Some Strategic Planning Tips That Can Help Your Writing

I recently completed a Strategic Training course for the day gig. A lot of the concepts, designed for planning and prioritizing IT work also translate to the writing world. Here’s what I learned.

You need to know who your customers are: Writers need to know who their readers are, and it’s not everyone who likes books. Authors need to look at their followers, their web and social media metrics, and their reviews to see if they can categorize who is buying and reading your book. Sometimes, it’s hard. If you don’t have data to look at, look at other authors who write books that are similar to yours. Look at their reviews and see which book bloggers and bookstagrammers are reading their work.

This helps you target your advertising and marketing to the groups who would be likely to be interested in your work. For example, from my metrics and demographics data, I can see that my readers are usually females between 20 and 60 who like animals, cozy mysteries, and humorous mysteries. I can create events, give-aways, and other promotions that would appeal to folks who have similar interests.

Wave your own flag: Sometimes, authors have trouble with promoting themselves because it feels like bragging, or they don’t feel comfortable being in the spotlight. Marketing, promotions, and building your author platform often force writers to step out of their comfort zones. It’s important to celebrate your wins and news. Try to keep your posts balanced. Your news/marketing items on social media should be 10 to 20% of your overall posts. And don’t forget to celebrate the successes of others!

Spend the time you have to on necessary tasks, but no more: This one is important for your time management. There are thousands of tasky things we have to do that don’t relate to your writing. The rule is to spend the time you have to on these things, but keep it limited. Remember that your job is to write your next book and to promote your work.

Plan for crisis situations to minimize risks: Always have a backup plan for emergencies. Make sure that you can get to your contact lists if your phone or email go down. Make sure that you backup your files. Your writing is precious, and there is nothing that will make a writer cry faster than to loose something you’ve been working on. Make sure that you keep your computer and phones updated regularly. These patches and updates contain security fixes. If you don’t apply them, your device is vulnerable.

Scan the environment and know your competition: Authors need to know what is going on in the industry and their genre. Read everything you can get your hands on. Peruse online or physical bookstores and see what is on the shelves and how books are categorized. Join writing groups for knowledge shares and training.

Apply lessons learned: Some critiques, rejections, and bad reviews don’t feel good. After you calm down, take the time to understand what the person was telling you. If there is something valuable in the feedback, take it as a lesson learned and find ways to incorporate it. Continuous improvement is a key part of your growth.

I know these concepts are for technology projects, but the concepts apply to writers and the work we do.

Networking for Authors

Writing is a solitary experience, and I think it’s important that we have a network of authors to help support us. Here are some ideas to help you find your crew.

• Join a writer’s group. I am so fortunate to be a part of Sisters in Crime (Guppies, Central Virginia, Chessie, and Grand Canyon Writers), International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. My first traditionally published work was in a Sisters in Crime anthology. They provide support, ideas, training, critique groups, networking, and so many other opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about.

• My agent and my publisher have regular group Zooms to share information and marketing ideas with their authors. It’s nice to find partners for online and in-person events and collaboration opportunities.

• Volunteer. There are so many worthwhile organizations that are looking for the skills you have. If you’ve got the time, give back a little. And besides doing good for others, you get to meet new people and network.

• Look for other authors who write what you write. Reach out to see if they are interested in collaborating.

• Plan a book event and invite other authors to be on your panel or to sign with you. This provides a great opportunity for you to network with new readers.

• I am so fortunate to be a part of several group blogs through the years (where each author is responsible for blogging on a specific day). Not only do we provide feedback for each other’s posts, but we share information and ideas.

I treasure my writing friends. They are so generous with their time and advice. I encourage new (or seasoned) writers to find a crew. These are the amazing people who commiserate with you and share your celebrations.

What Have You Done Lately for Your Author Journey?

Every year, I help my team write their annual goals, and a big component of this is their developmental work. I work in IT, and technology and best practices are constantly changing. As an author, you need to continue your learning experiences to stay current with trends and to hone your skills. Here are some ideas:

• Take a class. Many libraries, writing organizations, and other organizations sponsor courses that appeal to writers. There are also thousands of YouTube videos that will show you how to do all kinds of things.

• Learn a new technology that will help you with your marketing (editing videos, creating memes, putting together a newsletter…).

• Learn how to use a social media platform that you haven’t joined yet.

