#19 in "Letters from Winnie" Series

In no particular order – the 19th of several pieces reflecting correspondence-advice I've written to potential book-related/writing-related clients over the years.

(I have reproduced no clients' emails to?me?– and have removed all identifying factors from my own letters to them; also, some letters are composites.)

2020

"Hi __________________!

"First?– thanks for sending that material. Some good potential for a book. I'd really love to help you with it if I can – and I've got some suggestions, woven throughout my 'biz pitch' here.

Approach

* First, I would suggest making your book no more than 150 pages. I think a longer length might be justified if you had a really strong internet presence, and thousands of followers etc. (though maybe you do, on other sites!).

But as you're not really 'known,' a longer book might not be the best approach, might be too much for new readers to come to grips with. And even famous people often keep it short, for today's busy world.

However, I can help you to become more known! (more about that later).

* I assume we would be doing this book via a combination of material from your workshops and consultations you'd send to me – and my interviewing you by phone, etc. (for a few hours a week). I'd supplement this with internet and book research.

* I could submit manuscript sections to you by one or two chapters at a time – and we can both work with the Word 'Track Changes' feature.

* I propose taking 4 - 6 months with this book project, including that important cooling-off' period. If you'd like it done more quickly, that's do-able, and we can discuss.

If you are able to send the initial/background workshop/consultation material in PDFs or Word etc., that?would be great.

** BTW, how much material do you have - how many workshops and consultations have you done?

** And do you have some specific results from any of these events – or from anything else you've done in the business world?

We'll need lots of great specifics to put into the book?– things showing achievement, improvement, success, humorous as well as serious things, etc. And what are some of the industries and businesses your clients have been in??

* As for you, I like the fact you have experience in several areas, like _______________________________________________________________.

*?You may recall our talking about the necessity to find and cultivate a USP, unique selling proposition or point – i.e., what makes you stand out amongst all the other ___________ in a very competitive industry. One thing might be the sheer variety of specialties you have.

* Another thing might be the subject of __________ as it applies to you professionally, but also using it as a metaphor for the 'science' of good business,?etc.?– and how much experimentation, calculation and solution may lead to success. This could be part of the angle, persona, identity, helping you stand out.

BTW, I like the section titled ________________ etc. in the material you sent me. I can see potential for subjects like ________________________ etc. - and the fact that everything is of value!

Things to Keep in Mind:

*?As I mentioned before, the fact that you also have a?‘steady job’ as______________ (with the City) and that has nothing to do with __________, might be confusing to potential __________workshop clients.?

They might wonder how you could find the time to be a ___________ and how good you are! So, we could address that up front – as part of your identity/persona, something like 'The _____________ who's so concerned with ________, he does it for the City?– and can do it for your career, too!'

* And/or part of your workshop/consulting focus can be for other people who also are working at a job – and want to do other things, like start their own biz...? You can teach others how to set up things to run at least partly on their own, etc…;)

*?BTW, if you decide your book should have an index, keep in mind that that's quite a specialized thing to do?– and best left to a professional indexer. I can help you find one, and of course that will be an additional cost.

* Also keep in mind – any time you quote anyone else, i.e., other authors, from their books, or websites – or celebrities like ______________ on the material you sent me?– you should get their permission – and it might take a while to get it in writing. You might also have to pay for the privilege of doing so ;) I can guide you in how to get permissions.

Advantages of Using Me:

* Over the last several years, I've helped many people with book projects?– and often with editing,?publishing guidance and promo. Those few I've actually done the writing/co-writing for, I can discuss with you a bit more, though some were done under NDA.

I truly love being involved with books – and strive always to treat each project as a truly special one – and really work for its success!

* I've worked in marketing, publicity and advertising, as well as magazines, newspapers, books, websites, sales material, etc.?– also, radio and a bit of TV. I also understand the importance of strong slogans, captions, sound bites, summaries, titles, etc. – and will give you a choice of strong, appealing book titles/sub-titles - and chapter titles/sub-chapter titles.

* I also will figure ways to 'design' the book so that there are easy-to-read sections and sidebars, etc. These add interest and easily-accessible info to a book and its many pages. (However, I will help you find a wonderful graphic designer for the main job!)

* Too, I have a fiction background – and understand the value of bringing (some) fictional techniques to nonfiction books – with excitement, colour and energy, suspense, page-turning excitement, etc. – a kind of story?– while still being authentic to the nonfiction biz book that will give you credibility as a coach, author and expert.

* I can connect you with other specialists and professionals you need – a professional formatter and designer/cover artist, and possibly an indexer. An outside proofreader also is a good idea. Overall, I can help guide you through self-publishing, or help you with traditional publishing.

* As part of the job, I also do a good ‘competitive analysis’?– of recent, similar,?published books.?The key?is to understand the arena you’re going into – while doing a book that is different, unique, better.

* I also can help you with LinkedIn posts, articles and overall blogging, to tie in with your book.

* And I can help with all kinds of publicity, promo, marketing, media, etc. If your book seems quite marketable, we can find ways to tie it in to news, topical items, trends, etc.?– and find specific things in it to appeal to a media audience, etc. I will do a certain amount of this as a bonus.

* Overall, a successful book will have all sorts of 'action' around it – in good LinkedIn and other social-media posts, and other forms of 'marketing.'

* Another reason I'm great to work with is that I'm also a reader! E.g., just now, I’m looking through books by Malcolm Gladwell, John Maxwell and Simon Sinek, the authors you mentioned. If we're going to work together, it's important I also understand the authors and experts who inspire you.

And, as mentioned, I can look at 'competitive' books overall, and help define yours as one in the 'arena'?– but with its own uniqueness.

* I also can create a good contract, and send it to you (to tweak etc.) I have a good 5-pg. one I've used with several biz authors. Or, I happily will provide a 2-pg. version or even a 1-pg. (I've found some people prefer it short.)

Lots more to talk about!"

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