Ask the Author: Timothy M. Houston
Answered Questions (3)
Timothy M. Houston
If you have an idea start writing it down and begin to expand on it. Dedicate some time each day -- even 5 minutes -- to start writing your ideas out. (If you're really serious, actually WRITE it out on paper!) Keep expanding and developing your themes and subjects and go deeper and deeper.
Read what others in your space have already written about and differentiate yourself from them or expand further on their ideas to develop something that is uniquely your own.
Use social media to test your material. Depending on your genre, put some of it out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. and get feedback and then adjust it accordingly if you feel it's necessary. As a side-note, I can say that the public isn't always right because what it "right" for them "right now" may not be when it comes time to release your book or it may not be "right" for you.
For example, one of my regrets was testing out several covers for one of my books (Leads to Referrals) and popular opinion was that the cover with the fish was a great one. I really didn't think so and to this day, don't like it. (I will have it changed when we publish the revised version of the book).
Finally, have a deadline and stick to it! Whether you are looking to have your book published by a publishing company or you are self-publishing, have a deadline for your book or ebook. One of my favorite quotes is from the co-founder of Atari and the founder of Chuck-E-Cheese, Nolan Bushnell: "The ultimate inspiration is the deadline!"
Read what others in your space have already written about and differentiate yourself from them or expand further on their ideas to develop something that is uniquely your own.
Use social media to test your material. Depending on your genre, put some of it out on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. and get feedback and then adjust it accordingly if you feel it's necessary. As a side-note, I can say that the public isn't always right because what it "right" for them "right now" may not be when it comes time to release your book or it may not be "right" for you.
For example, one of my regrets was testing out several covers for one of my books (Leads to Referrals) and popular opinion was that the cover with the fish was a great one. I really didn't think so and to this day, don't like it. (I will have it changed when we publish the revised version of the book).
Finally, have a deadline and stick to it! Whether you are looking to have your book published by a publishing company or you are self-publishing, have a deadline for your book or ebook. One of my favorite quotes is from the co-founder of Atari and the founder of Chuck-E-Cheese, Nolan Bushnell: "The ultimate inspiration is the deadline!"
Timothy M. Houston
Right now, I'm preparing for what I call the "book tour and more" for No-Nonsense Networking over the next few months after the book is released. The schedule will be announced starting July 18th at www.nononsensenetworking/tour.
I'm going to be doing the "traditional" appearances and in select cities, there will also be a masterclass called "No-Nonsense Networking Leads to Referrals" which is based on both those books, plus additional materials I have not published. It's a full-day intensive, interactive master class that's designed for a limited number of participants.
There's also a special training program that I designed to help bring me to local business groups, Chambers of Commerce and network marketing reps without paying my traditional speaking/training fees. (More info at www.tmhouston.com)
I'm also always working on being the best Dad in the world to a little 3 1/2 year old that is growing up so fast.
I'm going to be doing the "traditional" appearances and in select cities, there will also be a masterclass called "No-Nonsense Networking Leads to Referrals" which is based on both those books, plus additional materials I have not published. It's a full-day intensive, interactive master class that's designed for a limited number of participants.
There's also a special training program that I designed to help bring me to local business groups, Chambers of Commerce and network marketing reps without paying my traditional speaking/training fees. (More info at www.tmhouston.com)
I'm also always working on being the best Dad in the world to a little 3 1/2 year old that is growing up so fast.
Timothy M. Houston
There were two main catalysts for writing No-Nonsense networking. First,
as with all of my previous books, the idea for No-Nonsense Networking came from real-life experiences that I have had over the past 20+ years as a business owner. I attend hundreds of networking events over the course of a year and find that there are people who may be great business people but their networking skills need improvement. Likewise there are many new business people who need to learn how to be a better networker because they never learned how or their companies never invested in this kind of skill development for their employees.
But there's an inherent problem when it comes to teaching these skills and that's the second catalyst/inspiration for the book.
Unfortunately, it has become commonplace for many authors of business books to put together examples and anecdotes and then try to build a “theory” around it, hoping that it works. It is also to no one’s benefit if I were to teach you some convoluted, impractical techniques and strategies, full of “corporate speak” that may look impressive as part of the thesis for an MBA degree but ultimately fails or is impractical in the real world. Likewise, there are many other books and programs that are just too complicated and take too much time to implement.
I view my role as an author to be an extension of being the reader's teacher and guide; so my job is to make things understandable and simple.
I wrote No-Nonsense Networking as a straight-to-the-point primer/reminder about the fundamentals of networking, it is a short read which is intentional and by design.
as with all of my previous books, the idea for No-Nonsense Networking came from real-life experiences that I have had over the past 20+ years as a business owner. I attend hundreds of networking events over the course of a year and find that there are people who may be great business people but their networking skills need improvement. Likewise there are many new business people who need to learn how to be a better networker because they never learned how or their companies never invested in this kind of skill development for their employees.
But there's an inherent problem when it comes to teaching these skills and that's the second catalyst/inspiration for the book.
Unfortunately, it has become commonplace for many authors of business books to put together examples and anecdotes and then try to build a “theory” around it, hoping that it works. It is also to no one’s benefit if I were to teach you some convoluted, impractical techniques and strategies, full of “corporate speak” that may look impressive as part of the thesis for an MBA degree but ultimately fails or is impractical in the real world. Likewise, there are many other books and programs that are just too complicated and take too much time to implement.
I view my role as an author to be an extension of being the reader's teacher and guide; so my job is to make things understandable and simple.
I wrote No-Nonsense Networking as a straight-to-the-point primer/reminder about the fundamentals of networking, it is a short read which is intentional and by design.
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