It’s Crowdfunding Unplugged!
Is there a Kickstarter in you? Should there be? Would you like to know savvy tips to be successful?
Find out and determine exactly how to create, use and succeed with any crowding funding activity.
Whether you need $1,000 or $100,000, crowdfunding is an option.
There’s money in the cyber clouds and Author U’s first regular Saturday pops with a topic that authors want to know about … where to get money to support, create, publish and market their books.
Crowdfunding: Raise Capital To Fund Your Creative Project
Crowdfunding is “the” method for creative thinkers to raise capital for their businesses and projects. It enables anyone the opportunity to raise money for anything, without going to a publisher, VC, or bank. In this workshop, Leigh Lepore, Founder of Crowdfunding Strategy & Information, will walk through what crowdfunding is, which type of crowdfunding (e.g., donations, rewards, debt, or equity) is ideal for which situations, and how to set up a successful campaign. We will discuss in detail the key steps for engaging an audience, presenting your project to the market (including creating the right video), and hitting your goal.
- Would you like money for your Book Project?
- Would you like to expand your book empire using OPM—other people’s money?
- Would you like to learn the how and why of how to do it?
- Would you like to learn about crowdfunding from someone who creates the strategy and copy for crowdfunding projects?
- Would you like to learn how to create your own crowdfunding project?
We’ve got the answers to all of the above and much more. See you Saturday morning for a late Brunch and Learn at Author U.
Author U is switching to a Brunch and Learn format after the recent survey with our members.
Leigh Lepore is a crowdfunding strategist. She raises funds for products, creative ideas and causes. Leigh has raised a total of $40K for her personal campaigns and has researched, blogged and trained with top platforms and crowdfunding partners to assist in the raising of mega thousands for authors and entrepreneurial projects.
Leigh is the Founder of Crowdfunding Strategy & Information. She advises small businesses and creative individuals on raising money for their projects through crowdfunding. Leigh has successfully raised $40K for her personal campaigns and advised others on campaigns of over $100K. She is passionate about helping others and being socially responsible. She is focused on crowdfunding especially for those who cannot fundraise for themselves and believes in a communal yet competitive approach to achieve success.
She began her career in crowdfunding while in San Francisco where she trained with the top funding platforms and worked with industry partners. Since then, her passion for democratizing funding and empowering others has led her to raise thousands of dollars and help people around the world.
Leigh started her career in Environmental Engineering and Strategy Consulting with a top global consulting firm. She later transitioned to work for a Fortune 200 financial services corporation until fulfilling her entrepreneurial spirit and successfully reinventing an antique African art business in San Francisco.
When: Saturday, June 15th from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Hilton Garden Inn, DTC
Cost: $30 members | $40 nonmembers
June Tech Tool Box —SOLD OUT
Create or Enhance Your YouTube Channel on Tuesday, June 18th
Do you know YouTube is the second most popular search engine after Google? People search YouTube for trainings, tutorials and educational purposes as well as for some entertainment. Join us for this intensive workshop to learn how to optimize your YouTube account, tips for uploading videos and strategies for posting your videos on your websites and blogs. We will start with instruction and have work time for you to start implementing what you learned.
It’s YouTube, starring you and your book!
Time: 3 – 6 pm
Cost: $60 or both June and July Tech Tool Boxes for $100
Location: Judith’s Offices
Register for June Only at $60: CLICK HERE
for BOTH Toolbox Workshops June 18th and July 23rd at $100: CLICK HERE
Create Your Own Blog Talk Radio on Tuesday, July 23rd
Having your own radio show is within your reach from free to a small fee, depending on what bells and whistles you want!
Showcase your expertise through your own radio show on Blog Talk Radio. This will also give you an opportunity to invite guest speakers to your show to reinforce your niche area. Don’t miss this intensive workshop on setting up an account on Blog Talk Radio, features in your radio show account, and strategies for scheduling and planning your show and show topics.
Time: 3 – 6 pm
Cost: $60 or both June and July Tech Tool Boxes for $100
Location: Judith’s Offices
Register for July Only at $60: CLICK HERE
for BOTH Toolbox Workshops June 18th and July 23rd at $100: CLICK HERE
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants
to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles.
