Guess what? I have three wonderful suprises for you today!
- To begin with, I’m running my very first contest!
- Secondly, I wrote a special guest post for Lorraine Reguly from Wording Well.
- The third surprise is that, together with Lorraine, we are running another contest on her blog.
Each contest will have different rules, too, so you can enter one or the other — or both, if you really want to increase your odds of winning!
What You Will Win
On The Blind Blogger, I’m offering a signed copy of my book, Leading You Out of the Darkness Into the Light PLUS one hour of free coaching to the winner to one lucky person.
On Wording Well, I’m offering the exact same two things.
I’ll tell you more about these contests in a moment, and what you have to do in order to enter each one.
First, I want to tell you how and why these contests came about, and say a few other things.
How and Why these Contests Came About
To begin, I want to express my thanks to everyone for their positive responses to my book being available in print.
When I wrote about how it felt to hold my book in my hands, I had no idea it would elicity so many wonderful responses from everyone. The support I’ve received on social media as well as in the comments section has been amazing. I am humbled to hear so many people care, and took the time to let me know.
I also didn’t know just how good a photo I had taken. Everyone says you can see my joy shining through in it, and many have said it’s the best one yet. Funny that all the way through my weight loss progress, I never took one as good as the one of me holding my book for the first time.
Now, it’s no secret that Lorraine is a great friend and supporter of mine. She is also the editor of my book, and often does online improvements for me. I sometimes have her change things on my websites, my social media pages, and my posts. When she suggested I write a post about the process from the time I finished the manuscript until it was actually available online, because this might be something people would want to hear about, I agreed. When she invited me to do it as a guest post, I jumped at the opportunity.
I have to admit that I missed the first deadline she gave me for submitting the post. I was happy to hear that it hadn’t hurt her blog by not having it when she wanted it. So, I thought I should make it up to her. From that came the idea of giving away a signed copy of the book as part of the guest post. Then I thought of also offering one hour of coaching.
Lorraine said that was great and gave me suggestions on how to do it. She explained the benefits of using comments or Rafflecopter and suggested we try both.
How to Enter the Contests
So, on her site, on the guest post I wrote, you can enter a contest to win a signed copy of my book simply by leaving a comment and explaining why you want or need my book and/or the free coaching.
On mine, you will have a simple form to fill out, through Rafflecopter, so that you can win both a copy of my book plus one hour of free coaching. I’m asking people to LIKE my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, and Tweet about these two contests. I’m also asking people to follow Lorraine on Twitter and like her Writing and Editing Services page on Facebook. Since she is the one who put this whole thing together, I wanted to do something extra for her.
How Long the Contests Will Last
Each contest will last one week.
Why I’m Being So Generous
I want people to know how much I appreciate their support for me as I’ve been on this journey. I also want them to know just how much I really want to help people. Naturally, to help more people means generating income. And getting noticed is a big part of that. So, I’m hoping these give aways will be a way to do both.
How the Winners Will Be Chosen
Through the contest on my site, the winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.
On Lorraine’s site, I’ll read through the responses and choose a winner based on what people say. The winner’s name will appear at the end of the post after a week, and I will contact that person through email, privately. From there, the winner will let me know where to send the autographed copy and we will figure out the best way to connect so that I can provide the promised hour of coaching. Generally, coaching is done through Skype or Google Hangouts, but it can also be done via phone.
Sharing is caring
With most of my posts the sharing is to help me. But in this case by sharing the post you may give someone who needs it an opportunity to get a book that may actually change their lives. Did I say that? Yes, and more importantly, I believe it. So please share with your friends, family, coworkers, and social media networks.
Thanks again. Your encouragement, love, and support has been invaluable. Remember to be kind and loving to yourself.
Take care out there now, Max.
Hi Max
Wow! This is so awesome and so gracious of you to give your book plus one day coaching.
I must definitely pass this great news to others as this is one opportunity that no should miss.
I did like your photo and I remember it was grand to see you hold your achievement in your hands.
Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Ikechi; thanks for your kind words. You have been a good and supportive friend. i believe we have both learned a lot from each other and by sharing our blogs and our journeys. wishing you all the best, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
Hey Max,
I just read your guest post over at Lorraine’s and everything you went through to make your book a reality. It reminded me of the process I went through to create my course. The content was the easy part, putting it all together for others to access was the hard part, especially when you don’t know how to do some of that.
I had some friends come to my rescue and you definitely had some as well. Lorraine has been a lifesaver for you and I’m so impressed with everything she did to help you.
I wish everyone the very best in this contest and know whoever wins your book will be so thrilled about it.
