I am writing this on my way to Sedona, where I am going to relax for a couple of days before starting what is sure to be a busy and exciting adventure.
So many of you have been with me on this journey for a long time, trading emails and blog comments, talking with each other on calls and even, occasionally, meeting in person!
I wanted to give you a little behind the scenes update so you know what I am doing in the next few weeks and why I am doing it. And for those of you who have similar plans to write books or launch programs or start a company, maybe my successes and failures can help you a bit in your own journey.
Here are some things you will see happening:
The Book
After what seems like a long time, the Escape from Cubicle Nation book will actually be hitting bookstores and shipping from online booksellers on April 30. A number of you got early copies with your pre-order, and I have been totally excited to hear your thoughts about the book. It seems like most of that communication these days has been happening on Twitter. I jump up and down in my chair when I imagine real readers holding the real book. It is pretty exciting.
I had the great fortune of giving my very first finished copy of the book to my Dad, when he was visiting here in Arizona. I know he reads my blog so sorry for embarrassing you Dad, but we both got choked up. My Dad has been hugely inspirational to me as a writer (I dedicated the book to him) and seeing his pride and excitement as I handed him the first copy is something I will never forget. See for yourself here.
The Book Launch
At a high level, here is what I am doing for the book launch:
- Coordinating with bloggers who have gotten early copies of the book and will post reviews
- Working with the media to get the word out by traditional channels like newspapers, magazines and radio. I am working with my publicist to schedule 20 interviews in different markets so we get broad coverage and reach people where they live
- The day the book launches, I am doing a call with Suzanne Falter-Barns, who encouraged me to create this brand and start this blog for a class assignment. I thought it was really fitting to talk about the whole journey from idea for a blog and brand that was a glimmer in my eye to full-blown book. Join us here if you want to hear the story! (My blog is not quite 4000 today, but it was at one time – Technorati is fickle!)
- I wrote a number of special pieces for the launch, some of which came out (like the New York Times piece, and an article The Myth of the Stable Job for Powell’s, the wonderful independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon), and some will come out later. I will be sure to keep you updated.
- We are going to see about live television after the book gets out in the world. Hopefully we can get some buzz going and producers interested, since the topic of layoffs, meaningful work and starting a business are very timely! You all know it is my dream to sit across from Matt Lauer on The Today Show and talk about the book, so let’s see what happens. And The Daily Show and Colbert Report are also on the dream list, so John and Steven, if you are reading (hah!), call me!
- I will be asking anyone who reads the book and enjoys it to spread the word to people in your life who need it. Seth Godin has influenced me a lot in this regard, with his views that things worth spreading will spread.
- For those of you who have the book already, if you are inspired, you can send me a short 1-minute video with your impressions, takeaways and thoughts for other readers. I look forward to posting some of these videos during launch week. You can send the link to pcs (at) ganas (dot) com.
The Blog
After many years of your patience with my homegrown blog design, that many of you diplomatically remind me every now and again is hard to read, cluttered and clunky, I am shifting blog platforms and moving to Wordpress.
My hope is that this move will make the blog much cleaner, easier to read, and integrated with the rest of my business. While my friends at Typepad have been great over the years (especially my great buddy Andy Wibbels who works for SixApart- sorry bro!), it is really time to move to a platform that will support growth, look better and integrate with applications I want to use.
If all goes well, the new blog will go live this week, before the book drops. You won’t have to do a thing – the URL will remain www.escapefromcubiclenation.com, so it should be transparent. But for some of you who have been with me for a long time and who may have subscribed to my original Typepad URL, you may find you need to click the RSS button on the new site to resubscribe. I know we will work all that out after the launch, and like all technology projects, it will have some bumps along the ride. So thanks in advance for your patience.
