I never really spent much time creating videos. Tried a few times but never went far. My better option was podcast. I had over 50 episodes with over 6k downloads. Small numbers for some, but to me, is great. I also know that my show has been downloaded in over 100 different countries!!! I just recently discovered a platform where I can video record and edit my shows while doing my podcast. Now, I am leveraging YouTube too. I am sure @Julie Broad will be proud of me...haha Here's my first episode with video. Please let me know your thoughts so I can elevate this up a notch. Cheers, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GY583586

So I know from lurking around on here I did about 50,000,000 things wrong in the launch and marketing. I had zero budget for anything basically but did end up spending $200 on Fiverr for formatting and some photoshop and Ai help on some of my illustrations. I also paid $60 for another guy to make my book into a coloring book and create a bunch of extra scenes. I was ranked 1.8 million with the coloring book and a little over 800k on my book out the gate. My book is a true story kid’s book that I add a little humor in it for hard headed boys like me to stay engaged. I did some set up stuff on FB for a few weeks to at least let my followers know it was happening but I tried hard not to wear out my welcome. I’m in shock but proud to say the coloring book has went from 1.8 mil to 74k and 299 in the farm animals coloring book niche. The book has went from 800k to 29k and I’m super pumped to 178 in the farm animal niche. I know once these initial sales slow it’s potentially going to flip fast but…..it at least has a chance to be seen. No matter what happens from here I’m very grateful. This has by far been the most chaotic and potentially unsettling time of my life. God has used this as a refuge for me and this community as an oasis.

HAPPY 250th America!! 🇺🇲 By request ... I am going to prep a video on how to assess whether a book award is worth your time/effort/money. When I do that video ... what other things would you like me to cover beyond what is in this video?

I’m sure everyone has been in the position I am in, but I am so curious to know how all of you have been able to fund your writing and publishing projects? Are you your own bank? Are you waiting a decade and saving up? Are you taking out a loan? How are people paying for these expenses and steps to be successful? Do you have any regrets in the early stages of financing your projects?

Twenty years ago, someone suggested I follow Michael Katz. I was just starting out in business. He was a marketing expert who worked with solopreneurs. I had no idea what that would turn into. I started following his work. Turns out we lived in the same town — a small coincidence that turned into a much bigger one. Eventually we met. He became my business coach. Then my client. Then my friend. At some point, my neighbor. Along the way, without either of us realizing it, he planted the first page of a book I wasn't planning to write. Then I moved to Florida. And 20 years after that first introduction, I finally wrote it. Michael wrote the foreword. Here's the part I still can't get over. Every time I'm in Boston, I call Michael for coffee — no agenda, just catching up. Two months ago I called him to set one up for when I'd be up there for the 4th of July. At the time, I had zero idea the book would actually be ready. Three days before my flight, it was done. I ordered a copy on the spot and had it shipped to where I was staying in Boston. Last night, I sat down with Michael for our coffee — and handed him the very first physical copy. The book he helped start 20 years ago without either of us knowing it. With a dedication inside, for him. Twenty years, one small town, one cup of coffee at a time — and it circled all the way back to the beginning. You just never know which conversation is going to turn into the rest of your story.