Never underestimate the power of visualization…

Never underestimate the power of visualization, determination, and a little creativity

About six months before my book was published, I had this dream of getting listed asHot Book of the Week in the Star Magazine Hot Sheet. So, I made a phone call to the editor and told her about my book. She seemed pleasant enough, as I mentioned that several A-list celebrities were mentioned in the book, as well as the fact that 15 percent of the proceeds would be going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Over the months, I’d let her know, via email, the progress of the book. I’d get pleasant little responses, here and there. I knew that getting in Star Magazine was a big deal, and rather a long shot, as most of the featured books are those by celebrities themselves, or number one bestsellers that are put out by major publishers such as Simon and Shuster, Wiley, Random House, etc. My book was simply self-published via POD, and I knew that this was going to take a miracle. But I kept affirming that this was my goalto get listed asHot Book of the Week!

As my plan was to launch around Mother’s Day, I persistently contacted the editor, with news of pub date, my marketing plans, etc., (basically chit chatty little emails) always, always mentioning how much I loved her column and how I had actually bought a certain item she had mentioned in the previous week’s issue.

Finally, the date was getting close. I decided that some guerrilla tactics were going to be needed if I was going to have any results. So, I printed out a cartoon image of a dreaming girl, with a cartoon bubble coming out of her head. I then, pasted in a collage-like manner, Star Magazine HOT Sheet in the bubble, with an image of The Daughter-in-Law Rules where theHot Book of the Week was going, with some copy, as if it really was in the magazine. The caption below the montage wasJust Dreamin’! I filled a box with four of my music CD’s along with the collage, and sent it off.

On May 10, I got an email from the editor, telling me that although she could not fit me into the actual magazine, she was able to fit The Daughter-in-Law Rules into the online version of Star Magazine, and that it would be listed asHot Book of the Monthfor a full month! This was one of the most exciting days of my life, and I think I jumped up and down doing the happy dance for about an hour! Now, I always includeAs Seen in Star Magazine in my signature block, and I have a nice screen shot print out of The Daughter-in-Law RulesHot Book of the Weekjust like I had dreamed.

The results? Since the Star Magazine mention, I was recommended by Dr. Laura, was a guest on Martha Stewart Whole Living Radio, hit number one inWedding Showers on Amazon, the Learning Annex asked me to submit a video workshop on how I became an Amazon bestseller, and I was asked to join a panel of writers at the ASJA convention in New York City this spring. I’ve been a guest on over sixty-five radio shows and listed in several print magazines such as Obvious, For the Bride, My Day, and have been featured in Tyra.com and MomLogic.com. I’ve been a repeat guest on the nationally syndicatedThe Daily Buzz as a mother-in-law expert, and am on the brink of a corporate sponsorship from 1-800-flowers.com.As well, I auditioned for and got the position of co-host for an exciting new online radio show called Blurb! To quote the director of programming on BlogTalkRadio,Over time, this show could supplant Oprah’s now-defunct Book Club as the leading book show in America.Philip Recchia, director of programming, BlogTalkRadio.com

So, stepping out on a limb and being creative can often lead to great things.
Never underestimate the power of visualization, determination, and a little creativity.

Please visit Sally, Self-Publishing Dream Coach and Free Publicity Specialist at
http://www.thedilrules.com/productsandservices/ for contest giveaways, free bonus gifts, Sally’s newsletter, free gifts, free music, … and more!