1. Confidence. I’ve crafted a killer proposal to write a book based on an original, amazing idea and a unique approach. After I figure out how to start writing a book – my book will have solved a problem lots of people have, and by writing it I’ll create bounty and blessings for all. I write a proposal oozing with wit, charm and warmth: I smugly mail it off, channeling Jack Nicholson as The Joker, “Wait’ll they get a load of me….”
2. Anxiety. Why aren’t they getting back to me? Hello? Where is everyone? Why haven’t they accepted the proposal? Wait – will they accept my proposal?! Crap! My cell was off! What if they tried to call? Is it hot in here… or is it me?
I’m one of those guys who likes to capture every moment even if I don’t have plans to ever share it with anyone. As a photographer I’ve always believed in capturing the moment when it happens because you can’t turn back time if you later decide that you wish you had. More then once I have wished I documented something, but for one reason or another I didn’t. That is why I try to make sure I have some form of camera with me wherever I go.
In that vein, when I signed the book contract from Wiley for Content Rules I was in front of my computer so I fired up the web cam and took this photo to send to Ann to show her it was official. Plus, I figured at some point I’d want to post it so others could get a giggle out of it.
Of course my slightly cautious look gave Ann a good laugh so she returned the favor by taking one herself and sending it to me.
What’s a word that means a combination of excited, and thrilled, and pumped, with a tiny morsel of terror tossed in? Trepidicement? Thrillfear? Whatever it is, that’s how we’re feeling today, because we’ve signed a deal with Wiley to co-author a book!
The title is Content Rules, and it carries such a long-ass subtitle that it still requires a trip to Amazon to get it right: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business. The book will be published in December, and you can already pre-order a copy.
The long, descriptive title is intentional, because we wanted to make crystal-clear what this book is about. “Content” is a vague, amorphous word—it means radically different things to, say, a technology guy than it does to a marketer.
For businesses, “content” is championed as the cornerstone of new marketing. Marketers are being told to “publish their way” into the hearts and minds of their customers, and Inbound Marketing experts talk about “remarkable” content as a cornerstone of a marketing strategy. But still: there is no comprehensive field guide for how companies can develop and share that content.
In other words, plenty of books tell you to package your ideas as “content” to market your company. But no one is talking about the art of how to develop your ideas into great content.
How does a company make the leap from “marketing-speak” to become a publisher on the Web? How do you know what to say? How can you create stories and videos and blog posts that people will love? How can you cultivate fans and spark devotion? How can your ideas ignite your business? How do you know if it’s working? Read the rest of this entry »
1. Confidence. I’ve crafted a killer proposal to write a book based on an original, amazing idea and a unique approach. After I figure out how to start writing a book – my book will have solved a problem lots of people have, and by writing it I’ll create bounty and blessings for all. I write a proposal oozing with wit, charm and warmth: I smugly mail it off, channeling Jack Nicholson as The Joker, “Wait’ll they get a load of me….”