I also know, from having worked on a lot of web projects over the years, that some of you will not like the new design or long for the old days. I wish I could make the perfect thing that will appeal to everyone, but of course we know that is impossible. I promise to give it my best shot and, at the very least, I promise to write good content for you. Change can be hard, even when it is good in the long run, so thanks for hanging in there with me.
New posts (or lack thereof)
I really apologize for my anemic posting schedule lately. This is what happened when I was writing my book, and it is happening now when I am getting ready to launch it. This is a matter of time, energy and sleep. In the final 2 months of writing my book, my husband took the kids out all day on both Saturday and Sunday in order to give me time to write. With kids aged 4 and 18 months, this gets really strained sometimes. I do my best to live with less sleep, and know that this hectic schedule will not be forever. But to my kids, it is harder. So I do have some hard boundaries about not working all the time so that I spend time with them.
I appreciate your patience so much, and look forward to getting back to writing meaty posts.
One of my regular readers was really upset with me in my last post because it seemed to him or her (the comment was anonymous, so I don’t know who it was) like all I was talking about was my book and some new programs I am working on. I have always believed strongly in sharing 80% of my content for free, and charging a premium for the remaining 20%. I learned this from Robert Middleton, who has a marketing philosophy and process that I find generous and ethical. So in the big picture of almost four years of writing this blog, I feel good about the balance, falling well into the 80/20 balance. Right now, given all going on in the business, you will hear more about the “business” side of my life. Given that this blog is about creating a life you love, doing work that has deep meaning for you and making a living while doing it, I hope you see it in that context. I would be worried for you if you never charged for your services, and gave everything away for free.
I actually like to raise this topic, because I know it is something you will deal with when you really get cruising with your businesses, and move from planning to launch. I have some specific thoughts about it and will write some posts in the near future on the topic.
I don’t pretend to have it figured out. It is a plain hard balance to achieve. I tease my friend Sonia Simone, who wrote an excellent post on this topic for Copyblogger called “Is Your Tribe Holding You Down?“, that I will leave it up to her to figure out the “poetry vs. commerce” or “sharing vs. charging” dilemma for us all. In the meantime, never be ashamed of taking care of your family, or charging money for your special talents.
The Business
I have been working behind the scenes on a number of new things that I am really excited about. We have a wonderful group working hard on their business plans in my new ongoing program Life After the Cubicle: A Quickstart Guide to Self-Employment. I am totally enjoying working them on their specific plans, and watching them support each other in the community forum. I have been wanting to provide a way to work with a larger group of people than my 1:1 clients for a long time, and this is proving very satisfying.
I will continue to provide one on one coaching services since that is the heart of my business. I never tire of the very specific work we do together, and am lucky to have a really special group of clients. I will keep the number of individual clients I work with to a reasonable number, since I like 1:1 coaching to be about 30% of my business
Now that my kids are a little bigger and able to function well without me at home ALL the time, I plan on spending a little more time on the road speaking. I have always loved to present to large groups and teach workshops, so I will be spending some time developing that part of my business. With the book coming out, there is a lot of content I can use to develop a one or two day workshop, so I may look at rolling things out in a few cities where I have other events planned (like New York, the Bay Area, Portland and Chicago, to start). Let me know your thoughts – would a live workshop be something that would interest you? I would love to hear what would be the most important content to cover.
Wrap up
So <phew> that is the long-winded update! Thanks for reading, and for your ongoing support.
I talk with a lot of other bloggers, and am convinced that I have some of the most compassionate, supportive and funny readers out there. Instead of having to field tons of controversy or attacks, I spend most of my time saying “thank you so much for your tremendously kind and generous comments!” What a gift that is, and I really do appreciate it.
Enjoy the changes this week, and if you tune in to the Today Show and see me ribbing Matt Lauer, you will know my evil schemes worked. 🙂
Beautiful week in Sedona! Looks like we were here at the same time.
