I don’t know your goals for writing a book, but I know how it is for most of my clients. Most of them write business books and none of them write fiction. They want to write a book that makes a difference in the world, and because it makes a difference in the world, also makes a difference in their business and career. If that’s you, then there are four things you must do.
You Must Write the Book
Most of the authors I work with thought about writing a book for a long time. For some, it was on their bucket list. But almost all of them can describe a time or an incident when they decided that they needed to get started.
For a couple of the authors I’ve worked with, writing a book was one of the things they knew they had to do to promote their business. They got to a point where that was the next step. For some, a life event was the trigger. One author retired and made writing her book her retirement project. Whatever the reason, they were inspired to start.
Writing is not necessarily easy or enjoyable work. You can get help with it, though. What’s important if you want to create a book that makes a difference is that you get to the writing and pursue it with discipline and diligence. Nobody benefits if your book exists only in your head or your dreams. Write it.
You Must Finish the Book
Lots of people get into the writing stage but never finish the book. Sometimes their passion peters out, or life presents other challenges, but sometimes they keep writing but don’t finish. They work hard and the book gets better, it just never gets done. No book will do any good for you if you stop before you’re done. Finish it.
You Must Publish the Book
When you finish your book, you’ll certainly have a feeling of accomplishment, but you’re not done yet. If you want your book make a difference for you and for others, you must publish it. Otherwise, how will anyone know about it? Publishing is a lot easier today than it was 20 years ago. Even so, it still takes work, discipline, and help. Publish it.
You Must Promote the Book
Why waste all the work it took to get your book written and published if you’re not going to promote it? For your book to make a difference in other people’s lives, and therefore in your life, those people must become aware of it, buy it, and read it. This will not happen either automatically or by accident. You are going to have to work at it. It takes discipline and diligence, and you will need some help, but you can do it. Promote it.
Bottom Line
For your book to make a difference in your life and the lives of others, you must do four things. Write it. Finish it. Publish it. Promote it.