by Cathy Paper on May 1st, 2013
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by Cathy Paper on April 24th, 2013
I recently wrote an article for the RockPaperStar monthly newsletter that got a lot of feedback called "What Do You Make."
People asked me where my stories were about programs and products that we've built for speakers and authors. I realized that I had spaced out the examples and the detail is the secret sauce to making a good product or speech. Isn't it funny how you often don't take your own advice as well as someone else's.
Follow along with me please. When you make a product you want to personalize it. There are so many information products, training products and self-help products out there that it's overwhelming. And if you just crank something out, it shows. When we work with clients I always look for what is their unique or signature style. This is the memorable touchpoint. For example, Joe Sweeney, who has built many successful businesses is a networking king. He also loves sports and was Brett Favre's first agent, so we tied into the sports theme and called his program, The Winning Game Plan.
Harvey Mackay, is known for his #1 New York Times Bestselling book Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and his envelope company that produces 25 million envelopes a day. As a result, he wears a shark tie and has shark pins. He says more people know him as "The Shark Guy" or "The Envelope Guy" than by his first name. When you make a product, be personal. Not cheesy, but personal. It's the difference between success and greatness.
People asked me where my stories were about programs and products that we've built for speakers and authors. I realized that I had spaced out the examples and the detail is the secret sauce to making a good product or speech. Isn't it funny how you often don't take your own advice as well as someone else's.
Follow along with me please. When you make a product you want to personalize it. There are so many information products, training products and self-help products out there that it's overwhelming. And if you just crank something out, it shows. When we work with clients I always look for what is their unique or signature style. This is the memorable touchpoint. For example, Joe Sweeney, who has built many successful businesses is a networking king. He also loves sports and was Brett Favre's first agent, so we tied into the sports theme and called his program, The Winning Game Plan.
Harvey Mackay, is known for his #1 New York Times Bestselling book Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and his envelope company that produces 25 million envelopes a day. As a result, he wears a shark tie and has shark pins. He says more people know him as "The Shark Guy" or "The Envelope Guy" than by his first name. When you make a product, be personal. Not cheesy, but personal. It's the difference between success and greatness.
by Cathy Paper on April 22nd, 2013
I see it all the time. The wanna-be author or speaker has a sheet of paper with an idea, or an idea that they have been kicking around for years, or in one case a full manuscript that they just don't think is good enough to be printed. I'm always puzzled why they don't just go for it. Publish. Get an editor. Get someone to work with you on your speech. Pleasantly I ask, what are you waiting for?
Ok, I am simplifying the challenges of writing and publishing and marketing a book. But really you have this idea, so let's get going. It's more fun when you're in the creative process than standing waiting for the process to start. When I wait, I get fearful. I worry. I imagine the worst results. I make up excuses about time, money and other b.s. that slows me down from reaching my goal.
I've been told I'm gutsy. Some days I believe it. Some days I don't. But most days when people come to me with an idea or a fuzzy goal, I will saddle up a bunch of courage, help them see the path and guide them to get going. Action feels so much better than waiting. Keep on rocking!
P.S. Write an article if that's an easier place to start!
Ok, I am simplifying the challenges of writing and publishing and marketing a book. But really you have this idea, so let's get going. It's more fun when you're in the creative process than standing waiting for the process to start. When I wait, I get fearful. I worry. I imagine the worst results. I make up excuses about time, money and other b.s. that slows me down from reaching my goal.
I've been told I'm gutsy. Some days I believe it. Some days I don't. But most days when people come to me with an idea or a fuzzy goal, I will saddle up a bunch of courage, help them see the path and guide them to get going. Action feels so much better than waiting. Keep on rocking!
P.S. Write an article if that's an easier place to start!
by Cathy Paper on March 7th, 2013
For as talkative as I am, I am very reflective. I have been keeping a journal since I was a 3rd grader. (Not consistently) I run and then I write down thoughts and ideas. I write when I am mad or feeling extreme emotions. And then, sometimes after I write or during the writing process, I have an AHA!.
You know the kind of thought where you go, "Wow, that was a great idea." or "This might be kind of good." The kind of thought that makes you want to take action no matter how great the risk. Thoughts that make you shift what you've been doing.
