Seven Ways to Select a Book Topic That Sells

by Judy Cullins

1. Write what you are passionate about. Write what will still interest you two years from now. Your book is an extension of you, your talks and your profession. If you don't love your topic, you won't be successful. One big mistake authors make is to shift attention to writing another book before their first one has been promoted.

2. Write down five topics you are passionate about. Ask your inner author which one you should pay attention to first. After choosing, gather and organize everything you already know and want to know about that topic. If you need, research it. Read other authors' books in your field, check out related web sites and subscribe to newsletters. You can become an expert as you write.

3. Write a book your audience needs or wants. People want how-to's and skills. Three special reports on memory and a speed-reading manual I wrote have sold more than 45,000 copies in the past 15 years. Business books also sell well. People need writing, reading, speaking, computing, communication, math, sales, marketing and Internet skills. Nonfiction how-to's sell best. When your nonfiction books sell well, you can finance your novel.

4. Research your target market. Who is your preferred audience? Who will read and buy your book? Who will pay the $10 to $25 price tag? How many possible buyers are there? How does your book stack up to your competition? What is your unique selling proposition? What benefits does your book bring its readers? How many people make up your audience? According to Dan Poynter, author of Writing Nonfiction, an audience of 200,000 to 700,000 is best. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul sold three million copies more in one year than the original Chicken Soup book sold in three years.

5. Compare your book with other reputable, good sellers. In what way is your book like theirs? In what way is your book unique? How is your book better? If you think your book is the only one of its kind, it may be, but it will much more difficult to sell. Check out where your book fits by visiting your local bookstore. Ask a bookseller to help you.

6. Survey your market. Brainstorm with and ask for feedback from friends and associates. Let them vote on the best of ten titles and subtitles, chapter titles, back cover sales text, etc. Some authors may get their title instantly and know it's the right one, but many of us need help. Don't be attached to your choices. Feedback helps build a better book.

7. Create a winning vision for your book. Know that your book will be published. Specifically name the outcomes you will see, hear and feel when you reach your goal. Place this winning vision in color on a card. Place it near your workstation.

Example (fill in the parenthesis with your own details): Now that my book (title and subtitle) is finished and is a huge seller, I see (a thousand orders on my web site), I hear (applause from multiple audiences affirming it), I feel (exhilarated, confident and pleased it's such a hit).

Judy Cullins is an author, publisher and book coach. This article was excerpted from Ten Non-techie Ways to Market Your Book Online. Visit www.bookcoaching.com. Subscribe to her FREE e-zine, "The Book Coach Says." E-mail: Judy@bookcoaching.com.