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Positive Writer

Monthly Archives

September 2020

This is HOW I have SOLD THOUSANDS of Books! (And You CAN Too!)

This is HOW I have SOLD THOUSANDS of Books! (And You CAN Too!)

written by Bryan Hutchinson

Selling books is hard work, but there’s something that comes first and it’s even harder.

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned as a writer and as an author is that creating a team of writers is hard. And I mean, HARD.

But it shouldn’t be, and I’ll tell you why. This is important because if you want to sell thousands of books, you will need to team-up with your fellow writers, just like the best superheroes do when they want to accomplish big goals!

Everyone wants to get the word out about their books, articles, or blog posts, but when it comes to promoting someone else’s work, even our own, it’s a challenge to find the motivation, enthusiasm, and audacity, to do it.

Would you agree?

You might not think so, but even now when a lot of people are staying home and are looking for extra ways to create income to put food on the table, it’s still very hard to promote someone else’s work, even if they offer to pay you.

You can offer huge prizes, cash, gift cards, and even, magic pens, but it’s still very hard to get people to want to take part and join your team.

But why?

It’s an important question because one day you’ll have a book and you’ll want people to help you get the word out about it. And, for the most part, they won’t help. I don’t mean that to be derogatory, but it’s true.

It’s because we are writers in the 2000’s and we still haven’t realized times have changed and the only way to become “successful authors” today is to work together.

We are not enemies of the pen! Heck, we are not even competitors anymore. And we need to stop acting like we are.

The only way we can be successful today is if we unite.

Seriously.

We all need to build credit with our fellow authors because one day we are going to ask them to help us when we need it. One day we are going to have a book, or, a course, or something we need help getting the word out about and it’s going to depend on the credit we’ve built.

I LOVE working with other authors.

I have helped some, who would’ve in years past been my direct competitors, reach my audience and they’ve in turn helped me reach theirs. Just last month I worked with several bestselling authors in the writing genre where we ALL promoted each other’s books, together!

AND WE WERE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL!

We sold thousands of our books—together!

Believe it or not, there were several authors who were asked to join us but they didn’t want to promote someone else’s work. While every single person on the team saw their books reach #1 in several Amazon categories with incredible sales, there were those who preferred not to sell any books if it meant promoting others.

With that said, I’ll still invite them next time because I do not see them as rivals.

I have been part of several book launches, earning fun prizes for doing so, but not because I was especially great at it or that I loved the genre, or that I did anything special. No. Not really. All I did was read a book, decided if I liked it, and if I did (or didn’t), I shared what I thought about it on social media, even created a post or two, and a video or two for books I especially liked, and THAT was enough.

Why did I win prizes?

Because the reality is that only about 2% in entire book launch teams actually participate. So, I really didn’t have to do much, I practically won by default.

But I earned something much more valuable than money.

Those authors I’ve helped remember me when I need their help. They remember my name not because I’ve asked something of them but because I was there for them when they needed me. And not only was I there for them, I MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I. Made. A. Difference.

If you (yes YOU) are going to be a successful author today who sells lots of books, get readers for your blogs, or gets hired for your writing, you need to make a difference for others who could become YOUR allies and teammates.

Cold knocking on doors is practically impossible in today’s market, not when it is so easy for you to come in the side door, where the workers enter and make a difference immediately.

And it doesn’t make ANY difference if you’re self-published or traditionally published. You still need connections.

The secret in today’s market is becoming known.

And how do you become known? By being there and being part of teams, and if you do, people will remember you. I promise you this. This is so important. It could change your entire career as a writer.

Make a difference.

The reason I personally know people such as Jerry B. Jenkins, Jeff Goins, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, (interviewed most of them) and so many others, is not because of luck, but because when they put out the call for help, I entered their side doors, the worker’s door, and I helped them. I didn’t just help them. You guessed it…

I MADE A DIFFERENCE

Jeff Goins still talks about how when he first created Tribe Writers that I was the first person on the TW Facebook Group each and every day helping other members in any way I could. Ask him and he’ll tell you.

I bet you’re reading this and thinking, oh well, you’re Bryan Hutchinson and you have Positive Writer, of course these authors would know you. Actually, NOT TRUE, I did not have Positive Writer when I first joined Tribe Writers. I created Positive Writer thanks to encouragement to do so while on Jeff’s team.

