Your Book’s Introduction is a Mini Sales Letter

Why write an introduction for your book? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until now, this opinion has had clout. But now, with a shorter introduction of one to two pages, and through the five essentials below, your introduction will become the fourth sales tool for your book. When people read your clear, concise personal note to them with benefits they will receive, they will buy your book on the spot!

Your Book’s Introduction Includes:

1. The hook. Your first paragraph must compel your potential buyer to read more, so they will buy your book. Make your opener short–one sentence is best. Answer their question, “So What? Why should I buy your book?” Your opener might be a shocking statistic or fact, powerful quote. Or the best, answer your audience’s # one question about their #one challenge. Start with where your audience is now. Don’t tell them, engage them. .

2. The background. Your particular audience has challenges. Describe where they are now, why they haven’t succeeded, how they are uninformed in a few paragraphs. Include a few sentences on why you wrote the book. At the end of this information, state your thesis statement, a general statement of what your book will give them.

3. The benefits. In the next paragraphs, keep answering the “So what?” that is inside every potential buyer’s mind. Show the general benefits such as increased health, communication, finances or fortune. Show specific benefits. For instance, in “Write your eBook or Other Short Book-Fast!” Create each part of your book as a sales tool, rewrite less, publish cheaper and faster.”

4. The format. Every non-fiction book needs a format that gives your audience an idea of what they will experience ahead. They have already looked at the Table of Contents that gives them a general format and direction. In your introduction you need to say what features will benefit them in each chapter. Ech chapter format will probably include a hook and thesis, the middle part with information, how tos, tips, a story.

5. The last sentence. Invite your reader into the text of your book. Entice them once again with an enthusiastic “read on.” For example in one of my writing books I used this last line, “You’ve been waiting too long to share your unique message. Read on and apply all the simple steps I give to make you a successful author.”

Now that you’ve written a sparkling introduction you have helped your potential buyer decide to take out their wallet and purchase your book. This “Essential Hot-Selling Point” is all important-it’s kind of a mini sales letter you can adapt for your book’s back cover and your web book sales letter.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Book and Internet Marketing Coach Judy Cullins helps businesses build clients and sell books. Author of “How to Write your Book Fast” and “The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic,” Judy offers free eBook “Book Writing and Marketing Tips” with monthly ezines at cYour Book’s Introduction is a Mini Sales Letter

Why write an introduction for your book? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until now, this opinion has had clout. But now, with a shorter introduction of one to two pages, and through the five essentials below, your introduction will become the fourth sales tool for your book. When people read your clear, concise personal note to them with benefits they will receive, they will buy your book on the spot!

Your Book’s Introduction Includes:

1. The hook. Your first paragraph must compel your potential buyer to read more, so they will buy your book. Make your opener short–one sentence is best. Answer their question, “So What? Why should I buy your book?” Your opener might be a shocking statistic or fact, powerful quote. Or the best, answer your audience’s # one question about their #one challenge. Start with where your audience is now. Don’t tell them, engage them. .

2. The background. Your particular audience has challenges. Describe where they are now, why they haven’t succeeded, how they are uninformed in a few paragraphs. Include a few sentences on why you wrote the book. At the end of this information, state your thesis statement, a general statement of what your book will give them.

3. The benefits. In the next paragraphs, keep answering the “So what?” that is inside every potential buyer’s mind. Show the general benefits such as increased health, communication, finances or fortune. Show specific benefits. For instance, in “Write your eBook or Other Short Book-Fast!” Create each part of your book as a sales tool, rewrite less, publish cheaper and faster.”

4. The format. Every non-fiction book needs a format that gives your audience an idea of what they will experience ahead. They have already looked at the Table of Contents that gives them a general format and direction. In your introduction you need to say what features will benefit them in each chapter. Ech chapter format will probably include a hook and thesis, the middle part with information, how tos, tips, a story.

5. The last sentence. Invite your reader into the text of your book. Entice them once again with an enthusiastic “read on.” For example in one of my writing books I used this last line, “You’ve been waiting too long to share your unique message. Read on and apply all the simple steps I give to make you a successful author.”

Now that you’ve written a sparkling introduction you have helped your potential buyer decide to take out their wallet and purchase your book. This “Essential Hot-Selling Point” is all important-it’s kind of a mini sales letter you can adapt for your book’s back cover and your web book sales letter.

Source: http://www.articlecircle.com/ – Free Articles Directory

About the Author

Book and Internet Marketing Coach Judy Cullins helps businesses build clients and sell books. Author of “How to Write your Book Fast” and “The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic,” Judy offers free eBook “Book Writing and Marketing Tips” with monthly ezines at http://www.bookcoaching.com judycullins@cox.net

Write a Book for 10 Good Reasons

Author: Earma Brown

Have you developed your career, business or service in excellence? If so, it deserves the greatest opportunity for growth you can afford it right?

