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How do you fine tune your ideas?

by air3lement
16 replies
Hey all!
I've been working on a book for the last couple years, and I'm almost done with my manuscript. However, I know it, along with the follow up plans, can be fine tuned with another pair of experienced eyes. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone in my circle to reach out to. I'm curious, where do you guys go for this type of stuff?
#fine #ideas #tune
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    What 'fine tuning' are you looking for?

    Market demand research?

    Competitor analysis?

    Editing?
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    • Profile picture of the author air3lement
      Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

      What 'fine tuning' are you looking for?

      Market demand research?

      Competitor analysis?

      Editing?
      I've never really done this before - so I figure possibly all of that lol

      I'm taking some time away from the manuscript to come back with a fresh pair of eyes for editing. But there's also the idea of having beta readers. And how to sell it - what to do with fans? Maybe a way to ask them what they would like from me so that I know how to better serve them.

      Ideally this book would help me launch a new career/business
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      • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
        Originally Posted by air3lement View Post

        I've never really done this before - so I figure possibly all of that lol

        I'm taking some time away from the manuscript to come back with a fresh pair of eyes for editing. But there's also the idea of having beta readers. And how to sell it - what to do with fans? Maybe a way to ask them what they would like from me so that I know how to better serve them.

        Ideally this book would help me launch a new career/business
        OK, thanks for giving us some more information to work with, now we can offer advice.

        IF you choose a main stream publisher route, you are as of today, about TWO years away from having it published. They are very slow. Sometimes, one gets lucky, or if they have a ready platform or large social media presence, a publisher may fast track. Alas, you don't have those.

        On the other hand, self publishing is fast. And with Print On Demand and Amazon, you could have your book ready to sell as soon as you get it done.

        Right now, you stand at the intersection not knowing which way to go. IF you want this be the foundation of a new career, maybe the just DO IT way would be detrimental.

        PLAN and execute might better serve you. I have no skin in these games, but two places I suggest you join are: Colin Theriot's NEW Cult of Copy: Second Level, a group which talks about becoming the GURU for profit, which is what you want to do. The other is Facebook group, Writers Write. I belong to both groups.

        Now pay attention. This next part is your million bux, OK? You wouldn't mind being a millionaire would you?

        Go to AMAZON. Search for these authors.

        Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., Mark Manson and spend some time in the self improvement category until you know what the best selling work is. And don't forget some old timers too, like Leo Buscalgia. What they have in common with you is, they are started with one self help book

        and then built EMPIRES around it. These are just a few of the 101 millionaires in the category.

        Today, you want a FACEBOOK group. A web page probably with your blog. All social media accounts. If you don't have these set up, then take the time to do so, PLAN what you want to do.

        Of course, you could just jump in. And do beta, and give free review copies, but there is a risk of bad reviews, or tepid ones by influencers, which could knock you down before you even get started.

        STOP. Take a deep breath and write down what you want for yourself in the next 3 years and attempt to create a road map of how you will get there.

        I fall somewhere between just do it, and detailed plan, but the clearer your view of your future is, the clearer the next step becomes.

        Good luck, books are tough gig these days, but once you have it done, it works for you for as long as you want.

        GordonJ
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        • Profile picture of the author air3lement
          Originally Posted by GordonJ View Post

          OK, thanks for giving us some more information to work with, now we can offer advice.

          IF you choose a main stream publisher route, you are as of today, about TWO years away from having it published. They are very slow. Sometimes, one gets lucky, or if they have a ready platform or large social media presence, a publisher may fast track. Alas, you don't have those.

          On the other hand, self publishing is fast. And with Print On Demand and Amazon, you could have your book ready to sell as soon as you get it done.

          Right now, you stand at the intersection not knowing which way to go. IF you want this be the foundation of a new career, maybe the just DO IT way would be detrimental.

          PLAN and execute might better serve you. I have no skin in these games, but two places I suggest you join are: Colin Theriot's NEW Cult of Copy: Second Level, a group which talks about becoming the GURU for profit, which is what you want to do. The other is Facebook group, Writers Write. I belong to both groups.

          Now pay attention. This next part is your million bux, OK? You wouldn't mind being a millionaire would you?

          Go to AMAZON. Search for these authors.

          Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., Mark Manson and spend some time in the self improvement category until you know what the best selling work is. And don't forget some old timers too, like Leo Buscalgia. What they have in common with you is, they are started with one self help book

          and then built EMPIRES around it. These are just a few of the 101 millionaires in the category.

          Today, you want a FACEBOOK group. A web page probably with your blog. All social media accounts. If you don't have these set up, then take the time to do so, PLAN what you want to do.

          Of course, you could just jump in. And do beta, and give free review copies, but there is a risk of bad reviews, or tepid ones by influencers, which could knock you down before you even get started.

          STOP. Take a deep breath and write down what you want for yourself in the next 3 years and attempt to create a road map of how you will get there.

          I fall somewhere between just do it, and detailed plan, but the clearer your view of your future is, the clearer the next step becomes.

          Good luck, books are tough gig these days, but once you have it done, it works for you for as long as you want.

          GordonJ
          GordonJ, wow, thank you for the effort you put into these detailed replies. Even without the skin in this game, as you called it, you're quite informative and clear in your communication. I appreciate you.

          Checked out both groups, and really resonated with that May 2 article at cultofcopy.

          I've been in the self improvement field for a little while now and am familiar with most those names. Reading your related advice, and looking through the websites, I see myself more behind the scenes. Not that I have anything against the role, I just don't necessarily want the online fame/popularity. I prefer a more simple approach - where my work would be more recognized than my face. As an example, I have a personal website up right now, but instead of my name, it's a brand (not sure if I can share link). Same with my IG account (1000 followers). When it came to YouTube videos, I was thinking to create animations/screen views. I suppose I'm not looking to be the "guru", just a provider of information that can make a difference in the lives of the people who're looking for it.

          I do believe I need to take a more detailed approach to the plans. When I created my import/distribution business, it was much easier to just go with the flow. There's been a lot more resistance with these online businesses.
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  • Profile picture of the author faisalmaximus
    I use Evernote to note down whatever comes into mind. Then once in a week, I pass them into trello. In trello I keep 5 different list - Icebox, Assigned, Work in Progress, Review, Complete. So the idea with which I want to move on, I put it into assigned list. Then step by step it completes and if need tune again and again. Thus I confirm fine tuning.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Just sell it.

    The manuscript is fine, the marketing is hard. Just sell it now and get started on marketing (hopefully if people are looking for information that your book covers) and don't worry about little things that seem like procrastination.
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  • Profile picture of the author GordonJ
    Originally Posted by air3lement View Post

    Hey all!
    I've been working on a book for the last couple years, and I'm almost done with my manuscript. However, I know it, along with the follow up plans, can be fine tuned with another pair of experienced eyes. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone in my circle to reach out to. I'm curious, where do you guys go for this type of stuff?
    A book? For WHOM? Who are you expecting to read it?

    Fiction, non-fiction, how-to, self-improvement or what? Who is the TARGET market for the book. Will you give it away free? Do you seek a regular publisher? Kindle? Self-publishing?

    So you BEGIN at the end of the chain, the PERSON who is going to read your book and you answer a series of questions, each one bringing you back a step and IF you do this, then you will see what sort of "fine tuning" you need to do.

    As you have presented your question, don't expect much help.

    GordonJ
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    • Profile picture of the author air3lement
      Thanks for all the great input! I especially appreciate the honest feedback. I'll try and provide some more information:

      It's a self improvement book - about playing the game of being human: the problem isn't who we are, it's who we think we are.

      I'm expecting young/new entrepreneurs between the age of 20 and 26 who are just starting in business to read.

      I would like to have a publisher but if that doesn't work i'm open to self publishing.

      I'm an entrepreneur of 7 years, i started a business from a hobby and with it I was granted the opportunity to learn and hard-test my abilities in a real life environment. Now as I shift gears out of the business, I want to create something new - some dependable stable income streams - both passive and active

      Ultimately goal is to have a number of people to provide value to in the form of coaching, webinars, courses, programs, etc.

      (I've also learned about niche sites from you all) --
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  • Profile picture of the author oppyeaunome
    Put it out into the world. Waiting is just another form of action faking. What you have right now you want to let it sit, come back to it and then put it out into the world.

    This allows you to get real-world feedback which will show you first hand what you need to fix. The problem is and something I struggle with is trying to make things perfect before we put them into the world.