It’s not an accident. And it’s certainly not luck!

And the secret is so darn easy, it’s amazing not everyone is doing it:

Answer the call for help, show up, and do what you can–when you can.

Many paid me with rewards, but honestly, I would have done it for free. I was mostly in it for the chance to rub elbows, talk shop, and learn from them.

Do I know your name?

Should I? Think it over for a moment.

I’d like to say I should.

I’ve worked with Jerry B. Jenkins on a few of his projects over the last few years. He’s the author of the “Left Behind Series,” which has sold, oh something like OVER 70 MILLION copies. Love the series or hate it, that’s a lot of books sold! Nicolas Cage recently starred in a movie based on the series.

And people have asked me how I got Jerry B. Jenkins to guest post on Positive Writer. Honestly, it was easy.

Jerry put out a call for help a few years ago and I stepped up and I helped him. That’s how I got on HIS radar and now he remembers me. He even chose to read one of my books, “Writer’s Doubt,” and he liked it so much that he chose to personally endorse it, too. (Thanks, Jerry!)

Heck, Jeff Goins is the one who came up with the subtitle for “Writer’s Doubt: The #1 Enemy of Writing (And What You CAN Do About It)” Jeff didn’t even charge me for it. (Thanks, Jeff!)

This stuff happens. I promise you. It does. And it can happen for you, too.

If you have a chance to join another artist’s team today and help them, would you? Be honest.

If so, good, because that’s how you get on radars. Once you’re on someone’s radar, doors begin to open for you, and the world you thought was only meant for “special” people, suddenly accepts you in it.

You’ll have the chance to help your fellow authors and artists. You will. Sometimes they’ll offer you prizes and other rewards and sometimes just a few minutes of their time.

My advice is:

Don’t miss your chance. Just don’t.

Even if you can’t see how the connection will benefit you right now, trust that you can never have too many connections and you never know what the future will bring.

It’s easier than you think, trust me.

Build. Your. Bridges.

In fact, I am currently offering the opportunity for people to join my own book launch, maybe you’d like to join? You can join (click) here if you like. It’s only for the month of October, so hurry up, if you’re interested.

Just remember, if you want to become a successful writer, author, or any type of artist, your fellow writers are not your competitors—they’re your teammates, so join them!

If you’ve ever wondered how all those artists at the top became friends with each other and sell thousands of books, now you know. It’s not accidental.

Contest: If You Love a Fun Challenge as a Writer and a Reader, this is for You!

Contest: If You Love a Fun Challenge as a Writer and a Reader, this is for You!

written by Bryan Hutchinson

Do you like a good scary story? Is your favorite movie the one that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next? And after the experience is over, do you find yourself telling everyone you know how great it was?

If that’s you, I’d like to invite you to join The Wee-Jees book launch team! We’ve got plenty of tricks and treats for you!

So what’s in it for you?

Cash, Gift Cards, and fun, different ways to get ’em!

What’s this book about?

A group of kids decide to play with a spirit board. They get an intriguing message that leads them on what they believe will be a fun adventure.

But everything is not what it seems…

What starts out as harmless fun soon turns into a terrifying game of cat and mouse with something dangerous and otherworldly.

And if that’s not terrifying enough …. this really happened to me!

If you’ve ever been scared by something unexplainable, you’ll love this story.

       

(Photo credit: Diana Palacios)

The book is available on these sites:

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Apple

The chance to win some pretty sweet CASH prizes!

Yes, you read that right.

Most book launches don’t offer cash prizes for participating. But I’m so confident you’ll love this book, I’m betting you’ll have a blast telling your friends about it!

So I’m backing that with the chance to win real cash (and Amazon Gift Cards) that you can spend however you like.

Here are the prizes:

  • First prize: $250, delivered via PayPal
  • Second prize: $150, delivered via PayPal
  • Third prize: $100 Amazon gift card
  • Runner up: 5 people will each win a $20 Amazon gift card (drawings)

And a SPECIAL BONUS PRIZE for the TOP 3 WINNERS:

Each of the top 3 will receive a half-hour video conference with me—live! We’ll talk about ANYTHING YOU WANT when it comes to writing. Pick my brain! No question is out of bounds. Want to know my writing process? How I publish my books? My launch strategies? Just want to chat about your writing and learn how to make it even better? It’s your half-hour—so you decide what we’ll talk about!

