Special Report - Part 2

So far in the series we’ve offered tips and habit-forming advice on publishers, planning, recruiting help, day-to-day realities, time management and problem-solving.

 In Part Two of this Special Report, you’ll meet seven more LinkedIn writers, each with proven principles and insider secrets inspiring you toward your path as a published author. They’re all professionals in varying stages of their lives just like you who’ve done their due diligence, gone through the process and are ready for a tell all on how they made it.

#1- Donald: Master Your Value

In a well-paid, high-level position, Donald Hatter will never forget the day he was called into the conference room and abruptly let go along with 25% of the company. Even though many years ago, that day forever marked how he would view and manage his value. Already a bestselling author, Donald now motivates others to recognize their worth with his 2nd best seller, “Becoming Invaluable, A Strategic Plan for Managing Your Perceived Value.”

Donald drops this gem to help writers understand the difference between experience and relevance…

“If you are writing a non-fiction book, understand you have unique experiences. Determine how to articulate those unique experiences in a way that is valuable to potential readers. Authors have to realize that just because information is true, it doesn’t mean it is valuable. Help readers understand how they can learn and benefit from the experiences of the author.”

Get more on Donald: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/donaldhatter/

#2 - Nico: Making a Difference

 For years, he was groomed to become a doctor. Ultimately, Nico De Bruyn discovered healthcare was not his purpose, but he still wanted to make a difference. Then he recognized the love of marketing and the “boundless” opportunities where he could still make a difference. He speaks about his road to discovery in his book, We’re All Marketers: 20 Go-To Principles to Help You Market Like A Marketer.

Nico reveals a habit that proved highly effective during the journey of writing his book…

“The biggest tip I have for anyone wanting to start writing, whether it’s for a blog or a massive project like a book, is to start with the middle. So many people and authors struggle with coming up with a great introduction whether that’s a paragraph or chapter. And usually this frustration leads them to spend way too much time on just getting started. So my advice is very simple. Write your middle first. This sounds counterintuitive but just get your feet wet by getting words on paper. You’ll be more motivated to keep going and pushing forward. Once you’re done with the middle then go back and fill in the conclusion. With the conclusion done then write the introduction. This simple tip will save you so much time and energy.”

Visit Nico at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/nicodebruyn/

#3 – Jordan: Forecast Your Future

Jordan Gross is known for adding value to others without expecting anything in return. The Leadership Coach and TEDx Speaker was on an introspective journey when he literally drove pass yet another opportunity to help others. “It” became the idea for his 2nd book, The Journey to Cloud Nine: Confront the Past, Redefine the Future.

Jordan offers up this habit to increase and extend market visibility…

“Act as if your book is already out there - it's important for people to know you have a book coming out! Do not just wait until the book is already out there to begin the marketing process.”

Jordan’s journey is at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jordangross9/

#4 – Lauren: Lessons Learned

Lauren Supraner’s life has been a blend of communications, languages and learning. As an Intercultural Communications Expert, she’s dedicated her career to bridging language competency across cultures and industries. The veteran educator’s work with professionals is detailed in her debut reference, Accent Reduction for Chinese Speakers: A Pronunciation Course for Chinese Speakers of English (w/4 hrs recording of pronunciation training).

Here, Lauren tells her story of managing print, audio and a digital presence…

“Writing my book was a gigantic project because in addition to writing it, I had to coordinate with the designer, the website developer and the voice talent. The whole project took 2 years. So my #1 piece of advice is: Just stay the course! Just don't give up. If you stay the course, you are guaranteed to have a completed book at the end. Guaranteed. And once I internalized that, any project became doable.” 

Learn more about Lauren: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/laurensupraner/

#5 - Ryan: Geared for Growth

It was Day 1, 2020. Ryan Christopher, sales strategist, had to figure a way to scale a targeted audience on LinkedIn. He applied techniques that struck gold. Connections soared from 2,000 to 10,000 in just 90 days. How did he do it? Ryan writes about how to grow your network in his e-book, Link In with LinkedIn: A Guide to Professionally Networking with LinkedIn.

When asked for tips for aspiring authors, the Business Coach and Mentor reflects on the writing life from a different perspective…

“Don’t get caught up in trying to be someone you are not. It can be very easy to compare ourselves with others and even want to compete with those who are successful. You’ll get there if you stay focused on what’s important and that’s writing from your heart and staying true to who you are.”

Reach out to Ryan at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/ryanchristopher33/

#6 – Justin: Strategies for Success

Early on, Justin Pogue recognized the power of education. He embraced it as his foundation on the road to economic empowerment. Now, the Real Estate Expert and sought-after Speaker, educates others on how to achieve financial control via real estate. He is the author of Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, Create Quality Communities.

Justin offers these two key strategies that trigger your book’s WOW factor…

“If you spend any money on writing your book there are two areas that are critically important. First, please have a professional design your book cover. The initial idea or concept can come from you but let a professional bring it to life. People are always judging books by their cover. Second, having your book professionally edited is essential. Grammatical and spelling errors can detract from an otherwise amazing story arc. You've already got someone reading your book. Let's keep them there.”

Justin’s LinkedIn presence is: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/justincpogue/

#7- David: His Secret Sauce

In the 1980s, David Brier learned from legends of design and art direction. Now he is Google’s #1 Rebranding Expert. This branding veteran has been featured in ADWEEK, Forbes and other publications. He’s helped build the brands of powerhouses like Revlon, Joanna Vargas and KnowBe4. David has taken his experiences and authored the bestseller, Brand Intervention: 33 Steps to Transform the Brand You Have into the Brand You Need.

David shares how he took his own advice and developed a special recipe for success…

“When I decided to pull the trigger on writing my book, I looked at this: There are LOTS of books by some very smart people. So, WHY would someone be drawn to my book? What could I offer that others are NOT offering? That’s when I decided on my book strategy: have ZERO fluff and use my design skills (which few authors have) and use that to create MORE than a book. Create an experience, and immerse people into the concept of branding itself. In essence, tap into what I can truly own and embrace. THAT was my secret sauce.”

Find out more about David at: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/davidbrier/

Paving the Path

Well there you have it. The final chapter of habits and practical/inspirational advice from a lineup of 14 published authors… all on LinkedIn.

Whether impacted by a tragedy, a health crisis, early childhood education, work experiences, or just a thirst to help others, these authors’ messages came out. And your message, living inside you, is waiting to come out too.

Only you can take it to the next level… the path to publication.

Theresa Whetstone is a Content Writer and Storyteller and the Marketing Coordinator of a breakfast sports bar in Alabama.

She’s the Founder/Administrator/Curator of Positive Nuggets, an outlet that gives creatives an opportunity to present and amplify their books and podcasts.

Also, to encourage creatives to work on their craft (whatever it may be), she developed Just Create, a series of posts highlighting creative legends for inspiration.

Theresa is currently working on a project depicting a historical event in the south. She’s an avid viewer and student of westerns and film noir. She can be reached at [email protected].