Top Ten Tips on How to Write a Short Book to Promote your Coaching Business Judy Cullins ©2006 All Rights Reserved.

The myths continues--that a real, respectable book must be in print and it must be over 160 pages. Even better it's traditionally published. Rethink with the faster Premier Branding approach: Write a short book first. Finish it fast so you can get your important message out to thousands, even hundreds of thousands, gain credibility ,visibility, and create an ongoing increased stream of income.

To take your business from OK to booming, incorporate these top ten "Do and Don't" book tips:

1. Write your short (30-100 pages) book.

Know people's reading hours are down from 123 hours per year in 1999, to 109 hours in 2001, and in 2005--a much lower figure. They want short, easy-to-read books that answer questions they have on a particular topic.

2. Write your print book and eBook at the same time.

It's easy to just use two folders, one for each version. You may keep a lot of the same material in both formats, but for the eBook, you will drop some of the stories and examples to get right to the point. You will keep more to the how to's.

3. Write the easiest chapter first.

After you make a list of challenges and questions your audience wants answered, take 2-5 of them that are totally related for the middle part of your chapter. The introduction chapter is often the hardest to write, so warm up and speed up with the easy choice first.

4. Stop researching so much to write the perfect book.

You know your topic. You know your coaching strengths. You already have the answers within, so don't think you need to do a lot of research. In fact, research makes your chapters dry and telling like a lecture, rather than engaging your readers to finish each chapter by your questions as headings, then answered in your natural voice. Your natural voice is enough.

5. Use all of your experience to write your book.

You may have some articles written, given a teleclass, or have some juicy client stories where you solved their challenge. These translate into compelling chapters. Writing a book is like writing a teleclass in a way. There's an organization of the beginning, middle, and end. These ideas can short cut your time to your book's finish line.

6. Know the pay offs of finishing your book.

If you don't get one out soon and fast, your potential clients won't know what you have to offer them. You won't build your practice beyond a few, and you won't have the confidence of being a respected coach who earns consistent high income.

7. Know the benefits and features your audience will get from your book, and hence your coaching.

Before you write a chapter make a list of 5-10 benefits and 5-10 features your readers want. Do they want a more balanced life, more clients, more money, and better relationships? Use visual and feeling words to connect with your reader. After reading my book, you'll see yourself with your new life partner on a beach celebrating your time together. Or, You'll feel as young as a newlywed.

8. Know your audience well.

First, think of your preferred audience--the one who will most want your book. Write to that one audience to make your book speak directly to them, and engage them to want to act on your ideas. With too many audiences in mind, your book may lack focus and you actually write a book for 3- many audiences. This is the number one mistake emerging authors make--unless they are Chicken Soup marketeers, of course.

9. Write your audience profile before you write the book.

Know as much as you can about your audience. Who are they and where do they hang out? What kinds of magazines and books do they buy? What is their age bracket and interests? Are they Internet savvy? Where will you find them to promote to them easily? Most book buyers for specific topics like your book will not visit a bookstore looking for it. Think Internet.

10. Know your thesis before you write much.

A thesis is a statement with a subject and a verb. It usually implies judgment. It gives the main idea of the book such as "Write you eBook or Other Short Book--Fast!" Sometimes your title will also be the thesis as in this case. Think of the number one general/main challenge/question your book will answer. That can be your thesis. Make sure every chapter relates to that thesis and you have an easy-to-read book.

Traditional is no longer valid in today's business world. From Bill Gates--the idea that there will be two kinds of businesses in the 2000's--One who use the Internet, and the other, out of business. Make sure your book reaches your targeted audience the best way, so it can brand your business with a book today.

About the author:

Judy Cullins, 20-year Book and Internet Marketing Coach works with small business people who want to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and clients, and make a consistent life-long income. Author of 10 eBooks including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast. Free help through her monthly ezines, "The BookCoach Says...," "Business Tip of the Month," at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml., 21