Resources
My Suggested ResourcesHere’s a powerful collection of resources, including key books, people, programs, tools and additional resources
you need to spread your message and sell your book! To make this page easy to search, we’ve added resources under the topic headings
that make most sense.
TELESEMINARS, WEBINARS AND VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS
Here, you will find recommendations for bridge lines, recording services and other technical tools you need to host teleseminars, webinars or
virtual events.
I’ve used Audio Acrobat since 2005 to record everything from small groups to teleseminars of 1000+ attendees. Why? First of all, it’s simple and easy to use. Secondly, you can record calls from ANY phone, including cell phones (although I don’t recommend leading a teleseminar
from a mobile phone!). Finally, it’s a very cost-effective way to record calls, since you don’t need any special equipment other than a phone with a flash feature (meaning, you can conference in another call). Audio Acrobat has a free 30-day trial as well.
Learn more about Audio Acrobat here.
Instant Teleseminar (Conference Call Service)
Instant Teleseminar is the service I am using (the advanced version) for the beta program, due to the great interactive features, such as the ability to “raise hands” and poll the audience. I’ve used it in the past for certain calls that I’ve hosted through Author Teleseminars, since it has a webcast feature that allows up to 1000 people to listen to the call via webcast (streaming audio on the computer.
With Instant Teleseminar, you are limited to 250 phone lines, so although the overall capacity is 1250, 1000 of those “spots” are on the listen-only webcast. One of the great things about Instant Teleseminar is that it has different levels of service depending on your needs (we are using the advanced NConnects for the beta group) and it includes template web pages for your teleseminar in the event you don’t have someone to help you build a web page.
Learn more about Instant Teleseminar here.
Maestro Conference (Conference Call Service)
This company is transforming what’s possible when it comes to teleseminars. They’ve been able to recreate the dynamics of a live workshop through an ordinary teleconference – amazing! Like Instant Teleseminar, Maestro is another great option if you want to host a highly interactive call and allow listeners to “raise hands” or break out into small groups. I really like the guys who run Maestro and plan to use their service for future projects. They also have a free 30-day trial, so I encourage you to give them a try, especially for group coaching calls or interactive, smaller teleseminars you might want to host.
Learn more about Maestro Conference here.
Simple Event (Conference Call Service)
If you need to host a large call or teleseminar (over 250 lines), Simple Event is the way to go. With Simple Event, you can have up to 1000 attendees (listen only ) tune in for your event at no charge – hard to believe! I chose Simple Event as the primary bridge service for the large book tours I host because it’s both reliable and easy to use. In fact, this free service proved to be more reliable that many of the paid options I tried. While it’s nice that it’s free, that’s not the reason I use it. Rather, I consistenly use Simple Event because they are reliable and consistent
when it comes to hosting large teleseminars.
Learn more about Simple Event here.
NETWORKING, DIRECT OUTREACH AND KEEP-IN-TOUCH TOOLS
Here, you will find the resources I rely on to grow my network, keep in touch with strategic partners.
Send Out Cards (Keep in Touch System)
Whether you need a better way to keep in touch with your network or you want a powerful tool to effectively spread your message, you need a system - or it won’t get done! Since 2006, this is the system I use to consistently use to build and foster relationship with all of my network, including strategic partners, past and current clients, colleagues, friends and more. Most importantly, Send Out Cards allows to you send personal and meaningful cards and postcards (not ecards) that best reflect the quality, tone and essence of your message.
With this system, I can send a personal greeting card (not an e-card) to one person or an entire group in my own handwriting and with my own
signature right from my computer in 60 seconds or less! And, I mean a physical card that actually goes out in the mail in a nice white envelope and personal stamp – just as if you had gone to Hallmark and bought the card yourself. Except, with this system, you not only save time and money, but you have a way to meaningfully connect and maintain your relationships.
You can test this system for free and send a card on my dime here.
PRODUCTIVITY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS
In order to effectively spread your message and sell your book, it’s important to find the tools you need to help you stay organized, manage your book launch and maximize your productivity. Here’s a few of the tools I personally use and recommend:
Basecamp (Project Planner and To-Do Manager)
After using a variety of project and task-management tools, I’ve decided that Basecamp is the best way to plan a project, share tasks with others or simply keep better records of your to-do lists. I use it on a daily basis to plan my book tours for Author Teleseminars, manage to-do lists and even organize my personal tasks. I also used it to plan all the details for the launch of my own book, The Contrarian Effect. Since it’s a web-based application, I can access it from any computer and even share task lists with my team. I rely on it to stay organized not only for my marketing campaigns and for my business, but for my personal projects and goals as well. Like many of the other tools I recommend, they have a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out.
Learn more about Basecamp here.
Focus and Insight CDs (Productivity, Focus and Clarity)
As a messenger, one of the biggest challenges is to find ways to screen out all the “noise” - emails, social media and other potential distractions - when you need to write an article, work on your book or plan your book launch. Whether I am writing an article, working on a project, reading or doing strategic planning, I use the Focus CD to heighten my focus and concentration. In fact, my productivity increased tenfold after I found this productivity tool. I used this productivity CD for EVERY writing session I had while writing The Contrarian Effect, which should give you an indication of how valuable I find this tool.
Here’s how it works. These CDs stimulate the brainwaves needed for focus, clarity and concentration, making it easier to get more work done in less time and to produce better overall quality work – something we all need.
In addition to the Focus CD, I use the Insight CD as well to relax and meditate as well as to foster creativity and new ideas. This is so important, since it’s easy to disconnect from your message and from your WHY in the midst of all the activity and the to-do list for your book launch. Which is why I use the Insight CD at least 4 times a week to refocus, calm my mind and get centered.