Just yesterday I had the AHA that people make change when they really want it. It's just that simple. If you want your goal badly enough and believe that you can accomplish it you will seek out feedback and coaching to reach it. You will listen to the advisors no matter how much what they say may make you uncomfortable or challenge your current plan of action. You want to make your situation change. For example, you want more people to know about what you do.
At RockPaperStar we guide and coach people to launch bestselling books, connect to their most powerful speaking message and develop training products. We can't make someone a bestseller if they don't want it badly enough. It's not an easy task to launch a book or develop a 3 hour workshop, but if you want to reach your goal, you will ask for help to change. Do you really want to change?
You know the kind of thought where you go, "Wow, that was a great idea." or "This might be kind of good." The kind of thought that makes you want to take action no matter how great the risk. Thoughts that make you shift what you've been doing.
Just yesterday I had the AHA that people make change when they really want it. It's just that simple. If you want your goal badly enough and believe that you can accomplish it you will seek out feedback and coaching to reach it. You will listen to the advisors no matter how much what they say may make you uncomfortable or challenge your current plan of action. You want to make your situation change. For example, you want more people to know about what you do.
At RockPaperStar we guide and coach people to launch bestselling books, connect to their most powerful speaking message and develop training products. We can't make someone a bestseller if they don't want it badly enough. It's not an easy task to launch a book or develop a 3 hour workshop, but if you want to reach your goal, you will ask for help to change. Do you really want to change?
by Cathy Paper on February 24th, 2013
What do you want for your book or your speaking efforts? How do you want your business to prosper as a result of your efforts? Why are you spending time sharing your message?
These can be big thoughts to answer, but if you can get at the source of why you want to spread your ideas through a book, speaking or products you will be in a much stronger position to connect with your audience and have your audience hear you and benefit. Those type of benefits result in stronger sales, more results and more buzz.
At RockPaperStar we've been using vision boards with our clients for more than ten years and they work. You may recall making a fan poster of your favorite band when you were a kid or maybe posted up posters of a sports hero. A vision board is not much different only take the time to really think about results that will stretch you and fuel your journey.
Do you want a New York Times bestseller? Do you want to speak to a 4000 stage audience? Post these types of visions on your board and put specific dates and words with them and then call us to help you make the details of the plan come to life. We believe RockStars are created with hard work, inspiration and purposeful action. Let's do this thing!
These can be big thoughts to answer, but if you can get at the source of why you want to spread your ideas through a book, speaking or products you will be in a much stronger position to connect with your audience and have your audience hear you and benefit. Those type of benefits result in stronger sales, more results and more buzz.
At RockPaperStar we've been using vision boards with our clients for more than ten years and they work. You may recall making a fan poster of your favorite band when you were a kid or maybe posted up posters of a sports hero. A vision board is not much different only take the time to really think about results that will stretch you and fuel your journey.
Do you want a New York Times bestseller? Do you want to speak to a 4000 stage audience? Post these types of visions on your board and put specific dates and words with them and then call us to help you make the details of the plan come to life. We believe RockStars are created with hard work, inspiration and purposeful action. Let's do this thing!
by Cathy Paper on February 12th, 2013
I just spoke with Irwin Zucker, a Hollywood publicist, whose wife is a movie reviewer. It got me thinking about reviews and previews. People I talk to say they don't want to review a book because no one would listen. Other people love to review a book and will write a 400 word critique of what they think and use notations!
I fall in the middle. I like to see a movie before it opens because I feel in the know and a bit Hollywood. I tell other people what I think because it's good to have an opinion. I'm not harsh, because I'm so impressed with anyone who actually produces a book or movie.
When I review a book, I work on being helpful and sharing why another reader might like it. I give it a 1-5 star ranking since numbers help set the stage and offer a quick categorization. Yes, it's my industry, but I still think giving someone a heads up helps cut through all the clutter of the thousands books that are produced each year. Amazon.com offers reviewer tips and gives you questions to think about before posting a review.
Take a moment and review a book. It helps the author and helps the future readers. You can even make a video to really differentiate yourself.
If you want to preview any books and then write a review, send me an email and I'll add you to a special list.
Rock on!
I fall in the middle. I like to see a movie before it opens because I feel in the know and a bit Hollywood. I tell other people what I think because it's good to have an opinion. I'm not harsh, because I'm so impressed with anyone who actually produces a book or movie.