A great way to get more leads, more sales and more customers is to use one of the fastest growing tools around to help you connect with more prospects. A book will expand your exposure and increase your sales opportunities.

Here are 10 good reasons to write a book:

1. Add an additional income stream. You may have already built a respected name for yourself in your career or business. A book will bring you even more respect. The growing group of people who gleam insight from you will love that your information is finally in book form. They will reward you by buying from you. They will love the convenience and concrete gratification of reading your information in a book.

2. Expand your reach to the world. When your book is made available, many people will purchase from all over the world. It will open the opportunity for you to interact with people outside of your immediate area. When your subscribers and customers have good success with your book they will tell their friends and associates. Referrals make the best customers for they bring a higher rate of sales.

3. Build your brand name and enhance your prestige as a professional. Let your readers know why your book is the best choice. Build quality into your work so your customers will enjoy spreading the word about your book. As I am sure you have heard before, your customers are your best marketers.

4. Create a greater awareness of your business by offering free articles and tips to your book readers and website visitors. People are always looking for good information, a whopping 85% of Internet users are looking for information.

Make your intent to give something useful and helpful in your area of expertise. As your visitors come for the free, they will become aware of your book and services. They may not buy the first or even the fifth time but expert statistics say up to 50% will buy.

5. Create a powerful business card. Offer your book audience original, different information. Have you wondered what makes a new diet book sell well even when there are scores of diet books on the market?

The author presents their unique set of successful diet rules, their exercise program, their perspective, their testimonials and their credentials. They use original, different information for the same results.

6. Inspire a life full of adventure and opportunities. Inspire people to do something good. Weave inspiring stories into your book and sell more. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership spent 18 straight months on the Business Week Business Best Seller List. Dr. Maxwell started each chapter with a short story of a famous person successfully using the chapter’s law of leadership.

7. Entertain your audience with drama, humor or fun. Enrich the lives of your customers. Do you have a talent to make people laugh? Use it in your book. Provide a little oasis of escape for your readers. People love it when you entertain them.

Intertwine funny stories into your non-fiction manuscript. Entertain them, make them laugh; they’ll love you for it. Best of all, they will have fun telling all their friends about your funny book.

8. Give a greater understanding of life. Have you been gifted with a deep understanding of life? Put small excerpts of your understanding throughout your book. Sprinkle your quotes along with other famous philosophers or world thinkers within your book.

9. Elevate your name to fame. Write a book filled with success experiences that motivate your audience to do more, give more or share more. Share your experiences to motivate your audience. Share how you overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges in your field. It will motivate your audience to think if you did it; they can do it too.

10. Offer solutions to your audience. Offer the magic pill or simple steps to solve a problem in your field. Every one loves it when we get simple solutions to our problems. Get this right and you could have a best seller. Do you know the solution to a vexing problem? Write the solution in your book. You might be surprised at who’s searching for a little relief.

You have grown your career, business or service; now write a book to enjoy watching your profits soar to new heights. Then remember stay in touch with your buyers. When they order a book from you follow up with them. Start building your list and send them regular follow-up information, free bonuses and requests.

About the Author:

Earma Brown, 12 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe.” Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free mini-course “Jumpstart Writing Your Book” or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/write-a-book-for-10-good-reasons-255975.html

How to Write a Book Like a Pro and Profit Sooner

Author: Earma Brown

You already have what it takes to write your book. And like other professionals you can create or increase your passive income stream each month. Your professional competitors wish you would never discover these secrets.

You may be asking “What if I’m not a professional writer?” You can still write your professional book and start earning in a few months. I am convinced your audience is waiting on your insightful expertise to help solve their problems.

All it takes is a little know how to write your book like a pro. Start by solving your readers’ problems using your expert knowledge. You know the articles, speeches and reports already in your files.

Expand one of your articles or speeches into a short book by adding short stories and some practical how-to steps. If you want to write your book like a pro and increase your income, read these five secrets and apply them:

1. Secret One. Write a short book first to build your confidence. I know short doesn’t mean the same thing to every person. For books, let’s agree 50-100 or so pages is short, even 140 sounds less intimidating than a 200-300 page book. Your future customers are busy and usually read only what takes the shortest amount of time. For example, a friend of mine wanted to learn how to conduct tele-seminars. He said he didn’t hesitate buying a short book of 70 pages at $19.97 to help him learn the ropes of tele-seminars.

