| Have you started your book yet? No. | | | | encourage yourself. |
| Don't think about it any longer. You | | | | Keep it nearby to inspire you. Remember, |
| know the words; now say it with me. Just | | | | book covers are the number one selling |
| do it! With the right focus and | | | | point of a book. Of course, in the |
| information, you can successfully begin, | | | | beginning this is only a working cover. |
| complete and even publish YOUR book | | | | Nevertheless it will help crystallize |
| within a few months this year. | | | | your thoughts and propel you toward the |
| More and more people are successfully | | | | fulfillment of your dream. You have 10 |
| completing their books in less time. | | | | seconds or less to impress your |
| Even your competitors are getting it | | | | potential readers to buy. |
| done. Why not join them. Here's seven | | | | Look around the bookstores and the |
| tips to kick start writing your book: | | | | internet to get a few ideas. Look for |
| 1. Make your mark in the world with a | | | | the covers most suited for your |
| significant book. | | | | audience. Choose colors that attract |
| Many hopeful authors tremble in their | | | | them. For instance, consider red and |
| tracks wondering if their book will | | | | blue for business books; aqua, yellow, |
| sell. That's a good question. Who wants | | | | and shades of red work for personal |
| to invest time or money into a sinking | | | | growth books. Even so, avoid too much |
| ship? Don't be afraid; here's how to | | | | red; it makes some feel suspicious. |
| test your book's significance. | | | | 5. Develop the back cover as a sales |
| You can know your book is significant if | | | | message before you write chapter one. |
| it presents useful information, answers | | | | This benefit driven outline helps give |
| important reader questions, and impacts | | | | your book direction and helps you focus |
| people for the good. If it's | | | | on what's really important to your |
| entertaining or funny it could go | | | | readers. Most books will only allow for |
| further than you imagined. | | | | 50-75 words. That gives you less than 20 |
| It's significant, if it creates a deeper | | | | seconds to impress your prospective |
| understanding of animals, humanity or | | | | reader. Make this message passionate. |
| this world. With one to three of these | | | | Focus only what sells: testimonials |
| elements your book is worth writing. | | | | (reader, expert and famous), a benefit |
| More than three, it has potential of | | | | driven headline to hook the reader to |
| making great sales and even to best | | | | open the book and read the table of |
| seller status. Now, get started; write | | | | contents, and bulleted benefits. |
| your book and make the world a better | | | | 6. Compose your book's 60 second |
| place. | | | | "billboard" before you begin writing. |
| 2. Find out who will buy your book and | | | | Have you noticed a billboard lately? You |
| sell it to them. | | | | only have a few seconds to get it as you |
| When you give your book a specific | | | | drive by. So, the information is |
| audience, it will hit the mark of good | | | | distilled into sound bytes to be |
| sales. Best seller books focus on a | | | | effective. Make your 2-3 sentence book |
| single topic per book. When you aim at | | | | blurbs into sound bytes. Like a |
| one audience at a time, each tip, each | | | | billboard where you only have a few |
| story or how-to will be more effective. | | | | seconds to get your message across, |
| Point your message to someone specific | | | | condense your sound byte into a 60 |
| and you gain a competitive edge on many | | | | second tell and sell. |
| book writers. For many authors just | | | | Use your mini billboard at networking |
| shoot their book out to the world | | | | meetings, in the elevator, in the |
| without aim. | | | | grocery line, anywhere you only have a |
| It would be helpful to create an | | | | few seconds to tell about your book. |
| audience profile. Are your potential | | | | Composing your ad should include your |
| readers male or female? How old are | | | | title and 3 top benefits. |
| they? Are they interested in topic? What | | | | 7. Write your publishing goals down for |
| problems do they face? Are they business | | | | your book. |
| people or professionals? Are they | | | | Will you self-publish or shop for a |
| techies or non-techies? Are they willing | | | | traditional publish? There are serious |
| to spend $15-20 on a book like yours? Do | | | | pros and cons for either method. Find |
| this and you're on your way to selling | | | | out the differences so you can make an |
| more books than you dreamed. | | | | educated choice that suits you. If you |
| 3. Write your book's central thought and | | | | are self-publishing, consider the POD |
| support it with your book. | | | | technology for your book. There are lots |
| Did you cringe at the words (thesis) | | | | of good choices that will publish your |
| central thought? For some, it brought | | | | book for you at an affordable price. |
| back memories of school days and writing | | | | If you are opting for a traditional |
| essays. No worries, a thesis simply | | | | publisher, get an agent and a contract |
| means the main central thought of the | | | | before writing the book. Then shop |
| book. Make sure your main central | | | | agents and publishers with 2 chapters |
| thought includes the greatest benefit to | | | | and a knock-out book proposal. Invest in |
| your book reader and you're done. | | | | one of the current market guides and |
| In other words, it should answer your | | | | research the best fit for your work. It |
| audiences' question, "How will this book | | | | raises your chances considerably if you |
| help, encourage or solve my problem for | | | | know what kind of manuscripts a |
| me?" Write the thesis before you write | | | | particular company is looking for. |
| the book and stay on the path of | | | | I admit it; getting started writing a |
| focused, powerful yet easy to read | | | | book can be challenging to most. Even |
| content. | | | | so, it doesn't have to stay that way. |
| All chapters support your book's main | | | | You can do like the author did; use the |
| concept. For "Win with the Writer | | | | ten tips above and kick start writing |
| Inside," the thesis is "How to write, | | | | your book. Start today; complete and |
| complete, and publish your best book | | | | release your significant message to the |
| fast." The top selling titles often | | | | world. Then jump around, get excited for |
| include the main thought in some form. | | | | it won't be long before we see your name |
| 4. Make an inspiration cover early to | | | | in print! |