Business

Women: How to Find a Publisher For Your Book

Published

3 years ago

June 28, 2021

Adriana Monique Alvarez has created a new framework for female authors prepared to pioneer their path in book publishing, redefining the traditional publishing model in a revolutionary way that offers a path to financial freedom for thousands of women.

The Wall Street Journal best-selling author and business coach has established a dynamic new publishing style where women deliver their message through books as part of an immersive business model.

“Finding a publisher is much easier than you think. It is right in front of you – look in the mirror,” she says.

Traditional publishing models are obsolete, says Alvarez, dominated by men in an industry that has failed to adapt to changing social environments. “Mainstream publishing houses dump on self-publishing. They called it ‘vanity publishing’ to create a negative impression. Through self-publishing, I have learned how to marry the savvy digital world and business to books that promote practical solutions within the relevant marketplace.”

Her company, AMA Publishing has developed boutique methods that create generational wealth through high-impact, high-earning publishing businesses. With six successful books under her belt, Alvarez has walked the walk. Her methods position books that transform writers into entrepreneurs by springboarding readership to other services and financial freedom.

“Turning a book into a business has worked for men such as Robert Kiyosaki who built a $100 million seminar industry from his Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It’s time for women to tell their stories without waiting for an invitation to succeed.”

Turning dreams into reality for women

Alvarez took her sharp intellect to deconstruct the publishing industry for her business consultancy clients who talked about authoring books of their own. “I had heard these dreams for long enough, and I just said, ‘well, for crying out loud. I guess you’re not going to do it’. So I researched the industry and found niche gaps and open invitations for inspired entrepreneurs to fill.” She knew she had to make the first move. “I started a publishing house for my books and grew it from there. It was a steep learning curve,” she says.

As a world-leading business consultant and veteran of 12 years of building educational modalities, she brought all of her experience to bear when tailoring her boutique publishing curriculum. “My specialty is to take well-organized ideas and promote them through a book,” she says. Her company links books about alternative healing, food, lifestyle, business coaching, therapy, and a range of other professions to the services provided by the author. “A book bestows gravitas on the writer, so I see an expert that is the foundation of a profitable business. Books can lead to podcasts, high-end coaching, and public speaking engagements. My clients are not content to leave the stage to the likes of Tony Robbins.”

Alvarez, who has mentored more than 2500 women, has witnessed her graduates make $100,000 to $500,000 in their publishing companies. Some AMA alumni have netted $75,000 from a book’s launch and then earned monthly revenues from $8,000-$30,000. Traditional book publishing usually projects that most first-time authors will make about $10,000 – in total.

In two years, she has championed 150 women to become best-selling authors. Today her company represents only writers who are ready to achieve bestseller status with The Wall Street Journal. However, she streams new talent to associated successful publishing houses led by her proteges.

Forging a new path

By taking control and running your own book publishing company, Alvarez believes that writers and entrepreneurs can bypass the stumbling blocks thrown up by traditional publishing. “I teach people how to set up and run a publishing business,” she says. “There are so many women who want to tell their story. They just need someone to come along and show them how it’s done; this is what you can do, and here is the next step.”

The way forward is to avoid the well-worn path to an agent and publisher; “After you pitch your book and get rejection after rejection, you will be convinced that you’re not good enough, and you’ll move on with your life. Old school publishing is largely a negative process for new writers, but you have to tell yourself, ‘yes, I am worthy’, and skirt the traditional system, and make your presence known to us.”

Her graduates embrace ambitious millennials who are on track to running a seven-figure business. Others include women making a career jump, and some that want to leave a legacy for their children. From young to old, she teaches them how to get published.

However, getting a book onto the shelves and out through Amazon is just one aspect of creating a business. “Reaching the number one position on Amazon can be taught, but that is not the point of writing a book.” She says that harnessing communities and self-exploration are essential to writing, researching, and editing. “My clients often find answers to philosophical questions including why they are doing what they do, what values they hold, what they stand for and who they are by going through the vigorous process of writing.”

An author also creates a solid community of people interested in what they are doing and their journey. “This community helps the author to grow and to sell their products or services,” she says.

Ordinary people with extraordinary stories

Alvarez believes that her students are ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell. She has also survived through catastrophe, having endured the stillbirth of her daughter Nina while living in Albania.

“Having success and optimism is one part of the picture that also reaches into grief, pain, and loss. The method that I teach is a deep process and has an emotional impact on women as they explore past experiences that may include trauma, violence, and loss. If I had not swum in deep waters, I don’t think I could teach the course,” she says.

Alvarez released her latest book, How to Create a Six-Figure Publishing Business in June 2021. Then, in July, she will launch The Younger Self Letters – How Successful Leaders Turn Trials into Triumphs. Both books are already bestsellers on Amazon, giving further inspiration to a broad audience of women for whom she holds the key to a new path in publishing success.

Business

Opportunities for Black Banx in Emerging Markets

Published

18 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Matthew Wiles

A significant digital transformation is underway in the world of finance, marked by the emergence of non-bank innovators offering a diverse array of financial technology products and services. This transformation is not confined to established markets; rather, it extends its reach into emerging economies, offering a compelling digital alternative to traditional banking institutions. These alternatives are particularly vital in addressing the issue of financial exclusion, which has left substantial populations underserved by traditional banking systems.

