Monday’s planning tip for authors

“How do I get started writing my book?” is one of the most frequently-asked questions that Published & Profitable friends and members ask me.

If they’re first-time authors, I often recommend they begin by taking some small steps that can establish momentum in a short time.

Focusing on tasks that can be easily accomplished creates a satisfying feeling of progress while building an inventory of content that will ultimately be used in their book.

Starting small also permits them to gauge their market’s interest in their topic, gaining valuable feedback at the same time.

Here are some of the relatively easy tasks I’m assembling into a Published & Profitable member article for later this week:

1. Tip sheet. Create a list of 8-12 tips that you can offer as a website incentive as well as distribute at networking events. Each tip can later be expanded into steps of a process or chapters in your book.
2. Set up a blog. This provides a foundation for you to share your ideas with your market while expanding your online presence.
3. Create a list of key terms in your field. This your word processing software.
4. Challenge yourself with deadlines. If you want to make rapid progress, announce a series of live teleconferences at one week intervals. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish under the pressure of weekly deadlines–and how well the teleconferences will turn out.
5. Explore new writing tools. Expand your horizons by downloading trial versions of mind mapping software, like MindManager, or productivity tools like Activewords which which eliminates unnecessary repetitive typing. convert simple keystrokes into correctly spelled and formatted text.
6. Create a series of podcasts on topics related to your book. Organize the podcasts around the main topics you’re going to cover in your book, or interview experts in your field.

Progress leads to more progress

The sooner you begin to take the small steps needed to establish momentum writing your book, the sooner your brand-building book will get published!

Do you have any favorite “small steps” that you use to get started writing your book? Share them with Published & Profitable friends and members below, as comments.