Keeping that fire can mean something different depending on who you talk to. If you've read my book, I reference fire/flames throughout it. Heck, it's titled Battling the Flames for a reason. That fire/light inside of us is there so we can continue to move forward and see where we're going. The light that shines bright along our path/journey is not meant to be dimmed by ANYONE.
Build Momentum and Sustain It!
Years ago when I was heavy into Network Marketing, I learned that you have to constantly network to build new relationships that could lead to more business and business partners. I was in meetings and on calls constantly. It was a rush to talk to so many people and think about all the possibilities for their future and mine. Coaching and being an author has the same feeling. Before writing Battling the Flames, I started my coaching practice, and let me just tell you, starting a business is the easy part. Building and sustaining that business, now that is a whole 'nother thing! You have to plan your work and work your plan consistently. This is part of that build momentum and sustain mentality you have to have to run a successful business. You can't just take your eye off the ball and think it will run itself (depending on what type of business you have). Some businesses run whether you are working it or not. I'm working on that type of business growth plan right now but in the meantime, I've learned that I have to constantly work my business versus treat it like a hobby. Have you ever heard of that? It means that if you only work your "business" when you feel like it, then, it's not a business. It's a hobby. This is so true! For me, being an author now, well that is a whole other career. Sure, I wrote the book (anyone can write, and yes they can), but putting it out there to sell takes the same mentality of build momentum and sustain it. I'm experiencing this right now.
Consistently Open Your Mouth or Type and Send Your Asks
So it's been a little over 3 months since I first announced Battling the Flames was available for preorder; and a little over a month since it has launched. It has been a wonderful ride with the many marketing tactics I've deployed, but things don't keep going unless I keep going. You ever notice that you have a lot of things lined up and you're excited, but then when you see that line up starting to reduce, you freak out and think, uh oh, what am I going to do now? If so, then this is when you've lost your momentum and you can't sustain the uh ohs, so you've got to adjust your behavior. You've got to keep that fire/keep going and don't stop. When you do this, then things just become explosive in a wonderful way!! I'm in that boat right now of keeping that fire, opening my mouth as well as typing and sending my asks. I'm currently securing a partnership in my home state of Massachusetts, with another bookstore. Of course, doing a book signing in my home state has to be on the book tour list and so that's what I'm working to secure now and I'm so excited. More to come there. Also, more marketing of the book is what I'm about to advertise for more awareness. Reminder for those that haven't purchased yet is that you still can and get a signed copy. If you don't need a signed copy and/or prefer an eBook version, then Amazon has got you covered!
Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan
Keeping that fire by building and sustaining that momentum takes planning.
What are your intentions? Once you know what they are, then you back into them with more of the what, who, how, and when.
What is it you want to ask for (get your pitch right)?
Who do you want to reach out to (what people/organizations, etc.)?
How do you plan to reach out (social media platforms, email, phone, or text)?
When will you do it by?
This becomes part of your plan that you will "work". Find a template that works for you and fill in all your tasks that include when you will do them. After this is done, then you work your plan. You do this by starting right away and executing with consistency. Keep going and this is where the magic will happen for you. And don't be concerned with how many NOs you get. You will get to YES as long as you don't stop with the NOs.
One additional tip! With each connection you make for your ask, you ask for a referral before you end that dialogue by saying "Who else should I talk to where we could help each other?" This is the money question! Don't be afraid to ask this because if you don't ask, the answer will always be no simply because you didn't ask. Most people want to help so you'll be pleasantly surprise with their answer!
What bold move have you been holding off making where you can leverage this information I've shared? What's been getting in your way? If you've tried this approach before but got stuck, I am here to help. I invite you to have a conversation with me and it's free. Click here Work With Me | Life Chapters Coaching.
If anything I've shared resonated with you or you have blog topic recommendations, I welcome you to leave a comment below.
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