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.