Among these innovative digital banking entities stands Black Banx, a fintech brand dedicated to fostering financial inclusion in emerging markets by seamlessly integrating banking services into digital ecosystems. Founded in 2014 as a visionary concept by German billionaire Michael Gastauer, Black Banx swiftly evolved into a global force in the global financial market Officially launched in 2015, the institution rapidly garnered international recognition, extending its services to 180 countries and territories from its inception. Within a mere 12 months of operation, Black Banx amassed over 1 million customers, marking its initial expansions in key regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. At present, with a customer base exceeding 40 million as of February 2024, Black Banx stands as one of the fastest-growing digital banks not only in developed countries but also in emerging markets.

What Are Emerging Markets?

An emerging market mostly describes the economic landscape of a developing nation progressively engaging with global markets during its growth trajectory. These economies possess some but not all of the defining characteristics of developed markets, which typically exhibit robust economic growth, high per capita income, well-established equity and debt markets, foreign investor accessibility, and a reliable regulatory framework, according to Investopedia.

As emerging market economies evolve, they tend to integrate more deeply into the global economy. This integration fosters increased liquidity within local debt and equity markets, heightened trade volume, and augmented foreign direct investment. Moreover, these economies witness the emergence of modern financial and regulatory institutions as they transition from low-income, less developed, often pre-industrial states to modern industrial economies with elevated standards of living.

With improving standards of living, the demand for financial security and opportunities escalates, underscoring the pivotal role of banking services. However, traditional banks face challenges stemming from bureaucratic processes and sometimes limited services. Conversely, fintech firms are gaining prominence owing to their convenience, user-friendly interfaces, and expedited signup procedures. Furthermore, their accessibility anytime and anywhere with internet connectivity enhances their appeal to the public.

Strong Demand for Financial Technology

The surge in digital banking adoption, particularly conspicuous in emerging markets, owes much to innovations originating in these regions. For instance, nearly nine out of ten consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, encompassing both emerging and developed markets, actively utilize digital banking services, with a significant portion expressing openness to expanding their usage through digital channels.

Enthusiastic adoption of fintech tools and e-wallets among consumers in emerging markets has propelled the market penetration of these innovative solutions beyond levels observed in developed markets. In the emerging Asia-Pacific region, the penetration of fintech apps and e-wallets surged to 54 percent in 2021, compared to 43 percent in the developed segment. This is indicative of the accelerating shift towards fintech transactions and services, as per McKinsey & Company.

A portmanteau of finance and technology, fintech refers to the burgeoning industry of companies utilizing computer programs and other technologies to provide support or enable banking and other financial services. In developed nations, there’s been a rapid expansion and adoption of fintech technologies ever since businesses and even governments started accepting digital financial transactions as a standard mode of payment. But even in emerging markets, the demand for fintech has also skyrocketed as more people report a diminishing reliance on cash for weekly expenditures.

Identifying Opportunities in Emerging Markets

Launching a successful digital bank entails navigating a myriad of challenges, irrespective of the market’s maturity. However, digital banking in emerging markets presents its own unique set of hurdles, particularly in securing widespread adoption among mass-market consumers. To thrive in any market landscape, a digital bank must first establish meaningful access to its target customers. While the initial interaction may appear straightforward in the digital realm, the reality proves more nuanced.

The proliferation of digital advertising notwithstanding, capturing customer attention remains a formidable task, compounded by the intricacies of onboarding procedures, even for digitally savvy clients. Moreover, the reliance on app downloads as a precursor to engagement further heightens the barriers to entry as first-time users may find them intimidating.

Building a solid trust relationship with customers is important for digital banks to maximize their opportunities in emerging markets. Trust, arguably the linchpin of sustained usage, demands meticulous investment in creating positive onboarding experiences and fostering comprehension of banking channels and products. However, achieving this trust quotient is not easy, especially in emerging markets with lower access to financial services and digital literacy.

Black Banx’s Success in Emerging Markets

Black Banx is a digital bank focused on empowering financial inclusion in emerging markets by integrating banking into digital ecosystems. It was founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer who always believed that well-designed financial services have the potential to uplift even the most marginalized segments of society, providing them with enhanced economic opportunities.

Consequently, Black Banx is steadfast in its mission to promote financial inclusion while harnessing the advancements within the fintech landscape. Today’s digital technologies offer unprecedented tools to reconstruct banking paradigms, especially for those underserved by traditional financial institutions, with smartphones and laptops serving as gateways to financial empowerment. But while Black Banx makes use of the most advanced fintech technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence, it delivers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate user experience through its website and mobile app so even the inexperienced or less tech-savvy consumers won’t have a hard time using its platform to carry out financial transactions.

With his expertise and decades of experience in the financial industry, Gastauer has a keen eye for trends and what works in different markets. So instead of delivering different experiences for developed and emerging markets, the renowned fintech mogul opted to roll out the same suite of services to both because of his motivation to realize financial inclusion and offer only the best banking experience to all. As such, Black Banx facilitates seamless transitions between physical and digital currencies and even cryptocurrencies. The digital bank also tailors its channels to accommodate customers at various stages of their digital journey, ensuring that they feel guided every step of the way until they achieve their financial goals. All of these contribute to Black Banx’s success in emerging markets.