We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Obeng. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar your firm earns is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
In the age of social media, I got my first client via social media. Social media connects us all and is nearly limitless. I post on social media about the many books I have published on my own. I also post on social media tips on how to publish, how to save costs, etc., and I guest on podcast shows about the same. In this way, I build credibility while expanding my outreach efforts. After some time of doing this, my first client reached out to me on social media and asked if I could help them publish one of their books. I said, “Of course!” And the rest is history, as they say.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am the principal author and owner of Sugar Cookie Books publishing imprint. I create children’s books that inspire, educate, and normalize our Black children. Since entering the publishing industry in 8/2020, I have self published 19 children picture books. Now, after gaining so much invaluable knowledge, I help other aspiring writers do the same: publish their works.
I offer two primary services at this time: 1) Dedicated Publishing Coach/Consultant (DPC) and 2) Do-It-For-You Publishing Services.
As a DPC, I am available to serve as a real-time Google or YouTube video. I answer any and all questions related to publishing. I help clients navigate the publishing process easily and with awareness. Perhaps most significant, I help clients avoid the innumerable publishing pitfalls. This service is perfect for clients who want to save time on research and to avoid costly mistakes. The goal is that after our time, they will be capable of publishing their first book and equipped to publish many books thereafter.
The latter service is for clients who want to hand over their manuscript and relax. Everything is set up for this client (i.e., ISBN, copyright registration, editing, illustrations, publishing formats, etc.). Most significant, the client retains all ownership rights and royalties. This service is perfect for clients who want a really simple, stress free publishing service.
Many authors overlook the importance of the back office. So, I also offer back office setup for Kindle Direct Publishing and Ingram Spark. This service includes a competitor analysis, drafting a book description (or copywriting), keyword and category research, and price suggestions.
I also offer book description writing services a la carte as well.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I am unlearning doing everything myself. I am learning how to delegate. As my book business is starting to take off and working a full time job, it has become difficult to do all the things. So, I am in the process of creating and documenting systems. When I do a task, I stop and ask myself, “Can someone do this task for me? What tools and knowledge would do they need to do these tasks for me?” I am unlearning the concept that I am the only one capable of handling my business. I am learning that I have to trust in the capability of others. I know that in order to truly scale my business, I must let go of some things.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Word of mouth is the best source of new clients for me. Word of mouth comes from a trustworthy, verified source. So, I do a great job so my clients will recommend me via their social media, their newsletter, or a personal conversation. It is the easiest source and most inexpensive source in terms of money.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sugarcookiebooks.com/authorservices
- Instagram: @sugarcookiebooks
- Facebook: @sugarcookiebooks