National Association of Independent Writers & Editors
Facebook Instagram Linkedin twitter

Search

SubscribeLogin

  • About
    • About NAIWE
    • Board of Experts
    • Amazon-Affiliate Book
    • FAQs
    • Advertising
  • Join Us
    • Join NAIWE
    • Benefits
    • Reasons to Join an Association
  • Training
  • Find a Professional
  • Blog
  • News & Events
    • The Edge
    • Conference
    • Podcasts
    • Summer Challenge
    • Words Matter
      • Words Matter Week
      • How to Participate
      • Media
  • Post a Job
  • Contact
  • Member Sites

Greg Smith, NAIWE’s Agile Writing Expert

February 1, 2019 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Greg Smith better, so last month we sat down with him. Here are some things he shared about novel writing.

What is one thing that you learned about your craft the hard way, and what benefits have you received from it?

More than anything, EDITING MATTERS. My first book Agile Writer: Method was compiled from my seminar notes. I passed it out to friends and family and got a lot of good edits from them. But it wasn’t as good as a professional editor. I begged my readers to put reviews on Amazon.com and they were all really positive. But there were two or three reviews that said, “although the content is excellent, the book could use a good editor.” Considering that my goal was to have a bound book to hand out or sell at my seminars, and I was broke at the time, choosing not to hire an editor was the right choice. However, once someone puts your bad spelling and grammar in a review, there’s little you can do to take it back. I am currently working with an editor to revise my book, which is scheduled for next month.

When you consider that getting reviews that are of high quality is part of your marketing, you want to make sure they’re quality reviews. While editing is not directly a part of marketing, having a product that is clean means you’re more likely to get a good review. Certainly, you won’t have to back pedal and fix your book if you start with a clean copy.

What has been your most rewarding marketing avenue, and how was it rewarding? Self? Monetary? Clients?

So far Facebook has proven to be the best resource. While it takes a while to understand their systems, the benefits are worth every penny. I am currently waging a marketing campaign to acquire a quality email list. The ideal measure of a campaign is customer acquisition cost (CAC). You want to keep the CAC as low as possible. I’ve been able to keep my CAC down to $1-$2 and sometimes even under a dollar.

What do you associate with marketing?

Marketing is the whole enchilada. Many confuse marketing with advertising. But advertising is just a portion of marketing. You have to create a brand and a following (or platform). So, the parts of marketing include brand (color scheme, logos, photos, headshots), presence (website, blog, Meetup.com, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn), platforms (email, Amazon, B&N, iTunes, iBook, Audible), organic advertising (SEO, Google search, Bing search, Yahoo search, Facebook groups/pages, Twitter), paid advertising (Google AdWords, Google AdSense, Facebook ads, LinkedIn ads, display ads, YouTube ads, Amazon ads), podcasts (both yours and guest appearances), personal appearances (talk shows, seminar presentations, conference panels, workshops, conference sales tables), and networking (collaborating, socials, workshops).

You can join in this conversation on February 25, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a one-hour discussion of novel writing and the agile writing method.

The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members pay just $30; or you can become a member and get the member price for this webinar! To register, send an email with your name and telephone number.

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

Claudia Suzanne, NAIWE’s Ghostwriting Expert

January 1, 2019 Post a comment

We wanted to get get to know Claudia Suzanne, NAIWE’s Ghostwriting Expert, better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some things she shared about her craft of ghostwriting.

What is one thing that you learned about your craft the hard way, and what benefits have you received from it? Can these benefits be broadened to include marketing?

The one thing I learned about my craft the hard way is how little my personal accomplishments matter. Coming to terms with that and letting it go elevated my standing from freelancer to professional, changing both my and potential clients’ perspectives and allowing me to command (not just charge) serious fees for my services. How can that be broadened to include marketing? With that revised stance—which, of course, requires a handful of other mindset transitions and self-perception adjustments—I no longer compete with the vast market of editorial freelancers. I’m in a high-end class of my own.

What has been your most rewarding marketing avenue, and how was it rewarding? Self? Monetary? Clients?

