Business For Superheroes

Vicky and Joe talk eyebrows, courgettes, and the perils of publishing. This week, your hosts demolish the myth that traditional publishing is the only way to become a published author. Sneak peek: it's not! Hurrah! Tune in to hear all about the benefits and pitfalls of trad publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing – and the differences between them.   Key Takeaways: [6:40] Vicky and Joe played D&D with some friends!  [8:00] Do you feel like you’ll never get published?  [10:20] Traditional publishing might not be for everybody.  [17:25] If you find a hybrid publisher, be really careful.  [20:20] Want to self-publish? This is what you need to know.  [24:05] Struggling with print layout? Vicky can help you!  [25:00] Being a ‘published author’ is pure vanity for Vicky.  [25:30] Need help? Join Vicky’s power hour!     Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book! 90-day Book Course Join Vicky’s Power Hour Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast The Wheel of Time, b

It has taken far too long to get Yinka on the podcast, but this week she's here – and she and Vicky dive right into the meat of what's going on with women in business. They talk lightening the load, embracing what makes us absolute QUEENS, boobs, success, imposter syndrome, impact not action, and how the world is just better when women are successful. Tune in for a whole 44 minutes of wisdom and hopes and dreams and IMPACT.   Key Takeaways: [1:00] Who is Yinka and what does she do? [4:25] While many entrepreneurs like to paint a picture that they’ve achieved this success all by themselves, they fail to mention their team and their life partners helping them through the details.  [6:25] Women business owners have to make very strong choices between business decisions and taking care of their children. [7:55] There is no business on the planet that's worth getting sick over. [10:35] It can take people decades to be an overnight success! [13:25] It’s important to discover how our brains work and use that knowled

Your brain is like a rock. You just need to push it downhill. Want to know what we're on about? Tune into the latest episode of The 1,000 Authors Show with Vicky and Joe, and discover the big myth about motivation, Vicky's problem with flies, and how you can get more writing done than you ever thought possible...   Key Takeaways: [6:55] Joe, the little amazing chef.  [8:45] How do you stay motivated?  [9:35] Motivation can not come from external factors.  [11:00] Are you genuinely tired or are you just being lazy?  [14:00] There’s so much magic to getting started. Vicky and Joe cleaned their entire kitchen and it was so easy to do...one they started it!  [17:05] Remember why you started. If you don’t remember or you don’t care, stop doing it.  [20:10] You got to ‘eat the bag of hair’ first.  [22:40] You can sign up to Vicky’s power hour writing sessions!     Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book! 90-day Book Course Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast The Wheel of

Join Vicky, Joe, and Beetrice the Bee for the latest episode in the Writing Excuses series. Learn about the power of focus, and why you shouldn't pay too much attention to your competitors – all from Vicky's resident bee. Our hosts talk copying, innovating, and the best thing to do with your competitors. Enjoy!   Key Takeaways: [4:50] Vicky and Joe share their quarantine chronicles. [6:55] Procrastinating? Tell yourself you’re going to do something for 5 minutes. There’s lots of power in just starting something.  [8:40] A common worry among authors or professionals is that if they write a book, their competitors are going to steal their secrets!  [11:55] No one does it quite like you. They might know your process or framework, but they don’t have your thought process and style.  [12:35] Let your competitors do what they do. Concentrate on your own future instead!  [15:15] If someone actually steals your IP, get your lawyers involved. Other than that, don’t worry about it!  [17:50] Books are not designed to ha

Monty Python, marketing idiocy, and the general state of the world: join Vicky as she chats to Ryan Wallman, aka Dr_Draper on Twitter, as he puts the world to rights. Vicky has been wanting to snaffle Ryan for years for an interview, so you'll have to excuse the initial fangirling. But he is the funniest marketer on Twitter, so there's a legit reason...   Key Takeaways: [1:15] Who is Ryan and what does he do?   [4:00] How did Ryan learn about marketing?  [5:40] Why did Ryan decide it was time to write a book?  [10:30] Ryan intentionally wrote his book to not be serious!  [12:25] When it comes to marketing, who should you be paying attention to?  [14:30] Uncertain about your business? Ryan has some advice for you!  [17:50] What was Ryan’s process?  [20:35] Why did Ryan pick Monty Python as his inspiration?    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book! 90-day Book Course Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast Connect with Ryan on Twitter Delusions of Brandeur by Ryan Wal

