Carpe Diem – Finesse Today

Dr Seuss said it so well – today is your day, you are off and away.

Think of this quote while reading the five tips to finesse your book today.

1. Seek a non-vested opinion

If you are writing a book that you are trying to make relatively easy to read – have someone read it who is not familiar with your topic, nor in your industry. They will be able to quickly identify if you are using too many industry terms.

Do you use ‘plain language’?

When you seek this feedback, you may need to share your writing with a number of people – particularly if your manuscript is long. The people you are calling on may not have the capability to read the entire manuscript in a short period of time. Particularly, if you are wanting feedback in the shorter term.

You increase the probability of that happening by sending out your work to a number of people at the one time.

Consider what you could do for them in return. Perhaps this will assist the prompt return of the review – they may also be generous enough to provide you with a testimonial that you may want to put in the final version of your book.

Some things that you could do to assist those willing to review your writing arrange for dinner to be delivered to them 3 or 4 nights in a row so that they can spend that time reading your manuscript. If they have children, offer to take them out on an adventure. Perhaps you have skills that can be used in their business and you can offer to action some work for them so that you can free up their time to read your work.

2. Spelling and grammar check

Many people seem to forget about the functionality in Microsoft Word that allows you to do a spelling and grammar check. The number of times that spelling mistakes are missed because people have not utilised this basic function in Microsoft Word is a little surprising – although it happens to me as well (after all I am human).

On this basis, especially seeing it has happened to me, then I do have it on my checklist to do a spelling and grammar check. While the function is basic, it still is a great way to pick up errors in your document. It reminds me of the Zoolander quote – “For Children Who Can’t Read Good.” I am one of those kids.

3. Print out your manuscript on paper

There is something about printing out a manuscript on paper that helps you see errors in the manuscript that you could not see while looking at it on your computer screen. Without a doubt, the printing of your work is absolutely necessary to ensure the best result for what you are wanting to achieve. Here is a saying I use – If in doubt. Print it out.

I have also been known to get out the scissors and glue and cut and paste the document into a different order from my original plan. Do what works for you. Try different methods. Seek out other ways of doing things. You never know where this may lead you.

Having said this, stick on a timer, you don’t want to go down a rabbit hole and never come out.

We want to see your finished work.

4. Post an excerpt on social media and ask for feedback

This is a little different from having someone read your entire manuscript.

It may assist you to obtain a general feel from your audience about your writing style and any thoughts that your connections have. Also if you are getting any level of engagement from your writing and what responses you are seeing.

Sarah Cordiner recommends with strategy when looking to create online courses. I agree. This method can assist with refining your content and your book theme and title.

People love to give their thoughts freely (even if we don’t want to hear them). We are in the age where people will freely give hours of their time to a cause that they are passionate about.

If you would like to read about how much people love to give you can obtain more insight in the book BOLD by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler. They provide numerous examples what “the crowd” will give. Opensource code, space telescope program, reCAPTCHA, TopCoder and the list goes on.

There are people who will give you feedback. How you use that is up to you.

5. Hire an expert/find a coach

Sometimes all the above options seem too hard.

Whether that is based on other commitments in your life or you find the idea too overwhelming.

If you will not pay with your time, then you need to pay with your dollars in order to start and finish this project.

Accept that that is the case and get on with finding the right people to collaborate with.

Stop talking about it.

Get it done.

Which approach will you take to finesse your book today – choose at least one and take the next step towards publishing your book.

It is better to start today than to keep deferring.

Any questions or comments, please contact me by replying to this post or send me an email dyan@dyanburgess.com

In the interim you may be interested in watching a 25 minute video about Creating Your Book in Less than 60 Minutes, you can find more details here.

The video reveals:

* How to create a book in less than 60 minutes
* The impact writing a book will have on your business
* How to use a book to build a greater customer relationship