In Beating Asthma: Seven Simple Principles, allergist Stephen Apaliski, MD, provides a straightforward plan for combating an illness that more than 25 million Americans struggle with every day, 30% of them children. What’s new about this book compared to others in the marketplace? It provides an inside look at treating asthma from the allergist’s perspective.

What many people don’t know is that asthma outcomes are better when patients work with specialists such as allergists or pulmonologists. In Beating Asthma, Dr. Apaliski shares the seven most potent strategies that he and many other allergists use for getting patients’ asthma back under control.

These strategies range from understanding the problem—asthma is a chronic condition that must be managed every day—to using the right tests at the right time to stay on top of your lung health. Asthma patients (and asthma parents) are also instructed on how to design a customized asthma-action plan that identifies when a patient is safely in the green zone versus the red zone—when an emergency call to 911 must be made.

Beating Asthma represents one of those must-have, no-nonsense books for anyone with this particular health condition. It’s for those who have been struggling with asthma for years who seek a better way, as well as those who have been recently diagnosed. Even those with mild asthma can benefit; the book’s strategies are like a life-insurance policy against that one unexpected day that an acute episode of asthma pops up. Unfortunately, triggers such as chemicals, air pollution, allergens, and even certain medications can all cause serious, surprise attacks.

StyleMatters had the pleasure of helping Dr. Apaliski develop the outline for Beating Asthma as well as edit the manuscript, lay out the text, and design the book cover and website. Are we biased in our positive review of the book? Maybe. But if you or a loved one has asthma, don’t let that bias get in your way. Beating Asthma may just be the most important book you purchase this year.

This month is National Asthma month: spread the word about this helpful guide for those you think may care by letting them know about www.beatingasthma.com.

These days, everyone wants to grow and develop…the question is—how do you engage in that growth without burning yourself out? Executive business coach and world champion martial artist Doug Autenrieth doesn’t provide a pre-packaged answer; instead, he offers an interactive roadmap to help you find your own way.

Grow on Purpose: The Nine Disciplines of Sustainable Growth is one of those books that you read over and over again not just for its wisdom but for its masterful way of getting you to find your own personal answers. The book will take you along the path of nine powerful disciplines that, when practiced, will help you grow and develop not just today and tomorrow, but over the long-term.

Living, Learning, Planning, Practicing, Restoring, Attracting, Loving, Creating, and Centering.  It’s that simple. Or it’s that hard. As Autenrieth tells us, there’s no delegation when it comes to personal development; this particular journey is all about you.

That being said, the book has a way of easing the process. Each chunk of wisdom offered is presented in a one- or two-page passage that reads like the most enjoyable poetry you’ve ever read and makes you wonder if there wasn’t a touch of divine inspiration from the Eastern masters themselves. Questions also get asked along the way—in individual passages as well as end-of-chapter discovery questions—so that while batteries are not included, self-reflection is.

Choose great teachers and listen. Have a bias for action. Make the shift from consumer to creator. These are just a few of the book’s principles to play with.

Want to learn more? Drop us an email to preorder the book at info@style-matters.com or come visit our booth at CAM San Antonio (May 17-19) for a free signed preview copy (while supplies last).

Do you have an important or fascinating story to tell? Employing a ghostwriter can turn your story into a captivating book. Many memoirists struggle with where to begin and end their stories, or with pacing their narratives. A professional ghostwriter knows exactly how to structure your story so that it’s immediately engaging.

A ghostwriter also understands the importance of creating a compelling voice. People with great stories are not necessarily great writers; a ghostwriter can give your story the polish and craft it deserves. Whether you’re compiling a memoir as a legacy project to leave for loved ones, hoping to find a home with a traditional publisher, or intending to self-publish, you want to create a book that’s as professionally put together as possible. A professional ghostwriting service will build a friendly, trustworthy—and confidential—relationship with you, and will provide the support you need to get your story out into the world.

Maybe you’ve been meaning to sit down and write a book for months or years, but simply haven’t been able to find the time. Working with a ghostwriter or book developer ensures not only that your book gets written, but that it gets written in a timely manner. Why spend your time telling yourself that someday you’ll write a book when that book could be written now? Take the proverbial bull by the horns—let someone with a track record of success help you bring that book into the world.

