want to be that guy or girl. I do not think every used car salesman deserves a bad reputation, but just like, in any business there are different approaches.

If you want to establish a successful brand, you must know how to market yourself in a way that is appropriate for the occasion and sparks interest.

The core of all marketing is reaching new clients and increasing profits. But, marketing has two very different approaches. Transactional marketing and relationship marketing.

I define the two contrasting approaches below. You should understand the difference, so that your future self promotion will feel natural and smooth.
Formulating an answer that aligns with your brand and promotes clearly to the listener what you do is the goal.

Transactional marketing is an approach to business that focuses only on the sale. Getting as many sales as possible, and increasing profits is the goal here. This approach is associated with being money hungry or doing whatever it takes to make a profit. Transactional marketing is based on the four P's:

Product - has to meet the buyers needs

Pricing - a balance between what the consumer will pay and what brings in the most profit for business

Placement - path of distribution

Promotion - adding a little hype and exciting around the product to make it appealing to potential buyers.

If you are interested in building your personal brand, the transactional approach will not benefit you in the long run.

In contrast, the relationship marketing approach focuses on the potential buyer. The business owner seeks out ways to understand, help and offer solutions to problems. This approach is a bold statement. It says, “I care about my clients, and I will prove that by offering great value.” Understanding the difference between the two will help you overcome the fear of self promoting.


If you're in business for the long run, there is no doubt that relationship marketing is the way to go. The simplest form of relationship marketing is promoting who you really are. I know it sounds elementary but, “Just be yourself.” Ask yourself some important questions like:

What are your values?

What are you passionate about?

What are your goals?

How does what you do benefit the people around you?

Discovering who you truly are, is a journey that should not be summed up in 4 questions. The questions will get your brain moving and thinking about the bigger picture.
Once you establish what is important to you and the path for your business and life, answering “What do you do?” will never feel impersonal or pushy.
Your answer should speak the truth, be simple and to the point. Tell the listener what you want them to know about you and tie it into what you offer. Share what inspires you and not a job title.


Tips for Successful Self Promotion

First impressions are everything, and to master the art of self promotion you have to have confidence leaking out of your pores. When you believe in yourself and are being true to your beliefs, it will come across as passion. So, instead of spitting out a boring and lifeless answer you can spark the listener's interest.
Remember, sincere passion moves the people around you to take action. That is how you avoid coming across as a used car salesman.

Try to step outside of your comfort level, this will allow you to stay fresh and inspiring. Self promotion can take your brand to the next level, but it will take some practice and thought on your part. Talking about yourself is fine but always look for ways tie it into the listener. Give them a reason to care. I personally feel that when people ask probing questions they are really asking,

What’s in it for me?

So tell your potential client what you have to offer and let them decide if the fit is right. There is nothing pushy or impersonal about that.

Don’t be afraid to display what makes you unique and use that to help others. Each and every one of us has a unique story or approach, and you should weave that into your brand so you can resonate with your potential buyers.

So, now what is your response to “What do you do?”

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

7 Tips for Opt- in Boxes That Convert







Opt-in boxes are extremely important to your web success because they will help you build your email list. There are many different types of opt -in box options. You should test the different options to see which one grabs your readers attention and converts better. There are a few basic elements that any good opt- in box should include:

1. Lots of benefits near the point where the person has to make a decision to put in their email address. People are afraid you will spam them to death so you must make it extremely enticing for people to risk putting in their email address.

2. A blank field or fields that send the psychological message to the person looking at it that they should put something in the empty field. It's not a good practice to simply put a link to your opt in box or worse yet, have it as one of your regular navigation buttons. People will gloss over it there and many will never see it at all.

3. Not too many fields The more fields you require someone to fill in, the less people that will sign up. You may intentionally want less people to sign up if you have to follow up with them by phone and you don't have enough people to handle all your leads. Certainly the more info they are willing to fill out, the more qualified they are. When simply giving away a free digital newsletter or download you want as many people to sign up as you can, so less fields to fill out is a better idea.

4. High on page Your opt in boxes should be positioned high on your page, so it can be seen on the first screen without scrolling. That doesn't mean you can't have additional signup areas further down the page, but in most cases we want at least one signup area on the first screen a visitor will land on.

5. Multiple locations Each page can have multiple locations to sign people up and you should have at least one sign up area on every major page of your site. Remember people can enter your site on any page. They may never see your home page so it's important to have signup areas all over the place.

6. Put the opt in form in an unblockable pop up box. This is a real attention grabber and forces the visitor to look at your opt in box. Unblockable pop up boxes are made with code called "Dynamic HTML" also known as "DHTML".

7. A Freebie Make sure you give your readers a reason to joint your list. Give away something of value like a PDF, Video file, or an e-course
You can buy inexpensive dynamic pop up box generators. Search google for them. Most will show you a sample of the type of boxes they will make. Some will drop in from the top of the page and bounce. Some will slide in from the left and leave to the right. Some will follow the visitor all the way down the page. You may want to set "cookies" on the boxes so they only show a limited amount of times for any particular visitor.