Wondering how to publish a book? Before you decide whether to go for a traditional publisher or to self publish, ask yourself these 3 critical questions.

You’re writing a book (or thinking of writing one), and the biggest question on your mind is whether to self publish a book or look for a traditional publisher. But how do you choose?

The Instant VIP: Insider Secrets to Fame, Freedom & Fulfillment As An Expert Author by Ronda Del Boccio, The Story lady (Front Cover)

Thanks to modern technology, it is easier than ever to publish a book. This is both a blessing and a curse for the author who is considering which publishing method to choose.

The good news is that there are more publishing options now than ever. The bad news is that there are more choices than ever.

So how do you choose whether to self publish or seek traditional publishing?

The three questions in this article will help you decide. Be sure to get crystal clear on your answers before proceeding.

1. What is the purpose for the book?

Knowing your purpose for writing the book won’t in and of itself determine your publishing option, but without knowing your purpose, all other questions are moot.

Why you are writing the book is absolutely the first thing to consider. Everything else flows from the “why.” Because for one thing, without a strong purpose, you’ll probably never even finish writing a book let alone publish it.

If your purpose has to do with a dream of being blockbuster author, prepare yourself for plenty of work no matter how you publish a book.

2. What is the outcome you want to attain with your book?

Before looking at publishing options, it is a good idea to be clear about your goals for the book. Knowing the goal determines the steps you take.

There are numerous possible goals an author could have for creating the book. Writing a book simply to tell a story is very different from writing it to generate leads for a business. And writing the book to prosper a charity is another goal entirely.

Say your goal is extremely personal. An example would be telling the story of your family heritage to preserve it for future generations. Unless your family is noteworthy, the book is not likely to be something a traditional publisher would support.

So write down your goal for the book before deciding publishing options.

3. What is your level of commitment to the book?

No matter which way you go with publishing a book, it’s important to know how much time and energy you are planning to commit to the book once it’s published.

If your notion is to get the book published and see what happens, you are treating your book’s success like a lottery ticket. Maybe you’ll hit it big. Maybe not. If you look at the results this way, don’t plan on gaining the support of a major publisher.

If you are willing to throw yourself heart and soul into growing a following (which publishers call a platform) and promoting the book, you are likely to grow your reputation as an expert no matter which publishing option you choose.

Get clear on your intentions before the book. Write down your desire, goals and expectations. Include your commitment, including time, energy and resources you will put into your book.

Once you do this, you are ready to consider whether you will go through the arduous task of seeking a traditional publisher or whether you will self publish.

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Resource

Self publishing a book is your easiest option, but you may want some help moving through the process.

After all, there are a lot of ways to self publish, and some of them will cost you not only an arm and a leg, but also your first born child (metaphorically speaking, of course!)

The Easy Write & Publish Program walks you through writing a book with grace and ease, and then through how to publish a book in both print and electronic (e-book) formats. You’ll find it at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/easy

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Ronda Del Boccio, known globally as The Story lady, is a #1 bestselling author and mentor who teaches people how to write a book with grace and ease. She makes the process as effortless as possible.

Claim your free mini-class on 3 of the fastest and easiest ways to write and publish a book at http://ProfitableStorytelling.com/writein30

Follow Your Bliss!

Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady

#1 Bestselling Author of The Peace Seed, Personal and Global Transformation through Storytelling

Author of 5 books and counting...

The Instant VIP: Insider Secrets to Fame, Freedom and Fulfillment as an Expert Author

When Assassins and Allies Conspire: Visionary Tales, Vol. 1

That Was Easy: The Busy Business Owner's Guide for How to Write a Book Fast

I'll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling through Life with Blinders On.

For a complete list of my books in their various formats, visit my Amazon.com Profile

and the 90 minute DVD Training Story Power

********************************

Ronda Del Boccio is a transformational speaker, mentor and author known globally as The Story Lady because she teaches authors, entrepreneurs and business owners to easily connect with your ideal customers and contacts through the power of your story.

She is the author of numerous stories, poems, and articles, as well as her books I’ll Push You Steer, and other upcoming books.

Disclosures

P. S. The day you were born, the whole UNIVERSE celebrated! Take FREE The 21-day "I AM a Gift to the World!" Challenge

Just click the banner or www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift !

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1. To bring attention to your cherished cause
2. to stand out above the competition as an expert
3. To share your empowering story
4. To leave a legacy

All those are brilliant reasons to write a book,
and yet I know how busy life gets.