You have a valuable story to tell. Enhance your ROI by ensuring it’s told in the best possible way. A professional ghostwriter will do more than just write your book; he or she will structure your story, make sure your book gets finished, and deliver a professional, publication-ready finished product. A book developer can work with you to package your book for self-publishing, or help you perfect your pitch and send the manuscript out to traditional publishers.

Don’t sell yourself short—invest in your story! Authors who have put their trust in a high-quality ghostwriting service have seen as much as a 500% on their ROI. Your story is worth telling; make sure it’s told well.

While at CAM, you’ll experience a stress-free environment that encourages high-voltage conversation, emotional connections, and fruitful collaboration. This is an experience that you won’t want to miss.

Join StyleMatters and an impressive team of Conversation Starters at the 2012 CAM Conference!

Didn’t get an invite? Request an invitation here!

Connect with StyleMatters before, during, and after the conference via Twitter (@Style_Matters).

StyleMatters will be a sponsor at the 9th annual Capital Coaches Conference hosted by ICF Metro DC. If you’re a coach and you’ll be in the DC area on Thursday, June 7th, please be sure to stop by and check out our booth!

The CCC is a great opportunity to meet and network with other local coaches. This year’s keynote speakers are Mallika Chopra, Author, Speaker and Founder and CEO of Intent.com, she will discuss “The Power of Intent”, Alan Fine, Author, Performance Coach and Collaborator of the GROW Model, he will present “Reducing Interference that Blocks Performance” and Deborah Frieze, Author and Creator of the Berkana Exchange will present “No One Is Coming to Help. Now What?”

Connect with StyleMatters before, during, and after the conference via Twitter (@Style_Matters).

See you there!

Registration Details:

Register for the event here before June 5, 2012.

Details:

June 7, 2012

7:30am-6:30pm

George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus

Johnson Center

440 University Drive

MSN 3G3

Fairfax, VA 22030

Attending professional conferences can be overwhelming if you don’t take the time to plan your conference experience beforehand. Before you head out the door and jump on that plane, prepare with these tips:

(1)    Never stop taking notes

Take notes during panels. Take notes on the business cards you collect. The sheer amount of information that you will be taking in is simply too much to process and remember.

At the end of each day, take 15 minutes to organize your notes and clarify anything that might be confusing. This allows you to compile the information gleaned during your conference into a single, cohesive document, rather than a mass of business cards and notes scribbled in margins.

Further, take the time to make a running to-do list inspired by your convention experience. This will help you keep the momentum going when you finally head home.

(2)    Ask those who have gone before

If this is your first time at a professional conference, connect with veteran attendees on online. Search for the conference’s hashtag and engaged in conversation with other attendees. Find the Facebook page to connect with others who will be there. Ask questions about what to expect. Engage with colleagues who have attended in the past.

(3)    Don’t be shy

Introduce yourself to strangers. Strike up conversations with people in elevators or in between sessions. Everyone is there to network and build their contacts, so don’t be afraid to approach new people.

(4)    Schedule breaks

It’s tempting to pack your schedule to “get the most” out of your convention experience, but it’s important to have downtime to process information and keep your mind and body sharp. If you’re not at the top of your game, you’re missing out.

(5)    Wear comfortable shoes

This one may seem silly, but many conference-goers have had their experience sullied by their shoes. The days are long and, if you’re wearing uncomfortable shoes, you’ll regret it. There’s nothing worse than not being able to concentrate on what someone’s saying because all you can focus on is how much your feet hurt!

As a habitual convention attendee. I love to meet new people and learn new things, so I’ve got packing and planning for a professional conference down to a science. If you’re heading out to a conference, take a look at these helpful tips to streamline your pre-conference planning process:

(1)   Outfits!

Think ahead and plan your wardrobe for the conference, packing outfits together rather than simply tossing random articles of clothing into your suitcase a few hours before your plane takes off. Get specific, too! For each day, select everything you’ll need from your socks and shoes to your accessories!

