March '24 Newsletter  

March Forward

1. New Book Release

Judaism was certainly not the first religion, but it was the first modern religion—that is, the first religion associated with this new modality of thinking. At the same time, despite its sophistication, Judaism has unconsciously retained many elements of its primitive psychology along with a wide range of cultic practices, the origins of which while unknown and long forgotten are still performed with an assiduous, magical intention.

The details of Judaism’s historical, religious, social, and psychological aspects are discussed in the context of their relationship to the general happenings of humanity, in particular its bitterly adversarial relationship to the preceding Canaanite goddess-oriented fertility religions and subsequent Pauline Christianity. This view from the archetypal unconscious offers explanations of the roots of anti-Semitism and of the ageless conflict between the Jewish and Palestinian peoples.

2. SkillBites Podcast

As authors and entrepreneurs navigate the fast-paced world of writing, publishing, and promoting, mastering the art of engaging an audience becomes a critical skill to making money from more than book sales. This podcast episode will give you the inside track into how courses can become a powerful promotions tool for selling more books and creating a community who wants to read—and buy—everything you write.

Kae offered a sample Education Email Course called The Author’s Brand Visibility Course: Avoid the 5 Critical Mistakes that Authors make which result in slow book sales, sparse numbers of reviews, and readers not sharing your book. (even though your BFFs say they love your book, they forget to spread the word or give you reviews…). The course can be accessed for free by going to www.WeBuildAuthorbrands.com

To listen to this episode, click here.

Do you have expertise that you believe would benefit the SkillBites community of entrepreneurs and authors? If you would like to be the guest on the monthly SkillBites Show, contact me at judy@skillbites.net or 610-783-4519. If there is a topic you would like to hear on the podcast, let me know and I’ll look for an expert to cover that.

3. New Rule on Independent Contractor Classification

If you use independent contractors, you need to know that the Department of Labor published a new rule in January that makes it harder to classify a worker as an independent contractor, meaning some of the folk you have retained as independent contractors may be deemed employees, and thus eligible for overtime pay and other benefits. The rule is now in effect.

The rule contains a 6-factor test for determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor or employee:

(1) opportunity for profit or loss depending on managerial skill;

(2) investments by the worker and the potential employer;

(3) degree of permanence of the work relationship;

(4) nature and degree of control;

(5) extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the potential employer’s business; and

(6) skill and initiative.

The Rule is available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification/rulemaking.

4. Tip of the Month: Strategies for marketing and promoting your book:  Step 3 - Build a mail list

Last month, I delved into the second of 7 effective strategies for marketing and promoting your business book: developing a strong online presence. In today's digital age, it is crucial for authors to have a strong online presence in order to reach and engage with their audience. Building a robust online presence can help authors showcase their work, create meaningful connections, and ultimately expand their readership.

• Create an attractive sign-up form on your website: Your website serves as a virtual home for your readers, so make sure to have a prominent sign-up form visible on the homepage and other relevant pages. Keep the form simple and easy to fill out, asking for essential information such as name and email address. Offering incentives like a free chapter, short story, or exclusive content can entice readers to subscribe.
• Utilize social media platforms: Social media platforms are excellent channels for reaching a wider audience. Use your social media accounts to promote your mailing list and encourage followers to sign up. Share sneak peeks, updates, and snippets of your upcoming projects to create curiosity and attract potential subscribers.
• Offer a lead magnet: A lead magnet is a valuable resource or content that you provide for free in exchange for a reader's email address. It could be a free eBook, a cheat sheet, a mini-course, or anything that resonates with your target audience. By offering valuable content, you can entice readers to subscribe and join your mailing list.
• Collaborate with other authors: Collaborating with authors who write in a similar genre can help expand your reach and grow your mailing list. Consider hosting joint giveaways or cross-promotional events where readers can sign up using their email addresses. This collaboration not only benefits both authors by exposing their work to new readers but also encourages these readers to join their mailing lists.
• Participate in online author events: Virtual book festivals, author interviews, and online conferences provide excellent opportunities to connect with readers and promote your mailing list. Engage in panel discussions, giveaways, or live chats where you can interact with potential subscribers and direct them to sign up for your newsletter.
• Engage with existing readers: Interacting and engaging with your existing readers is crucial for building a strong connection and keeping them interested. Respond to their emails, comments, and inquiries promptly, providing a personalized touch. This level of engagement demonstrates your commitment to connecting with your readers and can encourage them to recommend your mailing list to others.
• Leverage your existing network: Reach out to friends, family members, colleagues, and other authors you know, and ask them to share your mailing list sign-up form with their networks. Personal recommendations hold significant weight and can help expand your mailing list beyond your immediate reach.
• Guest blogging and guest podcast appearances: Contribute articles or guest blog posts to popular websites or platforms relevant to your niche. Include an author bio at the end of the article with a link to your website or mailing list sign-up form. Similarly, seek to be a guest on the podcasts of hosts who cater to your target audience. This exposure to a wider audience increases your chances of gaining new subscribers interested in your work.
• Include a call-to-action in your books: At the end of your books, leave a note encouraging readers to sign up for your mailing list for updates on future releases and exclusive content. This allows readers who enjoyed your work to stay connected and become potential advocates for further promoting your mailing list.
• Run contests and giveaways: Engage your existing mailing list subscribers and social media followers by running periodic contests and giveaways. Require participants to provide their email addresses to enter, thereby increasing your mailing list and attracting new readers interested in winning your prizes.

Building a mailing list takes time and effort, but its benefits for authors are abundant. By implementing these strategies, authors can expand their reach, nurture reader relationships, and cultivate a dedicated fan base that eagerly awaits their future releases.

Thanks for supporting SkillBites. If there is anything you think we ought to be doing better or anything we should be doing that we’re not, please let us know. We value your input.

Cordially,