Power Culture Magazine Dec 2012 by Women CEO Project

POWERCULTURE A Digital Gem dedicated to the Ambitious, Tech-Savvy Female Entrepreneur

DEC 2012

TOP Best-Selling Authors & Entrepreneurs Inside!

Writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s POWER MANUAL Over 100 Tips, Tools & Advice to Write That Book NOW!

Sophia A. NELSON Defining her own success

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POWERCULTURE Founder and Editorial Director Kristi L. Jackson Co-Editor Pam Gibbs Research Editor Dede Newby Creative Director Karan Jain

Contributors Dede Newby Remi-Roy Oyeyemi Pam Gibbs Lena West Kristi L. Jackson

Women CEO Project LLC Email: editor@powerculturemag.com Web: www.powerculturemag.com 340 S Lemon Ave #1908 Walnut, CA 91789

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OPINIONATED Creating Power Culture Magazine brought so many lessons, opinions and feedback.Here’s what our readers had to say about Issue 2 of PC...

You have so carefully tapped into the mind, heart and spirit of women entrepreneurs. thoroughly enjoyed reading Power Culture magazine. You have so carefully tapped into the mind, heart and spirit of women entrepreneurs. It is packed with such useful and valuable information. You hit head on the things that we are thinking and may not articulate because of fear, insecurity or lack of know-how. Your inspiration shines through and convinces me that I don’t need to be afraid or insecure and that what I don’t know I can learn. Magnificent job!

I have to make sure I LIKE your magazine’s page! I ran across her ( Barbara Corcoran) while living in Houston circa 2005 or so. I was just immensely inspired further after reading her book “Use What You’ve Got!” I’m glad you got a chance to meet her. I had a question or two I think after reading your article on her. All I can say is your issue-was very informative- had a lot of useful information. Shan RealEstate Broker

Want to give us your opinion? Send your letters to letters@powerculturemag.com. We would LOVE to hear from you! 4 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

For the Ambitious, Tech-Savvy, Female Entrepreneur

power culture May/June 2012

BarBara CorCoran

Real Estate Mogul opens up about her humble beginnings

Goldie Erowelele

I really loved the first one. But this issue is absolutely fantastic I must admit. Love the great interviews, tips, the fashion spread, I mean....love every page. You are doing it CEO. If I can be honest, it is definitely better than the first. Looking forward to the third!!!

Bee Oc

I clicked on the magazine on twitter, just wanting to check it out. My feedback was just spontaneous. This one is great. Please keep doing what you are doing. Its amazing and we need it!

Pasha Cook

I think your magazine is just awesome!!! I see we have a mutual admiration of Ms. Barbara Corcoran!! I think she’s just great!

Misha Granado

Good morning! Power Culture magazine is phenomenal!!!! Thank you for living your passion by fulfilling your purpose, for in doing so you give others the courage to doth same! What a fabulous way to grow love!!!!

CALENDAR January

09 31 Send your portfolio and writing samples to writers@powerculturemag.com

www.powerculturemag.com 5 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Growth Conference in Dallas

Deadline to Apply for Global Mastermind Circles Click here to apply Deadline to Advertise for next issue of PC Mag Email here

CONTENTS

Cover Story 46 Defining Her Own Success Sophia A. Nelson

Regular

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12 16 22 18

4 books that made a difference Why Facebook Sucks Travel Light, Travel Right 12 Kind of Evils that Waste Women’s Time 26 Sincerely Yours, How to Write and Speak Authentically 30 35 Best Writng Resources 34 New Rules for Social Media Engagement for Women 38 Inspiration- Why did you start a business? 40 Girl Crush 42 Ready • Set• Write 78 Ebook here, Real Book Disappear 82 Writing. Engaging Author. Or Entrepreneur?

featured 52 58

Creating the Rules of Digital Innovation Amy Jo Playing to Win Dr Lois Frankel 64 Powerplayer, Producer Best-Seller Crystal McCrary 72 Coach Behind the Fortune 500 Debra Benton

articles

The Business Woman Manifesto 03 Opinionated 04 Calendar 05 Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note 08

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founder’s

note

I will persist until I succeed. I was not delivered into this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd. I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep. The slaughterhouse is not my destiny. I will persist until I succeed. From the ancient scroll in the “Greatest Salesman in the World” 8 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

f that doesn’t describe the Power Culture Woman, I don’t know what does. It’s said that if you’re not experiencing any challenges in your personal or business life, that you aren’t taking any risks, you aren’t growing, and you definitely aren’t pushing yourself to reach your maximum potential.

If this is true, then many of us are doing exactly what we need to do in order to experience true growth in our lives. 2012 wasn’t easy on many businesses but with new opportunities and technology, this year offered some individuals the open windows needed to birth new startups or expand their businesses. I needed to read this quote many times this year. I learned that what sometimes seemed like failure, was actually clarity. We found our own windows of opportunities and avenues to growth creating new ventures like Power Culture Magazine and Global Mastermind Circles to further reach women entrepreneurs and continuously provide what we so greatly needed ourselves 3 years ago- information, education, someone to remind us that we’re ready and capable. As we delve into 2013 and reflect on the previous year, we understand that this new year will reward the truly brave. We have to be more innovative, nimble yet systematic, fearless, self-motivating, ambitious women. We can no longer hold back our talents, let obstacles keep us cornered, nor ask for permission. We are not survivors of 2012, we are the mavericks already making waves and leading trends for 2013. This issue of Power Culture Magazine is the Writer’s Power Manual. It was pure joy to interview not 1 but 5 authors who made it to the coveted BestSelling list and who are also entrepreneurs working daily to claim their global status. These women are fearless, they have proven to have “chutzpah”, they have taken all of their life’s skills and failures and have turned them into opportunities. They have created and defined success on their own terms. In this issue, they have stopped briefly, to speak with us and let you know how you too, can create your own path to success. Not for the new year, but forever. You will persist until you succeed. You were not delivered into this world in defeat. Let’s go 2013! Colossally,

Kristi L. Jackson Founder, Power Culture Magazine

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CONTRIBUTORS

Remi-Roy Remi is a writer, managing editor, blogger and aspiring author. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s written for the Naija Stories, From the Sidelines, Gem Woman Magazine, Exceed Magazine, Lagos Moms, Femmelounge. com and many more. Follow Remi @Remi_Roy

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Deaidre Newby Deaidre Newby is a freelance writer and songwriter. Her articles have been featured in Curve, Swerv, Qnotes and many other online outlets Catch Dede@ deaidrenewby or www.linkedin.com/in/ deaidrenewby

Lena West Lena L. West is the leading expert on how women entrepreneurs can monetize social media. She is also the Founder of InfluenceExpansion. com, the home of the Influence Expansion Academy, the only social media mastermind program created especially for women entrepreneurs Follow Lena @ lenawest

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Pam Gibbs Pam Gibbs is a freelance writer, speaker, and editor who makes her home in Tennessee. When she’s not spending time with her husband and daughter, you’ll find her curled up in her favorite chair with a good book and lots of dark chocolate. You can catch her blog at www.pamgibbs. org or on Twitter: @ PamTGibbs.

Kristi L. Jackson Kristi is a White House Recognized Innovator & Entrepreneur, an Award Winning Humanitarian, Founder of Women CEO Project www. womenceoproject. com , which was nominated for Women’s Organization of Year, 2012 and Founder & Publisher of Power Culture Magazine www. powerculturemag. com Follow her @ womenceo and @ powerculturemag

Books that Made a Difference to Me

I’ve been an avid reader all my lifewinning contest after contest on finishing the most books as a child. This hobby has fulfilled me, kept me company, inspired me, catapulted me, and changed my thinking over the course of my life. I would not have chosen my current career nor be following my passion of helping women in business without these 4 books.........

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“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison : Never before had I read writing that was so unbelievably descriptive, so beautiful, and encompassed such eloquent storytelling. This book helped me in my own storytelling on and off the page. It helped to develop my unique tone filled with details and quick excerpts for color. I’m now, rarely caught telling a bland story-thanks to Toni Morrison. I’ve definitely learned from her. She has one of the best writing techniques of any writer I’ve ever read. “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi Why not reach out and connect with the big wig? Why not ask to meet with Oprah? This book gave me COURAGE! Connecting isn’t easy, but if you understand the power of reaching out, building relationships and keeping them, you will never have acquaintances because everyone will consider you a close and dear friend.