(2)   Takin’ care of business

Take inventory on your business cards now. If you don’t have enough, get them ordered well in advance and don’t forget them on the kitchen table! Sites like Overnight Prints produce quality cards at a reasonable price. Save extra cash by doing a quick Google search for coupon codes.

(3)   Can you hear me now?

Convention centers are notorious for terrible cell service that leaves your phone searching for a signal… and dead by noon. Make sure to pack a charger in your daytime bag to give your phone a boost at a coffee shop.

(4)   Know where you’re going

Know your schedule…and, just in case, keep a copy on your phone. And, for good measure, keep a hardcopy in your daytime bag, as well (just in case your phone is dead!). Keep your schedule as detailed as possible, including room numbers for each of your events.

(5)   It’s all about who you know

Connect with convention attendees prior to the convention through social media like Twitter. Seek out the popular hashtags to follow conversations and possibly take part in a Tweet-up or two.

(6)   Avoid the dreaded “conference crud”

All too often, you leave a conference exhausted and, within a day or two, you’re too sick to crawl out of bed. Avoid the post-convention sickness by staying hydrated, sanitizing your hands, and taking vitamin C supplements before, during, and after you convention experience.

What are your essentials for conference preparation?

The Internet is a social medium. We blog, Facebook, Tweet, and Tumbl to have conversations.

By participating in these conversations, we build connections, grow our networks, and even make friends.

In many ways, blogs and Twitter have become the new intellectual “salons” where people hang out to trade ideas, opinions, and feelings. Establishing yourself as a regular is a great way to forge connections with other people in your field. And, if you ever write a book or launch a product yourself and want to set up a blogging tour, those relationships are going to be vital to making it happen.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at an empty comment field for half an hour, trying to think of the wittiest, most insightful, or most original thing to say, don’t worry—becoming a master commenter is easier than you think. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Answer a question.

Many bloggers end their posts with a question related to their topic, such as “Would you self-publish?” or “What do you think about the new Mac OS?” Some bloggers even ask questions just for fun, like “What’s your favorite break-up song?”

Questions like this are the perfect place to start your commenting career. You don’t need to think up a brilliant new angle on the topic or worry about introducing yourself—all you need to do is chime in with your answer.

Share a personal experience.

If you have a personal connection to an issue raised in a blog, or expertise in a certain field, go ahead and share it. You might say something like “I self-published a book last year and I would definitely put more thought into cover design if I did it again” or “As an interaction designer, I find the new OS frustrating because…”

It’s okay to talk about yourself in a comment. After all, the person blogging is sharing tons of their personal experiences and/or expertise—by reciprocating, you’re establishing a relationship and adding value to the discussion.

Commiserate.

Studies have shown that complaining, gossiping, and other “negative” forms of communication actually play a key role in establishing feelings of friendship and solidarity. So if your target blogger just posted a rant or a lament, why not comment saying “I hear you, brother!” or “I was disappointed by that movie, too.”

Commiserating can create a feeling of closeness, even among strangers. Just like strangers in a coffee shop can connect by trading gripes about the terrible weather, strangers on a blog can find common ground by chatting about the things that get their goat.

Share a link.

Have you read an article somewhere else that sheds light on your blogger’s topic? Drop a link into your comment with a quick note explaining why you’re sharing it. You might say: “There was an article about this in the Washington Post recently—here’s the link” or “Have you seen this interview with the director? Neat stuff.”

Say “thank you.”

Sometimes, a blog post doesn’t lend itself to much discussion. If you’ve read something entertaining, moving, or useful, you can always poke your head in and say “thank you,” “beautiful post,” or “this made my day.”

Show some personality.

Some commenters have an intellectual style. Others are funny, argumentative, or just plain friendly. Everybody’s commenting style is different, just like the various regulars at a coffee shop can be counted on to be sarcastic, flirtatious, or shy. Your commenting style is something that will emerge with time—you shouldn’t force it or feel that you have to act a certain way. Just be yourself, and soon commenting will come as naturally to you as ordering your “usual” drink.

Come back often.

