You wrote a great book, and you worked your tail off marketing it. That’s great, but it’s just the start. For the book to make a difference in your reader’s life and yours, they must read it. Your success hinges on the first chapter.
The challenge is to get them reading and keep them reading.
First, you’ve got to get their attention.
We’re swamped with media messages of all kinds. You must convince your reader to ignore everything else and pay attention to what you have to say.
Start with a provocative statement.
Ask a question that intrigues them.
Bust a myth.
Draw them in.
Once you’ve got their attention, the next challenge is to keep them reading. There are two proven ways to do this.
Give them a quiz. If you’ve got their attention with a question or by busting a myth, this is an excellent way to keep them engaged. You only need a couple of questions and answers likely to include a surprise for the reader.
The classic way to draw folks in is with a story. Your story might be one of personal experience, or it could be a narrative example of the kinds of stories they’ll encounter in the book. Human beings love stories. People perk up when they hear that a story’s on the way. Use that to your advantage.
Give them value
You’re writing a business book. Your reader likes hearing a good story and loves busting a myth, but they want to get something out of this book, and this is the time to start delivering it.
Tell them something they can do right away that’s connected to the story or example you’ve shared. Give them a new way to look at a familiar situation. Offer a practical question that will help them. Offer one small practice they can try this week.
Tell them what’s ahead.
The first chapter introduces your book. Let them know what goodies are in store for them as they keep reading. Outline the key lessons they’ll learn or the benefits they’ll reap, or how their life will be different if they apply what’s in this book.
Use a cliffhanger to keep them reading.
Cliffhangers are powerful momentum-building tools. If you read genre fiction like romance, detective stories, or westerns, you’re probably familiar with cliffhangers. They work a bit differently in business books.
Tell them what they’ll learn or what question you’ll answer in the next chapter. Then encourage them to turn the page.
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Many new business book authors worry that they’re not good enough writers to author a book they’re proud of. Many of my clients felt that way, and I helped them develop the skills they needed to write a great book. Contact me and let’s see if I can help you.