“48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene: This is my absolute favorite author. The sheer amount of time and research he puts into his books is highly admirable, but then there’s the content. Oh, the content. This is one of the most powerful, historic yet business best-selling books ever and it deserves every accolade, award and rap song ever written to applaud it. This book incorporates every business lesson needed to rise to the top and gives many interesting stories and examples along the way to prove its point. “Guide to Investing” by Robert Kiyosaki : Wow. What a metamorphous in my “what is possible thinking”. This book got me way out of pocket, and shifted my thinking about my future. I stopped thinking about finding the perfect job and it was one of the catalysts to me wanting to become an entrepreneur. When I was only 18 someone gave me this book and told me to consider a life without a 9-5. I am truly grateful and count this is an excellent read on why starting and growing a business, is the best “job” security you can ever have.

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Deadline to apply: 30th Jan 2013

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WHY

SUCKS on’t get me wrong, Facebook’s one of the BEST, most innovative platforms created. It allows small businesses, including Women CEO Project, to build local and global brands and reach far beyond what we could’ve imagined a few years ago. We build and grow these awesome fanpages, we ask and cajole friends to follow us. Then we fill that sucker with content, news, tips- as much as we can. We all know the stats about Facebook- how long people spend on the platform and how our ideal client is more than likely logging on at minimum, a few times a week.

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ut here’s the problem. Facebook’s made us lazy. How did we connect before? How did we get our business in 2007? How did we market to and gain our ideal client before Facebook? Is this the main resource we’re using to communicate with our audience?

Be Smart Tips: • Consider adding the Mailchimp app to your fanpage to gather new newsletter subscribers • Don’t paste your entire blog post on Facebook. Give a teaser, then lead them to your website or blog • Keep your eye on your insights tab and learn what content your fans respond to and hone in on these subjects but again, pulling them to your blog

This platform is absolutely freaking useful. It’s leverage is global.........but, it should not be the end all be all of your marketing strategy. Keep in mind, no matter how many fans you have, only about 10% of them • Consider using contests to pull more data from see your fabulous content. Do your fans and engage your you realize that to successfully followers market your business, products and services, that you will have to go beyond Facebook- that it’s only • Build a marketing strategy that leverages Facebook, a part of your marketing strategy Linkedin and other social and not the whole? media platforms BUT also includes: Many of my clients come to me with their entire marketing 1. Face to face meetings, strategy surrounding this free events and conferences platform. This is not smart. With 2. A monthly email or newsletter all the restrictions and changes 3. One on one connecting with on Facebook, and the occasional your clients hiccup landing you in Facebook 4. And offering content through jail, it’s wise to build your brand ebooks, articles, and blogs but to gather your contacts off this platform and get them to subscribe to your website, blog or Facebook is an excellent platform newsletter. Get your tribe OFF of to “meet” your potential client, but you must learn how to use, Facebook and onto your blog. how to leverage, and how to truly get the business results you need Joke. Facebook doesn’t suck, using this piece of your marketing but our reliance on it does. All pie. of these social media platforms have evolved to be some of the Get creative with tools techniques most useful business tools and learn how to “pull and available, but we must be smart gather” your tribe as much as and leverage them. Here’s how. possible to a platform that YOU control. 17 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

KINDS OF EVIL THAT WASTE WOMEN’S TIME Kristi L. Jackson

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Not Learning How to Negotiate. When you become an entrepreneur, it’s no one’s job except yours to learn how to effectively negotiate your proposals, fees, and prices to hire contractors. Learning how to negotiate early in your entrepreneurial journey will save you money, headaches and tons of irritation. Saying Yes when You Really Need to Say No. Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you look like superwoman, it burns you out, decreases your performance, and makes you resentful. At the beginning of the month determine how much time and how much money you can give away to certain activities or causes and stick to it. When that time or money is up-it’s up. Then start saying no with absolutely no guilt. Letting Fear Stop You. Fear can be paralyzing, but women are more prone to letting this emotion hold them back from being all that they can truly be. The fear will always be there but you must work hard not to let it stop you or inhibit your imagination and growth. As they say, feel the fear and move anyway. Thinking Small. Don’t just think startup or only how your first year will be. Think long-term. Think about growth. Scalability. Strategy. Think about your goals. How will you reach them? How can you surpass them? How much will your business grow each year? Women CEOs should think like million dollar enterprises from DAY 1!

It’s Career vs. Family. Don’t fall for the “ you can’t have both” myth. Says what committee? Women are the strongest specimens on this earth- we can have children, a successful career and a business, can run a home, volunteer, AND have time to take care of ourselves. Forget finding balance. Somedays you will eat bad, workout less than you should and not be supermom. What’s most important is figuring out what works for your home, your life, your family and take it day by day. Not Charging Your Worth. Yep, we beat this horse alive, just so we could beat it back dead. Hopefully sooner, rather than later, Women CEOs will learn to be confident and assertive in charging a fair price for our time, skills, products and services. We ARE worth it and need to start charging like we believe it. Not Playing Politics. Women are prone to only focusing on tasks that get the job done, but time must be given to developing relationships, serving on boards, participating in industry events and a little schmoozing.....Get out there. Learn golf or take the exec you’ve been stalking to play tennis.

KINDS OF EVIL THAT WASTE WOMEN’S TIME

Shying away from technology based businesses. Have an idea or a process that you think you could improve? Don’t worry if you’re not a programmer. You CAN start a technology based business. You CAN start a software company. You CAN hire the right people to develop it. Tons of venture capitalists are looking to fund technology based businesses with products and services that are scalable and duplicatable. Can you duplicate yourself? Probably not. Can you duplicate a process? YES! Start thinking differently. Start thinking LEVERAGE. Gossip. It’s ugly. It’s nasty. Women gossiping about each other is a terrible habit and one you should stay away from. Instead of gossiping and tearing down the mistake, or downfall of your fellow sister, help her, promote her, give her advice and encouraging words. I promise, you may need to hear those same words sooner than you think. Perfection. Waiting to put yourself out there until you’re perfect is a colossal mistake. You’ll never be perfect. You’ll also never experience what you are truly capable of if you don’t step out. Forget perfection. Focus on trying your best, taking notes, learning from your mistakes and moving forward, bravely.

Not fishing for the whale. Been avoiding going after the big clients? Not putting your name in the hat for the million dollar contract? Why the hell not? You’re talented. You’re capable. You’re ready. Aim for where you want to be, never accept less and screw the rest. Working your business like a hobby. Do you live, breathe, eat and sweat your business? Are you working it during set hours, answering the phone professionally, set up a fully functioning website, presenting million dollar worthy proposals? Or are you playing at business? If this is your hobby-GREAT. Don’t worry about a paycheck. Don’t worry about negotiating. Don’t worry about ever moving forward. Just have fun. But if this is truly to be a business, you want to create a corporation, an empire- you want to be freaking colossal.... Then quit, half-assing each day, working when you feel like it, answering the business phone “ who is this”, or not investing in your business education. Quit sabotaging your business by running it like a hobby. From day one, run your business like a business instead of a hobby and you should receive a paycheck instead of a playcheck.

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KINDS OF EVIL THAT WASTE WOMEN’S TIME

BOOKS ARE FOR THE FACTS. ACTIONS INVITE DIVINE INTERVENTION. PUT THE BOOK DOWN AND CREATE YOUR OWN FAILURE STORY UNTIL IT’S A SUCCESS. 21 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

TRAVELLIGHT TRAVELRIGHT 2013 Travel Must Haves for the Busy Business Woman

f you’re like me, you’re carrying your own bag as you fly from city to city and coast to coast aiming to further your business. But what do you pack to make sure all the bases are covered, you have something appropriate to wear at all times, AND you can carry it in 1 rolly and 1 carryon bag.......

Ok, here’s my travel must haves for the ambitious business women who spend more time in the air than they do on the ground.......

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TECHNOLOGY pple Ipad - Awesome for listening to A music, watching movies and reading books on the plane. Also, a great tool to use for one-on-one presentations during my meetings or for an easy to manage speaking engagement when used in combination with my Apple TV.

