For Writers

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

April 9, 2013

“I enjoyed your talk last night about SWOT and marketing. My head was spinning with ideas and I found some action sports camps I can reach out to with my girls BMX book.” Karen Avivi www.karenavivi.com

July 30, 2013

“I did reach out to a girls bmx-specific group and girls sports groups and I’ve definitely had some wonderful coverage that expanded my reach into areas where I’m not active, like twitter.Another of your tips has saved me a lot of frustration as well – whenever I have too many potential opportunities and have to pick one, or am too late for something, I add it to next year’s calendar and feel a sense of accomplishment rather than loss on missing something. As you said, a year goes by quickly, and now I know what’s coming up.”

Karen Avivi www.karenavivi.com

From the September 2013 Muskoka Novel Marathon Wrap-up session

“Urve’s tips and suggestions for creating a Unique Value Proposition are a useful starting point for understanding audiences and how to reach them. Thanks!” Dawn Huddlestone www.dawnhuddlestone.com

“Urve is a terrific speaker: clear, engaging and knowledgeable. I’ll continue to chew on this information and consider the questions posed for quite a while. Thanks!” Paula Boon www.paulaboon.com

“It’s a rare individual with expertise and experience in both the business and creative side of the writing life. Thanks for sharing some of that with us.” Tena Laing www.tenalaing.com

“This is an important exercise for any creative entrepreneur.” Linda McClean, songwriter www.lindamclean.com

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.