Make your book simpler, shorter, and punchier. Shorten your sentences, stories and analogies. Your professional format will include a strong heading (question) your reader needs answered and the answer. This professional formula presents the problem and solution quickly without a lot of words.

2. Secret Two. Focus on one topic in your book. It’s a known fact bestsellers focus on one main topic. Focus on one topic then write each chapter to support that subject. When you overload your reader with information, you come across as disorganized, wordy and flat. Instead of including everything you know, stick to one how-to subject and include plenty of simple details with examples to make it useful to your reader.

3. Secret Three. Brand yourself, your business and your book. Think about the greatest benefit that you offer through your book or service. Consider your book and chapter titles. Now think about your keywords and headings on your website. Do you see a repeating word that stands out?

For example, the book “Win With the Writer Inside You” the author threads some form of “win” throughout her materials. Ever heard of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series? The title changes in its audience but the Chicken Soup brand stays the same. For example, there’s a Chicken Soup for Teen-agers, Chicken Soup for Mothers, and so on.

4. Secret Four. Get a professional editor or book coach. Yes, its o.k. and you should get feedback from family, friends, local writing group, etc. But you need to get a professional viewpoint of your work to weed out the passive voice, bad grammar and all the things that slow your readers down to a standstill.

Copy that appeals to the emotions of your reader sell your books. Your future customers want word pictures that they can respond to with their emotions.

5. Secret Five. Target and get to know your audience. Let’s face it not everyone will want to read your book. Most uninformed authors write what they feel is a great book; spend tons of time and sometimes money looking for people to buy it. Instead match your expert knowledge with an audience you can serve.

Consider their needs, problems and how you can help solve them. Business people are a hot audience right now. They are hungry and willing to buy what will improve, make profitable their life and business. Right now think of one to three preferred audiences in your area of expertise. Then write the book your customers will be looking for.

It’s faster to write a book if you know how. People are looking for practical information and knowledge that you have. Don’t let your ideas, knowledge and expertise fade away. Put it to work for you in a book. Remember, if you need help contact a professional book coach or take an e-course to inform yourself.

About the Author:

Earma Brown, 12 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe.” Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free mini-course “Jumpstart Writing Your Book” or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/how-to-write-a-book-like-a-pro-and-profit-sooner-254895.html

7 Essential Book Title Templates to Create a Top Selling Book

Author: Earma Brown

Is your book title designed to hook your book readers? No. It should. Titles set the stage for your potential audience. They either work to grab your potential reader by the collar and pull them in for the read or they don’t.

Hot book titles create excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm for more. You want your titles to express the heart and passion of your message, right? Then write your book title to be ‘the match’ that ignites interest in reading your important message.

Develop this valuable skill and you add magnetic pulling power and punch to all your marketing tools including your front book cover, bullet points and chapter titles that get your message read. Start with these 7 top tips to sizzle your titles, headlines, bullets and sell more.

1. Include a Top Benefit.
“Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money that the Poor and Middle Class Do Not”
A winning non-fiction title immediately communicates the benefit readers will gain after reading your book. Benefit-oriented books often use the problem-solution approach. Master (A) this skill or technique and get (B) this benefit. Readers buy non-fiction books for a “benefit” for something that will help them, grow them, profit more, cut expense, avoid trouble, gain more time, decrease stress, gain better relationships, get better health, eliminate drama, evade trauma, get more energy and vitality and less fatigue.

2. Make a Big Promise.
“How to Increase Sales 400% by Using Article Marketing”
People will put your book down if they smell hype and never come back. But if you have big gun promises don’t be afraid to pull it out and use it. Consider carefully and use sparingly; then make your big promise and deliver. People will remember your promises and come back for more or purchase. Don’t forget to include the specific delivery or ‘how to’ inside your big promise titled book.

3. Use Alliteration.
“How to Be a Great Communicator In Person, On Paper and at the Podium!”
Alliteration is using words in succession that start with the same letter. Alliteration also happens when titles include parallel construction or repeated consonants as used in the title and sub-title. For example, a friend used alliteration in her title, “WOW! Women of Worth: Creating a Life Full of Passion, Power & Purpose.” The repeated consonants create a rhythm that cements the book’s title in a reader’s mind.

Tommy Newberry’s “Success is Not an Accident! Change Your Choices, Change Your Life”, the repeated consonants and the repeated word ‘change’ work together to emphasize the success technique.

4. Use Power Words like “How,” “Secret,” “Power.”
“How to Write and Publish Your Own Ebook In Less than 7 Days”
People love to learn with simple steps and fast. Combine it with a powerful benefit and you will reel your reader in every time. You decide. Does the title above, “How to Write and Publish Your Own Ebook In Less Than 7 Days” or “7 Ways to Create an Ebook” pull at your attention.

