Judy Cullins has been a 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works. She works with small business people who want to make a difference in their lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. She is the author of 10 eBooks including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast, Ten Non-Techie Ways to Market Your Book Online, The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Your Targeted Web Traffic, and Power Writing for Web Sites That Sell. She offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, "The BookCoach Says...," "Business Tip of the Month," and blog Q & A at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml. Her website also features over 170 free articles. It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Judy Cullins.
Aneeta: Judy, Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Firstly, as you know, I am based in Malaysia and I have no clue about where you live. I am always curious about people who live so far away … and so are my readers. So for our benefit, please describe a little of where you live.
Judy: It’s great to connect with you and your readers. Your Malaysian readers will like to know that I have lived in San Diego for 45 years, owned my own home as long, and while I love to travel all over the world 2 months a year, I love to come home to the sunny, warm weather here. As I look out my office window, I see birds in the lush trees that surround my home. My peaceful surroundings of candles, music, and flowers make my work place fun.
Aneeta: Usually, when I interview people for my site, I choose people who either run a business, are authors or even motivational speakers. Rarely do I come across someone who is all of these in one – hence the ‘3 in 1’. Please describe the transition from one ‘calling’ to another. Was it easy? When did it all happen?
Judy: First a teacher, then a professional speaker, my audiences kept asking me for take home jewels I spoke about. I created booklets in 8 by 11 format and sold them at the back of the room for different health, personal growth and business seminars.
From 11 seminars, I sold all 11 books at all the seminars, which made a great income too. A natural transition to be sure, because you need both speaking and writing to run a business effectively.
Over 10 years ago, I added two writing seminars to my list–the same as the title for my eBoo Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast! From high school mentors I learned the Internet and jumped in to market just the ten business books I wrote including The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic. We all can write a lot, but it also takes time and effort to market, so I now sell more books, but market only the top 4 titles you listed. I also edit each book and article I write every year, so it’s completely up to the minute.
I still love speaking–just back from Maui Speakers where I shared internet marketing for books and business. I love to write, and have to stop myself from writing more books. I also love to market or share this information and why it will benefit other small businesses. I’ve found a natural way to promote and it gets me 3500 visitors a day at my site. That’s pretty good for me.
Aneeta: I know from reading all the material on your site, you have loads of information to share. You have also said that you market the four books I mentioned above. So please, for the benefit of my readers, summarise the ebooks that you sell.
Judy:
Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast – Finish telling your story with this “fast forward” technique that plans and edits up front saving endless revisions later. Create complete chapters answering the reader’s questions. Using the essential “Hot-Selling Points” design your front and back cover, know your purpose and thesis and be able to “tell and sell” any prospective agent, publisher or reader.
Ten Non-Techie Ways to Market Your Book Online – Reach and sell to 1000’s of your target audience online daily. Create lifelong income faster and easier, keep all the profits, and spend for less time and money (much is FREE).
The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Your Targeted Web Traffic – Attract 15,000 to 50,000 daily-targeted buyers to your Web site to buy your product or service. Learn how to write a publishable article in less than an hour, subscribe and submit articles to opt-in ezines and Web sites, write a powerful ad, use the power of ecommerce, and put the Big Three Marketing Machine into action.
Power Writing for Web Sites That Sell – Learn how to attract thousands of visitors and turn them into loyal clients and customers, write a sales driven homepage, boost web sales through benefit driven headlines, get people to keep reading and click onto your sales letter, then buy, and write a sales letter (long or short) that pulls orders every time.
Aneeta: Who is your target audience?
Judy: My tarket audience is small business people who want o get their unique word out, especially on the Internet, write and self-publish a saleable book, and make more money than they ever dreamed of. This includes authors, coaches, consultants, professionals and any business.
Aneeta: I am fascinated by this thing called a ‘teleclass’. I have never ‘attended’ one. Can you explain, in very simple terms, how does it work?
Judy: Teleclasses can help any one all over the world to participate and learn from an expert via the phone from the convenience of their office or home. They last about one hour. You pay the phone costs to a number in San Francisco, CA. For me it’s only $3. For you, I don’t know. I give at least one teleclass a month on writing and publishing, internet promotion, or my small group coaching sessions for these topics at half price the regular one-on-one price. I maintain 10 plus 1 x1 clients and 14 small group clients. They come to me from seeing my articles on the Internet and subscribing to my ezine The Book Coach Says…or Business Tip of the Month. Your readers can subscribe too at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
You can sign up on a Web site for these teleclasses, then you are emailed the telephone bridge line for the call. I send out information and questions to stimulate action, then participants come to the phone call and we discuss and ask and answer questions. Or, in some formats I give the skills, then ask everyone to do “fieldwork” to email the others and me. I usually offer one of my eBooks to go with the teleclasses. All of this information is at http://www.bookcoaching.com/teleclasses.shtml.
Aneeta: I understand that you have one ‘teleclass’ coming up soon. Please give us the details here.
Judy: Here’s the blurb for it:
Shorten promotion time and lessen money spent with “Internet Q & A Marketing Seminar for Business and Books” Teleclass on March 30 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET for $25. 20-year Author/Coach Judy Cullins presents.
For more information or to register call toll-free 1/866/200-9743 or go to www.bookcoaching.com/teleclasses.shtml.
Bring your questions for Judy to answer on the call, or email them to her early at
Aneeta: Your focus is for those who are in a small business. As you well know, many of my readers are from Asia and Africa. The resources are limitless to those who live in the States and the UK. However, for us in Asia and Africa, there are many restrictions. Can you describe how your products would benefit those small businesses that are based in Asia and Africa.
