The Book
Out There
12/02/11 01:28 PM
I don’t know who’s out there that actually reads this, but if you are there, thanks! Also - I apologize that I am terrible at blogging. I know that you are dying to hear from me because of my fantastic posts... Things are going along swimmingly for me. I have started doing personal training at my community center and am very excited about that.
I’ve also posted a 25% discount to the Facebook page for the paperback, so have a look. I am answering questions posted to the Facebook page, so interact often!
I’m happy to report that while I am still not yet to my ultimate goal, I am in the best shape I’ve been in in years and have gotten back into a really nice routine. It is interesting to reflect and observe how hard it is to balance life, work and fitness. It seems that it is so easy for others sometimes, but that’s such a big misconception. Whatever you’re challenges are, good luck–you can do break through them!
Ciao and happy Christmas season.
I’ve also posted a 25% discount to the Facebook page for the paperback, so have a look. I am answering questions posted to the Facebook page, so interact often!
I’m happy to report that while I am still not yet to my ultimate goal, I am in the best shape I’ve been in in years and have gotten back into a really nice routine. It is interesting to reflect and observe how hard it is to balance life, work and fitness. It seems that it is so easy for others sometimes, but that’s such a big misconception. Whatever you’re challenges are, good luck–you can do break through them!
Ciao and happy Christmas season.
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Risky Business
05/23/11 08:04 PM
I’ve never considered myself a risky person, but I was reflecting today about some of the decisions I’ve made in my life that have been pretty risky.
In the last three years, I’ve basically quit two jobs to move my life in a very different direction. In 2008, I quit my job and moved across the country and wrote The Fat Trainer. Then last year, I helped divest the company I worked for so I could help start Five Degrees Consulting.
I’m still waiting for the positive ROI on these risks, so some days it can be pretty hard. Today was one of those days.
I gotta just keep plugging along because I believe in both the book and my company.
In the last three years, I’ve basically quit two jobs to move my life in a very different direction. In 2008, I quit my job and moved across the country and wrote The Fat Trainer. Then last year, I helped divest the company I worked for so I could help start Five Degrees Consulting.
I’m still waiting for the positive ROI on these risks, so some days it can be pretty hard. Today was one of those days.
I gotta just keep plugging along because I believe in both the book and my company.
Fat Trainer for iOS Devices
05/17/11 12:45 PM
All in all, it took about 3 weeks to get approval from Apple once I got the book submitted to iTunes via iTunes Producer. I have included links to the respective iTunes stores across the globe where one can buy The Fat Trainer for your iOS device here. If you cannot purchase the book because you are outside one of these countries, please connect with me, and I’ll figure out a solution.
This is a great start to my week and I’m excited to finally see that little orange dot replaced with a green one earlier today (on iTunes Connect).
UK Purchase
05/09/11 03:55 PM
I don’t know who you are or how you heard about The Fat Trainer on Kindle... but thank you to that first person who purchased the book from the UK Kindle store the day it was available. I hope it is the first of many millions of purchases. 
Thank you!
I’m still awaiting approval for inclusion in the iBookstore with Apple for iPad and other iOS devices. I’ll keep you posted.
Thank you!
I’m still awaiting approval for inclusion in the iBookstore with Apple for iPad and other iOS devices. I’ll keep you posted.
Fat Trainer for Nook!
05/06/11 09:05 PM
Another day, another post, another eReader!
The Fat Trainer is now available on the Nook! Both Barnes and Noble and Amazon were pretty easy to deal and very timely in getting the book listed in their stores. I am still awaiting approval for the iBookstore with Apple (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), even though it was the first place I submitted the “manuscript” for publishing. It only has been a few days though. So far, I’ll give Apple the benefit of the doubt.
I also started to get the contents of the book on Sony’s readers, but they have bigger hoops to jump through. We’ll see if it’s worth it to reformat the book again (into lowly .doc for heaven’s sake), but I’m looking into it.
Any requests for a Sony version?
So, if you’ve a Nook or a Kindle - click on the links above and let me know what you think.
Thanks!
The Fat Trainer is now available on the Nook! Both Barnes and Noble and Amazon were pretty easy to deal and very timely in getting the book listed in their stores. I am still awaiting approval for the iBookstore with Apple (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), even though it was the first place I submitted the “manuscript” for publishing. It only has been a few days though. So far, I’ll give Apple the benefit of the doubt.
