SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Book Business Boss Show with your host, Dr. Julia Royston, helping you get your message to the masses, turn your words into wealth, and be a book business boss.

SPEAKER_02 0:16

Well, hello, I'm Dr. Julia Royston. Welcome to another episode of the Book Business Boss Show, where I'm helping you get your message to the masses, turn your words into wealth, and be a book business boss. So we've been talking about turning your book into a business. And we'll get to more of the specifics of the book, but I need to make sure that you got your infrastructure in order, your mindset moving in the business realm. We spend a lot of time in the creative space and oh my gosh, I want to write a book. And oh, this word, this sentence. But then when it's time to move into business mode, you got to put on a different hat. You got to put on a different mindset. You got to move differently when you're moving it from book to business. So I'm going to continue to uh move forward. We've been talking for a while. And hopefully, if you have any issues, any problems, feel free to schedule a conversation with me at talkwithroyston.com. I'm here to help and get you moving in the right direction because uh we're going beyond the book. We're going into the business uh arena, and not only are we gonna sell books, but we'll sell other products and services as well. So let me just um take a pause right here and um let's just think about when you're out and about, your book has been launched for a while, people are asking you for more, depending upon what book you have. If you have a poetry book, um, people enjoy poetry, they enjoy hearing poetry, they may want you to read your poetry, or what if they ask for you to write a poem for them, for a loved one that's deceased or alive, or a special project? Are you okay with that? Can you do that? If you have a children's book and they ask you, um, can you come and read to this school? Can you come and read to our church youth group? Um, can you come and read to this nonprofit that has children? Um, then you gotta start asking those questions. Uh, when is it? Where is it? Now I know some people go right into, I don't know about that. I need a booking agent. I didn't. I like to book myself. And so therefore, um, so thinking along those lines. And if you've written an empowerment or a memoir, an inspirational book, or uh even if it's nonfiction, how to self-help, any of those arenas, then people may be asking you, you know, I have a group. Uh, could you come and speak about the topic of your book? Okay. So it's those kinds of things that move just the book sale because they may be standing there at your table or booth, inside or outside. It doesn't matter where you are, and they bought the book, but they want that next step from you. I write, I publish, I promote. I had someone inbox me and said, I have a group. Would you come and speak to them about writing? We normally just give people about 15 minutes, but we're gonna give you 30. So um, you know, I'll probably speak for 15 and I want them to ask me questions for 15 or longer. It depends on how it's going, what the needs of the group are. And so therefore, you know, I over time have gotten prepared for that. Uh, it didn't take me long because one, I was a teacher every single day. And then even after teaching, I was always on stage. I I did, I hosted conferences, I coordinated conferences. So kind of events is kind of my thing. My my friends tease me all the time and tell me I'm the queen of events. But when you're um putting yourself out there as something that's available, you got to make sure to define one, your yes or your no. What can you do? When are you available to do it? Or no, I'm not ready for that. Because the first two years that I had my first book out from probably 2007 to 2009, 2008, the company BK Worst and Publishing was established for me. But from 2007 to 2000, I said no. Oh no, no, no, no. I child, I don't even know enough to publish your book. Well, no, I'm not doing that. But then someone came to me with a different proposition. I'm gonna pay you to do what you did. And so my no came became yes because one, the qualifications were different. The book she wanted was the same book I had done. So I knew I could do it because I had done it for myself. It was a book of poetry. And if it had been something else, I probably would have said, I don't know. So when you continue to promote, continue out there, opportunities are gonna come. Not only opportunities, but opportunists are gonna come. And so I'm being an opportunist, I'm an opportunist. I like to see opportunities, I create them, but what is the the motive? Is it for just one-sided or is it is it gonna be mutual? And if I don't see any mutual um benefit for both sides of this coin, I usually am like, let me think about it. Uh and you may send me an opportunity, I may not respond at all. And I know that's not good, but I usually eventually say, you know, I'm sorry, no, I'm not interested. Uh no, um, I'm not available for that. No, I've said no, I don't have the budget for that right now. No, I'm not ready, I don't have the capacity for that. Business-wise, schedule-wise, I've already reached my max. Uh I can't do that. So knowing that, and I realize this is more of a personal preference. This is something that's tied to your emotions. It's tied, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm in season five, and I still say it. You got to look at your life. You got to look at your schedule, you got to look at your calendar. You got to look if you're still working at nine to five, you got to figure out what that looks like. And me right now, I've got to look at my client needs. What do they need right now? Am I generating leads for new business? And I've got new inquiries. I have to determine when, where, and how that I can actually accept these opportunities. Do I have to say no, I'll look at that for the next year? Or no, I can think about that in the fourth quarter, I can't do that right now. So when you have opportunities that come, then you have to be ready for the opportunity. And what you what they're asking for, you may modify it a little bit. You know, you may tweak it. So you've got to define the opportunity, whether it's good for you. Somebody else may easily be able to do it. So for example, when I first started, I didn't have the equipment to do many outside um events. I probably the 18 years, probably the last 10 to 12, because there was a festival locally that I did a lot. So I really didn't have the equipment. I didn't have extra tables, I didn't have extra chairs, you know. Um I only had like one one event we did, it was me and Brian, it was one table. We had two chairs to sit in. I didn't have the proper table covers because the uh building that over time happens. You know, you get profits from your sales and then you reinvest it back in your business. But that's not an excuse to start where you start. You know, if an opportunity comes along, it may stretch you a little bit, but it's not a no. And so some people say no and they could do it. It it doesn't require uh even um a fee, there's another vendor fee associated with, and they still say no, I'm not ready. Well, when you gonna jump in? When you're gonna when you gonna say yes, when you're gonna are you gonna forever say no? Because that is a possibility to say no, I'm not gonna do it. No, I won't be a part of that. So when you have what I consider not only you promoted that the book is out there, who I'm I'm really into this topic, this subject matter, I stand as an expert in this in this industry. I have a level of expertise. This is what I have to offer. These are my five principles. This is what I stand on, this is what I believe in and what I would be willing to teach about and talk about and encourage other people about. Then opportunities are gonna come your way. Then opportunities are gonna um it be in your DMs or an email inbox or someone face to face. And so, therefore, being ready and prepared for those opportunities, uh it's gonna take you're gonna have to do it. And that preparation does not necessarily mean perfection, like everything's gotta be perfect. And that's what I meant when I had like a one-tenth and one table, two chairs. I had covers, but you know, I think it was a sheet that went over it. And I didn't have a lot, I mean, I didn't have all the extra accessories because my business hadn't been profitable enough for that. But I started where I started and I said, I'm gonna jump in. It's an opportunity, and it was a great opportunity, and I went for it and I did it, and I'm thankful that I did it because now I can teach others. I have more, I'll be back in a moment. God and business go hand in hand. He is the creator, the best idea giver, and master of all things. So ask him, seek him, and find out his plan and advice for you, your life, and your business every day. In this book, there are 30 devotionals to guide, encourage, and support the spiritual entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, easily offended, or the quitter, but for someone willing to work hard, correct mistakes, and get back up and eventually win. Know that you'll be the divine success you were designed to be when you have God in your business. God in my business, a 30-day devotional guide by Julia A. Royston, is available at the Royston Royal Bookstore.com. That's Royston Royal Bookstore.com. And we're back. I'm Dr. Julia Royston. You're listening to the Book Business Boss show, helping you get your message to the masses, turn your words into wealth, be a book business boss, and turn that book, hopefully, into a business. So we're talking about brand introduction and then opportunities that come along. And sometimes that helps to grow the business. Um, last time we talked about standards, operating procedures, agreements, contracts, etc. Um, and then primarily we've been focusing on coaches, therapists, and speakers, but I'll get to other areas um that people are looking for that want to transfer transfer that book into. So there are other areas as well. But while we're talking about opportunities, we need a um blueprint, we need a guide, we need some questions, we need some review questions, a survey, whatever you want to call it, to determine whether this opportunity is something for us. So uh, first off, what does the opportunity require? There is a difference between we need you to speak five minutes to introduce your book to our youth group or to our women or um, you know, be a vendor and