MASTERPIECEINKEDPUBLICATIONS.COM FINANCING YOUR WRITING DREAMS 2016 A QUICK E-COURSE Masterpiece Inked Publications, LLC.
02 SACRIFICING " THE GOODS " FOR THE " GREATER GOOD " What are you willing to sacrifice now to make sure your book can be published later?
THE CUT BACK... 03 We all have things we love to buy. But if you don't stop buying you may end up spending more in the long run. What does that mean? Well, how would you feel knowing that because you couldn't discipline yourself long enough to fulfill your biggest dream (which in this case is writing and publishing your books) that you cost yourself your destiny? If you're taking this class, it's because you know there's a story inside you that will change the world. Well, changing the world starts with something you do everyday. It starts with the decision to sacrifice something minor now, for something major later.
04 I've found that aspiring authors make four excuses when it comes to pursuing their dreams: 4 EXCUSES Don't continue to lie to yourself. If you wanted it, there would be nothing that could stop you. Period. I can't afford to make time to write Publishing is too expensive I can't afford to quit my job and write full-time It's going to take a long time to write my book. So how does all of this pertain to your finances?
05 AFFORD TIME We associate our time with what we think we can afford to do, instead of making time to do the things we can afford. Your finances may or may not really be a large piece of the puzzle, but you essentially waste time and money when you aren't fulfilling your writing dreams. You either waste it working a job that you know doesn't live up to your full potential, or you waste it daydreaming about the writing career you really want. "I NEVER IMAGINED I WOULD BE A FULL-TIME WRITER TODAY AND IF I WOULD'VE LET MY BANK ACCOUNT DICTATE THE MOVES I MADE, I WOULDN'T BE ONE." - MYA K. DOUGLAS (PEN NAME: MYA KAY)
06 THE COSTS As you prepare to fulfill your writing dreams, one key thing is to make sure you understand the three phases of cost. There are before, during and after cost. PHASE ONE - BUILDING COSTS Branding: website, newsletter, social media, writing coach (trust me, you need one), etc. PHASE TWO - LAYERING THE BRICKS This is the phase where you should begin to market your book. Don't wait until it's completed to start marketing. This is where PR cost would go, along with promotion, blog tours, etc. This is also where you get your cover design done. PHASE THREE - ROOFTOP FIRE This is the phase where you should be the most excited because it means you've written at least two drafts of your manuscript. At this point, you should be ready for: editing (several rounds), more promotion, sending out advanced review copies, etc.
So how do you sacrifice "the goods" for the "great"? 07 Here's some quick tips: 1) Take inventory of your change jars, piggy banks, coin trays - wherever you keep your loose change 2) Stop buying coffee and lattes everyday (or whatever your one thing is). Trust me, you have something you buy everyday before or after work. 3) Think of everything that you don't use regularly that you can cut out RIGHT NOW Take inventory and start to stock. 4) Stop using your extra funds to assist people who can't manage theirs As you take inventory, begin to stock that money. The same way Wall Street has stocks, stock your money away. If you touch it, your stock will go down. If you don't, your stock will grow.
08 Here's TWO quick tips: So how do you sacrifice "the goods" for the "great"? Hire early to save later. 1) Hire a writing coach at the beginning. Most writing coaches actually save you time and money because they have editing experience, can give you feedback as you go along and provide the emotional support needed to keep writing 2) Hire an intern. This isn't to say they will work for free (give them a small stipend), but hiring a student to help with social media or other marketing phases can save you now instead of paying large bucks to a marketing or social media company later. This applies to design and photography as well. Putting these two things in place could essentially save you in the long run. How? A writing coach is like having four people in one - your beta reader, editor, publishing consultant and your cheerleader. And that intern or two? Well, they tend to have fresh, great ideas and they desire experience.
09 Your daily spending habits and how seriously you take the business of writing will play a huge role in how you achieve your writing dreams. How you do it is just as important as when. Take the necessary steps today to prepare for a stronger tomorrow. What better feeling to have than to know you're not only writing your book, but you're preparing to live out your writing dreams? BIRDS EYE VIEW "If you want it to be a career, then career decisions happen long before the pen hits the page." - Mya K. Douglas
IN SUMMARY... 10 1) In order to enjoy a successful career as an author, you must begin to view it as a business and not just a hobby or "something to do". 2) If you can disregard the starving artist mentality and start to think of your career as an opportunity for destiny, people will respect your business out the gate. 3) Preparing for your financial dreams requires you to take inventory and learn to stock your overflow. You also need to take steps to hire early. 4) You need a business plan for your writing. No matter how short it is in the beginning, you can always tweak it as you go along. 5) There are three phases of cost associated with publishing. Each one is important to the process and how you handle each phase will determine how much you save in the long run. 6) Make the time to do the things you can afford and you will always be able to afford the time.
11 WHAT DID YOU LEARN? I pray you were able to take away many valuable gems from this course. Not only that, I hope you embark on the journey to see your writing & business dreams come to life with no excuses. What were some of your thoughts on the course? Is there anything I can help you understand better? Please don't hesitate to email me: info@masterpieceinkedpublications.com In addition, I hope you will ink your masterpiece this year. If you're an entrepreneur, remember, your business card is your marketing tool, but your book is your sales tool. See ya soon! Ya Girl, Mya This course is a trademark of Masterpiece Inked Publications, LLC.