5. Make the Provocative Statement.
“5 Web Site Mistakes That Drive Your Web Visitors Away In Less Than 2 Minutes”
You mean my site could be driving my visitors away that fast. Especially, if you have been working hard to get site visitors you would want to know what would drive them away fast. Provocative statements pull at our attention like an electric shock. They make us curious. They sometimes make us mad. They make us feel a lot of different things but most of all they make us read.

6. Ask the Question.
“Do You Want More Traffic, More Free Publicity, More Sales?”
Most times people unconsciously answer the question you pose in their minds. The key is to provide the answers in your copy including statistics. For example, “Have you ever felt afraid to buy online? Like it or not, many are still cautious of buying on the web. A Boston Consulting Group Consumer Survey found that 70% of respondents worry about making purchases online.”

7. Perplex with the Confusing.
“Who Moved My Cheese?”
Develop curiosity into your title. A seemingly opposite simile works like a charm. Sometimes the title that doesn’t make a lot of sense will pull your audience in for the read. Would the title above arouse your curiosity? The confusing title can capture the attention of your audience just to see what it’s about.

Don’t wait to develop this valuable skill. Add magnetic pulling power to your to your front book cover. Ignite interest through your chapter titles. Keep your audiences reading through hot attention grabbing bullets. Title well and sell well. Best wishes on titling your top selling book.

About the Author:

Earma Brown, 12 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe.” Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free mini-course “Jumpstart Writing Your Book” or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/7-essential-book-title-templates-to-create-a-top-selling-book-255468.html

You Wrote a Book! Now Where On Earth Do You Publish It?

Author: Cathy Goodwin

If there’s a list of the “Ten most frequently asked questions about writing and publishing a book,” this question will be near the top:

“I want to write a book. Should I try to get a publisher, big (like Harpers) or niche (like New Harbinger)? Should I publish my own ebook? And if so, should I create an e-book to download? Or pay for hard copies?”

The answer (as usual): It depends. What do you hope to accomplish with your book?

Experienced authors will advise you, “Decide where to publish before you write the book.” Sales depend on choosing a title, topic, writing style and content strategy tailored to your publishing platform.

(1) Traditional publishers:

Cons:

Expect a long, arduous process to go from proposal to print. These days, most authors need an agent just to get past the mail room. Getting an agent will be just as tough as finding a publisher. Not all agents will be motivated to work to sell your book. I’ve heard many authors complain, “My agent just sat on the manuscript for 6 months.”

Once you sell to a publisher, your agent gets 15-20% of royalties plus expenses. You have little control over cover art and jacket copy. You create your own publicity and “buzz,” even if you just got a big advance. And unless you create a best-seller, you will not make a lot of money from the book.

Pros:

There is no better way to create credibility and even prestige. If your book is any good at all, you get media publicity and speaking opportunities. You probably will not make a lot of money from the book itself.

But you can enhance a coaching, consulting, speaking or therapy practice. I owe thousands of dollars to my own book, which is now available as a self-published download. I didn’t earn this revenue from the publisher but clients saw my book and called for consultations.

(2) Downloadable E-book

Cons:

Making money from e-books is more about marketing than about writing. You follow a formula. You need to identify a market, find a topic, write the book, and convert to pdf, the best cross-platform software for ebooks. You absolutely, positively need a hard-hitting sales letter, which means you learn copywriting or hire a pro. And you need to help buyers fix glitches when they try to download your book or pay with their credit cards. Software can do the work but it doesn’t come cheap.

Pros:

No delays! You are limited only by your writing time. Once you learn the system, you feel like you are counterfeiting money. Your ebook can enhance your other offerings as bonuses. Sure, you follow a formula. But if you follow the formula with care, you can earn a healthy income.

And, with a quality ebook and a well-designed business model, some of your readers will turn into clients.

(3) Hard copy self-publishing

Cons: This option can offer you the worst of both worlds. You pay and often warehouse the books in your garage. Yes, you can sign up for print on demand, but you pay considerably more for each book. Do not choose the cheapest package. Expect to pay hefty fees for cover art and design. Nearly everyone needs to hire an editor. Reviewers tend to regard self-publishers with suspicion, if not disdain.

Pros: This option can offer you the best of both worlds. If you regularly hold workshops or speak to large audiences, you can sell your book to your audience. This process is called “back of the room” or “from the platform,” even though you may not actually stand in the back of the room.

Coaching and consulting clients may not care who published your book: often they are impressed to see any book at all.

Which option is right for you? Review your goals and your business model. And most important: before you write even one line, plan how you will promote and distribute your book.

