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The Book Coach Says - June 2005
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FEATURE ARTICLE:
"Shorten Your Journey to Success With Teleclasses"
Judy Cullins c. 2005
Are you an author who wants your book to be a success? Have you read books, but still need some handholding on how best to promote your book? Are local seminars on book marketing and promotion just not available to you?
Something wonderful has happened with our flattening world. We can now give and attend seminars over the phone. As a presenter, I send by email ahead of the teleclass the workbooks and how to materials. If you have joined an eNewsletter like Dan Poynter's "Publishing Poynter’s" or Judy Cullins, "The Book Coach Says..." or John Kremer’s "Book Marketing Tip of the Week, you probably have seen teleclasses offered in them.
What is a Teleclass?
A teleclass is a telephone conference call. It's non-techie, conducted completely on the phone! You don't need a computer to attend. You dial into a conference number you'll receive when you register for the class. You will have the option to speak during designated times in the class (making this an interactive experience), though you don't have to talk if you don't want to. You can call in to the U.S. telephone number from all over the world.
Who Comes to the Teleclasses?
People from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and other countries pay long distance fees to get this hands-on learning. From a US phone the fees are usually from $3-$5. Any author who wants to not only share his book's good information, but wants to make good income from it will come to a teleclass.
How Many will Come to the Teleclass?
That depends on the style of the teleclass. The more interactive ones usually have from 6-25 participants. For a marathon of questions and answers, the presenters may increase the time to two hours and take up to 100 participants.
What Happens on the Call?
First, the presenter will remind you to use a land phone, and to close the door to noise. We want everyone on the call to hear and get a lot from it. During the teleclass you will receive timely tips, tools, strategies, resources and techniques from professionals in your field. They address your questions and challenges to help you reach your goals.
When you come to the call, your presenter will ask for your name, and welcome you to the call. Then, you will receive the goals for the class--what questions the presenter will help you get answers for during the 55-minute to 1-hour program. You can interact and ask questions along the way.
How Long are the Teleclasses?
Most teleclasses offer you a 55-minute or one hour format. That is a good listening time for most. It allows for 4-5 major points and discussion.
You may join a teleclass that is longer too--maybe 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the format. Presenting a marathon of questions and answers can take from 1 1/2 to 2 hours with people coming and going as they want. When I offer this kind of teleclass I ask for questions via email before the phone session, and am sure to answer those on the call.
You can also join a group of one-hour teleconferences spread out every two weeks for a total of five or so sessions. These are sometimes called Small Group Coaching such as "The Book Achievers Small Group Coaching" or "The Marketing Achievers Small Group Coaching." These are even more interactive, and your fellow participants on the line can talk to each other and the presenter. These groups do peer editing by email as well as getting feedback from the coach.
How to Register
Learn how to register when you visit a particular site. They give you step-by-step instructions. Then, you give them ordering information: They offer several ways to prepay for the teleclass such as a credit card or toll-free number. Once you are paid, you are registered and emailed the bridgeline and the handouts or workbooks for the conference call.
The Benefits of Teleclasses Over In Person Seminars
No dress code, travel, traffic, parking problems, computer, time wasted, or large expenses. Many top names charge $2000 for a weekend seminar--one in which you get too much information and little hands one. A teleclass is inexpensive, and is as easy as picking up your phone and talking to a friend! Get expert guidance from professional coaches and other presenters and learn from all on the call if you want to boost your book writing, book publishing or book promotion skills.
Over the past five years, people attending my teleclasses have come around to loving teleclasses.. With a personable teacher, you feel you are "there." With a presenter who knows that hearing is important, you can relax and learn--with the back up of follow up email as well as email sent before the program. It's a good thing, and some times the only way you'll get to meet top people for your book writing and marketing needs.
Teleclasses are the most cost-effective, quickest, and easiest way to stay on top of your book, business, and marketing skills. They don't replace one-on-one coaching, but they can shorten your learning curve before you spend money on a coach.
COACHES CORNER:
The World is Flat -- Are You Ready?
Technology is connecting us all more and more each day as this inspiring book, "The World is Flat,” says. What do you notice lately in your business or with your book?
Here's what I'm noticing right now.
1. I just noticed in the last few months emails from many different countries other than UK, AU. From India, China, Africa, Malaysia and other parts of the world. These people want to get in on the great adventure of being an entrepreneur. One who sells a book or offers a service.
What this means is we in US are starting to do more business with our global friends. Once we can get an easy way for these countries to buy from us, we will be even more connected. If you know how to make it easy for someone in Africa or Malaysia to buy from the US, please email me.
2. I got my first email from an entrepreneur from India. He said because of the low cost of living, and his expertise he could optimize what ever I needed with Google ad words for only $199 a month. Free introductory question and answer too.
3. I realize my book coaching client base is widening a lot. Many more clients from Australia, Singapore, even India.
One way to connect globally is to use a free global phone service. Just download for free at SKYPE.com. I'm asking my clients to use this with a headset for only $60 from Plantronics. The sound is so clear, and up to 5 can conference on it.
Since our world is flattened by the 10 markers including The Berlin Wall down, the Y2K needs that connected us to India, the Internet expansion, outsourcing techie jobs to India, China, and Russia, in sourcing and informing through the latest cell phone technology, we are now open to learn from this.
The unaware and unwilling will invite stagnation. Will you join me in this convergence? In this coming era technology will literally transform every aspect of business, every aspect of life, and every aspect of society. Let's do what it takes to invite it in and enjoy the process.
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