Thursday, September 2, 2010

Why Public Speaking Is So Important for Authors

Public speaking? The very words scare most people. But if you are an author—or want to become one—you need to get serious about your speaking. It can directly impact your success as a writer.

A Speaker in Front of an Audience - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/vm, Image #2558258

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/vm
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

My Daily Reading List: An Update

I read a lot. In fact, much of my day is spent reading: news, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and—my favorite—books. All in all, I probably invest two hours a day reading. My theory (not original) is that “leaders read and readers lead.”

Man Reading a Newspaper - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/mammamaart, Image #104608

I generally divide this into two blocks: I typically read for about an hour when I first wake up. I then read for another hour after dinner, before I go to bed.

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Monday, August 30, 2010

The Kindle, Nook, iPad, and Reader Compared

Because I am in the publishing industry, and because I have written extensively on the topic of digital publishing, I get asked several times a week, what e-reader I recommend. Frankly, I’m probably not the best person to ask. I experiment with all kinds of technology and am very fickle. I am always trying something new.

So, rather than simply offer an opinion, I spent Saturday morning creating a spreadsheet that compared the four major e-reader brands, representing a total of ten models. I included the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony Reader, and the Apple iPad. (You can download the actual spreadsheet here or the PDF.)

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Friday, August 27, 2010

Unboxing the New Amazon Kindle 3

Yesterday, I received my Kindle 3. It was all I could do to keep from opening the box. However, I wanted to share the “unboxing experience” with you, so I waited until I got home so Gail, my wife, could video tape the whole thing. (I did the same thing with Kindle 2.)

This is now the third Kindle I have bought. You’d think Amazon would send these free (hint, hint) to major publishers, but they don’t. The good news is that my Kindle library migrates effortlessly from device to device. In fact, I can even read my Kindle books on my iPhone, my iPad, and my Mac.

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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Three Benefits of Finding Your Tribe and Leading It

This is a guest post by Mary DeMuth. She is an author, speaker and book mentor with nine published books, including her most recent, Thin Places. Mary also mentors writers on her Wanna Be Published blog. She is also active on Twitter and Facebook. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

A little while back I wrote about finding my tribe. In the ensuing months after my tribal journey, I’ve seen some curious and very cool things happen.

3D Rendering of a Puzzle, Spelling Out the Word Community - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Franck-Boston, Image #12580925

The goal of this post, then, is to highlight the benefits of finding your tribe, no matter what business you’re in. A few months out, here are my findings:

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Why Most Authors Should Not Emulate Seth Godin

Seth Godin is one of my heroes. I have read nearly all his books. I subscribe to his blog. I am a fan. I also consider him a visionary and a friend.

iStock_000012054019Small-cropped.png

Yesterday, he wrote a very provocative post on why he is “Moving On” from the traditional world of book publishing in order to connect directly with his readers. This has created a stir on the Internet.

For example, Mike Shatzkin said, “There’s only one Seth Godin, but there are other authors who might emulate him.” Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Work Week, also commented, as did the Wall Street Journal. Several of my readers have asked for my thoughts about Seth’s decision, so I thought I would respond here.

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Monday, August 23, 2010

How to Reboot Your Spirit

I spent most of last week with Don Miller and a few friends at Bob and Maria Goff’s lodge in British Columbia. Don wrote about this magical place in A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It was stunning. It gave me the opportunity to reboot my spirit.

A Large Triple Waterfall in a Forest - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ebrink, Image #10908076

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ebrink

For two-and-a-half days we ate, played, and shared our stories. We laughed and cried. We hiked up mountains, walked through waterfalls, and sat on the deck, listening to the surf and gazing at the stars.

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Thursday, August 19, 2010

How to Foster Honesty in Your Team

This is a guest post by Eduard Ezeanu. He is a communication coach with an attitude-based approach. He helps his clients improve their people skills in order to get the results they want. He blogs at People Skills Decoded and is also active on Twitter.

Most leaders periodically talk to their teams about how they value honesty and why they want more of it. This talk on honesty has become one of the classical management talks in the business world.

Young Man Being Honest with His Colleagues - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Yuri_Arcurs, Image #12107875

However, judging by their behavior, I have noticed that very few of these leaders actually encourage honesty. And I’m confident this doesn’t apply just for the leaders I know. It’s very easy to state that you want honesty from people; it’s much harder to create a culture that actually fosters it.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

What to Do When You Hate Your Job

When I was in college, I took a summer job working at a small engine repair shop (e.g., chainsaws, lawnmowers, go-carts, etc.). This by itself is comical, because I am one of the most non-mechanical people I know. Fortunately, they hired me as a parts clerk rather than as a repairman.

A Woman in a Job She Hates - Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/track5, Image #5230686

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/track5

My boss, however, was a very unhappy person. And he let everyone know it. He didn’t think twice about arguing with customers or chewing out his staff—in public. I was on the receiving end of his flame-throwing tongue on more than one occasion.

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Monday, August 16, 2010

Your To-Do List as a Personal Command Center

My to-do list is at the center of my personal workflow. Like you, I am bombarded with scores—sometimes hundreds—of requests every day. They show up in my inbox, on the phone, and at my door. All of them want action now.

A Screen Shot of Things on My Mac

That’s why years ago, I learned the importance of creating a daily to-do list. It might sound simple, but I don’t know of a more important productivity tool.

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I am the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Nelson Publishers. More...

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Michael Hyatt

Hi, my name is Michael Hyatt and I am the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the world’s largest Christian publisher. In my free time, I enjoy my family, writing, speaking, running, and occasionally playing golf. Learn more about me »

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I speak on topics related to leadership, productivity, and social media. I have been speaking publicly for more than 25 years and have keynoted more than 100 events. I have also appeared on more than 1,500 television and radio shows, including all three major networks.

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We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up in teams we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing. And a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress whilst producing confusion, inefficiency and demoralization.”

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