Recently I met with a prospective client who was looking for a ghostwriter to help him write a book about his life experiences.
By the time our meeting was over, he decided he didn’t want to write a book after all.
Over the years, I’ve helped far more people realize that they shouldn’t even try to write a book than I've taken on as clients.
In this latest case, the prospective client had:
- Money. He understood there would be substantial costs involved to hire a ghostwriter and produce a quality book, and he was prepared to pay a fair amount.
- A cool title. He’d come up with a clever title that would have supported his marketing strategy, but a great title is not enough.
- A preliminary marketing strategy. He recognized that even great books need to be marketed and he had some good ideas on how to do that.
So what was he missing?
A message.
He didn’t have a take-away for the reader. He had a lot of interesting stories, had overcome a lot of challenges, had dealt with personal and financial loss and in conversation was able to convey all of this in an entertaining style with a sense of humor. But he hadn’t worked it through to the point that he had something that would benefit the reader. He really just wanted to vent.
Another thing he was missing was the idea for a second book and/or ancillary products related to the first book that would generate revenue. This is the business side of writing a book that many people don’t recognize, and it doesn't happen automatically. The reality is that a single book in isolation is rarely profitable. When people like your book, they typically want more from you – either another book or another product.
If you’ve been thinking about writing a book and your goal is commercial success, you’re going to need more than a single book. Choose a ghostwriter and publishing consultant who can help you think through the project and help you determine if your goals are realistic.
Whatever is motivating you to write and publish a book, begin the process with The Simple Facts About Self-Publishing.
Print: $12.99 Ebook $6.99
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Jacquelyn's latest book is Christian Business Almanac: The Ultimate Daily Guide for Kingdom-Driven Entrepreneurs and Leaders.
She is the author of the nonfiction books Simple Facts About Self-Publishing (Second Edition), Words to Work By: 31 devotions for the workplace based on the Book of Proverbs and Finding Joy in the Morning: You can make it through the night as well as the novel Choices (A Joyful Cup Story). With her husband, she is the co-creator of several coloring books for adults and the novelty My Book About series.
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