Maybe you need information about how to write a book.

(I’ve got you covered)

Maybe you need a spark to kindle your flame.

So how about if I show you in real time how
easy it is to write and publish a book this
weekend using my system?

Yes – I’m going to prove to you that what I
teach in http://TheInstantVIP.com/easy – the
Easy Write & Publish Course – works.

That’s where I teach you 5 easy methods
for how to write a book PLUS the easiest,
fastest FREE publishing method.

I have already put together one book in
the last week of August, –

and I’m going to put another one together

THIS WEEKEND!

Is it time yet for YOU to get off your seat?

Are you up for the challenge–?

Are you truly ready to BE an author instead of
just saying you wanna…?

Or are you a resident of “Someday Isle”?

Take a stand now. http://TheInstantVIP.com/easy

I’ll help toot your horn when your book is done!
and when you take action at that link & you
finish your book by Sept. 30 2010 (yeah I’m
giving you 2 weeks!) I’ll send you a
signed copy of The Instant VIP book!

Here’s where I’ll be posting updates (& you can too)
facebook Page for The Instant VIP

Ready to rock?

I’ll give you a head start…

I’m about to go eat dinner and relax for a bit,
and I’ll start on the book later.

Warmly,

Ronda

PS Watch that Facebook link for updates – and
I’m ready to help YOU achieve your goal of
finally FINALLY writing that first book!

(You can always write another later)
http://TheInstantVIP.com/easy

Want to get templates & training on the 3 easiest ways for how to write a book this summer?

I’ve coached a lot of people to write a profitable book, and one thing more than anything else tends to stop you.

here are the top 3:

3. You WANT to write a book but it’s a big nebulous mess and you don’t know how to write a book easily.

3. You WANT to write a book but keep letting life get in the way…as if life’s ever going to say, “Oh, she’s going after a dream so let’s push the whole world aside for her.”

1. You just don’t believe you can write a book.

I know you can do anything when you have the right mindset and the right system. I’m mostly blind, and I do just about everything differently from how you do it – and I don’t ever say that I can’t accomplish a goal.

So ow about this… I’ll give you the right tools, and I CHALLENGE you to a duel with your own misconceptions about what’s possible for your life!

Prove to yourself that you really can start writing and finish by Labor Day. I’ll show you all the steps to write a book and teach you 3 easy ways (actually m ore…but you’ll discover that later) to do it.

Watch this:

I’ll show you the 3 easiest ways to write your book THIS SUMMER while still having a fun life and relax time – for FREE – plus templates and worksheets and so much more.

Join the challenge!

First name:
Email address:

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Lots of people want to write a book, in fact about 82#, but most people don’t know how to write a book. I’ve known many people who have ideas on napkins, partial outlines or book pages stuffed in a drawer for years but no book.

What do you do when you want to know how to write a book but don’t know where to turn?

Ken Jensen, author of It Takes Guts to Be Me, was a coaching client of mine, and when I heard what he said about me, tears came to my eyes. I know what a journey it was for him to have the confidence to realize that he really could write a book.

He’s an ex-Marine. I actually don’t think there is such a thing as an EX Marine. I think the attitude stays with them forever. Ken had a rough life and overcame more challenges than most people. He didn’t think he had a good enough system. It was quite the journey.

I am so very proud of Ken, because not only did he write his book and launch his small business, but he has continued to expand his horizons.

The funny thing is, he had 1 on 1 mentoring with me and finished that a couple of years ago, and we’re still friends (which isn’t odd), but we’ve never met in person. Thanks to technology, people can get coaching and do all sorts of things even when they’ve never met their mentor face to face.

Here’s what Ken Jensen said about me.

Thanks, Ken!

If you’re smart, you’ll get someone to mentor you, because you can really cut to the heart of the matter with you and help you get your book done. Whether that is me or someone else is obviously your choice. You want to make sure you feel comfortable with your mentor.

If you’re a tire kicker, you can get a free 10-part multimedia mini-course on how to write a book that explodes your business.
That said, i hope you’re not a tire kicker. If you own your own business, if you are an expert, if you are a speaker, you definitely need to become an author.

I’d like to get you started writing your book right now, and when you pick up the Instant VIP system (which is a tiny tuition for you), you get a $500 value strategy session wiht me so that I can give you HUGE value and help you get off to a great start with your book.

