Share Your Story Podcast: Why Book Marketing Doesn't Work

https://soundcloud.com/michelle-worthington-62705262/why-book-marketing-doesnt-work

LinkedIn Masterclass with Julie Mason

Businesses large or small that want more referrals, leads and sales with quality prospects and clients using LinkedIn have a powerful ally – Julie Mason. The highly-motivated businesswoman, keynote speaker and author loves nothing more than demystifying LinkedIn and sales strategy.

These days, Julie is known as ‘The Social Media Princess’ a name aptly bestowed upon her by her clients for her ability to make the confusing world of social media simple to understand and use, strategic, profitable and fun!

Through her coaching programs, speaking events and online webinars, Julie has helped and inspired thousands of people to make a significant difference in their business using social media and LinkedIn.

Julie is a passionate LinkedIn expert and specialises in creating strategies that promote your brand, enhance your reputation and generate big money leads for your business.
Julie’s message is simple – “With over 80% of B2B conversions coming from LinkedIn, can you afford not to use it correctly?”

Starting her first foray into cold-calling at the tender age of 5 years old, Julie was on a mission to raise money for the poor people through selling her crayola and paddle-pop stick masterpieces. She returned home to her shocked mother rattling her bag full of coins with great success! This was the start of Julie’s love affair with sales.

Julie has over 25 years experience in traditional sales and 15 years in door-to-door cold calling prior to discovering social media and starting to use those tools to build two successful businesses herself using the methods she now teaches others.

In the past 12 months Julie’s clients have generated over $1,000,000 using simple strategies that are proven to work. Whether to position yourself as an Authority in your niche or to generate quality leads and sales, Julie has a strategy that will be tailored for your business needs.
For more details, follow Julie on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/GuruJules/
Tea and Coffee Provided. Bookings essential.

The Colmslie Hotel
Wynnum Road
Brisbane, QLD 4170
Australia

Saturday, 22 April 2017 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm (AEST)

Book Now https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/linkedin-masterclass-with-julie-mason-tickets-31020262440

                          

Picture Book Masterclass

Discover the principles of writing for children and learn to create dynamic and vibrant picture books in this exclusive masterclass with international award winning author of empowering picture book author, Michelle Worthington. Two time winner of the International Book Award for Children's Hardcover Fiction and finalist in the USA Best Book Awards and Book Excellence Awards, Michelle also received a Gellett Burgess Award for Children's Literature and a Silver Moonbeam Award for her contribution to celebrating diversity in Picture Books. Her goal is to inspire children to believe in themselves and encourage reluctant and special needs readers to fall in love with books. She will share with you her extensive industry knowledge, the basic principles behind writing for children, picture book publishing guidelines and updates on the current market and publishing environment. This masterclass is for anyone who is wanting to publish a picture book but places are limited as Michelle's expertise in this area is sort after all over Australia. Bookings essential as places are limited to ensure each participant gets one-on-one time with Michelle to discuss their picture book idea. Tea and coffee provided...and of course, chocolate biscuits!

Date and Time

Sat. 25 February 2017
12:30 pm – 3:00 pm AEST         

Location

Wellington Point Community Hall
347 Birkdale road
Birkdale, QLD 4159

Book Now https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/picture-book-masterclass-tickets-29603340388

Writing for Children Full Day Seminar

Writing for Children

Share Your Story events are for aspiring authors to learn from industry professionals and established writers to further their dream of being a published author. Join international award winning picture book author, Michelle Worthington and her special guests for a full day workshop on writing for children. Hear from multi-published children's author Aleesah Darlison, internationally published author Rachel Noble, bi-lingual author Melina Mallos, chapter book author Michel Deverall, self-publishing guru Martii Maclean, author/editor/publisher Julieann Wallace and the emerging talent of Yvonne Mes talk about the specifics of writing for children and how it is different from other types of publishing. Free parking. The cost includes tea, coffee, refreshments, a light lunch...and of course, chocolate biscuits!!! Bookings essential.

These are just some of the topics that will be covered. Looking forward to seeing you there.
-How to select a publisher
-The mechanics of submitting your work

-The editorial process
-The design process
-Contracts
-Selling systems and promotion
-Opportunities in e-book and self-publishing

Date and Time

Sat. 18 February 2017
10:00 am – 3:00 pm AEST

Add to Calendar

Location

Redlands IndigiScapes Centre
17 Runnymede Road
Capalaba, QLD 4157

Book now https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/writing-for-children-seminar-tickets-29602710504

How much money do you make as a picture book author?

First, can I say, bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!

When I do writing workshops for authors wanting to write picture books, I am very honest and open with them about how much money you make. Let me show you how I break it down using last financial year as an example. Bear in mind, that last financial year, I had a baby and wasn't actively doing market stalls and school visits, but as this is based on me having 8 published picture books, it will give first time authors an idea of what to expect in the beginning. Are you ready?

Income for 2013-2014 Financial Year

Royalties from the sale of picture books $672.23
Payment for 'Help on Heels' editing service $150
Lending rights from public and school libraries $1639.55

Total Income $2461.78

Wait for it..

Expenses

Cost of stock, Phone, Postage, Eftpos Machine fees, Business Insurance, Conference fees, Competition fees, memberships $5210.53

Total Profit -$2748.75

This is why my accountant shakes his head at me every year and asks "why are you doing this again?" This is just my example and I don't believe there would be many other authors brave enough to break it down like this to show you their actual income. I don't blame them, especially if you have partners who also question why you keep running a business at a loss. So why do you and is there a way to make a profit?

In the start of any business, the first couple of years are going to be tough. This was my third tax return, and I'm glad to say, even though I still made a loss, it was a smaller loss than the previous years. It will change, as my social media platform grows, I keep submitting manuscripts to bigger publishers as I earn my dues and hopefully, when I one day write the 'best seller'. Until then, I keep working at it every day, just like any small business owner.

It seems to me many authors supplement their income by writing books or ebooks on how to be successful authors. They are top sellers, easy to produce and have a large audience. You are reading this blog, right? No one would buy my book, it would be filled with the truth.

Another way that I really enjoy is to conduct workshops, do paid author visits, set up an editing business and blog. Even though it doesn't pay a million bucks, it's income. And its the part of marketing myself as an author that I really love.

Which brings me to the reason I keep going. Because I love it. I love writing picture books. I love seeing my stories in print, sharing them with people all over the world, winning awards and being recognised by my 8 year old groupies when I sell books at the local markets. It's my passion.

At the same time, I'm not stupid. I have a 5 year plan, like most organised small business owners, and if there comes a time when the money I am spending on my business is taking away from the money I need to keep a roof over my families heads, then I stop. But until that time comes, I focus, with a positive attitude, on my financial goal of making a profit as a picture book author. Stay tuned, I will let you know when it happens...

Talk soon
x Michelle
www.michelleworthington.com