We’re not talking about being the next Stephen King (although that would be lovely), but we are talking about writing a nonfiction book that can transform your business. We know what you’re thinking. I can never write a book! I don’t have the time! I’m not a writer!
The truth is, writing a book for your business is totally doable. If you can talk about your company for at least thirty minutes and feel that your knowledge would help people and bring in more business, then you can definitely write a book.
The writing process doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and your book isn’t required to be the length of a novel, which ranges between 70,000 to 90,000 words. A business book can do quite well at 20,000 to 40,000 words, and an eBook can be much less (we’ll get into eBooks at another time).
But where to start? First, write a list of topics you’d like to discuss, then put them in an order that makes sense. Next, write a few sentences that explain what you’d like to discuss under each topic. Bullet points work quite nicely for this. After you’ve finished, guess what? You’ve just written an outline!
Now it’s time to have some real fun. Take your time with each topic, expand on it as much as possible, and try to have each chapter roughly the same length. It’s also a great idea to have an introduction that sets up your book and a conclusion that directs people where to find more information.
Worried what you’ve written doesn’t sound professional enough? That’s where a good editor comes in. An editor can help you better organize your ideas and make sure the prose is on point without losing your voice. And if they’re really good, the entire process will be fun!
Not sure what kind of book you should write? Here are some of the most common nonfiction books that are useful for your business.
· Academic – This is exactly as it sounds. Academic books include textbooks like you’d find at a university and instructional books that teach specific trades. You don’t need to be enrolled in school to purchase a book on how to wire an electrical panel, build a supply chain for your business, or balance the pH in water.
· Self-help/Instruction – Who doesn’t own a self-help book? I bet you do. Not only do these books help you be a better person on the inside, like sorting through feelings and dealing with mental issues, but they teach you other skills that make life easier. Finance, business, motivation, and diet/wellness all fall into this category.
· Guide/How-To – How to plant a garden. How to bake bread. How to decorate your home. How to publish a book. This genre is an offshoot of self-help but gives more step-by-step instruction on doing a specific thing.
The final question is: Why go through all this trouble of writing a book? Having a book that you’ve written not only gives you an additional stream of income (who doesn’t want something to sell?), but it also positions you as an authority in your field. Imagine checking out the website of a business and seeing that the owner has actually written a book on the topic. It really makes them look like they know a thing or two.
Are you interested in writing a book for your business? Officially Social would love to help. Contact us so we can learn more about your project.