I also started to get the contents of the book on Sony’s readers, but they have bigger hoops to jump through. We’ll see if it’s worth it to reformat the book again (into lowly .doc for heaven’s sake), but I’m looking into it.
Any requests for a Sony version?
So, if you’ve a Nook or a Kindle - click on the links above and let me know what you think.
Thanks!
Fat Trainer for Kindle!
05/05/11 04:26 PM
Well, blogging never has been one of my strong points. It was a nearly a year ago to the day that I recommitted to blog more... nice. Since then, I’ve managed one big post! Pretty week, I know....
I am back at it though. At least for now.
I have a very exciting announcement: The Fat Trainer is now available in the Kindle Store for all of you Kindle lovers out there. It was a two month process to reformat the book (again, again) to get it ready for Apples iBookstore, then a ten minute process to convert that format (ePub) to a Kindle appropriate format (MOBI) via Calibre.
I am still waiting to get approval to get on the iBookstore (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch). Hopefully that will just be a matter of days rather than weeks. Amazon took about one day.
I will now start to get the book on the lesser popular ebook readers out there.
I am back at it though. At least for now.
I have a very exciting announcement: The Fat Trainer is now available in the Kindle Store for all of you Kindle lovers out there. It was a two month process to reformat the book (again, again) to get it ready for Apples iBookstore, then a ten minute process to convert that format (ePub) to a Kindle appropriate format (MOBI) via Calibre.
I am still waiting to get approval to get on the iBookstore (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch). Hopefully that will just be a matter of days rather than weeks. Amazon took about one day.
I will now start to get the book on the lesser popular ebook readers out there.
I'm Still Here
05/07/10 10:12 PM
First of all, I am sorry that it has been months since my last post! Wow, I can’t believe it’s been this long. I guess the biggest reason for the delay is a combination of my wife being with child and things at my day job getting busier and busier. Well, work is still super busy, but my wife did have our little baby: a baby boy actually. Darin. Mom and child are healthy and doing well.
I have recommitted myself to blogging more often to continue to share with you my experiences and my journey towards optimal health.
I have also had the opportunity to recommit myself to better health and fitness. With the busyness of life, it sure can be hard to do what is right. Well, I’m glad that the warm weather is coming and I can start getting outside more. There is something special about fresh air and sunshine. My current strength routine is a really cool one that I learned from Mens Fitness magazine.
How about that for a random blog post. I’ll do better next time
Thank you for reading!
I have recommitted myself to blogging more often to continue to share with you my experiences and my journey towards optimal health.
I have also had the opportunity to recommit myself to better health and fitness. With the busyness of life, it sure can be hard to do what is right. Well, I’m glad that the warm weather is coming and I can start getting outside more. There is something special about fresh air and sunshine. My current strength routine is a really cool one that I learned from Mens Fitness magazine.
How about that for a random blog post. I’ll do better next time
Thank you for reading!
Switching to CreateSpace
11/10/09 09:00 PM
I’ve been mulling this over for a long time now, and I have finally put in the research to switch to a new publishing company called CreateSpace. I only just learned about CreateSpace, however. I was going to switch to Amazon’s BookSurge. I don’t know all of the ins and outs, but believe BookSurge and CreateSpace were two separate companies both owned by Amazon.
Regardless of how it all went down. I am now in the process of getting The Fat Trainer print ready to go with CreateSpace.
Because CreateSpace does not offer prints to be sold at The Fat Trainer’s current size, I have a fair amount of work to do to get the printed version ready. This will, though, allow me to add some things to the book that the smaller size didn’t do well at.
One of the things that I’m working on adding is more food recommendations. This will give you some new ideas of healthy eating options throughout your day.
The best part about this move is that it will allow me to significantly lower the price of the printed version of the book. This is very exciting to me, because I want as many people as possible to take advantage of this special book.
I will release the price when publishing is ready to go. I anticipate the switch to take most of November.
Regardless of how it all went down. I am now in the process of getting The Fat Trainer print ready to go with CreateSpace.
Because CreateSpace does not offer prints to be sold at The Fat Trainer’s current size, I have a fair amount of work to do to get the printed version ready. This will, though, allow me to add some things to the book that the smaller size didn’t do well at.
One of the things that I’m working on adding is more food recommendations. This will give you some new ideas of healthy eating options throughout your day.
The best part about this move is that it will allow me to significantly lower the price of the printed version of the book. This is very exciting to me, because I want as many people as possible to take advantage of this special book.
I will release the price when publishing is ready to go. I anticipate the switch to take most of November.
Nice Thoughts
11/04/09 08:00 AM
A received a nice compliment the other day...
Someone that I have recently met, looked up the book and gave it a read. He said he liked the way it flowed and liked its simpleness. We talked about it for a few minutes and it was really cool. I guess it is nice to have people say good things about you to you every once in a while. That is something I should work on.
Feel free to share your thoughts, comments or questions about the book with me. Thanks.
Someone that I have recently met, looked up the book and gave it a read. He said he liked the way it flowed and liked its simpleness. We talked about it for a few minutes and it was really cool. I guess it is nice to have people say good things about you to you every once in a while. That is something I should work on.
Feel free to share your thoughts, comments or questions about the book with me. Thanks.
Small Changes
07/31/09 10:49 AM
A reader of the book recently told me of some of the changes she’s trying to make in her life because of the book. She said that she is paying more attention to her heart rate when she exercises. This actually keeps her more motivated because she doesn’t have to guess at how hard she is working.
That is what makes the difference, small and simple changes. I tried to fill the book with simple things that can you can implement in your life to bring about great changes.
What changes have you made that have brought about great things? Let me know.
That is what makes the difference, small and simple changes. I tried to fill the book with simple things that can you can implement in your life to bring about great changes.
What changes have you made that have brought about great things? Let me know.
10% Off At Lulu
05/14/09 09:11 AM
Physical Copy Release
04/28/09 09:51 AM
Not Quite There
04/21/09 11:24 PM
Just a quick note. I just made a handful of small adjustments to the print version of the book. I think it is as close to perfect as I think I can get it. Lulu requires that I purchase the book and approve the physical version, so it will probably be another week before I get the book printed and shipped and approved. I am getting rather anxious to move on with promotion and other formats of the book (Kindle, audio, etc.)
Regarding Lulu, I am a little unhappy with the end-user experience. In order to purchase an ebook (or any product) the customer must register on the site. It is more than just filling out credit card info, but the customer essentially creates an account that they can log into. That is a bit disappointing.
I’m considering moving back to a google checkout/paypal or ejunkie option. I just ready to get the book officially released. Thoughts?
Regarding Lulu, I am a little unhappy with the end-user experience. In order to purchase an ebook (or any product) the customer must register on the site. It is more than just filling out credit card info, but the customer essentially creates an account that they can log into. That is a bit disappointing.
I’m considering moving back to a google checkout/paypal or ejunkie option. I just ready to get the book officially released. Thoughts?
Social Media for Small Business
04/14/09 11:04 PM
While looking for another video on AMEX’s OPEN Forum to show some coworkers the other day and found this video and thought I’d share. It is a quick couple of minutes relating to whether or not small businesses should use social networks to market their products/services.
I agree with the comment that small businesses should use social media marketing, but the communication should be authentic, relevant and useful to their audiences. Engagement, openness and dialogue should be the goal, not selling.
If you’re real, the awareness and revenue will come. (At least that’s what I’m hoping.)
Here’s the video (sorry I can’t embed it - shame on you AMEX!)
http://www.openforum.com/marketing/video_socialgood.html
I agree with the comment that small businesses should use social media marketing, but the communication should be authentic, relevant and useful to their audiences. Engagement, openness and dialogue should be the goal, not selling.
If you’re real, the awareness and revenue will come. (At least that’s what I’m hoping.)
Here’s the video (sorry I can’t embed it - shame on you AMEX!)
http://www.openforum.com/marketing/video_socialgood.html
Lulu
04/10/09 11:07 PM
Should any of you be interested in self-publishing, I just wanted to briefly touch on how my experience is so far with Lulu.com.
Lulu is a self-publishing/print-on-demand site that gives everyday people all kinds of printing options. From family calendars to photobooks to full-on books like The Fat Trainer, Lulu has a pretty wide product offering.
I am using an advanced desktop publishing software called InDesign (made by Adobe). It took me a little while to get the full bleed to fit just right, but I got it all figured out. Lulu isn’t the cheapest place in the world, taking about 20% of the revenue of each sale, but I like their site and prefer them over PayPal.
