The birth of a book
Tips for writing, publishing and promoting your book based on the example of my book Jij bent een TopVrouw.
Do not hesitate to use existing material
This book is a collection of columns that were previously published in the Woman supplement of De Telegraaf, a big Dutch newspaper. I put them all together in a book! The hard work of writing was already complete, they just needed to be compiled to create this positive, practical book full of tips and inspiration you can apply immediately.
Ask for reviews, even before publishing!
You can’t just talk about your book and tell everyone how great it is. So I asked Vrouw.nl if they wanted to give me a nice review. I placed it on the back cover and website. Having reviews gives your book credibility. And I immediately had a great first review!
“After reading this book you get out of bed with a big smile every morning …”
Share your book process from start to finish
Ideally, I should have shared the entire process of creating the book through social media, asking for feedback and ideas, and thus unknowingly advertising. In this way you take people along on the journey and the process and the book starts to come alive. I unfortunately didn’t do that at all this time. For many people it is therefore a surprise that my 4th book was suddenly there. Low profile this time round.
Be specific: this is it!
Curious about the end result? Jij bent een TopVrouw! can be purchased from Bol.com and other book stores.
This book is full of tips for all mothers, businesswomen, centipedes and career tigers; in short, all women (and a single man) who are looking for practical solutions to everyday challenges:
- How do you get out of a rut quickly?
- Doing fun things on a budget
- Feeling comfortable in your own skin and showing the best of yourself
- Chase your dreams, such as writing a book, doing business or emigrating
A nice, sweet gift for yourself or for another top woman (or top man!) Who gives you an inspiring boost.
Try to generate as much free publicity as possible
Approach (local) media and regional radio programs with a link between their audience and/or current affairs and your book. For example, my book Jij bent een TopVrouw was very suitable for Mother’s Day at the time of launch. Radio programs are always looking for interesting guests and you get a lot more time to tell your story than on TV. Kasper Kooij from the radio program High Tea approached me via Twitter to ask more about the book in his broadcast on Sunday 5 May. I had been on his show before when I wrote Have you found your Mr Wrong yet? and apparently he followed me after that. So following up with old contacts is a good tip too.
Link your book to other products or services that you can offer.
There are often either subtle or overt links between my books and the other workshops, events and retreats that I offer.
It is never too early to start with promotion
Curious about my next book? Light your fire, without the burnout – Energy management for people with a passion will be released in 2020. I am writing it at my own pace… letting it emerge as I manage my own energy.
Are you serious about writing your book?
Don’t reinvent the wheel, like I did. As the author and co-author of more than 30 books, writing coach for hundreds of people and organizer of 20 writing retreats, I have finally found the best system for writing a good book: the ‘Reverse Writing’ method. If you begin at the end and create a good structure before you start writing, you will be able to follow your energy, instead of the page numbers.
Learn all tips & tricks in the live online workshop
Everything you need to turn your idea into a bestseller: practical advice, examples, and inspiration about writing, publishing, and promoting your book. Check out the ‘from idea to book’ workshop.
Personal guidance
Private writing coaching is a unique opportunity to work on your book with my personal guidance and support. Book a single strategy session or plan a series of 1-on-1 calls. Do you want the best for your book?
A writing retreat in an exotic location?
During the online writing retreat@home or an all-inclusive retreat on my favorite islands or in the French Alps, you will work with like-minded people and get 1-on-1 guidance. The daily workshops help to get started, followed by focused writing time, delicious food, and personal guidance & feedback. Where will we go?
The book ‘Reverse Writing’
Learn my Reverse Writing method (start with the back cover) in my brand new, the super-comprehensive book ‘Reverse Writing’ and the companion workbook. You will find a step-by-step explanation, lots of examples, inspiration, and practical tips about writing, promotion, and publishing your book.
Original ideas and proven formats for your next bestseller
A successful book starts with a good idea. Check out the 10 best ‘formulas’ I’ve found for successful non-fiction books. Each of these ten proven formats gives you a different perspective, inspiration, and examples you can adapt for your own book. Subscribe to my ‘interested in writing’ list for book inspiration & tips and immediately receive the PDF with 10 ideas for a successful non-fiction book.