Successful Blog

Interview 11.1: Rajesh Setty — Raj’s Story

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From Child Author to IT Consultant

Recently I wrote, if you want me to care, tell me who you are. It was a statement about knowing who wrote what we are reading. That statement becomes more when the writer in question is Rajesh Setty.

Rajesh

When we learn about who Raj is, it’s no wonder Beyond Code: Learn to Distinguish Yourself in 9 Simple Steps! is packed with testimonials to its quality and wisdom. Not every IT Consultant can write about personal and interpersonal skills in business. Not every business book can boast a foreward by Tom Peters.

Raj has worked in five countries. He wrote his first book when he was nine years old. He’s what people might call one in a million. He’s a nice man, who has friends almost everywhere.

I knew this interview would be outstanding, if I could find questions that went beyond the book in the same way that Raj had gone Beyond Code to the basics of every business. I was thrilled with the wealth of advice and experience Raj sent back in his answers.

Rajesh, tell us your story. How is that you came to be a child author? How did that child author become an IT consultant? What lead that consultant to write this book?

[Read more…]

A 5-Part Interview with Rajesh Setty

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Introducing logo

Which Raj Setty do you know . . . the journalist, author, technology geek, President of ForesightPlus, SOB, mentoring mind behind start-ups and numerous great ideas? You probably know his book, Beyond Code: Learn to Distinguish Yourself in 9 Simple Steps! and his blog, Life Beyond Code. How Raj finds the time to do all of these and still answer my email baffles me.

When I read Beyond Code: Learn to Distinguish Yourself in 9 Simple Steps! I wasn’t far into it when I started thinking I want to interview this man for Successful Blog.

As soon as I hit the last page, I contacted Raj and he agreed. I put together five questions that would take us beyond the book and let the author elaborate.

I’m proud to announce that you can look for the series this week and next week.

Monday, October 30 — Raj’s Story
Wedneday November 1 — The Need to Participate and Differentiate
Thursday, November 2 — The Inner Game
Monday, November 6 — The Outer Game
Wednesday, November 8 — About the Book — How It Happened

Thanks, Raj. This interview series is the best companion to the book!

–Me “Liz” Strauss

Five Reasons Writers Make More $ Writing White Papers

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Michael A. Stelzner, Guest Writer

Michael Stelzner 3

Looking to drum up some new business? Want to get more dollars from existing clients? Are you a starving writer?

Consider the five reasons why white papers could dramatically increase your writing revenue:

    1. Demand exceeds supply: There are not enough writers who know how to write white papers. Businesses are aggressively looking to write more white papers. Master the art and count your dollars.

    2. You can charge more for a white paper: White papers help businesses generate leads and close sales; thus, they are directly tied to revenue. For many businesses, only one or two sales from a white paper return the investment.

    3. Businesses pay top dollar for white papers: Word for word, nothing beats a white paper. A good white paper writer charges between $3,000 and $10,000 for a 10-page white paper. This is the most lucrative writing business out there.

    4. White papers can be multi-purposed: A well-written white paper can be converted into a contributed article or used as content on a website. This adds more value to a white paper project.

    5. Many businesses need multiple white papers: Prove yourself with an excellent white paper and your client will want others. This can generate a consistent pipeline of work.

Your action: Develop your white paper writing skills with the groundbreaking new book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged.

—Michael A. Stelzner

Bookcraft 2.0: Book Research at Amazon, the Data Giant

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Hitting the Market

books

Whether your plan is to sell your book or give it as a value-added premium, it’s a shame to invest the time to build a resource that no one is going to read. Book ideas aren’t different from other product ideas. They need market research to validate their worth.

No idea is a great just because someone had it.
It becomes a great idea when we prove it solves problem or meets a need in a new and remarkable way.

If you start from scratch or work from your own blog, a trip over to Amazon for research is the first place you should go once your idea begins to take form. Because I was new to Phil’s blog, it took time to get to that single — Hey this might be it! — idea. So we’re on our way over that right now.

Come along.
[Read more…]

The Persuasive Power of White Papers

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Michael A. Stelzner, Guest Writer

Mochael; Stelzner 2

Information overload. Filters. Time constraints. Limited patience.

Marketing excess makes the task of influencing a chore!

Getting an audience with someone important and presenting vital points have never been harder. It is just plain tough to persuade people if you can’t speak to them.

Fortunately, there is way.

The white paper is often ushered past the guards and into the inner courts of important people.

Why?

White papers are sought after to help readers make decisions. Like the ancient wise man, the great white paper will have a significant impact on its readers.

These informative (and often persuasive) documents tend to contain information that is very valuable.

The persuasive white paper:

  • Identifies problems facing its readers (to build affinity)
  • Discusses trends (to push a need for change)
  • Provides solutions without selling (by speaking broadly and objectively)
  • Suggests what to look for (think key considerations when seeking a solution)

The art of persuasion involves building interest, providing valuable information and directing readers to act in a very specific manner. When applied to white papers, the result is a virtual salesperson that acts in your best interest, all the time.

This article is the fourth in a five-part series on the advantages of white papers. The next article will examine how writers can grow their businesses by writing white papers.

Your action: Learn how to persuade with white papers and watch people respond in ways you never imagined. An excellent resource to help you master this art is the new book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged.

—Michael A. Stelzner

Luring Prospects With White Papers

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Michael A. Stelzner, Guest Writer

Michael Stelzner 3

Looking to drum up new business? Need to generate some leads?

Finding new business is hard work!

If you want to persuade, white papers are the hot new marketing trend.

Different than the brochure or ad, the white paper is used to plant seeds among prospects early in the buying cycle (think first-time home buyer finds helpful resource guide).

Research by KnowledgeStorm shows that white papers are the most effective form of lead generation – even better than free trials and webinars!

If well written, the white paper provides valuable information to prospects who are searching for guidance. That information has magnetic value to the right readers, creating a steady stream of opportunity.

By giving away some important insight, you establish trust with readers. Trust is the first step toward building a relationship, and ultimately asking for the sale.

This article is the third in a five-part series on the advantages of white papers. The next article will examine how white papers can persuade others.

Your action: Learn the art of writing white papers that generate quality leads by picking up a copy of the new book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged.

—Michael A. Stelzner