|
 Introduction
Writing and
selling a book can bring in passive revenue as well as build credibility and visibility.
An initial amount of effort is required to write the book and to create and implement
the marketing strategy (if you're going the self publishing route). Books can
be marketed on your website, or at local or national book stores and their websites.
Books may be published through a traditional publishing company, self
published, or even printed on demand. Traditional publishers typically require
a book proposal and take care of editing, marketing and promotion but also get
a bigger percentage of the revenue generated. Self publishing allows greater control
of the content and marketing campaign by the author, which the author also needs
to subsidize. Print on demand has a smaller upfront charge than the printing of
a self published book.
Real World Examples
Jim Donovan
jimdonovan.com | jim@jimdonovan.com
 Hi, I'm Jim Donovan. I started out
as an author and learned about coaching working with my first coach, back in 1995,
when I was spinning my wheels trying (unsuccessfully) to sell my first book. Working
with my coach gave me the focus I needed to go out and sell a lot of books. Over
time, this led me further into coaching and I learned it was something I was doing
without knowing it had a name. In addition to working with growing businesses,
one of my coaching niches is helping aspiring authors and publishers who want
to get their book into the marketplace and succeed with it. My belief is that
any coach who does not have a book is not only leaving money on the table but
limiting their opportunities to grow their coaching business. And missing out
on a lot of fun too.
 Having your name on a book
does several things for you. For starters, you gain instant credibility as an
authority in your field. After all, you "wrote the book." Perhaps more importantly,
are the opportunities that come your way and the fun you have as an author. From
my beginning as a self published author, I've had the pleasure of touching the
lives of hundreds of thousands of people, seeing my books translated into several
languages and being read throughout the world. I regularly receive thank you letters
from people who are changing their lives because of something they've read in
one of my books, and I enjoy a substantial passive income stream from books sales.
I've been interviewed in print, on radio and television and have delivered seminars
to people from every walk of life.
My books initially brought me in contact
with the coaching profession and I've had the good fortune to have worked with
some of the most incredible people in the world. My small publishing business
has published several books by other coaches in addition to my own and continues
to bring me exciting new experiences daily.
Do I feel your business will benefit
by writing a book? You bet! It will open more doors than you ever imagined. If
I call a radio show and say, "I'm the author of 'Reclaim Your Life' and feel your
audience will be interested in hearing me," I get the booking. Without a book,
you're just another person looking to get publicity. Is it difficult? Not at all,
IF you know the process. That's how I got to be "The Book Coach."
Gina Harris - author of a life coaching book
www.accesscoaching.co.uk | info@accesscoaching.co.uk
Hi, I'm Gina Harris and I've written
a book called 'Life Coaching: Connecting you to your inner wisdom'. I saw a need
for a basic guide to life coaching for the UK market. There was no book available
that explained simply what life coaching is, how it works and what benefits people
gain from it. The book is aimed at potential clients rather than at coaches, though
coaches will find it invaluable for explaining what they do and as a means of
ensuring that their clients get the most from the coaching services offered to
them. It makes an ideal client gift.
 Nearly two years ago, I was contacted
by a freelance journalist to answer some questions about life coaching. As a result,
I was featured in an article which appeared in one of the major British Sunday
newspapers and my details were included. Soon afterwards, I got a call from a
publisher who asked me if I'd thought about writing a book about coaching. I had
always wanted to write and had in fact already co-authored a motivational book
for women called 'Springing Forward'. This experience helped a great deal in giving
me the confidence to take on the task of researching, organising and writing up
'Life Coaching'. The result was that he commissioned me to produce the book, and
some time later (a lot later than either of us expected!) the book has been published.
The research for the book involved
a great deal of reading - which I love doing anyway - and talking to other coaches.
Some of them were able to give me case studies of their own clients (in confidence,
and with all personal details changed) to use in the book. As a result, the names
and contact information of the contributing coaches have been included and I hope
they'll get more clients as a result.
