Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
Got a terrific non-fiction project you’re trying to sell? Wondering if you have what it takes? Here are some signs of potential future success as a non-fiction author:
1. Established platform. (A tribe of dedicated fans and potential bookbuyers).
2. Experience, expertise and/or credentials in the subject area of your book.
3. A new and exciting idea, with a terrific title. (Yes, they do exist.)
4. A fresh take on a familiar idea. (How many parenting books do we need? Make yours uniquely compelling, and it’s possible we’ll need at least one more.)
5. A strong writing voice that compels readers. The craft of writing counts, even when your message is primary.
6. Felt-need takeaways that matter to the reader. Understand why someone would pick up your book. What would they hope to get out of it?
7. A saleable concept – something people can’t already get for free elsewhere. This can be a tough one considering everything that’s on the Internet.
8. An author’s availability and commitment to playing a strong role in the marketing process.
9. A concept that could lead to logical, saleable ancillary products, should the book take off. (Study guides, DVDs, specialized editions, etc.)
10. Series or sequel potential.
I think I’ve got all but number 10 for the next book, though I’m getting feedback that says it’s too controversial. That may be all the more reason to write it.
I think some of the things I have written about especially matters dealing with finances and economics is saleable because most people would not be told by their bankers or Wall Street how to avoid certain transactions.
I hear all the time about needing a following, but I have never heard of any real numbers out there. How many followers do you need as a minimum to say you have a good, stable platform?
Hi Holly! I think it’s less about numbers and more about quality. What’s important is that you build a platform of people who are in your target audience of readers: people who might actually purchase your book.
Often authors fall into the trap of building numbers by following and liking other authors. But these are often authors in other genres, who aren’t very likely to purchase your book.
Thanks for sharing these necessities. I’ve thought about a couple of non-fiction ideas, but it’s not the right time. You have such a way of succinctly showing writers what they need to consider. Thanks for sharing this!
For a while I was working on numbers 1 and 2 in time management and organization, but I felt at times I was recycling information on the topic. Even books I read seemed to all be saying the same thing. I haven’t found that unique angle yet.
All 10 hope this means I have an awesome concept! 🙂
I am reasonably confident about 3-10, it is 1-2 that worries me!
Josh:
If you can create 3-10, you have the foundation for creating 1-2. It won’t be easy, however.
By the way, I am in the same position as you for two or three books that I have in mind.
Ernie J. Zelinski
International Best-Selling Author, Innovator, and Prosperity Life Coach
Author of the Bestseller “How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free”
(Over 165,000 copies sold and published in 9 languages)
and the International Bestseller “The Joy of Not Working’
(Over 250,000 copies sold and published in 17 languages)
Just what I needed to read today and I plan to share this with my critique group http://www.kindredheartwriters.com ..I think some of them already read your posts. So clearly written.
Thanks again
Clella Camp
This is a really helpful list. Thank you. As I look over them, I think, “hey, my idea meets all of these!” Then I think, “but that’s what every writer believes.” 🙂 It’s hard to know how biased we are.
Like Holly, I wonder how much to focus on growing my platform before developing the proposal. For example, would my idea sell to a publisher with my current platform, or would I really benefit from 1,000 more fans? Perhaps that number is more like 10,000 more fans?! I have no idea. And, of course, maybe the idea wouldn’t sell at all. I’m just torn on when the right time is to do the proposal and how many fans, in incremental numbers, make a difference in the pitch.
Hi Natasha,
May I suggest buying a pair of platform shoes and wearing them when you write. A true platform must be focused on the audience that will actually buy and read what you write.
Social media is sneaky. It can take over your life when you’re not paying attention and it can be used as an excuse not to write.
I believe sites like:Pinterest, LinkedIn, Google+ are currently not a great help for writers. Their usage is minimal, their markets are niche and their options are limited.
The time has come to get pragmatic over the (ROI) return on investment in social networks. The honeymoon is over. (Although there are some writers who never want it to end)
That’s because if online activity doesn’t create a lot of book sales or some form of significant revenue, then it’s time to re-focus on other marketing priorities.
Unfortunately – because were in the infancy of social media, it has created a bubble that does little more than promote social media and little else.
I suspect the quality of your platform should be more important than the quantity. After all, you can now buy 1,000 Twitter followers for a relatively small amount of money, so even 10,000 followers is meaningless if they don’t engage with you.
You’re right on quality over quantity. Thousands of Twitter followers are meaningless if they’re not interested in you or your book, which is unlikely with purchased followers. Plus, social media sites are starting to identify fake accounts and delete them, which means that any investment in fake follows or likes goes right down the drain.
Just a quick comment to say Rachelle is right on target with this post!
Rachelle,
This is a great list. Thanks so much!
I have 2-9, and I’m working on #1. (Maybe by the time I’ve got a large enough platform to sell my nonfiction, I’ll have figured out sequels.)
Regarding a platform’s quality verses quantity, what matters is the number of people who will actually buy your book(s).
I think “platform” is a little too broad. It needs a little more definition. “Followers” and “Friends” aren’t synonymous with “Fans” and are usually doing the same thing, trying to build a platform.
Having a blog that ranks fairly high and generating a sign up list for your book before it’s published is a good approach. I haven’t mastered either yet but that is my aim at the present.
Woot, woot!! All 10 here! Now, to get it out there where it can help people struggling with PTSD…
While I do #10 with my other nonfictions, my current nonfiction may be a one book deal. #1 is building. There are 2 million stroke survivors annually. After a while you get tired of the techno babble and just be able your laugh at yourself while recovering and eventually realizing how you’ve come. I’ve got 2-9 nailed.
Great tips, Rachelle, the one about series or sequel potential made me think…
thanks a lot :o)
GA