Working Business Plan for 2016

If you don’t measure, how do you know if you’re progressing?

It’s the new year and I need a plan. Sure, I have a rough plan in my head, but that’s going to stay rough … and stay in my head. I need a place to come work, check boxes, set deadlines (and meet them) and make new plans.

I also need to Get Things Done this year. Write them down, do them, check them off.

Here’s a rough month-by-month list of items off the top of my head. I don’t know if this is better to live within Asana, but for now, for transparency, here it goes.

January

Writing

1. 3rd book in Markree series?

Marketing / Promotion

1. Guest posting strategy for 2015.
2. Get onto podcasts to be interviewed about e.g. writing every day, writing books with kids, etc.
3. Kite Hill & Secret of Markree Castle free on other sites, Amazon to match.
4. Clean up formatting of all books. Re-do in Scrivener and reupload to Amazon.
5. Submit both books to free listing sites.
6. Kite Hill audiobook: fix what audible.com said was wrong with audio, resubmit.

Products / Services

1. Book Sales Page template: refine. Avada? Divi? Both? (with Angela)
2. Simple products/services for writers (e.g. Basic Author Site, Thunderclap campaign, onions for book cover design, Bronze, Silver, Gold packages for website set up, social media, book promotion, etc.)

Admin / Hosting / etc.

1. Move remaining sites away from chinyanya.com to other server or likoma.net
2. How to better promote Google Apps coupons?

February

Writing

1. When to finish / publish 3rd book in Markree series?
2. Guest posting strategy in full swing with calendar, deadlines, editorial calendar.
3. Are all books on all sites they need to be? Amazon, Kobo, B&N, Smashwords, Audible, what else?
4. Next book: How to write a book with your kids–and why you should. Outline, interview people, notes, write. Deadlines, cover, sales page.
5. Illustrated book with Marty. Children’s book? Discuss.

Marketing / Promotion

1. Guest posting strategy in full swing with calendar, deadlines, editorial calendar.
2. Are all books on all sites they need to be? Amazon, Kobo, B&N, Smashwords, Audible, what else?
3. Strategic calendar for getting onto podcasts / blogs talking about writing, writing with kids, writing habits, etc.

Products / Services

1. Book Sales Page template: partner with others promoting similar or complementary products (e.g. Tom Morkes)
2. Other book promotion tools & products?
3. Repossible podcast?

Admin / Hosting / etc.

1. Move remaining sites off of chipyela.com also. Get action plan organized to streamline billing and maintenance for hosting.

March

It’s a little scary that I can’t even think this far out. Which is exactly why I’m doing this plan this year.

April

Writing

1. Which Li & Lu book for April 1 annual? 3rd Markree? Something else? Illustrated book with Marty?

Products / Services

1. Post comparing top WP themes (for authors?).

May

OK, this is embarrassing. I can’t get a few months out into my planning? Sounds like I need to do some planning.

June

I’m going to make this post live so I have to work on it and make it better. 🙂

July

Travel: somewhere far away. 😉

August

September

October

November

December