The ebook is now hosted and for sale on the Lulu’s site. The hard copy version will be available for purchase from Lulu in about a week or so. Something that I’m happy about is that I will be able to sell the audiobook version of The Fat Trainer once I get it recorded and edited.
So far, I’m happy with the experience with Lulu and will keep this blog updated if I find something new.
Lulu is a self-publishing/print-on-demand site that gives everyday people all kinds of printing options. From family calendars to photobooks to full-on books like The Fat Trainer, Lulu has a pretty wide product offering.
I am using an advanced desktop publishing software called InDesign (made by Adobe). It took me a little while to get the full bleed to fit just right, but I got it all figured out. Lulu isn’t the cheapest place in the world, taking about 20% of the revenue of each sale, but I like their site and prefer them over PayPal.
The ebook is now hosted and for sale on the Lulu’s site. The hard copy version will be available for purchase from Lulu in about a week or so. Something that I’m happy about is that I will be able to sell the audiobook version of The Fat Trainer once I get it recorded and edited.
So far, I’m happy with the experience with Lulu and will keep this blog updated if I find something new.
Whirlwind Week
04/04/09 11:19 PM
Well, it has been a whirlwind of a week. I was so crazy busy getting the book released on time, but even after it was released, I’ve been go, go, go to fill in all of the marketing cracks.
I’m getting close to getting the book on Lulu for self publishing. They have a bunch of options and I’m just trying to be sure I choose the best one for The Fat Trainer. Plus, I’m having some issues getting my InDesign file to upload correctly to their site as a PDF with a full bleed.
I’ve also been working on Facebook marketing at the personal level, and that is fun. The thing I’m still trying to figure out is Twitter. I try to tweet useful things, but also keep it at the personal level. It is a fun challenge to have.
It has been a great week. Be sure to tell your friends and acquaintances about the book now that it is released. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions or comments. Thanks!
I’m getting close to getting the book on Lulu for self publishing. They have a bunch of options and I’m just trying to be sure I choose the best one for The Fat Trainer. Plus, I’m having some issues getting my InDesign file to upload correctly to their site as a PDF with a full bleed.
I’ve also been working on Facebook marketing at the personal level, and that is fun. The thing I’m still trying to figure out is Twitter. I try to tweet useful things, but also keep it at the personal level. It is a fun challenge to have.
It has been a great week. Be sure to tell your friends and acquaintances about the book now that it is released. Also, let me know if you have any suggestions or comments. Thanks!
BOOK RELEASE
04/01/09 01:24 AM
Hello! I am back. I had to descend into the cave of getting the book ready for yesterday’s release. Well, after hours and hours and hours of work, the time is finally here. The book is done and is available for sale now.
I am really excited to have that portion of this journey done with and am now looking forward to spending more time promoting the book. I need your help though. Please tell all you know about The Fat Trainer.
I am working on getting a physical copy available to be purchased, the book Kindle ready and even an audio version. I still have lots to do.
Anyway - take a look at the book. It’s only $1.29 as a limited introductory special. Let me know what you think.
I am really excited to have that portion of this journey done with and am now looking forward to spending more time promoting the book. I need your help though. Please tell all you know about The Fat Trainer.
I am working on getting a physical copy available to be purchased, the book Kindle ready and even an audio version. I still have lots to do.
Anyway - take a look at the book. It’s only $1.29 as a limited introductory special. Let me know what you think.
E-Junkie
03/12/09 02:57 PM
As I mentioned earlier, I am getting close to finishing off the book and getting it released. We are getting very excited about the release. It is coming together nicely and I think it will be a good read for just about everyone.
I’m looking at a service provided by e-junkie.com to host and sell the book. I think that this will provide customers with a better and more reliable way to purchase the ebook. While e-junkie does support both PayPal and Google Checkout (I currently use PayPal), I am seriously considering switching to Google Checkout.
It looks like Google is more flexible and will save me money. If you have any experience with these or other suggestions, let me know.
I’m looking at a service provided by e-junkie.com to host and sell the book. I think that this will provide customers with a better and more reliable way to purchase the ebook. While e-junkie does support both PayPal and Google Checkout (I currently use PayPal), I am seriously considering switching to Google Checkout.
It looks like Google is more flexible and will save me money. If you have any experience with these or other suggestions, let me know.
