It’s the end of the 1st quarter of the year, and I’m fired up about my first 12 weeks of the year. In early January, I set intentions about my coaching programs and moved forward with positive action. Here’s what has happened in my first quarter along with some advice and tips for you and your business:

1. TRIM YOUR EMAIL LIST
I have an active and engaged email list. And we’re trimming the fat. If subscribers aren’t opening the emails, they will be deleted. (Don’t worry, if you’re reading this you’re good to go!) Don’t be afraid to trim down your list to those who want to hear from you. It helps engagement with your regular, consistent emails.

2. CREATE REGULAR, CONSISTENT CONTENT
I continue weekly blog posts on cookbook writing, mindset, and productivity. When a new client finds me, it’s often because of a Google search. They join my list. We get in touch. They buy a program. For sure, I will keep up my regular consistent blog posts. If you’re not creating regular content in your business (blog posts, live streams, videos, something, anything) it’s time to start. Be sure to read my latest blog post with Clotilde Dusoulier, author of Tasting Paris, noted as one of the 37 new cookbooks for Spring 2018 by Epicurious.

3. GO LIVE
I presented two webinars on cookbook writing and it was fun and a great way to give results ahead of time to my audience. I plan to provide more online LIVE events in Q2. Going live and sharing your expertise is the wave of the future.

4. OFFER VIP PROGRAMS
I created a VIP level offer for my mastermind group. This is a way to stay connected to those who want to keep working with me and offer them more value, more opportunities to connect, all at the same price. Consider a VIP level if you don’t have one in your program. One benefit for my VIPs is the opportunity to promote their work in the Tasty Client News section at the end of my newsletter. I hope you love my VIPs as much as I do.

5. CREATE LIVE WORKSHOPS
I created a 6-Week LIVE Cookbook Publishing Workshop. Each week, for 6 weeks,  I showed up live to present the class and answer Q & A. It was well-received and now I have the videos to use for other purposes. More content creation – yay! I’m thinking now of my 6-WEEK LIVE course for Q2. Keep your eyes peeled.

6. TRY SOMETHING NEW
My Cookbook Publishing Blueprint phone calls were a new idea. Through this phone call and simple set of questions, I worked 1:1 with several clients and set them on their path to cookbook publication. Through LIVE Zoom calls, we discussed their projects and set up a timeline for their work. These new, one-time calls are fun and a great way to connect with first-time cookbook authors who just need a little nudge in the right direction.

7. LISTEN AND APPRECIATE
I started listening more and appreciating more. Through my routines and my self-coaching, I feel good every day. From there it’s easy to take positive action. In the midst of activities that are often bogged down with negative stories: parenting teens, busy lives, travel, college-aged kids, and running a business, this is key – I make a choice every day to work to feel good, take positive intentional actions, and watch my dreams of building an online business come true.

8. KEEP DOING WHAT’S WORKING
I continue my Hungry For A Cookbook Mastermind Group, with new members enrolled for the next session. This program really lights me up. So many ideas, so many interesting first-time cookbook authors – all across the world. I am so proud of them all. And, it’s officially, a global program this year as we welcomed a member from another country. This provides evidence of the power of online reach and how an online classroom space like Zoom can really bring us all together, no matter where we live. So fun.

9. MANAGE YOUR ENERGY
I realized that part of my time management skills is really energy management skills. I make choices about sleep, movement, nutrition to keep my physical energy level high. With a good energy level during the day and focused positive action, as a result, I accomplished most of what I set out to do in January. I know that my ability to do any and all of this is controlled by my thinking and that if it’s going to be, it’s up to me!

10. WRITE PRINT MATERIALS
Work continues behind the scenes by my publisher for my next two print cookbooks. I have returned 2 sets of edits and we are getting ready to create the index. This is what I love about traditional publishing. While the publisher works their magic behind the scenes, I get to do other things! And then I have new print books to promote.

11. PLAN FOR Q2
It’s never too late to start something new or perfect something you’re already doing. And remember, you’re doing just what you need to be doing right now. Without looking back with regret or negative emotion, let’s look forward. What can you do in Q2 to expand your business?  What content are you providing your audience that they love? What offer can you make to your clients? Set some goals for the next 12 weeks. With decision and focus we can all move forward in our businesses and books.

Cookbook author, editor, and Culinary Dietitian Maggie Green coaches aspiring cookbook authors during the pre-publication phase of writing a cookbook. If you want to write a cookbook, and wonder if you’re ready, download her 11-point checklist Am I Ready to Write a Cookbook?