Nancy J
Class: #9 Transform Your Boring Bio from “Wallpaper” to “Wow” to Attract Readers (and Clients) Now Guest expert: Nancy Jeutten interviewed by Christine Kloser Learn more about Nancy Jeutten: www.transformationalauthor.com/nancy www.transformationalauthor.com/nancyfree TAE 2013 – Wisdom Nuggets Describe yourself by the impact you make/”the transformation you create for others”, not by the generic title author-speaker-coach. (Example: Staples in our pantry to make an amazing meal are bread, eggs, and milk, but we don't get excited about those things alone, instead, what they transform into.) Show that your topic is important to you. “Put yourself in your story. Your journey. Your message.” Create your author bio using ABC DIY:
A: Name and Claim who your book is for (your audience). “If you don't say who it's for, nobody knows that they want to buy it or that they need it.” o Ambiguity: We don't know who it's for, what it's about, or why we should buy it and share it with others. (We do not want this.) o Alphabet soup: “our credentials should not read like alphabet soup...Spell it out or leave it out so you can connect with your audience in a less intimidating way.” o Authenticity – “People ultimately want to do business with people they like, know and trust.” o Call to action – what should the reader do? Visit your blog, website, etc.
B: Do not bury the lead, “leaving the best information for last. Be bold about what you're here to do and truly believe that you truly are the messenger who's on the planet to deliver this unique story now.”
C: Content is king. Know the right content for the right situation and use it. (Try writing a bio with six words, 50 words, 100 words and 300 words)
D: Don't be afraid to disclose how clients can benefit from what you do and Dare to Discuss the Dollars. (i.e. - “When you buy my book/engage in my workshops, it creates these results.”
I: Switch the focus from “I” to “You” so that “people can feel like you're talking directly to them and what's in it for them...People don't buy your background, they buy the results that you bring about for which they are happy to invest.” o Avoid the “Ick” factor (manipulation, false urgency). Infuse your story with integrity, innovation and impact. o Invitation – extend an invitation to follow you (your book, training, workshops, etc.
Y: “WHY” are you doing this in the first place? “The 'why' is to big that if you are clear about it that mission will call you forward.” o “Yadda, yadda, yadda” - avoid this. Don't fill your book/bio with information that doesn't count.
“Do you have the conviction to charge what you're worth?” Value yourself and have the conviction to place value on the gifts that you're here to bring. “You never know how deeply people are going to read. So make it interesting every step that you take down the road.”
“Whatever it takes to grab your audience at 'Hello', that's a good choice.” Offer a low end, middle ground, and high end solution (book, training, private program) for potential clients. “People will find the perfection solution that suits their needs, budgets and inspiration for action and transformation right now.” Be very clear about the action you want people to take (in everything you do) “because if you don't tell them what you want, chances are you're going to be alone in your room not making your difference.” Everything you do should be infused with what you care about and what you love. “Out of your deepest wound in life calls forth your greatest gift to share.” (Jeffrey Van Dyk – Spiritual Marketing Quest) “Who you are today is just the beginning of who you will one day be...Always update your stories to reflect the brilliance that is growing within you...your story's still unfolding, so keep it fresh and interesting.”
A: Name and Claim who your book is for (your audience). “If you don't say who it's for, nobody knows that they want to buy it or that they need it.” o Ambiguity: We don't know who it's for, what it's about, or why we should buy it and share it with others. (We do not want this.) o Alphabet soup: “our credentials should not read like alphabet soup...Spell it out or leave it out so you can connect with your audience in a less intimidating way.” o Authenticity – “People ultimately want to do business with people they like, know and trust.” o Call to action – what should the reader do? Visit your blog, website, etc.
B: Do not bury the lead, “leaving the best information for last. Be bold about what you're here to do and truly believe that you truly are the messenger who's on the planet to deliver this unique story now.”
C: Content is king. Know the right content for the right situation and use it. (Try writing a bio with six words, 50 words, 100 words and 300 words)
D: Don't be afraid to disclose how clients can benefit from what you do and Dare to Discuss the Dollars. (i.e. - “When you buy my book/engage in my workshops, it creates these results.”
I: Switch the focus from “I” to “You” so that “people can feel like you're talking directly to them and what's in it for them...People don't buy your background, they buy the results that you bring about for which they are happy to invest.” o Avoid the “Ick” factor (manipulation, false urgency). Infuse your story with integrity, innovation and impact. o Invitation – extend an invitation to follow you (your book, training, workshops, etc.
Y: “WHY” are you doing this in the first place? “The 'why' is to big that if you are clear about it that mission will call you forward.” o “Yadda, yadda, yadda” - avoid this. Don't fill your book/bio with information that doesn't count.
“Do you have the conviction to charge what you're worth?” Value yourself and have the conviction to place value on the gifts that you're here to bring. “You never know how deeply people are going to read. So make it interesting every step that you take down the road.”
“Whatever it takes to grab your audience at 'Hello', that's a good choice.” Offer a low end, middle ground, and high end solution (book, training, private program) for potential clients. “People will find the perfection solution that suits their needs, budgets and inspiration for action and transformation right now.” Be very clear about the action you want people to take (in everything you do) “because if you don't tell them what you want, chances are you're going to be alone in your room not making your difference.” Everything you do should be infused with what you care about and what you love. “Out of your deepest wound in life calls forth your greatest gift to share.” (Jeffrey Van Dyk – Spiritual Marketing Quest) “Who you are today is just the beginning of who you will one day be...Always update your stories to reflect the brilliance that is growing within you...your story's still unfolding, so keep it fresh and interesting.”
