Have you ever felt like you have a book inside you, waiting to be written? As a leader in your industry, you probably have valuable knowledge and insights to share. Writing a book can help build your personal brand and assist others in reaching their potential. However, the process of actually writing a book can seem daunting. Many people start writing but struggle to finish, unsure of how to turn their ideas into a complete manuscript.
Dan Janal's book "Write Your Book in a Flash" offers a solution to this common problem. Janal has developed a reliable plan that anyone can follow to draft a non-fiction book quickly and effectively. This book provides a roadmap for business professionals to produce high-quality books in record time.
In this summary, we'll explore the key ideas and strategies Janal presents for successfully writing your business book. We'll cover everything from crafting your book's summary and positioning statement to creating a detailed outline, conducting research, and getting valuable feedback before publication. By following Janal's advice, you'll be well-equipped to join the 20% of aspiring authors who actually complete their books.
Start with Your Book Summary
The Power of a Good Blurb
Think about the last time you browsed a bookstore. When a book caught your eye, you probably picked it up and read the blurb on the back. That short summary played a crucial role in determining whether you bought the book or put it back on the shelf. The book summary, or blurb, is a powerful tool that can make or break a potential reader's interest in your work.
Writing Your Summary First
It might seem counterintuitive to write a summary for a book that doesn't exist yet. However, this exercise serves as an excellent starting point for your writing journey. By crafting your book summary first, you'll be forced to clarify your vision and the overall message you want to convey to your readers.
The 400-Word Challenge
Begin by writing a 400-word summary that covers the following points:
- What your book is about
- Who it's for
- What questions it answers
- The benefits readers will gain
Your summary should demonstrate that you understand the challenges your target audience faces and that your book will provide actionable solutions, not just theory. It should also explain why your book stands out from similar titles in the market and establish your authority on the subject.
Distilling Your Message
Once you've written your 400-word summary, challenge yourself to condense it into just 50 words while still addressing all the crucial points. This shorter version is typically the length you'll find in online bookstores. The process of writing a longer summary first and then editing it down helps you capture the essence of your book more effectively than trying to write a pithy summary from scratch.
Learning from Competitors
To improve your summary-writing skills, review at least five blurbs from competitors' books. Take note of what stands out to you and what turns you off. This exercise will help you understand what makes a blurb compelling and inform your own writing.
Remember, your book summary isn't just a condensed version of your book – it's also a valuable sales tool. Invest the time needed to craft a summary that accurately represents your book and entices potential readers.
Clarify Your Book's Market
The Importance of a Clear Positioning Statement
Many new authors struggle to articulate what their book is about and who it's for. Without a clear understanding of these fundamental aspects, you'll lack direction when you start writing. To avoid this pitfall, create a positioning statement or elevator pitch that concisely explains your book's purpose and target audience.
The Two-Sentence Formula
Your positioning statement should consist of two simple sentences that clearly communicate:
- What your book is about
- Who it's for
- What sets it apart from similar books
Creating Your Positioning Statement
Follow these steps to craft an effective positioning statement:
- Define your book's category (e.g., business innovation, leadership, fitness)
- Identify your primary target audience
- List five core benefits readers will gain from your book
- Choose the most compelling benefit
Now, write your first sentence using this structure: "[Book Title] is a book about [category] that helps [target audience] [primary benefit]."
For your second sentence, list five points that distinguish your book from competitors, then choose the most compelling one. Your second sentence should explain why your book is superior to others in its category.
Example: "Cutting Edge is a book about innovation that helps small businesses generate creative solutions. Unlike other innovation books, Cutting Edge draws on resources that every small business already has."
By creating a clear positioning statement, you'll be able to explain your book's purpose and value to anyone, at any time.
Fostering the Right Mindset
Overcoming Common Obstacles
Writing a book is challenging, and many aspiring authors never finish their projects. To be part of the 20% who complete their books, you need to develop the right mindset and overcome common obstacles.