I find the aggressive language many marketers use distressing. Think of the following bits of verbiage I’m sure you’ve heard before (or maybe even used) and tell me how it makes you feel…

• Obliterate the competition

  

  Image by arimoore via Flickr

• bullet points
• annihilate your competitors
• Dominate your niche

Is it truly necessary to use the aggressive language of war and subjugation in order to sell your stuff?

I say no.

As author of The Peace Seed: Personal and Global Transformation through Storytelling, and as someone dedicated to being what Deepak Chopra calls a “Unit of Peace Consciousness,” it is important for me to use and teach nonviolent communication methods, which I prefer to call cooperative language and a peace mindset.

First, let me share the issues that arise with aggressive language.

When you use phrases like “annihilate your competition” or “obliterate competition.” you demonstrate a single-minded violent purpose: to destroy someone else and take business from them. This is a patriarchal war-like position to take.

But perhaps you’re wondering how you can earn a living if you’re not taking business from other people or steering customers away from them so they’ll supposedly come to you.

Is there a way for you to attract customers who willingly, even excitedly, open their wallets to share their contents with you? Certainly!  An abundance mindset and a true desire to serve your audience will bring you everything you need and more.

And when you are well branded and when you work things in a prosperous manner, you have no competition. Not because you’ve destroyed them, but because you have made your offer attractive, and maybe even because you’re turned your alleged “enemies” into allies.

It truly can be done that way. Yes! Many times, those who would appear to be competition can become allies.

Here is a story that will give you several examples. I work with people who want to become authors. There are a number of people serving the same audience, and we each do it differently.

One person has some excellent teaching but no affiliate program. I am speaking to him about adding an affiliate program, and since he hired me to assist him, I will earn anytime someone invests in his program.

Another person has some great materials for authors but does not want to work with authors directly, except in a few special cases. He will use some of my book writing materials in conjunction with his programs, and I will be working with those would-be authors who ask him to help them. So I will benefit from serving them and he will prosper without having to do any of the work. All are well served.

Another company is not doing the same thing I am but they do provide services for authors who already have books out. Since they have prospecting customers who are either writing books or thinking of writing books, when they use my system for how to write a book that’s profitable, these new authors will have better books, so they’ll get better results when they hire this company to help them with their promotions. It’s a great win for all concerned. I’ll promote this company to those who want that type of service as an affiliate, and they will be an affiliate of mine.

What’s happening? I’m consistently going to companies that serve the same audience I do, directly or indirectly, to explore how we can work together for mutual benefit and to better serve the clients who come for assistance. By inserting my system into their process, their clients benefit because by working cooperatively, each company gives their utmost best and the clients win. So do both companies!

What are the wins?

• I extend my reach to more people and earn more with less effort. The other company does the same. And there are more and more authors of successful books emerging because we “competitors” are forging a profitable joint venture.
• I know that some people will be drawn to me and my system while others will not. That’s perfectly fine – even expected.
• I spend absolutely NO energy or time tearing down others who serve the same audience.
• I know with every fiber of my being that there is more than enough business for all of us. None of us is perfect and nobody can meet everybody’s needs.
• Since I do not see competition, I openly and freely approach business owners with no fear of loss of any kind.
• And as a matter of fact, I’m finding it fun to find the holes in what they offer, filling those holes, serving their customers, making allies of them, and creating fantastic win-win-win scenarios all over the world. It’s FUN!

How is this practicing Peace?

Too many business owners expend a huge amount of energy and precious time finding ways to out-do the others in your niche (what most people call “competitors”). You try to one-up each other. You stir the pot to bring discord. Maybe you even talk down the other to your potential customers. This ultimately hurts you and drives potential customers away from you rather than toward you.

Imagine how much more fun and free it is when you spend your time and energy finding better leveraged ways to serve more people (serve more, work less) without trying to hurt someone else’s business. You even turn what some would consider enemies into trusted colleagues, and everybody, especially the customer, wins.

This is indeed a peaceful – and PROFITABLE – way to conduct business

Resources

I invite you to enjoy this video excerpt of The Peace Seed and to bring the book home.

what you want to know and what you need…so I invite you to tell me!

I want to make sure I’m delivering to you exactly what you want…

so I’m asking you to TELL me in this real quick 2-question  survey.

–> What are your biggest questions about how to write a book and/or your book publishing options!

Thanks and enjoy your weekend!

Warmly,

Ronda

PS When you tell me what you want, you’re sure to get it…when you don’t, you won’t!
–> What are your biggest questions about how to write a book and/or your book publishing options!

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