Writing a book

foto: stock.xchng hisks

Is one of your intentions to finally write that book that you have been dreaming about for ages? I’ll give you tips and inspiration so you no longer have an excuse to NOT do it! ????

First, start at the end: write your back cover first. It will be the book summary and all important sales pitch for the publisher, book stores and potential buyers of your book. It is also a summary and sales pitch all rolled into one for you too. Watch this short video with tips for your back cover. Next, make a general layout of your book. This first draft of the table of contents makes the structure of your book clear: what goes where?

A great title and catchy subtitle are very important. But, don’t be tempted to use an obscure title. Make sure that a (potential) reader knows what the book is about by just reading the title and subtitle.

Make sure you have the right keywords that are recognized by the search engines and book websites. If someone searches on a specific topic, your book must show up in the results. Once you have a good description, make sure it is expressed in an exciting and attractive way.

Reserve a number of domain names with your possible book titles. It only costs a few dollars a year.

Check the competition! What kind of books are already written about your subject? What makes your book different? What does it add? Make this clear in the title, back cover and introduction.

Write the introduction to your book. What is the reason, what are you going to share in the book, what is the experience? Also don’t forget to say something personal and use a lot of stories/anecdotes instead of just the dry facts.

Write as if you are talking, don’t try to create beautiful or difficult sentence constructions or formal language. It’s not pleasant to read and you’re not impressing anybody.

Now, for each chapter write a paragraph or a number of bullet points about the contents of that chapter. Then, write the chapter that you have the most energy and excitement about. (this doesn’t not necessarily have to be the first one).

Get lots of people to read the first chapters of your book. Use these three questions to get feedback:
1) What sections made you fall asleep?
2) What did you really like?
3) What did you think was missing?

Make an overview of your marketing potential. How large is your network? How many friends/followers/contacts do you have on social media? What is the target audience of your book? Promotional ideas? With this information you can approach a publisher or promote your book on the internet (for example on Ten Pages).

Should you come to the conclusion that you do not want to write a book, put it out of your mind NOW and release your energy to realize another dream.

Have fun!