This week, Vicky cuts her own fringe. Spoiler alert: it did not go well. Then Vicky and Joe talk a little about the antiracist books they're reading, before going on to explain why you do, in fact, probably know enough to write a book. This episode includes top tips about what you can write about if your confidence is a little low. Listen, then go forth and write!   Key Takeaways: [0:40] Vicky is unhappy with her hair and Joe’s hair. [5:25] Dingle update!  [7:35] You forget how little people know about your topic of expertise.  [9:30] Vicky is never going to stop learning about how to write and publish books. You always have to keep learning!  [11:50] You don’t need to be the most experienced and knowledgeable in your industry to write a book.  [14:45] Get yourself a virtual assistant. It’s a life saver!  [15:35] Remember who you’re writing for and why. [16:10] What types of topics can you write about in your area of expertise?  [22:55] The world is changing and it’s changing quickly. Your expertise is valuab

The crisis hair reaches breaking point, and Vicky and Joe ponder when this lockdown will ever end. Then they talk about actual important things. And finally, onto writing excuses: why it doesn't matter if it's all already on the internet for free because books are special, peeps!   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Joe is still reading Wheel of Time.  [3:50] Project Dingle update. [9:45] Googling things can sometimes overwhelm you. [11:45] Sometimes the information on the internet is so sporadic that you have to go to multiple different sources to get the full picture. [13:45] How do you even know if the author of the article actually knows what they’re talking about?  [15:10] What’s the difference between buying a random book on the internet vs. a random article?  [17:30] Your book is your chance for your audience to get to know you.  [19:15] People read books everywhere!  [21:10] Articles are fleeting whereas books last forever.    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book! 90-day Book C

Fantastic eyebrows and where to find them! That should have been the title of this podcast, in which Suzi Gray and I talk about the weirdness of what's going on right now in lockdown and the marketing messages that have been coming out of it. Then we get into the nitty-gritty of what Suzi does (helps bring quietly rebellious business owners out of their shells) and why it's so important to do YOU. Tune in for a lot of yellow and smiling and nodding.   Key Takeaways: [1:40] Who is Suzi and what does she do?  [3:35] How has Suzi been managing the lockdown? [9:15] You don’t have to be pivoting right now, even if you feel like you have to because ‘everyone else is’.  [15:00] The only way you’re truly going to build a unique brand is if it’s personal and based on you, but it can be terrifying and scary!  [17:45] Suzi shares a bit of her background and why she fell in love with branding.  [22:40] Suzi has an amazing branding program opening up soon! Join the waitlist and be notified when it comes out!    Mentioned

The saying goes "facts tell stories sell" but facts don't even tell half the time. They go in one ear and out the other. Which is why it's so important that we hear YOUR story – so even if you think "it's all been said before, why would anyone want MY book" listen up sunshine. Tune in to this week's episode so we can bust this writing excuse back to bed where it belongs. Also find out what Vicky and Joe have been up to in lockdown (hint: it involves squirting water up a chicken's bum – to save her life, before you call animal welfare).   Key Takeaways: [5:00] What have Vicky and Joe been up to in quarantine?  [6:10] Vicky is asking for baking tips! [9:35] Writing excuses! Don’t have enough time?   [13:15] We don’t always learn from facts. We learn and remember meaningful things through stories.  [19:30] Would anyone like to do an early morning interpretation dance class with Vicky? Send her an email.  [21:10] You can’t change the facts, but your opinions on the facts will always be unique and different.  [22:

Wearing some extremely snazzy hats, Vicky and Joe discuss the first of the Writing Excuses: I don't have time. In it, they talk about time – how it warps in lockdown, how some of us really do have more than others, and how you can make the most of yours. This podcast contains a bonus rant about selling under false pretences. Oh and also: they share the secret of how long it REALLY takes to write a book.   Key Takeaways: [3:30] Do you have any bread making tips?  [6:45] Did Vicky and Joe’s local village have a black dress for a medium-sized man? The answer is yes. [12:15] Do you really, really, actually, want to write a book? Why? What’s the purpose?  [14:35] Men and women do business very differently, especially when they have a family.  [17:45] How much time do you really need to write a book?  [21:40] Can you write a book over a weekend?  [27:00] Treat your book as if you’re working for a client!  [29:30] Make a plan and then see where you can fit your book into that plan!      Mentioned in This Episode: We

Vicky and Joe have a 15-minute argument about who bears the responsibility for communication. Is it up to me to make myself understood, or you to understand? Tune in to find out who was right (Vicky) and who was wrong (Joe) and why. You'll also get the latest on Joe's progress through Wheel of Time, and why Anne Brontë was an absolute badass of a woman who was well ahead of her time and deserved all the good things.   Key Takeaways: [3:30] Can you tell whether a man or a woman writes a book?  [7:50] Do you agree or disagree with Vicky and Joe on this one? Should it be on the teacher or on the student (to seek proactive resources) to learn a subject matter when they don’t fully understand it?  [13:55] What have Vicky and Joe been doing in quarantine?  [18:45] When writing a book, it’s critical you write a book your audience is going to understand and appreciate.  [22:40] What color will Joe’s hair be next week? Tune in to find out!      Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book!