Regardless of your publishing path, you become a marketer rather than a writer as soon as you say, “I want to write a book.” By planning ahead for this role reversal, you can save considerably on your marketing investment and enjoy far greater success.

About the Author:

FREE 7 Best-Kept Secrets of Websites That Really Attract Clients: My Special Report gives you insider tips to convert tire-kickers to buyers and earn money while you sleep. From Cathy Goodwin, The Content Strategist, at Website Marketing Strategies

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/you-wrote-a-book-now-where-on-earth-do-you-publish-it-261029.html

Write an Attention Getting Book Title

Author: Joan Clout-Kruse

“How To Win Friends and Influence People” Isn’t that a terrific attention-getting title? You would pick up the book and browse through it in the bookstore with a title like that. The author, Dale Carnegie, created this wonderful book more than 50 years ago and it still is in print today.

The content must hold the interest of the reader but it is the title first that perks the curiosity of the book browser. It is the banner for your book. You want your title to capture the attention of your potential reader. You want the title to subliminally say, “Grab me. Hold me. Take me.” When it does, you are on your way to persuading your reader-to-be to take your fantastic book home and apply your amazing ideas to his or her life.

Creating a title that will sell your book isn’t easy. It takes time and lots of working titles before you select the most irresistible title for your book. Here are some tips for generating awesome titles.

1. Identify a Problem. Teach a Skill

Will your book solve a problem for your reader? This is a great how-to book. I own many how-to books on writing and personal success. I have a how-to book on 10 ways to keep your car in top condition. Most of us search for problem solving books. Wouldn’t you like to learn “how to win friends and influence people?” A how-to book with an attention-getting title will attract readers to your book. Another type of how-to book teaches your reader new skills. Make it clear on the book title what the reader will learn such as the “Dummies” or “Idiots” book are so good at describing in their titles.

2. Promise Something

Can you promise results? Can you make a difference in people’s lives? Does a title like, “Think and Grow Rich,” by Napoleon Hill promise something? Yes, it does. We want to open the book and find out more about getting rich. Will your book help improve your reader’s life? Begin making a list of promising titles for your book.

3. Bring Hope To Your Reader

“Hope is the mainspring of life,” I wrote years ago on a book about hope. We look for hope every day in our daily activities. Years ago I heard the story of the president of a company who sold cosmetics to women. He was asked, “What do you do?” He said, “I sell hope.” Are you selling hope to your readers? Again the book, “Grow Rich” is not only promising something but it is selling hope. What will your book promise? Begin making a list.

4. Create a Sub-Title

Hah! You thought you were finished. Don’t stop with a title. Now you have to create an awesome sub-title that will appeal to the reader. Did you know that Robert Kiyosaki’s book; “Rich Dad Poor Dad” has a sub-title? It is, “What The Rich Teach their Kids About Money That the Poor And Middle Class Do Not!” A little long but it is right to the point and grabs attention. Your sub-title will tip the reader on the benefits or the unique approach or slant of your book. Begin writing sub-titles for your book.

5. Deciding on the Title for Your Book

After you’ve written dozens or more working titles and sub-titles take a break for a day or two. Let the titles jell in your mind. Keep your titles short and easy to remember. Make your sub-titles just long enough to let the reader know the key benefit or slant of your book. E-mail the title list to colleagues on your list who might be interested in your topic. Ask them which one grabs their attention. Get their feedback. Don’t tell them your favorite title as it might influence their decision. After a few days pick the best title for your book based on comments from your friends and your own feelings. Remember the title should describe the book’s theme and the subject matter must be evident in the title.

6. Visit the Bookstore

It’s time to go to your bookstore or online and view the titles of books. Make a list of the ones that capture your attention. Why do they grab you? It probably is for one or more of the reasons mentioned in #1-3 above. It identifies a problem that you want to solve, it teaches something, promises something, or will bring you hope. You want your book do one or more of these things for your readers.

After you have created a dozen or more titles and sub-titles, perused the bookstore, received your colleagues’ opinions, it is time for you to select your best title. You are now on your way to creating that bestseller!

About the Author:

America’s Book Coach, Joan Clout-Kruse, helps entrepreneurs and business professionals write a book that will get them recognized as an expert, attract more clients and boost their income. Claim your Free audio and tips on writing your great book at http://www.writemybizbook.com/ezine.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/write-an-attention-getting-book-title-268642.html

How to Write a Book to Stand Out In the Crowd and Sell

Author: Earma Brown

Did you know there are about 1.5 million books in print at any one time in the United States alone? Furthermore, there are over 195,000 new titles published each year in this country.

Many aspiring authors feel their book would be lost in the sea of books already in print? May I be honest? That feeling is correct if you don’t target your potential book readers well.

