I heard it said again this week that we don’t buy a product, we buy what it can do for us. I’ve been pondering the concept and I notice that it is fairly accurate. I did a little mall shopping yesterday and bought myself a new pair of walking shoes (at 70, I’m still a dedicated power walker). I chose a pair that looked good to me (so I will look good wearing them), that have a familiar brand name (so I’m assured that they will hold up) and that were on sale (now saving money is always a benefit).
But what about benefits in books? Are you writing a book with benefits or are you writing it primarily for yourself? When you plan a book, do you do so with your audience in mind or because it’s something you want to do—you have something to say or share?
Before you finish your book—even better, before you start it—consider first, your audience. Who is your target audience? Then think about the benefits they will be looking for in a book like yours.
Do you know the difference between features and benefits?
A feature is what a book or another product has—four-color cover, spiral binding, resource list, thirty recipes, tips and techniques, etc.
A benefit is what the book does—puts the reader with a fear of flying at ease, teaches readers how to make crème brulee, causes readers to relax and smile, saves readers time in the kitchen, and so forth.
If you are promoting a book, keep these descriptions in mind. As you represent your book in press releases, ads and verbally, be sure that you promote the benefits to readers instead of always spouting the features.
http://www.matilijapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com
I believe we will be starting a “Build Your Platform” course next month. Check out the description and course outline at the link below and sign up. There’s still room. You can join the course that will begin probably during the first week of March or you can set your own starting date.
What does one of Patricia Fry’s online, on-demand courses involve? A weekly lecture and assignment and valuable one-on-one assistance throughout the course.
Platform Course:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_platform.htm
For the complete list of 7 courses:
http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm