Can anyone write a book?

I don't believe in clickbait, so if you don't want to read this entire blog post - the basic answer is yes!

However, the slightly more complicated answer...

• Don't let a lack of confidence in your writing skills, etc. put you off.
• Avoid cutting corners - e.g. don't be tempted by "low content" books (sometimes known as journals), using AI, etc.
• Automation tools, third party tools e.g. BookBolt, etc. are a big NO! These potentially break terms and conditions of self publishing services.
• You don't need to spend hundreds on worthless courses, affiliate links, etc. Most of the info you need is on the self publishing websites themselves.
• Most self publishing companies have no up-front costs. Avoid vanity publishers that charge you money to "publish" a book that you'll probably never actually see.
• If you have an idea for a book - go for it!

So how can you get started writing your book?

• Write about what you have enthusiasm and knowledge for.
• Focus on writing your book. Worry about the formatting, self publishing, etc. later.
• Look at existing content you may already have. Blog posts, podcast notes, etc. - that you can update and collect into your book. A lot of my own books have started as blog posts.
• You could even start writing blog posts with the intention of collecting into a book.
• Hiring an editor, designer, etc. are up to you - however ultimately its your name on the front cover.
• Consider your motivations for writing a book.
• Enjoy the journey - don't write a book as a business card or just to make money - that is how it will come across to readers, even if you don't realise it.
• Think about and imagine who you see reading your book. For example - a beginners book? If its a business book - what type of business owner will read, e.g. sole traders?
• A few people have mentioned in the past that finding time is an issue. Half an hour each week, considering writing part of your working day, etc. Its amazing how many people say they are "too busy" and when I ask what they have been up to - they mention they have rewatched every episode of Game of Thrones - twice!
• Don't let the idea of writing lots of pages put you off - just start writing - you'll soon find you write more then you have realised.

Writing a book as a business card...

• A book can raise the profile of your business. I've gotten work from the fact I've released books - particularly with WordPress websites.
• However, don't make writing a book as a glorified business card your only motivation for writing a book.
• A few well-known business "gurus" advise people to write a book - that it doesn't even need to be any good - as long as you have a book. I strongly disagree with this.
• Your book should stand on its own merits - and be so amazing, that readers of your book don't need to hire you.
• Avoid turning your book into a glorified sales pitch.
• Your book could potentially outlive your business. Even if its out of print, there's a chance your book can still turn up in charity shops, libraries, etc.
• Raising the profile of your business, profits, etc. will happen naturally.
• Write a book that you will be proud for people to read.

Getting help with your book idea...

• While writing your book, don't worry about formatting, spelling, etc.
• You can always hire someone to proofread or edit your book later.
• Or get feedback from business contacts, etc. Avoid feedback from family, friends, etc. who may not provide honest advice so as to not upset you.
• Avoid the YouTube videos etc. promising get riches, etc. These people make money doing their videos - not their books (you'll also notice they never show you their own books!).
• Ultimately you will have to upload your book, manage your self publishing account, etc. yourself. Its against terms and conditions to allow others to login and access your self publishing account (for example, its in section 4.3 of KDP's terms and conditions).

What should be included inside the book?

• You can worry about most of this after you have written your book!
• Testimonials - I wouldn't put these in - these belong on your own website or social media. Your book should stand on its own merits (when people "look inside" for example they should see some actual content, not nice words from someone you had a bacon roll with at a breakfast club). You are effectively advertising in something that people have already brought or started to read. If you want to include testimonials, get them from well-known people if you can, and keep to 1 or 2 pages.
• Table of contents - with page numbers. Check these match before self publishing!
• For business books, I like to include a disclaimer at start, that book doesn't guarantee increase in profits, etc.
• Remember people may read different formats, so don't assume people are reading on Kindle (I've seen a few books that say "this Kindle book" for example).
• My favourite writing tip - even Superman needs to be established. Even for a book covering advanced topic, establish your ideas, don't assume people know what abbreviations mean, etc.

Can you make money from your books?

• You get royalties from book sales, etc. - however don't give up the day job!
• If a book is priced at ￡10, self publishing companies will deduct the printing costs, their fees, etc. and you'll get the rest - usually around ￡2, ￡3 or ￡4 depending on number of pages, format of your book, etc.
• Consider royalties from books something that you can use to treat yourself, rather then something you can live on as a full-time income.
• Don't make money your motivation for writing a book.
• Releasing your book is only the beginning - you'll be competing against millions (and even billions) of other books - marketing will be an ongoing process.
• Even most well-known authors don't make a full-time living from their books, and have other jobs and work that they do.

So can anyone write a book? YES!

There's a well-known saying that everyone has a book in them - and for the most part I agree with this - as long as they are writing a book for the right reasons.

However write a book because you have something to say, knowledge to share, etc. - rather then because you believe it will be easy money, or that it will raise the profile of your business.

Make writing your book something you will enjoy.

If you have an idea, or something you always wanted to do - go for it! As I mentioned at the start of this blog post, you may have already written a lot of the book already in the form of blog posts, notes, etc.

Don't worry about your writing skills, whether its too niche (or not niche enough), formatting, etc. - just start writing your ideas down. If there's any factors or issues that put you off - you can address these later, bring in additional help, etc.

Having your ideas written down is better then always having the idea, and never actually doing anything about them.

Have you considered writing a book? If you where to write a book - what would you write a book about? What is stopping you or preventing you from writing a book?

I can help and support you with your book idea.

From initial idea, writing, self publishing to release - sharing 10+ years experience.

Including one-to-one help, and my book on writing/self publishing. You can find all my help and resources at: booksandnetworking.co.uk/writing