HEALTH 5 Travel Tips •Take t-shirts and undies, lay them flat on top of each other and roll them all up together- saves space. •If you can, get all of your hair, skin and makeup products in travel size bottles. This will save you space and clutter. •Organize everything in ziplock bags and bring a few extras. •Those really cute, strappy, 5 inch stilettos, yeah, don’t wear those to the airport. If you have to connect, take a train, or rush, you’ll damnere break your neck.......trust me on this. •Go back through your bag, and take out 2 pair of shoes- yep I know you packed more than I listed ;)

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Hand Sanitizer: Planes and airports are some of the most germ-filled environments to be in. Don’t take a cold to your meetings or bring one back home. Workout Bands: Can’t lie, I don’t use these as much as I should, BUT I always pack them- for an excellent workout in a small hotel, and they take up almost NO space in your bag and are super easy to use.

CLOTHES

I’ve found this clothes combo will cover me for almost any trip and I will have something comfortable and appropriate for all occasions. Of course, if you’re going somewhere cold, add a heavy coat, gloves and a cute hat.

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1. Flats 2. Scarf 3. Black pant & skirt suit ( Banana Republic is great for having suits with pants and a skirt) 4. Dark, fitted jeans 5. Solid white and black t-shirts 6. Black pumps 7. Play dress & sandals 8. Workout clothes 9. 1 clutch 10. Crisp Blazer 11. A- line dress with pop of color 12. Brooch, pearls, stud earrings, statement necklace 13. Crisp white blouse 14. 1 Rolly and 1 large leather bag this should fit ALL of your things or you’ve packed too much!

Sincerely Yours, How to Write and Speak Authentically e have such sterilized, neutered, basic conversations that we easily blend into the crowd. But who wants to blend? It’s 2012. Blending is for suckers or at least companies who don’t want to stay in business long. Authenticity, though sometimes ugly, truth wrapped in sandpaper information, if filled with an educated, thoughtful opinion, it’s the most accepted way to communicate through your writing, speaking and business.

In the day of Twitter, Facebook, and several other forms of social media, your bad mouth or unpopular words can go viral in seconds and you can’t take them back. But there’s a way to genuinely connect with your target audience. There’s a way to find your tribe-those people in the world who can only be motivated by YOU. Haven’t met your authentic voice? Next are 5 strategies to discover her.

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Strategies to Discover Your Authentic Voice

1 Let it burn.

Make a list of ALL of the people you’re worried about judging you if they knew your true thoughts. Next to their name, write how they directly benefit you, your business or your life........coming up short? Exactly. After making this long list of nobodies...... BURN IT! Next step....

3 Don’t perpetrate.

Know something-say it. Don’t know something-don’t hide it. Simple. Don’t hide behind fancy facts. Learn how to ask questions. People respond better to a genuine request for information rather than an opinionated wrong know it all.

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2 Trot out the journal.

Yep, that collection of your most intimate, personal thoughts. There was a time I wondered why my journal was so interesting but my writing was less than exciting. Reason was, I was writing the article minus me. I would write, then censor, then re-read, then judge, then try to sound important, then regurgitate other people’s stuff I’d read. I found that when I felt no one could judge me, I would produce the most beautiful thoughts, opinions and perspectives on life and my passions. The same way you write when you think no one’s looking-that’s your voice. That’s authentic. Find a way to write and speak in your journal voice without fear of judgement. Wouldn’t you rather be judged for who you are than loved for who you’re not?

4 Speak from your heart.

Speak from your own experiences, not what you’ve read. Relate it to your audience; •How you did it •What it took for you to accomplish a goal •How you got your first client •How you execute your successful social media plan •How your self-evaluation qualifies you to consult someone else Tell your story. Let your OWN life be your guide.

Learn what your perspective is, then speak on it.

5 Find your true perspective.

Don’t try to write and speak in someone else’s voice or style. I am by no means saying not to get educated on writing copy or speaking professionally. I am telling you to find your style in both areas. Have a sense of humor- then tell a joke or two. Really opinionated about a sensitive subject-state it intelligently. Because nothing is really new, everything has already been said. So what becomes important is how you say what you say. Learn what your perspective is, then speak on it. Many people do not care for Elisabeth Hasselbeck of The View, but she’s intelligent, her job is solid and guess what.....she’s not boring.

Trying to be a carbon copy of someone else brands them not you. Do you want to be a follower in their tribe or find your own? There’s a group of people out there who want to learn, follow and work with you. Find your authentic voice, then your tribe will appear. Sincerely,

Kristi 29 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Best Writing Resources!

TOP 7 Apps for Writers 1. Clean Writer Pro 2. My Writing Nook 3. Chronicle for Ipad 4. Dictionary.com 5. Pages 6. Dragon Dictation 7. Dropbox

AWESOME Writing Articles • How to Write a Good Article • Become a Better Blogger

Music Tracks to Write to 8tracks

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• Make Money Blogging • Best Online Writing Practices

• 14 Ways to Create Multiple Articles on a Topic • 13 Business Blogging Master Post Templates

4 TOP

Books for Writers

Writing That Works

by Kenneth Roman & Joel Raphaelson

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

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Pieces of Writing Advice “Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass” David Ogilvy

“If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or the tools to write.” Stephen King “When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing.” Enrique Jardiel Poncela “Don’t get it right, just get it written” James Thurber

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Scott Adams “Writing comes more easily if you have something to say.” Sholem Asch “Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs” David Ogilvy “Work on one thing at a time until finished” Henry Miller “As a writer, you ask yourself to dream while awake” Aimee Bender “Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way” E.L. Doctorow

All you need is passion. If you have a passion for something, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll create the talent.

Yanni

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The New “Rules” of Social Media Engagement for Women by Lena West

Social media has become a great way for women entrepreneurs to showcase their experience and expertise. New media tools allow for a depth of expression that really hasn’t been previously available; this is a double-edged sword. Many times people go overboard with what, when and how they share using social media and so I created a set of “rules” specifically for women CEO’s to provide some guidelines to keep us out of hot water.

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I put the word “rules” in quotes in the title of this article because I don’t want anyone to even attempt to take what I’m saying as gospel, but rather I wanted to provide room for customization.

No matter how it SHOULD be, the fact is women are subject to a different set of “rules” when using social media. I’m a fan of saying, “It is what it is.” That’s my path to radical acceptance and reframing challenging situations - it serves me well. So, while it’s not pleasant to say this, I’m saying it anyway because I see so many women getting it wrong and they pay the price accordingly. It is what it is.

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You’re not one of the guys nor will you ever be. This rule is very similar to the rules of dating and romance - once guys put you in the “pal o’ mine” bucket, it’s very hard for them to take you seriously as a businessperson. And, why should they? The truth is men have a high level of respect for people who are “separate and apart” from their daily existence; which is why they almost always want to work with a high profile CEO. If that high profile CEO was always sitting around in the local watering hole, she becomes accessible and the thrill is gone. So, if you’re wondering why you can’t get respect from the men in your industry, this may be why. You can have great relationships with guys in business without being a “pal”.

Use emoticons and exclamation points sparingly. No one will deny that emoticons are important. They help us to add a human depth to text that it just wouldn’t have on its own. Keep in mind that the excessive use of emoticons - especially “winks” - can, and will at some point, be taken the wrong way by men and anyone else privy to the conversation. I see this happen on Twitter a lot and before you know it, there’s a scandal and rumors to untangle. A smiley face here and there is totally fine, but don’t go overboard. A colleague once pointed out that women use way more exclamation points in e-communication than men. I don’t really know what that translates to, but since she mentioned it, I’ve definitely curbed my habit.

DM’ing (direct messaging) at night, is DM’ing at night. If it’s, as my Aunt would say, “not a Christian hour”, you might want to reconsider DM’ing or sending direct messages to a man who’s not your love interest. There are some exceptions to this rule - people who have extreme “always on” jobs like event planners, PR pros and people with many clients in other time zones, but it’s not cool to DM or inbox a random guy you met at an industry event. Whatever he wants/ needs to say to you can and should be done during normal business hours (time zone allowances included) lest your conversation be taken someplace it doesn’t need to be. There’s a part of the book, Why Men Love Bitches, where the author says something like, “Bed clothes are bed clothes to guys. If you invite him over for tea and you’re in your jammies, you’re sending a bedtime message whether you intend to or not.”