introduce your book or what you have to offer. That's one thing. That is an opportunity, that's a great opportunity. And opportunities to be in front of a new audience is always what I'm looking for. That's what I've been doing and striving to do for 18 years. Now, the results of that, I'll talk about in a minute, but that's always the goal. Um, social media, that's the goal. Email marketing, that's the goal to offer something that people want, but to get in front of new people. If people already have it, they're like, oh, I already have that. Oh, I've already done that. What you got new? If you don't have anything new, or if you're not offering any other additional services, they're like, Yeah, when you get something new, let me know. But I do want to stay on your list and I do want to know what's going on with you. I really enjoyed what you did in the past. So, what does that opportunity require? So, a five-minute, you need to always be ready for that. You gotta have that in your back pocket. Here's my book, this is what it's about. Um, you gotta be ready for that at all times. That that elevator pitch, that elevator speech, you gotta be ready for that. But that's an opportunity to be able to talk about um your latest project or your project period. Now remember, your intellectual property doesn't stale like bread or soda left out. It doesn't go bad. So just getting in front of a new audience gives it real life again. And don't say, well, you know, and don't don't even lend yourself to five years ago. I no, I don't even say it. I just I say it like it's brand new, and I just um did it last week. I will say the latest, but I will not say, ooh, I didn't write that book now, is write that book now. It's probably 10, 11 years old at this recording. I don't go around saying, oh, this is old information. No, it's still current, it's still good. I'm getting ready to write a 2.0 hint hint, but no, everything in there is different, and then I'm gonna go from a different perspective. So what does the opportunity require? Is it a 20-minute talk? Is it a 45-minute workshop? Are you on a panel? Which is I really enjoy that uh as well. So finding what the opportunity requires. When is it? Where is it? Where is it located? How far do I have to drive? What time does it start? What time does it end? Um, you know, all those uh essential details like they used to teach you in school when you were little. The what, the when, the where, the how, the you know, all those things. And so once you find out the requirements for the event or the requirements for the opportunity itself, then you can move forward. Now, there may be some additional requirements for the opportunity as you continue to move forward. And then when you decide you want to register with your secretary of state in the U.S., that's where it's required. The other countries, um, it's wherever the government entities are that you register with for businesses, but whatever that looks like. But in the US, it's the Secretary of State. And when you register your business, when you're ready for that, then grants and other working with universities and schools may require something different. You know, coming in and reading a story on um, you know, uh World Reading Day is one thing, but being actually paid speaker and a vendor with a school or a college is something else. You know, I've recently uh been asked to speak and it is going to be funded through a grant. So there's a lot of paperwork that goes along with that, including a W9, including um, are you a registered? Do you have an EIN number? All those business things that they require. So you have to determine what level you're on and whether you're prepared for that entity and for that opportunity. So, what does the opportunity require? When and where is it located? And then you have to decide are you interested and are you available? Sometimes it's a no, not that the opportunity is not great, but I'm not available. Um, if it were another day, another time, I work, uh, I don't get off till five, I couldn't be there till seven, you know, whatever that looks like for you. So you have to determine what that looks like. Now I'm gonna be honest with you. I have been so interested in some opportunities that I did take a day off. I had a day available and it was a big opportunity, and I took a day and actually did it. And actually I either tried to leave early, did I have a day, whatever that looks like to be able to be at this opportunity. I'm like, let me check with my um my supervisor, my principal, whatever, and I'll let you know. Can you give me a day? Can you give me two days? Because, you know, some opportunities that I look at may come back around again, but some may not. It's it's a one and done, is what I call it. It's uh a one time and we don't get no more times. We it doesn't come back around again. And sometimes you have to be prayerful, you have to be discerning of that. You have to understand um, you know, what that looks like for right now in your life. Now, the part two of this, you gotta do your homework and research. So if somebody's on the phone with me, or even if I'm on a Zoom call, I'm doing my research at the same time. When you're telling me about an event, I was, you know, I I do um networking and and we did a group call and it's