Pump Up Your Book Chats with Bill Matthies, author of ‘The 7 Keys to Change’

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In 1986, I founded what was to become the largest independent market research/database marketing company in the consumer electronics and high tech fields. By the time I sold it in 1997, The Verity Group employed 400+ people at its California and Costa Rica offices.

Prior to that, I cofounded Barcus Berry Electronics, Inc. a venture capital-backed start-up with a proprietary audio technology called BBE, which was licensed for use in audio, video, computing, and telecommunication products.

From 1977 to 1983, I wore several hats at Pioneer Electronics (USA), Inc. including Director of Market Research, Director Sales Planning, National Sales Manager, Special Markets, Vice President Marketing and, ultimately, Senior Vice President Marketing and Product Development.

Today, I serve on corporate advisory boards, am a contributor for TWICE (the consumer electronics industry’s major trade publication) and lecture frequently at industry events around the world on managing change, strategic planning, and customer relations.

His latest book is The 7 Keys to Change

Visit his website at www.coyoteinsight.com or 7 Keys page

Connect with William:

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I am a business-planning consultant and about 5 years ago I realized my clients were not doing well achieving the goals we had set for them in the plans I helped them create. Since my goal is to be the most effective consultant possible, I set out to learn what I needed to do to improve my client’s performance. This had nothing to do with writing a book; I only wanted to improve my skills. However the more I researched, the more clear the solution became along with the fact that what I was concluding was original, not documented elsewhere. As a result, I decided to write what has become “The 7 Keys to Change”.

Q: Besides books, what else do you write? Do you write for publications?

I write the Coyote Insight and Business Wisdom blogs, am a guest contributor to other’s blogs, and a regular contributor to TWICE Magazine, the consumer electronic industry’s preeminent trade publication.

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

When you believe you are done, edit. Once this is done, edit again, and once you complete that, edit once more. Repeat this process at least three times and when done pay for at least one professional grammar and content edit. Two would be better.

Q: Can you tell us a little about your childhood?

I grew up middle class in Long Beach California just south of Los Angeles. I was a typical Southern California 50’s kid who hit my early teens just in time to thoroughly enjoy coming of age during the SoCal surfin’ 60’s. While I didn’t know it at the time, I now know I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I split my time between a “regular” home in Orange County California, a beach home in Capistrano Beach, and a condo in downtown Seattle one block from Pike Market. The favorite spot is Seattle although disciplining myself to stay and write can be a challenge given all the city has to offer.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I don’t subscribe to “getting away” thinking. If I find I need to do that too often it’s time to move somewhere permanently. Fortunately “away” is a state of mind and I can get there almost without regard for where I am physically.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

Very familiar with and use G+, LinkedIn, and Twitter with minimal use of/interest in FB. But I’m not sure I would call what I do “active”.

Q: What is the most frustrating part of being an author?

I’m not an “author” anymore than I’m a golfer. I don’t currently play golf although I have in the past. However that alone does not make me a golfer. I’ve written a book but only one so I’m just a guy who wrote a book.

Q: How do you think book publishing has changed over the years?

We need say no more than simply acknowledging the shift from traditional to self-publishing, which includes the exodus of established, well-known writers who now self-publish. You could write volumes about that (no pun intended.)

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

The usual: to have unlimited wishes.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

As I write this, Moorea Tahiti, but check with me tomorrow and it may be somewhere else.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

Paula Johnson without whose persistent browbeating the book never would have been completed.

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"THANK YOU for all of these graphics!!! That was a valuable added perk of working with you on the VBT! Thank you for all the work you put into those, and into the organization and follow-ups on the tour itself. It's been a pleasure working with you, Dorothy!"Allyson Rice, The Key to Circus-Mom Highway

"Oh, awesome!! Thank you so much! You ran such a lovely tour. Those images are great, I look forward to using them and will miss seeing the regular postings on Twitter ;-).
I really appreciate your steadfast and ongoing support. It means a lot!!"Palmer Pickering, MOON DEEDS

"Just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you again for the amazing blog tour and to tell you that we will be adding the tour to Mark's author website in the next few days. We will of course be recommending your company to other authors we know. And when Mark's next book is out, we will use your services again." Kirsten Grenside on behalf of Mark Grenside, FALL OUT

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Maria Andrade, DEFIANCE AND REDEMPTION

"Everyone did an excellent job. The blog pages were beautiful, and the trailer was so clever and funny. Thanks for sending these lovely "souvenirs" from my tour. I will be able to use all of these posts on Twitter. I enjoyed this so much and look forward to my next tour!"
Irene Woodbury, HONEYMOON ROULETTE

