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Home » Archives for Dan Balow » Page 35

Dan Balow

God’s Map

By Dan Balowon June 17, 2014
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“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

This has significant implications for authors and book publishers.

Over my career, I observe cases that prove that “your future is determined more by your successes than by your plans.” Anyone who knows me has probably heard me say that at one point or another, multiple times.

Of course, that statement is flawed, leaving out the “interruptive” work of God in our lives, but assuming that is always present, I have seen the successes/plans cycle play out more often than not. It would not be much of a reach to assert that our successes are part of God determining our steps, right?

Across all of the arts, there are actors, authors, singers, comedians, painters and composers who at one point early in their lives had dreams that were much wider or at least different than what they are currently experiencing, but their success in a certain arena has determined their future.

An actor who always wanted to play Shakespeare becomes famous for a specific role in a popular television sitcom that is nothing like Hamlet.

A singer who wanted a long diverse career has one mega-hit and is asked to sing it over and over and over for the rest of their life.

Composers who never intended to make a living writing commercial jingles, are doing just that.

An author who wanted to write a variety of novels, poetry and social treatises is making a good living writing just one of those types of books. (usually not poetry)

It’s all part of “We can make our plans but the LORD determines our steps.”

For authors, this principle can manifest itself in the effect a particular book might have and who benefits the most from it. Books are not tame lions. They go where they will.

You might set out to write a book to help young adults reach their potential. But soon it becomes apparent that it is primarily being read by people later in their lives who need a mid-course correction. Or the reverse can be true.

You set out to re-write the Bible so your children will understand it and you create a revolution in Bible translation.

The success principle plays out in geographical terms as well. Every author who has ever written a book sells better in some geographic areas than others. Even national bestsellers have sold well in some areas and not-so-well in others. Christian books are generally strongest in the Bible belt and weakest in the northeastern states, but when enough people in Burlington, Vermont decide you are their favorite author, you can start your book tour with a signing there.

Even more specific, your book might sell 80% of its copies in three cities and none of them would the area in which you live. Go figure.

Here’s a suggestion:

Don’t waste your time, energy and money promoting your book to people-segments or geographic locations where sales have been weak. If you want to double your sales, that will happen by doubling where you are strong, not improving where you are weak. Focus on your strengths…your future is determined by your success, not your plans or what you want to happen.

Sure, there are exceptions to all rules, but if you are waiting for lightning to strike in a certain place at a certain time, there will be plenty of people passing you by who are playing to their strengths and shifting their sights to where lightning is striking.

Finally, and most important, avoid over-thinking and over-planning. Especially for Christian authors, there is the underlying power of God who often makes no logical sense to us as to what He is doing, at least until we can see what His purpose really is. After all, we humans see God’s handiwork in the past…not as clear about today or tomorrow. Only God knows that.

More than anything, book marketing has become more reactive than proactive. Sure, plan your blog posts and social media strategy, but also be willing to set your plans aside when God begins his work of ordering your steps.

When have you seen this happen in your life?

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Category: Dan, TheologyTag: Christian, Planning, Theology

How Many Would Attend a Following Conference?

By Dan Balowon June 10, 2014
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I have been to many leadership conferences and seminars and read any number of books on the subject. Leadership is everywhere.  Books, videos, seminars, audios, websites, organizations and ministries are in place to help people in all walks of life lead better. But I have wondered if there would be as much excitement for a book or seminar that encourages faithful following? We follow Jesus, but …

Read moreHow Many Would Attend a Following Conference?
Category: Craft, Creativity, Dan, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

And the Winner is…ME!

