If you are anything like me, then you have a million book ideas whirling around your head. You may have multiple passions that all seem urgent. The problem is that you don’t know what book you should write first.
It’s always a good idea to do a self assessment on anything regarding you business — especially your book. Why? Because there really is no wrong or right way to be an entrepreneur who self publishes. There are a few proven tactics that have worked for some. However what works for you and your business depends upon the business model you use and your own personality.
Question #1: What do you want people to know you for?
People will always know you by what you wrote about in your first book. That is why it is so important to ensure that your overall message for your brand is strong in the beginning.
No matter how many books about writing books I sell, people will always know me for writing my first book about my experience with uterine fibroids and my message of self care for black women. It was that message that helped me to transition to becoming a business writer that caters to health companies and organizations. You see, I made my message work for me. You have to do the same for yourself.
If you’ve been a 5th grade teacher for the last 12 years of your career, but have had a side business as a cake designer that you want to grow, then why write a book about teaching? While you may be a talented teacher with plenty to say on the subject, if you no longer want to be seen as a teacher, then you should focus your first book on a topic related to you new cake designing business.
Question #2: How do you envision people using your book?
While the topic of your book is important, you should also be clear on how you envision your reader consuming you book. Depending upon how your business model functions, you should decide whether it is best to have a book that is an ebook, print book, audiobook, or multiple formats.
I have worked with several business owners who do most of their work online and creating a series of ebooks works well for them. They are able to create a reading experience using ebooks that works for their business structure.
Others who do live speaking engagements at corporations, conferences, or even their own live events may also want to do print books so that they have physical products to sell to their audience.
Furthermore, if you work with high level figures like corporate CEO’s or other high level people, you may want to consider making a series of audiobooks as that crowd tends to multitask while consuming their books. They can run, walk, or do other work on an airplane ride to their next high power meeting while also listening to your book.
Take an inventory of how your audience consumes books and allow that to lead how you plan what format(s) you will focus on when creating your books.
Question #3: What other products and services can you create as an extension of the book?
For most entrepreneurs who also write books, the majority of their income does not usually come from book sales. It is often the coaching programs, consultation calls, retreats, speaking engagements, etc. that come as an extension of the book.
Start thinking about other income streams that are a natural extension of what you do.
Answering these three questions should help you start to nail down the topic of your first book. If you’ve been mulling your book topic in your head for weeks — maybe even years — it’s time to get some help. Getting an objective opinion from a book writing professional can move you from procrastination to author in as little as 30 minutes!
Schedule a 30 or 60 minute Author Jam Session with me to started!
Halona Black
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