Being intentional at the early stages of your author journey will help you avoid a lot of roadblocks and issues that tend to overwhelm and capsize most new authors.
Realize that every book should be released on purpose. Use your book to:
- expand your business
- open doors of opportunity in spaces that you want to enter
- launch a new business
- introduce you as a speaker, podcaster, facilitator, or similar role
- invite you into boardrooms, classrooms, and other important rooms
- build a bridge from one area to another – say, from a published author to a screenplay writer
- educate others
- shine light on unknown information (e.g., historical figures)
- be used as a reference guide or textbook within corporations, schools, universities, at conferences, etc.
- do so much more!
Releasing a book nowadays needs to be more than just another activity to checkmark off your list. Think one, two, or even five steps ahead before your book is complete so that you can enjoy the levels of success that many authors have only dreamed of.
Here are the main points to focus on that will pay off in the end, in no particular order:
- Be intentional in your message.Your book summary should guide you along your writing journey. Crafting the summary early in the process helps you focus and avoid the pitfalls of frustrated writing in unending circles.
- Ensure that your book title is eye-catching, as well as your cover.Both should stand out wherever they are seen – in person or online. If your title can be viewed from a distance on an attractive cover, you’ve won more than half the battle in gaining a new customer/reader.
- Be intentional in connecting with the readers who need your message.Is it women? Children of a certain age? Business owners? CEOs of corporations? Non-profit leaders? Find your audience and get them attracted to what you have to say!
- Ensure that your writing style is easy to understand.Although you may be writing to educated individuals, most won’t have time to decipher unfamiliar phrases or break down difficult words. Time is money, so to keep them reading, simplify your text. Keep the writing conversational so that the reader feels part of the content. They will feel as if you are speaking only to them, just like you would if you were standing in front of them.
- Let the story build.You may feel anxious to share all the juicy information for your book upfront, but building the story with unexpected twists or with interesting information keeps the reader engaged until the end. You can start at the end and work backwards but ensure that you are keeping the reader’s attention as you tell the backstory.
- Do not imitate any other author’s writing style.Discover and embrace your own writing voice. You have a lot of important things to say, and you should never feel the need to stifle or ignore your own creative voice.
- Write as many times each week as possible.Your progress a bit at a time will be very rewarding. Most intriguing books will take time to craft and develop, but you can write a winning manuscript in just a few weeks. It is very possible!
- The first draft may be just the initial step.Read what you’ve written and determine if it is in good order before continuing to invest in further manuscript development. Get feedback from a few trusted readers. Offer a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) for signatures first before sharing your writings with others.
- Your book MAY change your life forever!Stop and review your current situation. Do you want it to change? Are you open to possible interviews, invitations to speak, conferences, public recognition, and so on?
- Set lofty sales goals with the help of marketing/PR professionals.Don’t try to figure it out on your own, especially if this is your first time writing and publishing a book. Your message deserves to be heard by your ideal clients.
Michelle G Cameron is a passionate writer originally from Jamaica, WI; her fiery enthusiasm is displayed within her various projects. Known for her brilliant repertoire as both a precise and skillful writer, Michelle began her writing journey at the age of 15. She released her first book, “It’s My Life and I Live Here: One Woman’s Story” in 2011, which shares the loss of her mother at a young age, the loss of a marriage, and lessons learned along the way. Since then, she released several books that impact unmarried individuals, and aspiring authors. Michelle also coaches authors to complete their books, and provides done-for-you self-publishing services, which includes editing.