Judy: I don’t know what you mean by restrictions, but there are none when you do business over the Internet, no matter your country or business. To me, we all can connect this way and share a bigger piece of life and business. I feel those Online are so friendly–wanting to help.
As far as costs, I recommend your audience start small. One new client wanted to start a life coaching business and was researching on the Web. He found me–and that proved so helpful, because I told him certain expensive life skills training programs were not so good for him, but to write his short book first that takes little money and just a little time. Then use the book as a business card to attract clients and talks. He bought my books, ordered teleclass audio cassettes to listen to in his car, and plans to coach with me soon. English is his second language, but he has determination to succeed. That is a big ingredient.
If your audience has a Web site that doesn’t sell well or they want to put up a first one, they will want my newest book Power Writing for Web Sites That Sell. It’s available now as Create your Web Site with Marketing Pizzazz. The big mistake most people make is hiring the WebMaster first, but really they need to get the sales language and headlines on the home page figured out first. We need a sales letter for each product or service we sell.
The Big Three for Promotion we all need 1) A site that has excellent copy to sell 2) A cheap and fast way to get visitors to come to look and then buy and 3) valuable content to share with your visitors to keep them coming back.
Aneeta: Judy, there are restrictions. A simple one is payment mechanisms. Whilst you are free to buy on the Internet, the challenge comes when you need to sell. PayPal is a simple example. Anyway, that would completely detract from this interview. If anyone needs to know what these problems are, they can always read about it on my site by clicking here.
Aneeta: The list of articles and ebooks you have written are phenomenal. Can you please tell me, have you never wanted to write that ‘one great novel’ and why?
Judy: Aneeta, I did write a longer book on Passion, but I lost interest after too much time on it. Now, I recommend people get a faster payoff by writing shorter books. I coach fiction writers as well as non-fiction writers, because good writing is necessary for both. I’m good at pointing out clients’ brilliance as well as seeing the drab. But for me, self-help is what I love to write.
Aneeta: I also understand that you do ‘book coaching services.’ What is this?
Judy: Athletes do much better with a coach and a book and internet marketing coach can help you and your readers reach your top book or business success easier and faster. I like the term easy because what is life if we have to struggle? Enjoy your business and it will bring you the pot of gold. Keep it simple and get help from savvy experts when you need it to help you save so much time and money on mistakes. For instance, the biggest mistake authors make is thinking they need to spend $10,000 to self-publish. I’d say it’s closer to $2000, even with one on one coaching. Or, thinking a publisher will sell for them.
My phone sessions are give and take–you email me the print and questions, and I give you feedback by email and on the phone to keep you moving. It’s almost impossible to do it alone. Most people get their books finished within nine or ten sessions, but you can still get a lot with shorter times, and consider the 1/2 price small group coaching for book writing/publishing and internet business marketing.
Aneeta: With such a busy schedule, can you please give us an idea of what your typical work day is like?
Judy:
I love each day for its creativity, its fun, and its connecting with others of like mind. I walk first and practice yoga later in the day.
I start work around 9AM-12PM and take a recess for an hour.
I start again around 3PM until 4 or 5, but only 4 days a week. I take all weekends off and travel 2 months a year too. I’m just back from Hawaii for two weeks. Balance is my mantra.
Aneeta: What advice would you give to those people who are trying to write a book?
Judy:
I say get some help first. If your audience wants a low-cost way to start they can use the step-by-step how to’s in “Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast.” for $24.95. An intro phone session is 1/2 hour for $35 . I also offer teleclasses and have a book teleclass on April 28, 2005 for $39.95 that includes a book. Once you get the general idea and how to put a chapter together, you can check out to see if coaching is for you. I now have clients from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore–all over the world The phone can be free if they check into www.skype.com and get a plantronics headset.
Aneeta: What advice would you give to those who are trying to market their books?
Judy: First, know your targeted, preferred, audience. Write the book for their needs to solve a challenge. This is a hot-selling point I talk about in my book on writing a book. Second, find them on the Internet through ezine groups such as www.yahoogroups.com . Third, read my books and start your campaign.
Aneeta: One of the problems that many authors here is Asia face is ‘geography’. An example is this: How many times I have said, “It is all very well and good for this person to say that I have to promote my book by becoming an AOL subscriber to reach 20 million people when AOL does not offer it’s services to people who do not have an address in America.” My question is this – what specific advice can you give authors who would like to promote their work from outside of America … especially those who self-publish?
Judy:
Several ideas come to mind. You can offer a print book in eBook for and send via email or offer on your selling site. You can send anywhere with any email, although I recommend fast cable service if you are in business. The best audience is the on on the Internet. How to reach them is easy. You don’t have to get the lists yourself, but simply write short articles to connect with those who subscribe to them–a targeted, free way to get buyers to your Web Site. The how to’s are in either of these:
Ten Non-Techie Ways to Market Your Book Online, The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Your Targeted Web Traffic.
You can call my toll-free 866-200-9743 or my local number at 619/466-0622 or order these on my Web site through pay pal or click bank at http://www.bookcoaching.com .
Aneeta: Thank you Judy. This has been a very informative session indeed.
Judy: It’s my pleasure. My mission is to assist others to create a top selling book and a business that thrives.
Here’s the teleclass information again:
Shorten promotion time and lessen money spent with “Internet Q & A Marketing Seminar for Business and Books” Teleclass on March 30 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET for $25. 20-year Author/Coach Judy Cullins presents.
For more information or to register call toll-free 1/866/200-9743 or go to www.bookcoaching.com/teleclasses.shtml .
Bring your questions for Judy to answer on the call, or email them to her early at
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