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Create Videos Based on Your Blog Posts

By Steve Laubeon August 14, 2017

Check out Lumen 5, (www.lumen5.com) a wonderful resource that can help you create videos out of your blog posts.

As a test I took my post from July 31st, “Should You Hire a Freelance Editor?” and within 45 minutes the following video was complete. (Read more below the embedded video)

Lumen 5 has a powerful AI engine that took keywords from my selected sentences and assigned most of the background photographs you find in the above video. I did add the opening photo (of stern-face-Steve), added the ending “logo” page, chose the music from their catalog, etc.

With a little work I could have done considerably more to the process. But I went from never seeing this site before to a final video in 45 minutes. Imagine what you could do.

Currently the service is free. This may change at any moment.

Once you have created the video inside Lumen 5 you can download the mp4 video file to your own computer and then upload it onto your own youtube channel, which I did.

Imagine doing this exercise and creating your own book trailer? Or a quick Facebook post? or an ad about your upcoming speaking event?

The possibilities are endless.

Are there other services that you can recommend to our readers?

HT: John Kremer

Fun Fridays – August 11, 2017

By Steve Laubeon August 11, 2017

During a rain delay at a recent baseball game the opposing team pitchers, waiting in the bullpen, had some fun. Enjoy the oneupmanship! Since I’m from Arizona (go Diamondbacks) and Dan Balow is from Chicago (go Cubs) this was a fun showdown. The correct team won the competition.

Category: Get Published

Too Much Communication with Your Agent?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 10, 2017

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Some authors ask me if they share too much. If you’re asking, you probably aren’t! In my opinion, most authors connect the right amount, or if anything, err on the side of not communicating enough. You might ask: Too much information? Not for me. I once heard a sermon that everyone needs to hear something eight times to remember it. I don’t mind hearing about something critical eight times, …

Category: Agents, CommunicationTag: Agents, Communication

Write Like You Brush Your Teeth

By Bob Hostetleron August 9, 2017

I listen regularly to a half-dozen podcasts. One of them recently talked about how valuable “systems” are in making life run more smoothly. The podcast host said that making something a habit is the simplest but also one of the most effective “systems” a person can install in his or her life, because it eliminates the need for decision-making. For example, he said, did you decide to brush your …

Category: Get Published, The Writing LifeTag: Encouragement, Get Published, The Writing Life

Overselling Yourself

By Dan Balowon August 8, 2017

When I was a kid, if you really wanted to let people know you in the area, you took a couple garden-variety clothespins (the spring-loaded kind) and two of your lowest-value baseball cards, and attached them to the frame of your bike in contact with the spokes of your wheels. When you set out to ride, they created an unearthly sound. Until the cards completely fell apart from the abuse, your …

Category: MarketingTag: Marketing, Overselling

Send Simultaneous Submissions or Not?

By Steve Laubeon August 7, 2017

Bryan Mitchell asked, “What is the max number of submissions you should send at a given time? I’ve heard ten but that sounds off; to me, it seems it should be less than that if you are carefully considering the agents you reach out to.” When approaching agents I encourage simultaneous submissions, as long as you let us know you are doing so. But, as Bryan answered his own question, there is no …

Category: Agency, Agents, Book ProposalsTag: Agency, Agents, book proposals, Queries, Simultaneous Submissions

Fun Fridays – August 4, 2017

By Steve Laubeon August 4, 2017

This phenomenon from nature is the perfect picture of a creative artist. How hard will you work on your creation? Wait for the “reveal” at the two-minute mark.

Category: Fun Fridays

Two Questions We Might Ask and Why

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 3, 2017

Sometimes writers feel the need to switch literary agents. When an author approaches me after working with another agent, I always ask why. Most are reticent to let me know. I understand and respect that. We don’t want to gossip or speak poorly of an agent, particularly when that person was instrumental in helping us get our start. However, a new agent needs to know what went wrong. Here’s why: We …

Category: AgentsTag: Agency, Agents

Write Like Jazz

By Bob Hostetleron August 2, 2017

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Years ago, I was helping a friend brainstorm and outline a book, and at some point in the course of our conversation about writing, I said, “Writing is like jazz.” Both of us were jazz aficionados, so the phrase was apt, and it stuck. He has reminded me of it repeatedly ever since. What did I mean? Three things, basically: Craft Duke Ellington was raised by pianist parents, started piano lessons …

Category: Art, Creativity, Inspiration

Overselling Your Book

By Dan Balowon August 1, 2017

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I recall a television advertisement a few years ago touting a company as “#1 in Chicago.” After seeing the ad a few times, I focused on the fine print at the bottom of the screen and noted the claim was based on a “company conducted internet survey.” I started to feel some skepticism at the validity of the “#1” ranking. Overselling a product, service, store, company, movie, church, theme park or …

Category: MarketingTag: Marketing, Overselling, reviews