Finding Your Why
Before you start writing, reflect on why you want to write a book. Is it merely to boost your ego, or do you have an important message to share with the world? Having a compelling reason to write will drive you forward when you encounter difficulties.
Dealing with Procrastination
Procrastination often stems from a fear of failure. To combat this, set small, achievable goals. Instead of aiming to write for an hour each day, start with just five minutes. You may find that once you get started, you'll write for much longer than your initial goal.
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
At some point, you'll likely experience self-doubt and feel like you don't have what it takes to write your book. This is known as impostor syndrome, and it's a common experience among writers. Remember that even successful creators like Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the Broadway hit Hamilton, have faced these feelings.
To challenge limiting beliefs:
- Write them down
- Come up with five reasons why they're not true
For example, if you feel you have nothing to say, remind yourself that you write a weekly blog or that you're frequently asked to speak at business events.
By fostering the right mindset and addressing these common challenges, you'll be better equipped to persevere and complete your book.
The Power of an Outline
Learning from TV Writers
Consider the popular TV show Glee, which ran for five years. Surprisingly, the writers outlined the entire series before the first episode aired. While they made adjustments along the way, having a pre-planned storyline helped them maintain consistency and direction throughout the show's run.
Why Outlines Matter for Business Books
An outline is essentially a list of points and subpoints, each representing a chapter or subheading in your book. It serves as a guide for the book you want to write and is the secret to writing quickly and effectively.
Benefits of Creating a Detailed Outline
- Provides direction: You'll always know which topic to tackle next, reducing procrastination and keeping you focused.
- Speeds up the writing process: The more detailed your outline, the faster you'll write.
- Serves as a quality control mechanism: Ensures you've included all important information.
- Facilitates feedback: Easier for peers or literary agents to review a concise outline than a full manuscript.
Creating Your Outline
Invest time in fleshing out your outline, listing all the case studies, research, and graphics you'll include under each subheading. Treat it with the same care you would a business plan for your company, as it will form the structure of your book.
By creating a detailed outline, you'll set yourself up for a smoother writing process and a more cohesive final product.
Using a Reliable Structure
The Danger of Too Much Freedom
When writing a business book, having too many options can lead to indecision and procrastination. To avoid this, start with a common structure used by many business books:
- Assume your book will have 10 chapters
- Aim for about 200 pages (40-50,000 words)
While your final book may vary from this structure, using it as a starting point will help you create your outline and begin writing.
Creating Your 10-Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Overview
- Explain the problem your book will solve
- Establish your expertise
- Briefly introduce the topics you'll cover
- Focus on inspiring the reader rather than delving into content
Chapters 2-9: Main Content
- Each chapter should have a clear theme
- Explore themes using anecdotes, research, case studies, and visual elements
- Don't worry about catchy titles at this stage; focus on content
Chapter 10: Summary
- Recap key points from previous chapters
- Optionally, offer your business services if they align with your book content
Identifying Chapter Themes
For each chapter, ask yourself:
- What is this chapter about?
- Why is this topic important to the reader?
- What will readers gain from this chapter?
- What actions can readers take to implement your ideas?
Add your thoughts about the content you'll use to explore your themes in your outline. This will help you identify any gaps in your research.
By following this structure, you'll create a comprehensive outline that serves as a roadmap for your writing process.
Incorporating Other Sources
The Importance of External Input
While some thought leaders may have all the information they need to write a book, most authors benefit from incorporating external sources. Including quotes from experts and additional research not only enhances your credibility but also makes your book easier to market.
Interviewing Experts
Reach out to industry leaders, professors, or think tank experts for interviews. This accomplishes two goals:
- Provides valuable quotes to support your arguments
- Recruits potential champions for your book, as their names will appear in it
To find suitable experts, use internet searches with relevant keywords and look for organizations or academic papers in your field.