Lena L. West is the leading expert on how women entrepreneurs can monetize social media. She is also the Founder of InfluenceExpansion. com, the home of the Influence Expansion Academy, the only social media mastermind program created especially for women entrepreneurs.

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Ditto for DM’ing after hours. Keep your beau to yourself. The results of a study showed that once people especially men - find out who you’re sleeping with, and if that person is NOT your husband, they lose 25% of their respect for you. Wow! That means curb blog posts, Tweets and pictures of your boyfriend. Keep business on a professional level.

Women are watching. And, if you could care less what men think or feel - just know that there is a woman of some importance in your industry, someplace that’s watching what you do and how you act; the more experienced of which are looking at you sideways every time you make a faux pas. And, if you think they’re not tallying up your actions and generating an impression about you - oft times before they even meet you! - I have a bridge to sell you.

This is NOT about getting approval from men, because men certainly don’t call all the shots. And, it isn’t about conforming or acting in a way that doesn’t resonate with who you truly are. Rather, this is about comporting yourself in a way that invites - and even commands - respect. It’s about understanding that while it isn’t fair and we would love to buck the “rules”, the fact is the unwritten rules are ever-present. Wellbehaved women may not make history, their climb to the top is a lot more arduous. Social media and its use puts us all in a SOCIAL mood. We think, “what’s the harm in...” as opposed to, “how would it look if I...”. And therein is the undoing. I wish we could live in a time where women wouldn’t have to navigate around tricky subtext like this. Maybe that time will come, I hope so. But, today isn’t that day.

‘‘

I started a business to be able to say When, Where, How and Why. Sophie Hodges @ HodgesSophie

To become my own CEO full time for good! Terrance Omar @ UrbanCowbeauTG

INSPIRATION

‘‘

Why did you start a business?

The lack of motivation and support the girls in the Charlotte Community were getting. I wanted to make sure that young girls were able to know that they can reach any goal that they have set their minds to regards of what situation they were in.

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LaRosha Paul @ bigdreamzinc

‘‘‘‘ ‘‘

Working with miserable, negative people!! I had to get out of there!! myrnagalan ‫‏‬ @myrnagalan

To improve upon an existing idea. The Indie Chicks @TheIndieChicks

Been an entrepreneur since 3rd grade when I charged people to sign their parent’s names on reports. Officially started my first business at 19 so I only know it because I can’t stand people not doing what they are suppose to be doing and half way running a business.

‘‘

Ivy N. McQuain, MBA @writtenbyinc

Wanted to make a difference in the world and not have to follow someone else’s lead. More control over my destiny. FraserCommunications ‫‏‬ @frasercom

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GIRLCRUSH While some bloggers just give you the news, some have such a unique tone and words that not only deliver, but entertain as they whisk you away into their world of food, fashion, business, or the like. This month we highlight 4 grassroots bloggers that aren’t only influential powerhouses but are also mighty fine lyricists.

Elements of Style Blog

The Budget Fashionista

The Boss of You

Founded in 2007 by interior and fashion stylist Erin Gates, Elements of Style has become a touchstone for readers all over the world in search of design inspiration, advice and a few laughs. Lauded by the Washington Posts as one of the “Top Ten Design Blogs of 2008″, E of S sets itself apart by not only combining fashion, interior design and pop culture, but by doing so with a sense of humor and realistic approach that the general public can understand and access.

The Budget Fashionista was founded by Kathryn Finney in 2003, from a love of fashion, but a lack of cash. The Budget Fashionista has been featured in more than 600 media outlets, including TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CNN, E!/Style, Fox News and has been profiled in The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Wall Street Journal, and InStyle.

Lauren Bacon and Emira eMars- We’re business partners and best friends, based in Vancouver, BC, and our most recent enterprise is co-authoring a book titled The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business. The Boss of You is our attempt at filling an asyet empty niche in the business-book world — independent-minded women running their own businesses.

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IF YOU FAIL, FAIL. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT, AND LET IT BECOME A DISASTER. WATCH IT BURN. LET IT DESTROY YOU. THEN RECOUP, LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES, AND RISE FROM THE ASHES.

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9 TIPS TO CLIMB OUT OF

Writer’s ! W O N k c o l B 42 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Kristi L. Jackson

Ready • Set • Write! 9 Tips to Climb Out of Writer’s Block NOW!

Quick! Immediately! Get out of the space you’re currently in. Sometimes you need a new environment with new noises and smells to get the juices flowing.

Are you stuck because you’re censoring yourself? DON’T! People are bored with reading banal, emotionless, me too, cardboard writing. Got a story- TELL IT- just like it happened.

Is this going to be a bestseller? How the hell will you know if you don’t finish it? Quit putting so much pressure on yourself to create a bestseller and just go for creating YOUR best work. It has to be done to get on the bestseller list.

Don’t know where to start? Did you do an outline? Nothing formal eh, just a basic draft of the topics you want to discuss in the order you want to discuss them. This will get you started and organized.

First paragraph sound like crap? Who cares, keep writing. As you write, the juices will flow, the energy will come, you will fix some of it later and your editor will fix the crap you decide to keep ;)

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Get inspired. Turn on music, workout, take a shower, watch your favorite movie. Do whatever that thing is that makes you feel motivated, powerful and gave you the desire to be an author in the first place. Pick up your favorite author’s book. No doubt, this person in some way has served as an inspiration to you and your budding writing career. Re-reading some of your favorite passages will get you going again.

Come up with the title. The title to the book, the chapter, the sectionanything. I’ve found that once I have a title I like, the words start the flow around it.

Why? Why are you writing? Is it to share your expertise, to share your story, to catapult your career or business? Turn off the computer. Take a moment and remember your BIG Why. Close your eyes and completely submerge yourself into all of the emotions surrounding that why. Take 10 deep breaths. Let yourself hear and smell your environment. Open your eyes, turn on your computer, and without censoring, without worry of bestseller status, write, write, write. You have a book inside of you. Now let’s get that story OUT!

In 2013 I’m making myself epic. What are you DOING?

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PC The Power Circle

Wouldn’t you just love to join these ladies in the “Power Circle”? The best-seller list is not an easy feat but each of these powerful, ambitious, business women made it to the coveted status and can forever be introduced as “Best Selling Author” ......... Meet this issue’s Power Circle and find out just how they did it!

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COVER STORY

DEFINING HER OWN

SUCCESS

SopA.hNeia lson by Pam Gibbs

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an 47 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

ntroducing Sophia A.Nelson author, speaker, political commentator, columnist, and one down-to-earth yet If you need an ambitious woman entrepreneur role who is not afraid of model, look no her success. further.

If you want to learn from a successful businesswoman who has risen above childhood circumstances, she’s as close as the television. If you’re looking for a person who followed her dreams instead of a career path, then she’s a great example.

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In the Beginning Sophia A. Nelson was born in Germany and grew up in Somerdale, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, she made the move across the country to attend and graduate from San Diego State University, where she was the first AfricanAmerican woman to be elected to a major post in the student body. That election was the first on her path as a politician - a career she dreamed of as a child. “I used to run around saying I was going to be the first black woman Supreme Court justice,” Nelson stated in a CNN interview. She continued on that path after finishing law school and at age 29, was nominated for Congress with the Republican party. So what changed? She followed her heart.

“Me being a business woman came directly out of a meltdown moment when I knew I didn’t want to be a lawyer any more. I was up for partner, but found I had lost my passion. It was taking a toll on me.” o she quit her job, started a business, sold it, and started a second, for which she now teaches, writes, conducts seminars, and does corporate coaching. Oh, and she finds time to do freelance work on top of that. Eventually, the cards fell into place.

Author, speaker, political commentator, columnist, and one down-to-earth yet ambitious woman who is not afraid of her success.

Life as a Business Woman Nelson’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur would make any woman—or man—green with envy. She is one of an elite few African American female national opinion writers. She is a political commentator who can hold her own against Washington’s fiercest. If this wasn’t enough, she also contributes to a whole host of news outlets in print and on camera: Jet Magazine, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and BET. You would think a woman as successful as she is would relish being known by her merits and her accomplishments, but not Nelson. “I wouldn’t define myself by what I do. I hate riding in limos. I’m very down to earth. I live out in the country. I have guns, legally of

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course...I am someone who loves to write. I always have since I was a child.” That childhood was anything but idyllic, growing up as the daughter of an alcoholic parent. However, she is quick to point out that the lessons she learned in those years have actually shaped who she is today.