The most important part of being a regular is just showin’ up. Week by week, post by post, you’ll develop a presence and personality that others will start to recognize. You’ll get to know the other commenters, and they’ll get to know you. You might not realize it, but bloggers find just as much inspiration and fresh ideas from their regular commenters as readers get from their favorite blogs.

Commenters are a crucial part of the blogging ecosystem, and becoming a great one is an increasingly valuable social skill.

Will Your Book Stand Out?

You wouldn’t let an amateur perform open-heart surgery or build your house—so why does your self-publishing project deserve any less than the best? You’ve worked hard to make sure your book is as good as it can be. Let a professional book designer perfect the package so your message reaches its audience.

Elegant, professional book design looks effortless—but it certainly isn’t effortless to create! Flawless book design requires technical expertise, advanced knowledge, and a keen eye. The best book design is done with expensive, complicated software that can take years to master.

The fact is, people do judge books by their covers. If you’re self-publishing, a well-designed, eye-catching cover is absolutely essential. No matter the strength of your message, readers won’t make it past bad cover design. An unprofessional package will hurt sales and hamper your ability to reach your target audience. You wouldn’t want a layperson painting the roof of the Sistine Chapel, so why would you want anything less than a professional cover design? A beautiful cover is a masterpiece—and a good cover designer is an artist.

What about the interior of your book? A book designer won’t stop at the cover—he or she will focus on the inside of the book, too. A well-laid-out book takes thought and technical expertise, but interior design is as important as the exterior. Good typography and layout increases readability and sets your book apart. Sleek, professional design will make sure your message isn’t obscured by your medium.

Professional book design and layout, however, is about more than just a great cover and internal design. A book designer will also format and design your eBook. The eBook world is constantly changing; unless you spend your days working in eBook design and eBook conversion, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with current trends and formats. Proper formatting allows your eBook to be sold on all the major sites. Don’t alienate your audience by only publishing for a single platform! An eBook developer will make sure your book is available in every format, and will work with you to make sure your book is available through as many sales platforms as possible.

You’ve worked hard to put together a book that will grab readers’ attention. Now, make sure your package is as appealing as your message. Showcase your hard work by hiring a professional book designer to do the design work. You deserve an eye-catching layout that will boost sales and increase interest. Don’t let a bad cover or technical flaws turn readers off before they give your book a chance. Investing in your self-published book will give you the added boost needed to set your work apart. A great design and a well-executed platform will increase sales and reader recommendations. Remember, the greatest story in the world isn’t worth much without an audience! Increase your appeal and marketability with a product whose design is as strong as its content.

The line between legacy publishing and self-publishing is blurring more every day, and forward-thinking writers are taking their careers into their own hands by putting out their work themselves. But if you’re one of the many writers considering self-publishing, it’s important to know the hallmarks of a stellar self-published book. As diverse as the market is, successful self-published books tend to have a few key characteristics in common:

1. They’re well-written and carefully edited. Want people to take your book seriously? Then you should, too. The fact is, even the greatest writers often aren’t the best editors, and it can be particularly difficult to edit your own work. Consider hiring a professional book developer or copyeditor to make sure your work is in the best possible shape. Employing a professional editor strengthens your book—and that can strengthen your sales!

2. They’re professionally designed. Fact is, people do judge books by their covers, and an appealing, well-designed cover sets the tone for what’s contained within. Plenty of readers are put off by bad covers—don’t let sloppy design or ill-chosen images damage your book sales! Investing in a professional designer is a great way to ensure your books are attention-grabbing for the right reason. A book designer can also help you create an appealing and well-designed layout.

3. They’re effectively marketed. There are about as many ways to market a book as there are people writing—and not all of those strategies are effective. With the right tools, you can do a fantastic job of getting your audience’s attention. Social media combined with a well-designed, SEO-focused website can grow your platform and boost your sales.

Cover these three basics and you’ll be more than ready to write, publish, and sell your self-published book. But don’t worry if any one of these factors seems particularly daunting; there’s a bevy of expert book developers standing by who can help you edit to perfection, create the cover of your dreams, or develop a whip-smart marketing plan guaranteed to get readers’ attention. Self-publishing doesn’t have to mean going it alone.