Don’t write a book until you consider how you will do it

Writing a book may seem like a stretch too far or it may seem like a walk in the park. It is often a matter of perspective, planning and resources.

I use lots of different ways to write my books, and I always start with a plan.

Consider different ways to get your message out there as you write a book

There are many ways to write a book when I talk about writing a book I am referring to content that could become a book. You may start with an e-book of between 5000 and 12000 words which you use as a lead magnet. This could go on a blog which you have planned as a book and in this instance, you are blogging your book. I realise that you write blogs differently to books, but with a bit of imagination and editing of your base content, you will have a great head start.

There are many benefits in doing this. You can build your list, brand and test your content on your ideal customer first.

Action: Plan and outline your book, this can become a blog plan and form the basis of a short e-book that you give away. Then start blogging your book.

Consider tools that can support you

What other ways can you write a book? Here are ideas.

1. Once it is planned and outlined you can speak it with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
2. You can make a series of recordings and send them off to rev.com to be transcribed.
3. Not exactly a tool, but you can hire a ghostwriter to write your book for you.
4. You can also cowrite your book with a coach.

All of these do require you to make some effort, but will reduce the amount of time to get it done.

Action: Investigate which of these would work for you.

Never underestimate how long it will take

You will I am sure you will have heard of people who have written books in 30, 60, 90 180 days, however, the truth is for busy people it will probably take anything from 6 months to 1 year (365 days or longer).

There are many reasons, time and commitments, overwhelm, motivation or something happens out of the blue that changes the deadline. Or it could be that it is not aligned with your brand and business.

When a book is not aligned with brand and business there is often little motivation to carry on. You may also have too much on and asking if this ‘extra’ stuff serves you is a great question.

Action: Be clear about why and what value it will bring. Be realistic about your time commitments. Work out how long it will take to plan, write, edit and publish and put that time in your diary. Commit to doing it; soon it will become part of your daily life.

When you are ready to write your book (however that looks), please connect and let’s chat about how we can align it with your brand and business. We can talk through the plan and find the best way forward for you.