Author: Beth

Should you self-publish or use a traditional publisher?

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

Today there are so many more options for writers to get the messages of their heart out there: traditional publishing, self publishing, publishing on the Kindle or other E-Readers, etc. Technology is changing so fast, and with it the face of publishing books. Self-publishing is now longer viewed as negatively as it once was. (Example: Seth Godin’s best-selling, self-published books)

Below is a video by traditionally published authors Tim Ferris and Rami Sethi regarding the benefits and the drawbacks of traditional publishing and self-publishing. They both lean toward traditional publishing, and Rami used to have a negative view of self-publishing but his opinion has changed since then.

You can read a great post by Trissa Tismal by clicking here.

Some great advice she gave was, “Regardless which route you decide to take, what’s important is learning everything you can to make your book a success. In the end it’s up to you to make your book a bestseller.

I’d love to know your experiences with either traditional publishing and self-publishing, and what you think of this video. Leave your comments below.

Video – self-publishing vs. traditional publishing

PS: Do you have your copy yet of Beth’s new book on women and spiritual warfare? To learn more, click here.

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The FLIP video camera for your business

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

Video is hot right now, and if you’re not using it for your business, I encourage you to jump on board. One incredible tool to record videos that I use for my writing/speaking business is the FLIP Ultra II video recorder. I use mine all the time, and have recorded 148 videos on YouTube this past year.

The FLIP is amazingly simple and easy to use, with just the push of a button. It uses the FLIP battery pack or regular batteries. You can plug it straight into the USB port of your laptop or computer and upload your video straight to YouTube. The Ultra HD II is less than $90 for one hour and less than $130 for two hours of recording time…a small investment that will reap benefits for your business.

If you’re like some people, you don’t like the idea of seeing yourself on video. So get creative! Record your husband, your kids, your friends, the beach, nature, the weather, a sports game, driving down the road, an instructional video, or just whatever you want to record!

If you’re a writer or speaker, you need to FLIP! 🙂

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Are you serious about your hot dog – or whatever you’re making?

~ Beth ~ Leave a comment

This morning I read an amusing news story about a dog fight in Chicago – hot dogs, that is.

Vienna Beef, one of the world’s most famous hot dog makers, is suing the owner of a rival hot dog company, accusing him of either stealing Vienna’s 118-year-old recipe or lying to customers by claiming that he’s using it. The rival is the grandson of one of the two men who founded the company after their hot dogs became a hit at the 1893 World’s Fair.

According to this story, the lawsuit accuses Red Hot Chicago of false advertising, unfair competition and trademark infringement. In Chicago, the “meal on a bun” is part of local history and where loyalty to one of the region’s 2,000 hot dog stands is passed down from generation to generation.

One of the funniest quotes in the story was by Tanya Russell, a mail carrier who stops at a downtown stand called Fast Track, to deliver some letters and to grab a Vienna hot dog before finishing her route. “This is Chicago, and we take hot dogs seriously.”

If only we would take our writing and speaking so seriously, right? You might even be able to pass down this gift from generation to generation!

Last night I was on a NACWE telecall, and the guest was Joslyn Johnson, one of NACWE’s youngest members. Joslyn shared how everything we do needs to be related to God’s purpose for our lives. If you read my blog at Tablet Of My Heart, you know that I am passionate about women pursuing their purpose and calling from God, and using their gifts for God’s glory.

If your gift is writing and speaking, I encourage you to set aside any distractions, excuses, or fears, and begin using this great treasure that is inside of you. Don’t wait. Don’t hold back in intimidation, doubt, and fear.  The world needs to hear your great story!

Just write. Share the messages that are burning on your heart for God.

This morning I found this quote by Eric Maisel, author of a book I ordered at Amazon today, A Writer’s Space: Make Room to Dream, to Work, to Write .

“The writing life is defined by the succession of choices you make, primary among them whether or not you will write. You honor your writing space by entering it with this mantra: ‘I am ready to work.’ You enter, grow quiet, and vanish into your writing.”

Isn’t that beautiful? Find your writing space right now.

Have you checked out my latest creation, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles? Just $20 – get your copy today!

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