One of the greatest challenges for an author is figuring out how to effectively launch a new book. Their expertise is in writing, and a book launch is often a completely foreign process. However, if you are an author who is also an entrepreneur, small business owner or marketing professional, you have a distinct advantage when it comes to launching your book.
Publishing a Business Book
Years ago, if you wanted to publish a book, you sought a literary agent to pitch your manuscript to publishers, hoping one would want to buy the rights. If all went well, the publisher paid you an advance against the first-year sales of the book, and your agent took their cut from that. Then, in a couple of years, you finally got to hold your book in your hands. This publishing model is still available today and is commonly referred to as “traditional publishing.” Many consider it to be the gold standard of publishing, and they covet the contract that proves their book’s worth. As more people tried to land publishing deals, though, the demand for publishing solutions outweighed the availability of publishing contracts. That gave rise to print-on-demand platforms, which enabled authors to become their own publishers. And “self-publishing” was born. However, many authors found they had a lot to learn to be successful … Continue Reading
4 Common Business Problems Solved by Books
Every couple of years, Emerald Lake Books conducts a poll of entrepreneurs and business owners to ask about the most common business problems they face. We routinely ask them to rate ten potential issues to determine which are the most relevant to our respondents. In all the years we’ve conducted this survey, there are four issues that always rise to the top: Amazingly enough, even though better brand visibility is often a distant 4th in the list of complaints, it often solves two of the other business problems that frequently tie with each other for second place (more leads and improved cash flow). Regardless, all the common issues we see businesses deal with can be addressed by creating a well-structured, well-designed and well-positioned book. Let’s take a closer look at each of the Top 4 business problems to see how a book can resolve those issues. Problem #1: There aren’t enough hours in the day … Continue Reading
A Book Is NOT a Glorified Business Card
Have you ever heard someone describe their book as a glorified business card? Some speakers and coaches hand out their books at conferences and events like stickers at a pediatrician’s office or lollipops at a bank. However, a book is so much more than a glorified business card. Let’s take a closer look, and I’ll show you why. A business card typically contains a lot of useful information about you, especially if a person wants to get in touch with you. It may have your: name email address phone number website photo product info social media handle and more! Every detail on the card is about you and your brand. Yet an effective book, one that can successfully help you grow your business, is more about the reader and the problem they’re looking to solve than it is about you. A business-building book: clearly identifies the reader’s problem. outlines some possible solutions. shares why certain … Continue Reading
Opening Your Presence
Greta Muller
Thrive
Dr. Mark Smutny
Building Your Business with a Book
Are you working hard at building your business? Every couple of years, we survey small business owners and entrepreneurs to discover what their worst business problems are. Out of a list of ten common problems we often hear about, there are three that always place at the top of the list. The order they appear in may change from year to year, but these three are always among the Top 3 Worst Business Problems people face. I need more leads. I need to improve my cash flow. I need better brand visibility. It’s common for two of those to tie in the survey results as they all vie for the #1 slot. This means that a fourth issue regularly makes it into the Top 3 as well: There aren’t enough hours in the day! Do any of these sound familiar to you? More startling Facts The scary thing about those results is that almost half … Continue Reading
