Yesterday I took another big step in the book launch process: I contacted a videographer about creating a series of very short videos. Part of the training I received recently from my publisher suggested making 20 – 30 videos (each about 55 seconds in length) that focus on engaging people who have never heard of me or my music instead of focusing on the book itself.

Expressing interest in the project, the videographer encouraged me to jot down my initial ideas for content. So I’ve been squeezing in some moments here and there brainstorming about various approaches we could take. Here are some themes we could build on:

Video Themes:

• Looking for miracles in unusual places.
• The power of telling your story.
• The power of one man’s vision.
• Pay attention to clues your heart is offering.
• When inspiration is absent, trust the tools of the trade. 
• Learning to observe others and ask the simple question “are you ok?” 
• Making room for the sacred in our lives.
• Don’t let “The Inn” get too full – keep it open.
• Declutter your heart.
• What does the current situation in my life make possible? 
• Needing to find ‘home’.
• The power of dreams – both night-time dreams (dreams might reveal inner inklings & fears) and day-time goals (goals are magnets pulling us toward our future).
• Stop long enough to gaze. 
• I wish I had known that Holidays potentially amplify loss.
• Pause, examine, learn, correct, apply, move forward.
• Taking a posture of openness and receptivity instead of defensiveness or self-protection.
• Longevity of dreams – it might take decades for dreams to come true. 
• Following one dream opens doors to other dreams.
• Be patient with yourself.
• Using your art to connect with others.
• The beauty of music and familiar things. 
• Oh the irony of ‘silent night’ for mothers of preschoolers. 
• Sometimes it’s helpful to look outward for help and inspiration. (When I couldn’t find enough joy of my own to write a song, I borrowed someone else’s song).
• Explore the seldom-discussed realm of coping with sibling loss within family dynamics, especially during holidays.
• Empty rooms. Loneliness – ie. Baby of the family looks to older siblings. They grow up, move away, that in itself is a type of loss for the younger child.
• Grief has no schedule – it shows up at the most inopportune and unexpected time.
• Embrace new experiences and opportunities.
• Make new traditions to replace lost ones.

What are some questions that would engage and resonate with your audience based on your book?

1. What role does music play in your holiday traditions and celebrations?

2. How do you navigate feelings of fear and self-doubt when pursuing your dreams?

3. What childhood fears have you overcome in your adult life?

4. How do you find inspiration and creativity during challenging times?

5. In what ways do you seek to make space for the divine in your daily life?

6. How do you balance busyness with openness to the sacred?

7. What steps do you take to declutter your heart and mind for emotional well-being?

8. How do you embrace new experiences and opportunities for personal growth?

9. What fears have you conquered that have led to personal growth and accomplishment?

10. How do you navigate emotional challenges during the holiday season?

11. What strategies do you use to reflect, learn, and move forward in life?

12. How do you create new traditions to replace ones that may have been lost?

13. What does it mean to take a posture of openness and receptivity in your life?

14. How do you maintain patience and perseverance in pursuing your dreams?

15. In what ways do you find beauty and inspiration during difficult times or illness?

16. How has pursuing one dream opened doors to other dreams in your life?

17. What lessons have you learned about self-compassion and patience with yourself?

18. How do you use artistic expression to connect with others and share your experiences?

19. What significance does music hold in your life and how does it impact your emotional well-being?

20. Have you ever experienced a time when you had to borrow someone else’s joy to lift your own spirits?

21. How do you navigate the emotions and dynamics of loss during the holiday season?

22. How do you cope with feelings of loneliness or empty spaces in your life?

Now It’s Your Turn

If you happen to be one of the lucky ones who has received an author copy of the book (and you’ve read it already), I would welcome your comments in the comment section below. What parts of the book do you think might interest people who have never heard of me? Do you like any of the video themes or questions I listed above? Which ones?

The London Symphony Orchestra Project Update:

Kirstin and I spent some time together this morning brainstorming on our FAQs document that is now available to the public. Since questions have been rolling in after we announced our new project, we felt this might be helpful. As a subscriber to my blog, you’re the first to get to view these pages.

Take a look around the Double Keyed website when you have a chance. It keeps growing and we’re feeling like we’re making progress, especially with the new addition of the LSO project page.

About The LSO Project

Meet Our Advisory Board

Our New Charitable Organization Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

When I’m not working on my book launch or LSO . . .

And now, I MUST go get ready for a concert tonight. I’ve never performed at this particular venue before. In fact, it’s only been around for a little over a year. It’s a really cute coffee bar located in the hills and dales near my town of Newville called “Lofty Momma’s Gifts”. This space is a dream come true for the owner who says, “I wanted to be able to work from home and create a legacy for my children!”

If you can attend, make sure to leave extra time to find your way. In fact, apparently one of the roads is closed because a FedEx truck hit something and damaged a bridge on the main road. We heard it from a neighbor. No need for a newspaper around here. 🙂

Plan some extra time for travel.

• Shop opens at 6:00, concert starts at 7:00 pm.

Address & Contact Info:

• 7099 Mowersville Road
• Shippensburg, Pa 17257
• Email: loftymommasgifts@gmail.com
• Phone (717) 404-1128

Bonus Material For the Geeks (and Writers) Among Us

If you’ve read this far, you’re really dedicated. Thank you! You’re the kind who would linger in the movie theatre and watch the credits long after everyone else has left.

Here are a few random notes from some training I recently attended presented by a video content guru, compliments of my publisher. The presenter shared the common mistakes new authors make when launching their book and what to do instead. Yikes! I might have already made some of these mistakes. But hey – nothing is ever wasted.

Mistakes authors make when launching their book:

Mistake # 1

• Pushing and promoting the book purchase.

Instead, ask yourself:

• What are the stories?
• What will other people get from it?
• What are your goals for the readers?

Mistake # 2

• There’s no storytelling, it’s all more focused on the author.

Instead:

• Focus on the reader – your story becomes their story and vice versa
• Focus on the characters in your book
• Create stories that . . . (somehow I missed the last part of this sentence)

Mistake # 3

• Focusing on the cover.

Instead:

• Don’t focus on the cover
• Make it a chance to see the author and reader

Next, the presenter suggested this 90 Day Sequence for Book Launch:

Month 1:

• Introduce the cover with the purpose of it – why did I write the book?
• Who is the reader?
• What are their pain points?

Month 2:

• Elements in the book
• What are some core stories?
• Dive into the table of contents
• Core lessons you want to teach
• Who are the people you’re highlighting in your book?

Month 3:

• Create an experience
• Create a launch team
• Talk more about the reader and why this book is the missing piece
• Leverage collaborations and influencers (Grief Recovery/Support Groups, People who have lost siblings, Holiday blues)

As part of the launch:

• Create 25 – 30 videos to release: 30 – 55 seconds long
• Choose 25 questions I want to answer
• Schedule one content day where all we do is record content
• Choose your space, outfits, content corners, framing, highs and lows, colors
• In your space . . . chair? plant? something low, something high
• Undertones – choose the colors that pop (cool)
• Stay away from patterns
• 1 outfit for every 7 – 10 videos
• BRING energy! (on content day)
• Only 1 point per video
• Always end each video with a call to action
• Don’t mention the book in the videos

Based on my video themes and potential questions I have listed so far, I think I might be able to talk about the book without mentioning the actual book itself. That will take some practice, I’m sure!