By Stephanie
Chandler
Studies show that up
to 80% of people have considered writing a book. If you want to
learn how to write a book and need some help getting started, here
are eight key strategies to help you achieve your author dreams. It
might just be easier than you think.
1. Decide on a Topic
Start by identifying
your target audience. Who do you want your book to reach? Are you
writing for your clients, single mothers, consultants, teenagers,
retired baby boomers? Knowing your audience will help you make
important decisions when building your content. You should always
keep your audience in mind as you develop your book.
2. Know Your Book’s
Unique Value
There were over
480,000 books published in 2008 alone, so if you’re worried that
there is not enough room in the world for a book like yours, don’t
be so sure. The key is to establish how your book will be different
or better than the competition. Determine what unique value you will
bring to your readers.
3. Choose Your
Process
You don’t have to be
professionally-trained writer to develop a book. Here are several
options:
-Hire a ghost writer
-Enlist a co-author
-Dictate your book
on audio and use software such as Professionally Speaking to convert
it to text
-Get your thoughts
on paper and hire a good editor to turn it into a manuscript
-Assemble an
anthology of contributions from others
4. Leverage Content
You Already Have
Your book may
already be further along than you realize. If you have created
content for your business, you may be able to use it for your book.
Here are some places to look:
-Articles and blog
posts you have written
-Hand-outs you have
developed
-Surveys you have
conducted
-Case studies and
client success stories
-Seminars, videos,
and recordings you have made that can be transcribed
-Contributions from
others (articles, interviews, case studies, etc., with their
permission, of course)
5. Get Started with
an Outline
Everyone has their
own unique process for writing, though most writers will tell you
that they start with some sort of outline. I recommend using a
storyboard process.
Start with a blank
wall and a stack of Post-it notes. Write each and every topic idea
you want to cover in your book on a Post-it and stick it to the
wall. Once you have all of your ideas out, move the notes around
until they form some kind of logical order. This is a great way to
identify your chapters, how much content you have for each, and
where you need to add more content. You can transfer everything to
an outline or simply work off of your wall of ideas.
6. Begin the Writing
Process
Once you know what
topics to cover, you are ready to begin writing (or dictating,
assembling content you already have, or inviting others to
contribute). The idea of writing a book can seem overwhelming, but
if you tackle it in small pieces, it can begin to come together
quickly.
We are in a
technology-driven age and most of us have short attention spans.
Approach each topic as if you were writing a short article. To make
it easier for you and your reader, break up the text. Use plenty of
sub-headings and bullets for easier reading. Include quotes from
people you have interviewed, provide resources for additional
information, and compile brief sidebar tips to enhance the reader’s
experience.
7. Make Time to
Write
One of the biggest
excuses that aspiring authors have is a lack of time to get a book
written. Like anything else in life, if you want it badly enough,
you have to find a way to make it happen.
You may want to plan
your writing time around when you are most creative. Are you a
morning person or a night owl? Perhaps you need to get up an hour
earlier or stay up an hour later. It is important to discover your
own unique process. Some writers are disciplined and write during a
set time each day. Some schedule one or two days each week for
writing. With my busy schedule, I actually check in to a hotel for a
weekend and write, write, write! It’s all about what works best for
you.
8. Cross the Finish
Line
The average book
manuscript is between 60,000 to 80,000 words. Two typed pages are
the equivalent of around 1000 words. So if you wrote just two pages
per day, your book would be done in 60 days!
Once your manuscript
is complete, you will begin the editing process. If you are new to
writing, it would be wise to hire an experienced editor to help. Of
course you have many options for getting your book into print.
Whether you want to pursue a traditional publisher or
self-publishing, the options are abundant. A good book coach can
also help you make some of these decisions.
No matter what
publishing options you pursue, writing a book is a big achievement
and can have a tremendous impact on your life. Set a goal to finally
write that book this year and you will embark on a fantastic
journey.
About the Author:
Stephanie Chandler is an author of several business and marketing
books including “The Author’s Guide to Building an Online Platform”
and “From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur.” She is also founder and CEO
of
AuthorityPublishing.com, which provides custom book publishing
and author marketing services for business, self-help and other
non-fiction books. A frequent speaker at business events and on the
radio, she has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, BusinessWeek,
Inc.com and many other media outlets. For
hundreds of resources for entrepreneurs, authors and speakers visit
http://BusinessInfoGuide.com. For author and speaker details,
visit
http://StephanieChandler.com.
*You are welcome to reprint this
article provided the author bio is included.
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