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Volume 2, Number 3 July 26, 2002
Publisher: GoalMinds, Inc.
E-mail: condrill@goalminds.com http://www.goalminds.com
Copyright 2002 Jo Condrill All rights reserved
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If any of the links in this newsletter do not work for you, please copy and paste them into the URL or email. Note: "mailto" is not part of the email address to be pasted. Thanks.
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"It is good to rub and polish our brain against that of others." --Montaigne

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. Go Ahead, Ask Me
2. Book Signings--Fun and Profit for Writers and Readers
3. Taking Charge at Lavender Spring Ranch
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1. Go Ahead, Ask Me
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Have you ever agonized over how to begin a conversation with someone you've just met? Most of us end up waiting for the other person to speak first and we lose the initiative. In his book, Conversationally Speaking, Alan Garner, says there are only three topics from which to choose to open a conversation: the situation, the other person, or ourselves. And, further, there are only three ways to express our thoughts: ask a question, voice an opinion, or state a fact.

We unwittingly stifle conversation by the type of questions we ask, according to Garner. Close-ended questions lead to a brief, sometimes one-word, answer that gets us nowhere. Open-ended questions, on the other hand, leave the response wide open. In a social conversation with someone we've just met, for instance, we can subtly elicit information by asking open-ended questions, "How did you meet our hosts?" Consider the type of response you would get with a question such as, "How long have you known our hosts?" The answer: "A year or two," leaves you searching for a way to continue the conversation. An open-ended question is more likely to provide information that will lead to further conversation. "We met on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, while attending a demonstration there." There are many options for the next question or statement. Open-ended questions usually begin with "How," "Why," or "In what way'? The object is to skillfully use open-ended and close-ended questions in combination to either further or terminate a conversation according to your desires.

Consider the value of using a variety of questions in your business life. With your objective and time limitations in mind, you can expand or contract your conversation tactfully, and arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.

Over a million copies of Conversationally Speaking have been sold. It's a good book to study.
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"Although a friend who is perfectly adapted to you may not hold as much value in another's eyes, being introduced to a friend of a friend is a good way to increase your assets. Meet a friend through a friend, and if the fit is right, the relationship will enrich all involved." Naomi Rhode, in More Beautiful than Diamonds: The Gift of Friendship
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Award-winner! From Book Signing to Best Seller: An Insider's Guide to Conducting a Successful Low-Cost Book Signing Tour, by Jo Condrill and John B. Slack, was named 2001-2002 Best Writers Reference Guide by the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association.

101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly was selected by Amazon.com to be one of the first books in their Look Inside the Book program.
This book is available as a Spanish audio book from GoalMinds, Inc. It is also available in India from Jaico Publishing House, http://www.jaicobooks.com, email jaicopub@vsnl.com. Translated into Korean, the book is available from SIAT Publishing Co. in Korea. Contact drtkcc@chollian.net (Joong-Seo Park) for more information.

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2. Book Signings--Fun and Profit for Writers and Readers
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Have you ever walked into a bookstore when an author is scheduled to do a book signing and found no one there? Do you shy away from autograph tables, perhaps fearing that someone may ask you to buy a book? Consider the other side of the equation. A book signing is an opportunity to learn about the author and what makes a person undertake the challenge of writing a book. If you're an aspiring author, you can learn from another author's experiences. If you're a reader, you can delve into background information about the book. You might even get a glimpse of those parts that were edited out before the book went to print. Every book signing is an opportunity to learn. Sometimes an author learns what doesn't work.

To have a successful signing, authors need to be like stage managers, blocking out their moves to achieve maximum results. Certain activities must be included in the production. The stage must be set, publicity broadcast in every media possible, and the performer prepared.

The stage does not have to be a bookstore. Be creative when considering a venue for a signing. Is your book about gardening, nutrition, or money? Why not have an event at a large garden supply outlet, a spa, or a banking institution? Are you writing about an exciting period of music or interesting musicians? Then consider one of the big local music stores for the seminar. On the other hand, if you're a speaker or professional seminar leader, why not sign your books in a nearby bookstore in addition to selling them at the back of the room when you give your next presentation?

