Monthly archives for April, 2009

Saturday Reflections

Apr11
2009 2 Comments

Written by Help Desk

Arrrrgggg …….

Okay let’s try that again ARRGGGGGGG !!!! Ah, that feels better.

Why the scream of frustration? I’m deep into that traditional writing contract I mentioned last time. And I’m realizing how difficult it really is to write the traditional way. It’s just too bad that not all writing can be done using my new technique.

What, you mean I don’t have a panacea good for all writing???? Nope, sorry. Not the best method for writing fiction. Won’t work for manuals (maybe it will – have to try it for that). Won’t work for 2nd Editions (or 3rd for that matter) especially when you don’t have a concept map for the prior edition.

What it will work for is non-fiction writing. Any book sized content production where the structure isn’t already forced on you. In short creating ebooks.

Now just have to get back to doing the videos … and get the whole thing released!

Also .. don’t try to release a new product while you’re clearing 10 years of stuff out of the dining room and living room. Man, I knew we had stuff but I didn’t realize how much stuff we had until I tried to pack it all up (well, my wife with my limited assistance). Two kids = much toys, much videos, and one whole heck of a lot of computer games! And that’s not counting my electronic toys. Somehow have to finish by tomorrow night in case I have to replace floor boards on Monday. Weeeeee!

Have a great Easter folks … or Passover if you prefer

Glen

Posted in Building an eBiz, Write a "how to" book - Tagged book, heck, IM, lot, method, technique, time, work, Write

On Writing eBooks and building my eBook business

Apr06
2009 33 Comments

Written by Help Desk

Well, what do you know …. it’s been an interesting week (end) and I’ve learned something important … now I just need to do something about it.

What have I learned?

Well, better start with what has happened. First, I’ve been swamped both with work and other things. I had intended to do my videos last week, and write the ebook. But I received a contract to write a new release of a textbook I co-authored. And of course, the client wants it within two weeks. Normally, I’d say that was impossible but since it’s only a rewrite and the changes aren’t excessive … we’ll see.

Meantime, I’ve been given a new refrigerator to replace our old one … cool. Except that it has to be shipped from Hamilton some 60 km away. And my family can’t help move it. So since I have to pay for the movers anyway, I’m going to get them to move a dining room set I’ve inherited.

Now the problem is that I’ve got an old shag carpet in the living room/dining room. Let’s just say it needs to be replaced. So if I’m going to move the furniture in, I need to replace the flooring now. Which means all the furniture has to be emptied and moved out. Uggghhhh.

And of course, I’m not going to replace the flooring with carpet, it has to be hardwood (we’ve all got dust allergies).

And all of this has to be done by next week. Then I get to replace the baseboards! And did I mention that I really should paint the walls?

I don’t know whether I should cry over the amount of work to be done or the amount of money I’m going to be spending!

Oh, and I’ve also been handed another contract (short term) to prep content for a site where the owner wants to change the name.

In addition, I also need to upload the Expert Marketing webinar to my training company’s website . And I also did a speech Saturday on Creativity and Innovation in Business Today. Fun, and I had to rush the writing but no big. However, I’ve agreed to convert all the speeches to DVD. Which means I need to clean them up, edit them, put titles on etc. And then I need to upload the speech to the TrainingNOW website. And I’ve agreed to do a webinar on mind mapping (or possibly concept mapping) to include with it.

All of which needs to be done within the week.

So what have I learned?

I really do need to a) prioritize, b) list my outstanding tasks and c) do a little each day. I’ve also learned that if I can I’ll avoid work … so I need to create a system that doesn’t allow me to avoid writing and doing the other things I need to do. And if I don’t do that I’ll quickly become overwhelmed and I’ll never get this writing ebooks business off the ground.

I’ve also learned that I need to be more realistic with my desire to get the writing ebooks business off the ground. I can’t get it all done in a day!

Man, I hope this business takes off … and based on the number of hits I’m NOT getting …

Have Fun! Keep Learning! And Get Earning!

Glen

Posted in Building an eBiz - Tagged book, business, Change, company, course, IM, Learned, site, system, time, training, TrainingNOW, web, work, Write, Write a "how to" book

Real (?) Life and Building an E-Biz

Apr02
2009 3 Comments

Written by Help Desk

Ahh buddlefuzz … I was supposed to accomplish all kinds of things this week. Here it is Thursday and what have I done? I’ve been to the doctor’s — several times. Answered calls — several times. Read my email — several times. Updated this blog — oh wait, that’s a good thing.

In short, I haven’t accomplished much at all.

I did manage to get through part of the course material (finished part 9 today … still need to listen to the audios though).
I did manage to update this blog … twice (sort of)
I also bought some title backgrounds for my videos (hey, if I don’t have to do it that’s a good thing right?)
I managed to mess up the cd for the backgrounds (forgot to copy some over).

Unfortunately, I haven’t:

finished the free videos (actually I haven’t even figured out what to say yet!)
finished the mind mapping webinar (same state)
finished writing the book (Hey, 3 for 3 I’m really doing well here)
finished my speech for Saturday (hey, at least I’ve got the topic chosen … sort of)
met with my partner Paul (Hey, it’s not my fault! It’s Harrison’s.)

Isn’t getting a new business off the ground fun! Not!

To make matters worse, I’ve had a chance to write the next version of AceIt! (the project management textbook). What’s wrong with that, you ask? Yes, it’s money but I have to get it done within 2 weeks … and I can’t use the my fancy dancy writing ebooks technique. (Note to self — you need to do a blog on the limitations of the technique — perhaps as a survey of available techniques).

Ahh, I hate having to live in the real world! (aka Who needs sleep?)

Have Fun! Keep Learning! And Get Earning! (get some sleep – optional)
Glen