10 Key Questions to Ask Before You Begin Writing Your Book – Part 1

Books are great marketing tools. They establish your credibility and help you leverage your knowledge to bring in new and repeat clients.

But I have seen too many people frustrated when it comes to books … writing them, printing them, marketing them. You want your book to work for you; and to do that, I recommend you spend a little time answering 10 key questions:

1. What are my goals and objectives for the book?

This is not about what you want to write, but why you want to write it. What do you want to accomplish? Be specific: Do you want to sell the book as a revenue source? If so, how many copies would you have to sell at what price point(s) to realize your financial objectives? Do you want to use the book as a lead generation tool to bring in new clients? If so, how many clients are you aiming for?

2. How do I want to produce the book?

Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing, print and/or ebook? Be careful to explore all the pros and cons of each. For example, with traditional publishing – if you can find a publisher (no small feat these days) – you may have to wait up to 18 months before you see your book on the shelf. Self-publishing can be done in a fraction of the time. With traditional publishing, the publisher usually handles proofing, layout, cover design, etc. With self-publishing, every task falls in your lap (though with a good self-publishing company, they’ll walk you through it step by step). Do your research, and pick the production method that will best help you meet your goals and objectives.

3. Am I willing to make the financial investment?

Don’t think otherwise: writing a book will cost you money. Even if you have a traditional publisher, you will have to put money into marketing your book, because unless you’re a bestseller, the publisher won’t put much (if anything) into marketing your work. Other routes may require you to invest in a ghostwriter, editor, proofreader, layout, cover design, printing, distribution, etc. Determine what your budget looks like. Weigh the ROI.

Stay tuned … more questions to come in Part 2!