Write a book to serve as a lighthouse that guides and serves your prospects, customers, and clients with Anne Janzer.

Interview Insights

Top Takeaways

Thought leaders do not put out their ideas to the world for glorification but to serve their clients, students, customers, and colleagues.
By modeling the tone and style of their writing, thought leaders give their audiences the information and insights that they need.
Writing for your readers makes you a part of a community. In fact, you create and expand your community.

Show Notes

Denise Brosseau’s quote on “Thought leaders speak on behalf of others” highly influenced Anne’s book. [01:11]
What does ‘service authorship’ mean? [02:22]
How come writing isn’t a solitary activity as many expect? How writing for others else helps authors focus and produce. [03:22]
CASE: Sarah changed her book structure based on who she wanted to serve. Twice! [04:43]
What is the ‘pond metaphor’ and what can it teach us about reaching a bigger audience by starting small? [05:56]
What does it mean to a writer to ‘prime the pump in writing’? [08:16]
CASE: Kathy Capino exemplifies how a book does not always end up as the author expects when starting. Her research and interactions changed the texture and nature of her book. [09:20]
CASE: Steve transitioned from writing his memoir to writing a business book. [10:18]
What are the six steps of the sprint framework? Start with the easy, prime, relax, incubate, notice, and trust your future self. [11:55]
How does it help authors to be more collaborative and less competitive? [21:42]

Expert Bio

Anne Janzer is an award-winning author, nonfiction writing coach, and unabashed writing geek committed to helping people make a positive impact with their writing. She supports and encourages writers and authors through her books, blog posts, webinars, and teaching.
Her writing-related books explore the science and practice of effective writing.

Before she started writing books, Anne was a freelance marketing consultant, working with more than a hundred technology businesses to articulate positioning and messaging in crowded markets.

She’s been writing business emails longer than she cares to admit—and has made all of the mistakes in her latest book, and more, over the years. She wants to save others from the same problems.