Transform Your Book Writing Journey into a Success Story
Evan Carmichael
Helping entrepreneurs #Believe in themselves more and thought leaders get their message out to the world | 3.5 million YouTube subscribers | Forbes 40 Social Marketers | Inc.100 Leadership Speakers | Author
Writing a book is more than just putting words on paper; it's about creating a valuable resource that solves problems and enriches lives. From structuring your book like a coaching session to leveraging social media for promotion without spamming, these strategies will help you navigate the book-writing journey successfully. So, are you ready to transform your book-writing journey into a success story?
Start with a Solid Structure
Let's talk about the first thing you need to do when you're thinking about writing a book: structure. I know, I know, it sounds boring, but trust me, it's the backbone of your entire project. Imagine you're a coach, and your reader is your coachee. You wouldn't just throw random exercises at them, right? You'd have a game plan. That's what your book's structure is—a game plan.
So, how do you go about it? First, jot down the main sections you want to cover. These are like the milestones in your coaching journey. For example, in my book, I had four main sections: Who, Why, How, and Making Money from It. Each section serves a purpose and guides the reader through a transformative journey.
Once you have your main sections, break them down into chapters. Think of these as the individual coaching sessions within each milestone. What are the key takeaways? What questions are you answering? What problems are you solving? Write it all down. This will be your roadmap, your blueprint. And the best part? Once you have this structure, all you have to do is fill in the blanks. It's like painting by numbers but for writing.
Embrace the Power of Print-on-Demand
All right, let's talk money. How much is it going to cost you to publish this book? Well, here's the good news: self-publishing has made it incredibly easy and cost-effective to get your book out there. Welcome to the world of print-on-demand. This is a game-changer, folks.
You see, back in the day, you'd have to order a gazillion copies of your book, and they'd all be sitting in your garage, collecting dust. Not anymore. With print-on-demand, you can print as many or as few copies as you want. Need 10 copies for a local book signing? Done. Did you get a bulk order from a corporation? No problem. It's flexible, it's easy, and it won't break the bank.
And here's a pro tip: keep your financial commitment to inventory as low as possible. You don't want to be that person with boxes of unsold books in their basement. Trust me, your mom won't be happy about it.
Leverage Social Media, But Don't Spam
Okay, let's get into the nitty-gritty of promoting your book. Social media is your best friend here, but there's a catch—you can't just spam people with "Buy my book!" posts. That's a one-way ticket to Unfollowville.
Instead, take your audience on the journey with you. Share the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Writing a challenging chapter? Talk about it. Just hit a major milestone? Celebrate it online. This approach does two things: it keeps your audience engaged, and it builds anticipation for your book.
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And here's a little secret: at the end of every update, leave a question. Engage with your audience, answer their questions, and keep the conversation going. This way, you're not just promoting your book; you're building a community around it.
Convert Readers into Subscribers
So you've written this amazing book, and people are reading it. Awesome! But what's next? How do you keep the conversation going? Simple: convert those readers into subscribers. Your email list is like gold. It's a direct line to your audience, and it's not subject to the whims of social media algorithms.
How do you do it? Offer value. Right at the beginning of your book, offer some free bonuses—a companion worksheet, access to an exclusive Facebook group, a free webinar, whatever makes sense for your book. Make it irresistible. This not only adds value to your book but also gives you a way to collect those precious email addresses.
And don't just stop at the beginning. Sprinkle these calls to action throughout your book and definitely include one at the end. Think of it as the next step in your reader's journey with you. It's like saying, "Hey, you've come this far, why stop now? Let's keep going!"
Make Time for Creativity
Last but not least, let's talk about the creative process. Writing a book isn't something you can rush. It's not a sprint; it's a marathon. You need to allocate large chunks of uninterrupted time to let your creativity flow. Whether it's setting aside an entire day to write at your favorite café or blocking out a few hours each morning, find what works for you.
And here's something I've learned: your environment matters. For me, sitting by a window with lots of natural light just unleashes my creativity. Find your happy place, the spot where you feel most creative, and make it your writing sanctuary.
Remember, anything creative requires time and space. Don't put pressure on yourself to churn out gold in a 30-minute writing sprint. Creativity doesn't work that way. Give yourself the freedom to explore, to make mistakes, and to find your voice.
#BookWriting #SelfPublishing #Creativity