Have you ever thought about writing a book? and more...



Here's what's new: Have you ever thought about writing a book? Gretchen’s $1.38 Target Shopping Trip Stop trying to be her and go be YOU Brigette’s $84 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6 Have you ever thought about writing a book? Have you ever thought about writing a book? Amy wrote in recently and said, “I have a book idea that I'd really like to get published. I’m not sure where to start, though. The websites I’ve read so far on book publishing have overwhelmed me.” I wanted to share my response to her here in hopes that it might help some of you who have been thinking about writing a book, too: Hi, Amy! That's exciting that you have a book idea and I love your ambition for wanting to get your book published! I don't want to discourage you with this post, but I also want to be honest and say that it's really hard to get a book deal if you haven't already established a platform online. Publishers have limited budgets and print capabilities. Meaning, they can only print and market a set number of books each year. There are so many bloggers and online entrepreneurs with really large followings in this day and age, publishers tend to like proof of your pre-established market before they'll even consider your manuscript. Publishers want to know that you have at least a few thousand (or more!) people who will buy your book without any marketing efforts from the publisher. They also need to know that there is a market for what you have to say. If you haven't already created and built that market, it's hard to convince them to put time and money into your project — especially when they have dozens of other manuscripts from authors who do have a pre-established market of 5,000 to 20,000 people or more. What does this mean for you? It’s good news and bad news. The bad news is that if you don’t already have an online following, you need to focus on building a platform before you pursue a publisher. The good news is that it’s never been easier to build an online platform. With social media networks and the power of viral marketing, everyone who has a unique message and a persevering spirit can build an online platform. How to Get Started 1. Read Platform by Michael Hyatt — This book will encourage you and give you a vision for how you can build an online platform without money, experience, or even connections. 2. Read my post on How to Make Money Blogging — This ebook isn’t just about making money online. I share step-by-step help for setting up a successful blog and getting people to read what you have to say. 3. Start networking. One of the best ways to learn and grow is to network with others. Find those who are ahead of you, those who are right where you’re at, and those who are just starting on their journey headed in the direction you are. Develop friendships, ask questions, share ideas and advice. Relationships with others who are in a similar position are invaluable! 4. Jump out start doing things. The best thing you can be doing to get yourself closer to getting a book deal is to just start doing things. Many people have great ideas, but they never do much with those ideas. Go experiment. Try things. Make mistakes and learn from them. And keep trying and learning! 5. Keep at it! As I wrote about this not too long ago, I think the number one reason most people fail is because they give up too soon. You are going to struggle in the process. You are going to feel insecure. You are going to question why you are doing this. You are going to fail. But success comes to those who refuse to give up. ***Sign Up for the FREE Self-Publishing Success Summit*** If you’ve been thinking about writing a book and want some inspiration, I highly recommend signing up for the Self-Publishing Success Summit. From June 12th to June 22nd, 40 top authors and entrepreneurs will be sharing their secrets to write your book, become a respected expert, and build a 6-figure business. The material in this summit is g-o-l-d. You won’t want to miss it! And best of all, the Self-Publishing Success Summit is FREE! Go sign up for your FREE ticket here. P.S. I so wish I had read these two books before I wrote my first book: How to Write a Book Proposal and Sell Your Book Like Wildfire. They are packed with helpful ideas and inspiration! (Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.)        Gretchen’s $1.38 Target Shopping Trip Target Shopping Trip I ran into Target today hoping to get some of the free salad dressing but they were out. Since I was already there, I grabbed a few other items that were great deals. 