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Arabella Sheraton, THE LORD BLACKWOOD REGENCY ROMANCE SERIES

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Wendy Leighton-Porter, THE SHADOW OF ATLANTIS

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M.B. Lewis, THE PILATE SCROLL

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Kathleen Shaputis, HIS KILT DROPPED HERE

"I appreciate you and your hard work. Thank you for creating these awesome images for my book and allowing me to use them. I am very thankful to have them!"
Joni Ankerson, TO KILL OR BE KILLED

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Aiken Brown, SON OF A SOLDIER

"Thanks so much for getting ANNA INCOGNITO out there and reviewed and shared with so many people. It was great to see it on so many twitter feeds!"
Laura Preble, ANNA INCOGNITO

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Lena Gregory, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES

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Jennifer Chase, FLOWERS ON HER GRAVE

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Elysia Strife, A PROMISE IN ASH

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Miri Leshem-Pelly, SCRIBBLE & AUTHOR

"I think you did an excellent job last time, thank you!"
Shami Stovall, KNIGHTMARE ARCANIST

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Suzanne M. Hurley, THE TEDDY BEAR EYE CLUB

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Sharon House, BRIMSTONE AND WATER

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Christine Donovan, BLACKJACK

"You’ve been a joy to work with, and I’d do another tour with you in a heartbeat. Overall, it was an excellent experience and a good value. I’ll be sure to look you up when it’s time to release my next book."
Michael Allan Scott, GREY DAZE

"Just wanted to thank you for putting together a great tour for You Won't Remember This. I think the author was pleasantly surprised and overall very pleased."
Bacon Press Books

"Dorothy, thanks so much for another great VBT!!! The Twitter-Party was a new feature this time that I particularly enjoyed. I will continue to recommend PUYB to my writer-friends, because you are simply the best!!!"
T.M. Wallace, WINTERGARDEN

"Thank you for a great blog tour for my “Depression and Your Child.”
I’m in the middle of my third book and will definitely call on you again when it’s time to market it."
Deborah Serani, DEPRESSION AND YOUR CHILD

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Ashley Fontainne, GROWL

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Mary Lawlor, FIGHTER PILOT'S DAUGHTER

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Lee Papa, TEMPLE OF ALL KNOWING

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Madeline Wynn, DAUGHTER OF THE FALLEN

"Just wanted to say I'm appreciating your tweets so much. This is really helping my book sales, and I'm telling writer friends about you."
Mary Lawlor, FIGHTER PILOT'S DAUGHTER

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Karen-Anne Stewart, ASH TO STEELE

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Lauren Carr, Best-Selling Mystery Author of Mac Faraday, and Lovers in Crime, Mysteries

"Thank you again for all of your help and support for my recent book tour. You were so supportive and responsive, and I enjoyed working with you. It was a great tour and I really enjoyed it, especially when my book hit the top 100 in the two subcategories! That was awesome! Thanks for "pumping up my book!""
Monique Roy, ACROSS GREAT DIVIDES

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Kaylin McFarren, BURIED THREADS

"Thank you for a great virtual book tour. I thought it went really well and it was great to have a wave of PR that flowed through the two month period of my book release. I'm working on my next book - and will definitely reach out to you when it comes time to market! You were a delight to work with and really made me feel looked after. As I've mentioned before, I just don't know how you do it all."
--Deborah Serani, DEPRESSION AND YOUR CHILD

"I just wanted to let you know how wonderful I felt my book blast went for Be Careful What You Wish For in the month of August. So many emails and contacts that I would never have gotten. The publicity was just phenomenal!"
--R.K. Avery, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

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--Lila Munro, LOVE VINDICATED

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--Carol Nicolas, THE SIXTH POWER

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--Sandra D. Bricker, ALWAYS THE BAKER, FINALLY THE BRIDE

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--Jo Sparkes, THE BIRR ELIXIR

"I just wanted to let you know that tonight Steven Manchester's Twelve Months became The Story Plant's first #1 Kindle bestseller. This couldn't have happened without you. Barb's cover is an absolute showstopper, Sue's copyediting boosted the overall work, Jackie's proofreading kept all of us honest, and Tracee Gleichner's blog tour started what has become an avalanche of great reviews."
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-- Alicia Singleton, DARK SIDE OF VALOR

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-- Suzanne Jenkins, PAM OF BABYLON SERIES

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--Mary Ann Loesch, NEPHILIM

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach