How to Write a Book in 48 Hours
By Amy Harrop
It's no question, more books published equals more buy buttons, fans, repeat readers,
and sales! This article is all about how to create non-fiction books quickly that have tremendous
value for the reader. And although the title of this article says 48 hours, those 48 hours
don't need to be consecutive!
You can spread them out over a week or two. Of course, if you spread them out over too
long, it defeats the purpose of writing quickly. So a balance is good. And even if you're
not a fast typist in the least, there's solutions for that too.
The Kind of Books You Can Write Quickly
As mentioned, non-fiction can often work well for quick publishing because the structure
is easier to plan and the content is easier to create. And if you know the subject well already,
that greatly helps speed the process along.
However, if it's a subject you need to research, or in particular if it's a subject you're
not familiar with at all and that will take you a while to understand, that may not be suitable
for a fast writing project. You may need to consider that more of a long-term background project instead.
That said, interviews with experts can be used to get all the information you need to
create a non-fiction book on a topic you're unfamiliar with. With perhaps both of your names
on the cover. Such "joint venture" books are common.
Which Topics Work Best for Short Books?
This interview with Steve Scott, a hugely successful independent author offers great
advice on a wide number of topics. What's of particular relevance to you at this point in the
process is how to choose topics that greatly increase your chances of being successful with short books.
His advice is as follows:
• Start with a big, popular topic. If you can't think of one, then browse
Amazon and even book stores for ideas. If you're already familiar with the subject, all the
better. However if you can get up to speed quickly then that can work too.
• Remember that people really want things to be quick and easy, so if you're
offering a solution, the quicker and easier it is for the reader (and the more you can broadcast
this, even in the title of the book), the better.
• Then split this huge topic (in his case: habits) and break it up into micro-topics.
Again, trying to offer a quick and easy solution. For example: 10-Minute Digital Declutter:
The Simple Habit to Eliminate Technology Overload.
• A micro-topic is deep rather than wide. Importantly, if you're writing
multiple books on a related topic, over time you fully cover the subject, and also the more
books you publish the more they help promote each other. This helps build up a series and a brand.
• If you can be topical, more the better. Let's say a new type of diet has
become popular, if you can ride the coattails of that popularity with your own book (because
people are going to be searching for the name of the diet), that can help bring in sales quickly.
• If you're building out an entire information-publishing funnel (courses,
consulting... ) then think about how your books fit into that, and how they will help to introduce
new customers to you.
• Don't just copy what other people are writing about, even if you're writing
on a very similar subject. Put your own unique spin and personality on it. This is easy if
you're already familiar with the topic.
• The more you know your audience and your competition, the more likely you
are to write something people want to read.
| 
About BTH
User Agreement
Privacy
Site Map
Contact
News Feeds
RSS Feed
Follow @Stephen Bucaro
Start Your Own Web Business
