Some argue that business books are the new “business cards” for entrepreneurs and business owners. A business book can help position an entrepreneur as a thought leader, possibly leading to new clients and speaking engagements. But, if you are a business owner or entrepreneur, here are 5 key questions you need to ask before writing your first business book.
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#1 — Why is it important that you write a business book?
Before you start writing, it’s important to figure out why you want to write a business book. More specifically, how will your book make a difference in your industry? You must have a clear objective. Begin by asking the following key questions:
- Who is your target audience, and what are their pain points?
- What problems will your book help readers solve?
- What makes you qualified to address your potential readers’ pain points?
Pretend you are making an important business pitch to your target reader. What points will you make to convince them you have the solution to their problem? Create a list that identifies each pain point and a solution to deal with each point.
#2 — What are other authors in your industry saying about the subject your book will cover?
Take a close look at trade industry articles, blog posts, and books already published on the subject you want to cover. Identify which authors you agree with and which authors you don’t. For the authors you disagree with, find the gap or missing information. In one to two sentences, explain how your book will address the gaps you found in the material you researched. Ultimately, it would be best to write a book that offers new insight for anyone who reads your book.
#3 — What key points will your business book cover?
Once you determine the key issues your book will address, it’s time to figure out the content you plan to include. By now, you should know your objective for writing a business book, the pain points related to the topic you plan to cover, and the gaps you plan to address. Use this information to create a rough outline. Next, take a look at any content you already created, such as presentations, trade articles, journal articles, white papers, or sales materials. It’s important to make a list of what you have to determine what additional research you need to gather. This exercise will take you one step closer to answering the next question about the amount of time you have to write a book.
#4 — How much time do you have to write your book?
Whether you hire a ghostwriter or take on the task yourself, writing a book takes time. Some business books take six months to write, while others may take two years. Most business owners don’t have the luxury of writing a book full-time. Consider the projects you’ll be working on for the next year and a half.
The process requires designated dates and times for research, outlining, writing, and editing. If you work with a ghostwriter, you will need to spend time answering questions, compiling copies of presentations you delivered in the past, or published blog posts or articles. Once the first draft of the book is complete, you will need to work with editors and proofreaders to ensure the book delivers the right information and is grammatically correct.
#5 — How will you use your published book to grow your business?
Take a minute to look into your future. Imagine you are a published author of a business book. Create a one-page plan to outline how you plan to use your book to promote your business. Before your book is published, you can create a more comprehensive plan. Here are a few things to consider when creating your plan.
- Social media. If you choose to use social media, are you willing to create a consistent posting schedule to position yourself as a thought leader?
- Podcasts. If you decide to hit the podcast circuit, create a list of potential podcasts where you want to deliver your key messages.
- Customer relations. Decide how you will share information from your book with current and potential customers.
Summary
Writing a book is not for the faint of heart. It takes time, discipline, and a bit of courage to share your thoughts with the world. But if you answered the questions outlined in this post and believe writing a business book is the next natural progression for your brand, good for you. Publishing a book can open the door to new opportunities that can help you grow your business.
For more information on writing your first nonfiction book, check out these ten steps to writing a nonfiction book. I’d love to help you as you take the next steps in your writing life. To get started, complete this form to let me know about your current nonfiction writing project and needs.
