Ever wondered how even the thought of the beach makes you feel relaxed? I reflect on a holiday when my family and I spent some time in the islands with a getaway at the beach enjoying the beautiful sunrise and sunset while avoiding the thought of the icy snow. It was a relaxing feeling that I wished could be brought to many during the Christmas snowy season.
I pondered more and decided to reflect on the reasons the beach is an answered prayer. Here I share 4 benefits as gleaned from Christina Heiser.
The Blue Color
The color blue is associated with feelings of calm and peace while staring at the ocean puts us into a mild meditative state that enhances creativity. The perfect place for me as I write. The book My Safe Place serves as evidence
Itβs the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas! The Holidays! Whatever you call itβ¦ to me its the most wonderful time of the year! People are kind, joyful, generous, smiling, pretty-all dressed up for those office parties, and family gatherings! Thereβs sumptuous food, FollyΒ jolly chocolate delights, gifts and so much more! Yes, I know thereβs always the Grinch but theyβre just a few, so letβs not let them spoil it for us too.
Music of the Season
The season kicks off with holiday musicβ¦ and today I would love to share them all! Β Hey, Iβm just kidding! I will just share 11Β of my favs!
All I want want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey)
Itβs the most wonderful time of the year (Andy Williams)
Want to spice up your holiday with friends, family or foe (yikes)? Here are two Holiday Games to help squeeze the giggles. Simple prizes make the laughs sweet. Canβt be together? Try it virtually. Be creative, change ideas to match your mood and enjoy!
Whatβs your favorite holiday game? Do share. We would love to hear.
The president for one of the biggest and most successful companies called a zoom meeting and fired 900 staff all at once- just before Christmas. When the media asked why (he was so mean at Christmas) he said they all work 2-hour days and report 8. Hmmm… Yea, the boss may have a case but it’s in the how he did it and when he did it. No matter the logic, he will still be seen as a Grinch.
So who is a Grinch? A person who spoils the fun of others. A spoilsport. A drag. A party pooper. That’s the Miriam Dictionary’s meaning. So here are 7 Suggestions on what you can do to avoid being a Grinch this holiday season
Personally, I love the holidays and wouldn’t mind celebrating all year round. But yes there are always those who are sad and down at this time. Reach out and lend a hand. Give a word of encouragement. Try any of the 7 ways shared and give love this Christmas.
How do you combat the Grinch Sydrome during the holidays? Do share, we would love to hear.
The holiday season brings many opportunities for authors. Families, co-workers, friends, networkers and even the Grinch shop for the perfect Gifts for book-lovers. From fiction, non fiction, Poetry, Sci-fi and sweet holiday romance for those hallmark enthusiasts who dream not only of movies but to curl up in the warmth of Christmas bliss. Their goal? To get lost in the world of the ideal relationship.
Marketers go crazy to capture the holiday magic for those on the naughty or nice list. So why shouldn’t authors…well author-preneurs participate? Itβs become a common trend for non-traditional publishers to want to optimize the sweet fruits of their labor. They want to see their hard work nicely wrapped under the Christmas tree or at minimum, stuffed into Christmas stockings.
So how can authors prepare? I was chatting with a group of self published and traditionally published authors who long to boost their holiday sales. Why have the books gathering dust on Amazon’s platform or even yours? It seems the practice is to write it, publish it, and forget it, with the hopes that writing and publishing the book will attract sales. Not so. It does not work that way. Not for any type of author. The point is, after your book is published… unfortunately that’s when the hard work begins. You have to make the world know that it exists. So here are a few simple tips to help get you started. Don’t be overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and prepare for the most wonderful time of the year.
Create That Holiday Plan
Create a plan for the holidays. I am a firm believer in the saying if you are not planning you’re just practicing.
Evaluate where you are now and where you would like to be at the end of the holiday period. For example, you could include factors like doubling or tripling your year-to-date sales. If you are an experienced author with several books, take a loo at your past holiday sales. Project an increase in sales over past years.
Plan to up your Marketing and Promotional strategy. Sometimes just a little effort goes a long way from doing nothing at all.
Update your book covers. Make it festive (easier if you’re self-published) but whatever you do, make sure your cover looks professional.
Your Holiday Author Platform
Become more visible
Get your website holiday ready
Update your Amazon Author Central profile
Get more amazon reviews
Make your book covers more festive
Update your book description
Update your author bio. It’s a good idea to edit and review often on your amazon page. You would be surprised when you look back you seem to be looking at a stranger who essentially is a person you hardly recognize. Think of this like a resume. Update frequently.
Get a professional photo done and spread it across the different media networks
Build That Strategic Audience
Set up or expand your mailing list
Write blog posts
Create a newsletter… if that’s on your agenda
Find and connect with your audience. Engage, engage, engage them
Dig a little deep and find out who your followers are
Create images of your books in holiday settings on instagram
Create your own 12-Days of Christmas
Show. Don’t Tell
Increase your book reviews. Aim for 25 which means you have to go after many in order to get this done. You will receive promises but usually only lower percentage will come through
Create gift bags and other swags for giveaways
Create holiday videos. Already doing that? Do some more
Have a series? Make the first book FREE
Prep your own 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways
Holiday Party Connect. Collaborate.
Collaborate with other authors in Holiday Book Events
Invite your fans to an “ask the author” virtual Holiday party on social media
Get involved in local festivities (holiday markets, local fairs etc.)
Contact local independent bookstores
Hope these few tips will help get you underway. There are tons more but these few will get you started. Don’t get overwhelmed. Choose one, two or a few and Sell More Books this Holiday!
The hustle and bustle of the season. Families come together. The air is different. Nature speaks. Music and lights sounds in sweet accord. Travel soars. Food Galore. Delightful Gifts drolls stress for those in retail yet brings smiles as currencies are exchanged for sales. The beauty of the season can be seen through eyes of purpose.
Tis the Season. I hear the sounds of the waves A-Calling. It’s getting louder. Now shouting for some well needed time to relax. Time to rejuvenate. It’s time to listen to the waves. It’sΒ Time for quiet, peace, and serenity. I hear Footsteps of the waves a-calling.
IοΈ received a call with anΒ enquiryΒ about the holidays, and time off. No doubt aΒ pain for employers and an avid desire for team…
IοΈ received a call from a business owner about time off during the holidays. “Everyone wants to take time off at the same time. What’s the best way to handle this during the holidays?” she Dubiously asked.
Time off during the holidays can be a RiffΒ issue for employers, and an emotional desire for team members.Β Employers fear absence will impact business results. Meeting the demand often prove overwhelming for small business owners who operate in the hospitality, retail, and other industries that service holiday needs.
On the other hand, employees wish to spend time with family, especially those visiting from out-of-town. Let’s not forget the busy preparationsΒ involved, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
So how can we balance the two? You don’t have to be mean about it. I concur with Kim Scott’s recommendation on the topic. Here’s my take on the issue.
The Balancing Act.Β Try the trade-off. Employees know the drill. Share holiday coverage needs and let them work it out amongst themselves. Only step-in if you absolutely must.
Comp days. Give them half/full day off at less demanding times. You will find this works very well, and shows compassion to those who must work.
Flex-Basket. Try a flex-basket of Goodies from which they can choose. This would include a selection of delights such as lunch, dinner, drinks, partnership with vendors for relaxation/rejuvenationΒ goodies (e.g. mani/pedi, movie tickets, etc.). Believe me, this works wonders.
So there you have it! Three simple tips that will bring delight to your team, and smooth your business over the stressful holidays.
Noticed anything missing that you would add to best manage this issue during the holidays? Do share!
there’s always the Grinch but they’re just a few, so let’s not let them spoil it for us too.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas! The Holidays! Whatever you call it… to me its the most wonderful time of the year! People are kind, joyful, generous, smiling, pretty-all dressed up for those office parties, and family gatherings! There’s sumptuous food, FollyΒ jolly chocolate delights, gifts and so much more! Yes, I know there’s always the Grinch but they’re just a few, so let’s not let them spoil it for us too.
Music of the Season
The season kicks off with holiday music… and today I would love to share them all! Β Hey, I’m just kidding! I will just share 11Β of my favs!
All I want want for Christmas is you (Mariah Carey)
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (Andy Williams)
Holly Jolly Christmas (Burl Ives)
Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
Mary did you know (Pentatonix)
Silent Night (Temptations)
Last Christmas (Bing Crosby)
Let it Snow (Dean Martin)
This Christmas (Chris Brown)
You’re a mean one Mr. Grinch (Thurl Ravenscroft)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (Johnny Mathis)
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