Seven years ago, I helped Michael Port launch the very first edition of Book Yourself Solid.

Instead of using the formulaic “Amazon campaign” launch model that was wildly popular at the time, we decided to do  something different.

We took a risk and created our own model – one that aligned with the long-term vision for the book and the brand.  Thankfully, our launch strategy was successful and helped Book Yourself Solid became a national bestseller.

Long after the launch in 2006, Book Yourself Solid continues to be a consistent bestseller and I still believe that it’s one of THE most important books to read if you’re serious about making an impact with your message and work.

That’s why I’m thrilled to share Michael’s latest project with you – one that will inspire you to “raise the grain” on how you develop, package and promote your message, books and overall thought leadership.

This week, Michael launched Book Yourself Solid Illustrated – a creative and innovative “risk” that has transformed his original bestseller into a compelling any easy-to-consume playbook for entrepreneurs and messengers who are ready for more clients and more results.

(For the juicy details on how and why Michael choose to innovate his bestseller, click on the video below.)

From the beautiful illustrations to the creative structure, this book will help you reconnect with your WHY – and move you to share your message more consistently and effectively. This is true even if you’ve read the original Book Yourself Solid a time or two!

You can see a sample of the book here and also get the scoop on the awesome bonuses he’s offering (including an awesome and f’ree BYS app!).

To inspire YOU to take risks and innovate your own thought leadership, I recorded a “behind the scenes” interview with Michael on the making of this new book.

Behind the Author Interview with Michael Port from Elizabeth Marshall on Vimeo.

During our chat, you’ll hear Michael’s honest feelings about book launches (this may surprise you!) and also learn:

• how to help readers consume your message (minute 13 in recording)
• 4 principles for effective collaboration and working with co-authors (minute 25 in recording)
• how to package your message for different formats (minute 14 in recording)
• launch strategies – and why they need to be aligned with the brand (minute 32 in recording)

I trust you’ll not only enjoy this “insider” conversation and want to buy a copy of Michael’s book, but also gain relevant strategies you can apply to your own message and work.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

We’re still smiling from the great response and feedback we received for today’s call on “Making Your Ideas Happen NOW.”

On the call, we shared 5 proven ways you can accelerate your impact and publish your work along with specific examples on how you can apply them.  In addition, Janet shared several incredible stories of these 5 principles in action from her role as SVP and Editorial Director at National Geographic Books – examples that will inspire you and bring fresh energy to your message and work.

Here’s a taste of the comments we received about today’s call:

Today’s webcast a jolt of inspiration!

You ladies delivered fabulous ideas on writing, publishing and self promo on today’s call – thank you!

Your call today was very encouraging. You shared some terrific new strategies to help build my audience and launch my book.

Click on the links below to listen (or re-listen) to the recording of this NEW teaching segment on Making Your Ideas Happen.  As part of the recording, you’ll also the advice we shared during the Q&A session and our announcement about a time-sensitive bonus you can read about below.

STREAMING LINK
http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/W98QWVwr

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://marketingmarshall.audioacrobat.com/download/MakingYourIdeasHappen.mp3

As we shared on the call today, we know that far too many messengers and change agents like you are doing all the right things and working really hard to develop your ideas, audience and business, but not seeing the meaning and results you KNOW are possible.

We also know that real progress is possible and that you can attract tangible opportunities to share your message and grow your audience audience NOW.

That’s why we’re so passionate about you saying YES to the “just released” Book Breakthrough On-Demand course. Based on our incredibly successful in-person and simulcast events, this online course is our way of making the program–hailed by so many people as “transformational” and “lifechanging”–as accessible and affordable as possible.

http://www.bookbreakthrough.com

To encourage you to take action, we announced a juicy bonus on today’s call that you’ll receive if you sign up for Book Breakthrough On-Demand by this Friday, February 15 at 11:59 pm EST:

BONUS: Receive a customized Message and Platform Assessment, delivered as a private, 30 minute session with Elizabeth. In this strategy session, Elizabeth will help you identify the 2-3 key areas you need to focus on right now to create
momentum and RESULTS for your message and work. As a result, you’ll have peace of mind and confidence that you’re working on the right things at the right time (instead of wasting time, energy and money). Value? Priceless!

