Most business owners who hear the strategy ‘write a book’ dismiss it without much thought. Their preconceived ideas of what is involved in writing a book makes them reject the idea, and their internal dialogue kicks in with:
“I can’t write a book…” and a deluge of objections (excuses?) follow:
- I don’t know how…
- I don’t have enough time…
- It’s too much like hard work…
- I don’t know enough…
Well, I am going to quickly run through these 4 objections, and show you just how easy it is and how – once you have one – you will stand high above your competitors, and have (as one of my clients call it) the ultimate business card.
I have blogged a lot on why having a book is so important. It goes without saying that is catapults you into expert status, it sets you above other providers in your industry and it opens doors that no other tactic can.
One of my clients, Rob Purfield of in3Ltd has just secured a deal (worth over a million pounds) with a high ranking company, and the reason – in his words – are
“If it wasn’t for the book, I wouldn’t have got through the doors that have led me to this deal – it was like I was holding the master key, or as I like to say, the ultimate business card.”
So if it’s a well-established fact, that having a book separates you from everyone else, why is it that so few business owners write one? Well, let’s go back to the 4 objections I stated earlier – and provide solutions.
This is a big misconception – of course you do, you just probably don’t know that you do! One of the quickest ways to identify what to write about is; what is your customers biggest objection/frustration/needs ?
An example could be: You are a life coach – and your target audience is people trying to give up smoking. Your clients biggest frustration is not being able to stick with giving up – and will power alone just doesn’t seem to work.
Your Book-> Looks at all the techniques available. Talks about how each technique works…. and then explores the idea of having an experienced coach can help them with their challenge (explaining the idea of accountability, setting goals, keeping up with latest trends etc.)
This can be tackled in 2 ways: Firstly – see what info you already have on the subject you’ve identified. I bet you will have reports, articles or even blog posts that have covered that particular topic. You can use those, adjust, re-write and add too – and before you know it you have a book.
One of my clients, Paul Hajek a conveyancing solicitor at Clutton Cox – had a 24 page A4 report, which we turned into a book. All he needed to do was add a few extra bits to the report – and within 3 weeks we had a book being typeset. It was the inspiration behind my blog from PDF to book – go check it out.
The second way is to get an accountability partner (or coach) that can help you with the writing/scheduling/keeping you on track – allowing you to priorities your writing and before you know it, 12 weeks later a book is born.
Now this objection is very similar to the one I’ve just discussed. Most people dismiss writing a book because there seems to be too much involved. But it doesn’t have to be. You can enlist the help of book writing services which can help take away all of the hard work – and manage the whole project.
Being able to hand over a word document – and then in 3 weeks’ time get a printed physical copy back, without having to manage any of the interim processes makes writing a book simple and easy.
Writing a book is fairly simple. All you need to establish is you target audience, what their biggest challenge is, then write a blueprint plan detailing everything you need to cover to answer that question.
You can then write the book in two ways.
You can type it – or you can record it. The process of how is simple when you know the tricks and tactics. Hiring someone who knows the ins and outs of writing a book, how to come up with your blueprint plan (check out my blog that tells you how) the rest of the writing process is fairly straightforward.
The biggest objection however, is usually not the ones I’ve mentioned… it’s your mindset, collectively using the excuses I’ve outlined, and making that the reason for not writing a book.
If you still feel like it’s something that you just ‘don’t have time for’ then let me remind you of a great quote by Loa Tzu –
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to”
Can you afford to ‘not want’ to write a book? I don’t think so!
If you think you have a book waiting to get out – but just feel the whole process is daunting, then get in touch. The Book Refinery can help you from the very beginning. We can help with brainstorming ideas, getting the plan written, then getting the book out of your head and into print.
Simply fill in your details on the home page (at the bottom) or email me at alexa@thebookrefinery.com for a non obligatory call – we can discuss your options and hopefully start you on your book writing journey.
