Take these 11 Steps and You Too Can Be a Published Author

In other words, write like crazy about your book idea and your expertise. Ask yourself, what gifts of knowledge and wisdom do I have to share with the world?

Research your audience. Who are your readers? Where are they? What do they need? How can you help them with the problems they face? Can you help them increase their income or live a more fulfilling life?

Create a website with a blog–and then write weekly blog posts directed at the future readers of your book. In your blog posts, aim to solve your readers’ pain points. Lead with an anecdote that shows how you or one of your customers faced and overcame a problem. Pivot to explain how your readers can overcome similar problems in their own lives. End with a call to action, i.e. to read more on your website, schedule a free consult with you, or buy a product or service.

Make sure your website has an opt-in mechanism for collecting visitor emails.  For example, offer a free e-book in exchange for their email address.

Don’t stop at blogging. Submit articles to magazines and websites that cover topics similar to yours.

Now that you’re building a following and collecting email addresses of potential book buyers, it’s finally time to work on your book. Map out your book’s structure and then write table of contents. Add brief one-paragraph chapter summaries.

If you want your book to be published by a traditional publisher, then you must write a book proposal. A book proposal is a complex sales document and business plan intended to persuade book publishers that there’s a market for your book and that, if they publish it, they will make money. If you don’t want to jump through traditional publishing’s many hoops, then finish writing your book.