Are you the author of a how-to or self-help book? Are sales lagging? That shouldn’t be, because the market is strong. Experts expect self-help, how-to, do-it-yourself and inspirational books to be an $11 billion business this year. So why isn’t your book selling? Maybe it’s because you misjudged your audience.
If you had written a book proposal, you might have recognized your error and corrected it before your book became a book. Do I sound like a broken record? Per my FREE report, The Post Publication Book Proposal (contact me: PLFry620@yahoo.com), you don’t have to cut your losses. You don’t have to close the door on those boxes of books stored in your garage. You don’t have to consider yourself another victim of the POD phenomenon. You can reevaluate your book and your audience, shift gears and start promoting your book to the right audience. If your book is with a fee-based POD “self-publishing†company, you can even go back to the drawing board, write a book proposal and rewrite your book—more accurately focusing/slanting it toward your original audience.
If you are in the writing stages of an inspirational, self-improvement or how-to book, make sure that you are writing it for your intended audience:
• Have a specific audience in mind.
• Understand the needs/desires of your audience.
• Write for them not at them, over their heads or down to them.
• Remove yourself from the equation as you write this book.
• Present your material as if it is for someone from Mars.
Avoid the following mistakes:
• Don’t try to force your beliefs on an audience that isn’t interested.
• Don’t assume that everyone understands loosely written instructions.
• Avoid trying to write an all about book.
• Avoid writing the book for you—focus on your audience.
Many of the nearly 300,000 books produced every year are written from the hearts and minds of authors who want to make a difference in someone else’s life. If you’re among those who want to teach and preach, make sure that you understand how to organize a self-how/how-to book and how to present the material in a palatable manner. Most of all, focus your message toward your target audience without letting too much of your ego and your desire to effect unwanted change filter into your project.
For assistance with your self-help, how-to or inspirational book, contact Patricia Fry at PLFry620@yahoo.com. http://www.matilijapress.com/consulting.html