I re-organized my books in my office in the Sanctuary recently – that’s my barn there in the picture – we call it our Sanctuary. As I was going through nearly 1000 books, I reserved an entire bookcase for those traditionally and self-published books you readers have sent me. I love seeing the personal passions put between two covers. But more than the value of the stories themselves is the value of having moved through all the steps to complete a book. That goal-setting, perseverance, and self-discipline puts in place a system you can use to more easily attain success in any area of life – for the rest of your life. Even if 
the book sells only 25 copies you can use the process as a foundation for new successes in many other areas.
But please be clear about your purpose for writing a book. Just because the technology is easy and there are no barriers to becoming an “author,” don’t just kill trees or clog the internet with a book that serves no clear purpose. Since 2007, the number of self-published titles hitting the marketplace has gone up five-fold. According to the New York Times “most self-published books sell fewer than 100 or 150 copies.” The average U.S. book (regardless of how it’s published) is now selling fewer than 250 copies per year and fewer than 3,000 copies over its lifetime.
If you’re okay with those odds, go for it. If you want to increase your odds, then please read Guy Kawasaki’s book APE: How to Publish a Book. It will save you from yourself and that obscurity.
I save some choice quotations for some of the books I see –
“This is not a book that should be tossed lightly aside. It should be hurled with great force.”
Dorothy Parker
“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book – I’ll waste no time reading it.”
Moses Hadas
What I have here is not a book outline or a proposal guideline, but it is a needed overview I suggest you complete before you publish your book. These are questions I ask before responding to the many requests I get for forewords and endorsements.
Before You Begin…
Why do you want to write this book? What is your compelling purpose?
Fame
Fortune
Legacy
Positioning as an expert
____________________
What makes you an authority in this area of content?
Personal Experience
Educational Background
_____________________
Who are you writing this book for? Describe the person that will read it.
Age
Gender
Need
____________________
What need will the book address and how will the book benefit the reader?
Descriptive
Prescriptive
____________________
How has your message already been said? What’s unique and remarkable about your message?
Competitive Analysis
There is nothing totally new
_____________________
How does being an author fit in your overall career?
Hobby
Full-time author
Support of other career goals
______________________
If you can answer those questions to your complete satisfaction, then by all means write your book. It can expand your credibility as a speaker, coach, artist, musician, pastor or stay-at-home mom, even if it never becomes a “bestseller.”
A whole lot of you just purchased our Write to the Bank package. That tells me you really do want this to be more than an average success. Please keep me posted on your progress and the finished product.
Dan, thanks for sharing Guy Kawasaki’ book. I’ll check it out. I’m presently self-publishing one book and negotiating a contract on another book with a traditional publisher. I laughed out loud at your quote: “Thank you for sending me a copy of your book – I’ll waste no time reading it.” Moses Hadas
I certainly hope that won’t be said of my work!!!
Debbie – yes the process continues to be very interesting. I trust your book negotiating will give you a distinct advantage.
SPOT ON!!! Sharing for others as this is GOLDEN! Thanks Dan!
With print-on-demand publishing, I think places like Amazon doesn’t print books until someone orders them. In any case, I got my book up on Amazon. The process was a learning experience and helps me see what it takes for someone from the other side of things. I think it is worth it if it doesn’t sell at all.
The other advantage of writing in general, and books in particular, is it helps you to increase your ability to communicate and organize your thoughts.
Eva – you are absolutely right. Writing a book has lots of benefits beyond selling even the first copy.
I wrote my book, You Have What it Takes, to help position my message in the market as a coach by using my own personal stories of experience & transparency to move people to action. I see it as the first in a suite of products that will serve my audience with what they want and need.
Jevonnah – absolutely. Getting your message into the form of a book has immediate benefits for increasing your credibility in the marketplace.
Great advice Dan. Writing for me has been a voyage of self-discovery. If I never sell a book, ever, the voyage has already exceeded my wildest expectations.