For entrepreneurs, publishing a book can be a great opportunity to share their expertise, experiences and perspectives with a wider audience. However, for first-timers, the process of writing and publishing a book can be daunting and they may not know where to start or what to expect.
To help entrepreneurs who happen to be aspiring writers, a group of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) members answered the following question:
“Publishing a book is a very effective way for an entrepreneur to share their knowledge and raise their profile as a thought leader, but it can be intimidating for first-timers. What is one piece of advice you could share with an entrepreneur looking to write or publish their first book?’
Here’s what these business leaders suggest.
1. Be yourself
“Instead of imitating other successful writers or writing what you think people want to hear, you should share your own ideas and experiences in a way that sets you apart from others in your industry. Authenticity will set your book apart and connect with your readers.” ~ John Hall, Diary
2. Share useful, valuable lessons
“If you’re struggling to put your thoughts down on paper, think about some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned on your journey. Instead of writing what you would like to share, focus on what others on the same path would find valuable. What would you say to a close friend who asked about your trip? Share ideas, failures, successes, guidance, mistakes, stories – make it the authentic guide.” ~ Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker
3. Be willing to make mistakes
“As with all things, jump in and be willing to make mistakes. Your first attempt at anything won’t be your best, but if you never take the first step, you’ll never get where you want to go. That said, work on writing your book as best you can and consult with a professional editor to iron out any problems.” ~ Jared Weitz, United Capital Source Inc.
4. Discuss your “Messies”.
“If you want to write your first book, think ‘your mess is your message.’ What trouble have you gotten into on your trip? What did you learn from them? How did you feel when they happened? How did you recover? Discussing your ‘mess’ makes a book powerful and worthwhile.” ~ Rachel Beider, PRESS Modern Massage
5. Look for honest feedback
“When writing and publishing your first book, it’s important to set realistic goals, seek help when needed, and get feedback from beta readers. To start writing, set a goal for each session, even if it’s just a short section or a few paragraphs. When looking for beta readers, look for people who will give honest and constructive feedback and provide guidance on the kind of feedback you want.” ~ Kazi Mamun, CANSOFT
6. Hire a Ghostwriter
“Many entrepreneurs I know work with a ghostwriter. Working with an experienced writer for your first book will allow you to learn a lot about the process and become a more confident writer. Look at your first book, like any other venture, as an opportunity to learn and improve your methods.” ~ Andy Karuza, NachoNacho
7. Write about a passion
“The thought of writing and publishing a book can sound like a daunting process, but with so many self-publishing platforms it’s easier than ever. Find a topic that you are passionate about and have expertise in. Rehashing your company’s existing blogs just for the sake of publishing your book is a bad decision. Think about how you can deliver value and build on it.” ~ Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
8. Identify your audience and their interests
“My advice is to match your message to your target audience. You may want to write about many of your favorite topics, but does your audience want to read about them? To answer this, you need to find where your knowledge, interests, and experiences meet the needs and concerns of your target readers. A book that focuses on this association will resonate with readers and establish your authority.” ~ Vikas Agrawal, Infobrandz
9. Hire a professional editor
“One piece of advice I would share with entrepreneurs looking to write or publish their first book is to get on board with a professional publisher. You can be an expert in your respective field, but there is a difference between knowing something and sharing that knowledge with others. From the moment you write your first book, a publisher can help you refine your work and enable you to create a masterpiece for your audience.” ~ Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
10. Make local connections
“There is great value in being an author and selling books in multiple bookstores, but for many first-timers, this attachment can get in the way of sharing their experience with the world. Instead of relying on traditional bulk orders to get your book into stores, pitch yourself directly to local stores and ask if they’d be open to selling your book if it’s returnable. It works!” ~ Tonika Bruce, Lead Nicely, Inc.
11. Identify the purpose of the book
“Why are you writing this? Most entrepreneurs write as part of the marketing process for their business because a book establishes credibility while improving SEO. When you know the purpose of the book, you can also determine your target audience. It’s easier to write when you know the audience because you can be more detailed without fear of alienating some readers.” ~ Bryce Welker, Big 4 accounting firms
12. Find a mentor
“If you’re going to write a book, start by understanding the message you want to send to your audience. Now do your best to explain these points in a strategic way. Decide on the structure and get started. You should also have a mentor who can help you on your writing journey, give you feedback and help you refine your work for the best results.” ~ Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
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