Not so fast…makes sure you take a good look at these 3 realities of book writing that blow the mind of authors who are otherwise surprised. 

1. You must spend as much (likely more) effort on marketing your book or ebook as you do writing it.  Wait a minute, don't publishers take care of marketing your book?  Not at ALL!   Even more important is to understand that the book marketing game has changed significantly.  Members of InfoMarketer'sZone are completely surprised by how they can build a huge platform using the internet in advance of their book launch by using mailing lists, blogs, social networks,  article syndication and affiliate programs — only now are book writers starting to catch on to these stealth marketing techniques because they work so well, get great results and build a foundation of followers that you can market to again and again.

2. Alternatives to traditional publishing are abundant.  Why wait months to get your book published, conform to rigourous publishing standards, take a pittance of money for each copy sold just to have the "priveledge" of having someone print your book?  Times have changed, self-publishing is not only far more profitable, but can be done extremely quickly with full control and credit

3. Moving up the value chain.  People who work through the roadmap within InfoMarketer'sZone soon see the incredible potential of moving from one-time, non-fiction books that earn them $1-$3 per copy sold toward a virtually unlimited world of information publishing where they can quickly launch a highly profitable line of information guides, ebooks, manuals, courses, subscription membership sites, teleseminars, webinars and the like.  Instead of a part-time book writing hobby they are shocked to see they can create their own $Million information publishing business and get it rolling quickly. 

Book writing and information marketing have changed…fortunately these changes favor you.  All that's required is that you take advantage of the timing to get your own information publishing project started now!

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Guilt builds as we continue to ignore our dream in favor of "paying the bills" and getting through daily life.

Then comes the weekend…we should be working on writing our book, but alas we are headed back to work Monday morning assuring ourselves that NEXT weekend will be the weekend that we make progress.

For some, the process of writing their book takes a lifetime, others years, still others months…any way you look at it, a significant amount of time.

Yet, when we do release our first book or ebook we come to the dramatic realization that this is just the START…not the END.

If you have a life-long ambition to help other golfers perfect their game and you finally release your book, you now have the opportunity to take your passion to the next level. 

That next level is becoming a "Mndshare Expert" in your chosen field – folks, that's where the real money and rewards come in.

That's what we teach inside InfoMarketer'sZone  – 1) How to capture the majority of your market so they can find your new book and 2) How to turn your first product into a 6-figure to 7-figure information publishing Enterprise so you can continue to work at what you love. 

YOUR BOOK – THE BEGINNING!

You have the very real opportunity to channel your new "fans" who buy and read your book into high-paying customers for follow-up information like webinars, courses, seminars, membership sites, additional courses or books…that's where you can really rake it in and turn your one-time passion for writing a book into a full-time career that you love.

Here's a great example I came across today…Joe Grace carried his dream to write a book about children's confidence and bullying around for 8-years before he really put his mind to finishing the book. 

Now he is ready to market the book, but is ready to go back into a job with the thinking that this is the end of the road – he completed his dream, so now he can move on.

Sure, that certainly may the case for many people who write their own book…but for many others, the real prize is when their book paves the way to a radical career change that lets them continue to work at their passion, to write, to help people and make money doing what they love.

So, when you set out on the journey to write a book, remember the potential in front of you.  The book is JUST the beginning…

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The question though is what should my book be about?

The tendancy is to look at writing a book as a selfish desire to share something about us with the world.

I often hear…I want to write a book about myself, where do I start? 

Take a step back and think…nobody picks up ANY book, ebook or reads content unless they feel strongly that there is something of benefit for them.

Your starting point then MUST be what can I share about my life or through research with others that will help them  in their life.

The answer to this question not only gets you thinking about the exact desire you will meet in the market, but also the target market of your focus. 

Here are some examples to get you thinking:

1. You have raised a child with a learning disability through school for the last 6-years – don't you think you have insights, experiences, tips and negative experiences you can share with others who are/will be in the same situation as you?

2. Stress used to eat away at you, but you have found a series of stress busting techniques that you can share with others to help them in their battle with stress

3. You run a profitable part-time business from home…how did you get to that stage, what failures and what successes can you share with others who want to accomplish the same goal? 