To write your book to stand out in a crowd, you must write it for a targeted audience interested in your book’s topic. Identifying a (niche) targeted audience is really hot in the marketing world right now and rightly so.

Simply put, to target a niche market or audience in your book’s topic area: Identify a problem/solution and research your competition. Then develop a different approach. With all the books in the world on your topic, it’s not enough to know the solution. You must present the solution in a different way than existing books do.

Develop a way of making your book different. You need a different viewpoint, a niche, or a different spin on perhaps the same information. Examine the problem again. Look at the solution your book solves with the goal of coming up with a way to present your knowledge differently than existing books.

Here are several ways you can do this:

1. Market Segment. You can develop a niche by focusing on an occupation, sex, or age group, i.e. Lose 14 Pounds in 2 Weeks: A Guide for the New 30 at 40, Lose Weight Safely Before, During and After Pregnancy.

2. Experience Group. You could write a book for people experiencing the same thing at the same time. For example, Fit at Forty: A Exercise Guide for the New 30 at 40 or Newbie Mothers Eating Healthy.

3. Broadening Market. Consider appealing to a broader market: Lose 14 Pounds in 14 Days: A Guide for Working Class Men & Women.

4. Focus. Attack a big problem by emphasizing a particular tool or technique that you have experience with. For example, show how heart attack survivors can lose 14 pounds in 2 weeks by eating only fish, white meats and walking 10 miles a day.

5. Program. I love this one. Base your solution on the way you solve a large problem by breaking it into steps, i.e. Write Your Best Book Now: A 7 Step Program for book writing.

6. Expertise. Base your niche on your market’s previous experience with a topic, for example, “The Last Business Book You’ll Ever Need!”

7. Goal. Organize your existing information around benefits of achieving the goal: Free Again, Healthy Again!

8. Affinity. Perhaps you have a relationship with a high visibility organization that has benefited from your ideas. You can reframe your knowledge by leveraging off your association: The Bank of America Financial Program or the Southern Methodist University Weight Loss Program.

You might notice in each one of the above examples of the same market, the contents of the book would probably be the same! The books would contain the same basic ideas, suggestions, tips, etc. For example, all the books about diets would probably stress the importance of eating right, choosing the right foods in right portions and daily exercise. Yet, each book presents a different viewpoint targeting a different market.

Be bold; have no fear about approaching the same subject as existing books. Focus in on your unique ideas and viewpoint. Remember, according to the writer of Ecclesiastes, “There’s nothing new under the sun.”

Even, Bernice Fitz Gibbon said, “Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up only little more than a century ago.” So start today; make your book different, make it count and make it yours. Write your significant book to stand out in the crowd and sell.

About the Author:

Earma Brown, 12 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her monthly ezine “iScribe.” Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free mini-course “Jumpstart Writing Your Book” or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/how-to-write-a-book-to-stand-out-in-the-crowd-and-sell-288136.html

7 Book Writing Tips that Stamp Pro On Your Book

Author: Earma Brown

Have you picked up a book to read and noticed a wall of text or a confusing order? Did it inspire you to read on? Or did it cause you to lose heart and put the book down?

The truth is poor organization is a turn off to most book readers. Chances are the author does not get a second chance. Not many will wade through sloppy book writing and organization to get to the real message.

Excellent book organization pulls your readers in for the read. Whether you are writing solutions for your clients in the work field or inspirational tips for the volunteers in a cause, your well organized words will work powerfully for you.

Ready to write a book your readers love to read? Start with this short checklist to translate your professionalism to more profits. Then write your ticket to success through a well organized book.

1. Write attention grabbing chapter titles. Do your chapter titles do their job? I mean do they help explain what’s in your book? Do they capture the interest, engage, or shock the senses of your potential reader. Chapter titles set the stage for your potential audience. They work to grab your potential reader by the collar and pull them in for the read.

2. Craft easily noticed headlines. Add magnetic pulling power and punch to every chapter that will help get your message read. Use your headlines to create excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm for more. Express the heart and passion of your message through your headlines.

3. Write body copy that aids readability. Aim for short sentences and paragraphs. Slash your sentences to under 15-17 words. Don’t bog your readers with complex sentences. Remember multiple phrases slow your reader’s comprehension. Make it easy. Get to the point fast.

4. Use sub-headings and bullets to further organize. Don’t forget to use your title writing skill for your chapter sub-headings. Even bullet points will have pulling power if they are developed correctly. Take every opportunity to keep leading your reader along with attention keeping sub-headings and bullets.

5. Insert graphics that explain not distract. Choose your graphics carefully. They must flow with the theme of your book. Make them further explain your topic. If you choose graphics poorly, they end up distracting your reader. Distracted readers may fall asleep and miss your important message.

