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Give Her the Gift of Growth This Mother’s Day
Tag: goals
From Manuscript to Bestseller: Unleash Your Publishing Potential
If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.
Martin Luther
Are you a writer with a story burning to be told, but feeling overwhelmed by the traditional publishing maze? Listen to this electrifying workshop facilitated by Dr. Shelly Cameron on behalf of Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library. The tips and tricks will transform your publishing dreams from wishful thinking to strategic action.
In this game-changing discussion, you’ll discover the exact blueprint successful self-published authors use to launch their books, build their audience, and generate real income. We’ll pull back the curtain on the traditional vs self-publishing industry, revealing insider strategies that most writers never learn—from choosing the right platforms and mastering digital formatting to marketing techniques that actually sell books. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer looking to take control of your publishing journey, this session promises to equip you with practical, immediately actionable insights. Stop waiting for someone else to validate your story. Listen and Learn how to become the author you’ve always dreamed of being—on your own terms, with your own power. Don’t miss your chance to revolutionize your writing career.
Key Insights: Publishing Questions from Authors You Must Know
Many questions were asked throughout the presentation. Here are a 14.
- Should you use Ai for Book cover designs?
- Are authors required to let readers know that you used Ai?
- What is the full marketing potential for a book?
- How do you translate a book into another language?
- How do you negotiate speaking fees for your book?
- Are there any supporting groups to guide on how to format books on KDP?
- How can you hire someone to help with publishing?
- I’m doing away with writing the Foreword or comments on back of book. What’s the trend?
- Do you have resources to look for the audiobooks?
- How much can editors charge for beginner writers?
- How do you copyright a book?
- How do you find someone to edit your work?
- How can I get more exposure for sales other than amazon?
- Do I have to be a published author to be an editor?
If you’re interested in publishing your book, listen to the presentation and accompanying responses. If you need help, we are passionate about publishing. Reach out for help today and realize your publishing dream!
Happy Writing!
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Monetize Your Writing Skills: 10 Proven Methods
Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give. ~William Arthur Ward
Are you a writer living from paycheck to paycheck? Do you want to take that dream vacation but your pocket dictates otherwise? You may just want to purchase that long desired goal but can’t seem to come up with the funds. Well, why not try to boost your income creatively? Here are 10 methods that can turn your talent into money in a flash (legally of course – yikes)!
1.Freelance Writing Platforms
Sign up for sites like:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer
- PeoplePerHour
Start with blog posts, bios, product descriptions, or email copy. Quick turnaround = faster pay.
2. Offer Resume & Cover Letter Services
Tons of people need help polishing their resumes. You can charge $50–$200+ depending on your expertise.
3. Sell Digital Products
- Create and sell templates (journals, planners, ebook templates) on Etsy or Gumroad.
- If you’ve already written a book, turn it into a workbook or checklist.
4. Pitch Articles
Submit articles to platforms that pay per piece:
- Medium (via Partner Program)
- Narratively
- The Bold Italic
- Listverse
- Cracked Some pay $100+ for accepted content.
5. GHOSTWRITING
Offer ghostwriting for blog posts, social media captions, or even eBooks. It’s in high demand, especially for coaches and small businesses.
6. Edit or Proofread
Writers are great editors! Offer fast-turnaround proofreading on Fiverr or Facebook groups.
7. Write LinkedIn Profiles or Bios
Professionals always need help optimizing their online presence.
8. Transcribe Audio for Creators or Podcasters
Great for fast typers. Websites like Rev or TranscribeMe pay per audio minute.
9. Offer Email Newsletter Setup / Writing
Many small biz owners want to start newsletters but don’t know where to begin.
10. Monetize a Blog or Substack Fast
Offer a mix of free content and a paid tier with extra goodies (writing tips, coaching, behind-the-scenes, etc.).
Did any of the above spark your interest to boost your earning potential? Any missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.
Cheers!
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Top 8 Audiobook Publishers You Should Know
Listening to the dulcet tones of a familiar voice is an appealing way to work our way through those books we’ve always meant to get around to, but haven’t.– Clare Thorp
You have written your book! Took it a step further and did the audiobook. Now what do you do? How do you get it into the hands of listeners? The options listed may help.
1. Audible (an Amazon company)
- What they do: Industry leader in audiobook publishing and distribution.
- Also produces: Audible Originals (exclusive content).
- Website: audible.com
2. Tantor Media
- What they do: Full-service audiobook publisher with a wide range of genres.
- Known for: High-quality production and professional narration.
- Website: tantor.com
3. Podium Audio
- Focus: Sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller genres.