Attention all authors – you need to set up a Google + Authorship account.
Why?
Authorship is establishing you (to Google) as the confirmed author of an item of content that gets published on a website.
Very important aspect to your online presence!
In this Tech Toolbox workshop, we will walk through the steps in setting up your Google + Authorship.
You will need to have a Google + account and Google + profile.
You will also need to bring:
- the log-in to your WordPress website dashboard or
- the FTP log-in to your server for your website files if you do not have a WordPress website.
*WordPress website dashboard log in consists of a username and password.
*FTP log in includes the host name, user name and password (this is only if you do NOT have a WordPress website).
Cost: $60 each or all 3 (Feb/Mar/April) for $150
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session)
Register for February Only at $60: 
For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops February 18th, March 18th, April 15th at $150:
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants
to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles.
Audioboo is a tool to record, upload and share audio.
A boo consists of any clip of audio, a picture, a location, a title and a description.
The free account has a 3 minute limit, but you can upgrade for more.
Your audios can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms, you can embed playlists on your sites, and use the mobile apps and widgets as “listen again” players.
You can also submit your audios to iTunes as a podcast.
Join us for this Tech ToolBox workshop and start recording today!
Cost: $60 each or all 3 (Feb/Mar/April) for $150
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session)
Register for March Only at $60:
For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops February 18th, March 18th, April 15th at $150:
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants
to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles.
This workshop will take you through demos of programs that will teach you simple-to-use business tools, such as ShortKeys, Wufoo, and others – you’ll be clicking away and using new tech tools in no time!
Believe us … new tools are added; old tools morph often. The ones that were your old standbys may have undergone a total makeover as well.
Cost: $60
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session)
Register for April Only at $60:
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.
Turn Your Ideas into Eye-Catching Designs: PicMonkey and Canva
How would you like to turn your tips, quotes from your book or show your creative side by designing your own images? With PicMonkey and Canva, we’ll show you how you can use these free tools to develop your own ideas into fun, stunning designs!
Learn about PicMonkey and Canva through our demos and then you’ll have time to start creating your own designs!
Time: June 10th, 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech Tool Box and email her at Judith@Briles.com.
Cost: $60 each or 3 for $150
For ALL THREE Toolbox Workshops June 10th, July 15h, August 12th at $150:
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants
to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.
More Than Just Images: How to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Blog, Services & Products
With Pinterest having such a focus on images, we tend to forget that is just one aspect of how to utilize Pinterest.
This workshop will review various methods of using Pinterest for your book and business including:
- How you can drive traffic to your blog through Pinterest.
- Conduct a contest through Pinterest.
- How you can add your Audioboo recordings to your Pinterest and not only grow your followers but offer “snippets” from your book.
- How to monetize your book and other products with a Pinterest boost.
… and more!
This workshop will help you set up your Pinterest account (if needed) and then walk through examples and demos to learn methods for using Pinterest.
Time: July 15th, 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending Remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech Tool Box and email her at Judith@Briles.com.
Cost: $60 each or 2 for $100
For TWO Toolbox Workshops July 15h, August 12th at $100:
All Tech Tool Boxes are for Author U paid up members only and limited to 8 participants to allow for in-depth work with each and are led by Kelly Johnson and Judith Briles. AND … a limited number of participants can attend via remote.
Capture a Moment: Instagram and Infographics—Share Knowledge or Tell a Story Through Images and Instant info to all things Cyberland and Beyond!
Instagram is a quick and fun way to share your life and stories using pictures and video. Come learn about Instagram, and after a tutorial in setting up Instagram, we’ll start capturing those moments for you to share!
Information Graphics or Infographics is a method to share knowledge or tell a story about a topic through a graphic image. Since “a picture is worth a thousand words,” Infographics allow you to present details and content in a compact, easy-to-understand way. Demos of programs to create your own infographics will be covered in the workshop. Instagram is fast and fun. You will laugh and learn this afternoon!
