For over 20 years, I’ve played the drums. During that time, I went from playing very concisely structured songs, to showing up in different places (sometimes different countries) with absolutely no idea of what I would play, or much about the people I would be playing with. At first, this practice, called improvisation, can be stressful. Over time, it becomes clear to see it as yet another way people interact with one another. The same thing happens all the time: in business, in social settings, in fully developed relationships. Exercising the strength of listening, thinking, and making decisions on the fly (with great consequences) is an important skill. It’s something I practice daily and will never stop. Neither will you.
I had a great call with the author Tsufit yesterday. We talked about her book “Step Into The Spotlight” and about some of the things she was doing with the book and where the ideas came from. In that conversation, she began weaving an intricate story about her years as a practicing lawyer, her work on television, and doing stand-up comedy. Whoah, hold on. Really?
In fact, she had done all those things, and now has written a book about the lesson she learned. “Step Into The Spotlight” deals with the idea that all business is show business, and there are a variety of ways to apply ‘you’ into any situation to be successful and stand apart.
What really struck me about my conversation with her, was that it was a great example of someone really taking the whole of their experience and using it to convey a larger, complex message in a way that many people can relate to. She didn’t write a book about law, or about entertainment, or about comedy, or about business. She wrote a book about all those things, and in doing so will attract a larger number of people to content that will welcome them in.
Someday, I’ll write about all the things the world of music has opened up to me: the experiences, the techniques, the people, the problems, the logistics, the insights, the simple joy it provides, in conjunction with a whole other range of business experience and situations.
For now, I urge you authors to consider the same idea: think about your broad scope of interests, why you’re interested in them, and what they’ve shown you. That information can open up a whole new world for you, and can potentially open up a whole new connection with your audience (and likely a new audience, as well).

Chris Brogan is finishing up his first book, and is wisely considering how to market it online. He takes note of Seth Godin’s recent promotional practice for ‘Tribes’ and infuses it with his own experience and ideas. Here are the results.
The post is also a call to action for other authors to contribute their ideas. Whether you do it here or there, let’s hear your thoughts on this important step in your publishing experience.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here, so this one will be a bit longer. Everyone is talking about the current economy, and many are feeling the crunch. Fortunately, business authors and consultants are the folks relied upon for answers.
As we know, it’s not so easy, especially in these times.
Good ideas might come naturally, but selling, publishing, talking to media, utilizing new media, telling a good story, talking to an audience, and communicating visually are some of the things that become difficult to effectively execute.
For the past two years, 800ceoread has hosted an Author Pow Wow, where we get a bunch of people together from the publishing and consulting industries, and put them in a room for two days. The result is knowledge, insight, change, and an amazing experience that leaves all involved with a huge advantage for moving forward.
We’re doing it again, on December 9th and 10th in Chicago at the Catalyst Ranch.
This year’s Pow Wow will focus on a specific topic:
How Is a Good Idea Communicated?
To discuss this, we’re bringing in:
Adrian Zackheim (publisher at Portfolio):
How is a good idea communicated to a publisher?
Barbara Cave Henricks (president of Cave Henricks Communications):
How is a good idea communicated to the media?
Erin Brown (publicity director at Harvard Business Publishing):
How is a good idea communicated to the media?
Nick Morgan (president of Public Words):
How is a good idea communicated to an audience?
Joy Stauber (president of Stauber Design Studio):
How is a good idea communicated visually?
Jose Castillo (president of ThinkJose):
How is a good idea communicated using new media?
Jonathon Flaum (president of Right Mind Institute):
How is a good idea communicated as a story?
Deb Lewis (Manager of Business-to-Business Sales, Penguin):
How is a good idea sold?
Lucas Conley (author of OBD, contributing writer for Fast Company Magazine):
How is a good idea communicated to the media?
Jack Covert and Todd Sattersten (president and vice president, 800ceoread):
How is a good idea communicated as a book?
Whether you’ve written a book and are looking forward to the next, want to do more speaking and consulting, or are completely new to the game and want to get an incredible head start, the information you will walk away with will be invaluable, and the experience of engaging in this conversation with each other is priceless.
Here’s evidence from last year’s Pow-Wow.
“With this group of extremely successful entrepreneurs we all picked each others’ brains on the business of speaking and writing as a career. I learned a great deal (hey 8CR – sign me up for next year!)”
- David Meerman Scott, author of The New Rules of Marketing and PR
“These elements created an environment that combined safety and experimentation; vulnerability and strength; excitement and comfort; real seriousness and high good humor. I’m counting the days till next year.”
- Erika Andersen, author of Growing Great Employees

“I have to say that this was by far the BEST event I attended this year.”
- Rajesh Setty, author of Beyond Code
Click here to register for what’s sure to be another amazing Pow Wow.