As you heard us say on the call, the Book Breakthrough On-Demand Course is designed to walk you through the proven models you need to:

• Develop your signature ideas

• Build your following and strategic partnerships

• Align your book and overall work for publishing and entrepreneurial
  success

As part of the course, you’ll receive cutting-edge advice from top NYC publishing insiders and bestselling authors, and inspiring business thought leaders including Les McKeown, Carol Roth, Jenny Blake, Adelaide Lancaster, Charlie Gilkey, Andrea J. Lee, and Todd Kashdan on what’s working right now. (NOTE: Watching any one of these video sessions is worth the price of the course!)

Click on the link below for complete course details, including all the juicy video sessions, core teachings, client-tested worksheets and resources you’ll receive.  On the website, you’ll also find alumni testimonials and our introductory pricing of $197 that’s in effect during this initial launch period:

http://www.bookbreakthrough.com

If you know in your heart that NOW is the time to get going with the message and work you most care about, we invite you to dive into Book Breakthrough.

Best,

e (and j)

P.S You will absolutely get at least one fresh perspective and strategy you can immediately apply when you listen to the call – including how to create and launch a “single” – so don’t forget to download the recording!

P.P.S If you’re thinking about or working on an ebook (or book) as part of your “show and tell,” our friends over at BookBaby offer an affordable way to publish and promote your ideas.  Not only that, they are a great supporter (and official sponsor) of Book Breakthrough:

http://www.BookBaby.com

With Thanksgiving a few days away and the holiday season right around the corner, this is the time of year that we hear lots and lots of messages around giving thanks for what we have and also giving back to others in need.

Out of all these messages we encounter at this time of year in the form of books, greeting cards, songs, movies and You Tube videos, some of them resonate with us and others fall flat.

Many of these messages come across as generic, trite or even formulaic. Messages (and books) like these don’t do much to inspire us or prompt us to take any action other than to change the channel or press the “delete” button.

Then, there are those messages that feel real (and relevant) and offer a a compelling WHY that we can believe in and buy into. No matter the format, messages like these touch our hearts and prompt us to respond or to offer our support.

My colleague and friend, Jeremie Miller, has an incredible message (and project) that I want you to know about. I believe it will not only inspire you to give back, but also offer you some powerful lessons on how to tell the story of your own message and work in a more powerful way.

Interview with Jeremie Miller: Teen Technology Project from Elizabeth Marshall on Vimeo.

Watch this short video to learn more about Jeremie’s Teen Technology Project (and why I was inspired to give) and gain insights on how you can incorporate more of the “WHY YOU” and “WHY NOW” into all of your idea-driven projects.

You can also click on this link for all the exciting details, including how you can support and get involved:

http://www.indiegogo.com/teentech

Once you’ve watched the video, I would love to hear your reactions and thoughts. How has Jeremie’s project inspired your own work or prompted you to help spread his message? Leave your comments below and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
e

P.S. Speaking of gratitude, I’m excited to say that Book Breakthrough is now available as an On-Demand Course thanks to our friends at Ruzuku. If it’s YOUR time to break through with your message and book, this is a great way get the support, direction and advice you need in an highly accessible and affordable format.

In this Livestream teaching call and conversation, we explain how 3 culture-shifting trends are directly impacting authors and messengers like you right now, and we share examples of what’s possible when you:

- Embrace “Small is the New Big” and identify a way to share your work NOW
- Decide to be a Producer and consistently “Go Public” with your message
– Tap into the “Author as CEO” mindset to engage with your idea and your audience more deeply

Powerful stuff and aha moments for those who joined us live. Watch the video and share your ahas and ways you see these trends could work for you in the comments section.

We’d love to see you at Book Breakthrough 2012 (just visit the registration page). Stay tuned for more content and news to come

Is there a secret to making a significant impact with your message and work?

NO!

But there are important new trends—and truths—that you need to understand. They can have a huge impact on your work and can help you sort through the overwhelming amount of advice (some good, some bad) to plan the right path for your idea, book and business – the path that actually leads to the success you’re yearning for.

That’s why we want you to join us for a fresh, new Livestream video chat this Wednesday at 3:00 pm EDT (12:00 pm PDT).