6. Develop pull quotes that summarize. Use pull quotes sparingly but do use them. To make an important point in your chapter, put it in the pull quote. Many times your readers will read the pull quotes first. Then you get to emphasize the point again when they’re reading the regular part of the chapter.

7. Apply white space. Never make your book look like a wall of text. You will frighten lots of readers away and they may never read your message. Most readers start out as skimmers. Your job is to snag their attention with your well organized copy including white space and attention grabbing headlines throughout your book.

Are you ready to stamp pro on your self published book? Remember to write sizzling chapter titles, craft easily noticed headlines, write body copy that aids readability, use sub-headings to further organize, insert graphics that explain, develop pull quotes to summarize important points and don’t forget white space. Now go; write a book your readers will love to read and make us all proud!

About the Author:

Earma Brown, 12 year author and business owner
helps small business owners and writers who want to write their best book now! Earma mentors other writers and business professionals through her bi-weekly ezine “iScribe.” Send any email to iscribe@bookwritinghelp.com for free mini-course “Jumpstart Writing Your Book” or visit her at http://www.bookwritinghelp.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/7-book-writing-tips-that-stamp-pro-on-your-book-276665.html

8 Ways to Promote Your Book

Author: Joan Clout-Kruse

Congratulations! Your book is published or almost ready to be published. Your work is just beginning. You now must promote your book.

Here are 8 ways to promote your book.

1. Create and print postcards. You can create your own cards on your computer if you have an application designed to help you do that. Or search online for a printing service that can do it for you. Make sure you have listed a website URL address where interested readers can buy your book.

Take a photo of your book and use it on all your promotional materials. Mail the cards to people you know with a personalized written note on the back. Personally hand out your postcards at conferences, seminars, and networking events. Tell people a little bit about your book in one or two sentences.

2. Speak to organizations. Set up some speaking engagements locally to start for groups of 50 or more. You can collect business cards at the end by raffling one of your books or another book if yours isn’t published yet. Tell them you would like to put them on your mailing list for your e-zine (online newsletter)–yes, you must create one to send out at least once a month. If they do not want to be in your database tell them to write an “X” on the back of their business card and you will not add them to your list but they can still be in the raffle.

3. Build your list. Important! You must keep a record (collect business cards) of all the people you meet–especially media people. HIRE someone to put your list in Microsoft Outlook or Apple’s Address Book to start. You need to capture all the contact names that come your way. Hire a student or someone who is responsible for only one thing — putting your addresses in a database for you. Remember to always ask if it’s okay to add their name to your list.

4. Get your book reviewed. Is your book published? Did your publisher get reviews of your book for you? If not, hurry and get some. Ask your publisher to do this. In the United States your book is sent to major journals and to BookList or if listed in the Library Journal you automatically are guaranteed several thousand sales to libraries.

If your publisher said YES they did it, ask for copies of the reviews so you can use them for your own promotion. You will then use the quotes in your own promotional materials and put them on your website.

5. Publish in major magazines. Sell the serial rights to major magazines. That means you’re giving the magazine the right to print selected portions of the book in their magazine. If you have a publisher, usually they own the rights so check to see if they are working on this.

6. Set up a broadcast media campaign. Get a list of radio and television stations. Call and find out the producer’s name of the show. Have a Press Release folder ready to mail or fax. Send it to the producers who ask for it. Don’t bother mailing it unless you have permission. They’ll just throw it away.

7. Spread the word about your book. You are the best person to spread the word about your book. Here are some things to do: Send email to friends and fans. Make it a monthly or bi-weekly newsletter. Keep your fans up-to-date as to what is happening with your book. Tell them the funny experiences that happened when you are traveling. Put this on your Blog — very important. Don’t always be business-like on your Blog. Be personal. Let them know what’s happening with your book once in a while.

8. Do a media publicity campaign. Do a print media publicity campaign. Announce your speaking engagements and announce your new book at the same time. Blitz the newspapers and newsletters. Always include the website for ordering and a telephone number where readers can order your book. You can advertise in major newspapers. This can be an expensive way to promote your book. Find the small local community papers that have a lot of subscribers where the advertising costs are lower.

As you can see there is a lot involved to promoting your book. If you don’t have time to do all this yourself, hire a Public Relations firm to help you. A lot of time is involved in doing the activities mentioned. Also a PR firm has contacts and information that can save you a lot of time and money. The more of these activities you do the more successful you will be selling your book.

Copyright 2008, Joan Clout-Kruse.

