What happens when you buy a book that's so helpful, you decide to write one yourself? That's exactly what Sarah Dodd, CEO and founder of Tree Law and self-proclaimed "Tree Hugging Lawyer," did. After spending 20 years hearing colleagues say "someone should write a book about tree root subsidence claims," Sarah discovered Law Brief Publishing as a customer first—and that discovery changed everything. In this episode, Sarah shares her complete journey from clicking a "submit a book proposal" li...
In this must-listen episode for authors and thought leaders, intellectual property expert Michelle B. Griffin joins me for an in-depth discussion on safeguarding your creative work. As a keynote speaker, visibility strategist, and personal branding advisor, Michelle shares her experience with helping clients navigate the complex world of trademarks, copyrights, and brand identity. Together, we explore the critical steps authors should take to protect their intellectual property, from researc...
In this insightful episode, career coach and LinkedIn expert Sarah Burgess shares how she's on a mission to help students navigate those challenging transitions with her new "And Stuck?" workbook series. Tune in to discover the personal experiences and client stories that inspired Sarah to create accessible resources for students feeling lost or pressured about their next steps. We discuss the unique format of her workbooks, filled with practical exercises, engaging narrative elements, and a...
In this enchanting episode, Gillian sits down with Felipe Cofiño, a seasoned HR executive, thought leader, and now children's book author, to explore how he's using his heartwarming tale "Miranda & Max's Adventure" to captivate audiences on LinkedIn and beyond. Felipe shares his unconventional approach to marketing a children's book on a business-focused platform, how he's leveraging multimedia with a QR code linking to a YouTube cartoon, and the surprising ways his HR expertise shaped hi...
How do you keep your nonfiction book relevant when the landscape is constantly shifting? Lynnaire Johnston, LinkedIn expert and co-author of "Business Gold," reveals the behind-the-scenes process of revising and updating the ultimate guide to LinkedIn Company Pages. As Lynnaire and co-author Michelle J Raymond prepare the third edition, she shares valuable insights on why they decided a new edition was necessary to reflect LinkedIn's latest changes, the nuts and bolts of the revision process...
In this insightful episode, I sit down with Claire E. Jones, a multi-talented author, speaker, mentor, and podcaster. Claire shares her journey of transitioning from an author to a sought-after speaker and reveals how aspiring writers can do the same by strategically leveraging conference panel opportunities. She dives into the nitty-gritty of landing your first panel gig, from researching conferences aligned with your genre and values to crafting a compelling application. Claire emphasizes ...
In this special episode, the tables are turned as I join Jim Cooper as a guest on his podcast, The Hydrant. This conversation, recorded before Jim's recent appearance on my show last week, features the talented voice actor and author taking the reins to interview me about my own creative journey. We dive into a variety of engaging topics, including the challenges and rewards of carving out a fulfilling career path, reflections on impactful books and influential authors across genres, the cra...
Jim Cooper, voice actor, author, and self-proclaimed "book nerd", shares his multifaceted journey from the corporate world to a fulfilling creative career. Discover the inspiration behind Jim's mystery thriller and his heartfelt non-fiction book, chronicling his experience supporting his wife through her triumphant battle with brain cancer. As the host of "The Hydrant" podcast, Jim has interviewed a diverse array of authors and creatives. He offers an insider's perspective on the audiobook i...
Monique van Tulder, author of "A Grown Up's Gap Year: Put YOU in the picture", shares the inspiring story behind her midlife memoir and self-help book. Discover what prompted Monique's "Shirley Valentine moment" of running away from home at 57 to embark on an 8-month solo journey of self-discovery and reinvigoration. Monique discusses the challenges of vulnerable personal storytelling, working with experts to enrich her book's message, and the importance of self-care during the writing and p...
Think you don't have time or money to read? In this solo episode, I'm tackling the uncomfortable truth a friend confided in me: they dream of being an author but have only read a handful of books since college. Here's my hot take: authors can't afford NOT to be readers. How can we expect anyone to buy and read OUR books if we don't believe reading is valuable? I'm showing you exactly how to slip reading into the cracks of your life – no cabin in the woods required – and how to access incredib...
