A Winning Formula

The holy grail for a business book is to help people who are facing problems that you have solved or that you can help them solve.

There’s a formula for writing a book like that.

The place to start is by carefully imagining the reader for whom you’re writing. That allows you to think about the problem they face and the information they need to address it.

That’s the subject of your book. Then it’s on to the content.

The content is typically a sandwich structure:

• Introduction
• Chapters
• Conclusion

Introduction. This gives an overview of what problem you are going to solve for the reader and why you’re qualified to help them.

Chapters. Each chapter addresses a different aspect of the problem and explains how you overcame it or gives your advice in how the reader can overcome it, backed up by anecdotes, data, or other information

Conclusion. This sign off is usually a call to arms that gives the reader clear directions on what they should do next: implement change in their work, undergo self reflection, or reach out to you for coaching or for business opportunities.

It’s as simple as that.

Of course, it’s not actually that simple because you have to write the book in a style readers will want to read, but the structure is straightforward.

The formula can be changed. It's highly flexible, but it exists to translate the book. You write into something that will solve problems for your readers