My goal was always to attract clients, not have to seek them, so I developed the Ghostwriting Professional Designation Program theories, psychology, skill sets, knowledge base, and mindset transitions to not only achieve that, but also teach it to other aspiring ghostwriters so they can do the same. As a result, my previous career (I am now retired from active ghostwriting) helping authors fulfill their literary dreams was personally and financially rewarding as well as satisfying for my clients.

What do you associate with marketing?

Everything, from casual emails, LinkedIn responses, myriad web presences, personal and online appearances, and all the myriad things one does every day when one is running their own business. A more succinct answer might be in that comment, in fact: everything changed when I stopped freelancing and started running my own business. It may seem like a subtle change, but it’s not as easy as it sounds, and the ROI can be profound.

Categories: Board of Experts, Events, Writing

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13

Pages

  • 2021 Summer Challenge
  • 2021 Summer Challenge
  • 2021 Summer Challenge
  • 2021 Summer Challenge
  • 2022 Summer Challenge
  • 2022 Summer Challenge
  • 2022 Summer Challenge
  • 2022 Summer Challenge
  • 2023 Summer Challenge
  • 2023 Summer Challenge
  • 2023 Summer Challenge
  • 2023 Summer Challenge
  • A December Focus
  • A Writer’s Fanfare
  • Actions for Writers
  • Aiming Higher
  • Aligning Values
  • Amy Waters Yarsinske, NAIWE’s Nonfiction Expert
  • Amy Waters Yarsinske, NAIWE’s Nonfiction Expert
  • An Author’s Co-Pilot
  • April Michelle Davis, NAIWE’s Executive Director
  • Ashley Henyan, The Social Media Marketing Expert
  • At-Will Training
  • Book Award Winner: David Berner
  • Book Award Winner: Erin Berkery
  • Book Chat: Christine Benner Dixon
  • Book Chat: Karin Beery
  • Book Chat: Marcia Rosen
  • Book Review: A Reunion of Death
  • Book Review: Catching Cold Volume 1: Breakthrough
  • Book Review: Catching Cold Volume 2: Redemption
  • Book Review: Catching Cold Volume 3: Judgment
  • Book Review: Changing Tides
  • Book Review: Cover to Cover
  • Book Review: Even a Pandemic Can’t Stop Love and Murder
  • Book Review: Even Climate Change Can’t Stop Love and Murder
  • Book Review: Find Me in the Time Before
  • Book Review: Good Grief
  • Book Review: Gothic Revival
  • Book Review: Highway to Homelessness: Road to Recovery
  • Book Review: Hope Has a Code Nose
  • Book Review: How Not to Make Small Talk
  • Book Review: Immune Heroes
  • Book Review: In the Time of Madmen
  • Book Review: Izzy’s Fire
  • Book Review: Knight Light
  • Book Review: Lizard Larson and the Time Keeper
  • Book Review: Molto Grande
  • Book Review: Murder at the Zoo
  • Book Review: Murder at the Zoo
  • Book Review: Murder at the Zoo
  • Book Review: Murder at the Zoo
  • Book Review: Network Apprentice
  • Book Review: Pebbles and the Biggest Number
  • Book Review: Saint Bloodbath
  • Book Review: Sinking Your Teeth into Proper Dental Care
  • Book Review: Stolen Diary
  • Book Review: The House Filler
  • Book Review: The Islander
  • Book Review: The Little Lion
  • Book Review: The Red Gondola and the Cova
  • Book Review: The Scientist, the Psychic, and the Nut
  • Book Review: The Six-Figure Freelancer
  • Book Review: To Kingdom Come
  • Book Review: To the Moon and Back to Me
  • Book Review: To Where You Are
  • Book Review: Unemployable: How I Hired Myself
  • Book Review: Vampire Grooms and Spectre Brides
  • Book Review: Wicked Innocents
  • Book Review: Wild Heart
  • Book Review: Words Left Unspoken
  • Book Review: Write Faster With Your Word Processor
  • Book Review: Write Faster With Your Word Processor
  • Book Review: Write Faster With Your Word Processor
  • Brian Schwartz, NAIWE’s Self-Publishing Expert
  • Brian Schwartz, The Self-Publishing Expert
  • Brian Schwartz, The Self-Publishing Expert
  • Caring by Connection
  • Carol Tice, NAIWE’s Content Marketing Expert
  • Claudia Suzanne, NAIWE’s Ghostwriting Expert
  • Claudia Suzanne, The Ghostwriting Expert
  • Community Through NAIWE Membership
