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What Are You Waiting for? Become a Published Author!
Nearly everyone I
meet has dreamed of being a published author at some time in their past.
But then, for one reason or another, they let the dream die. Most judge
the dream to
be childish elusive unrealistic.
Are you one of these?
Have you ever dreamed of being a recognized book author, but then quietly
stuck that dream in the back of a desk drawer? If so, why? What killed
the dream for you? Here are some of the reasons the reasons I have heard
others give. Do any of these sound familiar?
"It's too competitive there's too many
people trying to do this."
"It's too hard too big of a challenge for
me."
"I have nothing to write about I'm not
creative enough."
"I wouldn't know who to write to who to
make my audience."
"The ideas I have they've all been done
before."
"I can write . . . but I'm terrible with
grammar."
"It's too expensive."
"My grammar is okay, but I'm not creative
enough I'm not a good writer."
"Even if I write the entire manuscript, I
still don't know how to turn it into a book."
"I haven't a clue how to get it
published."
There was a time
not that long ago when I would have agreed with these common doubts.
But, the fact is . . .
Times Have Changed
The business of book
writing, bookbinding, and book publishing has changed dramatically in the
past few years, opening formerly barred doors to would-be authors. What
was once considered impossibly difficult, terribly expensive, and
unimaginably competitive has become tangible within your grasp. Few
people know it.
Fewer still know the
immeasurable value authorship can have on ones business or career.
Companies such as ours have sprung up to support authors, providing guidance
and filling in the gaps between the author and distribution channels. In
our next issue, we will look at the frequently given reasons for shelving
those published author dreams and explain how easily you can overcome the
objections and succeed. But first:
Why Bother?
Perhaps you may not
know the value of authorship -- what it can do for your business or
career. In this first part of our series on becoming a published author,
we look at four killer reasons why,
if you are in business or trying to advance your career, you really want
to become a published author. In future installments, we will:
§
Reveal little-known secrets about the evolving
business of book publishing and distributing, giving you the tools and
knowledge to succeed as a published author where others fail to even try;
§
Solve the problems you see as stopping you
from succeeding as an author, and;
§
Give you practical advice and step-by-step
instructions to help you turn your idea into a book.
Four Killer
Reasons to Seek Published Author Status
Some people want to
be an author so they can chronicle events in their life or share their
knowledge with others or express themselves and their creativity. But
let's focus on five compelling business
reasons for seeking this goal.
1. Become an
Authority in Your Field
While it is
important to be recognized as an expert in your field, the real money is
in being recognized as an authority an expert's expert. Something
magical happens when people see your name as the author of a book. Even
if they haven't read a single page, most people subconsciously assume
that you are an authority that you know more than others on your book's
topic. Being an author makes you an "author-ity."
Think about it when you hear someone introduced as and author ("Our
speaker today is John Smith, the author of Motorcycle Repair Made Easy .
. .") don't you naturally assume that Mr. Smith probably does know a
lot about motorcycle repair? Recognition comes more easily to published authors. This kind of recognition often
generates new business new opportunities.
2. Get Easy
Publicity
A book is a good
publicity opportunity. One of the hardest things to receive is the
attention of the press. It also one of the most desirable forms of
marketing. Not only is it usually free, but information about you and
your company always sounds more trustworthy when someone else is tooting
the horn. Unfortunately, free publicity is hard to get. You've open your
doors for business . . . So what? You've launched a new product line . . .
Who cares? Reporters need a story something with a hook. A book can do
this for you. It is naturally more newsworthy and gives writers the kind
of content they need for their articles.
3. Get
Speaking Engagements
Another
excellent form of publicity for you or your business is public speaking
opportunities. Such offers come much more easily and often to published
authors than those who simply say that they are an authority in their
field. And, as you probably already know, speaking engagements usually generate
new referrals and new business.
4. Improve
Your Presentation
If you want
others to view you or your business with respect, it is critical that you
clearly and concisely articulate your message in an organized fashion. If
you are new in a field or starting a new business, nothing puts
persuasive and respectable words in your mouth as does writing a book
about what you do. A natural byproduct of writing an instructive or
persuasive book is self-education. After taking a loose collection of
thoughts, organizing them intelligently into chapters and subheadings,
and molding exact phrases that communicate well all natural parts of
writing a book -- your brain will have captured that same organizational
structure and wording. With little effort, that same eloquent, persuasive
delivery that you captured in print will flow easily from your mouth.
Consequently, your efforts to sell or persuade will increase
dramatically.
Good Reasons, Sure, but Is This a Realistic
Goal?
Absolutely! In
the next issue, we will look closely at the doubts that squelch the
dreams of would-be authors. Well show you how to address the debilitating
excuses and send them scampering away with clear solutions a precise
action list that can start you on the path to authorship.
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Need
Help with Your Book?
WriteWorks is in the
business of helping would-be authors succeed in turning ideas into
professionally finished, published books. We've done it for others and we
can do it for you. We offer a range of author support services, including
story and concept consultation, book structure support, writing, editing,
proofreading, typesetting, book design, bookbinding printing, and book
distribution research.
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