Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader

Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader

Dalya Massachi

October 24, 2012

A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

INTEGRATED PLANNING
Advising nonprofits in: www.synthesispartnership.com
• Strategy
• Planning (617) 969-1881
• Organizational Development info@synthesispartnership.com

A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

www.mission.do

A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

Today’s Speaker

Dalya Massachi
Founder
Writing for Community Success

Assisting with chat questions: Hosting:
Jamie Maloney, Nonprofit Webinars Sam Frank, Synthesis Partnership

A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

Indie Publishing for
the Nonprofit Leader

Presenter: Dalya F. Massachi

SO WHAT HAS CHANGED?

• Rise of independent publishing
(formerly known as self-publishing)

• Now a lot cheaper, easier and faster: new era

• You can publish your book with less uncertainty
and hassle than ever

©2012 Dalya F Massachi
www.WritingToMakeADifference.com 8

NO LONGER NEEDED
• Literary agent
• Traditional publishing house
• Loss of control
• Settle for a tiny fraction of sales
• 1+ years to publish
• Huge commercial market


POLL #1

What stage are you in?
1.Considering writing a book/indie publishing
2.Drafting my manuscript
3.Ready to edit/produce my book
4.Already published and wondering what to
do next


OUTLINE
I. Top 3 Myths

II. What a book/ebook can do for you

III. 5 Things to expect when you’re
expecting… to WRITE a book

IV. 4 Things to expect when you’re
expecting… to PUBLISH your book

www.WritingToMakeADifference.com

TOP 3 MYTHS
1) Only people with natural talent
should publish (“I can’t write!”)

2) It takes too much time

3) It’s a lonely endeavor


What a Book/Ebook
.
Can Do For Your
Organization
(and You)


“ Writing is the only thing
that, when I do it, I don't
feel I should be doing
something else. ”

̶ Gloria Steinem


ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL
1) Share your experience and insights with a
worldwide audience/emerging prof’ls
.
2) Bring new visibility to your cause/message

3) Add credibility, esp if new org or growing
(e.g., local to national)

4) Attract new colleagues, press, attention,
opportunities

OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD


INSIDE OF BUSINESS CARD


ULTIMATE FR & MARKETING TOOL

5) Raise ongoing income
. (book sales and new donors who learn of you)
6) Use as membership/thank you gifts

7) Process and share your thoughts with your
board/staff so they can spread them

8) Establish yourself as a passionate (author)ity


5
Things To Expect When
You’re Expecting…
to WRITE a Book


“Good writing does not come from fancy
word processors or expensive typewriters or
special pencils or hand-crafted quill pens.
Good writing comes from good thinking.”

– Ann Loring


#1: IT’S ALL ABOUT HOW BEST
TO SERVE YOUR READERS

 Consider their interests, hopes, fears

 How can you improve on what’s already out
there?

 What formats do they want? – book, ebook,
video, audio, app, condensed version


ASK WHAT THEY WANT
 What do they want to get
from reading your book?
Data? Emotions?
Probably a mixture.
(Emotions trump facts.)

 What problems can you help your readers
solve for themselves or their community?


DATA YOU NEED TO GATHER
 Their limitations (time, $, education)

 Why they care about issue/org

 What they already know or believe

 Relationship to your org or issue


POLL #2

How does your organization gather info about
what your community wants to know?
1. Social media comments
2. Focus groups
3. Surveys
4. Ask front-line staffers about FAQs
5. Interviews
6. Service/event evaluations
7. Letters/notes
8. Other


CONNECT PERSON-TO-PERSON
 Be reader-centered

 Think and write in terms
of “you” (the reader)

 Briefly communicate shared values,
needs, interests

 Use their language


#2: YOU ALREADY HAVE A
LOT OF MATERIAL

 Blog entries
 Recorded conversations
 Answers to FAQ’s
 Presentations you’ve given
 Past work and network: examples/stories/
case histories


#3: IT’S A LARGER PROJECT
THAN YOU FIRST THINK

 Similar to learning to ride a bike
 Prepare!
 Your book idea will evolve; let it
 Too big? Cut it down; set milestones
 Keep your eyes on the prize

#4: YOU WILL GET
WRITER’S BLOCK
 Fight off the urge to procrastinate
 Write during your “peak” hours
 Be realistic about time:
Start with 30 min./day; “do not disturb”
chunks; sabbatical? retirement?
 Keep a running “swipe” file
 Know: a 1st draft should not be perfect


#5: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO
IT ALONE

 Get a Writing Buddy: accountability,
exchange ideas, feedback
 Join a Writing Circle
 Use research assistants, peer reviewers,
collaborators - via email, blog, in person


4
Things To Expect
When You’re
Expecting…
to PUBLISH a Book
(thumbnail sketch)


#1: ALL WRITERS NEED
GOOD EDITORS
"The beautiful part of writing is that you don't have to get
it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon."
—Robert Cormier

 Different types of editors will help at different
stages of manuscript preparation

 This is a back-and-forth process to make sure
that your book is shaping up as you envisioned it


#2:
YOUR BOOK’S
APPEARANCE IS CRUCIAL

 A graphic designer helps you see it move from
your computer screen to a book. Your dream
actually materializes before your eyes!

 Will make the book look professional, polished,
accessible (interior and cover)


#3:
MAKE FINAL
PREPARATIONS TO GO PUBLIC

 May include indexing the book,
handling printing, book industry details

 Lots of resources out there to help with this final
production step


#4: MARKET IT!

 This is it!

 Lots of ways to get your book in the hands of
people who want to read it and support you

 Your constituents will want to help


RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
 Keystone book: The Self-Publishing Manual by Dan
Poynter

 Printers/ebook creators:
lightningsource.com, createspace.com
smashwords.com, bookbaby.com

 Book marketing:
bookmarketingworks.com, bookpublishing.com
ibpa-online.org (Independent Book Publishers Assn)
Think Like a Publisher (deanwesleysmith.com/?page_id=3736)


RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
 Indie Publishing for the Social Change Agent
(my ebook coming in early 2013): Get on the
notification list

 Claim your copy of my detailed “What to Expect
during the Indie Publishing Process” handout:
WritingToMakeADifference.com/indie


MANY OTHER WAYS TO IMPROVE
YOUR RESULTS:
 Workshops/webinars

 Writing coaching (indiv. & group)

 Editing services (books, proposals, etc.)

 Free newsletter

 FREE feedback session by
conference call
 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month

More info at:
WritingToMakeADifference.com

WRAP-UP QUESTION

What is the most
valuable thing you are
taking away from
today? And how will
you use that info?


Find listings for our current season
of webinars and register at:

NonprofitWebinars.com

A Service
Of: Sponsored by:

Indie Publishing for the Nonprofit Leader

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