Here's everything I've learned about writing (and publishing) a nonfiction book

I recently became slightly obsessed with the idea that I should (maybe) write a book.

So over the past few weeks I've thrown myself into researching the subject. I even attended a Hay House weekend writer's workshop.

Here's pretty much everything I've learned about writing, publishing, and marketing a (non-fiction) book:

• Your book needs a hook. This is basically a book's elevator pitch, which tells the reader in a simple statement who the book is for, and why they need it. (See Kelly Notaras' video on the subject, here. Her website and new book, The Book You Were Born to Write, are essential for anyone thinking of writing a nonfiction book.)
• If you want to publish with a traditional book publisher, your book needs a business plan... also known as a book proposal. (There are lots of example book proposals available online.)
• As part of the book proposal, and to prevent your book from becoming a formless mess, you need to pick a structure and create a detailed outline. (More info, and free structure and outline examples, from Kelly Notaras here.)
• There are five large traditional publishers, known as "the big five." These include Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. To submit a proposal to one of these, you need an agent. (You can find agents to query here.) There are many other independent publishers, as well, who don't require an agent.
• According to Reid Tracy, CEO of Hay House, there are about 80,000 new books published in North America each year. But only about 300 new books each year have more than 50,000 readers.
• If you get 1,000 five-star Amazon reviews, your book will sell forever.
• Publishers do basically zero percent of the marketing of your book—that's up to the author.
• Unless you have an amazing hook, you likely won't get picked up by a traditional publisher without a "platform:" thousands and thousands of people on your email list and/or following you on social media. Michael Hyatt has a recent book about how to build a platform called Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. (By the way, you can help me build my platform right now by signing up for my email list! ??)
• If you self-publish, and your book is doing well, you can still be picked up by a traditional publisher. "Doing well" is roughly defined as selling 5,000 copies or more. If this happens, publishers will know about it, thanks to Nielsen BookScan, and they will be calling you.
• Get professional help if you plan to self-publish. Recommended self-publishers include IngramSpark and Balboa Press.
• Whether or not you self-publish, your book needs professional editing. There are two types of editors: content editors, who look at the big picture, and technical editors (proofreaders).
• If you want to be a nonfiction author, you will need a website with your first and last name as the URL (not your book title).
• Unless you are able to sell a lot of books, you can plan to basically make no money from the book itself. If you just want to get an important message across, maybe that's okay. But a book can help you make money in other ways?—through speaking opportunities, selling video courses, group or 1:1 coaching, etc. (Everyone from Eckhart Tolle to Bethany Hamilton is getting into this game.)
• If you give away a book for free, no one will read it. Better to charge something—even a dollar, or $1.99.
• Today 25% of nonfiction books are read as e-books. (About 50% of fiction books are read as e-books.) Audiobooks are catching up: in the future, the industry expects audiobook sales to equal e-books, 25/25, with physical books making up the other half of book sales.
• You can judge a book by its cover.

I enjoyed the Hay House writer's workshop and would recommend attending one to anyone seriously considering writing a nonfiction book. The cost is reasonable, and you may even come out money ahead: Hay House holds a book proposal competition for attendees, awarding one lucky author a publishing contract with a $10,000 advance!

Twelve years ago, I left my corporate job to work for myself. It was one of the best decisions of my life. As a result I've been able to build a multimillion-dollar business, live where I want, travel when I want, and be a more present parent for my (five!) children. Now I want to help others who want to follow a similar path. I'm developing a series of content to share my blueprint, as well as specific tools, tips and advice to help you take a step toward more freedom, too. Join my email list to stay in touch!