Lesson #4: Use Your Book to Get More Gigs
Leverage Your Book For Speaking Gigs
Chances are, you will not get rich with your book. The goal is to put it in the hands of as many people who can either book you or recommend you for a gig. Yes, give it away to them.
Question for me? Scroll down to ask me.
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Ive written a book about self esteem, I’m a counsellor
I want to be an inspiring speaker
My book isn’t going to get bums on seats – Self esteem
What are your thoughts?
I’m thinking I write another book called “Just Start”
A book on what holds us back and stepping out of our comfort zones
Helen, it doesn’t matter how many books you write. Don’t assume things are not going to work out until you try. Yes, self-esteem will get people in the room.
It’s about how you position it. Most people suffer from extreme low self-esteem. That’s why they are not succeeding in business and life.
If you can help others increase their confidence and feel they are worthy enough to get what they want, they will reward you handsomely.
Hello Rene!
As a new self-published Author I’m not so sure about giving my books away.. How can I earn any revenue if I’m giving. All the books away?
I have given a few away.
Do you recommend.motivational speakers classes to become certified?
@Irish Benton – Well, think about it this way: You will need to market yourself one way or another. It is very expensive to buy speaking leads. Some of them are as much as $50. That is just for the lead. The seller does not care if you close the deal or not.
It costs you about $2 to print the book. You pay about $2 media mail to mail it. That’s a total of $4 total. The big difference is, you find a highly qualified lead. You send a note and an autographed copy of your book. You follow up with three emails. That’s awesome!
If you were to send 10 books per month, that would be 120 books. If you were to close one deal per month at $5,000, that’s 50K for the year. To make 100K, you would double how many books you send out.
Now, in an ideal world, it doesn’t work that way. Some months you may not close any deal.
It also depends on how well targeted your email is and how costly is the problem you solve as well as knowing the right hot buttons to push in your letter or emails.
Hi Rene,
That video # 4 was again fantastic.
It is extremely motivating for me and I am sure know that I am getting closer in learnig to become a MS.
I am looking foward in recievibg video#5.
Best regards,
Greg
Thank you very much and God bless you more. I can do it, starting with my Cover Page Design first.
Hi Rene! I am finally getting to watch your videos and love them! I was wondering what kind of topics would make for the best book? What kind of book should I write?
These videos are very helpful and encouraging. I am becoming more and more motivated in pursuing motivational speaking as a career. The videos present an easy to follow plan to follow in order to accomplish this goal. My confidence has been tremendously increased because the journey ahead doesn’t appear to be so complicated. Thank You.
Every time you speak am feeling as if you are holding my hand and pointing for me where to step and where to avoid. You are leading me to this unknown path that i was somehow fearing to put my feet on. I have already started my book and am so fired up i can not stop thinking and writing. I feel so lucky to have meet you again. I think this was the right moment when i was prepared to listen and act. I understand now why the book is a business card. To give it out to as many people as possible. I feel as Isaac Newton said, If i have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. Thanks i can not wait to hear more. God bless you Rene.
I know the truth when I hear it! That advice was pure truth! Thanks Rene! I never received the third video. Could you send it to me? Thanks.
Hi Rene,
Is it fine, if my book will be having a story of my own life but not on professional experience,Can it inspire other people.
Thanks for the information. For the 10 chapters with 10 pages how many words does that end up being? Does the size of the pages differ?
Dear Rene,
WOW!!! your ideas are so hands on…..something to do all the time, so much that it becomes a habit for us…sellig yourself is sooo important….and the whole world is our market…..Great advice…as always
Concerning the self-publishing route: Spiral, loose leaf, hard cover, soft cover, bound? Companies that you have tried and like for self publishing? Fonts and layout you recommend.
Carolyn,
First, you need to write the book! The questions you are asking can be answered later. The person who will be doing the layout and cover design for you book should know about all of this. Self-publishing is the best route for now.
Taking notes! I’ve been in a sales environment for about 6 years and in all cases I have been encouraged not to sell the product as much as to sell yourself! People buy YOU! And giving away your book allows persons to see You, and listen to your voice without you being there… My book is very personal with my life’s stories… Sharing it is truly my passion! All the more to attain the opportunity to speak! Thanks Rene!
That is so true Petra. All business is about personality. People buy you first. That’s why I left Wachovia bank to go to another when Mark took a job there. He was the reason I did business with Wachovia. The more the customers know you and your story, the more they bond with you.
This has been really eye-opening for me. I have really enjoyed all your information!
Thank you Rene for confirming and expanding my thinking about how to leverage my books,
You are welcome Angie.
Hi Rene
I have been following your words of advice in your videos to a tee. However I can’t seem to get started on writing a book. I know what I want to write about, but how I get the words out to create the right message is my problem. Do you have any advice?
I have a blog which I started writing almost two years ago. Would you say this could be the equivalent to a published book and could be a substitute for it?
The key to writing the book is to have a solid outline. If you try to write from you head, you will be all over. Get brilliant on the outline.
Create the major blocks or chapters first. Then decide the sub-topics you are going to discuss under each block. Once you get the outline right, the rest is a matter of filling the details.
It’s like this… The tree is the book. The major trunks of the tree are the chapters. And the small branches are the sub-topics. The details are the leaves.
hi godefroy how are you I am so motivative by your trainging vedio it inspired me very much I have a picture to put on my book cover I have not finish it yet I still working on my book I am watching the free training vedioIam on chapter 4 I am looking for to meeting you very at a event thank you.
Congratulations Sharon! You are taking the right actions. Way to go!
but once you finish your book how do you publish it yourself?
I am taking your advise and run with it. Believe it or not Rene you and I have some life similarity. I hope one of these days to meet you.
Thank you
Rene,
I really appreciate the information you are providing. So many times individuals promise information in videos and ebooks for free and never provide anything useful until you sign up for their paid course. I’m understanding the logic of all this far better now. I have a stack of degrees and 16 years of experience in my academic areas and have been told repeatedly that I am a phenomenal speaker and have a way with clients. For years I have wanted to put pen to paper and crank out books on topics I’m passionate about but I have yet to finish even one. At one point I even began recording my thoughts with a digital recorder to no avail. I believe now is the time and you have provided me tools to move forward. I will begin my 10 week journey today and keep you posted on my progress. Again thank you for being honorable enough to provide thIs information!
Cordially,
Dr. Sam
That was right on point, the more you have your books out there working for you the bett
er. Makes a all of sense.. thanks man
Exactly right! Your books don't belong to your garage or the trunk of your car. Use to market yourself. Give it away to potential buyers.
Thank you Rene
Very powerful information that I will implement upon completing
my book. You are the best!
Rene, this makes total sense. I travel a lot and constantly hand out my business cards and every time I get back at least one person will contact me for advice!
GREAT stuff so far!!!
That’s what I’m talking about Nathan. Thanks for sharing.
thanks rene your my personal guide,
i really thank you deeply.
Elvis
It’s my pleasure. Keep pressing on!
My book is not finished yet, but this is very good information that I will probably revisit when the book is published. Thank you, Rene, for all of the free information. You are a blessing to many.
You are welcome Jana. Just bookmark this page for later.
thanks a lot Rene. After watching video #3, my 300+ pages book that i was editing became 3 books. I am sure to come out with 3 books at the end. This video #4 is also very informative and encouraging. Looking forward to the next video while I continue to work on the books, one at a time.
Great! I’m trying to share my insights so others don’t have to make the same I made 15 years ago.
You never cease to amaze me.Everything you said on this video made a lot of sense
D.Sibiya
Great video again, Rene. I appreciate your sharing with us all the pains you have gone through in the business so that we can use your insights as shortcut to our motivational career. I have a personal question for you, Rene: Do you speak French? French is my first language and I have been told that many people from Haiti speak French. By the way, I am originally from Burkina Faso, the West African country that you talked about in your book "No Condition is Permanent". Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank You,
Bernard
You are welcome Bernard. This is so funny! I thought you were Haitian. Yes, I speak French. However, my French is kind of rusty. You see, Creole is the primary language for us. We learn French in school.
I can hold a conversation in French. But, I would not be able to give a speech in French. That’s kind of weird, right? Oh well!
Thank you again for a great video. Thank you for great tips on how to use the book as a business card.
As I write I will remember your words, ‘keep it simple.”
thanks again
Miriam
Rene,
Right now I just want to say thank you! You have motivated me! I will keep you up to date on my progress.