Feeling like you're running on fumes but can't seem to hit the pause button? In this solo episode, I'm getting vulnerable about my summer working vacation – and why I desperately needed one after living in 30+ apartments in three years and livestreaming every single Tuesday for four years straight without a break. Spoiler alert: I was this close to buying a school bus and turning it into a traveling bookstore just to escape the grind! I walk you through my summer of "sharpening the saw" (than...
Thinking about self-publishing but terrified of the reality behind those "write a Kindle book in a weekend" promises? Four-time author Sue Allen Clayton and I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to write and market a successful Kindle book in this masterclass "from the vault"! Sue shares her brutal awakening when her editor told her that her 200-page manuscript "sounded like a bunch of blog posts mushed together" – ouch! We dive deep into the four types of editors you actually need ...
Wondering what an editor actually does and why the process takes so much longer (and costs more) than you expected? Grammar expert Susan Rooks and my sister Janet and I dive deep into the editing world in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Susan, known as the Grammar Goddess, reveals the four different types of editors you need to know about – and why most authors need more than one kind of help to get their manuscript publication-ready. If you've ever been shocked by editing timeli...
Think LinkedIn groups are just digital tumbleweeds rolling around with no real value? Sales training expert Tracy Bedwell is about to change your mind in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Tracy reveals her systematic approach to leveraging LinkedIn groups and events that grows her audience by 100 people every single Wednesday – and authors, these strategies are pure gold for building your platform. She breaks down her "big fish, small pond" strategy of mixing large communities with ...
Hesitant to engage on LinkedIn but know you need it for your author platform? LinkedIn Confidence Coach Marianne Avery and I tackle the fears that keep authors standing at the back of the digital room in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Marianne reveals that building confidence on LinkedIn isn't about having all the answers – it's about educating yourself on the "rules of the game" and then taking small, consistent actions to build your presence. If you're an author who's been lur...
Struggling to connect with readers through your writing but know storytelling is the key to building author authority? Business coach and LinkedIn storyteller Craig Allan and I dive deep into the art of transformative storytelling in this engaging "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Craig reveals that you don't need to be a natural performer or have dramatic life experiences to become a compelling storyteller – instead, you can mine your everyday moments, family anecdotes, and business exp...
Struggling to promote your book because the thought of speaking about it publicly makes your palms sweat? Executive communication coach Brenden Kumarasamy and I tackle the fear that keeps so many authors silent in this energizing "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Brenden reveals that public speaking anxiety often stems from school experiences where presentations were mandatory, on topics we didn't choose, and tied to punishment. But here's the breakthrough: when you're speaking about you...
Ready to amplify your authority as an author but terrified of public speaking? LinkedIn Top Voice and TEDx speaker Lavinia Thanapathy and I explore why most experts are performing at an 8 out of 10 in their field but only communicating at a 3 out of 10 in this powerful "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Lavinia reveals that your expertise means nothing if you can't unleash your voice to share it with the world. We dive into the real psychology behind speaking fears, from why your body thi...
Feeling overwhelmed by LinkedIn but know you need to be there to build your author platform? Career transition coach Kim Ribich and I explore the refreshing concept of being "quietly social" on LinkedIn in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Kim reveals that you don't need to be a LinkedIn influencer posting daily content to build meaningful authority – instead, you can create powerful connections behind the scenes through strategic commenting, thoughtful direct messaging, and intenti...
Struggling to transform your storytelling and connect with your audience? Business storyteller Katherine Ledger and I unlock the secret to magnetic content using wisdom from The Wizard of Oz in this "from the vault" LinkedIn Live replay! Katherine reveals that before you worry about perfecting your prose or finding your voice, you need to understand the real framework behind every compelling story. We explore why most authors and entrepreneurs are positioning themselves as the hero when they ...