Earma Brown asked:
Are you ready for a change your life kind of experience? Yes. Then write the book you’ve been dreaming of writing. Few things hold the potential for a life changing experience like writing a book does.
You can receive life long income from writing a book. You can affect the lives of hundreds even thousands for the good. You gain the added respect of your colleagues after writing your book. You can leverage the increase of fees exponentially in your business.
Even so, many new authors don’t receive the rewards they deserve. They forfeit their advantages by making simple mistakes that block their book’s success. Correct the following mistakes to enjoy the rich rewards of a top selling book author:
1. Failure to set realistic expectations.
To be honest, your book by itself probably won’t make you rich. Don’t be disappointed with your royalty check or dismayed by direct sales of your self-published book.
Instead, plan to use your book as an important leveraging tool to advance existing sales, increase your business or catapult your career. Plan to receive open door opportunities that you may not have received any other way.
2. Failure to organize book project.
Researchers say we waste over 6 full days a year looking for mislaid information. Make it easy for yourself. Create a filing system for your book project. You’ll write faster and with less stress. Did you discover you can’t pull it all together by yourself? Delegate; hire an assistant to help. Do the part you are most skilled in and assign the rest.
3. Failure to turn off self-editor.
Turn off the self-editor while writing. The editor in you will want to stop and correct every error. Don’t allow him or her a voice until you finish the writing process. It’s more important to finish your rough draft than to write a perfect manuscript. Don’t let a too early editing process block your rewards.
4. Failure to avoid marathon writing.
Prolific authors at some point realize they don’t have to sell their soul to write a saleable book. They write a little each day to get it done faster. They avoid marathon writing (going away). You unintentionally set yourself up for failure if you opt for the marathon writing. What happens to your book goals, if you come back and your book’s still not written?
5. Failure to focus on one main topic.
Top selling authors focus on one main topic. They make sure each chapter supports that subject. If you scatter your focus, you’ll come across as unorganized, long winded, and boring. Your readers may find your book hard to understand.
Instead of an encyclopedia type book, chunk your information into modules, segments, chapters or parts. In each segment, offer plenty of detail to make it useful to your reader.
6. Failure to write ‘Grab You by the Collar’ titles.
It’s a known fact; titles sell books. In fact, titles sell a lot more than books. Titles sell newspapers. Titles sell magazines. Titles enhance the selling power of ads, brochures, web sites, booklets, and just about any kind of marketing element you can think of. Don’t forget chapter titles, sub heading titles, bulleted points (mini-titles) benefit from sizzling titles.
7. Failure to think series.
Top selling authors focus on a series of books rather than one book. Publishers look for concepts that can be expanded into a series of books rather than individual titles. Even your readers (if they like it) will look for the sequel.
8. Failure to think community.
Successful authors look for ways to engage and involve a nurturing relationship with readers and peers. You should seek to include the support of your family, friends, readers, other authors, book coaches and others who feed your enthusiasm. Most are eager to provide ideas, assistance and feedback.
9. Failure to engage in promotion.
Most beginning authors hope someone else will come along and promote their book for them. In the real world, successful authors take ownership in promoting their book. They know if they want their book to succeed, they have to promote it.
10. Failure to develop future income streams.
Even after you finish your book, new ideas will probably continue to surface. Ideas that you wish you had thought to include in your book. Instead of going back to re-work your manuscript consider using them in your promotional material.
Become a trusted resource and supplier of fresh information in your field. Create an ongoing relationship with your readers. Continue to develop your topic by creating articles, speeches, workshops, courses, or invite readers to submit questions and suggestions to your website.
If you continue in the mistakes above your book may never reach the level of success it deserves. Instead, implement good book writing tips and avoid the mistakes new authors make. Go ahead; take the wheel of writing well and drive your book to a wild success.