Do you want
to write a book?
It is no secret that publishing a book, is one of the best ways in which you can position yourself as an expert in your field. And when you do it right, it can lead to wonderful speaking opportunities, magazine and / or newspaper articles and to opportunities where you can contribute your expert opinion.
Many young or inexperienced authors who fail to plan their journey, often see their dream being crushed, because they were over-eager and neglected to ask for feedback. By planning appropriately and by asking for feedback, you can avoid costly mistakes.
Because of my programme on Expert Positioning titled: Grow Your Personal Brand or Business By Getting Great Publicity, I receive regular enquiries from aspirant-authors. Some have a great idea of what they want to do, while the majority are not quite sure.
This reminds me of someone who called me and asked for my assistance with putting together her book. This individual was very excited, because writing a book, was one of their biggest dreams. They are in their fifties and wanted to write a non-fiction book about their childhood pet that died, due to an illness. They asked me for my opinion. I said that I didn't think that that was a good idea, and that it could have worked, had they and / or the dog been in the public eye - if the dog was perhaps a somewhat of a Lassie-character.
I asked them who they think would buy their book. They said that they would like to sell it at pet shops and that they were hoping that a national publishing house would publish their book. It was clear that they didn't intend writing for an audience, even thought they wanted an audience to buy their book. As a result I suggested that they create a photo book and keep their beloved pet's memory alive in that way.
Needless to say, they were not very happy with my answer. I'm all for positive thinking and goal-setting, but we also have to be realistic.
I look back on my journey, and wish people would have given me honest feedback years ago. I cannot imagine where I would have been right now. However, judging by how some people respond to criticism that could make them grow, I can understand why most people are not very keen to give honest and sometimes negative feedback, even when asked.
I do what I do, because I absolutely love it and because I have made mistakes and learnt hard lessons, but more importantly because when I work with you or guide you I want to help you so that you will avoid unnecessary mistakes. So, if want sugar-coated feedback, go somewhere else. If you want feedback that will make you grow, then you are welcome to ask me.
The cherry one the cake, is that I share some of the mistakes that I have made, so that you can have a good laugh at me. That way, you also feel that I am not pointing out something, just because I want to pick on you.
The
very important planning stage when you consider writing a book
We've
all heard the saying: “Everybody has a story”, or “everybody
has a book inside of them.” This is true, but you have to plan on how
exactly you are going to get that book out of your system, turning it
into a reality.
“If
you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
There
is a very good reason why publishers ask for a synopsis in which you
have to give an outline of what your book is about, who you are
writing for and more importantly, who will buy your book.
When
you take time to focus of these questions, you get a very good idea
of what to write about and what you should focus on.
You
have to step outside of yourself and get into the mind of your
audience, the reader of your book. If you hope to sell your book,
you should focus on your audience.
Focus
on who your audience is and decide on what would be best suited for
them. Some people have the luxury of fame and as a result can write
about anything, without necessarily considering the reader and would
still sell tons of books. Those of us who do not have this, should
make sure that we plan before embarking on finalising our books.
Ask
for feedback
It
is extremely important to ask for feedback, especially when you are
still young and / or do not have prior experience in writing or
publishing a book. Even though support from family or friends is a
wonderful thing, you have to remember that they might not always be
as objective as you need them to be.
Sometimes
family and friends would give wonderful feedback, because they love
you. This feedback may not necessarily serve you in the business
arena. Find a mentor if you have to, someone who knows, someone with
experience whose objective it is, to help you grow and help you
produce the best book possible. If your friends or family have
sufficient experience, then yes, you can ask them for feedback.
“If
you rush it, you might crush it”
If
you want to publish your own book, don't be in too much of a hurry to
see your book in print. After completing your manuscript, take time
to re-read it. See whether there are parts that you should rather
leave out or parts that you have left out that should be included in
the book.
Success it's your choice, self-published in 2003. In 2006 it was approved for the school curriculum (Life Orientation) by the Department of Education, in the majority of the provinces. R99.00 + R25, 00 postage.
It is also available in Afrikaans, titled: Sukses, jou keuse.
When
you are done with re-reading your manuscript and are happy, give it
to someone else to read, someone with knowledge and experience. Ask
them to make suggestions. You may not necessarily agree with all of
their suggestions, but you are sure to have a few enlightening
experiences. You may realise that something that you thought was a
great idea, is actually a very bad idea – something that you can
rectify before your book goes to print.
You
don't want to be in a situation where your book is not received well,
because you neglected to plan, failed to ask for feedback and were in
too much of a hurry to publish your book. When self-publishing,
don't be one of those new or inexperienced authors who have to
rectify spelling errors or change a few things in their book after it
is published, because they didn't have a qualified editor or failed to
focus on who their audience would be.
My book on empathy,titled: In Mekaar Se Skoene, published by Naledi. Currently only available in Afrikaans. R159, 00 + R25, 00 postage.
If
you want a national publishing house to publish your book, you should
take the same care with completing your manuscript. Please note that
a very small percentage of manuscripts that are submitted to
publishing houses, are approved for publishing. You'll have to work
hard, plan and commit to the writing process to ensure that your
manuscript is one of those that makes the grade.
Best
wishes on your journey. If you do it right, great things are
possible.
Grow Your Personal Brand Or Business By Getting Great Publicity is now also available as one-on-one consultation. Book your consultation now.
Read
this article to see what I focus on.
More
options are now added to this programme. I recommend it to everyone who would like to stand out from the crowd by exploring the many options in which to position themselves as an expert in their field.
Contact me for more information: info@andeline.co.za
Andeline
Williams-Pretorius
CEO,
Andeline's Motivational Training
Inspirational
Speaker / Trainer / Author / Wife & Mother
Nominated
in the ROCCI
- Business of the year awards, 2012.
Andeline
is Resident Life Coach & Columnist to Kuier Magazine.
PR
Consultant; Empathy & Relationship Expert on Afrikaans radio
station: RSG
https://www.facebook.com/andelinewilliamspretorius
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