Other ways to build platforms:

• Host a radio show

• Get a program on public access TV

• Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

• Become a public speaker

• Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

• Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

• Become involved with well-known charities, no
  Do's and Don'ts of Self-Publishing
  It used to be where people who self-published were considered neophytes who weren't good enough to be published by more traditional publishers. They clung like barnacles to the edges of the book world, trying but not gaining access to the inner sanctum -- a place on the shelves of Barnes & Noble and a trip to Oprah's couch.These days, however, self-published authors can make themselves lots of money, build platforms for the launch of further projects, and even sell their books at Barnes & Noble. Some have landed deals with larger publishers after selling a few thousand books with their own blood, sweat & tears, and even found themselves face to face with the Queen of the book clubs herself.The first Do of self-publishing is to grant yourself the power to see your words in print. No one is going to come down from on high and give you permission to be published, so you might as well start with a hearty pat on the back for finishing a book. After all, its almo
  Being a great writer is no longer enough if you plan to score a big publishing deal, especially as a nonfiction author.

  Particularly if your book idea falls into the how-to or self-help categories, you not only have to sell your terrific writing, but you also have to sell yourself as the books conduit to the world.

  Publishers want to minimize their risks, so they dont haphazardly award big book contracts to unknown writersunless, that is, the writer is the total package. What constitutes this package?

  PLATFORM

  Increasingly, publishers look for authors who have platforms. A platform is your megaphone to shout your books message to a mass audience. Famous people have automatic platforms; if Julia Roberts were to decide to write a book tomorrow, you can bet that shell have publishers clamoring. Why? Because they know that the media will go wild to tell the public about it, and shell have the ability to get as much air time as she wants all over TV and print.

  But lets assume youre not quite so famous. Thats okay. You can build a platform in a number of waysa good start is by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Work toward becoming a columnist (even at a freebie community paper), then work on syndicating your column.

  Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as www.articlecity.com and www.ideamarketers.com.

  Other ways to build platforms:

  • Host a radio show

  • Get a program on public access TV

  • Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

  • Become a public speaker

  • Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

  • Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

  • Become involved with well-known charities, non
    How Do You Get The Money You Need For Your Business?
    Answer: Become a low risk investment!Sounds simple, well it is. First, know who your investors are. If you are looking for a small business loan you are most likely going to approach a bank. A bank will look at you and your business and ask, “is this a good investment for us to loan them money”. Then they look at their criteria of determining risk and make a decision to move forward with approving your loan request or not.So again, knowing what the bank is looking for is key. Every bank has their unique system for determining a loan approval. In most instances you need a good personal credit score, at least two years in business and a business credit profile. You lower your risk as an investment for the bank the longer you are in business, the higher your personal credit score is and the more positive information you have on your business credit report.When applying for credit you will find some banks accept a lower personal credit score then other
    nown writersunless, that is, the writer is the total package. What constitutes this package?

    PLATFORM

    Increasingly, publishers look for authors who have platforms. A platform is your megaphone to shout your books message to a mass audience. Famous people have automatic platforms; if Julia Roberts were to decide to write a book tomorrow, you can bet that shell have publishers clamoring. Why? Because they know that the media will go wild to tell the public about it, and shell have the ability to get as much air time as she wants all over TV and print.

    But lets assume youre not quite so famous. Thats okay. You can build a platform in a number of waysa good start is by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Work toward becoming a columnist (even at a freebie community paper), then work on syndicating your column.

    Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as www.articlecity.com and www.ideamarketers.com.

    Other ways to build platforms:

    • Host a radio show

    • Get a program on public access TV

    • Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

    • Become a public speaker

    • Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

    • Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

    • Become involved with well-known charities, no
      Small Business Debt Collection Laws
      In your small business debt collection laws will eventually become important, as your debt grows and some clients do not pay. To collect small business debts legally, you must send a written notice that collections have begun, within five days of first contacting the debtor for collections. The letter must include dispute instructions.Small Business Debt Collection Laws Forbidden Practices- Collect any amount beyond the actual debt, unless you really can do so legally.- Continue collections on a debt if the debtor has disputed the debt, unless you provide the debtor with written proof.- Continue contacting the debtor if within 30 days of first contact, the debtor disputes the debt.- Credit a payment the debtor has made to a non-disputed debt to a debt the debtor has disputed.- Deposit a post-dated check before the post-date.- Small Business Debt Collections Laws: What You Can't Say- Give a false name.- You are an
      ow that the media will go wild to tell the public about it, and shell have the ability to get as much air time as she wants all over TV and print.

