Earlier this month, November Media Publishing and Consulting Firm hosted their first conference geared towards turning soon to be authors into industry standard authorpreneurs. The inaugural Author to Boss Conference was held in Chicago with guests coming in from across the country to network and learn how to maximize their book idea into an enterprise.

For me it was like a family reunion of sorts, being able to see so many of my friends and fellow authors who have works on the way or new works was so encouraging. With over 50 books published through their business, November Media is daring people to go to the next level in their 2019.

The goal of the conference is to take you from author to boss, stirring up the entrepreneur skills in a current or future author through the valuable resources given on marketing, branding and more. The day’s events were concluded with a powerful keynote message from entrepreneur, author and creator of Godfidence, Marshawn Evans Daniels.

There was so much wisdom and expertise shared throughout the event, I’m highlighting key points that any present or future author should know:

• Invest in yourself: in order to get a quality, industry standard book, it will take an investment in the right publisher and services. You investing in yourself is sowing a seed into your future success as an authorpreneur.

“Dreams don’t save lives, but dreams realized do.”– Tiheasha Beasley, CEO and Publishing Consultant, November Media

• Create a book business plan: this involves writing out your goals, brand, marketing for the book, plan to increase engagement with customers. For a successful book release, consider a pre-launch plan, launch plan, and post-launch plan 6 to 12 months in advance of the book release.

“It takes practice and research to get a business to where you want it to be, same thing with authors.” –Nichole Ellington, COO and Authorpreneur Specialist, November Media

• The right people will come and you have to be okay with people not buying your book: the audience that you write for is not everyone. Be specific on identifying who your book is for and as you plan and market your book well, your audience will grow.

“Every word that you write in your book, you don’t know how its going to manifest in the readers lives.” –Ingrid Lavon, Chief Financial Strategist, Author, Living After Divorce

• If your personal brand is effective you will attract opportunities: consistency, content and clarity are important in building a brand around your book and your business.

“When you position yourself in a certain way you attract opportunities and resources, be the go-to and find out how to be the go-to.” –Aaja Corinne Magee, Personal Brand Strategist

• Become self sufficient: teach yourself how to do stuff in this publishing game. Learn techniques from website development to graphic design to help supplement your marketing strategy for your book and equip you with the skills to take on last minute needs for your business.

“Change your mindset: shift from ‘I want’ to ‘I am’ phrases, giving yourself permission to move forward…” –Amelia Forczak, Best-Selling Ghostwriter and Book Marketing Strategist

• What stream can you create to fund your vision? Consider some alternative ways to fund your book costs and investments for publishing and marketing your book. Get creative like Ariel White did and launch a new side business to fund your dream.

“If I didn’t have Jesus, none of this could get done. He brings so much peace and direction so I can handle my purpose down here.” –Ariel White, Author, Boss Mom Life

• Build relationships with the people who have what you need: Brittany Applegate shared that there’s value in knowing the right people and hiring those who are more skilled than you to get what you need done.

“If you’re shy or introverted, get okay with being uncomfortable for a season so you can build those relationships.” –Brittany Applegate, Founder of Brand Chicago

• Your book has a purpose: Simeon Henderson shared in the event’s panel that no one is immune to the trials of life. He shared that now we can help other people through our books. Let God use your testimony to help others, I’m a witness!

“When I thought I was done with the book, God reminded me that is was for more, for someone else…” –Simeon Henderson, Actor, Author,  Through the Eyes of a Man

• You gotta ask people to buy your book: you’d be surprised how often this actually works, Jonathan White shared. He encouraged us to not be afraid to ask to secure the sale and get our books into the right hands.

“Invest in the vision that God gave you.” – Jonathan White, Author, Empower: The 40-Day Affirmation Transformation

After all of the great speakers that day we were in for a timely and inspirational message from Marshawn Evans Daniels, author of Believe Bigger, our keynote speaker for the event. Before her presentation she prayed with Nichole and Tiheasha that this conference will be the smallest event they have, meaning that everything beyond this will be bigger and better.

“Purpose is often located in a place of pain that we don’t want to face,” Marshawn shared as she gave us insight into her first chapter of her book, regarding the devastating betrayal that changed her direction towards God’s purpose of her life. She uncovered 5 steps of purpose, and 5 stages of stepping into your life mission.

The message was empowering for the women and men in attendance to not be afraid to pursue purpose, authorship and entrepreneurship. Marshawn shared this truth that all at the Author to Boss Conference could resonate with: “Writing a book is only one step of the journey. The book is a bridge to the greater thing.”

“Our ultimate superpower is our voice; it will always be a battle for your voice…” -Marshawn Evans Daniels

Any current or future authors in the house? Which of these tips helped you the most?