You Don't Need to Be a Writer to Become a Bestselling Author

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Several reports suggest that out of 100 people, 95 will talk about writing a book. Give it about 12 months, then ask, "Any progress on your book?"... The answer will be "I am on the first chapter" or "I could not find the time to start."

Conclusively, only about 5% will finish a completed draft of their manuscript, and about 2% will get published.

The most obvious and common reason for never starting to write a book is this self-sabotaging thought, "I am not a writer."

Becoming a bestselling author doesn't necessarily require being a professional writer by trade. Many bestselling authors come from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Here are some factors that can contribute to becoming a bestselling author.

Compelling Story or Idea

Having a unique and captivating story or idea is a fundamental requirement. This could be a fictional novel, a memoir, a self-help book, or any other genre. Your content should resonate with readers and offer something valuable or entertaining.

A unique and captivating story or concept is the foundation of a bestselling book. It hooks readers and keeps them engaged from the beginning to the end.

Successful authors often research the categories, genres, and topics they want to write about to understand their target audience better. This gives them an edge for:

• Offering a solution for a problem (or challenge) their target audience faces. That's how non-fiction books are positioned to become bestsellers.
• Writing thought-provoking novels or inspiring memoirs that resonate emotionally with fiction book lovers.

Passion, Dedication, and Persistence

Being passionate about your story (or topic) and committed to the writing process is essential. This dedication will help you persevere through challenges and maintain the quality of your work.

Writing a book takes time and effort. Passion for your subject will keep you motivated throughout the process, especially during challenging moments of writer's block or not finding the time to write.

Dedication involves setting aside time regularly to write, revise, and refine your work. Consistency is key to producing a polished manuscript. When you start writing, all that matters is getting those ideas, concepts, and stories out of your head into your manuscript. You don't need to worry about sentence structure or grammar at this stage. Just let those words pour into the manuscript. You'll eventually undergo a series of revisions to refine that manuscript.

The road to becoming a bestselling author can be challenging. Rejections, setbacks, writer's block, and self-doubt are common hurdles. Persistence is key to pushing through these obstacles, continuously improving your craft, and refusing to give up on your goal.

Understanding of the Market

In our experience, most authors start their book with an idea or a plot they want to write about (in the case of fiction) or with a concept or lessons they want to share with the world (in the case of non-fiction). The problem with that approach is that they are being self-centered. On the other hand, successful authors still want to share their thoughts with the world; however, they understand what their target audience is currently looking for and then refocus their content to appeal to their audience.

It's important to research the market and understand what readers are looking for, identify trends, reader preferences, and gaps that your book could fill; however, this doesn't mean you need to follow trends blindly, but being aware of popular themes and genres can help you position your book effectively.

Quality Writing

While you don't need to be a professional writer, having a good grasp of language and writing techniques is a plus. Well-written prose enhances the reading experience.

You might consider working with an editor to ensure your work is polished, sentences are well-structured, the sections and chapters flow well, and are free of grammatical errors.

Effective Marketing and Networking

Even the best book needs effective marketing to reach its potential audience. Utilize social media, author websites, book tours, author interviews, collaborations with influencers or other authors, social media or Amazon advertising, and other promotional strategies to create buzz around your work and expand your reach.

Building connections within the publishing industry and among fellow authors can be valuable. Networking can provide collaborations, endorsements, exposure, valuable support, and advice opportunities.

Attend writing conferences, workshops, and online forums to connect with fellow authors, agents, publishers, and other industry professionals.

Luck and Timing

Sometimes, timing and luck play a role in a book's success. A well-timed release during a heightened interest in your topic can boost your chances. Releasing your book when the topic is trending or in demand can boost its visibility.

Luck can also come into play—being in the right place at the right time or having your book discovered by a key influencer can significantly impact its trajectory.

Reader Engagement

Engaging with your readers through social media, author events, book clubs, blogs, and newsletters can help you build a fan base that spreads the word about your book. The more engaged your readers are, the more likely they will recommend your book to others, leading to word-of-mouth promotion.

Remember that writing a bestselling book is a combination of factors, and while not being a professional writer doesn't exclude you from achieving this goal, it's important to approach the process with dedication, authenticity, and a willingness to learn and improve.