a group of publishers. I'm looking it up at the same time, you talking about it. I'm wanting to see what the pictures are from previous years. Does it look like a crowd? Is that an AI video from a crowd, or is that actually real people in real time from a crowd? Um, I'm looking at how long have you all been doing this? Is it the first one? If I'm available, my expectations may be low. But if you've been doing this for 25 years or 50 some years, and this is your annual 52nd annual one or your 40 something, then there's a level of expectation on my part and your part. So being able to do your homework and research, ask, ask, ask, ask for references and referrals. Who was the previous speaker? Who was the pre email, inboxing on social media is so easy. I see that you were at this event last year. How did it go? Was it profitable? What was your book, though? You gotta ask that question too. Because you can't just take what they say without knowing the genre, what did they speak about, who uh, what was the question, who was there, all those things. So doing your homework and doing your research is really key to as well, knowing what that looks like for you and your brand, because now you have a brand. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. When you start getting opportunities like this, you're a brand. Whether you're registered with the secretary of state or not, you're still a brand because you're the number one brand in this. Remember, you're the brand. When your face is on a flyer, when your name is on a panel, that's your brand. That's your business and personal brand. Um, it's a part of that, the whole process. And so, therefore, you have to really be conscious, you have to be cognizant of all of that. Do you want to be associated with that? Do you want to be there? You get in front of new people, but new people that are interested in what you have, or do they know people that want what you have? And then you can move it to the next level. Opportunities. What do we need for those opportunities? Are you interested? Are you available? Are you willing to make yourself available? All questions that you have to ask yourself and be prepared for. Sometimes you may have to pause and think, but don't pause too long because some opportunities will come, uh, will go and say, Oh, I'm sorry, we had to go in another direction and you missed. You gotta let your yay be yay and your response be quick. Last thing, one of the things that enables me to be able to respond as quick as I do, and we talked about it much earlier. Go back to um the early part of the season, is having technology in place, having your email on your phone, um, responding to text messages, responding to inboxes. And I'm I'm sometimes I'm remiss in that. I'm like, oh, I missed it, because I'm I'm very active on Facebook, but Instagram, I'm getting more active, threads, I'm getting more active. So now I gotta remember, wait a minute, you gotta go there because you've been sharing from here to there. They're making it easier on social media. So making sure that you respond as quickly as possible, as easily but as quickly as possible to opportunities so you don't miss out. So there may have to be an upgrade to not only your technology, but to your mindset so that you remind yourself wait a minute, check these other social medias. Hold on, I don't want to miss any opportunities because they're gonna come. The more you promote, the more opportunities will come. The more you seek people out and people seek you out, the more opportunities will come. May not come as fast as you want, but over time, with consistency, when people watch you and they see you, opportunities will come. I'm Dr. Julia Royston. You've been listening to the Book Business Boss Show. Until next time, be blessed and have a great day.

SPEAKER_01 23:06

You have been listening to the Book Business Boss Show with your host, Dr. Julia Royston. For more information, visit www.bookbusinessboss.com. That's bookbusinessboss.com. So you can get your message to the masses, turn your words into wealth, and be a book business boss.

SPEAKER_02 23:28

Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart. Easily discouraged or one who quits at the slightest problem or issue. On the other hand, there is not a business owner, entrepreneur, nonprofit director, ministry leader, or author that has not wanted to pause, slow down, or even quit. It is human nature. But if you could just take one more step, if you could fix that one problem, if you could find a friend, mentor, a coach to talk to about the situation who could point you in the right direction, or be the answer you need, you can keep moving. There are three things that I want this book to encourage you to do. Watch your mindset, make moves, and don't lose momentum. Mindset moves momentum by Julia A. Royston is now available at Royston Royal Bookstore.com. That's Royston Royal Bookstore.com.

SPEAKER_00 24:29

Bray Cameron here inviting you to join me for the rhythm and the pray. We play a perfect legend of today's Caspel Music. And we play comment, the legend, and iconic performances with our gospel classic we won. And we interview movers and speakers and gospel music. So join me for the rhythm and the pray. Wednesday at 1 p.m., right here on Facebook Radio.