business Archives - Rhys Keller

October 28, 2021

Becoming a Value-Driven Influencer

Influencers are everywhere! With new technology connecting more people every day, it's nearly impossible to escape the enormous bubble of influence popping out of unexpected places. To older generations, the role of an influencer may seem unnecessary. But that's only because words have changed over time. If we put a "Big Movie Star" in a commercial, everyone would understand why. Those big stars had massive pull when it came to influencing people's personal choices. But times change and now there are unexpected people popping up with thousands and millions of friends...followers...and rabid fans in almost every country. Interested in becoming a value-driven influencer or hoping to work with one for your brand? Keep reading!

March 2, 2021

Writing that Sells: Lessons Learned from Award-Winning Author, Poet, and Speaker Brian P. Cleary

The average traditionally published author sells 3,000 books, with only a fraction of that sold within the first year. Would it be prudent then, to probe the mind of an author who has sold more than 3 million books? Would the experiences and lessons learned of a writer who spent more than 40 years honing his craft be valuable? Would the perspective of a poet who has visited more than 500 schools, engaged with over 95,000 students, spoken in 42 states and Europe, published over 50 titles, and is Senior Editor at American Greetings be helpful? The correct answer is obviously YES! Now, read on.

February 2, 2021

Crafting Messages with Author and Illustrator Shay Fan

Crafting the perfect message is much more than throwing words at the wall and hoping one of them sticks. Tailoring messages to a target audience is a surefire way to see better results not just in the corporate world, but at home, on blogs, and especially on book store shelves. Helping us see the importance of carefully selecting our words is author and illustrator Shay Fan, who has worked in marketing and Public Relations for companies like Skype and YouTube. She is also represented by Andrea Walker of Azantian Literary Agency. If you care about building your personal brand and communicating effectively, this is one interview you can't afford to miss.

August 18, 2020

Writing Books During a Pandemic – Interview with Author Heather Macht – Win a Giveaway!

Just because the world falls into a pandemic doesn't mean books stop being published. Authors still dream, publishing still acquire, and curious minds still want to know. Writing books during a pandemic is a different ballgame all together. Book launches, library and school visits, and building relationships face-to-face are all different. One thing remains the same: the essence of a successful author as so clearly manifested by creativity, hard work, and determination. Experienced children's book author Heather Macht takes us along for the socially distant ride of publishing books during a pandemic. Learn what's changed, what's remained the same, and enter into a drawing to win a very special giveaway- one of Heather's picture books OR a picture book manuscript critique. Read more to find out how to win!

March 24, 2020

Leaving a Career for a Love of Reading and Writing with Kaitlin Scirri

Have you ever considered leaving your day job for a life of reading and writing professionally? No doubt you have a passion for publishing, but what courageous steps have you taken to elevate it's priority in your life? How much time are you carving out to reach you goals? In this interview with traditionally published author, Kaitlin Scirri, see what barriers she chose to overcome and what life is like on the other side of the publishing curtain.

November 5, 2019

Go, Girls, Go! Behind the Picture Book with Author and Editor Frances Gilbert

Curious what happens when a children's book editor for a big publishing house decides to write her own book? Looking for a new picture book that'll have your family chanting "Go, Girls, Go!" with eye-popping illustrations? Interested in knowing what tips an experienced editor would encourage you to consider for your picture book manuscripts? In this interview, we step behind the book with Editor-in-Chief of Doubleday Books for Young Readers (BFYR), Frances Gilbert, and learn how an editor views being an author.

October 1, 2019

Best Books for Personal Development and Success

Ever want a little more motivation for those aspirations? Not sure where to go to get some? I'm a motivational junkie. A die-hard when it comes to personal development and self-improvement. Maybe you are too? Over the years, I've come to collect some incredible favorites. If only the whole world would read them, what a place it would become. But I'm not speaking to the world. I'm speaking to you. If you're interested in upping your game, raising the bar, and learning more about yourself along the way, check out these books. Here are my absolute best book recommendations for personal development and success.

September 18, 2019

Making Lists Brings Order and Success to Chaos

Have you ever had trouble falling asleep because your brain is on overdrive? It's hard to turn off the switch when so many things need our attention. Human beings cannot think two thoughts at the exact same time. We can move between thoughts incredibly quickly, and we can act upon multiple thoughts at the same time (like compound exercises), but our brains are literally unable to take two inputs and process them at once. It's this natural proclivity to become overwhelmed that results in the effectiveness of making lists.

September 13, 2019

Building a Brand on Being Remarkable

It's a crazy notion that we can create a product or service that is truly remarkable. But why is it so crazy? Why is being remarkable so rare? So unique? So valuable? So likely that, if someone sees it from a distance or holds it close to their chest, they'll want to tell other people about it? But the fact remains, that as others have already blazed the trail to be remarkable, we too can achieve such a mark. Our brand can be remarkable. Who we are, what we do, and what we create can be worthy of making remark about.

September 10, 2019

Creating Picture Books as a Team with Amy and Greg Newbold

Creating picture books is not always a solitary, lonely endeavor. Great books require great teams and where better to start than within the same home? Amy and Greg Newbold share their story, experience, and insight into how they work together, as husband and wife, in creating beautiful books for children. Join us as we gleam from their experience chasing, and dare I say reaching, the author and illustrator's dream of publishing books.