I wish everyone well and good luck.
~Adrienne
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Hi Adrienne; so glad to see you found the time to leave comments on both posts. I hope you know how much I appreciate it especially from you as you have been such a big part of my journey. And I think the fact that people showed up along the way to help both of us with our own projects shows the kind of people we are. First, we aren’t afraid to ask for help or let people know that there are things we don’t know about or things we can’t do. Second, when people offer to help, we take their advice or assistance with grace. And when things go well we openly and gladly share the credit. Your course turned out so well. My book has been a good experience over all. I learned a lot about myself and the process. And while I haven’t received as much financial rewards as I would like the sales weren’t as weak as i sometimes feared they might be. I actually wondered if ordering 12 copies of the print book was too much. 🙂 I really value your opinions, suggestions, advice, and support. You are what being a texan is all about. Can’t wait to see what life has for each of us next. god bless you my friend, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
Max — I just read your post on Lorraine’s site and, as I said there, you are some pair! In your case, 1 + 1 = more than 2. You’ve accomplished wonderful things working together. It’s quite inspiring to be following your journey,Max. I hope you sell a lot of books, you’ve worked so hard.
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Hi Jeannette; thanks so much its a real friend that will read two posts and leave comments on both. 🙂 Yes I’ve been fortunate to meet and become friends with many great people including you. I hope I sell more books. I also hope that I have other projects and adventures left in me. It seems like the book won’t sell as many as I would hope but it has done better than some predicted. I think some of my friends were just concerned that i had put so much into the book that i would be disappointed with sales. I’ve heard how its rare that a first book will sell at all much less make you money or make you rich. I only wanted to share with others in hopes of helping more people. I feel like it is a success because I completed it and learned so much about myself in the process. now just trying to find that spark to get started on what comes next. with the book it was eve koivula challenging me to write the thing in time for a summit in a few weeks. i wouldn’t have met the goal even if the summit had taken place as planned. but i did continue. so that’s what I need right now a kick in the but a challenge or a deadline. thanks again and take care, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
Hi Max, congratulations on all your accomplishments. It sounds like you and Lorraine make a great blogging/working team and have a wonderful friendship. Both are very important. I’m sure the winners will be very happy with your prizes!
Hi susan; thanks, you are so right its not always the work but the people we do it with that really matters. the goal here is to thank my readers and supporters and of course lorraine. I hope that the books and the coaching go to someone who can really use a boost. congrats on your book too. i’m looking forward to it when i can get it in audio. 😉 take care my friend. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
Hi Max,
You are everywhere these days and it is well deserved. Doing a contest is a great way for others to get on board with you. And giving free training? I see a winner here and its you!
Yes, I did comment on the picture of you on your book and your joy sure shines through. You are one inspiring person and I wish you all the best.
-Donna
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hi donna; i love your comment. everyone likes to think of themselves as a winner and we all love hearing it said about us. You know I think I am the lucky one or the blessed one. and i am looking forward to seeing who wins and what happens next. I have learned my lesson about not charging for my coaching. I even raised my prices a hard thing to do considering i haven’t had my first paying client yet. but its all about knowing you are worthy. having friends like you and reading comments like this are a great reminder. I appreciate your support sweetie. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure working with you to help make your dream a reality, Max. You continually inspire me, too! Thank you. 🙂
hi lorraine; many have commented on how well we have worked together and about our obvious friendship. so i’m glad that i met you and that i can inspire you. am looking forward to whatever the next part of my story turns out to be. and i know you will be a big part of it. take care my friend. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching
Hi Max, I hope you get tons of entries for your contests! You and Lorraine make a great team. It’s good to see you back on the BHB page!
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hi beth; thanks for the kind wishes. yes me and lorraine do work well together and she has been helpful in getting me to let lose of more control when it comes to my sites and the writing of my posts. of course i’m getting more and more comfortable with the idea of her editing my posts. hope we do get a good number of entries. I didn’t set up the raffle copter account so not sure how many we’ve had if any so far. but like with most things its not about the number its about the quality of the work and helping people. And i’m glad to be back on the BHB page too. can’t believe the previous owner of the blog zone asked someone else to take over that group without knowing they would consider all of us talented helpful supportive bloggers spammers. i was insulted. and it was very short sighted of the new owner. happy to hear they grandfathered me and a few others in because with google who knows when i’ll get to a pr2 with the new site. thanks again my friend, max
maxwell ivey recently posted…2 Contests and 2 Chances to Win A Signed Copy of My Book Plus 1 Hour of Coaching