      But lets assume youre not quite so famous. Thats okay. You can build a platform in a number of waysa good start is by writing articles for newspapers and magazines. Work toward becoming a columnist (even at a freebie community paper), then work on syndicating your column.

      Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as www.articlecity.com and www.ideamarketers.com.

      Other ways to build platforms:

      • Host a radio show

      • Get a program on public access TV

      • Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

      • Become a public speaker

      • Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

      • Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

      • Become involved with well-known charities, no
        Start A Soap Business - Your Best Way
        You can turn you interest in handcrafted soap into a soap business fairly quickly and easily. Your soap business can be fun and profitable too.First, of course, you must master the art of how to make soap. But once you have your soap making perfected, you probably want to make more. What can you do with it? It makes great gifts, of course. But why not start a soap business?There is a brisk demand for handcrafted soap. But how can you find those buyers? There are several ways. I think the best way to start a soap business is to sell at craft fairs. So your soap business is a craft business.If you pick the right craft fair, you can sell a lot of product in a short period of time. That's very efficient. My family sold over 35,000 bars of soap part-time over about four years.We sold over $2,000 in products in a weekend several times. That's about 500 bars of soap in a weekend. You might not do that well or you might
        n.

        Although some writers will thumb their noses at this suggestion, if your main objective is platform-building, I advise that you get your column out there to as many publications as will have it, whether they pay well or not at all. You may also choose to put your free articles on websites such as www.articlecity.com and www.ideamarketers.com.

        Other ways to build platforms:

        • Host a radio show

        • Get a program on public access TV

        • Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

        • Become a public speaker

        • Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

        • Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

        • Become involved with well-known charities, no
          Multicultural Marketing - Taking Care of Business At Hand
          Multicultural marketing mirrors the changed face of America and is getting the attention of small-business and other organizations looking for an edge in diverse ethnic markets. “Gone are the days when businesses succeed with a ‘one size fits all’ approach to marketing. It's a ‘mass market’ no longer,” insists Rhonda Albey, a diversity consultant with Allen Associates in Los Angeles, “The multicultural markets are where the opportunities are, and successful entrepreneurs are quickly learning how to get there.”According to the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) the predominant ethnic market segments being targeted by multicultural marketers are Hispanic (70%), African-American (59%) and Asian American (27%). In many places, these and other multicultural markets exert such demographic and economic influence that they’re inevitable targets. (source: www.Emarketer.com, 11-6-02).Wherever they are, however, businesses must monitor and adapt to changes in their
          arget="_new">www.ideamarketers.com.

          Other ways to build platforms:

          • Host a radio show

          • Get a program on public access TV

          • Become a regular guest on a radio/TV show

          • Become a public speaker

          • Have your own e-zine (must be popular to count!)

          • Moderate a popular forum or e-mail list on your books topic

          • Become involved with well-known charities, nonprofit organizations, or professional organizations, preferably as an officer or spokesperson

          • Teach teleclasses or webinars

          • Write a free e-book

          MEDIA EXPERTISE

          It's not unusual for publishers to ask for proof of your media capabilities before buying your book. One publisher asked me for a 5-minute videotape that showed clips from my appearances on Lifetime TV and news programs. I also included a copy of a radio show where Id recently been a guest, and a headshotpublishers dont need beauty (unless youre writing a beauty book!), but they do like to see that your appearance wont make people scream with abject horror if you do public talks.

          To become more media-savvy, you can practice your speaking skills at a local Toastmasters club (www.toastmasters.org), an international association meant to help people overcome public speaking fears and speak more effectively.

          You can also practice by having a friend ask you questions on cassette or videotape, then paying attention to any bad habit's you have (yknow, umm, fiddling with your hands, running your hands through your hair, babbling). Work on your sizzling sound byte (the few sentences you want to get across to entice someone to hear moreor, if thats all the time youll have, to entice them to run out and get your book to read more!).

          The keys to being a great interviewee? Be passionate. Be enthusiastic. Speak clearly and in short sentences. Let your body language and/or voice reflect a well-collected, happy, engaging attitude. Dont refer people to your book or website every three secondsbe there to genuinely teach the audience something, and know that if you enthrall t