I have to make a decision. It's been coming a while and I've been avoiding it. Because I am afraid. But I really have to make a choice.
If I want to write books, I need to be willing to sell myself in order to sell my books. And I am not good at selling myself at all. "Hello, how are you? Would you like to buy my book?" That sounds extreme, but it is only extreme by a hair breadth. If one wants to sell, one almost has to live to sell.
I've been toying with the idea of getting a book out of my Masters dissertation. At times I am passionate about the concepts, at others I feel that they are too superficial. Can I believe in them enough to sell them?
They gave me an award for my Masters. For the dissertation with the most significance for the local church. Normally, I tell nobody (except my husband) if I get an award. So I've already broken through - I have told you (dear reader). But the award tells me that I achieved my aim for my Masters (to be relevant). But now, what good if it lies in a college library? Do I believe in it enough to publish it? Do I have the mental and emotional toughness to put it out into the world and then sell it?
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7 comments:
Just recognising the need to sell yourself is a huge step, Jenny.
In my work this was the hardest thing to learn, and I made some mistakes along the way, but here are some things that surprised and helped me:
1. When I take the time to believe in the value of what I offer, selling becomes easier.
2. I always try to ensure that the value people will gain from buying my stuff is more than the value they give me when they buy it. One writer I read spoke of making it 20x as much. When both I and my 'customers' believe they are getting the better deal, selling is easy.
3. I started out expecting people to respond negatively to my attempts to sell. When I got negative responses (which were really very few) it was usually because I was either trying too hard, or I didn't really believe in the value of my products. When I sorted out these issues, the negative reactions stopped. Now I find most people are really grateful to me for making my stuff available to them, and only too happy to buy.
4. I had to learn that what I sell is actually not a book or a CD. It's myself. That was really tough at first - and it is a constant reminder to work on my integrity, humility, personal growth and ability - to try to make myself someone who deserves that trust. But, once people have "bought" into you, they'll buy whatever it is that you're selling, and usually more than once.
So, those are some thoughts from someone whose been down this road a way. By the way, just so you know (if you don't already) whether you use a publisher or self-publish, you still need to be the one to sell yourself. In my experience, the only way I could make a living doing what I do is to become my own independent publishing company.
Feel free to chat more with me if there's anything I can do to help. I certainly think, though, that you need to make your Masters available in book form - especially in the light of the response you've already received to it.
For what it's worth.
John
I think you should. You write good stuff!
I've been reading an interesting set of blog posts on the topic here. You might find them interesting.
John - thank you for your advice. What you are saying resonates with me. Thank you!
Charli - I'll check it out, thanks.
Jenny, I think that you should do the book. The College was impressed enough to award you the award, congratulations on the graduation and the award. Now this is where my point comes in.
The award was for the most significance fot the local church. Now, if you do not publish this significant work the work will be lost on the local church. I think it will be a loss to all if you do not publish it. At the moment only you and the markers have the benefit of the work you have done. Please allow the rest of us that privilege to.
In my counselling, I have these people who tell me they decided to sell themselves ... ! %-) Make your work available, somehow -- at the very least. I like what John has to say.
Thanks Neill and Thomas. I think I will make this a project for next year (but starting now!)
Jenny, I echo what everyone else has said thus far. Congrats on not only getting the thesis submitted in between everything else you've had on your plate this year, but getting the award as well. As for converting it into book form, just do it! If you don't, I'll be forced to pummel you repeatedly with my shoe!
:-)
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