One of the core components of a book’s success is its Title.

Let’s face it, titles sell books, plus they make you famous. (Just ask Tim Ferris of “The Four Hour Work Week” fame).  He tested title after title until finding one he felt confident would sell. Things worked out pretty well for him, wouldn’t you agree?

But how do you know if your book’s title is a good one?

It’s a tricky situation.

The story goes that Tim tested his possible titles to his target market via Google Adwords and chose the one that received the most clicks knowing it would be a winner on the shelves.

Although it’s a great idea and seemed to work well for him, it can be an expensive proposition for the rest of us!

I can tell you that “guessing” on a title that sounds good to you and a few friends isn’t a good strategy. In fact it could be downright embarrassing if your title flops.

Now, however, there is a way you can test your book’s title with the help of a group of your peers, plus a book writing and publishing pro, to see if it has potential.

Donna Kozik of Write A Book In A Weekend is hosting a free call centered on the important topic of book titles.  And she’s making it fun with a “studio audience” of our peers voting on potential titles to say whether a title is “hot…or not.”

Donna is calling the free call “Title Idol” and you can find out all the details, plus get access to Donna’s “How to Determine a Winning Book Title” article here:  The Title of Your Book

Donna is promising to make this free call both fun and informative!

Guest post by Lisbeth Tanz

One of the things I hear most frequently from new freelance writers is that they didn’texpect it to be so hard.

If they had asked me, I could have told them that doing this work isn’t the easiest way to earn a living, at least not initially.

No new business is easy – but when you consider that all you need to start a writing business is a computer, Internet connection, telephone, fax (maybe) and writing talent, it seems like a slam dunk.

However, starting a writing business takes more than just good writing skills. It takes business savvy (or the willingness to develop it), the ability and desire to work hard to get established and an understanding that money won’t start flowing immediately (unless you’re really, really fortunate).

Here are 10 things to consider before you declare yourself in business as a writer:

1. Identify the things you know a lot about and would enjoy writing about.
2. Determine how much time per day you will be able to pursue your writing business dream.
3. Determine the market(s) you want to pursue. Do you want to write for magazines? Newspapers? Web content providers? Your own content? Do you want to create your own products? Do you want to be an affiliate marketer? (You’d be surprised at how much writing is necessary when you promote the products of others effectively.) NOTE:  Each of these markets is different and you may not be able to find work for some of them on the job boards.
4. Analyze (don’t just look at) the top job boards:  guru.com, elance.com and odesk.com. There are others, but these three are probably the biggest. I could write a post or three on just this topic. You’ll want to look for what the most successful bidders are doing and emulate them.
5. Take a stroll over to Craigslist to see what freelance gigs might be posted there. Sometimes I find hidden gems on my local Craigslist.
6. Now that you’ve done some research, you’re better prepared to write down three goals you would like to achieve with your writing business in the next three months, six months and 12 months. Setting goals helps you stay focused.
7. You’ll also want to calculate how much money you must earn to make this venture worthwhile. You can learn how in this post I wrote about calculating your freelance writing rates .
8. If you don’t have any writing examples, create some! You won’t need many, but you will need to create a few that can demonstrate your writing ability.
9. Consider where and when you’ll do your writing. If you have three kids under three, this could be a challenge. But people manage extreme or difficult situations and still make time for writing, so get creative with your planning.
10. If your skills aren’t up to snuff, search for mentors, websites and books that can help you improve your skills.

There are many other things to consider, but these should get you started. You might have noticed that I didn’t talk about coming up with a business name, creating a logo, making business cards, etc. That’s because you will best serve yourself by considering these 10 points before you jump headfirst into a writing business.

Many thanks to Melanie for giving me the opportunity to guest post on Solo Mompreneur!

Lisbeth Tanz is a freelance copywriter and editor. Her business, The Hired Pen, was started on a wing and a prayer in 2004 (before she understood the 10 points above). Since then she’s written and edited for a wide variety of business clients, but focuses primarily on alternative health and wellness, home improvement and pets/animal companion writing. She’s continually amazed at all there is to learn about writing and business and enjoys sharing her newfound knowledge with new and experienced writers at www.savvyfreelancewriters.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn .

Having a business blog has become as important (critical, really!) as having a business card.

Your blog should be considered the hub of all your online business building activities. And you should be posting at least two or three times a week – more often would be even better.

What I’m hearing, over and over again, from small business owners and solo professionals is that they’re feeling overwhelmed at the notion of maintaining a blog. Their biggest concern is writer’s block.

They write a few blog posts and then they draw a blank and can’t seem to come up with ongoing, interesting, creative topics to blog about. If this is the case for you, put your worries to rest.

I found a wonderful free resource that will have you swimming in ideas to blog about. It’s a blogging calendar and planner for the entire year that also includes some really intriguing and downright funny holidays and observances celebrated everywhere. I printed out my own copy as soon as I discovered this really cool blogging tool.

