Did you know that 81% of Americans have this on their bucket lists? Yet only 2% end up as published authors and many, around 200 million to be exact, end up as bloggers. There’s something about blogging that makes it more manageable for the average person. In this interview with Nina Amir, author of How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time , you will get some really valuable tips on how you can strategically transform yourself from a passionate blogger into a published book author.
- There’s a big difference between just blogging and blogging a book. A blog can be whatever is in your mind that day. With blogging for a book, you have an end goal in mind.
- If you’re blogging for a book, you need to prepare a book proposal.
Reasons why people would still buy your book even if you blogged about it.
- A book is easier to read. It’s hard ro read a book on a blog because blogs have this “last post first” thing going on. Your fans and readers would want to read your book in easier to read format and then re-read it.
- A book offers additional content. Nina suggest that when you map out all of your content in advance before writing anything. Hold out several chapters from your blog with the intention of including it in the book.
- A book is improve by editing. You can revise your blog posts to add more value. Your editor might also ask you to increase your word count.
If no one picks up your book proposal, it could be because….
- You have no author’s platform. This refers to your fan base. – the people who know who you are. This refers to the the people who will run out to buy your book as it is released. Darren Rowse is a professional blogger who was approached to write a book. He hired Chris Garrett to help him write a book to turn the book “30 Days to a Better Blog” into an e-book when his readers demanded it.
- You have no book promotion plan. Publishers want good business partners. Just because you have a good idea, does not mean that it is marketable. If you back up your proposal with a promotion plan, publishers will see that you are serious about making money from your book.
- Your book is not marketable. Do your research. Look at the competition out there.Is your book unique? Does it add value? Does it tell story? Talking to a professional editor will help you with these issues.
Follow your passion by blogging; write a book
- The wonderful thing about blogging is that it allows you to see if people are interested in what you have to say. If you write a lo and use keywords to optimize your post, people will find your bog.
- Whether you have a online or offline business, a blog will help your build your business.
- Follow your passion. Do what you love to do and the money will follow.
- Stop and think what’s your purpose, what you’re passionate about.
- People who struggle the most are the ones who are not doing what they love.
The book proposal process
Nina suggest that you pick up Michael Larsen’s ”How to Write a Book Proposal,” and follow the steps he outlined there. In a gist, here’s how you write a book proposal.
1. Look at the market and see how you can make your book unique. For people writing fiction, make sure your characters are unique and will touch the hearts of the readers. Check out the blogosphere and see who’s blogging on similar topics. Think about how you’re going to angle yourself to get their readers.
2. Plan your blog promotion. How are you going to promote the book in offline and online events?
3. Write a content plan. Brainstorm all the different ideas and subjects that will go into the book. Organize that into a Table of Contents and break it down to blog post size bits. The more you break it down, the easier it is that you can write your book.
4. Decide your schedule. How would would you write? The more often you write, the easier it is to get your book deal and attract a readership.
5. Publicize your content in social networks to attract readers.
6. Approach publishers. Once you have gone through your content plan and made your blog popular, you will be approached by a publisher. Or, you can approach the publisher and pitch your book. You can also self-publish.
Nina Amir, is an author coach and author of How to Blog a Book: How to Write, Publish and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time (Writer’s Digest Books). She is also is a nonfiction editor and consultant. She has more than 33 years of experience in the publishing field. She writes five blogs, including Write Nonfiction NOW!, How to Blog a Book and As the Spirit Moves Me, and two national Examiner.com columns. Additionally, she speaks weekly about writing and publishing on the popular radio show, Dresser After Dark (www.dresserafterdark.com), hosted by Michael Ray Dresser, which has approximately 80,000 listeners per month.
Michelle Vandepas is an entrepreneur, seeker of truth, questioner and overall impatient person. You can Hire Michelle Vandepas for your own interview, speaking and workshops. To find out more please contact Support@talkingbookstv.com MichelleVandepas.com | Twitter | Facebook
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Did you know that 81% of Americans have this on their bucket lists? Yet only 2% end up as published authors and many, around 200 million to be exact, end up as bloggers. There’s something about blogging that makes it more manageable for the average person. In this interview with Nina Amir, author of How to Blog a Book: Write, Publish, and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time , you will get some really valuable tips on how you can strategically transform yourself from a passionate blogger into a published book author.