2 Wet n Wild Lipstick – $0.94 each Buy 1 Get 1 25% off Used 2 $0.50/1 Target printable $0.32 each after coupons 1 Kidfresh Frozen Meals – $2.99 Used 25% off Cartwheel coupon Used $1/1 printable Received $1 Ibotta rebate $0.24 after coupons and rebate 2 Starbucks Iced Coffee – $1.25 each Used $1/2 printable Received $1 Ibotta rebate $0.25 each after coupon and rebate Total before coupons and rebates: $7.37 Total after coupons and rebates: $1.38         Stop trying to be her and go be YOU It’s so easy to want what we don't have–better hair, better decorating skills, a better personality, more creativity, more spunk… there's always someone we think we'd like to trade places with because they have what we want. But trading places with someone wouldn't fix anything; we'd just inherit a new set of things we wish we could change. No one has it altogether. Everyone has struggles and difficulties. Comparison only leads to discontentment. We can't change who we are, but we can make the most of our situation. We can't choose the personality we are born with, but we can choose to be thankful–even in the midst of difficulty. And we can choose to be intentional and purposeful in how we live our lives so that we make the most of all that we've been given instead of wishing we were someone else. You are the only YOU in existence. Instead of trying to be HER, go embrace your gifts, your talents, and your experiences and share that with the world. (Thanks to CreativLei for this handlettering she created from a quote I shared during a webinar last week.)        Brigette’s $84 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6 Aldi 1 Seedless Watermelon – $2.99 1 bag Blue Corn Chips – $1.69 1 pkg Bacon – $3.49 5 pkgs Buns, reduced – $1.25 1 pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99 1 Broccoli – $1.49 2 pkgs Blueberries – $2.58 1 pkg Strawberries – $1.29 2 dozen Eggs – $1.38 2.35lbs 80/20 Fresh Ground Beef, reduced – $4.03 1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.79 1 Cauliflower – $2.49 1 Artisan Lettuce – $1.99 4-pk Organic Avocados – $2.49 1 pint Organic Grape Tomatoes – $1.49 1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $1.99 1 6-pk Applesauce Cups – $1.49 1 box Honey Nut Oats – $1.19 1 box Crispy Oats – $1.19 1 bunch Bananas (2.73lbs @ $0.39/lb) – $1.06 1 bag Baby Carrots – $0.99 1 3-pk Green Peppers – $1.79 1 64-oz Unsweetened Almond Milk – $2.29 1 6-pk Raisins – $1.29 1 Baking Powder – $0.99 1 16-oz carton Egg Whites – $1.99 1 pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.79 2 2lb bags Red Grapes – $3.96 1 16-oz pkg Oven Roasted Turkey Meat – $3.49 1 bag Kettle Style Potato Chips – $1.79 1 32-oz Half and Half – $1.89 1 8-oz Heavy Whipping Cream – $1.69 1 pkg Vine Tomatoes – $2.29 1 4-pk Sweet Corn – $1.99 Total: $66.58 Harris Teeter 2 boxes Jif Peanut Butter Bars – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 Jif Bars, exp. 8/31/16 (RP 06/05/16) (doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons 10 8-oz bags Shredded Cheese – $13.16 3 Chobani Flip Yogurt – $3.00, used $1/3 printable – $2.00/3 after coupons 2 McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning – $3.89, used 2 $.75/1 McCormick Perfect Pinch Seasoning Blends – 4-17-16 SS (exp 06/12/16) (doubled) – $0.89/2 after coupons Total: $18.05 Grocery Total for the Week: $84.63 Weekly Menu Plan Breakfasts (My husband put my 9-yr old in charge of planning and preparing breakfasts for us this summer. Gone are the days of only cereal and oatmeal…this girl takes her job seriously! :)) Eggs, Toast, Fruit Pancakes (Betty Crocker Cookbook) Cinnamon Rolls, Cereal Baked Oatmeal Egg, Bacon, Toast Blueberry Crumb Cake, Cereal x 2 Lunches Sub Sandwiches, Chips, Veggies with Dip x 2 Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Apples, Peppers BLT Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit Salad, Carrot Sticks Leftovers x 3 Dinners Grilled Chicken, Grilled Cauliflower and Broccoli, Cheddar Chive Biscuits, Tossed Salad Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Tossed Salad, Cheddar Chive Biscuits Chicken Fried Rice, Fresh Fruit, Oatmeal Raisin Muffins Hamburgers, Grilled Corn, Fruit Salad, Watermelon Hamburger Mashed Potato Casserole, Italian Garlic Bread, Steamed Veggies Leftovers x 2        Latest finds on Pinterest Quick & Easy Homemade French Toast Sticks! Expressing gratitude doesn’t require money. It doesn’t require much thought or effort, but it can change our whole outlook on life. I say this, because I’ve experienced it personally. Have you ever set out to lose weight and get into shape, only to find out that, while your pants might be feeling bigger, your wallet isn’t? Did you end up crashing and burning after adding up the costs of gym memberships, fresh fruits and vegetables, workout clothing, and fitness gear? Here are 6 ways I have saved money while on my weight loss journey... Latest finds on Pinterest Quick & Easy Homemade French Toast Sticks! Expressing gratitude doesn’t require money. It doesn’t require much thought or effort, but it can change our whole outlook on life. I say this, because I’ve experienced it personally. Have you ever set out to lose weight and get into shape, only to find out that, while your pants might be feeling bigger, your wallet isn’t? Did you end up crashing and burning after adding up the costs of gym memberships, fresh fruits and vegetables, workout clothing, and fitness gear? Here are 6 ways I have saved money while on my weight loss journey...     Click here to safely unsubscribe from "LITE Feed, Money Saving Mom®." Click here to view mailing archives, here to change your preferences, or here to subscribe • Privacy Email subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 365 Boston Post Rd, Suite 123, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA.