Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader
description
Transcript of Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader
Dalya Massachi
October 24, 2012
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Advising nonprofits in:
• Strategy
• Planning
• Organizational Development
www.synthesispartnership.com
(617) 969-1881
INTEGRATED PLANNING
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
www.mission.do
Sponsored by: A Service
Of:
Today’s Speaker
Dalya Massachi Founder
Writing for Community Success
Assisting with chat questions: Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars
Hosting:
Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership
Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader
Presenter: Dalya F. Massachi
BOOKS I’VE EDITED
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©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
• Rise of independent publishing
(formerly known as self-publishing)
• Now a lot cheaper, easier and faster: new era
• You can publish your book with less uncertainty
and hassle than ever
SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?
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NO LONGER NEEDED
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
• Literary agent
• Traditional publishing house
• Loss of control
• Settle for a tiny fraction of sales
• 1+ years to publish
• Huge commercial market
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POLL #1
What stage are you in?
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
1.Considering writing a book/indie publishing
2.Drafting my manuscript
3.Ready to edit/produce my book
4.Already published and wondering what to
do next
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
OUTLINE
I. Top 3 Myths
II. What a book/ebook can do for you
III. 5 Things to expect when you’re
expecting… to WRITE a book
IV. 4 Things to expect when you’re
expecting… to PUBLISH your book
TOP 3 MYTHS
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
1) Only people with natural talent
should publish (“I can’t write!”)
2) It takes too much time
3) It’s a lonely endeavor
What a Book/Ebook
Can Do For Your
Organization
(and You)
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
.
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
“ Writing is the only thing
that, when I do it, I don't
feel I should be doing
something else. ”
Gloria Steinem
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
.
1) Share your experience and insights with a
worldwide audience/emerging prof’ls
2) Bring new visibility to your cause/message
3) Add credibility, esp if new org or growing
(e.g., local to national)
4) Attract new colleagues, press, attention,
opportunities
ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
INSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
.
5) Raise ongoing income
(book sales and new donors who learn of you)
6) Use as membership/thank you gifts
7) Process and share your thoughts with your
board/staff so they can spread them
8) Establish yourself as a passionate (author)ity
ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
5
Things To Expect When
You’re Expecting…
to WRITE a Book
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
“Good writing does not come from fancy
word processors or expensive typewriters or
special pencils or hand-crafted quill pens.
Good writing comes from good thinking.”
– Ann Loring
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#1: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW BEST
TO SERVE YOUR READERS
Consider their interests, hopes, fears
How can you improve on what’s already out there?
What formats do they want? – book, ebook, video, audio, app, condensed version
ASK WHAT THEY WANT
What do they want to get
from reading your book?
Data? Emotions?
Probably a mixture.
(Emotions trump facts.)
What problems can you help your readers
solve for themselves or their community?
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
DATA YOU NEED TO GATHER
Their limitations (time, $, education)
Why they care about issue/org
What they already know or believe
Relationship to your org or issue
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
POLL #2
How does your organization gather info about what your community wants to know?
1. Social media comments
2. Focus groups
3. Surveys
4. Ask front-line staffers about FAQs
5. Interviews
6. Service/event evaluations
7. Letters/notes
8. Other
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
CONNECT PERSON-TO-PERSON
Be reader-centered
Think and write in terms
of “you” (the reader)
Briefly communicate shared values,
needs, interests
Use their language
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#2: YOU ALREADY HAVE A
LOT OF MATERIAL
Blog entries
Recorded conversations
Answers to FAQ’s
Presentations you’ve given
Past work and network: examples/stories/
case histories
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#3: IT’S A LARGER PROJECT
THAN YOU FIRST THINK
Similar to learning to ride a bike
Prepare!
Your book idea will evolve; let it
Too big? Cut it down; set milestones
Keep your eyes on the prize
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#4: YOU WILL GET
WRITER’S BLOCK
Fight off the urge to procrastinate
Write during your “peak” hours
Be realistic about time:
Start with 30 min./day; “do not disturb”
chunks; sabbatical? retirement?
Keep a running “swipe” file
Know: a 1st draft should not be perfect
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#5: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO
IT ALONE
Get a Writing Buddy: accountability,
exchange ideas, feedback
Join a Writing Circle
Use research assistants, peer reviewers, collaborators - via email, blog, in person
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
4
Things To Expect
When You’re
Expecting…
to PUBLISH a Book
(thumbnail sketch)
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#1: ALL WRITERS NEED
GOOD EDITORS
Different types of editors will help at different stages of manuscript preparation
This is a back-and-forth process to make sure that your book is shaping up as you envisioned it
"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon."
—Robert Cormier
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#2: YOUR BOOK’S
APPEARANCE IS CRUCIAL
A graphic designer helps you see it move from your computer screen to a book. Your dream actually materializes before your eyes!
Will make the book look professional, polished, accessible (interior and cover)
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©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
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©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#3: MAKE FINAL
PREPARATIONS TO GO PUBLIC
May include indexing the book,
handling printing, book industry details
Lots of resources out there to help with this final production step
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
#4: MARKET IT!
This is it!
Lots of ways to get your book in the hands of people who want to read it and support you
Your constituents will want to help
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Keystone book: The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter
Printers/ebook creators:
lightningsource.com, createspace.com
smashwords.com, bookbaby.com
Book marketing:
bookmarketingworks.com, bookpublishing.com
ibpa-online.org (Independent Book Publishers Assn)
Think Like a Publisher (deanwesleysmith.com/?page_id=3736)
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Indie Publishing for the Social Change Agent (my ebook coming in early 2013): Get on the notification list
Claim your copy of my detailed “What to Expect during the Indie Publishing Process” handout: WritingToMakeADifference.com/indie
MANY OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE
YOUR RESULTS:
Workshops/webinars
Writing coaching (indiv. & group)
Editing services (books, proposals, etc.)
Free newsletter
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
More info at:
WritingToMakeADifference.com
FREE feedback session by
conference call
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month
©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com
WRAP-UP QUESTION
What is the most valuable thing you are taking away from today? And how will you use that info?
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