“Brilliant.”
“Paul nails it!”
“Required reading.”
“Straight talk with heart.”
“Filled with wisdom and passion.”
“Be prepared to have your mind blown.”
“The book this industry has been waiting for.”
“Strikwerda’s writing is razor sharp and always engaging.”
These are just a few superlatives readers have used to describe my new book Making Money In Your PJs: freelancing for voice-overs and other solopreneurs. I couldn’t be more thrilled! Seriously.
I’ve always believed that what other people have to say about your work is way more powerful than what you have to say about it yourself. I guess these quotes prove my point, and I want to thank every contributor for all the accolades bestowed upon me. And you know what?
You guys are sweet but crazy!
I rarely have bad days, but should I ever have one, all I need to do is go to Amazon.com, and read the rave reviews. Nothing is more gratifying or inspiring. And nothing goes to my head faster!
In fact, it would probably be better for my ego if someone were to give my book four stars instead of five. One person will do, if only to convince shoppers that I didn’t bribe my whole tribe to say nice things about me.
Here’s one thing you need to know: being a published author has some strange side-effects.
AUTHOR AGONY
People I’ve always wanted to connect with, suddenly seem to realize that I exist. They even want to be my Facebook friends! I’m flattered that they’re falling for my innocent scheme, and I intend to milk my new status for all it’s worth.
Fame is fickle. Today you’re the toast of the town. Tomorrow you’re yesterday’s news. So, if you’re anywhere near famous in the voice-over scene, please get in touch with me now, before I disappear into oblivion.
Some people believe that my book has made me an overnight millionaire, and want me to sponsor their event, or give away hundreds of copies. News flash: sales are going really well, but I have yet to break even. Publishing a book is much easier than selling it. You should try it some day.
There may be a sexy man on the cover, but Making Money In Your PJs ain’t no Fifty Shades of Grey. Otherwise I would have called it The Naked Voice Over, and Don Johnson’s daughter would be starring in the movie version. I do have one thing in common with E.L. James. We both like dishing out a heavy dose of tough love. I’m just not into spanking and handcuffs. In my book, SM still stands for Social Media.
SLEEPWEAR
There’s one last side-effect I can only blame myself for:
Everybody wants to know about my PJs.
“Are you wearing your PJs yet?”
“Do you go shopping in your PJs?”
“Where can I buy your PJs?”
It never stops.
Enough already!
As if you didn’t know, the title of my book is just a gimmick. I wanted something slightly more interesting than A Voice Actor’s Guide to a Freelance Career. Something catchy. Just don’t expect me to show up in my PJs at every social event. And no, my pajamas are not for sale. Yet.
Now, on to the big news.
THE CONTEST
A while ago, I launched a “Who-wants-to pick-Paul’s-brains-contest.” The idea was to invite readers to take a picture with a copy of my book which I could use for shameless self-promotion.
Well, I’m happy to say that we have three wonderful winners for three equally wonderful prizes.
Debby Barnes will get to grill me during a 45-minute ask-me-anything session. April Karys receives a signed copy of the paperback, and I will interview Perdita Lawton for this blog. Colleague Colin McLean receives an honorable mention because he’s honorable, and I’d like to mention him.
So, what’s the next stop on my book’s journey to conquer the hearts and minds of colleagues and fellow-freelancers?
I’m so glad you asked!
The core of my very humble and altruistic promotional campaign can be summed up in one word:
WOMAN
This -of course- stands for Word Of Mouth And Narration.
The voice-over community happens to be very good at spreading the word. Some people even get paid for it. At this point, word of mouth has been generating most of my sales, which is pretty exciting.
The other day I was contacted by a VO-coach whose name you’d immediately recognize. One of her students had mentioned my book, and now she wanted a copy. A studio organizing workshops for voice actors ordered a whole stack of books for their students. Voice-over meetup groups are reading and discussing Making Money In Your PJs together. Copies are reaching Spain, Brazil, the UK and the Netherlands. Yes, I am truly going global!
In a few weeks, I’ll finish up recording the audio version of the eBook, which has ten additional chapters.
With all of that going on, here’s the big question:
Is Making Money In Your PJs really “the book this industry has been waiting for,” and “a refreshing mix of common sense, business acumen and great storytelling”?
Well, that’s up to you to decide. Don’t believe your colleagues or the author.
Take your business to the next level, and use these buttons to order your copy:
Happy reading!
Paul Strikwerda ©nethervoice
PS Be sweet. Please retweet!
Paul,
Needless-to-say, but saying it none-the-less, I’m over-the-moon! THANK YOU for placing me alongside the other lucky gals. 🙂
Smiling In My PJ’s!
Debby
Beaming from ear to ear- the last question summed it up for me…Is it a game changer? I “say” yes. I say it is a book that teaches not only a way of business but perhaps THE new way of doing business. I have found that it isn’t as much “what I do” as “how I think” that directly affects the “what I do and how and when etc”. And hurry with the audiobook… I’m on book 10 of Left Behind after finishing Enders Saga and next on the list is Game of Thrones from the beginning. So I’d like to listen to this before December 2014 if possible 🙂
Good to know things are going well for you & the book, Paul! I admit, I have not yet gotten my copy yet due to our funds being extremely tight right now ($4000 in car repairs and a new partial roof), but I am looking forward to reading it. I know your attention to detail and respect for quality work, so I have no doubt it’s a great read. In fact, I’ve already shared your page with 3 or 4 folks who’ve asked me about getting into the biz!
Matt
I think Seth Godin would call you guys “Evangelists,” but that’s too biblical too me. If each of you were to be an evangelist, what does that make me? I’m not even going there!
You know how grateful I am to have colleagues like you in my life. If I had to give up the book in order to keep you around, I’d do that in a heartbeat!
I’m so glad that sales are up and the reviews are so positive. I’m just finishing up the hard copy now and I’ll put in my 3¢ review on Amazon as well.
This looks like a real milestone for you and I’m so impressed with they way you’ve laid out the book and all the research, time and life’s experience you’ve put into it.
Btw, your PJ secret is safe with me… I don’t wear ’em either… I sleep naked too.
Oh Rick….. you know how we Europeans are. If we can save a buck or two on sleepwear, we’ll do it in a heartbeat. I’m looking forward to your review. That’ll be number 30!
Great read Paul:
Congrats on the success of your new book!! I bought several copies to pass along to our recent Voiceover Workshop we held here at Creative Media and I encouraged this new batch of folks to sign up for your blog posts and share their thoughts as they embark on their careers!
Keep up the great work! And thanks for sharing your insight.
Thanks again for making my book available to your students, Tim. I hope they’ll learn a lot from it. I’d love to have them subscribe to my blog. There’s plenty to write about, and my pen isn’t dry yet!