So what should your book be about? 

You get to write about your own life, but you do it with laser focus on the desires, dreams and challenges that others are having — that's the winning formula for writing yourown top selling books, ebooks or information product content.

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Creating content means:

• Writing articles
• Publishing daily blog posts
• Creating tools that can, in turn, be published by your partners/affiliates
• Social network posts
• Short, valuable reports, videos, manuals you give away as part of your opt-in, sales funnel
• Press releases and other formal press or analyst content
• Free webinars, teleseminars or courses

As part of our 6 week InfoProfits Program inside InfoMarketer'sZone, we put into action these content creation tools right in the first couple of weeks to make sure you get attention, traffic and begin the flow of eager subscribers and customers who will start your online business off with a bang. 

Content is your friend in many ways:

• Each piece of content gives you a chance to be ranked in the top 10 on the search engines meaning more people will find you in different ways
• More quality content gives you more opportunties for syndication which gives you both a wider net to catch more traffic, but also gives you solid link juice back to your website – the SERP's love that
• You build credibility and trust among your marketplace improving their tendancy to buy from you
• You build a reputation and brand that gets you more publicity through interviews, reviews, TV and press
• Your content becomes available to your partners who then cast the net even wider among their trusted audiences

But the challenge you must be wondering about is how do you consistently find ideas to write about so that you can continuously create great content?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Read actively within your market – magazines, books, blogs, etc… and become good at paraphrasing, reviewing or having an opinion on everything you read.  You want to bring the core idea or opinion to your market
2. You want to be active in your area of expertise.  If you are writing about parenting, then make it a habit to try something new or pull a tidbit from your own experience (or someone you know) each day and use that to structure your content
3. Survey your marketplace.  We have a pipeline of surveys coming in to us each day – every new subscriber, customer, blog reader, etc… sees an invitation to express their opinion, ask a question or express an idea that goes directly into both content creation as well as product creation.  By working surveys and polls into your various websites and email campaigns you will ALWAYS have ideas for great content
4. Keyword research – although I often do not come up with content ideas based purely on keyword research I certainly do use keyword research to guide me toward the interests of my audience and learn to pull content ideas as well as match content with keywords for better search engine impact
5. Social networking – become active and learn to ask questions, be controversial and active so that you get content ideas directly from Twitter, Facebook campaigns
6. Amazon comments – this is one of my secret places I look to get excellent ideas for content.  Look up a top selling book in your market area and take a look through the reviews and comments, you will often find lots of ideas for additional content
7. Google news – another of my favorite ways to continually watch the latest mainstream news for my topic area – I can then create content that refers directly to that news, comments on it, paraphrase the idea into my own words, expand on the story or various other techniques that come directly to mind when reviewing the latest news

As you can see, there are idea triggers all around us for generating content. Next time you are stuck for content ideas on what to write about, use one or more of these techniques to quickly get out of your writing rut and be back in the content business instantly.

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• This story starts with a fiction book, but leads to a second work that is definitely non-fiction
• This example shows that ANYONE can live their dream of being a writer or information marketer
• We can all learn from writers no matter what genre

So, check out this article about a 15-year old teenage writer who came up with her first book idea at 12-years old and has since battled a debiliting medical condition and STILL has succeeded against all odds.

Her second book will be about cyber-bullying – having two kids now entering their teen years I am definitely aware of this emerging market.  Having a book written by a teen is so refreshing and differentiated from the band of psycholoists and researches that are/and will continue to swarm around this very hot topic.

This just once again proves that anyone, at any stage of life has experiences, insight, knowledge and ability to write their own book creating their very one online income stream, if that is the desire.

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Each example teaches us more about the markets, topics, people behind these products and techniques they use to market their own books in today's rapidly changing publishing world.

TODAY'S BOOK WRITING PROFILE

I love this story…a long-time teacher Diane Finkbeiner and her son, who now also teaches worked together on a book they titled "How To Break 10 Common Childhood Myths", a 190-page book they have self-published available on Amazon in printed and electronic format that is largely based on the experience they have both gained in their professions.