  • Copyeditors, Your Last Line of Defense
  • Dana Sitar, The Headline Expert
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in April
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in August
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in December
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in February
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in January
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in July
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in June
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in March
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in May
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in November
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in October
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • Design 101
  • Double Your Outreach with NAIWE
  • Education with an Emphasis
  • Education: Business to Freelancer
  • Engagement Through NAIWE
  • Freelance Writers: Achieving Success One Step at a Time
  • Freelancer Favorites
  • Give Back to the Industry by Becoming a NAIWE Expert!
  • Go Further with NAIWE!
  • Greg Smith, NAIWE’s Agile Writing Expert
  • Greg Smith, The Agile Writing Expert
  • Greg Smith, The Novel Writing Expert
  • Growth Is Seasonless
  • House Style Guide 101
  • How to Learn a Style Manual
  • Illuminating My Profession
  • In Spite of Barriers, Women Make the Best Leaders
  • Increase Your Presence in the Publishing Industry
  • Indexing Basics
  • Intertwining Processes
  • Is Proofreading More Than Catching Surface Errors?
  • Jake Poinier, NAIWE’s Freelance Expert
  • Jake Poinier, NAIWE’s Freelance Expert
  • Jake Poinier, NAIWE’s Freelance Expert
  • Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert
  • Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert
  • Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert
  • Jeanne Grunert, NAIWE’s Branding & Marketing Expert
  • Jeanne Grunert, NAIWE’s Branding & Marketing Expert
  • Jennia D’Lima, NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert
  • Jennia D’Lima, NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert
  • Jennia D’Lima, NAIWE’s Creative Nonfiction Expert
  • John McIntyre, NAIWE’s Grammar Expert
  • John McIntyre, The Grammar Expert
  • John McIntyre, The Grammar Expert
  • Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert
  • Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert
  • Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert
  • Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert
  • Karin Beery, NAIWE’s Fiction Expert
  • Karin Beery, NAIWE’s Fiction Expert
  • Karin Beery, NAIWE’s Fiction Expert
  • Kristen Fischer, NAIWE’s Journalism Expert
  • Kristen Fischer, The Journalism Expert
  • Kristen Fischer, The Journalism Expert
  • Kristen Fischer, The Journalism Expert
  • Large Conferences, Small Conferences, Webinars — The Benefits Are Endless!
  • Laura Pennington Briggs, NAIWE’s Business of Writing Expert
  • Laura Pennington Briggs, NAIWE’s Business of Writing Expert
  • Laura Pennington Briggs, NAIWE’s Business of Writing Expert
  • Laura Pennington Briggs, The Business of Writing Expert
  • Leslie Truex, NAIWE’s Author Representation Expert
  • Marcia Rosen, NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert
  • Marcia Rosen, NAIWE’s Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert
  • Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert
  • Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert
  • Marcia Rosen, The Public Relations and Book Marketing Expert
  • Mark Allen, NAIWE’s AP Stylebook Expert
  • Mark Allen, The AP Stylebook Expert
  • Member Benefit: Affiliate Bonuses
  • Member Benefit: Affiliate Bonuses
  • Member Benefit: Affiliate Bonuses
  • Member Benefit: Blog
  • Member Benefit: Book Chat
  • Member Benefit: Book Chat
  • Member Benefit: Book Promotions
  • Member Benefit: Book Promotions
  • Member Benefit: Book Reviews
  • Member Benefit: Book Reviews
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Authors A.I.
  • Member Benefit: Discount on AutoCrit
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Bowker