The publisher of my book is only a
small business and doesn't have much budget for a marketing campaign. I knew it
would be up to me to get out there and make sure the book sold. On amazon.com
I found an immensely helpful book called '1001 Ways to Market Your Books' by John
Kremer - I'm working through the advice and the interest in the book is building
up. The royalty payment I get from each copy is quite small so I certainly don't
expect to make millions by selling the book - unless of course I can get it featured
by Oprah! Its main benefit is as a passport to give me credibility in the world
of training and coaching.
J. Slava Thaler: Achieve Your Dreams
beagreat.com/dreamachiever
| sthaler@reachapex.com
Writing a book has become a revenue
stream for me, as well as the best way for me to market and promote my business
and build my own credibility.
 Besides making revenue from selling
my newly-published book, "Achieving Your Dreams in 2003!" (official website, http://www.beagreat.com/dreamachiever),
I offer a free coaching session in 2003 to anyone that purchases my book which
helps promote my coaching as well).
Publishing this book may also open
another revenue stream of coaching individuals on writing and getting their books
published ... the beautiful thing about coaching is that the possibilities are
almost infinite!
Barbara Walker: Write a Book on Demand
bmwalker.com | barbara@bmwalker.com
Hello, my name is Barbara Walker and
I am publishing my first book in September 2002. Why? because writing fulfills
a lifelong passion of mine, and this book fits into my Business Plan. When I began
coaching two years ago, my plan was to increase my revenue by adding products
of value that also served to raise my profile. I want to be known as an expert
in the field of working with people to create a fulfilling retirement, and my
plan is to publish my book, conduct teleclasses, write e-courses and e-books on
this subject, and to be known as a speaker on this topic. Down the road I will
create a foundation to embrace people world-wide and inspire them to make a difference
for mankind, but back to writing the book!
 The best thing I did when I was clear
about what I wanted to write about was to take a teleclass with C. J. Hayden at
(www.GetClientsNow.com). I learned about the different methods of publishing and
how they compare, and I realize that publishing is a big, complex world of its
own!
When I was ready to write, I followed
Dan Poynter's The Self-Publishing Manual (http://ParaPublishing.com). This was
invaluable because he recommends a system where I laid out the sections of my
whole book in a binder. I could see and feel that I was organized and this made
the actual writing possible. Each day I could see my progress, and if one day
I didn't feel like writing part of the main book, I could do another section,
the Introduction, for instance.
As I went along, I kept hearing, "Plan
your promotion and marketing." In fact, my own coach, Irene Leonard at (www.CoachingForChange.com)
was very helpful in keeping me accountable here. But it was Gordon Burgett's book,
Publishing to Niche Markets and John Kremer's 1001 Ways to Market your Books that
provoked me to consider who and where my readers were, and provided me with solid
ideas about where and why my readers will buy my book. They both encouraged me
to prepare my marketing materials before my book is off the press!
And this is the really exciting part!
My book is being printed on demand. It will have its own website a www.Trafford.com
from where it will be shipped. I am buying their package that assists me with
media listings and distribution. It has been a great experience, and I think the
most fun is still to come! So, watch for it online or at the big booksellers and
have yourself a read, and then pass it on to your mother-in-law. It's called:
Create Your Retirement: 55 Valuable Ways to Empower the Rest of Your Life!
Suggestions Related to Writing and Selling a Book
Pick a topic you're passionate about.
You don't have to create the content
by yourself or all at once. Compile articles or issues of your ezine into a book.
Gather articles or chapters submitted by other people on your topic and create
a book (with their permission of course.)
Decide whether you want to publish
or self-publish and determine the steps you need to take.
Decide if you need guidance in the
process. There are many great books, classes and coaches who can help.
Related resources
Full Practice Lesson 90 on Writing
Your First Book.
RealAudio/Transcription for 3 Step
Training on Writing
Promotional Copy for your book.
The above service is from CoachVille.com.
|
