Writers, Build Your Business the Right-Brain Way by Beth Barany

Blog tour stop! I’m excited to present to you my coach’s newest book, Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way by Jennifer Lee.

I’m doing a giveaway for a signed copy of her book. For details, see the end of this post.

I admire her honesty, vulnerability, and creativity, and how she supports and champions for creatives of all kinds in creating sustainable and successful businesses.

And make no mistake, writers, we are artists, and can benefit from finding creative ways to succeed in today’s world of fast-moving technology and direct-to-reader opportunities.

I’ve been working with Jennifer Lee in her mentorship circle since Dec. 2012. But I’ve known of Jenn for years. She reminded me at her recent book signing that we met while networking at E-Women years ago.

I also interviewed her for a project that I didn’t finish where I interviewed other artist entrepreneurs on what helped them do what they do.

But it was something she wrote in her newsletter in the Fall of 2012 that brought me even closer to her. She wrote about professional jealousy and how that was a sign that you wanted what the other had, so why not go for it. At least that is how I interpreted it. So I did — I joined one of her free video teaching calls and loved her gentle yet firm approach and saw that I could grow and stretch myself as a creative entrepreneur under her wing.

And I have.

What I also love is the community she’s created around herself of other creatives. I so believe that we creatives need intersecting circles of support: at least one for our craft; one for our creative businesses; and one for friendship and fun.

In her recent book signing for her new book, she highlighted several of the key messages of her book, Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way.

In this post, I’ll highlight 3 messages.

Core Message

One is to get clear about your core message. (Chapter 3, pages 35-50) I loved this and played with many different ways to say mine. I share them here on my Instagram stream. You don’t need to be a member to see all my photos. I am revealing to you a part of who I really am that you may not know — that I was born with hands that are different.

We all have differences ad cope with them in different ways. One of my ways has been to hide in a certain way, though with all my social media activities and outreach, that may seem not true to you. What I’ve hidden is the hurt and anger I experienced as a child from being teased. My response was to hide in books and also in my work. I have incredible focus and get lots done, as a consequence.

I love that Jenn has been asking us to declare our core message. My latest is here:

 

Writers, what is your core message? Write it on your body. Declare it to the world — or at least those with whom you feel comfortable. You can share it on Instagram and tag it with #coremessage. You can also share it — if you’re ready! — on my Facebook fan page here. You can also share it on Twitter with the hashtag #coremessage, #writersuccess and/or #rbbiz — this last one is the one that Jennifer uses on Twitter and Facebook.

Find the Ease

Another message Jenn shared is one she calls the Mr. Sketch exercise. (page 14) Instead of filling in the box with her fine-tipped art pen, she showed us at the book signing how she filled in the box with the wide pen. In a few swipes of the pen, the box was filled. (Jenn is demonstrating that in the image above.)

Where in your writing or marketing are you trying to make it absolutely perfect and taking care of all the details before you act?

I encourage you to take that next step and get to your writing even though you don’t have all the details.

As for book marketing, what’s one small step you can do now to share about your books with your community without waiting for the budget or the right time or the super-polished look?

Creatives, Build Your Team

A third point: I’m featured in Jenn’s book along with other mentorship circle cohorts. One of the Ahas I had while working with Jenn was that my primary job was creating (my writing — fiction and nonfiction and client time). (Page 166.)

How can you delegate non-core tasks?

Some writers hire virtual assistants (VAs); I have. (Let me know if you want me to connect you to Michelle!)

Here’s more about Jenn’s book and about her. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE BOOK

If you’ve started a business, you know that the journey toward success can be both invigorating and confusing, so where can you find advice that is practical and focused but still as playful and passionate as you are?

Look no further than this book, which combines solid business expertise with a right-brain perspective that inspires creativity and innovation. Jennifer Lee’s fresh, empowering approach emphasizes taking action and continually improving to achieve extraordinary long-term results.

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way by Jennifer Lee offers real-world-tested techniques that can benefit all sorts of businesses, whether you’re a sole proprietor running a coaching practice, a crafter looking to license products, a wellness professional with a team of employees, or any creative soul making a meaningful difference with your work. You’ll discover how to:

• assess your business’s unique “ecosystem”

• build your brand and attract, engage, and keep ideal customers

• develop new income streams that better leverage your time and resources

• promote your products and services with authenticity and ease

• grow your team (virtual and in-person) and manage staff and vendors

• establish infrastructure and procedures to keep operations running smoothly

• carve out vital white space to pause, reflect, and celebrate

• and more!

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

“Shows you how to put your right-brain strengths to work in a successful business, and does it in a way that’s playful and fun.”
— Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind

“This book shines a brilliant light onto HOW to make it all REAL. Jennifer Lee’s book is an inspiring combination of kindness, fun, and extremely practical wisdom. You’ll be able to engage meaningfully with your perfect customers and create unique products and programs — and make real money from your very real unique gifts.”
— SARK, author and artist of Succulent Wild Woman

“You’ll walk away from this book feeling empowered, motivated, and ready to accomplish your biggest creative business goals.”
— Kari Chapin, author of The Handmade Marketplace

“Many creatives get tripped up when it comes to the tactics of running and growing a business. Good news: they can now turn to Jennifer Lee’s refreshing new book for practical guidance that speaks their own language. Her visual approach makes even the more left-brain activities — like sales and marketing — achievable and even fun.”
— Chris Guillebeau, New York Times bestselling author of The $100 Startup

ABOUT JENNIFER LEE

JENNIFER LEE is the founder of Artizen Coaching and the bestselling author of The Right-Brain Business Plan, which has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs around the world launch their creative businesses. Before pursuing her own passions full-time, she consulted for ten years for Fortune 500 companies such as Gap Inc., Accenture, and HP, helping leaders and organizations manage change. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/artizencoaching

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightbrainbusinessplan

More about Jenn’s work: http://www.rightbrainbusinessplan.com/

Giveaway

Answer any one of these questions in the comments to enter into the giveaway for a signed copy of Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way. I’ll ship to anywhere in the continental United States. Be sure to leave your email in the comments so we can contact you if you win. I’ll pick a winner Wednesday, May 21, 6pm Pacific.

To refresh your memory, the questions are:

1. Writers, what is your core message?
2. Where in your writing or marketing are you trying to make it absolutely perfect and taking care of all the details before you act?
3. As for book marketing, what’s one small step you can do now to share about your books with your community without waiting for the budget or the right time or the super-polished look?
4. How can you delegate non-core tasks?

Pick one and share to enter the giveaway! Good luck!

Remember: I’ll pick the winner, Wednesday, May 21, 6pm Pacific.