Time: August 12th, 3 to 6 pm
Location: Judith Briles’ Office in Aurora (you will get directions the day before and what to bring for each session). If you are attending Remote, you need to contact Judith directly to set it up. Please put in subject line: Remote Tech
Cost: $60
May 2 will be BIG for AuthorU members and AuthorU … all day long, it’s AuthorU Day at the Colorado Blvd. Barnes & Noble bookstore. Author signings throughout the day. We will have two tables for signings—two authors at each table and signing times will be 90 minute slots. Only 20 authors will have the opportunity to be featured. This means that it’s an Early Bird grabber.
There are 5 strings attached with this free event to be selected to participate:
- You must (or your publisher) be a paid-up member of AuthorU.
- You must (or your publisher) be there in person—you are strongly encouraged to not be a swooper (only there for 90 minutes) … wander the store and give coupons to anyone you see, encouraging them to give it to the cashier at checkout. It doesn’t cost them anything and B&N will make a donation to support and recognize authors.
- Your book(s) MUST be available through a distributor—B&N only works this way.
- You will actively promote the event to one and all via your contacts and social media platforms—bodies and sales will count.
- You will give out the coupons that B&N supplies to us to any and all you can get them to within the store—it doesn’t matter if customers buy your book, another AuthorU member’s, or any title within the store … we get credit for it.
If you are interested in being featured (we will be doing a press release on this), contact Judith Briles (Judith@Briles.com) with your name, title, © year, ISBN, price, category and one line describing the book. Please put in the subject line: May book event.
Time: 6 to 7:30 Eastern on Wednesday, June 8
Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5859541930907013378
If you want to sell books, you need publicity. If you want the maximum publicity possible, you need a Media Kit for your fiction or nonfiction book.
Seven important audiences, including journalists, will expect one. And if you don’t have one, hope you never get a phone call from a journalist who hears about your book, wants to interview you and asks, “Can you send me your media kit?’
Publicity expert Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound and a former newspaper editor, will explain the 10 essential elements in every media kit, when she’s my guest during a special 90-minute webinar at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 8. This is for authors who have written fiction or nonfiction, and for those who haven’t started their books yet.
You will learn:
- How to use a media kit and how not to use it.
- The seven important audiences for your media kit, and what they expect to see in it.
- The correct format for writing a press release for a fiction book and one for nonfiction.
- Why you should have more than one bio, and the exact word count of each one.
- Tips for using photos in your kit to make the media’s job easy.
- How to shave weeks off the tedious chore of creating a media kit from scratch.
As a special bonus, Joan will give away three 15-minute consultations, but you must join us on the call to be eligible.
- Get Ready to Create the Press Release Every Author Needs for Promo! Bring your questions … there is a live Q&A within the webinar.
- Many listened into the superb free webinar Joan Stewart on how to create an off-the-charts media kit. Are you ready to now listen in to learn the step-by-step process to create an off-the-charts press release?
- One of the most difficult tasks in a book launch is writing the press release for you book.
- It can’t sound like a free commercial that screams “Buy My Book!”
- It must be interesting.
- It must communicate clearly and concisely the target audience for your book and what they will learn, feel or experience when they read it.
Get ready to be the “piper” to lead buyers to you and your book!
Joan Stewart, aka The Publicity Hound a former newspaper editor, will walk you step by step through two press releases–one for fiction and one for nonfiction. You’ll learn not only how to write it, but how to use it in your publicity campaign.Judith Briles, The Book Shepherd and book publishing expert, will be your moderator.
- Date and Time: Wednesday, July 20th at 5 PM Mountain (4 PT, 6 CT, 7 ET)
Location: Anywhere your computer is
REGISTER: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5528808833818352642
Get ready to create a variation of your book and expertise that Marvel Comics would be proud of! With the ability to tap into Amazon’s CreateSpace and IngramSpark, you too can join the crowd that had gotten the “how-tos” of creating workbooks, guidebooks, comics … even adult coloring books (not to mention kiddos). If you publish children’s books and adult coloring books or even if you publish nonfiction … OR, are thinking about doing it … you’ve got to see how this is done … and learn how quickly you can convert ANYTHING into a snappy and sassy new product.
