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  • How to Entice People to Do What You Want

    How to Entice People to Do What You Want
    2025/10/01

    I recently saw a viral video featuring the strategies dogs use to get snacks from their humans (see the video here: https://www.myincrediblewebsite.com/dogs-know-how-to-manipulate-humans-for-food-food-food).

    With the right techniques, almost any person can be persuaded to share their meal. Here are a few of the most effective strategies of dogs, along with my comments on how anyone can entice anyone else to do what they want.

    1. Position yourself in your human’s direct line of sight.

    The first step in getting what you want from someone is to get yourself in front of them — by email, social media, fax, phone call, podcast invite, letter, postcard, or more.

    2. Lower your ears enough to look like you’re starving. Place your paw on top of your human as if to say, “I hate to interrupt but I will.”

    The second step: Let your target person know your need — what it is that you want from them. Be very clear. Be firm. Be persistent.

    3. Channel the tragic energy of a dog who’s never seen food before even if you literally just licked your dinner bowl clean.

    Be passionate in pursuing your dream. Be passionate in communicating what you want. Be passionate in reaching out to anyone who can help you. Ask. And ask again.

    4. Release a small dramatic sigh every time your human takes a bite while maintaining unrelenting eye contact.

    Again, be persistent. Keep making contacts. Maintain eye contact, ear contact, touch contact, email contact, phone contact, letter contact, real person contact. Be dramatic at least some of the time. Be clear the rest of the time.

    When used in combination, these techniques have been known to produce a 92% success rate. That’s probably a fake statistic, but possibly accurate nonetheless.

    The key to success in marketing is building relationships with key influencers. Use the strategies of dogs to help you build those relationships. Bow WOW!

    Website: https://www.BookMarketingBestsellers.com

    Website: https://www.BookAuthorAuthority



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    3 分
  • 5 Ways to Become a Better Speaker

    5 Ways to Become a Better Speaker
    2025/09/16

    The tips for today’s podcast came from a recent Time magazine article on 5 Ways to Make Small Talk When You Have Social Anxiety.

    Practice in low-stakes settings.

    Start by speaking at your local library, bookstore, Rotary Club, or a friend’s house (or your own).

    Script some go-to phrases.

    Practice telling some stories from your own experience.

    Use the echo technique.

    Encourage your audience to ask you questions that you can answer, drawing on your experience & knowledge.

    Find an anchor.

    When speaking to a crowd, focus on one or two receptive people in your audience. Talk to them.

    Have an exit strategy ready.

    End your talk with a great sales pitch for your book, your products, or your services—or someone’s product or service you can recommend.

    Book Author Authority: https://www.bookauthorauthority.com

    Book Marketing Bestsellers: https://www.bookmarketingbestseller.com

    Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    2 分
  • The Sacred Spell of Storytelling

    The Sacred Spell of Storytelling
    2025/08/30

    The above video was created from a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation created with the help of Microsoft Copilot. It essentially expanded on the presentation I created in the last video (based on an article by Jamie K. Wilson, The Death of Enchantment).

    I was actually, for the most part, disappointed with this creation—too abstract, almost devoid of life. But I thought you should be able to compare my original video at https://bookmarketing.substack.com/p/what-hollywood-sadly-has-forgotten with the above video created by PowerPoint and Copilot but vocalized by me.

    I suspect I won’t be using Copilot anymore to create videos. Not good enough by my estimate.

    Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.

    Website: https://www.bookmarketingbestsellers.com

    Bookstore: https://www.bookmarket.com/bookstore



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    7 分
  • What Hollywood Sadly Has Forgotten

    What Hollywood Sadly Has Forgotten
    2025/08/28

    The following is excerpted from an article by Jamie K. Wilson, The Death of Enchantment (https://pjmedia.com/jamie-wilson/2025/08/26/the-death-of-enchantment-why-hollywood-no-longer-holds-us-n4943034).

    The spell of story is not complicated, but it is sacred:

    Trust the writer.

    Trust the director.

    Trust the story to carry its own truth.

    And most importantly: Trust the viewer.

    Hollywood has forgotten that the audience is not a passive consumer but a participant. A story isn’t finished until it’s received — until the viewers buy into it, suspend their disbelief, and join the communion. But today’s studios no longer trust the viewer. They treat audiences as problems to be managed, as minds to be manipulated, as children to be lectured. …

    But the cure is the same as the cause: trust restored. Allow stories to be stories again, and the spell will hold. The lights will go down, the screen will flicker to life, and once more, strangers will gasp together in the dark.

