By The WBR Team
So, you’ve decided to write a business book. Congratulations! That’s a bold move and one that can pay off big time for your career and your business.
However, writing a high-quality business book requires more than just putting words to paper. You don’t want yours to be another one gathering dust on a shelf (or worse, languishing in the digital abyss).
You want your book to be a smash hit, right? The kind that establishes you as a thought leader, attracts a flood of new clients, and maybe even hits that coveted bestseller list.
To achieve that, you need to avoid the common pitfalls that trip up first-time authors. Consider this your guide to dodging the seven deadly sins of business book writing:
1. Vanity over value: writing for yourself, not your reader
Are you writing for yourself or for your reader? Too many authors get caught up in showcasing their own achievements or sharing every single thing they know. But here’s the hard truth: your readers care about themselves first and foremost.
Before you write a single word, define your ideal reader. What are their pain points? What keeps them up at night? What solutions are they desperately seeking? Frame your entire book around answering these questions.
2. Lack of focus: trying to boil the ocean
You have a wealth of knowledge to share, we get it. But trying to cram it all into one book will leave your reader overwhelmed and confused.
Readers are more likely to finish and recommend books that offer a clear, focused message. Think about the books that have resonated most with you. They likely had a singular, powerful message that acted as a guiding star throughout the text.
A focused book is a powerful book. Here’s why:
- Clarity for the reader: A central theme provides a clear roadmap for your reader, making the information easier to digest and remember.
- Stronger impact: By focusing on one core message, you can explore it in depth, providing more value and actionable insights.
- Increased engagement: A well-defined theme keeps your reader hooked, eager to see how each chapter builds upon the last.
Before you start writing, distil your book’s essence into a single sentence. This is your “big idea.” Let it guide your writing and ensure every chapter, every anecdote, every piece of advice ties back to this central theme.
3. Trapped by expertise: the curse of knowledge
You eat, sleep, and breathe your subject matter. Years of experience have given you a deep, intuitive understanding of its nuances. But here’s the catch-22: your mastery can become a stumbling block when writing for a broader audience.
This is the curse of knowledge: you’ve forgotten what it’s like not to know. You might unconsciously use industry jargon, skip over crucial explanations, or make assumptions about your reader’s existing knowledge. The result? A disconnect that leaves your reader feeling lost and frustrated.
Remember: Your book is a bridge, not a gate. It should welcome readers into your world of expertise, not bar the door with complex terminology and insider knowledge.
Here are some actionable steps you can take to break this curse:
- Embrace the “beginner’s mind”: Imagine you’re explaining your topic to a friend who’s intelligent but completely new to the subject. What questions would they ask? What concepts would require further clarification?
- Ditch the jargon (or define it clearly): If you must use technical terms, provide clear, concise definitions. Don’t assume your reader will understand industry-specific language.
- Show, don’t just tell: Use real-world examples, case studies, and relatable analogies to illustrate your points. Abstract concepts become much clearer when grounded in tangible scenarios.
- Get feedback from beta readers: Before publishing, ask a few people outside your field to read your manuscript. Their feedback will be invaluable in identifying areas where your writing is unclear or assumes too much prior knowledge.
By approaching your book with empathy and a commitment to clarity, you can ensure that your expertise actually helps your readers, rather than alienating them.
4. The storytelling slump: neglecting the power of narrative
Data is important, but it alone won’t set your book on fire. In fact, it might just put your reader to sleep.
Humans are hardwired for stories. We’ve been sharing narratives since we huddled around campfires, using tales to entertain, educate, and connect. Dry facts might appeal to our logical minds, but stories ignite our emotions.
To truly captivate your readers, you might want to:
- Mine your own experiences: Share personal anecdotes that illustrate your points and make your message relatable. Vulnerability builds trust and connection.
- Showcase client success stories: Nothing speaks louder than real-world results. Highlight how your methods have helped others achieve success.
- Craft compelling case studies: Dive deep into specific examples, outlining challenges, solutions, and outcomes in a way that engages and informs.
Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative. Even fictional scenarios, if used strategically, can illustrate complex concepts and make your writing more engaging.
5. Skipping the crucial revision process
You’ve poured your heart and soul into your manuscript. You’ve read it dozens of times, tweaked every sentence, and even let your cat take a nap on it for good measure. It’s perfect, right?
Not so fast.
No matter how meticulous you are, it’s impossible to be truly objective about your own writing. You’re too close to the material and too familiar with your own thought processes.
This is where a professional editor comes in.
An experienced editor brings an objective viewpoint, spotting errors, inconsistencies, and areas where your writing lacks clarity or flow that you might have missed. Invest in professional editing and watch your manuscript transform from good to great.
6. Ignoring the pre-launch buzz
Many first-time authors make the critical mistake of treating the book launch as an afterthought. However, the success of your book is significantly influenced by the momentum you build before it even hits the shelves. Creating a buzz in the months leading up to your launch is essential for sparking early sales, capturing media attention, and establishing a strong market presence.
A well-executed pre-launch strategy can set the stage for your book’s success, turning potential readers into eager buyers and advocates for your work. This phase is your opportunity to engage with your audience, gather support, and ensure your book makes a splash upon release.
Develop a comprehensive pre-launch marketing plan that leverages multiple channels to build excitement and anticipation. If you’re not sure how to pull this off, check out our blog, How to Execute an Excellent Book Launch Campaign.
7. The post-launch fade: forgetting to market your masterpiece
You did it! You wrote, edited, and launched your masterpiece into the world. Now it’s time to kick back, relax, and watch the royalties roll in… right?
Unfortunately, the publishing world doesn’t work that way.
Launching your book is just the first step; the real challenge lies in ensuring it doesn’t fade into obscurity amidst the millions of other titles vying for attention. Develop a robust long-term marketing strategy that keeps your book in the public eye and continually attracts new readers.
Turning your manuscript into a masterpiece
Writing a business book doesn’t have to be scary. It’s like any big project – break it down into smaller steps, and you’ll get there. By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on your reader, you can create a book that wows people, shares your knowledge, and makes you a recognised expert.
Need help with creating your first business book? Schedule a free Clarity Call today and find out how we can help you.