We want to point you in the right direction and show you how to harness these 3 trends for your message and book – so your creative, hard-earned efforts pay off and actually product results!

During the Livestream chat, we will “unpack” each of the 3 trends so you will understand:

• Why Small Is the New Big (and what that means for your message)
• How owning that You Are the CEO of Your Idea + Book can shift your success
• What Going Public Is Getting Published means (and how this trend changes everything!)

These insights are VALUABLE, but only if you understand how to leverage them. Join us on Wed and we’ll explain how to get these trends working FOR YOU (instead of against you).

DATE:         Wednesday, April 4
TIME:          3:00 pm EDT (12:00 pm PDT)
PLACE:        http://www.livestream.com/bookbreakthrough

At the official start time (3:00 pm EDT), just click on the link above and you’ll be connected to the live video and community chat!

In addition to sharing this fresh and timely content, we’ll make time for Q&A, so be sure to join us for the live session.

(NOTE: The same link will take you to the Replay video recording, but you won’t be able to access the discussion chat, ask questions, or share your experiences. So attend live if you can!)

**QUICK UPDATE**

Speaking of questions, we’ve had a few people asking about how long we’ll be offering the incredibly affordable 5-payment plan for Book Breakthrough that we introduced a few weeks ago (giving you a chance to reserve your seat and pay only $140/month through July).

There’s just a few more days left to take advantage of this special pricing (which expires this Tuesday, April 10 at 11:59 pm ET), so we encourage you to reserve your seat today.

We look forward to “seeing” you on Wednesday!

Best,

e and j

UPDATE!  Join us this Wed, April 4 at 3:00 pm PDT (12:00 PDT) for a Livestream video chat to understand how to immediately harness 3 of these trends for your message + book.  It’s going to be a powerful session, so we hope you to see you there!  To join the session, please click on our Livestream TV channel when it’s officially time for the session to start (3:00 pm EDT on Wed, 4/4):

http://www.livestream.com/bookbreakthrough

Now, back to the original post…

No matter where you are with your message and book (or second book), you are probably hearing new information and advice every day about the “right” way to successfully develop and launch your work.

Right? Right.

We also know that:

Some of these messages may seem confusing and even contradictory.

Some of these messages may sound too cookie-cutter – and feel too formulaic for you and your work.

Some of these messages may make the process seem so easy…but why are you finding it so challenging?

In fact, there are specific changes and new realities that are that are making this a particularly exciting, yet disruptive time to publish successfully. To help explain WHY, Janet and I stepped back to identify 7 Trends (+ Truths) that give you a much clearer understanding and perspective of what’s possible for your and your work.

Click on the video for great 10-minute video lesson excerpted from the insights we shared at Book Breakthrough 2011 conference. We think you’ll find this clip to be incredibly timely and helpful.

And, be sure to listen for the reference to the “warm water” metaphor. See how it can keep you inspired and lead you towards your audience and your “sweet” spot.

Once you’ve watched this short clip, we would love for you to post your comments and reactions below:

1. Which of these Trends and Truths most resonate with you?
2. Which have helped you the most, or have gotten in your way?
3. We can’t wait to read your responses!

e and j

Here’s even more fantastic feedback about Book Breakthrough NYC 2011! In addition to several attendees, we were fortunate to spend a few minutes with Les McKeown, author of Wall Street Journal bestseller “Predictable Success” and Jenny Blake, author of “Life After College”, and Kristi Carnes, founder of BookingAuthors.com. Even though they were speakers at Book Breakthrough NYC 2011, all three had some great takeaways to share with us!

We hope you enjoy this special Animoto video we made especially for you. It captures the energy, collaboration and fun that everyone had during the three amazing days we were together in New York. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself singing along…

Made with love by Dana Reeves
All photographs copyright Irwin J. Lee (thanks Irwin!)

Ariane Benefit from LotusBridge.com shared her experience and insights from Book Breakthrough NYC 2011.

Charlie and Angela (married business partners from ProductiveFlourishing.com) spent some time talking about their impression of Book Breakthrough NYC 2011 – and also gave us a peek at what it’s like to be married to your business partner.