Personalizing the Book
03/10/09 04:46 PM
The book is coming along well. I have it pretty much written and am now going through the long editing process. One thing that I’ve learned, now that most of my thoughts are down on paper, is that I didn’t make it personal enough in this first full draft.
I’m grateful to my wife and other editors/contributors because they’re helping it go from just your everyday run of the mill fitness book to my story and how I finally put everything together to get in shape.
Barring any big issues, we are still tracking to have it launched and released by March 31, 2009.
Please tell all of your friends.
I’m grateful to my wife and other editors/contributors because they’re helping it go from just your everyday run of the mill fitness book to my story and how I finally put everything together to get in shape.
Barring any big issues, we are still tracking to have it launched and released by March 31, 2009.
Please tell all of your friends.
Kindle to iPhone
03/04/09 02:21 PM
I just read some great news regarding Amazon’s Kindle and the iPhone. Books purchased using the Kindle format will now be readable using the Kindle app for the iPhone. This is really good news for me, as I am planning on making The Fat Trainer kindle format ready once getting the ebook finished up. I was unsure how I was going to make the transition for iPhone compatibility, however. Amazon kind of solves that issue.
I still have several format options to pursue, but was just excited to read the story about Kindle for iPhone.
I still have several format options to pursue, but was just excited to read the story about Kindle for iPhone.
Set Aside
02/21/09 09:29 PM
I’ve set aside a bunch of time next week to really hash out some good work for the book next week. It is a lot of fun to do the website, blog, tweets, and other things, but now that a lot of that is up and going I can sit down and focus on the getting the book together.
I think one of the hardest things is getting all of my thoughts organized and put on paper. I am excited to see if I can get it written by the end of the week. This will allow for editing and formatting to be done the week after. If you haven’t noticed, the book is scheduled to be released before March 31.
Check back or subscribe to the RSS feed to see how the book is coming. I’ll try to keep things updated here.
I think one of the hardest things is getting all of my thoughts organized and put on paper. I am excited to see if I can get it written by the end of the week. This will allow for editing and formatting to be done the week after. If you haven’t noticed, the book is scheduled to be released before March 31.
Check back or subscribe to the RSS feed to see how the book is coming. I’ll try to keep things updated here.
Add-ons
02/16/09 04:36 PM
I haven’t decided how or when I’m going to do it exactly, but there are a few things I’d like to do to expand the offering for The Fat Trainer.
For example, I would like to do an audio-book version, Kindle format, iPhone format and offer the book in printed format too. I know how to make the audio part, although it’d be best to get it into the iTunes store. I need to do more research on Kindle and iPhone eBooks. Physical copies also can be done at a handful of places. I’ve taken a gander at blurb and lulu.
I’m excited to see where this goes.
For example, I would like to do an audio-book version, Kindle format, iPhone format and offer the book in printed format too. I know how to make the audio part, although it’d be best to get it into the iTunes store. I need to do more research on Kindle and iPhone eBooks. Physical copies also can be done at a handful of places. I’ve taken a gander at blurb and lulu.
I’m excited to see where this goes.
Cover
02/14/09 05:52 PM
I designed my first version of the cover today. It features different shades of red (which happens to be my favorite color).
I didn’t brainstorm too long on it (although I think I’ve had the concept in my head for a while now) so I am pretty happy with it. It’ll be interesting to see how much I change it before the book is released.
Also - I’m wondering about the sub title. It is a pretty good summary of what is going on in the book, but does it have sticking power? I guess we’ll see
I didn’t brainstorm too long on it (although I think I’ve had the concept in my head for a while now) so I am pretty happy with it. It’ll be interesting to see how much I change it before the book is released.
Also - I’m wondering about the sub title. It is a pretty good summary of what is going on in the book, but does it have sticking power? I guess we’ll see
And I'm actually blogging
02/13/09 09:02 PM
Well, it is official. I am making a website, writing a book and am doing the marketing myself. And I’m actually blogging. It is pretty cool actually. Hopefully I can pull this all together and give the world a high quality product at a respectable price. I probably wouldn’t be doing a blog, but I watched this video and decided that he is probably right.
(It’s actually a pretty good video - but in case you don’t wanna watch it - the guy says you should do a blog because it helps you think, it helps you work through processes. I’ll give it a go.)
(It’s actually a pretty good video - but in case you don’t wanna watch it - the guy says you should do a blog because it helps you think, it helps you work through processes. I’ll give it a go.)