- Notable for: Discovering and promoting indie authors with huge success (e.g., The Martian by Andy Weir).
- Website: podiumaudio.com
4. RBmedia
- What they do: One of the largest audiobook publishers globally.
- Imprints include: Recorded Books, HighBridge Audio, Tantor Media, and more.
- Website: rbmediaglobal.com
5. Dreamscape Media
- What they do: Audiobook production and publishing for libraries, retail, and direct sales.
- Also handles: Distribution to major platforms like Audible, Hoopla, OverDrive.
- Website: dreamscapepublishing.com
🧰 Self-Publishing & Hybrid Options
6. ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)
- Owned by: Amazon (works with Audible and iTunes).
- For: Authors and publishers to create and distribute audiobooks.
- Website: acx.com
7. Findaway Voices (by Spotify)
- What they do: Allows authors to produce and distribute audiobooks across 40+ platforms (including Audible, Apple Books, Google, etc.).
- Website: findawayvoices.com
8. Author’s Republic
- What they do: Distribute audiobooks globally with easy access for self-published authors.
- Website: authorsrepublic.com
Questions to Consider
Consider these questions before you make your selection.
- Is the audiobook already recorded, or do you need help with narration/production? (e.g., voice talent, editing, mastering, etc.)
- Are you looking to self-publish, or are you open to working with a publisher?
- What is your target audience and platform preference? e.g., Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, libraries, global reach, etc.)
- Do you want control over pricing and rights, or are you okay with royalty splits?
- What’s the genre or focus of the content?
- (e.g., business, leadership, fiction, memoir, etc.)
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A Conversation With Journalist & Award Winning Story Teller Sharon Gordon
Absolutely thrilled to announce that Sharon Gordon’s debut book “Sheribaby is NOW AVAILABLE!
Journalist Sharon, is the talented 2025 Award winning Storyteller and niece of beloved Jamaica’s Singer Songwriter Beresford Hammond.
I met Sharon a decade ago when Reggae music matriarch Miss Patricia Chin, hosted my Success Strategies of Caribbean American Leaders book event at VP Records, New York.
It’s been such an honor to guide Sharon through the book publishing journey – from connecting her with Raquel, the perfect editor for her genre, to navigating publisher conversations and finally seeing her words in print.
Her dedication to the craft and willingness to embrace the publishing process made this success inevitable. This is why I do what I do!
Congratulations Sharon! Indeed, hard work pays off!
If you have been dreaming of becoming a published author but aren’t sure where to start, let Sharon’s journey inspire you. With the right guidance, YOUR story could be next on the shelves!
Order your copy of Sheribaby today https://a.co/d/5R50Nwu and follow Sharon’s author journey
Enjoy our literary conversation here.
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Beauty Is In The Stories We Carry …
The Stories We Carry
Aging is not for the weak. One day you wake up and realize that your youth is gone, but along with it, so go insecurity, haste, and the need to please… You learn to walk more slowly, but with greater certainty. You say goodbye without fear, and you cherish those who stay. Aging means letting go, it means accepting, it means discovering that beauty was never in our skin… but in the story we carry inside us.
Meryl Streep
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Setting Boundaries: A Key to Work-Life Balance
SAY NO
Stop asking why they keep doing it and start asking why you keep allowing it.
Setting boundaries involves defining expectations and limits in relationship (Positive Psychology). Here are 5 characteristics to help balance your work/ life.
1. Self-Care Prioritization
- Regular exercise
- Quality sleep
- Healthy nutrition
- Meditation/stress management techniques
2. Boundaries Setting
- Clear work-life separation
- Learning to say no
- Limiting overtime
- Scheduling personal time
3. Professional Support
- Discuss workload with supervisor
- Seek workplace accommodations
- Consider professional counseling
- Join support groups
4. Mental Reset Techniques
- Take regular breaks
- Practice mindfulness
- Use vacation days
- Pursue hobbies outside work
5. Systematic Recovery
- Identify stress triggers
- Develop coping strategies
- Regular mental health check-ins
- Gradual lifestyle adjustments
Here’s hoping these tips will help you achieve your work / life balance goals.
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How Can Leaders Take Charge of Limited Resources to Achieve Better Outcomes?
66 Percent of Projects fail to meet their original Business intent due to poor prioritization, while 96 percent of Leaders feel they are working with limited time and resources.
Begin with the end in mind. ~Steven Covey
It was a pleasure to speak on the topic Prioritizing Workloads at the HR and Business Leader’s Council of Florida
Education, Social Impact and Networking event.
