Join Vicky and Joe in another lockdown episode – and discover what colour they dyed Joe's hair, why they had to wrestle Picard the TinySheep to the ground, and what they're growing in the garden. Also, discover how Vicky twists wrath into a deadly sin of writing. Find out why it's important to "let it go", how to deal with other people's anger, and how you can use anger to your advantage when you're writing your book.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] Vicky is...very hungry.
[3:40] Joe has bright orange hair because he isn’t leaving the house and adulting right now.
[4:35] Vicky gives an update on the Dingle.
[6:40] What is the punishment for wrath in the Bible?
[10:15] Write angry, but never hit publish.
[12:05] You do have to let go of anger, you can’t bottle it up.
[15:30] If you are writing angrily about somebody, they can still sue you for libel even if what you said was true!
[19:05] Don’t ever read the YouTube comments!
[21:05] Most people don’t want to take an opposing viewpoint on anything!
[23:00] How can you take the thing you’re angry about and flip it?
[23:20] Do you ever find yourself being angry at yourself?
[26:10] Be kind to yourself and have empathy for others.
[29:00] Everybody is going through something, so cut them some slack.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern
Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erikson
Bleached hair, ukuleles, dwarvish fighting bread, a meltdown over yeast, friends on Zoom, and the realisation that Vicky has been Doing Too Much: tune in this week for the Quarantine Chronicles. And eventually some actual book-writing advice based loosely on the 7 Deadly Sins. This week, Joe and Vicky talk about greed: how it manifests in writing, the problems it causes, and what to focus on so you can win the long game. Stay kind out there.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] Joe has weird hair.
[3:15] Joe is STILL reading Robert Jordan.
[4:05] Vicky believes the first 20 pages or so of a book need to not bore you!
[8:45] Joe is trying to understand ukuleles.
[10:00] Joe made bread. It was amazing!
[12:50] During all of this, Vicky forgot to look after herself. So, she is taking some downtime by wearing cthulhu leggings!
[17:25] How is ‘Greed’ defined?
[21:50] You have to sell to people what they want, but also give people what they need.
[26:45] Don’t chase quantity; go after quality.
[27:10] Don’t be greedy for the shallow short-term gains. Think about the long-game.
[29:00] Vicky’s course is coming out soon! Be sure to be signed up to her waiting list!
[30:25] Vicky just wants to thank everyone right now who is working so hard and keeping the wheels turning!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern
Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erikson
Want to know how to get 1,000+ reviews on Amazon? Yeah ME TOO! So I found someone with the know-how: Dan Laxton of Bibado. I accosted him with many questions about how to get people to leave you a review – and he did not disappoint. Then he told us all about his fantastic company and I learned a ton about the physical product industry that I never dreamed of...
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] Who is Dan and what does he do?
[5:35] Marketing is about being human and being real, and that’s hard to do on Amazon.
[6:35] Dan might just sell baby bibs, but their content doesn’t have to be about just that. They’ve catered their content to help parents with their children. Everything from parenting hacks to recipes. This helps them be seen as more than just a product provider.
[9:05] How does Dan ask for reviews?
[13:00] What is the Jungle Scout tool about, and how can it help with your Amazon product?
[18:30] How did Dan first make the product?
[21:45] It is possible to manufacture ethically elsewhere!
[25:30] Dan’s team is remote because they prioritize family. They’re trying to create an environment where you can have both a career and a family.
[29:00] Dan has recently introduced a childcare policy to help new parents within the organization.
[31:45] People care more about reality than the ‘picture perfect’ corporate image. People want to buy from real people.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
Join your hosts for discussions of Joe's (not) receding hairline, quarantine shenanigans, a discussion of the books they're currently reading and a Netflix binge recommendation. Oh, and also find out how Vicky twisted the deadly sin of lust into something that's relevant to writing your book. There are actual words of wisdom in this one if you can bear to stick around long enough to hear them...
Key Takeaways:
[2:25] What have Vicky and Joe been doing during the quarantine?
[5:25] Since Joe’s BJJ classes are cancelled, he’s being forced to do contemporary dance with Vicky.
[6:40] Are you pivoting in your business? Vicky wants to hear from you.
[10:40] Let’s talk about lust!
[12:55] What is the difference between love and lust?
[17:00] You don’t have to tie your own self-worth into people’s reactions to your book.
[19:40] Don’t write your book because you want people to validate you.
[21:45] Let go of your expectations and just focus on doing good work.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan
The Starless Sea Book by Erin Morgenstern
Surrounded by Idiots, by Thomas Erikson