Diane, having the wide experience of teaching from Grade 2 through Grade 8 (and many in between) began to put 2 and 2 together when she observed similarities in negative behaviors among the very young that persisted well into the pre-teen and teen years.  Further, she observed that the behaviors were largely based on assumptions (she calls them myths) that must first be altered if there is hope of altering their behavior. 

Interestingly, her son observed the exact same things when he started teaching, first acting as a substitute teacher for some extra money, then getting his teacher's degree. 

Observations made years before became chapters in this fascinating book about parenting. 

WHAT CAN WE LEARN?

You know me, I'm all about learning and teaching how we can all be more successful with self-publishing and growing large and successful information marketing businesses — so here'swhat we can learn about today's profile:

• Diane and her son Chad are no different than the hundreds and hundreds of thousands of teachers EXCEPT they saw the value in the experience and knowledge they had and saw how that could help others improve their (or their child's) lives.  Over and over again "normal" people with seemingly average lives are turning their knowledge into amazing achievment through self-publishing books, ebooks, workshops or training programs
• They kept their information practical.  Diane and Chad did not write a theoretical book about parenting or teaching, they wrote practical tips parents and teachers can use to help change the behavior of their children in a positive, productive way.  Information that is practical is HIGHLY valuable and usable to readers – it will tyopcally outsell theoretical books by a large margin
• Self-publishing – need I say more?  Inside The Ultimate Information Entrepreenur's Success Package we share the advantages of self-publishing (financial and otherwise), in today's day and age you can control your content, package it as you like, use advanced promotion techniques and keep far more of the profit than in the past…any one of us can self-publish today inexpensively and quickly.  
• Carry on a legacy.  When you read about this family you get the sense that they have a proud history as educators, writing this book allows them to extend their legacy, touch more people and pass along their passion for decades to come
• Foundation for bigger things…it is quite clear with this family, there is an opportunity for workshops (they already do them), home study packages, seminars, even online membership sites are an option…your first information product can be your launchpad to much bigger things
• Collaborate – in this case it was a Mother and Son, in your case it may be a collaboration with a like-minded peer, your spouse, an expert that helps with credibility – the options are virtually limitless.  While there is always risk with collaboration, those risks can be managed and often the advantages outweigh the risks.  Remember, if your first product is your launchpad to bigger things, a collaboration can sometimes be the fastest way to make a big bang on your first time around. 

Most of all, you can do what Diane and Chad have done.  You can pull from your experience, knowledge and passion to put together your own book, ebook or information product and sell it offline and online…the only question is when will you release your own launchpad to the benefits information marketing can give you? 

Leave us a comment with your plans or your thoughts about this review – we love hearing from you.

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It's such a massive passion for them that it almost paralyzes them into inaction.

When we break it down into bite-sized chunks though and begin to set simple-to-follow processes for:

• Idea brainstorming
• Market research to help pick the best topic to start with
• Book outlining
• Organizing and research
• Content generation and discovery
• Formatting your book or ebook
• Pricing and alternative packaging
• Getting it up for sale online

It suddenly becomes so much simpler, less emotional and can be quite a quick process.

I came across this article earlier today about a Durham woman who has experience in her field of selling being contacted by a publisher on Twitter about potentially writing a book for them.

Sure enough, less than 6-months later she has her first book out and already has ideas for her next titles.

Sometimes it just takes a mentor and a basic plan to follow to actually get you moving and once you begin, you won't be able to stop.

We have more than 12 different books, ebooks, membership sites and courses selling online…the plan we followed is highly effective and it is something we teach within Information Product Marketer's Zone – take a look if you want to really make progress writing your book or creating an information product for sale online.

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We recently wrote a post on how a waitress who had a passion for the Adirondack Hospitality industry into a top selling book that reviewed area restaurants and here's yet another example…

Or here's another example, Muldowney has a long-standing passion for running and after years of experience found a way to craft that into a book about running for runners – beginners and intermediate.

In his case he decided to mix 3 main things:  1) Tips and experiences that will help runners evolve through the different levels 2) Stories about the interesting running people he has experienced over his years of racing and running and 3) Some local people that helped him grow his passion

He was smart enough to know the power of stories – to teach, entertain, inform and share in the form of stories is one of the most powerful methods of all of writing a book that will interest people…no matter how competitive your market is. 