Oh Pam!!! I just received my copy of your book and had a HUGE aha moment in Chapter 3 when you talk about the “inner tiger”. It brought tears to my eyes and sent shivers down my spine. Having coached with you, I know firsthand how amazing you are as a coach. This book sends you out into the world in such a powerful way. I could not be more proud of you and cannot wait to resume my coaching with you. My inner tiger needs to roam freely and you’re just the woman to encourage me to release it!! I just started improv comedy classes so was happy to see that recommended later in your book! I can sense your compassion and encouragement on every page – great job! Loved the photo on your blog of you and your Dad.
Take care,
Sally
Hi Pam, I’m new to reading your blog and must say I am very inspired by you and your success. I like your writing style quite a bit. Its down to earth and refreshing. And that picture of Sedona!
Oh Pam – manymanymanymanymany congratulations on the book! You are so generous here in the “free-o-sphere” I can only imagine what wonders your book holds and I am looking forward to reading it. Raising a glass to you and your great accomplishment.
Kathlyn’s last blog post..Daring Bakers April 2009|Say Cheesecake!
That is so sweet about your Dad getting to have one of the first hard-copies and gettign chocked up; what a wonderful event to share with him and dedicate to him! Many congrats on your book; it will be so exciting to go see it in the bookstores and sorta “know” you-at least more than I’ve ever known any other author!
I am so glad Jay (TPREGuy) told us about your blog; it is a great read! And it sounds like you had one crazy week, for sure!
Margaret Safford-Metro Atlanta Real Estate’s last blog post..Does the Metro Atlanta Real Estate Market Mimic the New HGTV Shows?
Phew! This newlook site is great. Space to write & breathe here now or what? ;0)
This newlook is just so great. Thesis works wonders for you Pam. Now for the $64m question – when’s the next radio show? Hah! I had to get that in at the getgo.
I’m looking forward to seeing you doing guest spots on TV but I so hope they’re not exclusively USA tv shows. And speaking of which, when’s Oprah going to get off her ass and invite you to appear on her little show?
Hint, hint,nudge,nudge: We need to see you here in UK too and what with the book launch, it’d be an ideal moment to kickstart and inspire some fresh entrepreneurial spirit in a recessed Britain!
I dare say there are many countries in Europe where you will be warmly welcomed. And deservedly so. So please think about it. Please?
Keep rocking
RB
Hey Pam!
Everything looks great and I’m announcing the book in my newsletter tomorrow. I’ll post a review to Amazon as soon as I can. Good luck and smooth sailing!
Sophfronia
http://www.DoingBusinessBytheBookToday.com
Well done, Pam
You’re an inspiration 🙂
Enjoy every moment of this next phase!
Cath
By the way…
Thomas Leonard, the god father of coaching, was often quoted as saying “Free, Free, Free, FEE” when talking about coaching.
Being generous in sharing content and ideas is a good thing. But you’ve also got to then have revenue streams or else your not a great example to budding entreprenurs
Hey Pam,
Congratulations! I hope the next weeks and months go real well for you. There are more and more people looking to ‘escape’ so your timing could not be better.
Let me know if you plan to do any speaking outside the US – would be happy to help you gain more visibility in the UK.
Have fun!
Sital
Great post, thank you. I look forward to your book.
Thanks for the shout-out! We’re glad to have served you this far on the journey and can’t wait to see what you do next. LOVE LOVE LOVE the book!
Maybe you can have your publisher lower the price of your book in Kindle format to $9.99.
With that said, congrats on such a big accomplishment. Keep it up!
Pam:
First off, congrats on the new book! I downloaded the first chapter and really like what I’ve read so far. I have escaped cubicle nation (or rather cubicle nation told me to get lost). That is fine. I’m ready for my next move.
I just want to say bless you for doing what you do. As someone who has visited your blog from time to time while working in several corporate settings – your work has educated, motivated and inspired entrepreneurial thinking in me.
I don’t know where your book tour will take you, but if you’re ever in Chicago, I’ll be there.