“I think that what happens to you as a child of an alcoholic is that you learn to multitask very well, you learn to handle stress in different ways... As the firstborn, you try to keep the peace in the home, you try to excel and do good things to bring good into your environment.”

Love counsel gives you the courage to do what you need to do, corrects you when you’re wrong, does a number of things to truly bless you and keep you.” Sophia the Author

f anything defines Nelson, it is the phrase “successful author.” Her book, Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama, gives the reader an inside look at the lives of accomplished black women. In part, the book challenges the way American culture views and treats black women.

“[The book] deals with the notion of how black women are defined in the workplace and the struggles we deal with in the workplace. The most dangerous stereotype is black women being angry, hard to manage, and hard to work with. The stereotypes aren’t funny when they follow you everywhere.” According to Nelson, AfricanAmerican women are most likely to file discrimination suits in the workplace and are not adequately represented in leadership positions. 50 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

The book—which was five years in the making— came about because of those statistics and because of what Nelson noticed in the media: black women depicted negatively in TV and in ads, black women poorly represented in books and magazine articles, and statements in the media, such as Don Imus’ infamous description of Rutgers University women’s basketball team as “nappyheaded hos.” Not only does the book give a glimpse of the new, strong, black woman, but it also seeks to dispel the myths surrounding them. “There is nothing bad or wrong about being strong and independent...we have to learn to balance that strength with warmth and femininity. We are often so focused and so independent that we can come off kind of aloof or not interested. What I attempt to do with my book is take folks inside of who we are and how we got here. Yes, many of us are angry and walled

off, but we were not born that way. And we do not have to stay that way.” The book was also fueled by what Nelson described as her “love counsel”—her mom, family members, sorority sisters, and mentors. “Love counsel gives you the courage to do what you need to do, corrects you when you’re wrong, does a number of things to truly bless you and keep you.” Nelson keeps those people close. Very close. “These are people of faith, of inspiration, and of truth. These women and men breathe life into me when I feel the strain and stress of pursuing my big dreams, and their constant encouragement and thoughtful feedback makes all the difference to me. These are the people I trust with my life.”

Sophia the Mentor The impact of that inner circle of counsel is evident. She is the founder of iask, Inc., an organization that seeks to promote the spirit, emotions, career, and health of professional black women. This sisterhood is something Nelson is passionate about. “It is important that we recognize in the new generation that we have to do things differently, we have to understand that if we don’t help each other, we are in trouble. The more money they earn, the higher up black women go, the more lonely and more isolated they are.”

elson is quite aware of the challenges that the modern entrepreneur faces, even in a decade that has seen women take the reigns of businesses across the world. “We are fabulous and doing everything we dream of. The challenge is that we are also doing everything—from taking care of our families (kids, husbands, and often our aging parents) to working long hours in tough jobs or running our own businesses. We clean up, we cook, we shop, and we try to find time to exercise, relax, and be with our friends. Too often, that leaves us tired, weary, and burned-out. While thinking big is critical to achieving one’s goals and dreams, it must be balanced with a good safety net, a support network, and lots of faith.”

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s a mentor herself, Nelson encourages other women in their own path toward success, challenging them to fight the negative influences around them and to pursue their passion, even in the face of opposition.

“They have to listen to the voice in their heads that they are enough, that they can do it...When you march to the beat of your own drum, when you do what you are supposed to do, you will have people that will hate you, people that think they know your story...you will have people that dislike you because you are you. You can’t let the haters get you down.” She adds one last thought for rising female entrepreneurs.

“I would encourage women to follow their passion, to know their value, and never, ever give up. If they do those things, they will be able to achieve their dreams.” From the looks of things, Sophia Nelson’s dreams have definitely come true.

Read

Black Women Redefined By Sophie Nelson

FEATURED STORY

rules

Creating the

DIGITAL

INNOVATION AMY JO

by Pam Gibbs 52 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

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If you follow Shaquille Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal, Nike, The LA Kings, or even FOX Sports, you can thank Amy Jo Martin, CEO and Founder of Digital Royalty. Amy started her business just three years ago to help companies, athletes, and celebrities build and measure the value of their digital universe (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) as well as their personal brand. In that time, she and Digital Royalty have become a powerful force in the social media world. She has also written the newly-released best-seller Renegades Write the Rules: How the Digital Royalty Use Social Media to Innovate.

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ower Culture Magazine recently caught up with Amy Jo to gain some insight into the world of digital and social marketing. PC: WOW, 3 Years is fast! How did you get started in business? AJM: My background is in branding and marketing. I have a degree in marketing. I worked at an ad agency for about eight years before working several seasons for the NBA. My role was to monetize the digital aspect of the Phoenix Suns. I realized social media was a way to bridge the gap between the fans and the team. That was part of the start for me.

PC: How did you get your first celebrity clients? AJM: In working for the Suns, my role wasn’t social media because that was so very new. I started working with Shaq [Shaquille O’Neal, who played for the Phoenix Suns in 2008-2009] who was perfect for experimenting with social media. He was a great partner to test new things within the emerging virtual world. We created “Random Acts of Shaqness.” He tweeted his whereabouts one day, and the first person to meet him there (the first person to tag me in a tweet) got tickets to the basketball game one night. The media attention of what Shaq and I did helped us to attract other athletes. I would record video of it happening in real-time, and then post it through social media channels, so no matter where you were in the world, you could feel like you were a part of what was going on. I developed systems and processes in innovation. The things I needed to measure, no one had ever measured before. We added a little of this and a little of that, and we developed a way to measure success over time.

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Don’t ask permission. Ask for forgiveness. ocial media is a communication tool; it’s actually not media. It’s not meant to convert actions to dollars. It’s about building relationships. Again, this is where intent comes in. Build your brand by humanizing it; build your influence and relationships by bringing life and a face to your company.

I think there’s some misunderstanding about social media—that a business needs to see conversion to dollars right out of the gate. This means you’re trying to sell something [goods or services] to people before building a relationship, before building a foundation. That’s backward.

PC: Was the first year in business profitable? What do you think attributed to it? AJM: The company has been profitable from the first day of doing business. From a numbers standpoint, we grew

more than 400% last year, but my true metric of success is finding where our own Royal Bliss resides. Recently, my team and I have added a new layer or purpose which completes the picture. A year ago we launched Digital Royalty University (see links below). In October of this year, we launched our new automated Digital Royalty University education platform. We are extremely passionate about our new Buy One, Give One model that also launched on that same day. For each course purchased, Digital Royalty University will give a course back to an individual (or foundation) who isn’t able to purchase the course for themselves.

PC: What is Royal Bliss? AJM: That’s one of our founding principles at Digital Royalty. We believe in helping our clients find the point where passion, purpose, and skill collide. That’s Royal Bliss.

PC: There are so many “social media experts” out there—people who have tons of friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter so they feel that they are an “expert.” For new business owners, what would you tell them to look for before hiring a person to help with their social media?

Social media is a communication tool; it is actually not media.

AJM: Social media is not that old, so there are really no experts; it’s constantly evolving. But “reach” is one metrics of engagement. Just having 5,000 followers doesn’t necessarily mean anything. You have to look at the value of it. What’s the affinity of those followers to you and your business? Social media can be like a company’s database, so the reach value depends on who they are more than how many there are.

PC: If a new business owner has limited time, what three social media platforms would you suggest she adopt and why?

If you want to look at it through the lens of revenue, look at the amount of revenue shared through social media and divide that money per fan and/or follower. That tells you monetary value.

Second, I would recommend being on Twitter. This can help you humanize your brand and expose your personality, which is good for business. That being said, I would definitely think about doing separate posts for Facebook and Twitter if possible.

You can also ask about specific case studies—or clients a person or company has—and what their story is. Follow those former clients and see what their track records are like. That will give you a good idea whether that person or company is an ‘expert’ in social media. 56 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

AJM: First, I would recommend Facebook because of its sheer volume. Millions of people spend so much time there. Facebook delivers value when, where, and how your audience wants to receive it. That’s where they spend the most time.

