Perfecting your elevator pitch line.

I’ve come to realize the importance of a well rehearsed elevator pitch line. If you’re wondering what that is– it’s simply a one or two sentence statement explaining your product or proposal to a potential customer. This is a hard concept to grasp the importance of– at least it was for me. But the reality is we write for ourselves first and then for others with the hopes that our story can engage the reader into a pleasant experience.

The thing is… you need your reader to purchase your story for that to happen at all. Thus the reality that though I didn’t create a story to get into sales and advertising, it still needs to be done.

In the past I’ve struggled with a very simple question– “What is your book about?”

“Umm… its a journey full of magic and uh friends who have to fight people and you know… blah blah.. blah.. I don’t really know.. .you’re losing interest… don’t buy my book.”

Okay maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit but the truth of the matter is I had never rehearsed and thought about the best way to explain my books quickly and succinctly which is important in this day and age. I realized that for the sake of my book I NEEDED to sit down and write up both a one sentence and then a couple paragraph synopsis. Then, I practiced the living heck out of it.

The one sentence version– the elevator pitch, if you will, should draw the potential buyer to ask more questions which can hopefully lead to more interest and a potential sale.

Here’s what I’ve come up with for my series– “The Kingdom

It’s about ~A group of friends who must challenge the immoral norms of a broken society in order to save humanity from an oppressive and powerful enemy.

What’s that? You want to hear more? Well check this out then!

Devastated by a global war that wiped out much of humanity, three friends realize that we still had not learned from our mistakes.

Replacing the age of technology, people with magic begin to emerge dividing the population (once again). Fear leads to exclusion, which leads to conflict, which leads to violence. The cycle never seems to stop.    

The Kingdom highlights the journey of three friends—Mox, Brand, and Nikki, who must overcome the challenges of diversity and immoral norms of socialization and save the world before it’s too late.

Yes, of course you can buy the whole series right now and immediately leave raving reviews 🙂 Okay, this might be a little hemmed up but you get the picture.

Just remember, whether selling your book, service, or anything else you’ve been working on, think about your customer and then create a dynamite elevator pitch that draws them in before it’s too late. (Can be seconds)

Good Luck!

Author Cameron Kielb

What’s stopping you?

Have you had a great idea for a book? A story that sang to your soul and made you excited. Did you then fail to translate that idea to paper, left instead to decay in the recesses of your mind— or maybe on a scribbled notepad/word doc left to be forgotten.

Bummer.

But you’re not alone! Unfortunately this happens a lot, denying eager readers the amazing material they wanted.

I’m putting together a series of tools and advise that I found helpful while writing The Kingdom.

First off— word count goal!

What are your word count goals? Is it daily? Weekly? Even monthly?

Do you have one at all?

You should and here’s why-

Creating a story requires disciplined writing week in and week out. The ability to stay steady and consistent is what separates those who have completed a story and those who have not.

It’s easy to come up with a story idea— maybe even a vague story outline, but having the patience to sit and transform an idea into a book requires work.

Word count goals are an excellent way to keep yourself motivated and moving. It can be sooo hard to continually pick up and start a story over and over again, and frankly the writing will probably suffer for it.

Individual goals for how much to write will, of course, differ from person to person based off of time constraints, writing goal, etc. but I encourage you to create one that pushes you to write and continue to make progressive project.

When I wrote my first epic fantasy series- The Kingdom— my work and home life allowed me to shoot for a 5k week minimum which worked out well. As I work on my newest book and juggle time marketing my author website and previous books my current goal is scaled back to 3-5k a week. This may be small to some, but for me it keeps the story moving in the time available.

Try it out and keep it reasonable!

Author Cameron Kielb

Apple Pickin

It officially feels like fall here in the Midwest! To be clear, I’m not a ‘pumpkin spice fanatic’ that has been desperately waiting all year for this time to come- but I wouldn’t say no either! I like being outdoors, and fall is just the perfect time to do so. There’s also just something so perfect about cozying up in your favorite sweatshirt, grabbing a hot cup of coffee, tea, cocoa.. whatever! and enjoying a good book.

I’m currently reading “The long way to a small, ugly planet” and am enjoying that. I’ll post a full review on the book once I finish. You can see I enjoy reading sci fi and fantasy just as much as writing it.

I just processed a solid paperback order of my books (The Kingdom) and can’t wait to receive them and get them out to my readers hands.

Check out my website for more information! Stay tuned for nauseating images and updates all about the wonders of fall.

Author Cameron Kielb

How about them apples?

Indie Author Struggles

Any new indie author can relate to the struggle of starting out. If you’re like me, you started writing not to get into the publishing/marketing business, but to create a story for others to read.

The problem though, is even gaining that readership. Though we first and foremost write for ourselves, it’s disheartening when it feels like we’re talking to an empty room.

The solutions vary and can be quite time consuming depending on what you read. I personally felt like I had to choose between writing or publishing/marketing tasks with what time I had available to “work” on my author work.

One commonality, though, is to have a strong platform (website) to serve as the hub of access for you and sales. I made the mistake of trying to cold sell my fantasy books straight through social media sources which really just turned into a colossal waste of money. Instead, create a well made platform that showcases your work and talent. Then you’re attention turns to invoking people to check out your site. It’s much easier to click on ‘view my website’ then ‘buy now’. No one wants to feel like they’re being hustled.

People that feel inclined to check out your site will make better audience participants because they obviously have an interest for what you’re offering.

With that said, I’ve been seriously vamping up my website and will continue to improve on it as I move forward with my works. Between this and focusing on growing my list— I feel I’m laying down a more solid foundation for my future as an author.

In the meantime I’m continuing to work on my rough draft of an upcoming book- title yet to be revealed, now that The Kingdom Series is completes. (Check it out!)

‘Til next time,

Author Cameron Kielb

Back on the train

Author Cameron Kielb

— It’s rather disorienting when you finish off a story (not to mention a full series) and proceed to the next. All that work; the descriptions, personas, background information, everything! The details of The Kingdom remain in my head. They didn’t just disappear when I typed, ‘The End’. Voice is a big one— I find the voice of my previous characters trying to come out in my new work. But Arthur (the character I’m working on) is not Mox.

I think acknowledgment of this from an author’s mind is necessary to help move on. True and practiced mindfulness has a way of catching a lot more than we realize. In addition, creating and falling back on outlines and character maps also becomes a great asset. I’ll post a separate blog about my experience with outlining, character mapping, and planning in general, but bottom line— it is important!

Now it’s time to get back on the train. I’ve created my outline and hard as it is to leave the last station behind, the best part is in front of me back- writing. Word count goals are back in action. Let’s see where the tracks take us this time! 😀

Author Cameron Kielb