Authors don't need to put up with the publishing industry's "Tentpole Tendency" in the New World. 

***

For more of my writing, music, and other stuff: http://michaelboezi.com
To subscribe: http://controlmousemedia.com/subscribe

***

© 2013 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 U.S. License. 
Published by Control Mouse Media, Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employer(s), past or present.

Tentpole Tendency

What is a content strategy for authors and why is it important? 
- Your book
- Your Web presence
- Your social presence
- User-generated content
- Activity data

All of these are sources of content, and they all form a story about you. What's more is that they need to work together holistically. If one's out of balance, it can throw off all the others. 

For more about Content Strategy for Authors, please see the "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/category/advising/for-authors">For Authors</a>" section of my blog.  

To hire me for specific help with <em>your</em> content strategy, please see my "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/advisor/authors">Helping Authors</a>" page. I specialize in non-fiction authors, and the first "orienting" session is always free.

Thank you for listening! 

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Copyright 2014 Michael Boezi
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>

---

Music credit: System of Saints https://soundcloud.com/controlmouse/system-of-saints



What is Content Strategy for Authors?

The Old Rules don't work anymore, which is a great thing for you. Whether you have a publisher or self-publish, the New Rules are the same—you need to produce a good product and build your own audience. 

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For more about Content Strategy for Authors, please see the "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/category/advising/for-authors">For Authors</a>" section of my blog.  

To hire me for specific help with <em>your</em> content strategy, please see my "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/advisor/authors">Helping Authors</a>" page. I specialize in non-fiction authors, and the first "orienting" session is always free.

Thank you for listening! 

---

Copyright 2014 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>

---

Music credit: System of Saints https://soundcloud.com/controlmouse/system-of-saints



Simple Rules for Success as an Author

Authors: Let's set realistic goals. Stop talking about J.K. Rowling and Stephen King—they are the outliers. They are the elite 1%. From where you stand today, you can only dream about success that great. The problem is that it's unrealistic, and it may even have a negative effect on your strategy or decision-making process. It's better to set realistic goals, one step at a time, so that each phase of your progress is actually reachable. 

A dream is good but a goal is better.

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For more articles about Content Strategy for Authors, please see the "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/category/advising/for-authors">For Authors</a>" section of my Web site.

To hire me for specific help with your content strategy, please see my "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/advisor/authors">Helping Authors</a>" page. I specialize in non-fiction authors, and the first "orienting" session is always free. Schedule a <a href="http://helpouts.google.com/+MichaelBoezi">Google Helpouts session</a> with me, or <a title="Contact Me!" href="http://michaelboezi.com/about/contact/">contact me directly here</a>.

Thank you for listening! 

---

Copyright 2014 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>

---

Music credit: System of Saints https://soundcloud.com/controlmouse/system-of-saints

Subscribe in iTunes

Setting Goals as an Author

It's a question that I get a lot from authors: "Should I produce a printed book?"

Like a lot of other things, the answer is often, "it depends." But in general, I recommend that first-time authors who intend to self-publish forego producing a printed book—at least until they are able to start earning some money from the electronic version.

What are your goals for the book? Do you need a physical copy to have on hand for events? If so, you might change your strategy. But thinking like an entrepreneur, you don't want to take on extra costs too soon. 

We live in an age now where the cost of distribution has dropped to nearly zero. You can get your book in the hands of your readers for very little cost. That equation looks very different with a printed product, however. It will change your timeline for success, so make sure that your are clear about your goals so that you can make a good decision. 

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For more articles about Content Strategy for Authors, please see the "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/category/advising/for-authors">For Authors</a>" section of my Web site.

To hire me for specific help with your content strategy, please see my "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/advisor/authors">Helping Authors</a>" page. I specialize in non-fiction authors, and the first "orienting" session is always free. Schedule a <a href="http://helpouts.google.com/+MichaelBoezi">Google Helpouts session</a> with me, or <a title="Contact Me!" href="http://michaelboezi.com/about/contact/">contact me directly here</a>.

Thank you for listening!

---

Copyright 2014 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC Boston, MA http://controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>

---

Music credit: System of Saints https://soundcloud.com/controlmouse/system-of-saints

Authors: Should You Produce a Printed Book?

You have to act first, with a generous mindset, not a transactional one. Provide value to your audience, and over time you'll earn the right to ask for something in return. 

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For more articles about Content Strategy for Entrepreneurs, please see the "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/category/advising/for-entrepreneurs">For Entrepreneurs</a>" section of my Web site.