    Thanks for reading Book Marketing Success! This post is public so feel free to share it.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    2 分
  • Creative Blocks: Unlocking Productivity

    Creative Blocks: Unlocking Productivity
    2025/08/25
    IntroductionI discovered another AI app that you can use to create slide show presentations (and videos like the one above). The app, Microsoft Copilot, allows you to create slide shows using PowerPoint. Both Copilot and PowerPoint are part of a Microsoft 365 subscription ($99 per year, personal edition).I started with three lines of information, as shown below. I entered these lines into the Create with Copilot option that comes up when you start up PowerPoint. Within a few minutes, Copilot and PowerPoint generated a sixteen-slide presentation that became the basis for the above video.Writer’s Block: In Case of an Emergency, Break the GlassThere really is no such thing as writer’s block or any other block to getting things done. Blocks only exist if you let them. If you move on, they melt away.As the blue collar comedians, say, “Get ‘er done!” Move on!The text for the video is showcased below. Note how Copilot took three lines and made sixteen slides with the following extensive content.Microsoft Copilot and PowerPointToday I'm showcasing another presentation program you can use, Microsoft PowerPoint combined with Copilot, to create another version of my writer's block information.So we're going to talk about understanding the concept of writer's block, debunking the myth, the reality of writer's block, practical strategies to overcome perceived blocks, and cultivating long-term productivity and creativity.Writer's block is commonly defined as an inability to generate new ideas or work, causing creative paralysis.These beliefs influence how writers view their creative struggles and shape their response to overcoming challenges.The creative blocks such as this are often portrayed in literature, where creative blocks are often depicted as a mysterious curse impacting writers, especially novelists, symbolizing an insurmountable barrier to creativity.Film and media portray creative blocks as unavoidable challenges that dramatically affect artists and writers' work.Anxiety can cause mental blocks by creating fear and stress that hinder creative thinking and writing flow.Perfectionism leads to unrealistic standards that prevent progress and increase fear of failure in writing tasks.Also, unrealistic expectations create pressure that can block creativity and cause frustration during the writing process.Writer's block is basically a myth.Many experts believe blocks are not a real condition but misconceptions about creativity. Creative pauses are often temporary challenges, not permanent stoppages in writing or creative ability. Also, lack of motivation can cause writing delays mistaken for writer's block.Prolific writers maintain consistent work habits, regardless of obstacles, highlighting consistency over inspiration.Discipline is crucial in overcoming challenges and driving steady creative output among successful creators.Persistence outweighs mysterious creative blocks, enabling writers to produce work consistent with their story.Viewing creative struggles as normal helps writers maintain motivation and reduces frustration during the process.Believing challenges are solvable fosters resilience and encourages persistent effort towards progress.A positive mindset helps sustain continuous progress despite encountering creative blocks.Practical strategies to overcome perceived blocks.Embrace imperfection. By accepting imperfection allows progress by reducing the pressure of perfectionism in creative work.Avoid overthinking. Moving on without over analyzing every detail prevents stagnation and fosters creativity.Set goals. Some of the techniques for maintaining momentum is to set goals.Break tasks into small goals to sustain momentum and make progress manageable and rewarding.Use timed writing sessions to reduce pressure and encourage focused, consistent work intervals.Employ free writing techniques that promote creativity and flow by removing constraints and allowing spontaneous ideas to emerge.Use humor. Humor eases stress and makes creative work more enjoyable, helping to overcome mental blocks.Simplify tasks, reducing overwhelm and making creative work easier and more approachable.Cultivate long-term productivity and creativity.Build resilient writing habits, first by establishing consistent writing routines to help you maintain discipline and overcome creative challenges effectively.Develop writing habits that anchor productivity by creating dependable pathways to sustain creativity and output.Embrace imperfection and continuous progress. Recognize that first drafts are not perfect and that helps reduce pressure and fosters creativity. Be ready to do ongoing revisions to help refine your ideas and improve the quality of work over time.Embrace imperfection enables sustained effort and growth in creative projects.Learn the lessons from blue-collar comedians. Get her done. Blue-collar comedians embody a straightforward practical mindset focused on action rather than excessive planning. The key ...
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    8 分
  • In Case of an Emergency, Break Glass