When I review a book, I work on being helpful and sharing why another reader might like it. I give it a 1-5 star ranking since numbers help set the stage and offer a quick categorization. Yes, it's my industry, but I still think giving someone a heads up helps cut through all the clutter of the thousands books that are produced each year. Amazon.com offers reviewer tips and gives you questions to think about before posting a review.
Take a moment and review a book. It helps the author and helps the future readers. You can even make a video to really differentiate yourself.
If you want to preview any books and then write a review, send me an email and I'll add you to a special list.
Rock on!
by Cathy Paper on February 12th, 2013
I recently talked with a PR expert who told me that what I had given him was newsworthy and that it should get media coverage.
I could tell by the sound of his voice he wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear. He believed it.
It made me think that many of the clients we work with believe they have something important to say but they have lost their clarity as to why it's newsworthy.
They can get so caught up in how they deliver it and if their slides look right and if the audience is laughing that they lose sight of what is really important--giving their audience a message that is powerful and offers immediate take-home value.
Here are a few tips to keep your message crisp.
1. Be honest about your claims. Razzle dazzle can be spotted a mile away.
2. Use examples that are relatable to your audience.
3. Pace your message. People absorb information at different levels, slow down as it's the first time an audience is hearing what you have to say.
4. Put facts in to make your points stick. We forget 50% of what we hear in 4 hours. Ask your audience to jot a note.
These are just examples if you're speaking. The same ideas apply if you're writing a book. But first imagine you've only got a title, an inside flap, a few endorsements and chapter outlines to get their attention and convince them to spend a few hours with you. The rules are the same and you can be newsworthy if you consider how the message lands and is delivered.
Rock on!
I could tell by the sound of his voice he wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear. He believed it.
It made me think that many of the clients we work with believe they have something important to say but they have lost their clarity as to why it's newsworthy.
They can get so caught up in how they deliver it and if their slides look right and if the audience is laughing that they lose sight of what is really important--giving their audience a message that is powerful and offers immediate take-home value.
Here are a few tips to keep your message crisp.
1. Be honest about your claims. Razzle dazzle can be spotted a mile away.
2. Use examples that are relatable to your audience.
3. Pace your message. People absorb information at different levels, slow down as it's the first time an audience is hearing what you have to say.
4. Put facts in to make your points stick. We forget 50% of what we hear in 4 hours. Ask your audience to jot a note.
These are just examples if you're speaking. The same ideas apply if you're writing a book. But first imagine you've only got a title, an inside flap, a few endorsements and chapter outlines to get their attention and convince them to spend a few hours with you. The rules are the same and you can be newsworthy if you consider how the message lands and is delivered.
Rock on!
by Cathy Paper on December 17th, 2012
Writing a Book or Thinking of It?
You might need Superman. Or a team to cheerlead you along! We were here cheering Steven Schussler for his book on how he built The Rainforest Cafe, called It's A Jungle In There.
Over the years, I have worked with many authors who have written books or chapters of books in the last few years. One of my mentors, Brian Tracy, is offering a class on how to get published.
Check it out and join me in getting printed in 90 days.
You might need Superman. Or a team to cheerlead you along! We were here cheering Steven Schussler for his book on how he built The Rainforest Cafe, called It's A Jungle In There.
Over the years, I have worked with many authors who have written books or chapters of books in the last few years. One of my mentors, Brian Tracy, is offering a class on how to get published.
Check it out and join me in getting printed in 90 days.
by Cathy Paper on December 7th, 2012
Tips Come in All Shapes and Sizes and so do speakers and authors. Here are a few ideas you can immediately take action upon:
1. Voice Tone for emphasis. (When and where do you put your inflection when you're speaking. A bit of variation is refreshing. And, it makes a STRONGER point! Gone are the days of blah, blah, blah.)
2. Use of Facts and Repeated Phrases. (A big part of speaking and being interviewed by media is reinforcing the phrases and ideas you want to be known for by your audience, readers etc. So as you begin marketing your book create a list of top 5 phrases that you want to be associated with. For example, I want readers and listeners to hear the statistic that of the 40,000 business books published each year, 80% sell less than 1000 books.)