Now it comes down to marketing, getting the word out about his book will be critical to how well it will sell.  Press releases and book signings are great, but social media, a website with a focus to building a following, a blog, YouTube videos are all possibilities to really put his book over the top — these are all techniques we teach inside of InfoMarketer'sZone which helps first-time writers take their ideas and turn them into highly profitable income streams fast online. 

What passion do you have that you could turn into a book? 

• Parenting
• Running a B&B or cottages?
• Researching schools for your teen?
• A sport or hobby?
• A knack for business, selling, speaking or persuading?
• An inherent ability to help others?
• A triumph over a medical condition?
• Natural health and wellness?

Our work with first-time infoproduct creators inside InfoMarketer'sZone has taught us that there are an unlimited number of potential topics, yours is just waiting to sweep you away on an adventure of fun, excitement, profit and wild adventure…what will your ebook or book be about?

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• Restaurant Reviews
• Theme park reviews
• Hotel, B&B or accomodation reviews
• Boat mooring or route reviews
• RV park reviews
• Family vacation ideas and reviews
• Winery visit review sites

Review guides work because…

1. There is a proven group of interested individuals (a niche market if you will) that wants information on these places
2. People don't want to make a mistake…so they will pay $27, $47 or more for an "insiders" guide to the best locations
3. They want it all in one simple location – yes they may be able to research the information online, but they will have to spend hours going to different sites and that takes too much time. 
4. They may find the "perfect" place they had not even considered

Here's a story of a former waitress in the Aiderondack's who realized the desire for patrons to find a concise guide on regional restaurants.  Putting her own knowledge to work as well as interviewing people in the region, she then set out to visit some 90 restaurants to compile her review. 

Review products are great for a few reasons:

1. Demand is long-term…you need to work a few days/weeks each year to keep them up to date, but really they will sell for years after you have written them
2. You don't have to be the expert, instead you draw on others opinions and your first-hand research
3. Depending on your territory and topic, these books/booklets can be put together quite quickly – within weeks, while others may take a few months if there is significant travel that must take place
4. You can live your passion while you write your book.  As you are building a business around your book, you can try your favorite spots, talk with some great people and write-off much of the expense to your business as you prepare your profit center. 

As we point out in InfoMarketer'sZone, there are limitless opportunities for you to write and profit from your own book, ebook, booklet or course – review products are just one example.

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Or maybe you have even given up altogether…if that's the case then you may NOT want to read on about this writing success story

After nearly 40-years of dreaming about writing a book, a mother of 3 finally put words to page and has come out with her own top selling book titled The Parent's Guide To Uncluttering Your Home targeting other middle-age parents who may be downsizing for reasons of their kids moving out, a drop in income or other life situations.

As always, we can learn from how Janet made her dreams come true (read this great profile of Janet while you're at it):

1. Just Do It – Janet dreamed of writing her book since she was in grade-school – unlike many who never act on their dream, Janet did…you don't have to wait, but can get started right now

2. Use Life Experience – As you move through life you learn lessons, you tackle challenges, you experience great joy and disappointment, you go through experiences that can help others who follow.  That's what Janet did, a combination of forces common to many (having to move for her husband's job, having to go through her own challenge finding a job, re-locating, having your kids leave home…) all lead to a very typical situation of downsizing which forces people to make tough decisions on what to get rid of.   These are highly emotional decisions – keepsakes, history and material posessions all have great emotional attachment.  Her book helps others deal with these challenges

3. Combination of life experience and research.  Janet took the right approach in combining her personal experience with the topic and additional research (in this case consulting experts in feng shui and organizers) to help her fill in the book.   So she didn't have to come up with everything on her own…I always like to combine my own experiences and content with researched content when we write our books.  I find it makes the process faster and is more thorough coverage of the topic

Now Janet has her own published book available to the world, marketing is her next stop.  Getting PR, doing interviews and book signings are now table stakes — our recommendation…live webinars, YouTube videos, social networking and blogging would help market her book and take it to even greater heights. 

Now it's your turn…what would your book be about?

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