• Attend a workshop or an author panel. There are so many available in-person and online.

• Attend a conference.

• Find the SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) online. Many have websites, tutorials, podcasts, and newsletters.

• Check out your local library’s website and look at all the programming and opportunities they offer.

• Many alumni associations, neighborhood associations, and civic groups offer programs for their members.

• Visit your local bookstores and check out their program calendars.

What else would you add to my list?

Happy National Proofreading Day!

Happy National Proofreading Day! I believe that the editing/revising stage of your writing is the most important part of your writing process. You often have one chance when you’re querying, and you need your manuscript to be the best it can be.

Here are some proofreading tips that can help.

• Print out your document and proofread it on paper.

• Use your word processor’s read-aloud functionality to listen to your manuscript. You will often hear misused words (e.g. then for than) that you may miss reading.

• Make sure you spellcheck your document after ever editing session to catch any gremlins that slipped in.

• Check for missing punctuation, especially quotation marks.

• Make a list of your overused words. We all have them. Then use the search feature to find them. You will be shocked at how many times you used some words/expressions.

• Find a writing partner who will swap manuscripts with you for proofreading. It helps to have another set of eyes on it.

What would you add to my list?

You've Written a Book. Now What?

All the tasks that go into writing, revising, and marketing a book can be overwhelming. I’ve broken down some of the key tasks with some ideas for new (or seasoned) writers.

What You Need to Get Started

• A Professional Headshot – Selfies won’t give you the quality you need for these to appear correctly in print or digitally.

• Your Biography (For your website, you may want to have a short one and a longer one.)

• A Short Description of Your Book (Back cover text)

• A URL and a Site to Host Your Website

• A Newsletter/Email Marketing Service

• Digital Images of Your Book Covers

While You’re Writing/Revising Your Manuscript

• Make your work the best it can be.

• Create a list of book promotion ideas (e.g. blog tours, blogs to guest on, Facebook reader sites, etc.).

• Start collecting email addresses for your newsletter list.

• Build your social media following. This takes time.

• Build or update your website/blog.

• Find your crew. Writing is solitary, buy you need collaboration from time to time. Find a writers’ group, critique group, or writing partner for feedback and networking.

Remember the Social Part of Social Media

• Update your key sites regularly. If possible, schedule your posts to ensure that you have fresh content.

• Be Social/Be Active. Celebrate with others. Make sure to like and comment. Respond to comments on your page.

• It takes time to build a following.

• Be genuine.

• Remember the 80/20 rule. Only 20% (or less) of your posts should be about “buy my book.”

• Don’t let your social media time take over your writing time.

While You’re Querying

• There is a lot of waiting while you query agents or publishers.

• Work on your next book.

• Build your social media platforms and followers.

• Collect email addresses.

• Update your website.

• Start your blog. You don’t have to have a book published to start this, and it’s a way to drive traffic to your website.

• Work on your newsletter.

• Build your connections.

Before Your Book Launch

• Create a calendar with all your due dates.

• Contact book reviewers when you have your ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).

• Schedule blog tours.

• Schedule Facebook takeovers/parties online.

• Reach out to libraries and bookstores.

• Write press releases and target media outlets to send them to.

• Create a list of newsletters that have member news sections and make sure to announce your new book (e.g. alumni, neighborhood groups, and places of worship).

• Tell everyone you know

• Plan your launch on social media.

• Update all your bios.

• Add book cover to your sites.

• Make bookmarks and other swag.

It takes a lot of energy and creativity to write AND market a book. Figure out your schedule and your budget and find a way to keep the myriad of tasks and due dates organized. What would you add to my list?

In Honor of International Hat Day - The Many Hats of a Writer

Happy International Hat Day! When I decided that I wanted to be a writer in elementary school, my vision was to write books and cash royalty checks. Until the first book contract arrived, I had no idea of all the aspects of the job. Here are a few things I learned along the way…

Always Wear Your Helmet

• Vet all publication and representation offers.

• Make sure you have a contract (even for work for hire).

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Research Is Important

• Even fiction writers need to do research.

• Do your homework for your writing and your business.

• Check all your facts.

• Keep good notes.

• Vet your resources.

Just Write

• BICFOK (Butt in Chair - Fingers on Keyboard)

• Focus your attention and write.

• Set writing goals that work for you to help you stay on track.

