Exploring cultures, countries and comfort zones
Seven Strategies for a
Longer Shelf Life
When I wrote my
first book, The 10
Foundations of
Motivation, in 2003, I
decided to get it published through a no-
name publisher—you know, the kind
that will publish just about anything if
you send a check. Some people thought
it was a foolish idea and asked, “Why
don’t you go through a real publisher?”
I had three reasons: 1) I wanted my
book on the market fast, 2) I wanted it
on Amazon with its own ISBN number, and 3) I wanted the credibility that
a book brings. The company I handed it
over to made those things possible.
Three years later, an Australian publisher contacted me out of the blue
about picking up my book and publishing it in Australia, New Zealand,
Malaysia and Singapore. Since then,
this publisher has asked me to write six
more books this year and expanded the
list of countries.
My Secrets for Success
Hurry up and wait. You can go with
a traditional publisher and wait two
years, or you can do what I did and
opt for a publisher who will get it out
quick. You can’t keep waiting for the
perfect time, the perfect book and the perfect publisher. The time
is now!
Get it out there. We’re
talking Amazon, Barnes
and Noble, the Internet
and anywhere you can
promote your book on
an international level.
And yes, you can do it
yourself.
Target practice. Check out international publications. Recently, one of my
articles was published in an Australian
magazine and generated emails of interest from several countries outside the
United States.
Three magic Ws. Never underestimate
the power of the Internet. Your Web
site is the bridge between you
and the rest of the world. It’s
a constantly changing living
document that pro-
motes you. Be sure to keep it updated
and avoid the “Under Construction”
status. Not only does it look sorry, but
you’ll be sorry when potential clients
can’t find you.
Hear and be heard. Speak or attend
international conferences so you can meet
new friends and potential
clients from all over the
world.
Think outside your box.
By becoming “world cen-
tric” and thinking out-
side your circle, the world
will magnetize itself to
you. Change your way of
thinking, and you’ll open
doors to myriad opportunities.
Ask for help. Get a mentor from the
part of the world you want to connect
with, and let this individual guide you
through the customs and cultures. Soon
you’ll feel comfortable and connected.
Act now. When you step outside the
borders of your comfort zone, you’ll
open a new and exciting chapter in
your career development.
You can’t keep
waiting for the
perfect time, the
perfect book
and the perfect
publisher. The
time is now!
Shawn Doyle is president of
New Light Learning and
Development, a company that
specializes in leadership
development, sales effective-
ness and motivation. The author of six
books, Shawn inspires people to think
differently about their work and life and to
embrace their full potential. For more
information, visit www.sldoyle.com.
