Anyone written a book?

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I am thinking about writing a marketing book for the sole purpose of building crediblility and closing more leads. Anyone else accomplished this? Any tips?
#offline marketing #book #written
  • Start with the target audience in mind.

    Make a list of issues they have that you've fixed with great success before.

    Collect stories and data.

    Look at any articles/blog posts you've written. Any can be used 'as-is?' Any can be used with a little re-write?

    Write every day 10 pages and you have a book in 2 weeks.

    Re-write.

    Hire an editor to look at your book, unless you're really good at that, that is.

    Even if you're a good writer, you're likely to have errors, mispelling (just like I just did) that you won't see because you're too close to what you mean.

    Create/get someone to create an awesome cover.

    Check out print-on demand outfits and amazon.com.

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  • I have. Write a good book that explains a process completely. Sprinkle examples of clients (so they know you take clients). Get it printed on Createspace for free, and Kindle for free.

    What would you write about?
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    • @OP, I will co-sign for Claude's advice. I have all of his books (@$3 a pop). I have all of them in Kindle form for cheaper than any BS WSO. Each book provides some serious value...way more than $3 worth. There is some overlap in the books, but it's valuable stuff that needs to be reiterated.

      If you ask him or get his books, you can copy his entire process. If I had the desire to write a book, I would do it the way he does it.

      @Claude, actually you should do a video course. This will fill in the gaps on some of the voice tonality stuff for people.
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    • Thanks Claude for the heads up on Createspace.

      I already have a several kindles out there and a printed version of each of them will definitely help.

      They are not high cash generators from the sense of sales but as lead generation into other courses I teach and then leading to membership sites is where the real money gets made.

      I do a lot of physical DVDs which I know people seem to think are going extinct but they are very profitable especially when they are produced on demand.

      It would make a great thread...maybe there is already one...I haven't searched...

      ...on companies who produce and ship a wide variety of products on demand like Kunaki.
  • @dabk thanks for the advice. Two weeks is very fast! I am planning 3 months for completion.

    @qu4rk thanks I will check them out this weekend.

    @Claude Whitacre I am planning to write about creating a digital marketing strategy. I will also have an accompaying video course. When your book was completed, did you send free copies to qualified prospects or did you use the book to secure speaking engagements?
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    • After I wrote the books, I sent copies to friends for reviews. You'll need 5 or more great reviews on Amazon. The books are used to secure speaking engagements and interviews.

      Don't get to excited about making money directly from your books. I have 5 books on Amazon. 2 of them (the ones in my signature) are generally in the top ten in their Kindle catagory. I total about $1,000 a month from sales direct...and I know what I am doing.

      Business books are not big sellers. They are written to give the author status, and to act as high end brochures. When I speak, sometimes the host will buy a copy for every attendee. Great, now they see me as an expert, and making sales from the front of the room is much easier.

      You need to buy this book on writing and marketing Kindle books. (non-affiliate link)
      http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Publishing-Bible-Ebooks-Amazon/dp/0988433648/ref=la_B008QHU66C_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429677486&sr=1-2
      I didn't see the post. But using spinning software to write a book would be incredibly stupid. You aren't re-writing someone else's book. You are writing a book, by yourself, from start to finish. Other books just give you format ideas.

      The value in the book is that you wrote it. That your approach and personality shine through. Generic books that could be written by anyone, won't build you a following, or even get good reviews.

      The reader needs to be sitting on the edge of their seat, chomping at the bit, to turn the page. Writing is selling.
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    • I'm assuming you're going to write about things you know inside and out.

      And keep forgetting that I'm a writer, that I love writing.

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  • Saying you're a PUBLISHED AUTHOR gains you INSTANT credibility. They don't have to know that you're SELF-PUBLISHED. To boost the book's impact you should also look into online providers of book printing. Nothing says "RESPECT ME, BRO!" than a nice hardbound book in your hand with your respectable-looking mug in the back.
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    • So true. Also, think about doing book tours. If you're not comfortable touring outside the comfort of your cozy little den or office, look up online book tours (they actually exist!).

      Be aware, however, that writing a book won't make you rich. Some authors had to write several books before they got where they wanted to go. Book tours may help circumvent that little problem, but you'll need to promote the tours ($$$).
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  • Writing a book was one of the hardest and most labor-intensive activity I've ever done.. and it was less than 50 pages. It took me around three months to publish from start to finish.

    Look up Createspace and Kindle. You can write and format your book in Word and Libre Office and upload it directly.
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  • I wrote a small book on self-improvement about two months ago more for testing my own skills of writing by analyzing how people would react, so didn't put much effort into promotion, but was surprised to see sales. So yes, there's potential in writing.
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    • How did you go about promoting your book jmferret? Is it an ebook or physical book? Many thanks.
  • It would be great if you quote some interesting real successful people's stories in your book.

    it is inspirational to read real stories of successful people in specific field or niche.

    have luck!
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  • Hi,

    I have written a 60+ page ebook, published my poetry and have written for trade magazines. You were wondering about tips, so here are a few from my experiences:

    1. Writing / Planning - If you know what area you want to focus on in marketing, it would be great to plan out your book. Better yet, ask your current clients what questions they have about marketing and base your book around that.

    I usually set out my chapters first and then I end up writing the book myself. I suggest instead perhaps speaking into a recorder and hiring a VA to type out what you record each day. It'll sound more natural and would get completed quicker.

    2. Editors - I hired a couple different editors on fiverr. I had about 4 iterations of editing for my ebook, but it was well worth it in the end. I also hired someone outside of fiverr, who was in the industry I was marketing my book too. They had more insight into things than the first few editors I hired, which made my book flow so much better. Insightful stories are also good to add. We are already experts in what we are writing about, so sometimes we miss explaining things in detail as well.

    3. I also look on Amazon at other books similar to mine that were out in the marketplace. I wanted to see how they organized their books and what made them unique. It's always great to get some good ideas from others that you are impressed with. This provides a spring board of how you'd like to setup your book and what things you want to include ie: like an author's preface, testimonials, worksheets etc.

    4. I also took some time away from the book to ensure that I had some breathing space to create it. I wanted to get it done, but didn't want to rush it, as I wrote it myself.

    5. The other option if you are not interested in writing it yourself, is to hire the writing out completely and you only edit the book.

    Hope that helps,
    Drea
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  • Great stuff here...
    I have written probably a minimum of ten books ranging from 15 to 150 pages. and while I did not write them with the intent of selling them... indirectly they gave me a HUGE boost in credibility and authority in my own niche. Couple that with a great newsletter to your niche and offer the book OR newsletter as a freebie, you are on your way.
    Dont worry too much about content... just let it flow... then let it sit, come back to it... and you may need to do that three or four times.. but it will come together.
    then make sure that you find someone to format it properly and be sure to have a few graphics and pictures as well to make an easier read.
    Oh, one other thing... if you can inject a little controversy, that won't hurt you either.

    thanks to everyone who contributed here.
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    Anyone written a book?

    I am thinking about writing a marketing book for the sole purpose of building crediblility and closing more leads. Anyone else accomplished this? Any tips?