What’s the Secret to Growing Your Business? Writing a Book!

As a business owner, you should be consistently evolving, staying relevant and finding new ways to grow your business, image, and brand. There are plenty of “quick fixes” that can be accomplished, giving your profits a temporary boost, but don’t you want to do something that will have a lasting impact on you and your business?

It’s time to write a book.

Here are just some of the benefits of writing and publishing a book based on your professional expertise:

·      Proclaiming to the world that you have a high level of expertise about your topic, instead of waiting in the shadows and hoping someone will notice

·      Presenting yourself as a thought leader in your area of expertise, not a follower, and distinguishing yourself among your peers

·      Opening doors for paid speaking and consulting opportunities

·      Attracting new business and directing it towards your company, opening up opportunities for huge growth

·      Getting media attention – being featured on radio, television and in print, based on the content of your book and your growing business

·      Positioning yourself for your new career opportunities

·      Making yourself (your mom, your spouse, your friends) proud.

Sound good? Hopefully, by now, you’ve decided to finally take the plunge and write a book. So, what are the next steps?

Here is some good news: you do not have to write the entire book right away! If you are writing a nonfiction book, agents and editors will not need (or want) to see the finished product upfront. What they will want to see is a book proposal, which is essentially the “business plan” for your book.

There are five main sections in a book proposal:

·      The Overview – this is where you say what the book is about, who will want to buy it, and why you are the person to write it.

·      The Author’s Biography – this is a brief summary of your professional/relevant experience in relation to the book’s subject matter. This is where you demonstrate that you are an expert in your field.

·      The Competitive Analysis – you must ask yourself if there are other books similar to yours that are already out there. If so, what makes yours better? What are you offering that is not already out there?

·      The Marketing Plan – what is your platform? What have you been doing and are planning on doing to publicize the book, its subject material, and your brand?

·      The Chapter Summary – this is a general outline of the book, where you briefly summarize what each chapter will cover.

·      Most proposals also include a sample chapter, which will give agents and editors an idea of what the tone and writing style will be like.

Not a natural writer? Have a way with business but not with words? Have money but no time? Here’s a tip: hire a ghostwriter! Rates vary from writer to writer, but depending on your situation, it may be a worthy investment. They can help you with the proposal, the manuscript, or both.

Once the proposal has been written, it will be time to start pitching it to literary agents. Make sure that you are only pitching to agents who represent your particular genre. Many agencies specialize in a particular area of the publishing world (business, children’s, Christian), and you want to make sure you have the right eyes looking your project over.

Once you have gotten a literary agent (it may take some time!), he or she will start pitching your project to editors who are interested in acquiring books like yours. Hopefully, you will get a lot of good feedback and an offer will be made. Your agent will negotiate the deal on your behalf.

A note about self-publishing. You need to figure out which route would be best for you. Yes, self-publishing may allow you more overall control in the production of your book and any profit it makes, but it also leaves the marketing of your book completely up to you. If you have the resources to do this, or if you are a prolific professional speaker who can sell the book back of room, for example, then perhaps that route would work for you.

With that being said, I see no reason not to give traditional publishing a try. With traditional publishing comes more prestige, as well as a team of experts who are already aligned and ready to help you. They want to make money, so they will do what they can to make that happen – which means only good things for you!

No matter which route you choose, the time to write your book is NOW. I have worked with many clients who can trace their business’ boom to the moment their book was sold to a publisher. Ask yourself what your clients need most strongly – what advice can you give them that they would benefit from the greatest?

Publishing a book can be the greatest step you take in growing your business and credibility within your industry. You know you have great insight to share with the world; now is the time to get out there and do it!

The Audiobook Process – From Manuscript to Narration

As an author, you’ve poured your heart and soul into your manuscript, and now it’s time to bring your story to life in a new format: the audiobook. Audiobooks are more popular than ever, offering readers a hands-free experience to enjoy your work. But how do you go from written words to an audio version that captures the essence of your book?

Let’s take a look at the audiobook process and break down each step to ensure you know exactly what to expect.

1. Preparing Your Manuscript for Audiobook Production

Before diving into recording, your manuscript needs to be ready for audio. But what does that mean? It’s not about changing the content – it’s about thinking through how the words will sound when spoken out loud.

