Today, I am speaking with Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom. Crystal is a wife, mother, speaker, and author of several books. Money Saving Mom is a coupon and blogging website about intentional living, finance, family, and business. Crystal began couponing while living on a strict budget while her husband was in law school. Her couponing and blogging eventually turned into her Money Saving Mom blog which exceeded her expectations and helped allow her and her husband to purchase their home outright. Being around Crystal is contagious. She is just one of those people who you would trust to let your kids go to her house. I’m excited about this episode as we discuss how Crystal used her books to help promote and grow Money Saving Mom to phenomenal levels. Crystal wrote her first book The Money Saving Mom’s Budget when she was contacted by a publisher. She had a following, but she didn’t really know how to write a book and really didn’t understand the contract. Her first book deal was a bit rocky because she did everything wrong, but it was a great learning experience. She shares her lessons and inspiration for writing a book the right way. Some of these include having a thorough plan, outline, and proposal. As well as having a ghost editor to help with cohesiveness, accountability, and input. With these experiences learned Crystal is now a book writing machine, and she shares all of this and more in today’s episode.   You can find Crystal here: Money Saving Mom Books by Crystal Paine The Money Saving Mom’s Budget Money Making Mom Book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode   Show Notes   [01:34] Why Crystal decided to write her first book The Money Saving Mom's Budget. [04:43] Lessons learned included needing to have a plan before writing a book. [05:31] On her second book she spent time finding the idea and then focusing on that topic and writing a proposal that outlines every single step. [07:20] Using ghost editors made the full-length book process much easier. [08:21] The editing process helped with accountability and organizing and strengthening the text. [09:54] Having published books gives a form of legitimacy and credibility that opens up opportunities. [11:18] Going through a publisher is not as strong an income stream as self-publishing. [11:56] Crystal had to make the time to work on her books because she is extremely busy and it becomes a family endeavor. [13:01] Getting up early helped with her first books. She wrote her third book from midnight to 4:00 am to find time to focus. [14:49] Her husband also helped with the homeschooling and allowed Crystal to sleep in. [16:51] She put together a marketing plan for her first book. Publishers expect you to do the work of marketing. [18:27] She planned 7-9 months in advance and found hot topics to write on and promote on social media. She thought about the marketing while writing the book. [19:33] On her third book she was honed in on marketing from the beginning including finding her target audience of overwhelmed moms. [21:35] She focused on sharing the value the book would give people in the form of articles and creating awareness. [24:00] Using a launch team also helps get the word out. [27:58] The book has opened doors and helped Crystal's confidence grow. [31:05] Being a real person has been key to Crystal's success. [32:18] Crystal used Periscope to promote her 5-day Money Making Mom course. [37:27] Crystal offered a free 1st-day offer on her courses. This was a great teaser that led to a lot of sales. [38:13] Her biggest revenue is from email sign ups and blog readers which lead to affiliate sales.   [38:56] Her books are also in the library which has led to readers. [39:45] Giving away coupons and freebies from companies fell flat on its face until she gave away a chore planner. Focus on the freebie that will be the biggest incentive for people. [44:02] Share your own unique gifts and your own unique story.   Links and Resources: self-publishingschool.com Spsfreetrainin