    Just put it out there and see what happens. Remember it's easier to make a decision right than to make the right decision.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris-
    There are a lot of Author FaceBook Groups. Try some of them . . . they can be places to help promote your book when you're written it too . . . writing a book is the easy part, actually selling more than a few is much more challenging

    Chris
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  • Profile picture of the author fakeshoes
    You could try reaching to forum owners and promote your book in marketplace.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnVianny
    Try something called FIVERR.

    Lots of ghostwriters, proofreaders there
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    • Profile picture of the author Odahh
      Although Gordon gave much better information

      Are you trying for a career in self help or did you just write a book .or a manuscipt .

      Do you have a blog where you give out advice everyday. Facebook group a podcast . A self help coaching business . Anything that resembles any kind of fan base at the moment .

      Skip the fine tuning and start marketing yourself in some fashion in the self help industry .

      The book is normally a marketing tool for a self help guru .how many workshops have you done or put together speeches have you give..yada.

      It is fine to completely ignore me but I would if I had better writing skills break the book up into smaller pieces 40to50 pages long publish them as ebooks alone for a dollar or two price point and spend the next two years trying to publish a new one every month or two

      While building a fan base a podcast or what ever internet media channel you use ..so when you do get a chance to publish a book from a mainstream publisher you have name recognition to get on a bunch of podcasts and do other interview method self help. Authors use to heavily market their new book
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      • Profile picture of the author air3lement
        Originally Posted by Odahh View Post

        Although Gordon gave much better information

        Are you trying for a career in self help or did you just write a book .or a manuscipt .

        Do you have a blog where you give out advice everyday. Facebook group a podcast . A self help coaching business . Anything that resembles any kind of fan base at the moment .

        Skip the fine tuning and start marketing yourself in some fashion in the self help industry .

        The book is normally a marketing tool for a self help guru .how many workshops have you done or put together speeches have you give..yada.

        It is fine to completely ignore me but I would if I had better writing skills break the book up into smaller pieces 40to50 pages long publish them as ebooks alone for a dollar or two price point and spend the next two years trying to publish a new one every month or two

        While building a fan base a podcast or what ever internet media channel you use ..so when you do get a chance to publish a book from a mainstream publisher you have name recognition to get on a bunch of podcasts and do other interview method self help. Authors use to heavily market their new book
        I don't have any real following - I have a blog with less than 50 posts (not daily, don't know of any real followers there), IG page with 1000 followers, never done a podcast, workshop, or video.
        I was thinking I'd write the book, build a course, then start promoting myself. I know having a following first is way better. Although it's always been a goal to write and finish a real book - I'm really considering the small ebook approach you mentioned.. might help me actually get a following first.
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  • Profile picture of the author dougp
    I assume you want feedback on how to improve your book before it's published. Take it from me who have sold way over figures in digital products, you need a circle of people that are hungry for the type of information you're selling. I'm not familiar with the self improvement niche, but obviously it's a large and lucrative niche market.

    Since you know your target demographic then here's my advice.

    1) Create a list of websites in which you're target demographic congregate at. It could be on online forums, chat rooms, social media groups, etc.

    2) Study the advertisements on these sites and take notes. These you can use as inspiration for your own ads. Pay extra attention to the headlines, triggers, and call to actions. How do they apply the classical marketing formula of AIDA (Attention,

    3) Create a hype page about your book and offer a limited number of free review copies. Set up your autoresponder so that it automatically email your new subscriber the book and ways they can stay in contact with you.

    4) Once you reach the desire number of reviewers comes the hard part. Getting them to read it and provide feedback :-). Some will flake out, some will get back, and the others will do it with the right motivation. Staying in constant contact and building a relationship is key for this. People respond to those who they deem valuable.

    It's a lot of work getting reviewers but it's worth it. They can really kick start things when you launch the book as well as it's already a pool of people that you can reach out to.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve L
    Originally Posted by air3lement View Post

    Hey all!
    I've been working on a book for the last couple years, and I'm almost done with my manuscript. However, I know it, along with the follow up plans, can be fine tuned with another pair of experienced eyes. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone in my circle to reach out to. I'm curious, where do you guys go for this type of stuff?
    Just ship that thing already and let real customer feedback guide you on revisions.
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