Aug

11

Start to write a book by choosing a title that expresses your book’s main idea in simple, memorable language

Filed Under Step 1: Plan

Monday’s planning tip for authors

One of the easiest ways to write a successful book is to base it on a simple, easily-stated, memorable concept communicated in a short, everyday term, supported by information tightly-organized in a logical sequence. An excellent example is Tuned-In, written by Craig Stull, Phil Myers, and David Meerman Scott.

Strongly organized “premise” books are easier for authors to write than “rambling” books. The structure guides the writing. As each writing session begins, authors has a strong idea of what they want to communicate in each session, even if they don’t know the exact words that they’re going to use.

Readers also benefit from books that are organized around a strong, simple concept and a logical content organization. When a spouse or co-worker says, “What’s the book about?”, readers can recite the core idea in plain English, instead of complicated concepts of strange words, i.e., “paradigms.” The steps help readers track their way through the book and help them retain more of the book’s message. The core concepts provides a reference point in the reader’s brain, enhancing retention.

Concept and organization in action
The importance of concept and structure jumped out at me the minute I encountered Tuned-In: Uncover the Extraordinary Opportunities that Lead to Business Breakthroughs,” by Craig Stull, Phil Myers, and David Meerman Scott.

Tuned-In begins with a brilliantly brief page that visually, and with a minimum of words, describes the book’s core concept, that of resonator, which it defines as:

  • The perfect solution to a specific problem
  • A product or service so powerful it sells itself
  • An offering that connects to what your market values most
  • An idea that people immediately understand has value to them

The remaining 3 lines of text on the page contain the book’s promise to reveal “six, simple, powerful steps to creating products, services or ideas that resonate.”

The rest of the book, of course, is devoted to describing how readers can apply the six simple, powerful, steps to their business.

So, in less than 50 words, Tuned-In’s authors successfully describe both the content and relevance of their idea, and provide a context or structure, for every page that follows!

Tuned-In’s structure, concept, and content deserves study by every author looking to write a book that establishes them as obvious experts in their field. Its a prototype, or template, that both new and experienced authors can profit from in multiple ways. Tuned-in also offers business owners, self-employed professionals, and marketing and sales executives can gain invaluable help positioning their products and services and explaining their offers in a simple, logical way.

Comments

2 Responses to “Start to write a book by choosing a title that expresses your book’s main idea in simple, memorable language”

  1. David Meerman Scott on August 11th, 2008 6:28 pm

    Hey Roger,

    Wow. I’m stunned by your review of our book. Thank you so much for taking the time to write about it. We really appreciate it.

    Best, David

  2. Roger C. Parker on August 12th, 2008 7:35 pm

    Dear David:
    Thank you. It’s an important book that deserves serious analysis by anyone who wants to succeed in these competitive times.

    Roger

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