You don’t need a huge following to win

The #1 key measurement to this contest is who can find the most creative ways to get the word out about the book! 

#2 is participation in getting the word out during the launch. In fact, participation can turn out to be even more important as the goal is to a) inform as many people as possible about the book’s existence, and b) convince readers they should buy it and read it.

I want you to have fun with this. Do whatever you can with the time you have. A little enthusiasm goes a long way… and is highly contagious!

Here are a few ways you can help get the word out:

  • Film yourself talking about the book and share it on all your social media accounts. You can do it however you want—talk to the camera, add some photos and narrate them, or create your own graphic video slideshow!
  • Use iMovie and create your own movie trailer for the book. What would you see on the screen? Invite us to watch and share!
  • Read a short passage with your best scary narrator voice—with pictures inspired by the book—and make that into an original spooky video!
  • Write a book review on your blog or another platform that allows book reviews (follow each website’s own terms and conditions). Then tell us about it so we can share it!
  • Post your thoughts about the book and images of the book to your social media accounts. (Here are images you can use click here.)
  • Share blog posts I publish in October. (Everyone who shares a post should certainly enter to win the prizes! Why leave good money on the table???)

How will the contest be judged?

Glad you asked, the key to a good book launch is getting the word out. And that’s how the contest will be judged, on how contestants were able to get the word out using social media, traditional websites, blogs, podcasts, radio, and other unique ways you can think of.

Be sure to keep links and screenshots of your efforts to submit them to me by 3 November. Use this email address to send me your documentation: bryanpositivewriter (at) gmail (dot) com

There are no limits on how creative you can be.

If you need more ideas, look at what others have done in their book launches—and think about how you’d do it better. Your voice matters, and this is your chance to shine! And who knows? You might learn something so good you can use it in your own book launch. Then you can blog about it so others can benefit!

The Wee-Jees launches just in time for HALLOWEEN!

The official launch time frame is from October 1 to November 2, 2020.

Start thinking up some fun and creative ways to get the word out. The more fun you have, the more likely you are to win! 🙂

You can send me what you did for the prizes as of the 3rd of November. If you want to email me what you’re doing during the launch, by all means, please do!

Feel free to join the Facebook launch team group (click) here.

Here’s my email again: bryanpositivewriter (at) gmail (dot) com

To enter the DRAWINGS for the Amazon gift cards, go (click) here.

Please note that amazon reviews are excluded and cannot be included in any of the contests!

10 Habits to Becoming a Better Writer

10 Habits to Becoming a Better Writer

written by Bryan Hutchinson

For the past few years, my desire to become a published author has become topmost in my mind. Because of that, many of my action plans have revolved around improving my writing.

These action plans have included taking online courses, and I learned a lot from them. In hindsight, I noticed that it’s not the one-time thing that actually helped me become a better writer: instead, it’s the little habits that I didn’t even pay much attention to during the time.

So what are some of these habits that helped me to become a better writer?

NOTE: This is a guest post by Yen Cabag, she is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She’s a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.

10 Habits to Improving Your Writing

Here are 10 habits that I’ve tested and proven to help anyone become a better writer:

1. Write even when you don’t feel like it.

We writers are quick to blame writer’s block when we are not in the mood to write. These past few months, I’ve tried pushing myself even when I don’t feel like writing, and to my surprise, after the first sentence or so, I can write!

I think this is one of the most important habits that any writer needs to develop, to push past the feeling of blah and just get writing.

2. Be OK with an unexciting first line—at first.

One of the greatest pressures that we writers face is the need to make that first line absolutely perfect. After all, doesn’t everyone tell us the first line has to hook your readers in, or else you’ve lost them forever?

Because of that, I find myself stuck whenever I can’t think of a great first line. One way that helped me move past this is to force myself to be OK with any old first line when I first writing. Then I just make a mental note to myself (or a literal note, typed in bold so I can quickly see it!) to edit that first line after I finish the entire piece, be it an article, a blog post, or a chapter in a novel.