    In Case of an Emergency, Break Glass
    2025/08/23
    I discovered a great AI app that you can start using for free and then pay $5.00 per month for an upgrade. This app, Gamma (https://www.aippt.com), allows you to quickly create slide show presentations. And then use the presentation to create a video like the one above.I started with three lines of information, as shown below. I entered these lines into the Gamma app and within a few minutes, Gamma generated a ten-slide presentation that became the basis for the above video.Writer’s Block: In Case of an Emergency, Break the GlassThere really is no such thing as writer’s block or any other block to getting things done. Blocks only exist if you let them. If you move on, they melt away.As the blue collar comedians, say, “Get ‘er done!” Move on!The text for the video is showcased below. Note how Gamma took three lines and made ten slides with the following extensive content.In case of an emergency, break glass. The truth about writer's block.Writer's block isn't about what you think it is. It's not an immovable barrier, but rather a temporary obstacle that only exists if you allow it to.This presentation explores the reality behind the myth and provides practical solutions to get your creativity flowing again.The Myth of Writer's BlockJerry Jenkins puts it bluntly, writer's block is a myth. No other profession accepts a block as a legitimate reason to stop working. If you wait for motivation or inspiration to strike before writing, you'll be waiting forever.Creativity doesn't appear on demand. What we call writer's block is actually a combination of fear, procrastination, and perfectionism, masquerading as creative stoppage.Rather than accepting blocks, successful writers develop strategies to push through the resistance.Famous writers who struggled and won.Samuel Taylor Coleridge experienced what he called an indefinite, indescribable terror that prevented him from writing for an entire year in 1804.Paul Sylvia, a psychology professor and author on motivation, went nine months without making progress on his own book about motivation.Despite these profound struggles, both men eventually overcame their creative paralysis by fundamentally changing their mindset and establishing new writing habits.What really causes writer's block?This pie chart showcases from Research Insights, a 2024 University of North Florida study.Psychological factors including stress and anxiety. That's the big dark purple pie slice on the right.Next, fear of criticism, the lower, more lavender pie slice.And then perfectionism, which is the next as we rotate around.Procrastination.And then other factors.Two main types of blocks.There are two main types of blocks, plot block and life block.Plot block occurs when story logic stalls. Character or plot feel stuck.This is a craft problem fixable with patience, restructuring, and narrative technique.Life block results from personal issues that can drain creative energy. It can require addressing deeper needs, self-care, mental health support, or lifestyle adjustments.Recognizing your specific block type is a crucial first step to implementing the right solution.Practical hacks to break the block.You can schedule writing. Treat writing like a job. Paul Sylvia committed to two hours daily. No excuses. Consistency builds momentum and trains your brain for creativity.Step two, you can do free writing. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes of unfiltered, unedited writing. This bypasses perfectionism and often produces unexpected insights.And you can change the environment. So if one place isn't working, work at a cafe or park or library. Environmental novelty stimulates new neural connections and fresh perspectives.These practical approaches work because they shift focus from outcomes to process, making writing a habitual action rather than a high stakes performance.Embrace fear and imperfection. The best writing is born of humility. That's from mystery writer and thriller writer Dean Kuntz.Fear is natural and justified. Embrace it as a motivation.Perfectionism kills progress. Done is better than perfect.Writing imperfectly today creates a foundation for better writing.The most prolific writers aren't fearless. They've simply learned to write despite their fears.The power of mindset.Move on and melt the block. Blocks only exist if you let them. Writer's block is a construct we create and maintain.Recognize it as a temporary state, not a permanent condition. As the blue-collar comedians say, get 'er done. Simple forward motion is often the best solution. Action creates its own momentum.An act of faith: Writing requires belief in your ability to figure it out as you go. Trust the process and keep moving forward.Your mindset determines whether obstacles become barriers or stepping stones. Choose to see blocks as temporary challenges rather than immovable obstacles.Motivation is not a gift, it's a choice. Waiting for motivation is like waiting for a bus that may never come. You have to start ...
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    7 分
  • Stories Should Never End. They Should Go On and On!

    Stories Should Never End. They Should Go On and On!
    2025/08/03

    In a column for PJ Media, publicist and novelist Scott Pinsker wrote that there are no happy endings. As readers and listeners, we never want a good story to end.

    Here is what Scott wrote:

    One more time: There are no happy endings!

    After all, when a story is truly great, we don’t want it to end. We need the story to go on and on forever — and for the adventures to continue. When it’s finally time to say goodbye, we mourn the loss.

    And mourning isn’t happy.

    But it’s par for the course in storytelling; the immoveable yin to the irresistible yang. Can’t have one without the other. As American genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist Tony Stark noted before his death:

    “Part of the journey is the end.”

    I remember when the hand-picked substitute author massacred the ending of The World of Time series by Robert Jordan. There were and are so many stories still to tell of that world, but the replacement author simply let the story peter away. So disappointing.

    But, of course, he didn’t have the inspiration or vision that the original author had. He couldn’t tell the stories. BUT the publisher should have found some fans that would have loved to continue those stories, to continue celebrating an incredible world populated by very interesting people. I hope there are some fans that will tell those stories. They have my permission — and encouragement — to do so.

    As authors, we should all have fans that are inspired to continue telling our stories — whether fiction or nonfiction.

    Stories are always worth continuing. They shouldn’t have an end. Why not tell more of your story today? You have the time!

    And when your time ends, I encourage other courageous writers to continue your stories. Stories without end. Stories that live on and on. Stories that change lives. Stories that move us to greater things.

    Move on!



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    3 分
  • 6 Ways to Spark Your Creativity

    6 Ways to Spark Your Creativity
    2025/07/07

    The following tips are adapted from an article in Woman’s World magazine.

    Trust your vision. A sense of independence sparks unique visions.

    Balance wonder and rigor. Daydream a little. Relax to spark your wonder. Then focus on the details.

    Tap into positivity. Reveal your passion. Study: People who write for the joy of it produce more creative work.

    Unleash your inner child. Having fun spurs active listening, curiosity, improvisation, and collaboration.

    Take a chance on yourself. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Explore your own voice.

    Bounce ideas off a friend. A good friend can allow you to test ideas. Note: Just don’t let them become too critical. You want their help, not their negativity.

    Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

    Web: https://bookauthorauthority.com



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 分