Dr. D. Anthony Miles is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning researcher, award-winning professor, statistician, legal expert witness, business expert and best-selling author. Dr. Miles is a nationally known startup and marketing expert. He is also a forensic marketing expert. He has appeared in the national media for his expertise.
He is CEO and Founder, of Miles Development Industries Corporation, a consulting practice and venture capital acquisition firm. He is also host and executive producer of Game On Business Talk Radio Show.
He was a Visiting Professor. He has presented his research at conferences around the country. Most notably he has presented at Stanford University. He was invited to Harvard University by the Harvard Business School (HBS).
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up writing a book?
My background is pretty varied. I am a nationally-known startup marketing expert and a leading forensic marketing authority. I am a serial entrepreneur, an awarding-winning researcher, professor, statistician, legal expert witness, best-selling author, and have my own consulting practice and venture capital acquisition firm. I have about twenty plus years’ experience in retail, banking, and financial services industries, and won numerous awards, and has been featured on national media outlets.
I ended up writing this book from based on my frustration on the lack of books of forensic marketing investigation methods. The book was created from my marketing work and research on investigative research in business. There were not any good books on forensic marketing like books that were available for forensic accounting and forensic economics. There was a serious dearth in the area of marketing. I felt my book would fulfill that need for a book on forensic marketing.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I hope that readers take away from my book, it the practice of forensic investigation. I hope the readers learn the basics of critical thinking and investigative problem solving for business. My book can help readers learn the basics of forensic marketing investigation.
What are the top three tools you are currently using to write, publish, and promote your books?
Let’s see. I use Microsoft Word, obviously. I use an editing software called StyleWriter. Very good software. Lastly, I use social media platforms as a tool (Twitter, Linkedin, Amazon Author Central).
What were the top three mistakes you made publishing your book what did you learn from it them?
Oh wow, that’s a good question. First, getting my work published with a bad publisher. That was a big mistake. Second, not promoting my book to the right audience. That is really key. Targeting the right audience is key. Last, I would say mistakes in distribution. I made a mistake with my other books with not understanding distribution. That is key is understand who and where they distribute your book.
When will you consider your book a success?
I will consider my book as success, when it is used in college MBA programs. That would be a good measure of success including book sales as well.
Sure, marketing is not what you say to the audience but it is what they hear. If you can’t communicate your message or its confusing to the audience it is game over.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge has been overcoming writer’s block. The way I overcome it is to take a break and reset. That is the way I do it. Sometimes, as authors we put our soul into our book and it can consume us.
What is the one thing you wish you knew before publishing your book?
I wish they I knew the industry a little better. It is a big hurdle if you do not have a literary agent. It would help to have some representation. However, it is better now for authors. You can publish your book independently without a major publisher. The industry has changed and it is more author friendly.
One of my marketing techniques is to hire a publicist that is reasonable priced. You want them to get you media interviews (radio, podcasts, tv shows, national media). They can get you access to people and shows. Second, have a marketing and PR plan.
If you had the chance to start your career over again what would you do differently?
If I had a chance to start my career over, I would have tried to find my niche a bit sooner. I had no idea that I would be a book author. I built my career and body of work by my expertise. This came from my background and business experience. If I had a time machine, I would have developed my skill in starting a business much earlier. Sometimes, things happened when they are supposed to, not when you want them to. This propelled me into a different arena that I was not accustomed to.
I have three books that I would recommend to read. “Cashflow Quadrant” by Robert Kiyosaki. Next is “Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun” by the late Reginald Lewis and Blair Walker, about the first black billionaire. Last, would be “The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing” by Al Ries and Jack Trout.
If you only had $1,000 dollars to promote a new book, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
I would invest in a good publicist that is affordable. They are just good at what they do. However, you can’t hire a good enough publicist for a crappy book. It’s not going to work. Book marketing is a different animal. Most authors do not know the first thing about book marketing.
That is a great question. Wow, if I could offer any advice, my best advice for authors is to try and find a strong purpose for giving your book to the public. Ask yourself why is this important to an audience? Some authors cannot do that. Second, find your niche and have a good value proposition for your book idea. However, just because it is a good idea does not mean it would be a good book. Try and find your niche and bring something to the market that would be interesting and a game changer.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is by Damon John: “What happens to you is only 20% of the problem. How you deal with it is 80% of the problem.”
Who should we interview next and why?
Oh wow, that is a good question. I would interview Robert Kiyosaki, author of “Cashflow Quadrant.” if possible. He would be excellent on the entrepreneurship revolution we are having right now.
Random Bonus: With the game on the line and 5 seconds on the clock, who takes the last shot? Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Lebron James?
Hahahahaha, I am old school, I would say Michael Jordan all the way!
How can we get in touch with you?
My email is dmiles@MDIcorpventures.com and my website is mdicorpventures.com. That is how you can get a hold of me. Also, You can buy my book “How to Get Away With Murder in Marketing: Forensic Marketing”.
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