3. Write first, edit later.

Another pitfall that many writers struggle with is the internal editor always forcing us to go back and fix things as we go along. This causes many delays, and sometimes even quenches the creative flow. I learned this important habit from several writing blogs, and I need to force myself to shut out the inner editor so I can just write my first draft and edit later.

4. Don’t be afraid to outline.

In the world of novels, two extreme writing styles are the plotter and the pantser. The plotter outlines everything, while the pantser just writes “by the seat of his pants.” I’m a fairly organized person, but I usually don’t have the patience to outline, and perhaps mistakenly think of myself as a pantser.

To test out this “theory,” in my current project of writing a nonfiction book, I tried outlining. To my surprise, it made writing the contents so much easier because I already know what I’m supposed to write about in every chapter!

5. Time yourself writing with undistracted attention.

I stumbled across this trick when I started writing for someone who asked me to use time-tracking software. Because I was timing myself, I was forced to focus on the task. Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work, explains how focusing on a task, instead of the constant multi-tasking that this information-rich generation does, actually helps us have more creative output.

I believe focused attention is one habit that writers really need to develop, and if it calls for a set time to do that, by all means, try it yourself!

6. Write different genres.

As writers, we may have specific genres that we enjoy writing about. But I’ve found that trying out different kinds of topics or styles can give a much-needed break, which helps recharge my writing all over again.

I suppose it’s strange, that having a writing career, I still write to relax!

7. Read, read, read.

Think of writing as exhaling, and reading as inhaling. Reading helps us writers feed on other people’s ideas and styles, and I believe it’s one habit that we need to keep cultivating.

For myself, I enjoy reading both nonfiction and fiction books, to relax after a long day of writing.

8. Practice touch-typing

I’m glad I already know how to touch-type, and relatively fast, so I can generally type out my thoughts as they come. If you don’t know how to touch-type, it may be a good time to learn how to do so, and keep practicing to improve your typing speed.

9. Keep learning.

Although I did say that the little habits I develop throughout the day gave me more results, as writers, we still need to keep learning. I’ve found that taking classes or finding a mentor to give direct feedback on my work is a great way to keep learning and improving.

10. Don’t despise small beginnings.

Lastly, one habit I need to keep cultivating is appreciating the little things. Are you “only” in Chapter 1? Don’t complain, instead celebrate it! The more I celebrate little victories, the more encouraged I am to keep going.

When you look back months, or years down the road, you will find that these 10 habits pay great dividends in helping you improve not just as a writer but even as a whole person.

Join The Wee-Jees Book Launch Team, Have Fun and Win Great Prizes!

Join The Wee-Jees Book Launch Team, Have Fun and Win Great Prizes!

written by Bryan Hutchinson

I’m happy you are considering joining my new book’s launch team!

What’s in it for you:

  • You’ll receive a free digital PDF review copy of The Wee-Jees. It’s a ghost story based on true events.

Do you love a challenge, and want to have some delightful fun getting the word out about a spooky little book in time for Halloween!? If so… join us! We’ve got…

PRIZES!!!

Your efforts will be rewarded.

Here are some great prizes! Very few book launches offer actual cash prizes where you can get paid. 🙂

  • 1st place: $250.00 via PayPal. 1st and 2nd place only
  • 2nd place: $150.00 via PayPal. 1st and 2nd place only
  • 3rd place: $100.00 Amazon Gift card
  • 5 runner ups will each get a $20.00 Amazon Gift card

How to win, and bonus prizes, are listed below, keep reading. Read everything, there’s quite a bit of information and there’s a lot in it for you.

As a member of the team, I would like to ask you to:

1) Read The Wee-Jees. I will supply a free PDF version right away after you sign up. *If you prefer Kindle, you’ll have to wait until publication on Amazon and purchase it (it will only be 99cents during the launch). I’ll explain why in a moment.

2) When the book officially launches, review The Wee-Jees on your website (if you have one) and/or on any website that it is allowable by following their rules.

*Please note that Amazon reviews are not allowed as part of any drawings or prize packages and will not count towards any of our prizes, so if you review the book on Amazon please only do so according to Amazon’s rules and at your own personal desire to do so. 