• Finish your first draft.

Editing is the Most Important Part

• Proofread and then proofread again.

• Fact check your work for inconsistencies.

• Read as a reader. Is the story captivating? (If you’re bored reading it, your readers will be, too.)

• Find a critique partner or group for feedback.

• Use your word processor’s read aloud function to listen to the text, especially dialog.

• Edit. Revise. Repeat.

• Make sure that your work is the best it can be.

Marketing is Expected

• Create your platform (website, blog, socials, newsletter).

• Build your social media and newsletter list followings. It takes time.

• Know who your readers are and what social media platform they use.

• Promotion is expensive. Figure out what works for you and set a budget.

Find Your Crew

• Network with other writers.

• Join writers’ groups.

• Volunteer.

• Go to conferences and workshops.

• Join online groups.

And always celebrate your wins!

Don't Be That Author!

I will always remember the story the HR Director at my first job told me about why people should always be professional. One day, he came back from lunch, and a young woman cut him off and slid into his parking space. Then to add insult to injury, she flipped him off when he honked his horn. The pair would meet again inside the building, and I would have loved to have seen her face when she discovered that he was conducting her job interview.

We all know the divas, the complainers, the control freaks, and the hangers-on. They are in every group. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from so many different people that they treasure authors who are easy to get along with.

Here are some things to remember, so you don’t turn into that author.

• Always be professional. People talk, and you don’t want to get a reputation for all the wrong reasons.

• Pick your battles and stand up for yourself, but do it in a way that doesn’t burn bridges. I always ask myself how big a deal something is. Sometimes, things are nonnegotiable, and other times, they really don’t matter. I try to save my energy for the important things.

• Make sure you read your contracts and know all of your deadlines and obligations. Figure out the best way for you to manage your calendar and your time. You don’t want to be the unreliable one.

• If you volunteer for something, do your best to meet the commitment. Put the date/time/location on your calendar as soon as it is confirmed.

• Learn how to say no. It’s hard. You want to be included and don’t want to disappoint people, but you can’t do everything.

• Make sure you’re a contributor. We all know the lurker who reaps all the benefits, but never puts in any effort or takes on any of the work.

• If you find out you can’t make a deadline for some reason, reach out and communicate as early as possible. Sometimes, you can reschedule.

• Remember that the administrators of many Facebook groups, book reviewers, bloggers, and bookstagrammers are usually volunteers, and this isn’t their day job. You may need to extend some grace if your email isn’t answered as quickly as you would like.

Kanban: An Idea for Organizing Your Work

Kanban is a methodology that focuses on continuous improvement and task management. It’s often used in technology as part of Agile development and also in manufacturing. It was originally developed as part of Toyota’s TPS (Toyota Production System).

It’s a board and a process of organizing and prioritizing your tasks. To learn more about its history and the methodology, check out this link. The goal is to move your tasks through the process to completion. There are lots of electronic Kanban boards that you can track your work. You can also create one on a whiteboard, in a spreadsheet, or on a poster for your wall. When we started, we used a long piece of craft paper. We added columns and used sticky notes to represent our tasks.

The column titles vary slightly, but the idea is to finish items you start before you start something else. When you add tasks to the “wish list” or backlog, you prioritize them according to importance or deadlines. The graphic above has “Ideas,” “To Do,” Doing,” and “Done” as the headers. I usually use “Backlog” for ideas, “Planning,” “In-Progress,” and “Done.” In my IT world, my team does Quality Assurance Testing, so we often have another column under “In-Progress” for Testing.

Each day or every few days, the teams meet for a short stand-up and update their progress. Writing is often not a team-sport, but you can still use the methodology to track your open and in-progress work. The electronic Kanban boards often provide metrics on how long it takes for you to do tasks. This is good for repeatable tasks. It should give you an idea of how long it will take next time, based on past history.

I like the organization that these boards provide. When you’re working on an IT project or software development, there are thousands of little tasks that are key, and you need to keep them in the right order because many have dependent tasks. (It sounds a lot like resarching, writing, editing, and marketing a book.)

Check it out. You don’t have to go crazy with buying an application. You can create a Kanban board in Excel or a Word table or on a large piece of paper. I like using sticky notes because you can easily move them from column to column. And there’s a great sense of accomplishment with that “Done” column is full.