The following is a Twitter Chat between fellow authors Catherine Carrigan and Tim Lewis on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Tim Lewis is the author of Social Media Networking: How to Use Social Media to Get the Job You Want, Find Love, Get Business Success and Boost Your Travel Experience as well as several fantasy and sci-fi books, host of #Indieauthorchat on Twitter and host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast. You can find out more about Tim at Begin Self-Publishing and also Stoneham Press Ltd.
Our topic was how to use books to promote your business.
#Indieauthorchat with Tim Lewis and Catherine Carrigan
Twitter Chat with Tim Lewis
“Hello everyone, this week I’m the guest on #indieAuhorChat” 12 noon PST/3 pm EST/8 pm London time with Tim Lewis @StonehamPress
Q1 Tim Lewis: You main business is not your books. Why did you decide to start writing books? #IndieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan: I published my first book in 1997 back in the old day of traditional publishing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan: Q1: It was the bestselling book of the original publisher and went on to be translated into Chinese. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan:Q1: However, I only made $3,000 because the traditional publisher got all the money. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG
Catherine Carrigan:I stopped writing books for 18 years. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan:Q1: Then a client in Los Angeles discovered my first book translated in Chinese in the Los Angeles Public Library. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Chinese edition, Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide by Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan:Q1: Nobody had even told me my book had been published in another language. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan:Q1: I thought, “If I wrote a book good enough to be published in Chinese I need to write books again.” #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
My Seven Amazon Number One Bestsellers: What Is Healing?; Unlimited Energy Now; Banish the Blues Now; Unlimited Intuition Now; What Is Social Media Today? and The Difference Between Pain and Suffering and The Little Book of Breathwork
Catherine Carrigan:Q1: On top of all that, my soul longing throughout my life has been to write and publish books. I am about to publish my 10th book, which is titled Reading the Soul. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
08:17 Q2 Tim Lewis: How do you decide what books about natural healing to write? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q2: I am a #medicalintuitive healer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q2: I live my entire life prayerfully. I #pray first thing as soon as I open my eyes and throughout the day. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q2: I follow my soul guidance on literally every aspect of my life, including what topics to write books about. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q2: 2nd, I write about the common problems and concerns of my clients – #pain, exhaustion, #depression, #anxiety. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q2: 3rd, I write about the aspirations of my clients – #intuition, #soulguidance, #spiritualgrowth. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
What Is Healing? Awaken Your Intuitive Power for Health and Happiness by Catherine Carrigan
08:24 Q3 Tim Lewis: How do you tie in your books with your business? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q3 First, I am very passionate about my work as a medical intuitive healer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: Every day I work with clients who have not found solutions through traditional medicine. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: At the same time, I have great respect for medical doctors. My brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle were or are medical doctors. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: I write about the common concerns of my clients. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. most of my clients are exhausted and/or in adrenal burnout, so I wrote Unlimited Energy Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Unlimited Energy Now by Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients want to learn how to access more of their own soul guidance, so I wrote Unlimited Intuition Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Unlimited Intuition Now by Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are depressed, so I published Banish the Blues Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Banish the Blues Now by Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are anxious, so I published The Little Book of Breathwork so they can lower their #anxiety naturally anytime anywhere with conscious #breathing exercises. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are in pain and want to learn how to get out of pain naturally without drugs so I published The Difference Between Pain and Suffering. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
The Difference Between Pain and Suffering, Number 1 in Seven Categories on Amazon
Catherine CarriganQ3: E.G. many of my clients are very #spiritual people and want to understand more about what’s going on with themselves at the #soul level, so I wrote my 10th book, soon to be published Reading the Soul. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q3: I listen carefully to the common concerns of my clients so that I can refer them to my books for deeper understanding not only about what’s going on but about what they can do to feel better naturally without drugs. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
08:31 Q4 Tim Lewis: How much work do you outsource in creating your books given you manage to release so many and have a business to run? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q4: At this point, I have a team of people who help me publish my books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: My editor Tony Kessler @TonyKessler saves me from my most egregious errors. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: I have an #Amazon marketing specialist, Denise Cassino. @DeniseCassino, who has taken 7 of my books to #numberone in their categories. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: Ramajon Cogan @sedonaMTB creates my book covers and does my formatting and uploading. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
With Ramajon Cogan, creator of 9 of Catherine Carrigan’s book covers
Catherine Carrigan Q4: Mike Gustin of MTG Recording Studios produces my #audiobooks. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: Holly Parsons, a poet, narrates my #audiobooks. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: Diane Fulmer is my trusty photographer for whenever I need #author headshots or photos for the inside of my books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: These are all incredibly professionals, very reasonably priced, highly experienced and we all love working together to make great #books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: I’m more than happy to share the contact information for any of my great team members. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q4: Just shoot me an email at catherine@catherinecarrigan.com and I will send you a joint email of introduction so you can produce great books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
08:38 Q5 Tim Lewis: How much time do you spend writing your books as compared to the rest of your business. Do you write all year around or in particular seasons? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I feel I am very productive because I take things project by project and don’t overload myself. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I integrate #writing into the rest of my life and #write and promote my #books and #business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 For example, I have finished writing and editing my 10th book, Reading the Soul, and am waiting for the formatting and #audiobook to be produced. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Reading the Soul by Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I’m still promoting my 9th book The Little Book of Breathwork and appear almost every week on #podcasts and #radio. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
The Little Book of Breathwork, available in ebook, paperback and audiobook.
