317: Writing with Purpose | Dana Malstaff

Dana Malstaff on Creating Books That Resonate

In this episode of Authors Who Lead, Dana Malstaff and I unravel the intricate tapestry of balancing extraordinary personal and professional goals, particularly through the lenses of parenthood, authorship, and entrepreneurship. This episode, rich in insights, underscores the raw honesty and emotional depth that resonate with many. It shows how individuality, unique perspectives, and mindful marketing strategies drive meaningful connections and impactful storytelling.

Embracing Life’s Chaos and Finding Balance

Dana Malstaff opens up about the all-too-familiar feeling of being a “hot mess.” In her words, this chaotic state comes from balancing doing amazing things, building a career, and loving your kids. What resonates deeply is the brutal honesty she lives by, which connects her with others who face similar struggles. It becomes evident that accepting and embracing these feelings is essential to navigating the turbulent waters of parenthood and professional life.

The Shift in Being an Expert

I challenge the traditional notion of originality in content creation. The quest for true uniqueness might not be as crucial as we think. Instead, I argue that a genuine perspective—one that evokes emotional connection and provides guidance—truly matters. This shapes how we should approach communication, driving the value of authenticity and emotional niching over mere demographic concerns.

Evolving Parenting Styles

Dana emphasizes a significant shift in parenting styles. Where once children’s opinions were conditioned to matter less, modern approaches lean towards collaboration and team orientation. Parenting, as Dana poignantly points out, is not just about nurturing but growing someone into a capable adult and allowing them their future. This collaborative spirit molds not just future generations but also enhances adult-child relationships, making them more fulfilling and supported.

Rediscovering Individual Fulfillment

For Dana, finding fulfillment and identity beyond being a parent is paramount. She stresses that to positively influence children, you must first be a robust individual. This approach not only shapes her parenting style but also fuels her “Boss Mom” concept—a legacy-worthy mission helping moms navigate the challenging interplays of career and parenting.

Writing and Marketing from Unique Angles

Creating lasting and effective content, be it a book or a blog post, requires infusing it with a unique perspective. Dana advocates self-reflection and the expression of these perspectives through writing a book. I reiterate the importance of individual uniqueness in messaging. We discuss how facing emotional blocks often requires a coach to challenge and guide you through the complexities, ensuring you stay authentic and grounded in your narrative.

The Art of Book Rewriting

Rewriting and relaunching a book is more than tweaking text; it’s realigning its core message with your evolving goals. Dana shares her plans for significantly overhauling “Boss Mom” to better reflect her long-term mission. She discusses strategies like utilizing her current audience and planning a presale to create initial momentum. I add that a book’s title should be shareable and thought-provoking to spark conversations.

The Boss Mom Movement

A notable highlight is the “Boss Mom” marketing system—“nurture to convert”—which focuses on honesty and addressing societal norms, connecting deeply with the audience. Dana designed it to validate the mixed emotions of modern moms, normalizing guilt, aspirations, and doubts. This resonates well as it brings a community under one umbrella, supporting moms in marketing and networking endeavors.

Enjoying the Journey

Dana and I advocate for enjoying the writing and publishing process. We emphasize the need to prioritize meaningful connections over hustle and fast accomplishments. My approach to entrepreneurship is to avoid rushing for quick sales, instead fostering a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.

Building Communities and Legacies

Our journey from writing books to building platforms illustrates the power of brainstorming and nurturing unique viewpoints. Dana credits my support and mind-mapping techniques as pivotal in developing “Boss Mom.” This episode highlights how such strategic brainstorming can birth successful businesses, fostering legacies that extend beyond individual triumphs.

Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.

That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start. Don’t delay—take action.