A fitting topic as 66% of Projects fail to meet their original Business intent due to poor prioritization, while 96% of Leaders feel they are working with limited time and resources.
As we forge through the new year, it’s statistics like these and the impact on organizational and personal stress that led to the Council’s forward thinking to bring it to the forefront of the business leader’s mind.
How can we prepare? How can leaders take charge of their limited resources to achieve better outcomes?
Covey steered strategists to Begin with the End in mind. 🎯 Prioritizing limited time and resources work wonders. Most of all learn to say ‘No’
to time wasters and set boundaries. 🚫
Suffice it to say, there was much to synergize and Dave & Buster’s Inc.
provided the right space.
It’s time to take charge of your priorities. Stay tuned for more on the Urgent vs. Important Matrix.
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7+ Ways To Prepare For A Public-Facing Leadership Role
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” —Jack Welch
More than two decades ago I started my first leadership role. Always facing an audience through years of athletic performance, the arts, other leadership roles, I was always confident. But this was different. In my HR Leadership role, I faced responsibilities on behalf of the company. No more hiding behind other senior leaders. My boss gave me no choice but to step up to my full responsibilities.
After going through a bout of nervousness that lasted months, I found that it got easier each time. Before long, I prepared for each meeting when I had to address employees performance, achievements and areas of development across the region with confidence.
On observation these days, we see politicians and society’s leaders in public service assuming new roles. Consequently, the question was raised; “can a person from behind the scenes excel in a new public-facing role?” The answer is absolutely!
Public-facing means a role where the (individual) exercises managerial authority or control of an entity’s activities.
Here are 7+ points to prepare for a public-facing leadership role. Focus on:
1.Communication Skills
- Develop clear, compelling public speaking abilities
- Practice articulating complex ideas simply
- Learn media training techniques
2.Personal Brand Development
- Build a professional, authentic public image
- Be consistent across different platforms
- Develop a strong personal narrative
3.Continuous Learning
- Stay updated on industry trends
- Understand diverse stakeholder perspectives
- Cultivate emotional intelligence
4.Professional Appearance
- Dress appropriately for your industry
- Project confidence through body language
- Work on your on-camera and in-person presence
5.Media and Presentation Preparation
- Take media training workshops
- Practice handling tough questions
- Learn crisis communication strategies
6.Networking
- Build relationships with key industry influencers
- Develop a supportive professional network
- Seek mentorship from experienced public leaders
7.Digital Literacy
- Manage social media presence professionally
- Understand digital communication etiquette
- Be mindful of online reputation
Bonus: Resilience and Adaptability
- Develop thick skin for public scrutiny
- Learn to handle criticism constructively
- Maintain composure under pressure
Consistent practice and self-reflection are the keys to becoming an effective public-facing leader.
What has been your experience with getting ready for a leadership role? Did you use any of the above strategies? If so, what worked for you? Any other strategy that comes to mind? Do share, we would love to hear.
Cheers!
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What Would You Attempt To Do If You Knew You Would Not Fail?
To live a fulfilled life, we need to keep creating the “what is next” of our lives. Without dreams and goals there is no living, only merely existing. – Mark Twain
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10 Ways To Help You Achieve Your Goals
Goals are the links in the chain that connect activity to accomplishment. —Zig Ziglar
Another year filled with regret at not achieving the goals Sabrina had set. Throughout her career she had helped others achieve their goals, yet it was at the expense of achieving her own personal goals. Something has to give.
If you are like Sabrina, here are some practical steps to help you achieve your goals:
1.Break Down Large Goals
- Divide big goals into smaller, manageable sub-goals
- Create a step-by-step action plan
- Make each milestone specific and measurable
- Set realistic timelines for each sub-goal
2.Develop a Concrete Action Plan
- Write down your goals in detail
- Specify exactly what you want to achieve
- Include specific deadlines
- Identify potential obstacles in advance
- Create strategies to overcome these obstacles
3.Prioritize and Track Progress
Use tools like:
- Goal tracking apps
- Physical planners
- Digital spreadsheets
- Regularly review and assess your progress
- Adjust your plan if needed
- Celebrate small victories along the way
4. Build Accountability
- Share your goals with trusted friends/family
- Find an accountability partner
- Join support groups related to your goals
- Consider working with a coach or mentor
5. Develop Consistent Habits
- Create daily/weekly routines supporting your goals
- Practice discipline and consistency
- Use habit-tracking techniques
- Start small and gradually build momentum
6. Enhance Motivation
- Visualize success
- Create a motivational vision board
- Use positive affirmations
- Reward yourself for reaching milestones
- Maintain a growth mindset
7. Continuous Learning
- Acquire necessary skills
- Read relevant books/materials
- Take courses
- Seek mentorship
- Stay updated in your goal’s domain
8. Manage Time Effectively
- Use time management techniques
- Prioritize tasks
- Eliminate distractions
- Practice focused work sessions
- Use productivity tools
9. Practice Self-Care
- Maintain physical and mental health
- Get adequate rest
- Exercise regularly
- Practice stress management
- Maintain a balanced lifestyle
10. Stay Flexible and Resilient
- Accept that setbacks will happen
- Learn from failures
- Be adaptable
- Maintain a positive attitude
- Continuously reassess and adjust your approach
Follow these steps to achieve your goals as you step into a new phase of your career. Need help? Let’s connect
Cheers!
