Date post: | 19-May-2015 |
Category: |
Self Improvement |
Upload: | chris-mohritz |
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CRANK OUT YOUR BOOK
The 30 Day Plan
Why?
● Professional exposure● Personal edification● Sales tool● Multiplier● Recognized expert● Prospect education (pre-sale)● Customer education (post-sale)● Confidence boost
WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?
● Making the decision?● Where do I start?● What do I write about?● How do I make the time?● How do I organize it?● How do I get it out?● How do I promote it?● Who would read it?
WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON...
● Non-fiction● Result-centered● Self-published● Idea-to-Amazon● Hard work● Removing obstacles
AGENDA
● The Experience ( 2 days )● The Content ( 20 days )● The Container ( 6 days )● Publish It ( 2 days )● Promote It● The Next Level
Part IThe Experience
CREATE WITH INTENTION
Guide your reader to an outcome:1. Shine a light on the problem2. Verify or validate the problem3. Show that it's even worse than that4. Provide the light at the end of the
tunnel
( Applies to: title, cover, content, description, bio, and any sticking points )
MODEL AN EXISTING BOOK
● Cover design● Writing style● Interior layout...
OPTION A
● Right-brained?● Thesis● Storyboard● No chapters*
( TomMarch.com/electraguide )
[ from Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" ]
OPTION B
● Left-brained?● Result● Deconstruction● Chapters
( Rest of the discussion... )
[ from Guy Kawasaki's "A.P.E." ]
COMMIT TO A DATE( be flexible on design & content )
GET BALL ROLLING*
● Outsourcers● Lineup editors / reviewers● Lineup cover designer● Create blog● Create social media accounts
Part IIThe Content
IN THE WILD
● What are people already talking about?● Read top 5 blogs, 10 articles each● Interview 5 experts● Present a unique point of view (in book)
Tip: read blog comments too
WORKING TITLE
● What result is your book creating?● Title = Headline (short, catchy)● Subtitle = Explain benefits (a how-to)
DESIRED RESULT
● What is the one thing you want your reader to walk away with?
DECONSTRUCTION( think like a Project Manager )
SYNDICATETitle
Chapters
Sub-chapters
Paragraphs
Bullet points
OUTLINE
● Create structured list from deconstruction
● Include background / theory● Include high-level how-to steps● Include high-level forms &
templates
Tip: the hard part is done!
INSERT GRAPHICS & REFERENCES
● Gather required stats, quotes, etc.● Public domain info & illustrations (<1960)
FILL IN THE GAPS
● Bulk writing / Brain dump● Go to library● Existing content / blog posts?● Write to one person (your Mom*)● Speak human (tell stories)
Type Talk
● Calibre-ebook.com● LiteratureAndLatte.com
(Scrivener)
● Nuance.com/dragon● Fiverr.com
EDIT
● 3+ reviewers● Friends● Family● Customers● Followers● Read backwards
Tip: get "advance praise" testimonials
ROUGH TARGETS
● 15,000 words● Short chapters / reading chunks● 10th grade reading level*
Part IIIThe Container
Final Title
● Unique● Keywords (subtitle)● Test (PPC, email subject, survey)● Domain available?
Cover
● Shoot for "arresting"● Simple (one image*, faces are good)● 15' rule (front & spine)● 1" rule● BookCoverArchive.com● 99Designs.com● Fiverr.com
Tip: good packaging sells
BIO
● Include photo● Model other author bios
TABLE OF CONTENTS
● Automated in ebook
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
● Inspirations● Contributing authors● Helpful editors● etc.
INTERIOR (TYPESET)
● Ebook: don't break it (fonts, layout, etc.)● Print: LarabieFonts.com● Print: PDF / InDesign
Part IVPublish It
PUBLISHER
● 3rd-party● Your company
COPYRIGHT
● Implied in US● Copyright.gov (plan to sue?)
ISBN
● MyIdentifiers.com/isbn (Bowker)● One required per media type● Can use Amazon issued● Print: barcode
PRICING
● In-line with competitors● Amazon recommendation● ebook: $2.99 - 9.99*● print: $12.99 - 19.99*
KINDLE
● kdp.Amazon.com● SmashWords.com● Category● 24 hours for approval
● On-demand (not bulk)● LightningSource.com● 6" x 9" *● Back cover● Spine
AUDIO
● ACX.com
Part VPromote It
TIP
Promote your message,not the book
GIVE IT AWAY
● Lead generation● Speaking engagements● Consumer guide
BLOG
● Post a chapter per week● Push links to social media● Syndicate● Guest blog● About.me
WORKSHOPS / WEBINARS
● Mini training course● Book content (+ best practices)
AUTHOR VIDEO
● Interview or talking head● Put face to the book● Video search / traffic● Include bio & description
PRESS
● HelpAReporter.com
MILESTONES
● 10 4/5 star reviews● First 1000 downloads is hardest● >1000 Amazon promotions kick in*● Top 25 in chosen categories
Part VIThe Next Level
BOOK DEAL
● Sell 50,000 books on Amazon● Hit top 100 in genre● Be accessible● Develop a platform● Follow agents● Demonstrate you're a "sure thing"
BOOK WRITING COACH
Ann McIndoo [ AnnMcindoo.com ]"Talk Your Book"
MASTER OF PUBLICITY
Steve Harrison [ FreePublicity.com ]"Quantum Leap"
GRAND DADDY
Dan Poynter [ ParaPublishing.com ]"Parallel Publishing"
ENDLESS RESOURCES
● Google● kdp.Amazon.com/community● SelfPublishingPodcast.com● TheCreativePenn.com● #amwriters / #amwriting● Self-Publishing-Coach.com● A.P.E.● BookCentralStation.com● Local meetups
● CatherineRyanHoward.com● BookCoverCafe.com● WritersWin.com● Shelfari.com● BloggerLinkUp.com● PeoplePerHour.com● CraigsList.org● BookBaby.com● GoodReads.com
Tip: don't get sucked in
RECAP
1. Make the decision2. Come up with a unique perspective3. Create a sample cover & pin it to fridge4. Draft an outline & fill in the gaps5. Tell stories6. Get friends & peers to edit / review7. Publish8. Take a vacation
And get it done!
KEEP IT SIMPLE