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Cadman Training
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Cadman Training
  • Member Benefit: Discount on EZRA
  • Member Benefit: Discount on EZRA
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Fictionary’s An Insider’s View of Story Editing Course
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Fictionary’s StoryTeller Software
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Effective Onscreen Editing
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Effective Onscreen Editing
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Effective Onscreen Editing
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Write Faster With Your Word Processor
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Write Faster with Your Word Processor
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Grammarly
  • Member Benefit: Discount on H&R Block
  • Member Benefit: Discount on House of Design Web Services
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Institute of Professional Editors Limited Events
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Introduction to Ghostwriting
  • Member Benefit: Discount on JRG Digital Marketing Services
  • Member Benefit: Discount on JSTOR
  • Member Benefit: Discount on PerfectIt Software
  • Member Benefit: Discount on ProWritingAid
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Spoken Word Transcription Services
  • Member Benefit: Discount on The Chicago Manual of Style
  • Member Benefit: Discount on The Chicago Manual of Style
  • Member Benefit: Discount on The Chicago Manual of Style
  • Member Benefit: Discount on the Ghostwriting Professional Designation Program
  • Member Benefit: Discount on the Hot Sheet
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Voiced by Maya
  • Member Benefit: Guest Articles in The Edge
  • Member Benefit: Guest Articles in The Edge
  • Member Benefit: Guest Posting on the NAIWE Blog
  • Member Benefit: Guest Posts on the NAIWE Blog
  • Member Benefit: Guest Posts on the NAIWE Blog
  • Member Benefit: Job Board
  • Member Benefit: Job Board
  • Member Benefit: Member of the Month
  • Member Benefit: Member of the Month
  • Member Benefit: Member’s Library
  • Member Benefit: Member’s Library
  • Member Benefit: NAIWE Blog
  • Member Benefit: NAIWE Discussion List
  • Member Benefit: NAIWE Website
  • Member Benefit: NAIWE Website
  • Member Benefit: Newsletter Promotions
  • Member Benefit: Newsletter Promotions
  • Member Benefit: Newsletters
  • Member Benefit: On-Demand Training
  • Member Benefit: On-Demand Training
  • Member Benefit: Personalized Consultation
  • Member Benefit: Quick-Start Guide
  • Member Benefit: Quick-Start Guide
  • Member Benefit: Searchable Database
  • Member Benefit: Searchable Database
  • Member Benefit: Social Media Marketing
  • Member Benefit: Social Media Marketing
  • Member Benefit: Webinars
  • Member Benefit: Webinars
  • Member Benefit: Webinars
  • Member of the Month: Alfred O’Neill
  • Member of the Month: Charlene Dietz
  • Member of the Month: Claudia Riess
  • Member of the Month: George De Stefano
  • Member of the Month: Ruth Thaler-Carter
  • Member of the Month: William Butler
  • MJ Courchesne, NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert
  • MJ Courchesne, NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert
  • MJ Courchesne, The Copyright & Permissions Expert
  • MJ Courchesne, The Copyright & Permissions Expert
  • MJ Courchesne, The Copyright and Permissions Expert
  • NAIWE Brings Community
  • NAIWE Inducts New Executive Director
  • NAIWE Known For Quality Freelancers
  • NAIWE Known For Quality Freelancers
  • NAIWE Making a Difference
  • NAIWE on the Radio
  • NAIWE On Your Side
  • NAIWE on Your Side
  • NAIWE Presence Offers International Streams of Income
  • NAIWE Promotes Virtual Communities for the Publishing Industry
  • NAIWE Reinforcements Available to YOU
  • NAIWE Signs Amicus Brief
  • NAIWE Technology Updates
  • NAIWE Training Your Way
  • NAIWE Wants You!
  • NAIWE.org! The New NAIWE Website Is Live!
  • NAIWE’s Tribute to Prince
