This first module begins with an overview. You learn what it means to blog a book, how blogging a book differs from “booking” a blog and the benefits of blogging a book. It also lays out the fundamental steps involved in blogging a book.
Creating a successful book takes planning. The preparation stage may prove even more important for a blogged book because you publish your first draft in cyberspace on a schedule. Therefore, you want to have a good idea of what you will write and publish in each post-sized installment so you can determine how long it will take you to blog your book and ensure you have enough content to build a platform via blogging over 6-12 months.
Like any book, you also want to evaluate if your idea is marketable. That takes research. You must discover if your idea is unique and necessary in its category, which, in this case means not only in the bookstore but in the blogosphere as well.
Thus, module one asks you to do the research and analysis required to determine the marketability of your blogged book idea. You identify and analyze your market and your competition (online and off). This helps you hone your idea and title. The information you compile can go into your blogged book business plan.
Finally, you determine if you’ve not only chosen a subject that will compel people to read your blogged book but that will compel you to keep blogging long after you complete your book.
Module One Video
Module One Audio
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Module One Video PDF
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Additional Video: How to Complete a Market Analysis of Your Book
Additional Video: Competitive Analysis
Exercises
Do You Know Your Reader?
- Describe your ideal reader, then answer these 4 questions:
- Why would your readers find your book valuable, compelling, and necessary?
- Why do they want to read your book or story?
- Your readers want to know, “What’s in it for me?” Answer that question.
- Is your topic or story the best one for your readers?
Do You Know Your Market?
- Write a description of your market including more than demographics. Show size using actual numbers. Answer these questions:
- Are there enough people in your target market who will purchase your book?
- Are these people who might read your blog?
- Is your idea appropriate for this target market?
- Can you reach this target market with your blog?
Do You Know Your Competition?
- Research the competing books and blogs in your category. Answer these questions:
- How do they differ (better/worse) from your blogged book?
- How can you improve on what other authors/bloggers are doing or have done?
- How can you provide more benefit to your readers than the competition?
- Why would readers choose your blogged book?
Can You Write a Pitch?
- Write a title and subtitle for your book.
- Write a 50-75 word pitch for your blogged book.
- Write a 100-300-word description of your blogged book idea.
- Write a bulleted list of benefits your blogged book will provide for readers
Answer these questions:
- Will this pitch and description compel my ideal reader or those in my market to read my blogged book or my final published book?
- Is it unique and necessary in my market (online and off) and category?
- Does my title and subtitle entice readers?
Is this the Best Topic for You?
- Answer these questions:
- Are you passionate about and inspired by it?
- Do you feel you are on purpose or that it is your purpose to write about this topic?
- Do you have expertise in this subject?
- Do you have more than one story to tell in this genre or related to this topic?
- Can you keep blogging about this book or on this topic for a long, long time to come?
Resources
Market research:
- Wikipedia.com, US Census Bureau, Google.com
- organizations that report on or monitor professionals in your subject area or the profession itself
- organizations that regulate an industry related to your topic
- major newspapers and publications
- market research companies
Competitive research:
- Amazon.com
- Goodreads.com
- Barnes & Noble
Blog research:
- Google.com
- Blogcatalog.com
- Any other blog aggregators (especially those specific to your niche)
Writing a pitch: http://writenonfictionnow.com/how-to-write-a-winnin-book-pitch/
Bonus!
