Writers often get stuck because they make assumptions about writing, finishing, publishing, and promoting their books. A recent client confessed that he thought a book was just too big a project. Using professional, respected information, writers can finally realize their book dream.
1. They postpone writing their book.
I don't know an author who is sorry they wrote a book. They only wish they had written it sooner. Speakers can expand a talk; coaches can expand how-to articles; business people can share tips and short information pieces. Everyone put out a
salable, respected book. They sell well today-on the Internet, at back-of-the-room, and can be a great boost to your credibility as a professional.
2. They write chapter one and other chapters before investing marketing time in the essential "Seven Hot Selling Points," one being writing the book's thesis.
The thesis evolves from answering what one major challenge or problem your book will solve. If the author can't answer his potential buyers question "Why should I buy your book?" clearly, quickly and concisely, he won't sell many copies. Another advantage of writing the thesis before writing the chapters is that the writer will write more focused, compelling copy, saving time not going off track or writing two books under one cover.
The thesis for Time Management for the Creative Person, by Lee Silber, is "Offers right-brain strategies for stopping procrastination, getting control of the clock and calendar and freeing up your time and your life."
3. They think they have to be an expert, great writer, or do mountains of research.
Write books on subjects you have passion for, and want to learn more about. As you research, interview, and write, you become the expert. Rough out what questions your readers will want answered; organize them in categories, which can then
become the table of contents and the actual chapter titles. Know your book's message is significant, and has readers who want and need it.
4. They aren't sure their book is significant enough to warrant their love, attention, and time.
If your book shares something new, something unique, something useful, it is significant enough to be written. Think about your audience out there, what they want and need. Think about yourself too. We each need to share our gifts with others. If we don't, we stagnate, wither and stop the natural flow.
Whether your book becomes a great seller or not, write it because you can. Expect rewards too. "Affluere" from the Latin meaning to flow, translates to affluence. The more you put your self into your book; the more rewards will flow your way.
5. They wonder if their book will sell.
Plentiful markets or your preferred audience want your information. Whether you write personal growth, how-tos, business, or even poetry, your audience awaits your talent.
When you stir their emotions with specific benefits, they will pay the price. Check out what is on the bookstore shelves, and on web publishing sites to see what's selling well. Self-help sells well, so do mysteries, parent/children, romance and sex.
6. They think they are alone is a long, difficult project.
Use your friends and associates to brainstorm with you. Let them give you feedback on the title, thesis, and one chapter at a time. They become peer editors, and also will give you even better words and ideas than yours to help make your book dream a reality. Take a community college, teleclass, or adult school class in book writing and publishing. Research on the Web. Subscribe to newsletters on book writing, publishing, and marketing. When the time is right, hire a book coach.
7. They think publishing is too long, too expensive, and too difficult.
With the eBook and Print Quality Needed (PQN) and Print on Demand (POD) printing technologies, an author can get their professional looking book out within a month, a few months, but definitely in less time than with traditional publishing.
With coaching and other professional services for parts of the project, the author is already selling books before they are printed -and writing at least three times faster, at practically nothing to one-third the cost. One client, Daisy Williams, of "Some Daisies Do Tell" sold 100 copies before she printed through PQN. Think of the cash flow she created to invest in advanced marketing.
Rethink your former assumptions about book writing. You can quickly correct them when you do a little more investigating.
Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free articles. Email her at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Way back in your early school years, you were probably... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a... Read More
On my first newspaper assignment as a critic, I was... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
Dave, I just got a contract for a book... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More
There are three ways to write a first draft. One... Read More
The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demand publishing... Read More
One obvious question that can get overlooked in the process... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
The biggest mistake authors make when trying to get free... Read More
Real Estate has "Location, location, location," and writing has "Clips,... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
Among the various foolproof methods used to boost traffic to... Read More
Op-ed articles, also known as opinion/editorial articles, are a great... Read More
Here's everything I know about improving your writing, publishing it... Read More
Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More
If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More
Writer's block! Even columnist Dave Berry has it. He admits... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
Creating incredible characters can be easy if you know of... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
Writer's Block can strike like a King Cobra, paralyzing every... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
ACCEPT, EXCEPT Not commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who... Read More
The biggest mistake authors make when trying to get free... Read More
On the first day of a bright and shiny new... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
When I asked new ezine subscribers, "What is your Number... Read More
If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't... Read More
1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE....for half an hour or... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Every writer expends a great deal of creative energy developing... Read More
Having trouble finding a solution to a nagging problem? Try... Read More
If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for... Read More
So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More
You are the only one who knows what being a... Read More
In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as... Read More
It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More
Most of us hate housework.Nevertheless, even the most hopeless slobs... Read More
Writing |