At the end of April, I began a series of posts about building a business around your blogged book. For a month, guest bloggers and I wrote about how you can have an attitude that allows you to take your book blogging to the next level, and what types of actions you can employ to go beyond the book and become an author expert who does more than just write and blog. In other words, I wrote about how to monetize both your blog and your book.
What does this mean? It means taking off your writer’s hat and putting on a business hat. It means doing things in addition to blogging your book, things like:
- speaking
- coaching or consulting
- offering webinars and telesminars
- producing workshops, classes, home-study courses, etc.
- writing short books, ebook, workbooks, white papers, etc.
- setting up membership sites
- providing related services
- and more…
However, I know from experience that trying to focus on building a business in this way can feel quite overwhelming. Sometimes just taking on the technology of blogging can seem like too much for a writer who simply wants to write. When you begin trying to build a business around your blogged book, you get confronted with all sorts of internet marketing technology that can seem even more difficult:
- PayPal buttons
- email systems
- autoresponders
- shopping carts
- membership sites
- splash pages
Ack! It can take hours to learn how to do one small thing. Really…I know this from experience. Who has time for that?
Over the last year or so, I’ve found myself quite stumped by some of this. In some cases, I’ve even been stopped in my tracks from moving forward with great ideas I have for products and services I’d like to offer as a way to build a larger business around my book. (I still plan to create and offer these, but it’s taking me longer because of the learning curve.)
In the past, however, I’ve actually plowed through with some less techie ways to enter what is called the expert industry and to build a business around my blogs and my blogged book. (Yes, I’ve even made some money.) And it’s not as difficult as you think–especially if you focus on the things you’re good at (like writing and talking).
Rather than concentrating on some of the more techie and overwhelming options involved in building a business around your blogged book, like membership sites, consider creating and selling from your blog one of these six products or services:
- Short books : These are related books (booklets, tips books, step books, ebooks, white papers, reports, workbooks, etc.) under 100 pages that people interested in your blogged book might purchase. If you aren’t done with the blogged book, maybe they will purchase one of these in the meantime. Your blog readers will get to know you and trust you by purchasing one of these–possibly at a low price. You can then sell them your more expensive book later. You also can sell them at the back of the room when you speak.
- Teleseminars and webinars: If you can talk or teach and know something about something, you can do a teleseminar. Webinars are a bit harder; they require creation of a PowerPoint presentation. These can be sold; yes, you can charge for them. (Of course, you do need someone to market these to–a mailing list or your vibrant and large blog readership or social networks.)
- Courses and programs: You can combine short books and recorded teleseminars and webinars into programs you sell. This gets a bit techie given that you need a delivery system. I’ve done a bit of this without a full-blown delivery system over the years and am just now gearing up for a larger run at it.
- Coaching and consulting: Easy schmeasy! Get on the phone. Talk to people. Answer their questions. Charge them for your time.
- Speaking: Pretty simple if you aren’t overly shy. Takes a bit of practice. You don’t always get paid from the get go (sell those books and products) at the back of the room…) Decide what to speak about. Contact places that might want to hire a speaker who speaks on your topic.
- Services related to your topic or expertise: Consider me…I’m a nonfiction book and article editor. I’m also a book proposal consultant and editor. I charge for these services. What services could you charge for?
- support or establish your expert status
- promote your existing fiction and nonfiction books
- increase or develop revenue
Also on Saturday, you’ll get a chance to use a special message board to get your questions answered by moi for 2.5 hours as you create your business plan. Then, on Sunday you turn in a business plan and I’ll personally review it and send it back with comments. If you want this kind of personal help with your blogged book–or blog–business, you can sign up for the boot camp here. Hurry up, though. There were only 25 slots when it opened up, and more than half are now gone. So, claim your spot now!
Hi Nina! Fantastic site here! I’ve been juggling writing projects about ballet and other things – now I can’t wait to get started on my blogging to a book! I’ll certainly list it here when I get started. Regards!
The best thing I have done in my writing life is to follow Nina Amir. I first heard Nina at the SFWC and I enjoyed it so much I began reading everything she wrote. Her blog has given me the incentive to work harder at my craft and to begin blogging my book, What To Do When Mom Moves In. Her encouragement is priceless. This fall I will begin coaching with Nina and I expect to finish my second book by December 31…with her help. The best thing you could do for yourself as a writer, is to read Nina’s books and get the inspiration that you need to succeed.
Glad to have you following here as well as at http://www.mysoncandance.com. Was just thinking as I change gears over there (with Julian now a professional I have to protect his personal life), I might just start blogging those books that were at the crux of me starting that site to begin with! So, I might be in the same boat with you!
Betty! You truly are a super fan! Thank you so much for your kind words.
It was a pleasure to finally tell the world that you are awesome. Looking forward to coaching with you in September.
m?gnificent publish, very informative. I’m wondering why
the other exp?rts of this sector d?n’t understand
this. You must pr?ceed your writing. I ?m sure, you’ve a great readers’ base alre?dy!