If You Gave a Ted Talk What Would It Be About? Think About Your Book the Same Way.

Photo by ICSA

“Every book is, at heart, an argument for something—for a belief, a way of life, a vision of the future, a way to solve a problem, a way to make a friend, or fall in love, or raise a child or connect with your soul.” – Jennie Nash, founder of Author Accelerator. 

Jennie makes a great point here. It’s a different way of looking at writing a book (and of giving a Ted Talk). Think about it.  What’s your argument for what you do? Why do you think that it’s the best way to do things? And how can you translate what you do into a book that readers will buy?

Look for the Signs

You might believe that your way of dealing with anxiety or stress is the right way because you see results with your clients or patients. This is always a good sign. If you’re using a method whether it’s yoga, acupuncture, therapy, supplements, botanical medicine, a comprehensive holistic approach or a more conventional one that produces results time and time again, you’re probably on to something.

Keep Track of What’s Positive

Often when you see positive results and you see them repeatedly, this is what makes you think about writing a book. You now have an argument for how something should be done, whether it’s teaching people to deal with anxiety, with a problematic partner or reverse Type 2 Diabetes. 

What you observe is powerful because it feeds your confidence that your unique argument is legitimate.  It also confirms for you that your way of doing things is what can make your book stand out in the marketplace.

Write it Down

If you’re just at the beginning stages of writing a book, start taking notes. When you have an Aha! moment with the way you’re treating clients or patients and getting positive results, write it down. I’m not talking about patient charts but writing down your general and specific observations in a notebook or on your phone. The more information you add, the better you can decide what exactly you want to write about.

Once you embrace your argument and write your book, you’ll also have a tool to leverage booking a Ted Talk. So, it’s a win-win. 

What’s My Argument?

If I had to make an argument for why you should hire me as a book/writing coach it would be based on the book coaching and editing that I’ve done with expert-authors from fitness experts to herbalists to dietitians to MD’s.

I’d base it on the look I’ve seen in their eyes when they feel overwhelmed, are unsure what to do next, don’t feel like their revisions are improving the content or just don’t have the confidence they’d like when it comes to writing a book. I’d also base it on how relieved they are when they have my support and editorial guidance.

1-2-3 Write Your Book Faster & More Easily

I’ve learned, just like you have with your clients or patients what works. I’ve found that establishing a solid foundation before you start writing through defining and refining 1. The Idea 2. The Method, Plan or Approach and 3. The Structure or Table of Contents can make a big difference.

That’s because 1-2-3 gives you a roadmap for your book.

Once you establish these elements you can build on them as you write, and add in other elements like defining your point, your ideal reader, the market for your book and more. All of this makes the process faster and easier, and you, less stressed and more confident.

What would your Ted Talk be about? Let me know in the comments!

Until Next Time!

Contact me when you’re ready if you need:

1. A book coach to be your editorial guide, support and project manager as you write or re-write your book and/or book proposal.

2. A manuscript evaluation for a big picture, smallest detail overview.

3. A developmental editor to structure your book, and make the text clear, concise, and reader friendly.