What are the best ways for sales coaches to write and publish their own books?

1 Choose your topic and audience

The first step is to decide what you want to write about and who you want to reach. Think about what problems, challenges, or goals your ideal readers have, and how you can help them solve, overcome, or achieve them. You can also use your own story, case studies, or testimonials to illustrate your points and connect with your audience. Make sure your topic is specific, relevant, and valuable for your niche.

2 Plan your outline and structure

The next step is to plan your outline and structure. This will help you organize your ideas, avoid writer's block, and ensure a logical flow of information. You can use a simple format like introduction, main points, and conclusion, or a more complex one like problem, solution, benefits, and action steps. You can also use subheadings, bullet points, charts, or diagrams to break down your content into manageable chunks. Try to keep each chapter focused on one key idea or message.

3 Write your first draft

The third step is to write your first draft. Don't worry about perfection, grammar, or style at this stage. Just focus on getting your thoughts and insights on paper. You can use tools like voice typing, mind mapping, or dictation to speed up the process and overcome any resistance. You can also set a daily or weekly word count goal and track your progress. Remember to write for your audience, not for yourself. Use simple, clear, and engaging language that reflects your personality and voice.

4 Edit and revise your draft

The fourth step is to edit and revise your draft. This is where you polish your writing, eliminate errors, and improve readability. You can use tools like grammar checkers, spell checkers, or readability scores to help you with this task. You can also ask for feedback from a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor who can give you honest and constructive criticism. You might need to rewrite, rearrange, or delete some parts of your draft to make it better.

5 Choose your publishing option

The fifth step is to choose your publishing option. You have two main options: traditional publishing or self-publishing. Traditional publishing involves finding an agent, submitting a proposal, signing a contract, and working with an editor and a publisher. This can take a long time, require a lot of patience, and give you less control over your book. Self-publishing involves formatting, designing, printing, and distributing your book yourself or with the help of a service provider. This can be faster, cheaper, and more flexible, but also require more work, skills, and marketing.

6 Promote your book

The sixth step is to promote your book. This is where you spread the word, generate interest, and drive sales. You can use various strategies, such as creating a website, blog, or landing page for your book, building an email list, offering a free sample or bonus, launching a pre-order or a discount campaign, getting reviews or endorsements, doing interviews or podcasts, or hosting webinars or workshops. You can also leverage your existing network, social media, or online platforms to reach your target audience and showcase your value.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?