For the first few weeks of the launch, I will price The Wee-Jees at just 99cents on Amazon, and if you sincerely want to review it on Amazon consider purchasing it so that your review displays as a “Verified Purchase.” Verified Purchase reviews are considered more genuine and are more valued by both Amazon and readers. Again, reviews must follow Amazon’s rules.

You will have my sincere appreciation for your honest reviews.

3) Tell everyone you know about the book! Post about it on your social media accounts and generally help get the word out. Be creative! Speaking of which, creativity is an aspect of winning a prize!

HOW TO WIN PRIZES

Here’s how you can win one of the prizes:

These are participation contests, at the end of the launch, one month from publication, I will ask each of you to send me what you did during the launch, you’ll include links and screenshots of your efforts.

I will be looking for:

1) Enthusiasm, show your enthusiasm for promoting a book you care about and how much you want to get the word out about it. Enthusiasm has the power to inspire others to want to read what you read and tell their friends about it, too. 🙂 And you know you can be pretty darn enthusiastic when you want to be! 🙂

2) Creativity, blow everyone away with your ideas! Do something different, something off the wall and awe-inspiring. As a writer, you’re already very creative, so show off your brilliance and wow us!

**Tip idea: Create a video about the book and share it, it can be a review, a trailer, or something else creative. Videos have power and will get you major points in this contest. (Wouldn’t a Blair Witch mystery style video be interesting?!?)

3) Go for it! Most importantly, the sheer amount of activity you do to help launch The Wee-Jees will be important in assessing who wins. You might even want to research ideas on how to promote a book online. Remember, while you’re doing this you’ll discover new ways to promote your own work, too! We will learn from each other.

Here are some more quick ideas:

Share my blog posts about the book–which I will post starting 1 October, write articles and/or reviews about the book, do both, do a podcast about the book, interview me (send me your top 5 questions and I’ll answer in writing), create your own fan art based on what you read, do a social media list about what you liked most about the book (no spoilers), send to your mailing list if you have one, and whatever else you can think of… I’ll send out more ideas in update emails to the team. Feel free to add ideas in the comments below.

Bonus TIP! Referring new members to the launch team, especially those who have large audiences already, and who sincerely help the launch, are major bonus points! Also, as is helping your fellow launch team members.

The top 8 will get the prizes listed above, and just as a reminder, here they are again:

  • 1st: $250.00 via PayPal
  • 2nd: $150.00 via PayPal
  • 3rd: $100.00 Amazon Gift card
  • 5 runner ups will each get a $20.00 Amazon Gift card

What Else You Get

All who join will get a digital version of The Wee-Jees directly after signing up. I only ask that you do not share it, please.

BONUS PRIZE for the top 3 winners: Each will receive a half-hour video conference with me live! We will talk about anything and everything writing-related, you can ask me anything, pick my brain! Want to know my writing process? How I publish my books? My launch strategies? Just want to chat about your writing and receive a few tips from yours truly? Whatever you like, it will be your half-hour, so you decide what we’ll talk about.

You don’t have to have the biggest following to win. Remember, it’s primarily a participation contest, the more you promote, the better your chances are to win. Be creative, be enthusiastic, and keep spreading the word about the book.

You can win! There are plenty of prizes to go around.

The launch date is just in time for HALLOWEEN!

The official launch timeframe is from 1 October to 2 November 2020. However, you can already start prepping your ideas. The book is available online for pre-order on these sites:

Amazon

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble

Apple

You can send me what you did for the prizes as of the 3rd of November, but don’t worry, I will also send out reminder emails to everyone. If you want to email me what you’re doing during the launch, by all means, please do! You’ll receive our Facebook launch group link and my email address after you join below.

Ready to join?

Sign up to join The Wee-Jees launch team here:

I will stay in contact with you via a few emails and I will contact you the day before the book goes live!

Start thinking up creative ways to help get the word out and what you’re going to do to win one of the prizes. 🙂 Depending on how large the launch team becomes I may add more prizes.

****If you do not receive the confirmation email and then the following email with the link to the book’s file, please check your junk or spam folder just in case! Please read the message as it has important information.****

Feel free to introduce yourself in the comments below. 🙂

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