Register here (even if you can’t attend live, you will get the replay the next day): https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1767883132402882306
If you could do this quickly and easily, you can increase your monthly passive income with a snap of a finger (well kind of).
Here’s your question: Are you ready to catch a new wave of ideas and repurposing for you and your books? One that coattails to a top selling trend for adults?
There are a lot of sticky details when it comes to publishing physical books and physical color books that you will want to throw your laptop into the ocean because it could be so confusing! This webinar will be your lifeline … learn how and discover how you can add income to your cash water-way.
NEW! SPEEDBOAT Printing and Publishing Webinar on Thursday, August 11th—it’s another freebie. There’s so much you can do to create new products that are a variation of what you currently have. The time is 4 PT, 5 MT, 6 CT and 7 ET. Expect a fast hour.
Even if you can’t attend “live”, register to get the replay: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1767883132402882306
Are you aware that adult and kid coloring books are hot in book sales? Would you like to know how to convert what you have written and create them? How about spiffy newsletters, guides, and workbooks?
Get ready for a speedboat of a webinar. We are going to show you how to make a full-color book fast. It’s all in this week’s WebinarGold on Thursday, the 11th.
This month we will focus on showcasing you!
- Are you ready to sell more books?
- Do you know how to create a brand that shows off your best side, on and off camera?
- Are you aware of how to consistently influence, market and pitch yourself to get noticed?
- Are you ready when a publicist or event planner calls for a TV or radio spot?
All of you know that walking your talk is an integral part of personal and professional branding. As an author, you need to look and sound your best. When you pitch your books, you’re pitching yourself! When you get that long awaited call, you want to be ready. Too often when you get the call, you focus on scripting what you’ll say and forget to plan on how to look. Remember, over 80% of what people hear is what they see!
This morning will provide a practical approach that can save you, both men and women, from wishing for a do-over! Today’s speakers will help us look our best in person and sound our best on paper! They will share their secrets of how to become successful. When you leave, you will be ready to fine-tune your brand and ready to win the pitch.
Success is knocking! Are you ready to sell more books?
Speakers:
•
Rhoda Johnson, Hollywood Secrets to Showcasing You (Brag: Image Consultant and
Columnist, former Hollywood makeup artist)
Want to increase book sales? How you look in front of the camera and on speaking engagements tells a bigger story. Learn how to improve your personal brand to optimize your social media presence and attract potential readers. Discover the Hollywood secrets of maximizing your image to engage your audience. Note: authors Ronald Beach and Connie Pshigoda have graciously agreed to be models!
- Your personal brand should help you, not hurt you
- Simple techniques that will attract people to you
- Be prepared to look your best on camera
- Current trends to use and ones to avoid
- Looking your best sells more books
Rhoda Johnson received a Fashion Merchandising Degree from Brooks College in Long Beach, California and has studied makeup artistry at Cinema Secrets in Burbank California. She received a license to teach Personal Development from John Robert Powers in Cerritos, California and JF Images Talent Agency in Denver, Colorado. Rhoda has over 35 years’ experience collectively as an Image Consultant, Makeup Artist, Jewelry Designer, and Motivational Public Speaker. She also writes a monthly beauty and fashion column for 50 Plus Marketplace News.
Jill Christensen, How to Become a Noted Influencer (Brag: Recognized by Engagement101 as one of the Top 100 Employee Engagement Global Influencers of 2017, alongside Richard Branson and others.) Featured Author of the Month.
Book sales, speaking engagements, and your reputation will soar if you can position yourself as a thought-leader and noted influencer on the topic of your book.
How to Become a Noted Influencer
1. Pick a Lane
2. Determine Your Target Audience and Research Where They Are Online
3. Develop a Strategic Plan to Position Yourself as a Thought-Leader in Your Space
4. Gauge Your Progress and Course-Correct if Necessary
5. Be Open to Building on Your Success – Do Not Rest on Your Laurels
Jill Christensen has three decades of consulting, speaking, and most importantly, real-life, in-the-trenches global Fortune 500 executive-level experience. She has served as the head of global Internal Communications at both Avaya and Western Union, has a Six Sigma Green Belt, authored the best-selling book, If Not You, Who? Cracking the Code of Employee Disengagement, and was recently named one of the Top 100 Global Employee Engagement Influencers of 2017.
