In the few weeks since my latest book, Write a Book Grow Your Business came out, I’ve taken a break from writing the next one, but began looking for new ways to use the information I’ve spent so much time writing. I’ve had the luxury of a few extra hours of free time to read. A lot. In reading books about speaking, creating online courses, and various promotion and marketing opportunities, I already have everything I need to expand my reach to help more people find their voice. The months spent writing and publishing can now be used to promote my book(s) and has new life in other forms. The table of contents holds the key to unlock other income-generating channels. So, if you need more reasons to write your book or finish the one you started, here are just a few.
Speaking
In his book Talk Like Ted, Carmen Gallo shares stories, various TED talks, and his own experience on the speaking circuit. He details the qualities required for a memorable speech and the specifics on why many TED talks receive millions of views on YouTube. Not surprisingly, much of the planning that goes into presenting a great TED talk are also used in planning a great book.
Who is your target audience?
What do you want the audience to learn or take away from the experience?
What is your desired outcome?
Your table of contents holds the key to your presentation. The main points are outlined and the supporting stories, anecdotes, and facts are already buried in the pages that follow.
Just like an author needs to keep writing books, speaking veteran Brian Tracy pushes the importance of speaking (and speaking and speaking and speaking) to get better and get noticed. His short ebook, The 6-Figure Speaker, is a blueprint for a career as a speaker. Your book plays an important role in creating the talk, establishing credibility as a speaker, and generating additional income once you’re on the speaking circuit.
Creating an online course
In addition to reading, I’m also taking online courses. The first course I devoured was about creating courses on Udemy. I’m exploring the best way to deliver information and I decided to start with an established e-learning platform. It is evident that the table of contents in my book is the ideal place to start creating my course. The structure I created for my book is the perfect outline for delivering an online course. I’ll leave out some information and add additional screen shots or screen capture video, but the flow and content is essentially the same.
While this platform might not be for you, it is an inexpensive way to learn more about course creation (and a lot of other things). I just finished “How I Create a Udemy Course in 5 Hours” by Jason Banfield. While I have no delusions about how long it will take me to create a course, I was looking for a quick overview. This exactly fit my needs. I created and outline and am poised to create my own course. Watch for information in the coming weeks!
Marketing and Promotion
You can write books and create courses, but without a platform and marketing strategy, your work stands alone in the dark recesses of the web. In my quest for greater outreach, I started my research with Nathalie Lussier in her free 30-Day List Building Challenge. Armed with loads of information in my book, I’ve created marketing assets like a Publishing Checklist, a SWOT Analysis Worksheet, and a Book Outline Template for lead magnets to build my email list.
Boosting your email list or getting one started in the first place is proven to be the best way to generate income over time. Email marketing works because you own and control your list. You have direct access to your ideal reader and ideal customer who have opted in voluntarily.
Although there is some technical info involved in Lussier’s course, the point is to use what you’ve already created in your book as bonuses for your readers or your soon-to-be clients.
Amplifying this message is book marketing guru Tim Grahl in his ebook Book Launch Blueprint. His book contains information and advice about building an email list, but more importantly he outlines how to build a tribe of loyal followers. According to Grahl, believing your book helps people is part of the process.
Echoed in each book I’ve read and each course I’ve taken this month is determining “why” and “who” regardless of whether it is a book, speaking engagement, or marketing yourself, your services, or your business. If you’ve done this work for your book, the translation to other parts of your business is easier. Your book sets the stage for reaching the next level in your career. If you are just starting out on your writing journey, understanding the path beyond the book is essential for long-term success. There is so much to gain if you take that first step.
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