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Making Big Decisions: Head Or Heart?
Decisions. Decisions
A new year paves the way for ‘change’. As we approach 2025 many of us will make decisions that will impact our lives. Decisions in our entrepreneurship roles, decisions in our relationships, career (stay or go), and in our personal and professional lives.
The question was asked on social media about decision-making. When making decisions do you make them using your ‘head’ or ‘heart’. Respondents quickly chimed in with 29% preferred ‘head’, while 71% preferred ‘heart’. Decided to break down head decisions vs. heart decisions and analyze their roles and characteristics in decision-making.
Head Decisions (Rational / Logical)
- Characteristics:
- Based on facts and data
- Relies on analysis and reasoning
- Focuses on practical outcomes
- Uses systematic evaluation
- Considers long-term consequences
- Weighs pros and cons objectively
- Driven by logic and evidence
- Best Used For:
- Financial decisions
- Business strategies
- Career choices
- Investment planning
- Risk assessment
- Legal matters
- Technical problems
Heart Decisions (Emotional / Intuitive)
- Characteristics:
- Based on feelings and intuition
- Relies on personal values
- Focuses on emotional satisfaction
- Uses gut instincts
- Considers personal fulfillment
- Weighs emotional impact
- Driven by passion and purpose
- Best Used For:
- Personal relationships
- Creative pursuits
- Life purpose decisions
- Value-based choices
- Personal fulfillment
- Passion projects
- Meaningful connections
Which is Better?
Neither is “better” – both have their place
- Integrated Approach:
- Best decisions often combine both
- Head ensures practicality
- Heart ensures alignment with values
- Balance creates sustainable choices
- Context Matters:
- Some situations need more logic
- Others need more emotional intelligence
- Most benefit from both perspectives
- Decision Framework: Best Practice: Use Both
- Heart: Initial guidance
- Head: Validation and planning
- Heart: Final gut check
- When to Lean More on Head:
- High-risk situations
- Financial commitments
- Legal matters
- Complex problems
- Strategic planning
- When to Lean More on Heart:
- Life purpose decisions
- Personal relationships
- Career passion
- Creative endeavors
- Value-based choices
- Integration Tips:
- Start with heart to identify what matters
- Use head to evaluate feasibility
- Check back with heart for alignment
- Plan execution with head
- Monitor satisfaction with heart
- Warning Signs: Head-Only Decisions:
- Feels empty or unfulfilling
- Lacks personal meaning
- May lead to regret
- Could miss opportunities
Heart-Only Decisions:
- May be impractical
- Could be financially risky
- Might lack sustainability
- Could be too impulsive
Real-World Example: Career Change Decision:
- Heart: Identifies passion and desired impact
- Head: Evaluates market demand, salary, skills needed
- Heart: Confirms emotional alignment
- Head: Creates transition plan
- Both: Monitor progress and satisfaction
Recommendation
- Use a Balanced Approach:
- Start with heart to understand what you truly want
- Use head to evaluate feasibility and plan
- Check back with heart for alignment
- Execute with head’s planning
- Monitor with both heart and head
- Decision-Making Process:
- Identify the type of decision
- Consider the stakes involved
- Use appropriate balance of both
- Create evaluation criteria
- Make and implement decision
- Review and adjust as needed
- Questions to Ask: Head Questions:
- What are the facts?
- What are the risks?
- What are the long-term consequences?
- What resources are required?
Heart Questions:
- How does this feel?
- Does this align with my values?
- Will this bring fulfillment?
- What does my intuition say?
Points to Note
- The best decisions often come from balanced input from both head and heart
- Different situations require different balances
- Practice integrating both perspectives
- Trust both your logic and your intuition
- Monitor outcomes using both metrics
So there you have it. A thorough overview of when and how to make decisions with your head and heart. What type of decision-maker are you? Head or Heart? Do share, we would love to hear.