My third choice would be LinkedIn. This application is especially good for the likeminded nature of the people who join that platform. You’re pretty much a few clicks away from anyone in your sphere of work. If

your credibility is there, it’s pretty easy to connect with new people for business and advice. f I had a fourth choice, I would use Instagram. It has a good growth rate and it’s very easy to manage through your mobile phone. If you have a moment, it’s pretty easy to send an image quickly. It’s great to be visual in social media. The more visual you can make your brand, the better. With any service oriented company, people are the product. Current or potential clients want to know more about the service professional and want to get personal. They want to know the highlights of your day.

Google Plus is OK, but they arrived late to the party. People had already adopted their platforms of choice. The hangout feature is one of the best aspects of Google Plus.

PC: I ask all women in business this question: how did you learn to charge your worth? AJM: Charging your worth is a balancing act of what the market will bear. However, confidence is such a huge ingredient for success. If there are even conversations on giving your stuff away for free, the person on the other side of the table won’t feel confident in your skills. Women don’t tend to take credit for their accomplishments, but men don’t have trouble doing this. It comes down to confidence in general. Being a woman in business is not a handicap. Coming from the sports industry, where the men were usually 30 years older than me, I came to the table with confidence and with more experience in the subject

matter. That makes all the difference.

PC: How do you think your career will change as a result of your becoming an author? AJM: My goal with writing the book was to help accelerate the process of innovation and learning. By sharing stories, hopefully others can snag our lessons and leapfrog our mistakes. My entire social community helped write the book, from selecting the title to content curation. This is “our book” not “my book.” I have developed a new passion for writing and look forward to starting the next book.

If there are even

conversations on giving your stuff away for free, the person on the other side of the table won’t feel confident in your skills.

PC: What do you feel an entrepreneur MUST do to be successful? AJM:

Don’t ask permission. Ask for forgiveness. Bring results with you to the table. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Be confident yet humble. Always be learning. Make curiosity a hobby. Know your Royal Bliss.

Digital Royalty Mashable Article Royal Announcement Digital Royalty Buzz Digital Royalty Case Studies Amy Jo’s TEDx Talk Renegades Write The Rules Website 57 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Win PLAYIN G TO

Power Culture Magazine strives to bring to the forefront women who can serve as role models to other women who want to become successful in their own businesses. Dr. Lois Frankel is one such mentor. She’s the President of Corporate Coaching International. Her books Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office and Nice Girls’ Don’t Get Rich are bestsellers that have been translated into over 25 languages. Frankel is a highly successful, coveted speaker, and pioneer in her own right. She was willing to sit down and talk with us, and we are better for it.

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FEATURED STORY

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PC: For those who may not be familiar with your story, can you tell us a little about your background and how you got started in your own business? LF: I worked for Arco [oil company] in HR. While there, I realized I didn’t have the passion for being in a corporation. My whole life all I wanted to do was be a psychologist. I had gotten my undergraduate degree in counseling, and a master’s degree in psychology. While I was still at Arco, I got my PhD. I wanted to use that degree. The company didn’t want to support that desire so I knew that I had to leave. I decided to locate in downtown Los Angeles - a prime location to meet and work with career women. About a year or so later, I realized I didn’t like being a therapist and that I wasn’t using my skills I learned at Arco. I thought to myself, I’m 36 with a PhD, so what do I do now? About that time, someone asked me to coach a client. Though that experience, I realized that coaching was perfect for me. I was able to use all the skills I learned in both of my careers. I realized that I could take risks in my own life and take advantage of opportunities. So that started my coaching business, and that was a huge turning point for me. PC: What compelled you to write the “Nice Girls” series? LF: I was sitting in a client’s office coaching a woman. She told me she was invited to sit on the executive committee of her company, which would give her exposure and connections, but she decided not to do it because it wasn’t a good use of time. When she said that, all the mistakes that women make flooded me. Sometimes to change or catapult your careeryou must “show your face”, network, go play golf, serve on boards and charities. Not doing this is a mistake. 60 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

I also knew that many women would never have a coach—either they couldn’t afford it or their companies wouldn’t pay for it. By writing the book, I could coach them from a distance. PC: One of our BIGGEST problems as female entrepreneurs is charging our worth. What advice would you give a woman having trouble in this area?

Lois

, you are a brand now, “Nice Girls” is a brand. Go with it. Look the part, sound the part, be the brand.

How to Get What You’re Worth Never go into a meeting or negotiation without doing your homework, because you will always undervalue yourself. Preparation is key. If I talk to a client, I had better know the fair market value of my services beforehand.

Do not talk money over meals. Particularly for women, when food is involved, we see it as less formal and we’re more likely to give in. I talk business over food, but not money. I can get to the numbers after the lunch or send an email afterwards, but during the meal, I want to know exactly what that potential client needs.

Never lower your price, but you can change the parameters of what you’re offering. For example, if someone will contract me for three keynotes, I’m willing to offer a discount. I go into the negotiation process by asking, How can I serve my client’s needs and get my needs met at the same time?

Until you play to win, it’s just a hobby. PC: In this issue we are also discussing how becoming an author can increase your brand and revenue streams for your business. Can you tell us what you experienced after writing your first book and after it became a bestseller? After my first book came out, I knew I wanted to become a keynote speaker, but that aspect of my career didn’t take off until I had a book on the bestseller list. People started calling me to speak, to do an interview on a radio show, to do television shows. I put together a marketing plan for myself and began to see myself as 61 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

a brand. I had to tell myself, Lois, you are a brand now, “Nice Girls” is a brand. Go with it. Look the part, sound the part, be the brand. oday, the landscape has changed. It’s much easier to market online. Blogs, ebooks, self-publishing, social media, and networks are all at your fingertips. My suggestion is this: if you can get an agent to pitch your book for you and get a big publisher, do it. If not, don’t let it discourage you. There are more avenues to publishing than ever before.

The opposite of a nice girl is not a bitch, it is a winning woman. PC: What parting advice would you give a woman hoping to advance in business today? LF: 1. Play to WIN. You’re supposed to compete to win. The economy is bad so we need to compete. If you’re going into business, go in it to win it. Until you play to win, it’s just a hobby. 2. Don’t just dip your feet in the water. Jump in with both feet. Once you make a commitment to something, others will work with you to make it happen. Surround

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yourself with like-minded people. 6. Give Back. When women think Those are the people who are about becoming successful, going to make you great. they should also think about how they’re going to give 3. Start the business on a back. I started Bloom Again shoestring, but have a strong Foundation. (www.bloomalgain. vision. org ) The mission of Bloom Again Foundation is to provide rapid 4. Act as if you are already response financial assistance to successful. People are drawn to economically vulnerable working that. Make sure your marketing, women. I’ve found, the more I social media, and personal give away, the more I receive. attitude convey confidence and success. Act as if you have 7. The last piece of advice is this: already arrived, because you The opposite of a nice girl is not a will engage in behaviors that bitch, it’s a winning woman. Don’t successful entrepreneurs do. be afraid to be a winner.

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FEATURED STORY

This month PC features published authors who used writing as a channel to catapult their careers and solidify their expert status!

Power Player Producer, Best-Seller Enter Crystal McCrary. She is the best-selling author of “Homecourt Advantage” and “Gotham Diaries.” In addition, she owns her own production company and was the executive producer for the independent film Dirty Laundry, which won the award for Best Feature Film at the American Black Film Festival.

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r, Crystal McCrary 65 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

PC: You took such a big risk. What made you leave the corporate setting and go into writing and producing and what was the first day as a full-time writer like? CM: I always knew that I wanted to have a creative profession, probably as a writer. That was what I was passionate about, but I didn’t know how I would make that happen. I certainly wasn’t encouraged by my parents. To them, a creative profession was not going to translate into a paycheck and heath insurance. I was encouraged to go to law school and develop a career. Turning your passion into your business is a topic I speak about. What is it that you are passionate about, what would you do for free just because you love it? Turn that into a business.

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Never underestimate the power of being a good person and being kind.

went into entertainment law, so many of my clients were producers and playwrights. Working as an entertainment lawyer and working with all these actors showed me that you can create a career from writing. I felt like my passion was passing me by as I was representing all of these artists, all the while wondering why I wasn’t doing this for myself. I decided that I needed to make a move. Then I picked up a book called “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. In that book, she writes about becoming a shadow artist— mirroring someone creative. Here I was, representing all of these artists and I had dreams of creating on my own projects. If I was going to make a go at it, I decided time was of the essence.