By Dan Balowon June 3, 2014
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Once upon a time, a man set out on the ocean in a small boat for a three-hour tour. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew (of one) the boat would have been lost. The boat landed on an uncharted island and the man was stranded, but alive. Twenty years later, a larger ship happened upon the island and noticed a beautifully built …

Read moreAnd the Winner is…ME!
Category: Career, Communication, Dan, Personal, TheologyTag: Career, Communication

Actually, The World is Pretty Big

By Dan Balowon May 27, 2014
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At one time or another, every one of us have remarked how small the world is, usually caused by meeting someone by chance and finding out that you both know a certain person, or went to school with the person, are both reading the same books, are fans of the same team, etc. But you might be surprised how a “small” view of the world can alter your entire perspective. I am not referring to a …

Read moreActually, The World is Pretty Big
Category: Book Business, Branding, Dan, Get Published, Marketing, Platform, The Publishing Life, Trends, Writing CraftTag: publishing, The Publishing Life

The Seminar Test: A Simple Way to Discover if You Have a Viable Idea

By Dan Balowon May 20, 2014
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Today we are going to explore something I devised as a way to evaluate an opinion or approach to a particular issue. I came up with this method of determining message validity after years of hearing opinions expressed in media, business and even in the church. For lack of something more compelling, I title this method, The Seminar Test. The concept is simple. Take any strategy, opinion or approach …

Read moreThe Seminar Test: A Simple Way to Discover if You Have a Viable Idea
Category: Career, Creativity, Dan, Marketing, Writing CraftTag: Career, Marketing, Writing Craft

Myths of The Author Platform

By Dan Balowon May 13, 2014
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There are three myths about “Author Platform” that I want to address today.  Since I started my publishing career in marketing, I’ve seen the issue from a number of different angles and hopefully today’s post will be helpful. Myth #1 Author platform is a new issue in the last few years created by the use of social media.   There has never been a time when author platform was not important to …

Read moreMyths of The Author Platform
Category: Branding, Career, Dan, Get Published, Marketing, PlatformTag: Career, Marketing, Platform

The Paranoid’s Guide to Things That Are Out to Get You

By Dan Balowon May 6, 2014
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This is the second in a three-part series on attitudes, specifically for people in publishing, but probably applicable to just about anyone. Two months ago I addressed the issue of pessimism. Today, we’ll talk about the first cousin of pessimism…fear. If a book were to be written about fear, it would be the titled something along the lines of this blog-post. It would be a short volume with dozens …

Read moreThe Paranoid’s Guide to Things That Are Out to Get You
Category: Book Business, Career, Dan, TheologyTag: Career, Fear

Grace is Amazing, But Hard to Explain

By Dan Balowon April 29, 2014
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I am not a Bible theologian, so today’s blog is pushing me way out on the plank over the pitching seas of exegetical danger, so I apologize for offending those with seminary degrees and those who are infinitely better qualified to write on this subject.  As a friend stated in regard to another situation, I am indeed hanging heavy weights on thin threads. I believe that one of the most difficult …

Read moreGrace is Amazing, But Hard to Explain
Category: Dan, Personal, TheologyTag: Christian, Grace, Theology

Generally Speaking, Think of Someone in Particular

By Dan Balowon April 22, 2014
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  Any mode of communication requires an audience to justify itself.  Even someone shouting on a street corner will have someone hear them, if even in passing. An audience of one only goes so far. While everyone talks to themselves, if you do it too much, you will end up talking to a psychiatrist.  However, there are benefits of talking to yourself. Comedian George Carlin once said, “The …

Read moreGenerally Speaking, Think of Someone in Particular
Category: Branding, Communication, Dan, Platform, Writing CraftTag: Audience, Communication

Stories in Hiding Places

By Dan Balowon April 15, 2014
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Since I blog on Tuesdays and the next April 15 to fall on a Tuesday is not for another eleven years, I felt like I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. Corrie ten Boom was born on this date in 1892 and died on this date in 1983.  If Evangelicals were in the habit of naming saints, she would be among them. For those unaware of this great Christian woman, she and her family helped many Jews escape the …

Read moreStories in Hiding Places
Category: Book Review, Christian, Dan, Faith, Personal, Writing CraftTag: Book Review, Faith, publishing, Reading
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