YouMap: Find Yourself. Blaze Your Path. Show the World! received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Kristin Sherry.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
YouMap: Find Yourself. Blaze Your Path. Show the World! published November 8, 2018.
What’s the book’s first line?
This guide is for those trying to figure out what they do best, identifying who needs it most, and clearly conveying it to future employers, clients, or customers.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Self-awareness is the #1 predictor of career success, yet most people go through life not knowing what they do best and who needs it most – or how to communicate it clearly and confidently. YouMap uncovers your four pillars of career satisfaction – your strengths, values, motivating skills, and personality-based interests –helps you determine your next best career move and confidently explain your value in networking conversations, cover letters, resumes, LinkedIn profiles and job interviews.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I wanted to help more people than I can one-on-one. Two-thirds of people aren’t engaged at work. I’m on a mission to help people get unstuck and do work they find more fulfilling.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
You will finally understand yourself like never before, which has been life-changing for many people. I received a message from a woman who told me, “YouMap makes me make sense.”
When did you first decide to become an author?
I started writing blogs in 2015 and decided to write a book that same year. I feel compelled to reach more people to help them transform certain areas of their lives, and I decided books were the way I would go about that.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No, I have two previously published books. A career empowerment book for women, and one on how to land a job in an interview. My fourth book comes out Feb 20th, 2020, called, Your Team Loves Mondays (…Right?)
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I certify coaches, career services and HR professionals to become YouMap® Coaches and Workshop Facilitators. I also do some career discovery and transition coaching using the YouMap®.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
When I’m writing a book, I usually write about 10 hours/week on average. On top of that, I write an additional hour per week on blogs and articles.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part of being an Indie writer is more artistic control and I have a more personalized relationship with my publisher. The hardest part is when people take your book less seriously if you’re not with a larger publishing house.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
You have to hustle – and continue to hustle – to get and keep the word out about your book. The average book sells 250 copies per year. Promotion doesn’t end weeks after your release. Don’t be discouraged if your sales dip. Be a guest on podcasts, write posts or blogs with snippets or stories from your book. Look for chances to speak about your book. Try to land radio interviews. Your efforts will keep your book in the spotlight and you will see a resurgence of sales as you get the message out. Hearing you speak about your book affects sales more than ads about your book.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Not very likely. My publisher believed in my book. I like to reward people who believe in me with my loyalty.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
I’m motivated by chocolate. In all seriousness, I’m motivated by making a difference in people’s lives. That’s one of my top three values. If you want to know your values, that’s also in the book!
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
That’s a difficult question for me to answer. I tend to quote Jim Rohn more than anyone else. His writing is really motivating to me.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It’s an incredible book.