Your Life, Your Biz, Your Book!
Winnie Czulinski
Writer ~ Journalist ~ Ghostwriter ~ Editor -> Publishing-PR Pro -> Bringing Your Stories to Life!
?????????? Have you been running, maintaining, and continuing to love, a business through these pandemic-and-beyond times?
How challenging and frustrating has it been? Have you learned how to adapt by doing some things very differently, creatively? And could there be a story in all this for someone else??
?????? Consider writing a book – even a short one. Motivational biz books are always popular (some sell very well too). And goodness knows our work landscape has changed, never to be the same again!
So there's an ongoing opp to capitalize on that, and create a timelier and more relevant presentation.
Having your own book can be a great biz tool (the new biz card) and can help increase your presence and platform. People respect published authors.
And being an author can help increase your chances of getting media coverage; having a tangible product to hold and show adds interest. Having books to sell or handout at talks and seminars can pay off too.
Even "just" a short downloadable e-book can help increase awareness and interest in what you do as a biz.
?????????? But beyond the biz, and interwoven in it, could be the great story of you, the biz-person and one-of-a-kind human being. A memoir that's both personal and professional can be satisfying to do, and inspiring to others.
It's often said that people like to do business with someone they feel they really know, and this is one way to do it.
?????? Writing your book can be easier to do than you think! E.g., if you write a blog, you probably already have lots of good relevant material.
Some great books have been inspired by blogs, emails, even tweets – a genre in itself. You likely have a good 'path' of writing you can work with.
Work at defining your USP, unique selling proposition or angle. Your very profession, whether restaurateur or finance CEO, will contribute to some of that...then it's the quirky, individualistic things beyond that.
?????????? And it's what you further do with that uniqueness. E.g. your book might be written in letter/email format, the 'lessons' unfolding in a kind of correspondence fashion. (Just be careful not to use others' material without permission.)
Or it might have a memoir aspect (combining your personal and professional lives), or a fictional approach, like a biz fable/motivational novel. And keep in mind, even examples specific to your own line of work can inspire very different people – if the writing is clear, exciting, persuasive, even humorous.
A classic 'list' approach also can work well – a '7'- or '10'-item approach of tips, lessons, experiences.
?????? Bringing your book to the world? There's a possibility a traditional paying publisher – perhaps a smaller specialized one – might be interested in your book, if they regard you as investable and not doing a book simply to promote yourself. Like to know more about this?
Contact me, or check out my articles on traditional publishing (I'm happy to send them to you.)
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Or, you can self-publish, quite inexpensively, by releasing your well-designed book on Amazon.
You don't have to go the route of major expense, like one outfit I knew of that regarded itself as a unique kind of publishing co – charging around $35,000 for a book package (and that didn't include the writing of the book!), consultation and pep talks.
?????? True, you may pay significantly for a good book ghostwriter or editor. But you're looking at a wide range of fees. And doing a short book (a popular approach, as Amazon's Short Reads classification shows) can be more affordable.
Even better, you may be able to claim biz-book ghostwriting/editing fees at tax-time.
Happy to send you my article on doing a book the smart, affordable way!
?????????? However you do your book, though, try to maintain and show some of the passion, love and conviction that got you into this career or profession in the first place.
Those vibes can be infectious – in getting others interested enough in getting your book – and spreading the word about it! And they might even be inspired to their own book...about the biz they love :)
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?????? Some articles on doing a book about your biz:
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Have questions about writing, editing, publishing or promo? DM/connect with me!