How To Write a Book People Want to Read
Engage your readers.
How do you do that?
By telling stories.
And the first story you need to tell is your own- how you went on a journey, had a crisis, which you overcame, and how it transformed you.
But, it’s not enough to tell your story. You also have to tell it in a compelling way that makes the audience feel the emotions you felt as you experienced that journey, which means digging deep, allowing yourself to feel what you felt at that time, and being willing to be vulnerable enough to share what it was REALLY like.
And that is the rub. I know, because for a long time, I told my story the wrong way. I rattled it off like it was a chronology of events, no real emotion in it. It never occurred to me to tell it a different way, until one day when I was watching a Russell Brunson presentation in the One Funnel Away Challenge and I got it! People weren’t FEELING the pain I had felt when I was in the crisis or the exhilaration I felt when I made the transformation.
I had to change THE WAY I told my story.
But, that’s just the beginning.
Next, you have to tell additional stories, stories about how your clients got the results they got and possibly success and failure stories of other public companies if applicable. And you have to decide which structure you are going to use in your storytelling.
Are you going to tell stories that illustrate points that you are trying to make throughout your book? Or, are you going to write the book using one story like Michael Gerber does in The E-Myth? In this case, the entire book was written as if he were walking one client through the process they need to go through to understand the process he teaches.
Or, are you going to write it like the One-Minute Millionaire, The Enlightened Way to Wealth where the story is told on one side of the page and the how-to is told on the other side of the page throughout the book?
Once you know your story-telling structure, make a list of your stories. Write down as many stories as you can think of so as you write your book you can refer back to your list and pick the best story that brings the point(s) alive!
If you aren’t sure which stories are the best ones to tell, test them out. Share them on social media. Share them when you write articles. Share them on podcasts. See which ones get the most response. Your audience will let you know what resonates with them the most.
If you want to write books that people will read and get them to take the next step (whatever your call to action is in your book) learn how to tell stories; your books will sell better and your business will grow!
If you're ready to get started, go to www.booksopendoors.com/blog and pick up a copy of Book Planner Secrets, A Simple 4-Step Guide To Writing a Bestseller.
Ellen Violette is the creator of the Write Your Bestseller in 7 Days Bootcamp. She helps speakers and thought leaders write their book, launch it to #1 bestseller, and use it to make a bigger impact in the world, make more money, and leave a lasting legacy.