Hillary Weiss is yelling on the podcast! Hurrah! Right at the start of the coronavirus crisis, Vicky and Hillary got together via the magic of Zoom and yelled about branding. Tune in to find out where confidence comes from, why it's scary to put yourself out there, and how not to sound like an asshole.   Key Takeaways: [1:10] What does Hillary focus on?  [3:05] What do you want to see more of and less of in your industry?  [6:25] Hiliary works with her clients on their brand messaging to help them have the confidence they need to stand out from the crowd. [9:35] What is a statement piece and how do you leverage it?  [11:55] There’s a lot of fear when it comes to deviating from industry norms, but it is also the most powerful marketing tool you have.  [16:10] Instead of throwing more information at people, help them take the first step towards something productive.  [18:45] How did Hilliary get into copywriting and branding?  [23:15] It can be a tough position for copywriters because they can suddenly become r

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

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 th

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 t

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: Website Vicky on M

Vicky and Joe take a break from the usual format to discuss the frankly freaking weird and scary times we're living in – and decide Vicky's job is to bring a little levity to things (without making light of actual awfulness of course). Tune in and find out how working from home together is going, why they don't need to panic-buy toilet roll or vegan food, and how they're getting people together and making them uncomfortable using technology.   Key Takeaways: [2:50] Vicky really likes to touch her face. [3:50] A lot of businesses aren’t going to recover from this. That is absolutely terrible.  [5:00] It’s a zombie apocalypse. The stores are so barren.  [6:15] Check on your elderly neighbors.  [8:25] People in China can see the sky for the first time because there is less pollution.  [12:20] Do not stop marketing! There is going to be an end to this.  [14:55] So many new business services and models are going to be coming out of this.  [15:55] When you get scared, you get tunnel vision. Remember that there is a

Vicky's arms look like Popeye has had a fight with a bulldozer and once again, she's wearing an emergency hat. That takes longer than it should. When she and Joe finally get to the point, you'll discover how sloth can prevent you from writing your book, why it's not your fault, and 3 cool things you can do to make sure you get started. Note: if you're listening to this with your kids, you may end up explaining long words to them that make you feel uncomfortable. Blame Joe.   Key Takeaways: [3:10] Vicky is in a lot of pain today because she was trying to do a new trapeze move. [11:15] Let’s talk about sloth!  [12:45] What is the definition of sloth?  [14:05] Everything has survived and reproduced to produce us. That’s amazing! [15:50] Vicky at one point thought she was having bouts of laziness, but it wasn’t. It was genuine depression. [17:30] Joe has a system for dealing with things he doesn’t want to deal with.  [21:25] We plan to do good work, but for some reason ’emergencies’ crop up that make you not do t

This week, we take a break from the 7 Deadly Sins and Vicky is joined by Julia Brown, fine artist and book cover designer extraordinaire. They get all excited about books in general and art and design and creativity – and share some top tips about how to make sure your book cover appeals to the right readers. Julia also hands out some tips on how to work with cover designers – including what drives them nuts about projects. Tune in now!   Key Takeaways: [1:30] How did Julia get into art?  [6:15] Why does Julia like designing book covers?  [8:40] What are some of the elements of a good non-fiction book cover?  [12:15] Julia explains the difference between a simple vs. minimal design.  [15:15] What makes a good vs. bad client?  [19:15] You need to have a basic idea of what size your book will be, what shape it will be, etc.    Mentioned in This Episode: Website Vicky on Medium Order Vicky’s new book! Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast Join the 29 day challenge! Julia Brown, Brown Owl Design

Vicky and Joe huddle under a blanket at 7.30 am. If you listen carefully you'll even hear birds tweeting in the background. It's all very idyllic and kind of cold. In this episode, your hosts talk books – and specifically, how the deadly sin of gluttony can scupper your Big Book Adventure. It's not as tortured a metaphor as you might think, despite Joe's scepticism. Tune in for top book-writing tips and excitement about sloths.   Key Takeaways: [4:45] How does gluttony relate to your book writing efforts? [5:15] Too much talking and not enough doing!  [8:25] How much do you actually want to write a book? Is it just a fantasy or is it a goal of yours?[9:25] Too much research and not enough action. [12:30] Don’t let research be the reason why you haven’t gotten your first draft down.  [13:45] You’re too bloated in your message. [14:45] People sometimes feel that in order for it to be a real book, it needs to be thick. It doesn’t!  [16:40] The key is to know when to stop! That’s easier said than done.  [18:55] A