• Check the dialogue: If you have long or complex dialogue, consider how it will flow. Long sentences or heavy exposition may be harder to follow when spoken, so you might want to simplify them or break them up.

• Mind the pacing: If there are long paragraphs of description or action, try to ensure the pacing feels right. Audiobook narration often flows better with shorter, punchy sentences, particularly in action-packed scenes.

2. Choosing a Narrator (or Narrators)

The narrator is crucial to the success of your audiobook. They’ll bring your story to life, and their voice needs to match the tone, style, and pacing of your book.

• Single narrator vs. multiple narrators: If your book has multiple characters or perspectives, consider whether you want a single narrator or a full cast of voices. A single narrator can work well for straightforward narratives, while a full cast adds depth to character-driven stories, especially in genres like fantasy, mystery, or historical fiction.

• Find the right voice: Many authors choose a narrator based on a sample reading. Listen to different narrators, paying attention to tone, pacing, and how they handle character voices and emotions.

• Self-narration: If you’re up for the challenge, you can narrate the audiobook yourself! This works particularly well if you have a distinct voice or style and want to give your book a personal touch.

3. Recording the Audiobook

Once you’ve chosen your narrator, it’s time for recording. This is a critical phase where the written word is transformed into spoken art.

• Professional studio vs. home recording: Most audiobooks are recorded in a professional studio with soundproofing and top-quality equipment. If you’re recording at home, make sure your setup is quiet, well-equipped, and able to capture the nuances of your voice without any distracting background noise.

• Narration style: The narrator should balance engaging storytelling with clarity, ensuring that all emotions, nuances, and character voices come through. They’ll often read your manuscript multiple times to perfect the pacing and tone.

• Consistency is key: It’s important to maintain consistency in the narrator’s voice, pacing, and style throughout the book, especially for series. This helps keep the experience seamless for listeners.

4. Editing and Post-Production

After the recording is complete, editing begins. This is where the audiobook really starts to take shape.

• Cutting and cleaning: During the editing process, any mistakes or interruptions in the narration are cut out. Breath sounds, mouth clicks, and unwanted noises are cleaned up to ensure a smooth listening experience.

• Sound quality: Engineers will work to ensure the final product sounds crisp, clear, and professional. They’ll adjust the levels to make sure the voice is consistent and easy to listen to.

• Adding sound effects: Depending on your genre, some audiobooks might incorporate sound effects or music. For example, a thriller might have suspenseful background sounds, while a fantasy novel might use music to set the tone for certain scenes. This is optional but can elevate the listening experience.

5. Proofing and Quality Control

Before the audiobook is finalized, it goes through a quality control check. This is where any lingering issues – like missing words, incorrect pacing, or unclear narration – are addressed. Proofing ensures that the audiobook is just as polished as the written version of your book.

• Listen to the proof: As the author, you may want to listen to a proof of the audiobook to ensure it aligns with your vision. Make sure the narrator is conveying the emotions and tone you intended and that the pacing feels right.

6. Distribution and Publishing

Once your audiobook is ready, it’s time to distribute it. There are several platforms where audiobooks are published, each with its own set of guidelines:

• Audible: The largest audiobook platform, Audible (an Amazon company), is a common destination for audiobooks. You can distribute your audiobook via ACX, which is Audible's self-publishing platform.

• Other platforms: There are many other platforms to consider, such as Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo. You can distribute your audiobook on multiple platforms using services like Findaway Voices or Author's Republic.

• Pricing: Audiobooks tend to be priced higher than ebooks, but pricing strategies may vary depending on the platform and the length of your audiobook. Be sure to check the royalty structure of each platform to understand your earnings potential.

7. Marketing Your Audiobook

After your audiobook is released, it’s time to spread the word! Marketing your audiobook can be similar to promoting your book, but with a few unique angles:

• Leverage your existing fanbase: If you already have an audience for your book, make sure they know the audiobook version is available. Consider offering a sample or excerpt to entice listeners.

• Audiobook reviews: Just like book reviews, audiobook reviews are important. Reach out to audiobook bloggers, reviewers, and influencers who may be willing to listen and review your audiobook.

• Promotional discounts: Consider running promotional campaigns or offering discounts to increase visibility and attract more listeners.

Creating an audiobook is an exciting opportunity to expand your reach and engage with readers in a new way. With careful planning and attention to detail, your audiobook can bring your story to life for a whole new audience.

To you and your book!