Writing your book: 5 ideas to begin

If you see writing a book as a major task, then you're not alone.  Since few business people attempt it even when they think there are benefits to be gained, it's one of those tasks that will be done, "When I have time.".

What if instead of it being a major undertaking, it becomes only a progression of the writing you do anyway?  Thinking about it that way can transform it into an end in sight as you write daily.

Here are 5 ideas on what you can use:

1      Blog entries

You're already writing these on a regular basis aren't you?  If not then you should make it a priority because it works for you on two levels.  It provides interesting material to send to your contacts and just as important, search engines love content.  Think about constructing your blogs around thems that would provide section or chapter headings for your book.

2.     Frequently Asked Questions 

Most websites have sections based around this them.  Sometimes they're called other things, but offer information that is searched for on a regular basis.  In your busienss you'll have something that voers all the basic informaiton about what you do.  It's the type of topic often covered in offline brochures.  again you can adapt the contents of your basic informaiton into a short book.  This will carry more weight with readers than a brochure, no matter how substantial.

3      How to manuals

These can be an extension of or an alternative to the FAQ segment.  They need to be easy to read and understand for the reader.  Comprehensive but not intimidating.  All businesses contain large amounts of information that often goes to waste because it's in jargon form or seen as 'internal' documents.  Sharing how you produce your products or services can  make a connection with prospective clients or purchasers.

4      Journals 

Depending on the type of writing you do, or your prospective audience, journal entries you make anyway can form the foundation of a book.  Many books by journalists have started life as regular column entries which at a later date have been turned into books.  If you think that a column may be 250-500 words per entry, over the course of a year you may have written between 20-25000 words.  More than enough for a 100 page small book, especially when you add in a foreword, an introductory section and closing chapter.

5      Social media entries 

Already this has been done.  Maybe you think it's stupid but if you accept that a book can be any size you want it to be these days, and you can produce as few or as many copies as you want, then it becomes less stupid.

Any book can enhance your reputation as an expert, speaker, business consultant or what you want it to be.  Focus on how you can fit the book into your marketing strategy... before you begin to write it.  Check out what esists already then create your unique take on the subject.

Writing a book? How do you decide what to include

When I was writing essays at school, many years ago, they were often returned to me with paragraphs crossed through with the comment(in red ink of course) 'is this relevant?'

It's tempting when you start a book to bung everything in that you know. But that isn't always the best approach.

Here’s an except from my upcoming book How to construct your book that will take you through the process oc putting a book together

I’m talking here about non-fiction.. this isn’t a creative writing text though if you want to try it on the structure of your novel do have a go.

Most topics that we want to write about can be quite easily divided into subtopics.

If we take my own expertise of writing then whenever I plan any piece of writing the first step is always to break it down into the elements I want to include.

Why do I use this method?

1. Because it makes you focus on the essential information you want to get across.

2.You can rank the topics in a logical order or in order of importance to the reader.

3. It provides you with an immediate structure to organise your text.

With writing, the sub topics might include:
- how to find inspiration
- why you should research your subject before you start to write
- the two stages of writing you should never confuse
- how you make the process of writing easier

and so on.

If you’re still not sure about the topics you’ve chosen, here are 3 ways of checking them out:
1. Look at the FAQ section on your website.

2. What questions come up time and again with your existing clients. They’re the ones you have a successful business serving

3. Do an online survey. Using Survey Gizmo or similar programme you can soon find out what’s important or not.

Sometime I think about comparing the structure of the book to a human skeleton. Without the bones you’d flop about all over the place. So will your book without a structure.

Make it a priority to have yours down and clear. Trust me – if you have to write to deadlines or number of words then this is the fastest way to do it efficiently.