Don’t know what to blog about? Just check your calendar! Download A Free 2010 Blogging Calendar and Planner today.

Don’t be concerned about relevancy of this calendar since half the year is already over.  We’ve still got the second half to go, right?!

I love tools and resources like this that help to keep me organized and give me lots of inspiration.

I’d also really love to hear what kinds of tools YOU use to come up with fresh content for your blog.

Everyone appreciates a compliment, right?  I call them “strokes”.

We all could use a few strokes once in a while, especially when we’ve poured our hearts and souls into something we’ve written.

Ask any article marketer, author, or avid blogger – we love to get feedback from our readers, especially when they say something positive and complimentary.

Think back to how many times you visit someone’s blog, scroll down to the comments area, and what do you see?

There it is – that infamous and over-used comment:  “Great Post!”

Maybe the reader really enjoyed the post.  And that’s terrific! But “why” was it great and “what” resonated with the commenter?

In some instances, I suspect the commenter may not have even read the post and is just looking to create some backlinks. Not a good idea and certainly not very thoughtful or professional behavior.

I wrote an article for Natural Baby Pros entitled, “Do’s And Don’ts Of Posting Blog Comments”. It’s brief and to the point and I think you’ll enjoy reading some worthwhile guidelines for getting the most mileage out of the blog comments you post!

Oh, and if you actually got this far …

How about leaving your mark in the comment box below?

I read and respond to EVERY one of them!

Do you remember that old saying from your younger years?

When I was in elementary school, we used to say, “I’m rubber.  You’re glue.  Whatever bounces off me sticks to you.”

Your version may be a little different, but the meaning still holds true.

As I march along through this 30-day blogging challenge I entered, I’m noticing something interesting taking place.  Everyone is learning from everyone else.  What a concept, huh?

Every member of this challenge has a unique writing style and a unique message to convey.  No two bloggers or blogs are alike.  So many amazing individuals and possibilities for enrichment!

So how does this rubber/glue theory come into play?

As members of this event get better acquainted, we are …

• Bouncing ideas off one another
• Becoming better storytellers
• Establishing joint ventures
• Gathering new business building tips and resources
• Offering encouragement and support
• Sharing talents and expertise
• Honing copywriting skills
• Creating friendships
• Planning future get-togethers
  
• And having tons of fun!

The benefits and rewards of joining this blogging challenge will “stick” with me forever.

The 30-day blogging challenge is sponsored by Connie Ragen Green. If you’ve never had the joy of participating in the challenge, here’s a GREAT place to start and learn more about Connie:  “5 Pronged Approach to Online Writing Success”.

Unless, of course, you’d enjoy spending some worthwhile time being enamored and mesmerized by all the wonderful stories she writes!  Fascinating, provocative, hits-you-in-the-gut, heart-centered kind of stuff.

But I’m giving you fair warning.  So don’t make me say, “I told you so.”

Don’t go over there unless you’ve got a tall mug of coffee or your favorite beverage and a snack at hand.  You’re gonna get stranded, so you better have your rations ready.

Plant yourself firmly in your seat, buckle up, and don’t plan to be departing none too soon.

Remember that old Lays Potato Chip commercial, “Bet you can’t eat just one”?  Well, bet you can’t read just ONE of Jeanne’s posts!

If you choose not to heed my warning, then you better reserve some extra time to meet up with Jeanne’s blogging friends, too.  And she’s got plenty!

Reading all the comments her friends write should keep you from doing at least three loads of laundry or washing your car and mowing the lawn.

Go ahead.  Get on out of here.  I can sense you’re itching to leave and I know exactly where you’re going.

No one ever listens to me.

How an Internet Business Can Give You Inner Freedom

By David Wood

Can you be yourself at the office? Many people differentiate their work persona from who they really are. That’s because their work doesn’t have its foundation in their passions, interests, hobbies and experience. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.

Imagine what it would be like to be yourself all the time — even at work — and create a revenue stream from what really interests you. That’s what I call inner freedom — the freedom to be yourself and to share what you know and love with the world.

You have a lot to offer. But you need to be able to leverage your knowledge in such a way that it frees you to be yourself while bringing in revenue. The Internet gives you limitless possibilities to do just that. Do you feel there is something holding you back? Here are some common excuses I hear that people give themselves for not starting an online business:

But I’m not an expert. Who will listen to me?

Doubting your qualifications, the value of your ideas, or level of your expertise is common — so common that it keeps thousands of people paralyzed in dead-end jobs. If you can move past this one obstacle, you’ll be far ahead of the pack in terms of what you can achieve.

I don’t have the money to start a business.

With millions of customers surfing the Internet and buying and downloading information at the click of a mouse, the landscape has changed. The Internet is a viable — and cheap — storefront. You need very little investment to get started.

I don’t have the time to start a business.