The very next day after I quit, I continued to work on a book that I had been tucking away in my drawer. I started a “morning pages” routine, a discipline in which I would write three pages as soon as I woke up in the morning. I eventually put myself on a schedule and I wrote at least seven to eight hours a day. In my job, I had developed several contacts within the publishing industry, and eventually sent my book out to literary agents.

Becoming a bestseller depends on people’s tastes and those tastes change all the time. Being a bestselling author is a nice perk to put on your resumé, but you still have to produce the next time. You’re only as good as your last hit. You have to continue to produce for yourself and as an artist. It was an honor, but it didn’t take pressure off of me.

PC:What sacrifices have you had to make to have your The book would’ve successful career? never happened CM: Being a writer, a had I not left my producer, and owning my job. Leaving lit a own production company fire under me. I was thinking, means I’m never off. I “You left your job. You have never have down time. I am to make this work!” I was personally responsible for going for the gold, being my generating revenue, editing, own biggest fan. I determined and executing other aspects that there would be no selfof my company. sabotage. I determined that three things must happen in I have two children and I’m order for me to be successful pregnant with my third. I try in writing (or anything else): 1. Have an idea; 2. Act on it; 3. to be there for my kids—to help with homework, to See the idea through until it do dinner, to have focus becomes what you want it to and energy for them. Many be.

PC: You were already so accomplished before writing a book, but how did becoming a best-selling author change your career? CM: When you’re in the creative process of writing, you don’t know what the barometer of a “bestseller” is. The formula is a mystery, really out of anyone’s control. 67 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

times, though, work bleeds into personal and family time. It can’t be helped. I am never able to turn the clock off. When working for yourself, the stakes are just higher. You have to produce clients and you have to generate revenue, not just locally but globally. You are competing globally. That’s a challenge as well. You’re also battling to stay relevant and contemporary. I’ve learned that if you always come from a place of truth, you’re on the right track. You can’t be someone you are not. Keeping to that will help you stay relevant. Another challenge in my career is remaining incredibly disciplined as a writer. The writer of “Gray’s Anatomy” [Shonda Rhimes] is off-the-charts disciplined in setting aside the time to be focused and writing as long as it takes.

Don’t copy. Be unique. Be you.

When working for yourself, the stakes are just higher. You have to produce clients and you have to generate revenue, not just locally but globally.

PC: Were you profitable within your first year? What did you do? CM: Yes and no. For most firsttime authors, my first year would’ve been considered profitable with what I made from the advance on the book. But the cost of living was very high. I was living in [the same] apartment from when I was with a big city law firm. I had no kids, no student loans and big salary while I was at that firm. I had a different standard of living. There was an adjustment to make coming from one of the largest law firms in the city to going into the artist set. So, yes and no. I was net-profitable. PC: How have things changed since your first book?

Living in NYC in the artist circle that I’m in, I’ve had the opportunity to network with some really brilliant and focused writers. One writer had a sign on his door that read, “Accept no invitations” (meaning no distractions); some refuse to hop online when they’re writing. Terry McMillan [fellow author] will tell you to never self-edit while you are doing your first draft, to write through to the end of your first draft. Some people go to the library in a private room and write without distractions. But all good writers are discipled.

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CM: Today, getting an advance is not as easy; the models and structures have changed. Bookstores are closing, ebooks are on the rise, and Amazon changed the landscape. n addition, bookstores now have new agreements called “the right for reserve or return.” Bookstores may put in a preorder for books they have in their agreement, but they have a right to return those books if they haven’t sold in X amount of time. This could create a mirage that shows that your book has moved well, but it might not be doing so well in reality.

PC: What advice would you offer the average woman wanting to be a writer? CM: Here are some pieces of advice I would offer. Maintain a job and a certain amount of stability. Keep your day job unless you have saved enough to get you through two years without working, covering all of your bills in this economy. Live under your means and plan that thing out. But keep your job. In the worst-case scenario, if it doesn’t work out for you, you can rely on your current job. Set aside time each day for yourself when you are going to devote fully to your writing. Make sure that you have some sort of deadline for yourself. For example, I commit to writing 10 pages a day for a week, to get me to a Goal XX. Once you have finished your first draft, then go back and edit it yourself, or get someone else to edit. After you finish that first readthrough, but before you go to an agent or a publisher, go to an independent editor who has a good track record. For example, The Independent Editor’s Group based in New York provides a professional eye to look at your book. Whomever you choose, you have to pay them. This is part of your budget and investment in your writing career. Hiring an independent editor can get your manuscript ready before you present to an agent. This person [such as Sandi Gelles-Cole] will look at your work and give you feedback. 69 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Start doing research about what path you want to take with your work. Cast your net as wide as you can. Brainstorm every possible place that you can send your manuscript. Most places will not take a manuscript from someone blindly, so you need to have a literary agent. When you meet with that agent, come to the table with a complete marketing plan (I created my own), including release parties, magazines, social media, grassroots, and any other plans for getting your book out there. Be patient. Say your agent is able to get your manuscript sold at a publishing house. Then another whole round of re-work begins. It usually takes 18 months for publication, during which time you will be getting your manuscript ready. It’s not a quick process, so you really need to be passionate about your work. PC: What advice would you offer business women and future writers? CM: I tend not to say enough about the importance and the necessity of being kind. Never underestimate the power of being a good person and being kind. I have always tried to “do right” by whomever I was working with or establishing a relationship with. If I did stumble, I looked in the mirror and tried to determine what I may have contributed to the problem and how I could fix it. Being a person of integrity is very important. Oh, and one more thing: cliché is the kiss of death for a writer. It’s a lazy writers’s way. Don’t copy. Be unique. Be you.

What is it that you are passionate about, what would you do for free just because you love it?

Deadline to apply: 30th Jan 2013

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FEATURED STORY

COACH

BEHIND

THE 73 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

er web site touts a Who’s Who list of clients that would make anyone salivate: Pfizer, AT&T, General Electric, Dell, and Kraft—just to name a few. She is a bestselling author of nine books that have been translated into a whopping 14 different languages. She’s been touted by the likes of Conde Nast and Diane Sawyer, and she’s enjoyed front-page coverage on The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. This success seems unlikely for a woman who was fired at the age of 22 because she lacked people skills or for a woman who once created a speakers’ bureau with herself as the only speaker in order to gain credibility in the marketplace. And very unlikely for a woman who had her books rejected three times over.

I was scared! I was not a CEO, I was a one-woman show!

Meet Debra Benton, author, speaker, executive coach and founder of Benton Management Resources. The reason for her success? In her own words: hutzpah. “I do not have a PhD, no MBA, and didn’t have a good GPA. I’m resourceful and have tenacity! Most anyone out there had more than me as far as degrees or qualifications, but I had the hutzpah.” In the Beginning... Her story starts out like many other entrepreneurs—rocky. Hired straight out of college but quickly fired for not being able to navigate the sticky “good ol’ boys network”, Benton took that early loss in stride and turned it into a learning experience. “Losing this job at a young age, I wanted to figure out these people skills and become good at it. I wanted to know what makes people effective in business.” So like any woman with hutzpah, she shadowed a few CEOs and found out what made them good in business. Her grit paid off, and by age 22, she started her own business, teaching people how to develop their own skills for the workplace. She also studied women to find out exactly what influenced them.

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Benton also began speaking. Like many women in the iron jungle, she lacked the opportunity. So she created it, literally. “I created a consultants’ speakers’ bureau [in which she was the only speaker on file]. I wrote letters to CPAs, engineers, associations, any place that had monthly meetings... Whatever topic they chose, I was the speaker who showed up!” recalls Benton. That speaking not only gave her credibility in the industry, but it also showed her what other professionals were interesting in hearing about and gave her foundational data for books. The Journey Continues Her journey as an author contains its own set of trials, beginning with the confidence to be writing in the first place.

“I didn’t think I could write because I didn’t have stellar grades and I had a male friend in my life who said I couldn’t write a book.”

B Most men will say they can do something even before they can. Most women won’t say they can do something even when they can.

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elieving the lie, Benton hired someone to put into a book the principles she had been speaking about. That decision proved disastrous. She got a big advance, but in the end, she had to pay it back.The publisher rejected the work because she’d given too much leeway to the man she hired as a writer. Undeterred, she hired two other women on two other occasions but with the same result—rejection.