About the Author:

America’s Book Coach, Joan Clout-Kruse, helps entrepreneurs and business professionals write a book that will get them recognized as an expert, attract more clients and boost their income. Sign up for the Free Sneak Preview of Joan’s Writers Retreat where you’ll learn how to write, market and publish your book at http://www.BizBookWritersRetreat.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/8-ways-to-promote-your-book-354557.html

Seven Ways to Add Value to Your Book or E-book

Author: Melinda Copp

When you’re working on a book or ebook—any writing project you intend to sell—the question, “Will people actually want to buy this?” inevitably comes up. Although in most cases this is your inner critic trying to sideswipe your creative efforts, the question is valid. Will people actually see the value in the information you’re providing? Will they want to spend their money on your book?

The answer to these questions often lies more in packaging the material than the material itself. You can add value to your book or ebook, and enhance its marketability at the same time, by adding features that can’t easily be found anywhere else, and then using them to appeal to your audience. In most cases, these added features aren’t hard to find and create. You probably have the information ready to go; you just need to know how to work it into your book.

To make your informational product more marketable, consider the following seven ways to add value to your book or ebook.

1. Add a list of online resources

Compiling a list of online resources that pertain to your topic and supplement the information you present in some way will give your readers a place to go to find more. For example, if you’re writing a book about dieting, add a list of Web sites that post healthy recipes. This strategy is simple enough to do because you probably know of several resourceful sites that relate to your topic, and it adds value to your manuscript because it saves your readers the time of searching recipe sites online.

2. Add a list of books that supplement your information

This strategy works in the same way listing online resources does; it adds value by saving your readers time and guesswork, and it’s easy enough for you to do because you probably read all the books on your topic while you were researching your material.

Even creating a bibliography of all the sources you used in your research increases the perceived value of your book because readers can see where you formulated your ideas and concepts. It makes you and your expertise more trustworthy. And a bibliography or list of additional books makes your book more resourceful.

3. Add diagrams

Not all people learn and retain information in the same way. Some people can read and understand new information, but some learn best through visual aids and representations. You can add value to your book and make it easier to use for a broader audience by incorporating graphs, charts, diagrams, and other visual aids that clarify and reinforce your main ideas. If you want to include visual elements in your book, talk to a graphic designer about how to create them and incorporate them into your material.

4. Add profiles

People add color and character to every story, therefore adding profiles of people who either work in your industry or have successfully implemented your strategies to your book is a great way to make the information come alive for your readers.

If your book is about running an online business, then profile successful online entrepreneurs. Ask about their inspirations, successes, failures, and advice for your readers. To find anecdotes for your book, search your client database first—satisfied clients will be happy to help. Then you can advertise online for more stories by posting an inquiry on your Web site for viewers to submit their personal experiences.

5. Add checklists at the close of each chapter

If you really want your information and ideas to stick with your readers, then adding a checklist of main points at the close of each chapter, or even at the close of each subsection, is a great way to accomplish that goal and add value at the same time. To create a checklist, just identify your main points and assemble them in a list using bullet points or numbers to designate each item. Aim for three to five items for each chapter.

Checklists are easy to create and work into your manuscript. Plus, they are a marketable feature in a book because people like to receive new information in an easy-to-swallow format. Checklists that summarize your main ideas also make it easy for readers to refer back to your book later.

6. Add exercises or worksheets

If your material warrants doing so, you can take the checklist idea a step further by closing each chapter with a quick list of questions or activities for your readers. These can be activities you use in your own work, strategies you teach your students, or exercises that you create especially for your book. Readers will like the ability to apply and practice your information and concepts immediately after reading it. Then, you can compile the entire list of exercises into a bonus download that drives traffic to your Web site, or expand it into a workbook later.

7. Add an index

How many times have you been relieved to find an index at the back of a reference or how-to book? An index is a very user-friendly characteristic for a how-to, educational, or business book to have – it makes your information easier to find and apply quickly and without a long search. If you want your book to be perceived as a resource, then an index is a worthwhile addition. Some computer programs can create indexes, or you can hire an indexer to do it. The extra step will pay off for your readers and for you.

Your Book’s Value

If your goal is to create a valuable resource that your readers can easily use, then these seven strategies will help you accomplish that goal. Although they may not all be appropriate for your material, you can choose the strategies that best suit your and your readers’ needs.

When your information is easy to find and apply, readers will refer back to it time and time again. Incorporating one or more of these seven features contributes to your book’s perceived value and marketability. And when readers see value in your informational product, they willingly open their wallets and buy.

About the Author:

Melinda Copp is a writing coach, book editor, and ghostwriter who specializes in helping aspiring authors achieve their writing goals. Click here to sign up for Melinda’s free e-zine, and get a free special report!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/seven-ways-to-add-value-to-your-book-or-ebook-370960.html

Next Page »