Conducting Market Research
Use online resources to discover what content is missing from similar books in your market. This will help you address unique topics and give your book a competitive edge.
Steps for effective market research:
- Search for similar books on online booksellers
- Read customer reviews to identify topics readers wanted but didn't find
- Integrate these points into your outline
Leveraging Q&A Forums
Platforms like LinkedIn Groups and Quora.com can provide insights into what information your potential readers are seeking. Search for your topic area and read through questions and answers to gather valuable insights for your book.
By incorporating external sources and addressing reader needs, you'll create a more comprehensive and marketable book.
Writing Your First Draft
Overcoming Perfectionism
Many authors never finish their first draft because they believe it needs to be perfect. To avoid this pitfall, focus on getting your ideas on the page rather than striving for perfection.
Strategies for Successful Drafting
Establish deadlines: Set realistic and achievable deadlines before you start writing to keep yourself accountable.
Carry a notebook: Jot down ideas as they come to you and use these notes to start each writing session.
Write in any order: Begin with the chapters or sections that feel easiest to you. There's no correct order for drafting your book.
Use a conversational tone: Write the way you speak to make your content more engaging and to develop a unique voice that reflects your personality.
Don't edit while writing: Focus on getting your ideas down first, then do a preliminary edit for grammar and spelling later.
The Goal of the First Draft
Remember that your first draft doesn't need to be perfect. Your primary objective is to produce a complete manuscript that you can refine and improve in subsequent revisions.
Getting Feedback Before Publishing
The Importance of Pre-Publication Reviews
Before sending your book into the world, it's crucial to get feedback from others. This process helps ensure that your arguments are sound, your ideas are clearly expressed, and your content is engaging.
Two Rounds of Reviews
Peer Review
- Identify industry experts who can evaluate your arguments
- Ask colleagues, business partners, or professors to review your work
- Be prepared for challenging feedback that will ultimately improve your book
Beta Readers
- Recruit volunteers who represent your target readership
- Ask them to provide feedback on clarity, engagement, and overall impressions
- Use their input to identify sections that need improvement or clarification
Finding Beta Readers
- Reach out to regular commenters on your blog
- Invite them to review a few chapters or the entire book
- Provide clear instructions, deadlines, and express your gratitude
- Include beta readers in your acknowledgments and send them a complimentary copy of the published book
By incorporating feedback from both peers and beta readers, you'll significantly enhance the quality of your book before publication.
Crafting Catchy Titles
While not covered extensively in the main summary, creating engaging titles for your book and its chapters is an important step in the writing process. Here are some tips for crafting catchy titles:
- Use action-oriented language
- Communicate the benefits readers will gain
- Combine your subject area with a personal interest or hobby
- Consider using a subtitle to provide more context
Example: "Write Your Book in a Flash: The Paint-by-Numbers System to Write the Book of Your Dreams—FAST"
Final Thoughts
Writing a business book can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the strategies outlined in "Write Your Book in a Flash," you'll be well-equipped to overcome common obstacles and produce a high-quality book in less time than you might have thought possible.
Key takeaways:
- Start with a clear book summary and positioning statement
- Develop the right mindset to overcome challenges
- Create a detailed outline to guide your writing process
- Incorporate external sources and market research
- Focus on completing your first draft without striving for perfection
- Seek feedback from peers and beta readers before publishing
Remember that writing a book is a journey, and each step brings you closer to sharing your valuable insights with the world. By following Dan Janal's advice and staying committed to your goals, you can join the ranks of successful authors who have turned their ideas into published works.
As you embark on your writing journey, keep in mind that your unique perspective and experiences are what will make your book stand out. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your writing, and always keep your target audience in mind.
With dedication, planning, and the right approach, you can write your book in a flash and make a lasting impact in your field. So, take that first step, start outlining your ideas, and begin the exciting process of bringing your book to life. Your future readers are waiting to benefit from your knowledge and expertise.