Reflections on 2016 and Goals for 2017

Here I am with another year under my belt. I was first published in May of 2013 so, this marks the end of three and a half years of self-publishing and marketing. It just seems easier to reflect on past achievements around this time of year when most people are making New Year’s resolutions. I prefer to set goals. Some I manage to meet, some I set aside, and some roll-over to become renewed goals because they were just so ‘darn good’ in the first place.

I would like to state one large, general observation I made this past year – almost an epiphany. ‘I am only in competition with myself.’ I need not make comparisons of my goals to others goals or achievements made by other authors. If I don’t get something published on my timeline, it doesn’t matter. It is ‘my’ timeline. Life raises its ugly head sometimes and it demands that deadlines and goals be set aside. With that said, I feel very accomplished at the close of this year. I have twenty-two books in print and four more written, waiting to be polished and published.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED - How to BECOME your target audience to create content

CANCELLED!
The Blab on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 has been cancelled.
The host is experiencing internet issues at her location.
If you were planning on attending, my apologies. We hope to get it rescheduled. 
If you were kind enough to share the original post, please share this one as well so folks will know the Blab is cancelled.
Thanks you.

Have you been on Blab.im yet? I have, and I am excited about it. Blab is like a combination of Twitter, Skype and Google Hangout rolled into one. I got my first look at it 3 days ago and I am hooked.

Cherrie McKenzie, Twitter handle @CherrieMckenzi2, wanted to introduce me to the site a good month ago. I dragged my feet - yet another social media to figure out and learn. Ugh!

Then I got on and lurked for a session on social media. One of the participates asked me to join in, but I didn't know how. The next day I did join in and it was a blast! It's like Twitter with pictures.

Live and learn - and with Blab you can learn quickly. Let me give you a screen shot so you can check it out.

The 'above' gives you the six basics. (Click on it to enlarge)

From here, if I have intrigued you, have a look at this tutorial. Or hop on the site and have a look for yourself.

YouTube Tutorial for Blab

Now click the link below and subscribe to my First Ever Blab with Cherrie McKenzie. We would love to have you drop by and chat with us, whether on camera or in the chat stream. I hope to see you all there.

Saturday, October 3, 2015, 9:00 PST

How to BECOME your target audience to create content

Marketing through Anthropomorphism

ˌanTHrəpəˈmôrfizəm/

noun

the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know the meaning of this word even though you may not have known it, because you have chatted with my dragon, Farloft.

Throughout the world of marketing you will find talking animals or objects promoting products and causes. Smokey the Bear informs you, "Only you can prevent forest fires." Toucan Sam tells you "Follow your nose! It always knows," to the closest box of Fruit Loops. Charlie the Tuna, Tony the Tiger, Trix Rabbit, The M&Ms team, Chester Cheetah, Morris the cat, the list goes on and on, but you get the picture.

I didn't mean to create Farloft as the 'spokes dragon' for my series and yet he happened and he has become so much more. I have been wanting to tell this story for about two years now. So grab your cup of coffee or tea and sit back in your comfortable chair, and I will tell you how a Star was Born!

I published my first book in June 2013. It was James & the Dragon. Farloft is the main character in the book.