When it comes to writing any book, especially non-fiction self-help, you need to begin with the end in mind. In this case, who will need and buy your book? It helps to shift your perspective from what you want to write about – your program, method or plan – to how it can help your ideal reader. Your goal is to take them on a transformational journey so that they travel from A to B and experience real change if they follow your program. Once you have a workable idea, the next step is to define who needs your help.
Here are a few questions to help you zero in your ideal reader:
1. What is the specific health or wellness problem they need a solution for? Stress, anxiety, depression, flexibility, balance or Lyme disease?
2. Is it a chronic problem or something that can be dealt with more simply? This will determine how you cover the topic -- with a complex, comprehensive approach -- or more of a how-to feel with short, quick strategies.
3. What clients or patients have you worked with who might be your ideal reader? This will give you real insight into who he or she may be.
4. What are your reader's goals (and hopes) when they buy your book? Do they want a quick win or a long-term strategic plan? What outcome do they hope to achieve? If someone has just discovered a problem, that’s different than the reader who has lived with it for years. This is important as you plan your book and create a Table of Contents to guide you as you write.
5. Is your reader looking for practical advice or more understanding about a certain problem? Either way, you need to offer solutions and a new way forward.
6. What’s the demographic you’re writing to – age, gender, location, career etc. Is it a woman in her early 50’s who is going through menopause or a man in his 30’s who is anxious and stressed and wants a mind-body-spirit approach to learn to relax, deal with triggers and find new ways to respond?
7. What’s their lifestyle? Are they urban singles or suburban moms?
8. What are their interests? Do they like holistic medicine or a more traditional approach? Are they outdoor enthusiasts or couch potatoes?
9. What tone would appeal to your ideal reader? Is it expert-authoritative or more friend to friend advice? This can also help you define your approach to the material.
10. Finally, how do you want to feel as you’re writing your book? Does what you want to say align with your ideal reader? You need to be sure that what you want to say lands with the person you want to say it to.
Create a Reader Profile for Writing & Selling Your Book
Creating a reader profile can help you to crystallize all of this information. Knowing who your ideal reader is also important when it comes to writing your book. It can act as a touchstone to keep you on message and to be sure that your book fulfills its premise and promise.
If you want a traditional publisher, a reader profile is also an important part of a book proposal, a marketing tool to sell your idea. So, it’s worth taking the time in the beginning to define your ideal reader so that the finished book is all that you want it to be!
Contact me when you’re ready if you need:
1. A manuscript evaluation for a big picture, smallest detail overview.
2. A developmental editor to structure your book, and make the text clear, concise, and reader friendly.
3. A book coach to be your guide, cheerleader and support as you write or re-write your book proposal and book.
4. If you’d like a free copy of my PDF: Is it a Book? The Ten Step Roadmap to Writing Your Best Book sign up for my e-mail list at www.chrystlefiedlerbookcoaching.com.
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