“Seven Questions For Your Publishing Success”---Part I: Who Are YOU?

So you’re an online, internet publisher, huh? Or just thinking about starting an ezine or website? You’ve heard about how much money can be made with an ezine and/or a website, and so many people are pushing the idea with their ebooks and ezines, that you’re convinced you’re destined to be the next great ezine or website publisher on the internet.

Well, more power to you. I hope you make it. But, if you really intend to be successful then you’d better ask yourself a few questions to clarify the whole idea in your head. Because once you get started you’d better be ready to sink or swim.

The first question I suggest you ask yourself is:

Who Are YOU?

I know this sounds like one of those “pop” psychology questions. I mean, really, why should anyone ask such a question just because they want to be an online publisher?

Good question.

First of all, who YOU are translates into what YOU can reasonably expect to be successful at publishing. After all, if you have no love for writing, then that’s going to affect your publication. It doesn’t make any difference how good others write, only how you write.

What about your values and principles. Are you a greedy person? Does money motivate your more than honest reporting or sharing with others? What drives you and motivates you to succeed? Just because others are making money with ezine publishing, does it mean you should too?

“Who are YOU?” is not a ridiculous question when you realize that understanding your strengths and weaknesses will translate into what kind of publication you produce. After all, if you’re not interested in, nor have a passion for cars, it wouldn’t make much sense to publish an ezine or put up a website dedicated to cars. When you write about what you know and have a passion for, your energy level increases, your thinking becomes sharper, your motivation is multiplied, and your reader is energized and informed.

“Who are YOU?” translates into an examination of your values. Are you an honest person? Do you work hard at treating others as you wish to be treated? Will you accept mediocrity from yourself or others in order to make a buck? Are you willing to do what it takes to provide a quality service at a fair price? Too many people fail because they try to cut corners on their ethics and principles.

Over the past five years I’ve seriously considered publishing an ezine dozens of times. What stopped me is the fact that I’m not terribly interested in most things associated with online publishing. Money doesn’t motivate me. I’m a simple guy. What I have is a great love for spiritual things and sharing them with others. That’s why I write “Today’s Devotion” and distribute it at no cost to people who request it, on a daily basis. I also enjoy sharing ideas and concepts that can help people grow and develop the gifts God has given them. I’m just not interested in spending my time laying out an ezine newsletter, hosting advertising, or trying to find products to sell.

And that’s why I’m co-editor of “Publish & Profit.” Dr. David Johnson and Harry Fassett, the owners of “Publish & Profit,” had a need for someone to do what I do, so they can do what they do. The success of “Publish & Profit” depends on each of us knowing our limitations and strengths and then maximizing those strengths and minimizing the limitations for the benefit of everyone involved. Who each of us is allows us to collaborate and overcome our individual limitations to provide a quality service to you, the reader, that will help you become the success you are meant to be.

So, the question remains, “Who are YOU?” Take a serious look at that question for yourself. Let it help you to determine the values that will make your publication worthwhile and successful, providing great benefit to your readers and to you.

--Rev. Richard ****************************************** Rev. Richard Boeck is co-editor of "Publish & Profit." He is also writer and publisher of “Today’s Devotion,” a brief, daily devotion that brings the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ to bear on the events of the day and people’s lives. It is a free publication, with no advertising. If you wish to subscribe please send an email to:revrboeck@netscape.net and put “Please send ‘Today’s Devotion’” in the subject box and include your first and last names in the body. You may also address any questions or comments you may have about this article to the same address. Copyright @2003. All rights reserved. *******************************************

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