Lecture Notes: Writing Books as an Entrepreneur

Jul 28, 2024

Notes on Writing a Book Process

Introduction

  • Speaker has written five bestselling books before turning 40 while balancing three kids under five.
  • Sharing methodology and framework for staying focused and completing books.

Importance of Writing a Book

  • Life-Changing Impact: The book that changes your life is one that you write.
    • Writing a book helps formalize your value and tells your story.
    • Positions you as an authority in your field.
  • Opportunities:
    • Provides a scalable way to share your story.
    • Creates opportunities for networking through podcasts and live events.
  • Role of CEOs: Many successful CEOs (Richard Branson, Microsoft CEO, Ray Dalio, etc.) have prioritized writing books to formalize their expertise and ideas.

Framework for Writing a Book

  1. Identify the Ideal Reader

    • Define who the book is for; create an ideal reader profile.
    • Make lists of their frustrations, questions, hopes, and past challenges.
  2. Organizing the Book

    • Introduction:
      • Sell the reader on why they should read the book.
      • Outline what problems the book will solve and what the reader will gain.
    • Disruption:
      • Present new and challenging ideas to disrupt the reader's current thinking.
      • Share examples of opening arguments from previous books.
    • Insights:
      • Offer new ways of thinking with high-level concepts and frameworks.
      • Include a call to action for the reader to assess their current state (scorecard).
    • Methodology:
      • Introduce your unique signature methodology with steps for achieving goals or solving problems.
    • Objection Handling:
      • Address common objections and reservations that readers may have about your methodology.
      • Use stories, analogies, and case studies for effectiveness.
    • Second Call to Action:
      • Provide specific actions for the reader to get started with your methodology.
      • Reinforce the importance of the scorecard assessment for tracking progress.
    • Inspiration:
      • End with an uplifting message about the long-term benefits and vision of implementing your ideas.
  3. Publishing the Book

    • Seek a publisher that aligns with your book's niche.
    • Consider hybrid or niche-focused publishers.
  4. Using the Book as a Relationship Tool

    • Books serve as gifts that create connections and opportunities.
    • The cost of producing and sending books is relatively low compared to traditional networking methods.

Conclusion

  • Urges everyone to write a book and share it widely, creating "book magic" by connecting with people.
  • Encourages comments and engagement from the audience about their interest in writing a book.