indie publishing for the nonprofit leader

Sponsored by: A Service

Of:

Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader

Dalya Massachi

October 24, 2012


Of:

Advising nonprofits in:

• Strategy

• Planning

• Organizational Development

www.synthesispartnership.com

(617) 969-1881

[email protected]

INTEGRATED PLANNING


Of:

www.mission.do


Of:

Today’s Speaker

Dalya Massachi Founder

Writing for Community Success

Assisting with chat questions: Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars

Hosting:

Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership

Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader

Presenter: Dalya F. Massachi

BOOKS I’VE EDITED

8

©2012 Dalya F Massachi

www.WritingToMakeADifference.com

• Rise of independent publishing

(formerly known as self-publishing)

• Now a lot cheaper, easier and faster: new era

• You can publish your book with less uncertainty

and hassle than ever

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?

9

NO LONGER NEEDED



• Literary agent

• Traditional publishing house

• Loss of control

• Settle for a tiny fraction of sales

• 1+ years to publish

• Huge commercial market

10

POLL #1

What stage are you in?



1.Considering writing a book/indie publishing

2.Drafting my manuscript

3.Ready to edit/produce my book

4.Already published and wondering what to

do next



OUTLINE

I. Top 3 Myths

II. What a book/ebook can do for you

III. 5 Things to expect when you’re

expecting… to WRITE a book

IV. 4 Things to expect when you’re

expecting… to PUBLISH your book

TOP 3 MYTHS



1) Only people with natural talent

should publish (“I can’t write!”)

2) It takes too much time

3) It’s a lonely endeavor

What a Book/Ebook

Can Do For Your

Organization

(and You)



.



“ Writing is the only thing

that, when I do it, I don't

feel I should be doing

something else. ”

Gloria Steinem



.

1) Share your experience and insights with a

worldwide audience/emerging prof’ls

2) Bring new visibility to your cause/message

3) Add credibility, esp if new org or growing

(e.g., local to national)

4) Attract new colleagues, press, attention,

opportunities

ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL



OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD



INSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD



.

5) Raise ongoing income

(book sales and new donors who learn of you)

6) Use as membership/thank you gifts

7) Process and share your thoughts with your

board/staff so they can spread them

8) Establish yourself as a passionate (author)ity

ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL



5

Things To Expect When

You’re Expecting…

to WRITE a Book



“Good writing does not come from fancy

word processors or expensive typewriters or

special pencils or hand-crafted quill pens.

Good writing comes from good thinking.”

– Ann Loring



#1: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW BEST

TO SERVE YOUR READERS

Consider their interests, hopes, fears

How can you improve on what’s already out there?

What formats do they want? – book, ebook, video, audio, app, condensed version

ASK WHAT THEY WANT

What do they want to get

from reading your book?

Data? Emotions?

Probably a mixture.

(Emotions trump facts.)

What problems can you help your readers

solve for themselves or their community?



DATA YOU NEED TO GATHER

Their limitations (time, $, education)

Why they care about issue/org

What they already know or believe

Relationship to your org or issue



POLL #2

How does your organization gather info about what your community wants to know?

1. Social media comments

2. Focus groups

3. Surveys

4. Ask front-line staffers about FAQs

5. Interviews

6. Service/event evaluations

7. Letters/notes

8. Other





CONNECT PERSON-TO-PERSON

Be reader-centered

Think and write in terms

of “you” (the reader)

Briefly communicate shared values,

needs, interests

Use their language



#2: YOU ALREADY HAVE A

LOT OF MATERIAL

Blog entries

Recorded conversations

Answers to FAQ’s

Presentations you’ve given

Past work and network: examples/stories/

case histories



#3: IT’S A LARGER PROJECT

THAN YOU FIRST THINK

Similar to learning to ride a bike

Prepare!

Your book idea will evolve; let it

Too big? Cut it down; set milestones

Keep your eyes on the prize



#4: YOU WILL GET

WRITER’S BLOCK

Fight off the urge to procrastinate

Write during your “peak” hours

Be realistic about time:

Start with 30 min./day; “do not disturb”

chunks; sabbatical? retirement?

Keep a running “swipe” file

Know: a 1st draft should not be perfect



#5: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO

IT ALONE

Get a Writing Buddy: accountability,

exchange ideas, feedback

Join a Writing Circle

Use research assistants, peer reviewers, collaborators - via email, blog, in person



4

Things To Expect

When You’re

Expecting…

to PUBLISH a Book

(thumbnail sketch)



#1: ALL WRITERS NEED

GOOD EDITORS

Different types of editors will help at different stages of manuscript preparation

This is a back-and-forth process to make sure that your book is shaping up as you envisioned it

"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon."

—Robert Cormier



#2: YOUR BOOK’S

APPEARANCE IS CRUCIAL

A graphic designer helps you see it move from your computer screen to a book. Your dream actually materializes before your eyes!

Will make the book look professional, polished, accessible (interior and cover)

33



34





#3: MAKE FINAL

PREPARATIONS TO GO PUBLIC

May include indexing the book,

handling printing, book industry details

Lots of resources out there to help with this final production step



#4: MARKET IT!

This is it!

Lots of ways to get your book in the hands of people who want to read it and support you

Your constituents will want to help



RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Keystone book: The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan Poynter

Printers/ebook creators:

lightningsource.com, createspace.com

smashwords.com, bookbaby.com

Book marketing:

bookmarketingworks.com, bookpublishing.com

ibpa-online.org (Independent Book Publishers Assn)

Think Like a Publisher (deanwesleysmith.com/?page_id=3736)



RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Indie Publishing for the Social Change Agent (my ebook coming in early 2013): Get on the notification list

Claim your copy of my detailed “What to Expect during the Indie Publishing Process” handout: WritingToMakeADifference.com/indie

MANY OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE

YOUR RESULTS:

Workshops/webinars

Writing coaching (indiv. & group)

Editing services (books, proposals, etc.)

Free newsletter





More info at:

WritingToMakeADifference.com

FREE feedback session by

conference call

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month



WRAP-UP QUESTION

What is the most valuable thing you are taking away from today? And how will you use that info?


Of:

Find listings for our current season of webinars and register at:

NonprofitWebinars.com

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