  • National Grammar Day
  • National Read Across America Day
  • Nicole Evelina, The Novel Writing Expert
  • Pamela K. Kinney, NAIWE’s Paranormal Writing Expert
  • Product Review: Make PerfectIt 5 Your New Best Friend
  • Product Review: PerfectIt Cloud Makes Progress
  • Rachel Bradley, NAIWE’s Copyediting Expert
  • Reflections on 2022
  • Robert Moskowitz, NAIWE’s Professionalism Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, NAIWE’s Networking Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, NAIWE’s Networking Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, NAIWE’s Networking Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, The Networking Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, The Networking Expert
  • Ruth Thaler-Carter, The Networking Expert
  • Stephen Colwell, The Branding and Marketing Expert
  • Stephen Colwell, The Branding and Marketing Expert
  • Streams to Develop Income
  • Susan Treadgold, NAIWE’s Personal Energy Expert
  • Suzanne Cheesman, The Media Interviews Expert
  • Suzanne Sherman, NAIWE’s Memoir Coach Expert
  • Tamian Wood, The Book Cover Expert
  • Tina Glasneck, NAIWE’s Book Promotions Expert
  • Tina Glasneck, The Book Promotions Expert
  • Training for You at Your Fingertips
  • Transitional Writing
  • Value of Diversifying Carries into All Industries
  • Why Two?
  • WMW 2021 Writing Challenge Day 1
  • WMW 2022 Writing Challenge Day 1
  • WMW 2022 Writing Challenge Day 2
  • WMW 2022 Writing Challenge Day 3
  • WMW 2022 Writing Challenge Day 4
  • WMW 2022 Writing Challenge Day 5
  • WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 1
  • WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 2
  • WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 3
  • WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 4
  • WMW 2023 Writing Challenge Day 5
  • WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 1
  • WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 2
  • WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 3
  • WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 4
  • WMW 2024 Writing Challenge Day 5
  • WMW 2025 Writing Challenge Day 1
  • WMW 2025 Writing Challenge Day 2
  • WMW 2025 Writing Challenge Day 3
  • WMW 2025 Writing Challenge Day 4
  • WMW 2025 Writing Challenge Day 5
  • WMW Writing Challenge Day 2
  • WMW Writing Challenge Day 3
  • WMW Writing Challenge Day 4
  • WMW Writing Challenge Day 5
  • Words Matter Week Begins Today!
  • Words Matter Week Begins Today!
  • Words Matter Week Begins Today!
  • Words Matter Week Begins Today!
  • Words Matter Week Begins Today!
  • Words Matter Week Set for March 1–7
  • Words Matter Week: Writing Challenge Day 1
  • Words Matter Week: Writing Challenge Day 2
  • Words Matter Week: Writing Challenge Day 3
  • Words Matter Week: Writing Challenge Day 4
  • Words Matter Week: Writing Challenge Day 5
  • Writing Challenge Recap
  • Writing Challenge: Day 1
  • Writing Challenge: Day 2
  • Writing Challenge: Day 3
  • Writing Challenge: Day 4
  • Writing Challenge: Day 5
  • Yateendra Joshi, The Research Paper Expert
  • Your Book as a Set
  • Your Industry Conference

Recent Posts

  • Member Benefit: Discount on Introduction to Ghostwriting
  • Jake Poinier, NAIWE’s Freelance Expert
  • Days to Celebrate in September
  • NAIWE Technology Updates
  • Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Write Faster with Your Word Processor

Categories

Links

  • Member Area
  • NAIWE Bookstore
  • NAIWE- The Association Site
  • Words Matter Week

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Latest Posts

Member Benefit: Discount on Introduction to Ghostwriting

September 12, 2025

Jake Poinier, NAIWE's Freelance Expert

September 5, 2025

Days to Celebrate in September

August 29, 2025

NAIWE Technology Updates

August 15, 2025

Member Benefit: Discount on Geoff Hart’s Write Faster with Your Word Processor

August 8, 2025

Days to Celebrate in August

July 25, 2025

Contact Us

  • 804-476-4484
  • P.O. Box 412
    Montpelier, VA 23192-0412
Facebook Instagram Linkedin twitter

© NAIWE. All rights reserved. Designed by My House of Design.