Don’t Write That Book Yet – 10 Questions to Ask Yourself

Many authors start writing their second and third book when the ink is barely dry on their first one. As a veteran bookcoach, understand that this is not in your best interest.

Why? Because you need to learn the best, proven online book promotion techniques, and apply them to one book at a time. Just because your first book isn’t selling well doesn’t mean you should write another one–because if it doesn’t get promotion attention, will not sell well either. You need to market your first book before you write another one.

Before you Write Another Book, Ask Yourself These Questions

1. Why would I do that?

Think of the time spent writing and editing. These activities make you no money. You will only make money when you market/promote your book. To me that means that just because I spend a lot of months getting a book done and feel worn out and whipped, I shouldn’t stop there. I need to promote it to get known before I write another book. I need to know my first book’s audience and write for them when I know they want my information.

Your bookcoach says a good ratio is write 50% of the time and market 50% of the time. If you spend 5-15 hours a week writing your book, then you need to spend at least that much to promote it.

Writing a book doesn’t bring your an audience or money. Yet, your cost of book promotion comes back to your 10-fold.
If your audience doesn’t know about your book, they can’t read or buy it, can they?

2. Will the next book or related product make me more money, make me more well-known?

Probably not. The very best # one product is either a print or eBook. Yes, you can self-publish it with a little help from professionals. It’s worth the money to make your book more saleable and done right the first time because a book that isn’t written with sales in mind, doesn’t sell well. It turns out to be a big waste of time and money for the author.

3. Why do I feel I need to write another book now?

Think of your reasons. Is it inner passion to investigate a new topic? Is it because you really don’t want to think about promoting the first book?

4. Will this new book sustain my business message for my target market?

To promote to your first book’s audience first is a direct hit that takes less time and money. Once you know your audience and where they can be contacted (the internet, of course) then you can do a 6 to 8 month promotion plan that gets your first book noticed and selling. That’s just a little time really when you think of the writing time you spent.

5. Will this new book directly connect to the last one so that my book is treated as a business to position my company well?

Maybe your niche is romance fiction. Then make sure you next book fits that category. For myself, my niche is bookcoaching, so every book, teleseminar, and social media marketing activity are connected to business people who want to brand their business with a book. That includes how to write a saleable book the first time. That includes how to promote online. That includes how to set up a Web site that sells, before you hire a web designer.

6. If I write and publish a new book, will my audience still want my first book?

Think about your business. You already have a viable title. Then get it out to your targeted audience before you write its sequel or update. One thing I know for sure, only the top three titles of my 13 books sell well.

7. Will I have the time to put 3-9 hours a week into promoting the first book and the second book?

From my experience, you can only promote one book at a time in any email promotion you send your lists. Your audience will only focus on one offer at a time. Ask yourself are you just replacing an older book with a new one?

8. Do I want to spend a lot more money and time on a project that may not be right at this time?

It’s a shame that authors get tired of their book before their public has a chance to know it. Your top High Level Activity for today is always to focus on what brings you business or book sales. Your book project is more than just writing, so be sure to follow through well on your first book, then see if you should produce another one.

9. Does my target audience really want this second book title I’m thinking about now?

Do a market survey first to your present audience and other email lists. Ask them would they buy a new book with these benefits and features? Knowing each book’s benefits and features (why should your audience buy) and sharing them in your back cover, web sales letter or emails is all important to give your prospective readers a reason to buy.

10. Will I have enough focus to first sell book number one before I add another?

Am I willing to do two to three High Level Activities each day to get my book into the hands of its readers?

Do I have a ready to go sound bite or tell and sell on my book to help people buy?

You want to promote your first book at least a year with active online promotion. If you don’t know social media and article marketing, get some education in it. Take teleseminars, read books, and if you want to triple your results get one-on one tailored help from a coach.

Make sure that when you write another book, you have time to market it and it serves your business purpose–to get known, get liked and trusted, so it’s worth your time and money.

Judy Cullins, 25-year bookcoach offers help with any part of your book project. Ask her a question or check out her tailored short session.