Marilyn Heywood Paige, Leveraging Media to Sell More Books (Brag: Former event planner 
with B&N!)
Earned media is one of the most powerful marketing tools because it’s not you telling people how great your book is, it’s a trusted media outlet telling them. Earned media opens new audiences to you and gives you more credibility.
Today you will:
- Learn the do’s and don ts of pitching to the media
- Discover how and when to approach journalists and bloggers
- The elements of a good pitch
- How best to leverage a media placement once you’ve earned it
Marilyn Heywood Paige is the Vice President of FiG Advertising and Marketing in Denver, a full-service marketing agency that moves the needle for small businesses. She was the marketing and public relations manager for Barnes & Noble for ten years where she worked with over 600 authors, helping them market their books more effectively.
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 8.15 Networking
8.45 Intros and Announcements
9.00 Program begins
Location: 290 E Speer Blvd., Denver CO
(remote registration available for video)
Cost: $40 Gold Members starting May 1; $55 Nonmembers
Gold members need to login to Member site to register.
Are you ready to tap into an ADULT craze that doesn’t to appear to have an end in the short-term horizon?
Did you know that adult coloring books are rocking it in book sales?
But consider this…
Adult coloring books and other low content types of books are easy to create and profitably publish IF you know how to use complicated graphics like Photoshop or Gimp Shop.
But what if you don’t? As you like the idea … but where is the Dummies version?
Get ready … this webinar has that solution for you.
On Wednesday, November 8th, we’re going to show you a brand-new way starting at NOON Mountain time—11AM Pacific and 2 PM Eastern.
Here’s the other great thing you can use this to create:
- Adult coloring books
- Children’s coloring books
- Maze Books
- Game Books
- Action Guides
- Journals
- Diaries
and much, much more!
Get ready to create new products that compliment what you have now. Create something spanking new. And have fun.
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8441475619286147586
Join Local Bestselling and Award-Winning AuthorYOU Members at Barnes & Noble-Colorado Blvd.
AuthorYOU authors will be celebrated and featured at the June Barnes and Noble Bookfair to sign, sell books, and support the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame. Barnes & Noble has been a generous supporter of Colorado Authors and the AuthorYOU community.
This is an event where any books and other store merchandise purchased by visitors to the store on Saturday will generate a donation to support the Colorado Author’s Hall of Fame, which will provide funds to support the Aspiring Authors Scholarships that will be awarded in September to residents of Colorado aged 16 and beyond.
The book signing event will feature fiction and nonfiction authors of all genres: adult, YA, juvenile, and children’s books.
If you want to be considered as a participant, you need to:
- Be a current paid-up member of AuthorYOU.org.
- Have your books available on the Ingram catalog.
- Had your book professionally edited.
- Cross market all participants books – your opening encourages visitors to our tables to meet and get other authors’ books.
- You commit a minimum of two hours to the event.
- You encourage everyone in your “circles” to come to the store. Over the phone. In-Person. Through your email. And via your social media portals.
- BN is supporting you and your book … you support BN as well, encourage book buyers to come to the store on June 18th.
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You commit a minimum of two hours to the event and be there in person.
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Cross market all participants books that are represented on our tables.
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You will encourage visitors to meet the other authors and get their books as well.
- Beginning 3 days before the actual event, post out to your contacts and social media to come to BN, support YOU, and of course, meet other awesome authors.
Our events are the most successful for authors who engage visitors. Stand and greet.
Participation space is limited … it’s a first come first serve. Interested? Contact Bobby Crew at Bobby@AuthorYou.org.
In your subject line, put JUNE BN
Cost to participate: $15
Usually, it’s a first-come, first-served. There are a limited number of spots available.
For more information about the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame and the Aspiring Authors Scholarships, visit www.ColoradoAuthorsHallofFame.org
Register here:
