How to write a book that sells

It’s not enough to write your book, put it on Amazon and hope that someone is going to buy it.

Although you can turn your knowledge, wisdom and even your story into a book, it needs a great outline, a great structure, a great hook and ultimately a great idea to become a book that sells!

The 21 questions that we ask in the Get Started Workbook are a good starting point to write a book that sells. The workbook addresses many of the questions that we ask our clients when they begin to work with us.

Things like…

What is your goal for your book?

Who is your ideal reader?

What is your topic?

What is your angle or hook?

Why should people read your book?

What happens next after people read your book?

How does your book fit into your business?

These are essential questions whether you’re writing your memoir or autobiography where you’re sharing your story, and also if you’re writing a self-help book or how to guide where you’re teaching your wisdom.

A book that sells is one that gets noticed, helps you to reach more people with your message, makes a bigger difference, and also helps you to build and develop your business.

Here are some tips for both types of book to make sure that you write a book that sells!

An autobiography or memoir

If you’re writing your autobiography or memoir, be clear about the turning points in your story and journey, and the purpose of these to your reader. Although it may be cathartic to write everything down, ensure that your book is of value.

What is the overall picture you’re painting?

Why are you writing it?

What will your reader get from reading it?

What do you want your book to do for your business?

As an author it’s hard to see past the facts, and dipping into the emotion behind each experience will start to bring your book alive. You may well benefit from using a developmental editor or you may find a ghost writer beneficial to help you to tell your story.

Cath Lloyd recently published her book with us. When Dad Became Joan: Life with my Transgender Father tells the story of how her father made the decision to become a woman 30 years ago.

Cath worked with our developmental editor and team to get to grips with her story and the turning points that has led to where she is today. As well as sharing her story, she’s focused on the business elements of what she has learnt, detailing some of the techniques that helped her to cope. She shows you how to use these too. This is very clearly linked to her business as a stress management coach.

A self-help book, how-to guide or other business book

Planning your book before you start is essential, whatever type of book you’re writing. If you’re writing a business style book where you’re sharing your wisdom or knowledge, you may well be using the strategies, systems and knowledge that you already teach your clients. But it does need to be carefully structured and thought out. Just taking a programme or presentation and turning it into a book just isn’t going to work.

Like with a memoir or autobiography, every chapter needs a purpose, and with this type of book you’ll ideally layer your knowledge and expertise as you write your book. It’s important to consider the questions I outlined above, as you probably know so much that it could easily turn into multiple books! And knowing this before you start is essential.

I usually work with clients who have an idea and then work with them on their content. It’s easier to break down their knowledge into manageable chunks that makes their final manuscript easy to read. You will also be able to see how your book fits into your business, and be clear on the next best steps for your readers once they’ve read it. Ultimately this helps to ensure it’s a business building tool.

Occasionally I work with clients who haven’t done this before they start, and some may need a substantial rewrite before they get published. One such client who I’ve worked with is now going to be publishing later this spring, and he recently said to me that he’s now proud of his book, and that it is significantly different from where he started.

Can you write a book that sells?

Where are you with your book?

Are you clear on your plan or are you stuck in any of the elements?

To get support with your book this year, please do get in touch. You can work with us through one-to-one mentoring, our Make Your Book Happen days or join us on a writing retreat.

Let us help you to create a book that does sell!