Thanks again,
Tim
A friend sent me your blog because I’m going through the same process of getting a book out there in the world. It’s inspiring to read about your journey and to see that I’m not the only one who’s wigging out!
Best of luck with your book – you’re going to be changing the lives of so many people. It’s funny, people are so scared these days about the economy, but that just means that doing what you love is even more important. Hope your book shows many people the way!
Best,
Jennifer
Pam,
don’t worry too much about the nay-sayers. They are invitable. Your blog is about making a living out of your work. And expressing here how you are actually doing it sounds like a “live what you preach” to me. If that’s not reasonable, what is?
All the best for your book start.
Cheers,
Rolando
Thank you so much for your encouraging words everyone! I have an extra spring to my step as I start the week.
May ALL of our dreams come true!
🙂
-Pam
Pam, this is so exciting! I hope you do get to sit with John Stewart someday, that’s one of my dreams, too! Good luck with everything.
We’re all rooting for you Pam! While I must say that I’m so happy to see so many of the bloggers that I follow, turn into authors and coaches, you’re the one I’m most proud of! I never thought I would be on of those ‘fans’, but there’s no shame in my game and I’m glad to be a part of your journey.
May God continue to bless you and yours.
Pam,
One of the reasons I started following you (not in the stalker way; the admiration and emulation way) was because you’re open, honest, and up-front.
You’ve got some huge (and most wonderful) stuff going on and you are managing the chaos (at least from this outsider’s perspective) pretty danged well.
Keep at it. You have a Tribe supporting you and cheering you on. Listen for our cheers when your strength is flagging. Then dig deep and charge through to the finish line!
Go Pam!
Glad you are back with what’s going on.Well done! I wish you all the best.Want to hear more about it.Pdf version will be wonderful, I’m from Argentina, bit difficult to get it.Good luck
Congrats, Pam! I’ll be sending you positive energy for those TV interviews to materialize!
Please consider Boston in your live tour. Boston is an entrepreneurial town. And having entrepreneurial-minded schools (e.g.Babson College, MIT, Harvard)adds to the fun.
Buena suerte!
Anna & Co.
Meg and I are happy for you and the entire family!
P.S. I love the new picture of you.
Congratulations, Pam! I am so happy for you! I’m glad that you are making some time to relax before your wild ride ahead promoting your book. There is a bookstore here in Kansas City that does a lot of author events. I’ll make a note to email you the contact information. By the way, I loved the picture with your dad. Good luck and best wishes!
Carla Golden
Pam,
What you’ve done here is truly inspirational and proves to us all that our dreams can come true with a lot of hard work.
As I set out on my own very long journey, it’s nice to know that at least one person has reached one of their goals in life.
Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great work!
John
I hope the book is available as a pdf, because Amazon and the likes don’t ship here :@
Pam,
You are so inspirational on every level. I am not surprised that you are seeing so much success in your life right now. You are adding tremendous value through your book, coaching, and life. I am so honored to have you as a mentor. Rock on Sista!
Wonderful post, Pam! I’m so excited for you! Thank you for answering your calling. The world has been waiting…
Madame, you may write about anything you please. And feel free to move to Wordpress — I did. It’s impossible not to after a while.
Enjoy launching the book. It is already a great success, and I plan to read it this week.
What an exciting time! And a great idea to record everything about it. It will be helpful to others, to see what you are thinking and going through. Plus your kids, in a decade or three ahead, will find it fascinating to read what MOM was up to, way back in 2009.
Good going, Pam…it is sure to be a HIT.
gl hoffman
I am so excited for you Pam – and you have been beyond generous over the last couple years that I have been learning from you. I hope Jon’s suggestion of a Vancouver stop happens – I’d do my damnedest to be there!
Go get ’em Pam. Can’t wait to read the book, and wish you all the success in the world. If your book tour brings you to Vancouver, BC, let me know and we’ll give some “old school” media types I work with the heads up.
All the best!