To hire me for specific help with your content strategy, please see my "<a href="http://michaelboezi.com/advisor/entrepreneurs">Helping Entrepreneurs</a>" page, or <a title="Contact Me!" href="http://michaelboezi.com/about/contact/">contact me directly here</a>.

Thank you for listening!

---

Copyright 2014 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC Boston, MA  http://controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="http://plus.google.com/+MichaelBoezi?rel=author">Google+</a>
---

Music credit: System of Saints https://soundcloud.com/controlmouse/system-of-saints



Providing Value

In October 2014, after nine full months of running my new business, I took the time to assess my progress and take a critical look at my performance to date. What I found challenged my initial assumptions. Informed and inspired by conversations with my mentors, friends, and clients, I decided to make some changes to my business. What follows is a podcast that exposes my thought process, in the hopes that others can learn from my experience.

To read the complete 4-part series (including videos) use the following links: 

Testing My Assumptions: Pulling Back the Curtain on My Business
Series Page (all posts): http://bit.ly/testing-my-assumptions
Part 1: Introduction—Redefining Your Ideal Customer http://bit.ly/testing-assumptions-pt1
Part 2: Authors—Finding the Sweet Spot of Your Business http://bit.ly/testing-assumptions-pt2
Part 3: Publishers—Firing One of Your Customers http://bit.ly/testing-assumptions-pt3
Part 4: Entrepreneurs—Refining Your Value Proposition http://bit.ly/testing-assumptions-pt4

---

Copyright 2014 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC Boston, MA  http://controlmousemedia.com

Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

---

Music credit: Cataclysmic Converter http://bit.ly/cataclysmic-converter.

Testing My Assumptions: Pulling Back the Curtain on My Business

This podcast series is from when I was VP of Content and Community at Flat World Knowledge. Much of it is about MIYO, which was the name of FWK's textbook customization engine at the time.  

For more of my writing, music, and other stuff: http://michaelboezi.com

Copyright 2012 Michael Boezi
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's former employer, Flat World Knowledge.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>


Introduction to MIYO

MIYO and "New Publishing"

Earning Royalties with MIYO

MIYO Says You Care

MIYO is Easy

MIYO and Updates to the Canon

A former editor discusses the publishing industry's stubborn reliance on hunches rather than data. 

For more of my writing, music, and other stuff: http://michaelboezi.com

Copyright 2013 Michael Boezi
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0
Published by Control Mouse Media, Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employers, past or present.

To hear more from Control Mouse Media: http://soundcloud.com/controlmouse

Connect with me on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113182951422560146273?rel=author">Google+</a>


The Gatekeeper is Guessing

Artists of all types: Who's going to pay you for your work?

Digital changes the commerce equation. You have to prove yourself first, but now you have the outlets to do so. No waiting for a Gatekeeper. Start writing, start sharing. Build your online authority, with good writing and a strong connection to your particular audience.

It's the only path to payment. If you earn enough authority with your audience, you can get picked or get paid directly, or both.

***

Create / Develop / Refine / Deliver / Connect

For more of my writing, music, and other stuff: http://michaelboezi.com
To subscribe: http://controlmousemedia.com/subscribe

***

© 2013 Control Mouse Media, LLC
This content is licensed under a Creative Commons <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0">Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 2.0</a> U.S. License. 
Published by Control Mouse Media, Boston, MA http://www.controlmousemedia.com
Some rights reserved. Unauthorized use is a violation of applicable copyright laws.

All views or opinions expressed in this podcast and its description are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the author's employer(s), past or present.

Build Your Authority To Build Your Audience

Good content connects. It empowers, educates, entertains. It inspires, instructs, impels.

But just producing it and perfecting it are not enough. Even the best content will be robbed of the opportunity to do these things if it's not delivered to the right person(s), at the right time, in the right way. You need a strategy, or your good work will not perform as intended.

I am an independent advisor and content strategist, specializing in helping investors, publishers, authors, and content creators of all types make the most of the opportunities afforded by the new world of publishing. 

Creating change is important work. It is most fulfilling when it leads to obvious improvement and tangible progress. It almost always requires the help of others, and it is often built around good content.
Like you, I am more than just my job or a list of the positions I've held. I am what I contribute, and I've got a lot more work to do.

*** 

More featured articles, videos, podcasts, and other writing at http://MBOEZI.COM.


Michael Boezi

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