Are you thinking about writing a book and self-publishing? Lots of coaches and consultants are available to help. I know because every so often they ask me to write copy to promote those books. And I feel the familiar headache coming on.
It doesn’t have to be this way. If you are considering a book:
(1) Start with a copywriter or marketing coach, not with an editor. Create your marketing pitch before you write your book. One reason the New York publishers (such as Random House and Harpers) sell more books is they require each author to prepare a marketing statement. If you want to self publish, I recommend you, too, create a marketing statement for yourself.
(2) If you have a non-fiction book, make sure you have hooks in every chapter. Your chapter concepts and titles need to reach out to the reader.
(3) Fiction and memoir books need to be tightly written. Recently I agreed to review a memoir with an exciting premise. When the book arrived, I was shocked to see six hundred pages of tiny type. Who’s going to expend the effort to read this book? Why didn’t the author hire an editor? If she did hire an editor, either she didn’t pay attention or she hired the wrong editor.
(4) Be ruthless. When your favorite scene, phrase or metaphor doesn’t contribute to the book’s flow, out it goes. Be especially wary when you fall in love with any portion of your book. Often that’s the part that most needs to go.
(5) Remember your goal is to sell books. Many of the books we teach as classics began as serials in magazines. The author had to maintain suspense and write to an audience. Is there a conflict between quality and commercial value? Many readers (and reviewers) would say a resounding “No.”
To learn more about writing a book that sells, you can sign up for my introductory call here.
To learn about getting reviews for your Amazon book, click here.