The publishing industry is changing at a rapid pace. Social media is flourishing. Readers have infinite choices on how they will spend their scarce resources of time and money.
Authors are not just writers in this environment. They are entrepreneurs running a business in a turbulent market.
Author to Entrepreneur
Before Urve wrote fiction, she spent over twenty years in business development, marketing, and sales where she really enjoyed strategic planning, and engaging with multiple stakeholders to define their success. Organizations include Baxter Canada, The Credit Valley Hospital, and Trillium Health Centre. Based on Urve’s successful career in sales, marketing, and business development, she speaks about the journey from Author to Entrepreneur and how a business plan will help authors identity which products and services add value, help them choose the best ways to communicate with an audience, and develop their brand as an author.
- What makes you special? What distinctive skills do you have? Learn how to develop a “unique value proposition” that differentiates you from everyone else.
- Do find social media and marketing overwhelming? What are the best ways to connect with your readers? Learn how to decide on the best marketing options for your audience.
- Not enough hours in the day to write, market, and sleep? Learn the basics of business management to help you manage your time and finances.
- It’s 2013. Do you know where your target audience is? Who is your ideal reader, and how do you find them? Defining your audience is a key success factor in choosing the right communication tactics.
Testimonials
Note: If you’re a member of CANCAIP, Urve wrote a series of articles called “Always Pack Your Own Parachute” for the newsletter in 2011. Urve is currently working on an updated version to be published as an e-book. Details soon.
Useful links for writers
CANSCAIP – Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Performers
SCBWI – Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
CCBC – The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
CM: Canadian Review of Materials
OAC – Ontario Arts Council
TWUC – The Writer’s Union of Canada
Humber College School for Writers
Brian Henry, editor, teacher, writer
ACP – Association of Canadian Publishers
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