A young woman sits at a table and looks down at the screen of an open laptop. She is wearing an orange shirt and has one hand held to her chin as if in thought. In the background is a white wall broken up by a bank of windows.
Setting a writing schedule is a good way to make progress on your book. You don't have to write hundreds of words each day, but you should get in the habit of writing consistently. — Getty Images/Delmaine Donson

Writing and publishing a business book offers its own rewards, including increased visibility and new business opportunities. In 2021, the business and economics book genre saw a 10% increase from the previous fiscal year, according to a WordsRated business book sales report.

From your initial idea to completing a manuscript, here are seven steps to get you started on your business book-writing journey.

Understand your motivation and audience

Before you write your first business book, it’s crucial to understand your motives for writing. Ask yourself why you’re writing and what benefit will it have to others. Sort your motives into personal and other goals, such as establishing authority, boosting visibility, attracting clients, and leaving a legacy. Avoid the “just do it” mentality, as it can have the opposite effect on motivation.

To avoid an unfocused book, pinpoint your narrow primary audience and craft your ideal reader persona. From there, address their needs and research insights from similar books and online communities to target your approach.

[Read more: 10 Ways to Make a Living as a Writer]

Pick a style and craft an outline

Select your business book’s content by choosing a subject you’re passionate about and deeply knowledgeable in — consider an underdeveloped niche where you hold a favorable edge. Writing about a new topic that hasn’t been covered in your niche will allow for a unique perspective but also might require more time to develop. Existing topics often offer easier content creation but require a distinct viewpoint to stand out.

After you choose your style, craft an outline that includes a chapter-by-chapter breakdown to organize your thoughts. Writing a book becomes more manageable when you break the process down into smaller segments. Include the essentials in your outline, such as chapters, chapter thesis statements, key points, summaries, and chapter closings for coherence.

Create a compelling title (and subtitle)

The title of your business book is your book’s face, holding value and catching readers’ attention. You can brainstorm using phrases from similar content in your niche or relevant keywords. Adding a subtitle to your book provides the reader with context and communicates your book’s unique value. Descriptive subtitles will clarify the core messages of your book.

[Read more: 8 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read in 2023]

Before you write your first business book, it’s crucial to understand your motives for writing.

Establish and stick to a writing schedule

A writing routine will help you drive consistent progress toward your book’s completion. Implementing an effective system to achieve your writing goals will ensure success throughout the process.

Set a specific time and place to write each day or once a week. You can begin writing your first draft by filling in your outlined structure. As you write, be authentic and capture your unique voice by letting ideas flow without getting caught up in perfection. Focus on content creation at this step rather than editing.

Choose your publishing method

There are a few different options when it comes to publishing your book — traditional, self-publishing, or hybrid. The traditional method offers advance payments and full support from a publisher, but the downside is limited control. Self-publishing grants control and allows you to have full ownership of your book, but you also have to manage the entire process. The hybrid option blends control with traditional quality and distribution but often requires upfront costs for higher royalties.

Edit yourself and get feedback

After you complete your draft, you can self-edit your writing before sending it to a professional editor. Editing includes reviewing structure and coherence and diving into paragraph and sentence structure for clarity and conciseness. One way to do this is to read your book aloud to yourself, which helps awkward phrasing stand out. You can also get feedback from beta or test readers in your field or target audience before sending it to an editor. The feedback you receive will then need to be implemented into your book.

[Read more: 10 Inspiring Books to Help Grow Your Career]

Launch your business book

Focus on building momentum and interest in your book in the three- to six-month mark before its release. Leverage your relationships, expertise platforms, networks, and capital for promotion and marketing. You can create a simple book website with lead magnets and clear purchase instructions, as well as a list of endorsements. Be sure to develop a promotion plan that encompasses media outlets, reviews, interviews, social media workshops, and events.

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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