Book Spotted

I was at a Utility Warehouse event this weekend and spotted my book on display. Pleasantly surprised and delighted to see it.

They'd sold 16 copies when I asked - a good sales rate for them ... and me.

Time Management Book Launch

Last night's launch went well. I did wonder at 6.30pm where they all were but running true to form and considering that it was for a launch of a time management book, several people turned up late - some almost missed the whole thing! :)

I didn't mind at least they were there. It was all fairly low key and I had plenty of friends there to join me in celebrating the launch of my book and share a glass (or small plastic cup) of wine. I was competing with three other events in and around Brighton last night, so was hardly going to be packing Borders to the rafters.

Book sales at the event went well, in fact there was a comment that even John Gresham doesn't sell that many copies in a day. They usually expect a 50% sales rate and I exceeded that, so thank you to everyone who came along and helped me to mark the occasion. I will now claim to being a Borders bestseller ... at least for one day and in one location!

The Importance Of Google

Since my book came out, people often ask me how I managed to get my book published and how I managed to get into the Dummies brand. In fact I've just given a talk this morning to my local Chamber on the whole book publishing process.

Well, it was pretty much down to Google. A few years ago, I attended a PR course and there are two things that have stuck with me from that course:

1) Journalists like to take the easy option and when up against a deadline to produce an article or do research, where do they go? Google.

2) If they contact you - get back to them immediately.

I'm often contacted by journalists - for the last couple of years I probably get half a dozen calls each year. How do they find me? They search for time management expert/coach and my name comes up on Google - either my website or my Ecademy profile. So they contact me and of course, I get back to them as soon as I receive their email or pick up their phone message, if I'm not able to answer it at the time.

When Wiley publishing were looking to commission the UK Edition of their Time Management book they googled and found me, read my articles and sent me an email to see if I might be interested in writing the book. The result of that initial contact is now up on Amazon and hopefully hitting the bookshelves soon.

Now, I'm no SEO expert and I've learnt an awful lot from many of the SEO experts I have in my network. My website is not necessarily going to win any prizes and there's always room for improvement but it's been enough to get me noticed and after all that's what's important.

I had a call yesterday morning from another journalist - she's calling me back on Monday for input into an article she's writing for December.

I was called in July by a journalist writing an article for BT Upload magazine - I'm in October's edition.

If you have an area of expertise - write articles, be seen, get noticed and Google is definitely going to help.

The 12 Step TM4D Programme

For all of you who don't have time to read the book!

Step 1 - Click here to order the book - and make an added contribution to Cancer Research by using my link.

Step 2 - When Amazon confirm the order, make a note of the delivery date

Step 3 - Book 10 minutes out in your diary on said delivery date (lunch break or when you finish work).

Step 4 - Book arrives - take the opportunity for a break. Spend 10 minutes (that you've already booked time for) reading the Table of Contents and the Intro - this will take about two to three minutes. Spend the remaining time making a note of which Chapters are most relevant to your immediate needs.

Step 5 - Decide how many Chapters you need/want to read to make the biggest impact. There are 18 chapters in all, two of those are in the Parts of Tens - so shorter and not all may be relevant.

Step 6 - Now set aside 30 minutes in your diary each day (or every other day) for the Chapters you need/want to read. Either at the very beginning of the day, before you get going or at the end of the working day - you might think of relevant points you want to address. Prioritise the most important chapters first.

Step 7 - Read first 'most relevant chapter' - decide on one key action you're going to take or a tip that you can apply from what you've read.

Step 8 - Take action. Apply the tip or take the necessary action as soon as possible.

Step 9 - Next 30 minute slot - read the remainder of the existing chapter or the second 'most relevant chapter' (Rinse and repeat steps 5-7, as necessary). Some chapters are a little longer and may have actions and checklists that you need to complete. Set yourself a target for when you plan to complete the book. (Ch1)

Step 10 - Take the book with you everywhere, so you can put the tip in Ch17 into action and keep reading when you've got a few minutes spare.

Step 11 - Give yourself a pat on the back (Ch10).

Step 12 - If you're having trouble with any of the Steps 1-11 - give me a call.

Spammers Request Read Receipt

I've noticed a new quirk with spam messages coming through - they're now requesting a read receipt. Now, this isn't a problem unless your mail system is set to automatically return a read receipt - you'll be responding to spammers without even realising.

If you do have 'Always send' selected, then make sure it doesn't respond to mailing lists or alternatively set the option to 'Never send a read receipt' or 'Notify me'.

No point in letting the spammers know that they've hit a valid address, not that they won't find it anyway, somehow.

Don't Have Time To Exercise?

... run down to the post office about half a mile down the road to post off a few copies of the book and then run back. Total time taken about 20 minutes and most of that was the running as there wasn't a queue in the post office, although what they made of this puffing and panting person at the counter I'm not sure.

This morning ... drop the car off to be serviced, run back on a lovely bright and shiny, sunny morning. Probably a similar distance and another 20 minutes in total from leaving home to getting back.

Four tasks achieved instead of two.

Contact Relationship Management Made Easy

I've just had a demo of a great new time management tool E-link, which enables you to link your calendar, tasks, contacts, emails and documents in one easy-to-use front-end. Impressed by the initial demo which does many of the things I've always wanted to do with Outlook, without having to buy into a full blown CRM system, which I don't need or find that either Outlook doesn't quite do what I want in the most intuitive way or that I need to purchase any number of Add-ons to get close.

Now I need to start using it in earnest with real data but I'm already excited by the possibilities of linking emails, contact history and documents. I'll keep you posted and let you know what I think.

Increase In Spam

In the last few days since my website returned to normal (thank goodness), I've been deluged with spam. All the usual stuff which I usually get in small quantities on a regular basis but from the sudden increase it looks as if the spammers have found a new location from which to operate and are spamming in earnest and getting through the filters.

Anyone else seen a significant increase over the last week or so?

September Newsletter - Holiday Inspiration And Focus

My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is about maintaining the inspiration and motivation we often get on holiday, there's also a special offer on the new book - Time Management For Dummies.

I’ve often found that holidays can be a great opportunity to not only take a break from your business or job but to think about the things that are really important to you and get a new perspective on life and triggers some of those light bulb moments of clarity. As a result of my holiday breaks, I’ve changed career (twice)...

If you want to read the rest of the newsletter, just sign up on my website and you'll receive the latest issue and free Power Time Tips.

Time Management For Dummies

Today, the day it's actually published and I finally get a copy in my hand. Well, I have to say - I'm pretty chuffed and had to go and show it off at a local network meeting, despite still having a head full of cold, so not totally able to celebrate.

It's available to order on both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com - get your copy now while stocks last!

www.clareevans.co.uk/timemanagementfordummies.htm