If you want to start a new business, you’ll need to invest time. At a minimum I suggest seven hours a week, or one hour a night. That won’t threaten your day job or require you to quit.

I need business and technical skills.

I’ll bet that you already have at least 50 percent of the computer skills you’ll need to run a successful Internet business — including the ability to start up and shut down a computer, send and receive email and attachments, and conduct searches using Google. There are many free and public resources that will help you beef up your computer expertise. And if it’s really not your scene, you can partner with someone who does have those skills.

Having an online business that utilizes your passion, hobby, skill or life experience will allow you to experience four freedoms: Inner Freedom — the freedom to be yourself, and to share what you know and love with the world; Location Freedom — the ability to live or travel anywhere in the world, including the simple joy of working from home; Time Freedom — being able to choose to work five days a week, or one; and Financial Freedom — not having to worry about money or constantly check prices when you buy things that bring joy to you and those you love.

Imagine sharing your experience with the world, and making money doing what you love most. You can do it — you just have to get out of your own way!

About the Author:

International speaker, standup comedian and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) David Wood is the author of Get Paid for Who You Are and co-author of the best-selling book Guerilla Marketing on the Front Lines. His tried and true methods for freeing oneself from the shackles of the timecard have been the inspiration for many people to gain a lifestyle of freedom and contribution. Learn more at: www.GetPaidLifestyle.com.

Growing really tired of attending rubber chicken luncheons, paying for ineffective classified ads, mailing out postcards that bring no results, and spending countless hours doing cold calling? Then you’ll want to learn about the important benefits of marketing your business online.

The internet provides you with a slam dunk opportunity for massive visibility. Handing someone a business card is fine, but creating your big “electronic” business card through online marketing will get you and your services in front of hundreds of thousands of eyes.  I’d say that beats the heck out of walking around parking lots putting flyers on windshields, wouldn’t you?

As a Solo Mompreneur, marketing your business online will allow you to:

1) Showcase Your Expertise – Put yourself in the spotlight and toot your own horn. Authentically tell your story and reassure your prospects that you work with people just like them.  People don’t want processes, they want solutions. Add results-oriented testimonials to your marketing strategy and allow your current clients to sell for you.

2) Stand Out From The Crowd – As strange as it sounds, you really have no competition when you promote yourself and your business online.  After all, there is only one YOU in this world. Take this prime time opportunity to demonstrate your unique juicy benefits and what differentiates you from everyone else.  Each of us has our very own special character, style, and persona. Let it shine! Be yourself, be creative, and have fun.

3) Save Lots Of Money – There are so many different internet marketing platforms to choose from and the majority of them are FREE. You can build your business online very cost-effectively through blogging, video, podcasting, article marketing, social media, teleseminars, and webinars. You can even host your own internet radio show or T.V. show.  Cost?  Zero dollars.

Give potential clients the chance to know, like, and trust you. Whether you are most comfortable using your voice, writing, or being in front of a camera, marketing your business online will help you build visibility and credibility and establish you as the go-to expert in your field.

Do you Tweet? I’d like to invite you to Follow me on Twitter.

Whether you want someone to visit your blog, view your videos, read your articles, subscribe to your list, attend your teleclasses, or grab your freebie offer …

It all starts by crafting  grab-them-by-the-collar titles and headlines that compel people to Take Action!

Instead of writing my own “take” on this topic, I’d like to share two incredible resources and an amazingly helpful tool.

READ THESE COOL POSTS:

3 Rules for Writing Effective Titles by Daniel Scocco

10 Surefire Headline Formulas that Work by Brian Clark

CHECK OUT THIS FANTASTIC FREE TOOL:

Free Headline Analyzer

By the way, I entered several possibilities into the free headline analyzer tool before I decided on a title for this post. 

Magnifying Glass Image from Daniel Rizzuti’s portfolio

Many people want to write a book, yet don’t know where to start or don’t consider themselves “good writers.” These five tips will give you food for thought when it comes to writing yours.

BOOK WRITING TIP 1: Select a topic that’s an “inch wide, mile deep.” It’s easier and faster to write, and readers like books that are very topic specific.

BOOK WRITING TIP 2: Keep your book short & powerful-it doesn’t have to be your version of “War and Peace.” The upside of this type of book is that it’s easier for people to read in one sitting or while on a plane ride.

BOOK WRITING TIP 3: The key to getting finished is getting started! It sounds simple, yet it’s very true. There’s power just in getting started.

BOOK WRITING TIP 4: Start writing where you’re most passionate. It might not be Chapter One and instead could be Chapter Five. Again, the key is to get started and build momentum.

BOOK WRITING TIP 5: Don’t consider yourself a writer? “Talk” your book. Record, transcribe, edit and – wah lah – you have a completed manuscript.

For more book writing and book publishing information, join in a special teleseminar series being conducted by my friend and colleague Donna Kozik. You can find out more here, plus see a cool video Donna put together with a tip on how to build buzz for your book-before you even start writing it!