5 Things you MUST Know if you Want to Write an AMAZING Non-fiction Book

If you’re going to write a book, you want it to be AMAZING, right? Well, I get that… But so many people ask me, how can I write an amazing book? and while there is no simple answer to this question because everyone’s book is original, there are five things you MUST know.

I’ve ghostwritten several books for many clients over the last few years. You may already know this, but I focus on non-fiction and my specialities are self-help books and business books. While some clients come on board with a clear idea, others aren’t sure what they want exactly BUT there’s no right or wrong here, the fact is, we all want to create something that’s unique and original, but your uniqueness and originality are what will help you write an AMAZING book.

5 ‘THINGS’

Based on my experience in writing and publishing, there are five things that anyone MUST know if they want to write an amazing book and I’m ready to share them with you…

1. You need to know the purpose of your book. This will help you figure out your end goal. The end goal is what you want your client to have discovered by the end of your book. You can then break this down into smaller objectives for each of your chapters.
2. Planning your book can help you stay on track. Once you plan your end goal, you should plan each chapter in advance and write a brief outline of the points you want to cover here. Some people also start their book with an introduction and provide a conclusion at the end too.
3. Consider your word count. While you don’t have to set this in stone, it’s a good idea to be mindful of word count. Most non-fiction books I’ve written or read are between 30,000-40,000 words approximately. You can then share this out between chapters. The choice of words is down to you, but this is a good guide: 1,500 words for your introduction, 2,000-3,000 words per chapter, and 1000 words for your conclusion.
4. Make your words and content count. Consider your content and ensure don’t put too much into one book. Each chapter should work towards your end goal, so reconsider about the things you want to include. On average, people tend to have 10-12 chapters, so if you have more than 20 chapters, you could probably have two books. Don’t attempt to have 40 chapters of 500 words as there will be too many topics, and not enough words to make an impact.
5. Ensure your book sounds like you! When it comes to creating a self-help or business book, you want it to sound like you. While most people want their book to be formal, it’s important to ensure it’s engaging and conversational too. I’m not saying that you should write exactly how you speak, but if you are marketing this an expert in a particular area, your audience will want to hear YOU in your book. Show your vulnerabilities by sharing your experiences and ensure the language reflects your voice and tone.

Your writing is a powerful tool and books are a great way to show your expertise and share your experiences. They can strengthen your position in your market, and they’re a great way to create a stream of passive income. Once your book is written, you can begin to consider if you want to create other products based on this (which can mean more passive or semi-income streams) – for instance, I’ve known people use their book as a basis for their membership group or course, they create workbooks or templates, or they create their next book.

Happy writing!

Janet XOXO