Help Yourself By Helping Others

Steven E, bestselling author of the "Wake Up...Live the Life You Love" series, is a book publisher with over 20 books in print, 14 of which have been bestsellers. He was consulted as a leading expert in the movie "Pass It On", and he enjoys helping people live life to their fullest potential on every level.

Steven E believes that people should get their lives on purpose as early as possible. When he was only 21 years old, he was startled awake by an inner voice telling him to write a book, so he did. He knew it would sell millions, so he never gave up. Today he not only publishes books, but he also has CDs and speaking engagements.

People will magically show up in your life when you need them most after you've found your true purpose, but by far the best way to help yourself is to help others first. Steven tried this by asking 55 people to co-write a book with him. Everyone did a little bit of the work, and in turn, everyone was published in a bigger book. Steven calls this "team publishing."

Compare team publishing to opening a new business with investors. Imagine you're opening a coffee shop. All of your investors will surely invite their friends and family to the grand opening, and you'll reap the profits and word of mouth advertising to follow. Book publishing is the same way. Everyone who contributes to your book will tell everyone they know about it. Sales are almost guaranteed.

Steven E believes the key is to help others first. When he introduces himself, he says, "Hi. I'm Steven. How can I help you?" This introduction catches people off guard and breaks the ice. They're free to find out who you are and how you can be of benefit to them. At the same time, you can devise a way to help yourself by helping them.

Finding out what others need helps you bond with them. Bonding means they'll refer others to you, and getting more contacts means more opportunities for you to profit whether it be through book sales, speaking engagements, or whatever your field may offer. Book publishing isn't the only type of business that can profit from helping others. Think about people who offer other types of products and services like massages, energy drinks, or pet care. Offer your product or service for free to people you know, and they'll tell everyone they know about you.

If you plan to publish a book, be aware that major publishers only pick up major authors. It's rare to see an unknown rise to the top of a major publishing company. Steven E says you'll almost always have to self-publish. You're going to need to figure out your own marketing strategy, and his advice is to start small with a business card approach. If you hand out a business card, you're just another face in the crowd. If you hand out a book, you're an "expert."

Handing out books helps you establish a residual income. People would much rather talk about books than business cards. One of the best ways to get your name noticed by the masses is to get published along side a big name author. You'll have instant credibility and instant sales. You're adding to someone else's book to help them get published, and in turn, you're getting free advertising and credibility.