We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa J. Shultz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

As an author, I often spend years writing and researching a topic. I then pull it together into a coherent book with the help of professional editing, proofreading, layout and design. By the time a book is ready to launch, I have spent thousands of dollars. There is a large upfront investment of time, energy and money to publish a book. People often don’t want to spend much on buying a book, and as a result it can be challenging to break even and make a profit from writing books. For me to keep going and to keep writing books, I need a strong why and purpose that goes beyond a financial one. For those considering writing a book for the first time, it is wise to have a compelling goal that can stand the test of time without discouragement if the money doesn’t come in much at first. Years of marketing in a variety of ways is necessary to create a successful book with consistent sales.

Lisa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My original education and career was as a physical therapist. I then became a full time mom to two daughters, who are now in their twenties. About ten years ago, I shifted my professional focus to writing, fullfilling a childhood dream of publishing a book. I fell in love with authorship and have published multiple books in the last decade. I also enjoy writing an Arts and Culture column for a local newspaper in Denver, Colorado.

I combine my experiences with research and reflection and shares insights and suggestions with my readers in my non-fiction books. My latest book, Essential Denver, is different from the usual guidebook. I share my unique view of my hometown to inspire exploration and appreciation of Denver’s treasures.

I love writing. As I work on a new column or book, I stretch myself to learn more and explore. I then aim to spark curiosity in my readers to discover a new place, create a new habit or stimulate interest in a topic that might be new to them. Together we can learn and grow and have fun.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media presence is important to authors and for creating awareness of books. I have found that I must uncover the platform that works best of each book topic. If I get clear on my niche, then I can create content that appeals to my specific demographic target audience. I believe to be effective, I must engage regularly with social media. Engagement means commenting, asking questions and collaborating. Cross promotion is a strategy, and I like to give shout outs to other authors and books I like. Together with other authors and book groups, I can reach more people. If I give positive reviews, promote events that help others in my industry and find ways to contribute content so it is more than just about me, then everyone gains traction and a wider audience. This strategy can be applied to most any business.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, writing fulfills a deep longing to engage in something meaningful. I feel I live a purposeful life when I tap into my creative energy and bringing forth a book or piece of writing that inspires or connects others. My writing has the potential to create a legacy that lives on beyond me. I feel rewarded when I hear from a reader that my words prompted a positive action in their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisajshultz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisajshultz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaJShultzAuthor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisajshultz/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaJShultz

Image Credits
My pictures.