We asked Benton to give us her advice about starting out as a woman in business. She offered the following tips:

Believe in yourself. Trust your gut. Feel worthy. Give yourself permission to change your mind. Know that you have choices. Don’t take yourself too seriously, even though you are doing serious things. You are the only person who can make you happy. Find out what gets you excited and keep at it.

With her hutzpah still in tact, she decided to go it alone. She wrote the book herself, and it became a best-seller. And when you write a good book, the publisher wants another, and another. This proved to be the turning point, a testing ground.

Plan on making your own money, saving it, and investing it. Do not plan on someone taking care of you.

“I was scared! I was not a CEO, I was a one-woman show! I kept saying, ‘I can’t do it.’ Then I woke up one night and said, ‘I CAN do it!’ I got up and started writing and the next book became my biggest book ever.”

Take on what men are willing to take on. Take a risk and step out.

Learning the Secrets Even now, with a cache of books on her resume and her client list growing, she is quick to point out that being an expert in the field just means being one step ahead of the next guy, “one page ahead of you in the book. That’s it!” That understanding of “expert” has served her well, allowing her to navigate among the brightest in the field with an effortless swagger. She also understands an important difference between men and women in the workplace, which can be a barrier for a woman’s success. “Most men will say they can do something even before they can. Most women won’t say they can do something even when they can.” She has also learned the important difference between respect and being liked. “Too many times, women want to be liked. I don’t like everyone, so I don’t expect everyone to like me. I want to be trusted and respected, but they don’t have to like me.”

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dvice for Newbies Being a woman hasn’t seemed to hinder Benton one bit. Business is thriving, speaking requests keep flowing in, and her newest book, “The Virtual Executive,” promises to keep her busy. Luckily, though, she wasn’t too busy to offer some advice for the new entrepreneur. “Take some tests to see some proclivity, but don’t rely on that alone. A test just gives you a starting point. Secondly, do a lot of introspection. Be alone without the computer, radio, or texting. Think about what truly interests you.” In fact, Benton believes that thinking is just about the most important discipline for a new—or seasoned— entrepreneur.

Too many times, women want to be liked. I don’t like everyone, so I don’t expect everyone to like me.

The best leaders take time to think. Today, we are constantly reacting instead of thinking. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so much clutter. You are doing, but not thinking. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not contemplating, analyzing, or sorting out. You are reacting. Taking time to think is the best thing an entrepreneur can do for her business.

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BOOK WRITING 2.0

eBooks HERE Real book disappear?

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Remi Roy Oyeyemi

Several options are available today for promoting your business in 2012, and as a forward-thinking female entrepreneur you really should pay attention to the options available to you. No matter your industry, you’ve not doubt collected specialized info that your potential client could benefit from. Deciding on how to get your word out is the next step to take. It is an ongoing debate and one that may be around for some time: The eBook vs the hardcopy. While many people say they prefer the old traditional feel of reading a ‘real’ book, statistics prove that there has been a steady rise in sales of eBooks and consequently, hardcopy stats are dwindling. According to data released by the Association of American Publishers, eBook sales went up about 117 percent in 2011 while adult paperback books went down 36 percent.1 What does this mean for you? Consider your options.

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{ While a full-time writer may stall longer at making a decision, because of the apparent pros and cons of using either or both traditional publishing and eBook options, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier, I believe, for a business woman to settle for the eBook option. This decision may not be solely because of the clear increase in eBook sales but a thorough consideration of the inherent advantages: 80 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

Ebook Advantages It takes little time to set up and get an eBook ready. There are no printing, distribution or shipping costs to consider. No apparent damage to the environment. Ebooks enable your readers to not only receive their downloadable copies online but also have access to your content at any time of the day on their smart phones, tablets, eBook readers and laptops. You have the option of making an ebook as interactive as possible with audio and video which truly engages your readers. If you have a specific product to sell this is an invaluable tool for educating your customers about the benefits of your product and get them familiar with your brand.

No apparent damage to the environment. These are options you do not get with hardcopy books.

research.

You could also do eBook giveaways as an incentive for your You will however, need to focus customers. According to Libby your energies on making the book Fischer Hellmann of Amazon’s available to potential readers. KDP Select program, more people Several options guarantee great are expecting to get eBooks online results depending on how you for free.2 This may not be good engage. news for a full-time writer who expects to make a living solely 1. Have your eBook on the from her books but you can use homepage of your website this to your advantage. Offering (work diligently on growing your first few eBooks for free traffic here). will get you into your readers’ 2. Put up a link to your eBook world and if the quality of the on your email signature or have information you are providing is the link sent to everyone on consistent and reliable, they may your mailing list. be willing to pay a little something 3. Engage readers through for it next time. different social media platforms including Facebook, owever, whatever Twitter, Instagram, Youtube you decide, DO NOT and many others. compromise on quality. A book, whether electronic These are great and inexpensive or hardcopy, fraught with errors, ways to brand your business, gain is a pain. Write clearly, have an clients and get your eBook out editor check your content (even if there. You sould also consider you’re giving it out for free), pay selling through eBook retailers attention to eBook formats, so like Amazon, eBay, lulu, Barnes & your readers don’t sweat through Noble, Smashwords and a host of being able to read it on their others. Ask questions and do your devices, devise a marketing plan, then get busy!

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/ article/50805-aap-estimates-e-book-sales-rose-117-in-2011-as-print-fell http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/01/30/ebooks-encourageauthors-to-stare-at-their-shoes-instead-of-shoot-for-the-stars/ 81 POWERCULTURE DEC2012

WRITER. ENGAGING AUTHOR.

ENTREPRENEUR? Brand Yourself and Increase your Expert Status through Writing Dede Newby

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ove it or hate it, writing impacts every aspect of your business. Whether you’re creating a business ad for your local newspaper, marketing your business to the public, or pitching your products or services to a potential buyer-your writing style will either propel your business towards success or open you up to failure. Therefore, it’s essential that entrepreneurs increase their expert status by learning to write like authors. Write like an Author Take E.L. James’s bestselling book Fifty Shades of Grey, for example. She writes about a young, handsome, brilliant, and intimidating entrepreneur named Christian Grey, who’s tormented by demons. He falls in love with Ana, an unworldly, innocent woman who engages in an erotic relationship with Christian. James provides an upfront, detailed description, leaving readers wanting to know more. This ability is a critical aspect of an author’s writing style. The more readers authors are able to attract to their stories, the more they’re considered to be an experts in their field. Similarly, entrepreneurs need to learn to be creative and professional when pitching their businesses, products, or services. Whether tweeting on Twitter, writing a letter, or composing an advertisement, entrepreneurs should strive to write compelling content that gains and maintains the interest of existing and new customers.

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Determine the main purpose of your business. First, determine the main purpose of your business. Regardless of the product or service you provide, ultimately, you want to gain customers. What’s the best way of accomplishing this? You must be able to portray yourself as an expert in your field. Your writing skills directly affect your ability to cast your expert status. The more creative you are in communicating to your consumers as a writer, the more likely they will be to assume you’re an expert in your field, which in turn solidifies your reputation and brand. Writing like an author in communicating your business and its products and services is one of the most effective and creative way to maintain a healthy, thriving business. Measuring Your Writing Success In the business world, our writing skills have been shaded by our educational system. We have been taught to introduce a subject, develop and argue points, and then to summarize and conclude. This method is ineffective in today’s fast-paced business world where information is needed immediately. When making a business decision, what do decision makers need to know? What’s the bottom line? They just want the important facts first. So, how do entrepreneurs change the way they supply information to their customers? They need to learn to write in a journalistic style. In other When making a words, learn how to write business decision, backwards and supply information in descending what do decision order of importance. makers need to Grab and maintain your know? What’s the audience’s attention immediately by providing bottom line? the main point upfront. Establish early on what action or decision you are seeking and why this decision is needed, along with the steps that are required to get there (when, who and how). By learning to write like an author or journalist, entrepreneurs will connect better with their clients, increase their expert status and brand themselves as a professional in their own right.

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In 2013 we focus on positives, not obstacles. Why not instead of why it would fail. Yes I can, instead of why I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Lead with what I did right, instead of what I did wrong. Hanging with the no matter what crew, the we winning posse, the challengers, not the naysayers.

This year we are conquers!

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