To help publicize a book signing, coordinate it with a special day, like grandparents day, or some topical holiday that has special meaning in context with the subject matter of your book. Several Internet web sites offer hundreds of dates, from well known to bizarre, you can use for a public relations opportunity. One that offers a day-to-day list of such celebrations is http://dailyglobe.com/day2day.html. You should be able to find something there for any particular day you choose. Think of different and innovative ways to connect your book and your ideas to something that is already scheduled to happen in the area. For instance, if your book has anything to do with women’s health, you may tie in to a local Race for the Cure event, which supports research on breast cancer. Or, dream up a day of your own. Invent a day of your choice to publicize your book. "Today is national TAKE CHARGE day!" Couple a book signing with seminars or speeches you have already scheduled, a family reunion, or other special event. Where would your target audience likely meet or be together? Find that place and go there! Use strategic planning to accomplish as many goals as possible. (See our Talion.com press kit at http://www.talion.com/presskits/book-signings.html )

Know your book. Some in your audience may have already read it and want to pose specific questions. Prepare comments, anecdotes, and insights in advance. Greet your public enthusiastically and welcome their questions. If you're not comfortable meeting a group of strangers, consider joining a Toastmasters Club in your area to gain experience. This is a very inexpensive way to get compassionate feedback on your presentation skills and specific recommendations for improvement. http://www.toastmasters.org

Book signings can be exciting for writers and readers and profitable for both.

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3. Taking Charge at Lavender Spring Ranch
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After retiring from a very successful air conditioning business in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1996, Cliff and Bess Crouch, set out on a mid-life change of course--from air conditioning to the great outdoors. They left their home of 25 years and began a search for that special place to "play in the dirt." Bess has a fondness for lavender. Cliff knows about growing raspberries. They purchased a 300-acre ranch in south central New Mexico after considerable research, which included a trip to lavender fields in France.

On the ranch was an old apple orchard, about 25 acres worth, a 100 year old house, and an old irrigation well that could be put back into use. They began growing test plants of lavender and clearing out the old orchard. Satisfied that their ideas could work, they began to carve out fields of lavender, raspberries, and some sweet corn. They began a brand new orchard with apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, and cherry trees just for fun. Cliff planted grass around the young trees thinking that it would make a great picnic spot for lots of people to enjoy.

A frequently asked question by those who visit the ranch is, "Do you have a recipe book?" Aiming to supply the demand, Bess enlisted the aid of her daughter-in-law, Ester Nieto, who is an accomplished baker, and they began developing and testing recipes using lavender or raspberries. The book is expected to be available for the winter holidays.

A bright idea blossomed into a dream, which was then pondered over many months. Plans were made and changed, timelines set and adjusted. With much hard work and ongoing fascinating adventures, after meeting many wonderful knowledgeable people who offered encouragement and help along the way, an old apple orchard has been transformed into fields of flowering lavender plants and raspberries ripening in the sun. Today the ranch is known from coast to coast. People travel to the ranch for a quiet day to pick their own lavender, raspberries, and corn. In so doing, they take home a little piece of that dream and the gift is shared. If you'd like to know more about this adventure, write to Bess and Cliff at Lavender Spring Ranch, P.O. Box 278, Tinnie, NM 88351-0278.

Do you have a dream? Have you put it through a dream catcher? Envision success and find the courage to follow your dreams.
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A Millennium Primer: Take Charge of Your Life is now available as an abridged recorded book, Take Charge of Your Life, ISBN 09661414-2-3. Ask for it at your library or your favorite bookstore.
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GoalMinds, Inc. celebrates its fifth anniversary this year by joining forces with Biblio Distribution. This division of the National Book Network will now be selling and distributing GoalMinds, Inc. books nationwide to booksellers, wholesalers, and specialty stores. Quality Books, Inc. supplies our books to the library market. Naturally, you may continue to contact GoalMinds, Inc, 1 800 697-5680, to purchase individual copies.

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Recommended Reading:
It's Only Money, by Allison Acken, Ph.D.

In a delightful, light-hearted way, Allison presents many facts, statistics, and truisms. Taking on Prince Charming, equality, and discrimination she never flinches. Written primarily for women, this is a great book for anyone! Womentalkmoney.com, P.O. Box 49327, Los Angeles, CA Email Orders@womentalkmoney.com
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I've also discovered the value of having legal advice at my fingertips and become involved with Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. They have advised in contract matters, collection issues, and legal correspondence. I'm impressed with the service I've received for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day. If you had a legal problem today, what would you do? Would you know who to call? With a Pre-Paid Legal plan, you have access to top-quality law firms. You can check them out at http://www.prepaidlegal.com/go/jocondrill

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