Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business processes to revealing our personal history, we all have a natural desire to share our experiences with the world. As a result, bookstore shelves are packed with numerous titles that promise to entertain, enlighten, and educate readers.
Perhaps, then, the old saying that "everyone has at least one book in them" is true. If so, how do you know whether your current idea really is book worthy or if it needs some fine-tuning to have maximum marketability?
Before you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), put your book idea to the test. Use the following questions as a way to hone your idea's development and create a manuscript destined for the best-seller list.
Many new authors face the challenge of wanting to give too much information at once. Instead of focusing on one specific idea, they try to wrap multiple concepts into one book. This approach not only makes it difficult to organize your book, but it also overwhelms your readers.
With any good book, you can state the book's specific purpose in 10 words or less. Realize that your purpose is not the same as your theme or plot. The book's purpose is what you specifically want the reader to do or think as a result of reading your book. Now, a statement such as "to live a better life" or "to run a better business" is not specific. A purpose is not a generalization. It's a specific action that you motivate the reader to embark upon.
For example, if you're writing a business book, your purpose should be to help your readers improve one specific business function, such as its marketing efforts, its customer service, its project management, etc. Your purpose should not be "to teach business executives how to create better marketing materials, deliver improved customer service, establish long-term customer relations, increase employee retention, and locate the best new talent." That's simply too much for one book to cover. Keep your purpose specific so you can deliver targeted and useful information.
While you certainly want a large audience to market your book to, you also want an audience that's targeted to your topic. Simply stating that your audience is "business people" or "women" or "the general public" is not a targeted audience. Why? Not all business people have the same concerns, not all women are interested in the same topics, and not everyone in the general public will be able to identify with your ideas.
When you narrow your audience to include those with a specific tie to your theme or who fit a certain demographic, you gain a marketing edge that can position your book more effectively. So instead of stating that your audience is "business people," perhaps you can narrow it down to "company owners," "middle management," or "entrepreneurs." Rather than target the broad category of "women," you'd have better sales by focusing on "women over age 50," "working moms," or "single women under age 35." All these categories consist of a large number of people, yet they are narrow enough so you can streamline your message.
If you want people to invest the time and money to read your book, you have to tell them something new. Too many authors attempt to reword or rehash old ideas that others have stated over and over. While you should use other people's works to substantiate claims or add credibility to your message, make sure your central idea is fresh and unique.
How can you make sure your approach is new? Incorporate the results of a survey you personally conducted. Include case studies from your own business or life. Interview people who can contribute facts and information. Add elements of yourself to punctuate your message. This is your book, so tell your story or stance on an issue.
Many authors are afraid to state a new opinion on a topic that others have covered. They think they may turn people off or offend. Remember that people like controversy, so if your book can stir things up and make people think twice about something, you'll have a greater chance of creating a buzz about your book.
You could have the best idea in the world, but if your text is filled with errors, is poorly organized, or is difficult to understand, no one will want to read it. Before you write too much of your book, brush up on your writing skills by attending a writing class, studying a writing guide, or hiring a writing coach to help you correct your writing challenges. Also, educate yourself on what writing style appeals to your audience, and then strive to imitate that style. Gear your writing to your intended audience as much as possible.
If you're unsure whether your writing skills make the grade, consult with a professional editor or ghostwriter who can rework your writing and bring it up to publishing standards. Don't let poor writing skills ruin your best-selling idea.
Start Writing Now
Writing a book is no small undertaking. When you can answer "yes" to each of the above questions, you'll be on your way to transforming your idea into a publishable piece of work. Take the time to nurture and develop your idea before you start writing so you can be sure to create the best book possible. A little pre-planning and foresight is all it takes to give your book the most market appeal.
About The Author
Dawn Josephson is president and founder of Cameo Publications, an editorial and publishing services firm based in Hilton Head Island, SC. She is also the author of Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books. For more information, please visit www.cameopublications.com.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Creative Writing Tips ?What a plot is and what a... Read More
Story Structure Templates are the fastest way to write screenplays.... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
Is it possible to improve your writing instantly? The answer,... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline?Outlines... Read More
Dream that your book can be a number one best... Read More
Freewriting is a release from the prison of rules. It... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Mix a martini, don't forget the olives, or pour yourself... Read More
Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we... Read More
If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English,... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?It should.A theme is a one-line explanation... Read More
Or do you?Writers write. You shouldn't wait around for inspiration... Read More
The principle for writing good screenplays begins with good idea... Read More
LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More
You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips ?We all have different tastes in... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding... Read More
Writer's forums are bustling with debate over whether or not... Read More
What a wonderful resource the Internet is!Students find information to... Read More
As an International language, English has been used widely in... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
The only way to become a writer is to write.... Read More
Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More
Verb and SubjectIncorrect:"I bet you two had a fine time,"... Read More
Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one... Read More
As writers, we initially tend to be either more cerebral... Read More
When most people consider writing a book, they don't think... Read More
Obtaining the skills for writing good business correpondence is important;... Read More
I'm in the process of moving from one computer to... Read More
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide.... Read More
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
The first step in the writing process is to put... Read More
You might not need any memoir writing help, per se,... Read More
"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More
You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More
The decision to publish a book is very exciting! It... Read More
All Writers need the press, especially new writers. As a... Read More
Writing |