Dear Mr.Godefroy,
Each video gets better and better. Thanks for sharing you expertise. I must be moving in the right direction, because I was recently led to give more books away then ever. One of the local hospitals in town will allow me to put some copies of my book on the counter in the gift shop. Also one of the local grocery stores in town will put out a table, so the customers can pick one up. I also plan to keep a few copies with me where ever I go. Doctors offices are also places that books may be left, for patients to pick up. I hope these ideas will help someone else.
Barbara Caldwell
Rene,
Thank you for your videos, they are great!
I have a few questions:
How do you go about getting the book into a decision makers hands at a company? Just mailing it off would seem ineffective.
Also, would it be good idea to send your book to radio and TV producers and talent coordinators? Being interviewed would help build authority status and the recording could be used for marketing, right? If this is a good way to go, how do you get the decision makers attention?
Keep up the great work.
Thanks for everything
Thank you again, Renee. I really like that idea of using my book as a business card. Ingenious! I have completed the first chapter of my new book, and started on the second. I take notes when I watch your videos. I have watched each one at least two times. Again, thank you for being ssssssssooooooo magnimous. God bless you abundantly.
Hi Rene,
I really appreciate the great work that you are doing of Nurturing the unrealized talents that many of us have sat on for those years. However, I have a request to make. My internet connection is a bit slow hence it takes me eternity to watch the videos.
This is my request Rene, Is it posssible to get a downloadable version of the same videos. Kindly help. I believe there many others out there like me.
With kind reagards,
Humphrey
Great ! I got great idea. Now i am sure i will get ice break.
Renee,
I really appreciate the points you have shared here. Practical and achieveable. I will not wait another moment but set time each day to do something toward completing the golden pages within me for the world to embrace and expand from my story. Thank you much.
Thanks for such an immediate response to my post, I will definately keep it simple. I needed that bit of advice because at times I tend to over analyze, which causes me to question my capabilities or move on to the next idea, but this desire is something completely different. It keeps me motivated, which fuels my passion even more. I know that I am capable of accomplishing my goals as long as I stay focused and implement the advice you have given me, as well as the wealth of information on your site. I will see you at the top!!! Thanks once again.
Be blessed….
Thanks for such an immediate response to my post, I will definately keep it simple. I needed that bit of advice because at times I tend to over analyze, which causes me to question my capabilities or move on to the next idea, but this desire is something completely different. It keeps me motivated, which fuels my passion even more. I know that I am capable of accomplishing my goals as long as I stay focused and implement the advice you have given me, as well as the wealth of information on your site. I will see you at the top!!! Thanks once again.
Be blessed….
Hi Mr. Godefroy,
I am thrilled that I have found you during my search for information on becoming a motivational speaker. I was convinced that I had the right ideas about getting into the business, but could not figure out how to bring those ideas to life. Your instructions on writing a book and using it as a networking/marketing tool are very helpful and I would like to thank you for creating these videos. What would be the timeline for writing a book? I have so many areas of interest, how do I focus on one? How do I narrow down my target market? I really look forward to your expert advice. I am ready to live my dream!!! Thank you so much Mr. Godefroy!
Alysia
Alysia,
The timeline for your book should be 10 weeks. Aim for one chapter per week. The key is not to complicate this thing. Keep it simple. DO NOT overload the reader with too much information. Never assume the reader knows the basics about your topic.
Your target market should be a group of people that can identify with you. Let’s say you were in sales for the last 10 years, you should be able to connect with sales people. They should be able to identify with you.
My suggestion is not to be too concerned about your target market. If you don’t know, just start anyway, the market will find you instead of you finding it. Simplicity. Simplicity. Most people complicate success too much. That’s the problem.
Hi Rene, it's unfortunate that you get cut off everytime then goes back to the start again, I'll have it fixed first, trying to figure out what's wrong with mu computer
Iam feeling more empowered every video i watch thank youfor helping me launch my career!!
press on
joanne
Great Joanne! Later I will share with the tools for success as a motivational speaker.
I am director of AIM – American Institute of Management and host of Fiji Legal Forum but I tell you you are my guru. You videos are exteremly motivating for me. I have not signed up for you training but wil be doing soon as I get back from trip.
All the best o you.