Catherine Carrigan Q5 My narrator just had emergency surgery so it will be 1 month before they can get back into the studio to complete the #audiobook. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 Of course I’m disappointed because I hoped my new book Reading the Soul would be out before Christmas. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I like to write first thing in the morning. #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan I wake up, #pray and #meditate and then start #writing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I don’t believe people who tell you that you have to write so many words per day. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I have written 2 books this year. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q5 I am a single self supporting woman, a #solopreneur, so I write my books while also running my business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
08:43 Q6 Tim Lewis: What is the biggest lesson you would give other business owners looking to self-publish books about their industry? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q6: Writing books is one of the best things you can ever do to help your business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6: For one, when you publish a book you establish your #authority in your field of expertise. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6: Secondly, if you have the potential like I do to work with clients all over the world, publishing books empowers you to reach a worldwide audience. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 3rd, writing #books help your potential customers get to know you and how you do what you do. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 I have 26 years full time experience in #natural healing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 I am a master #healer and can write with authority on a broad range of topics. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 I feel that writing #books helps to spread the knowledge about how people can heal themselves naturally. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 4th, When you publish a book you give people a reason to invite you to appear on #podcasts and #radio. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 In this way, you get to talk about your work and people can more easily find you to hire you. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 5th, You never know who might really need you. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 Since publishing my 2nd #book I have been invited to host my own radio show, The Natural Healing Show @UKHealing for UK Health Radio @ukhealthradio #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
The Natural Healing Show for UK Health Radio with Host Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q6 I’ve been hired to do #medicalintuitive readings for Darin McBratney at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa @CRYogaSpa for people who come there from all over the world for #healing retreats. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Author Catherine Carrigan at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara, Costa Rica
Catherine Carrigan Q6 6th, Writing #books empowers you to speak directly to your potential customers bypassing traditional sales channels. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 My sole sources of advertising include #books, #socialmedia, my #radioshow and my #newsletter. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 This reduces my #marketing costs and still allows me to maintain a great #business working from home #debtfree. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 It also empowers me to do my work from anywhere in the world making me an #ompreneur, #solopreneur and an #internetentreprenuer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 7th, remember to produce an #audiobook because many people would rather listen than read a #book. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 #audiobooks are the fastest growing segment of #publishing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 If you don’t produce an #audiobook you leave money on the table and may miss out on potential #customers. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 8th, write about your customers concerns, not about YOU. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 Make a list of common problems and concerns of your #customers then write books explaining how to solve these issues. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 When you write #books, do #we thinking and #all thinking, NOT me thinking. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 Write for your customers and explain how they can get over their #pain and show them how they can achieve their #dreams. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 9th, Embrace #socialmedia. I just interviewed two gentleman who are coauthors of a new book who didn’t have a #Twitter or #Instagram. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
What Is Social Media Today: Hashtags, Keywords and You Oh My! By Catherine Carrigan
Catherine Carrigan Q6 They had to hire a PR company to do their promotion. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 I am deeply inspired by the great Tyler Perry @tylerperry who advises “own your stuff.” #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q6 Own your #books, own your #marketing and you will soon own your #success. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
What Is Social Media Today: Get Ready to Win the Game of Social Media by Catherine Carrigan
08:53 Q7 Tim Lewis: How can people find out more about Catherine Carrigan and your books? #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Q7 Read about my work as a #medicalintuitive at www.catherinecarrigan.com #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q7 Sign up for my newsletter at https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001PTUI55zVN-iNOxZk5SNQKwD1VD84VbEwAr9dExI5_4Ma5HHNuwrqcRiZzrxa4RhoMmL1YRbraZ0Ft9rdH082VQZJX-nV5X3vNqeUvgnVD0E%3D so you can learn even more about how you can heal yourself naturally. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q7 Subscribe to my Youtube channel to watch my videos with experts on natural healing at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvjD3ITR1gKQEyS2JBT3QQ?view_as=subscriber #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q7 Follow me on #Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Carrigan/e/B000AQ4SGG?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1573581419&sr=8-1 #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Catherine Carrigan Q7 Follow my #audiobooks on #Audible at https://www.audible.com/author/Catherine-Carrigan/B000AQ4SGG?pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=2G23TCSG7P4AD3KZ3AH6&ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1 #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Q7 Follow me on #Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/638831.Catherine_Carrigan #indieAuthorChat
Catherine Carrigan Follow me on Twitter @CSCarrigan #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi
Story Board for my 10th book Reading the Soul
To set up an appointment for a medical intuitive reading or healing work, please email catherine@catherinecarrigan or call 678-612-8816. If you are calling internationally, please call me at the same number through WhatsApp so I can return your call toll free!