3. Practice Your Body Language. If you're able to get on TV or you're in front of a live audience, which most speakers are, think about how to use hands and body as a point of emphasis. Nothing fakey, but do you know how to enter the room? Do you wave your hands so fast you could be a traffic cop? Be mindful of your gestures. You are on stage. If you're on TV, learn how to sit up straight and on the back of your suitcoat on TV. No wrinkly backs.
4. Up Your Energy Level. The audience matches your energy level. It's very important that you start a speech with a real, but high energy level. Not corny, just engaging and upbeat. Audiences want to be entertained and to learn something and if you drone on and on, they will tune out. Too canned and you lose them their too.
These are just a few of the tips that I've seen as we've built out speakers and authors to take their message on the road. That's Bruce Helmer, Long Time Radio Show Host and author of a new book coming out January 2013 called Real Wealth, How to Make Smart Money Choices for What Matters Most to You. What are your questions or tips?
1. Voice Tone for emphasis. (When and where do you put your inflection when you're speaking. A bit of variation is refreshing. And, it makes a STRONGER point! Gone are the days of blah, blah, blah.)
2. Use of Facts and Repeated Phrases. (A big part of speaking and being interviewed by media is reinforcing the phrases and ideas you want to be known for by your audience, readers etc. So as you begin marketing your book create a list of top 5 phrases that you want to be associated with. For example, I want readers and listeners to hear the statistic that of the 40,000 business books published each year, 80% sell less than 1000 books.)
3. Practice Your Body Language. If you're able to get on TV or you're in front of a live audience, which most speakers are, think about how to use hands and body as a point of emphasis. Nothing fakey, but do you know how to enter the room? Do you wave your hands so fast you could be a traffic cop? Be mindful of your gestures. You are on stage. If you're on TV, learn how to sit up straight and on the back of your suitcoat on TV. No wrinkly backs.
4. Up Your Energy Level. The audience matches your energy level. It's very important that you start a speech with a real, but high energy level. Not corny, just engaging and upbeat. Audiences want to be entertained and to learn something and if you drone on and on, they will tune out. Too canned and you lose them their too.
These are just a few of the tips that I've seen as we've built out speakers and authors to take their message on the road. That's Bruce Helmer, Long Time Radio Show Host and author of a new book coming out January 2013 called Real Wealth, How to Make Smart Money Choices for What Matters Most to You. What are your questions or tips?
by Cathy Paper on November 11th, 2012
I'm big on connections and analogies as you may know by reading this blog. So, when I first found myself cursing at a dishwasher detergent bottle that I could not unhinge from the giant piece of plastic linking the two bottles together. And next looking at my daughter laughing that I could not get off the plastic top to remove the safety seal without the "special rubber opening tool." I had to make a connection to book launches.
People sell products saying it's easy to write a book and do a book launch. It can be if you want to whack something together with typos and call your friends and ask them to come to your office to celebrate that you're done with your 50 page book-let. That would be easy. But it wouldn't be very memorable.
I would rather be honest & tell people that writing and launching a book is hard work but it's worth it. Plan a bit and if you know why you are doing it and what you hope to accomplish when it's over. Think why you want to write a book or speak more. Maybe you have a compelling story to tell that you think would help others grow and change. Maybe you want to do more speaking and have heard that a bestselling book gives you credibility. Maybe you want to organize your thinking. Any of these are great reasons to dive into a book launch project. But if you're doing it, don't call it easy and then wrap it in plastic and make it impossible to open/finish. Outline your goals, read up on what others have learned, mentally prepare yourself for long hours, and then you'll have more fun if you know what you're in for.
People sell products saying it's easy to write a book and do a book launch. It can be if you want to whack something together with typos and call your friends and ask them to come to your office to celebrate that you're done with your 50 page book-let. That would be easy. But it wouldn't be very memorable.
I would rather be honest & tell people that writing and launching a book is hard work but it's worth it. Plan a bit and if you know why you are doing it and what you hope to accomplish when it's over. Think why you want to write a book or speak more. Maybe you have a compelling story to tell that you think would help others grow and change. Maybe you want to do more speaking and have heard that a bestselling book gives you credibility. Maybe you want to organize your thinking. Any of these are great reasons to dive into a book launch project. But if you're doing it, don't call it easy and then wrap it in plastic and make it impossible to open/finish. Outline your goals, read up on what others have learned, mentally prepare yourself for long hours, and then you'll have more fun if you know what you're in for.
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