#1: Top 7 Mistakes People Make Writing and Publishing Their Book

Welcome to the first edition of “Your Mindset To Millions” where we discuss how to monetize your expertise through book publishing, speaking, programs and entrepreneurship.

Author Mistakes 101

People with amazing expertise and enviable LinkedIn profiles are putting their names onto books that do not reflect their genius. They spend years building up their credentials, and with one poorly written book, they manage to diminish their reputation. This is mainly due to a lack of knowledge about writing and publishing a book, poor mentorship, and unrealistic timelines for writing a high-quality book.

Seven years ago, I was fortunate to start my writing career with Simon & Schuster. Through their guidance and mentorship, I learned the key components of writing, publishing, and marketing a book that people can’t wait to read. These are the standards I use with my clients, whether they choose to self-publish or pursue a traditional publishing path. 

Here are the seven biggest mistakes I see when writing and publishing a book.

#1 Waiting Until You Have "The Time"

Lack of time is the #1 excuse people make for not writing their book.

They have just enough free time to decide they want to write a book, talk to their friends about their ideas, and seek advice from professionals. But they are too busy when it comes time to put pen to paper.

Let's face it; we're all busy people. We have jobs, families, friends, hobbies, and often children. We have 100 hours of things to do in a 24-hour day. And it's not likely to slow down. For many of us, life moves in fast-forward. 

Solution: Create a roadmap for your book that includes your reader’s journey, main message, and how you will monetize the audience.

#2 Obsessing Over Traditional VS. Self-publishing

This one is a time-waster and utterly irrelevant to getting started.

Your book represents you. Your standards should always be as high as or higher than any industry definition. Using your publishing path decision as a way to procrastinate writing your book only postpones sharing what you have to say with the world. 

Solution: Align the quality of your book with any book at the bookstore and make publishing decisions later. 

#3 Unrealistic Writing Expectations

If you've searched online about writing and publishing a book, then I'm sure you've encountered claims about how quick and easy it is to get a book into the marketplace. Do any of these taglines or claims sound familiar?

→ Write a Book in 30 Days

→ 7 Days to Write Your First Draft

→ Weekend Writer

→ Transcribed to Published

This is one of my biggest pet peeves in the publishing industry for many reasons. You can write a bunch of words and hit publish on Amazon, but that doesn't mean you should. Writing by the seat of your pants or simply transcribing yourself talking about your expertise is not a strategy for excellence. 

Solution: If it sounds too good to be true, believe it. Create a consistent writing schedule and allow your book to evolve.

#4 Failure to Understand Your Audience

If you think your book is for everyone, then it's for no one. 

Your reader avatar is the primary audience for your book, and it's who you speak to during the writing process. If you try to appeal to a broad group, then it's hard to solve anyone's problem. It’s also important to niche down to the type of person who is an ideal client for your solution outside of your book. This is who you want to match your book’s messaging and stories to within your chapters.

Solution: Think of one person who is your ideal reader and write a bio for that person (including a name). As you write your book, pretend like you are only speaking to them.

#5 No Clear Messaging

Creating a unique message for your reader removes all of your competition because you are the only person who can take your reader on the journey. This is where thought leadership and high-impact books enter the picture. It's the book that only you can write because the beliefs and core processes belong to you. They connect on a deeper level with your reader. You are tapping into their internal struggles that may represent self-doubt, fear, frustration, concerns, or unfulfilled dreams or abilities. Reading your book makes a difference.

Solution: In one sentence, identify the #1 result your reader will get from your book.

#6 Not Aligning Your Book With Your Next Step

Someone has read your book, so now what? Your book should be the entry point for the reader to take action. Whether it is signing up to work with you or taking a first step towards implementing your solution . . . it must be crystal clear what they must do next. 

Solution: Before you start writing, create the overall strategy for your book. Identify how your book fits into your overall business goals and plans or thought leadership plans.

#7 Bad Book Finishings

They say to never judge a book by its cover, but whoever said that wasn't talking about books. Putting words on paper is only one step in the publishing process. Unless someone is purchasing your book based on a recommendation, your book follows the same pattern as a progressing new relationship:

Blind date: Your book title makes a promise to the reader and is clear about the book's intent.

1st impression: The book's cover design is professional and aligned with its topic.

2nd date: The interior is as nice as the exterior because the book is professionally formatted.

3rd date: The words and conversation flow smoothly because everything has been edited and proofread

Lasting relationship: The author listened to the reader's needs and delivered a strong message and solution to their problem.

If you are ready to take the next step toward writing and publishing a book, let's connect. Respond below or message me, and we can discuss your high-impact book. 

Next month, I'll take a small group of people through writing their book and signature talk. If this sounds like you, send me a message as space is very limited.