‘A quantum leap, by definition, means moving into unchartered territory with no guide to follow. You personally draw the map as you go.’
~ Price Pritchett, in you2
Let’s face it—you can start a business without a 50-page micro-detailed business plan. But you would not even step onto that path without desire, vision and enthusiasm – and at least a basic breakdown of the key elements involved: product/service; consumer trends; target market; competition; skills analysis; financials; marketing methods, and more.
You can also write a book without a 50-page detailed book business plan, but you will be very wise to take the time to create a version that steps you through some serious thinking before sitting down to create your first book draft. Otherwise you may complete and launch your book, only to realise you have missed opportunities and perhaps even written the wrong book for your business.
ELEVEN BENEFITS OF A BOOK BUSINESS PLAN
- You gain clarity on why you are in business, where you want your book to take you, and who you want to serve and support in the future.
2. You gain clarity on the main message of your book.
3. You define who your ideal reader is, and get an idea of the size of your target market segment through good research. Use sources such as The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS); state government departments; local councils; industry bodies; professional membership organisations; libraries/librarians; research groups; online research; universities; etc.
4. You research and find out what your reader really wants, rather than what you think they want.
5. You define your point of difference. (Rohit Bhargava, for example, found the point of difference for his book ‘Personality Not Included: Why Companies Lose Their Authenticity–And How Great Brands get It Back’ by positioning it between books about business and books about marketing.)
6. You find ways to give your readers compelling reasons to buy your book. It can be something really simple or quite complex, but you need to identify it.
7. You set out a production schedule for your book.
8. You figure out what skills you have – and where you will need help.
9. You put thought into your existing audience and how to build connections while you write your book, in preparation for marketing.
10. You are prepared and professional when you have an opportunity to pitch your book, if someone unexpectedly says, ‘I’ve got a friend who’s a literary agent. Why don’t you send her a synopsis of the book? She may be able to bring your work to the attention of a publishing house.’
11. You also think about the money equation, and if you want to pitch for funding, sponsorships or partnerships, a book plan shows you are serious and prepared. Who would want to risk their money or reputation with someone who does not take their own work seriously? (In my book, ‘Smart Women Publish’ I cover funding in Chapter 11, expected costs in Chapter 12, and ways to leverage your book in Part D.)
THE SECTIONS IN A GOOD BOOK PLAN
- Book genre, working title and sub-title
- Why you are writing this book – your own purpose and plans
- About this book – a powerful summary to attract readers
- What makes this book unique – how is it the same as, and different from, comparative titles?
- Target audience
- Why they will read this book – include target readership research results
- Author credibility – why we can believe in you
- Draft contents page
- Back cover blurb
- Proposed length
- Author following – your ‘author platform’
- Marketing and promotion plan
- Production timeline
- Financials
DOWNLOAD THIS TEMPLATE: To download a full framework for your Book Business Plan as a PDF, with added instructions, go to www.smartwomenpublish.com/extras
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This is the sixth of a series of articles taken from the book, ‘Smart Women Publish – Write the book that expands your world’ by Bev Ryan. Each article in this series will present the key ideas in its 15 chapters, from what a book can do for you, through planning, writing, publishing and leveraging your published book.
Bev is a certified non-fiction book coach (including memoir with a message) and book production manager, working with accomplished and interesting people as they write and self-publish their best non-fiction books. Contact Bev to find out how she can help you with your book.
‘Smart Women Publish’, is Bev’s comprehensive ‘how-to’ instructional and inspirational book, available here.
You can access Bev’s low-cost ‘how-to-publish book plus kick-starter coaching session’ here.