On Wednesday I gave my subscribers access to my short report ‘How to FINALLY Write That eBook’ and today I wanted to add to that and give you a few tips on setting a solid plan of action to make sure it gets done.
If you’re interested in downloading my eBook, then simply subscribe using the form at the end of this blog post.
STEP 1: Define the Goal
You can’t take action unless you define your goal. So what is your goal? Have you always wanted to write a free report that you can offer your blog readers? Or have you had an idea for a few niche eBooks that you’ve never put into practice.
You must define your goal, and be specific. I didn’t know exactly how many eBooks I would write, but I did set a specific goal of 50,000 words in 30 days.
Remember – as I said in my free report – this is supposed to be a challenge. Try to push yourself a little, whilst making sure your goal is doable.
STEP 2: Set the Date (A few weeks before your challenge starts)
Ideally you’re going to define your goal in advance. This helps you to prepare mentally for the challenge.
I only blogged about my challenge a few days before it started, but I decided quite a few weeks in advance which gave me time to start thinking to myself ‘I really will complete this!’.
Set a date – and a time frame – that works for you. There’s no way I could have done my challenge in December as I’m way too busy. That said, it’s funny how much you can fit into your day when you do push yourself!
I find setting a limit like a week or a month is a great way to stay focused. Maybe your eBook can be your New Year’s Resolution? 50,000 words by January 31? A report in 7 days?
STEP 3: Do Some Research (A week or two before your challenge starts)
You might think the research is part of your challenge time – and maybe it will be. But, for me, not having done enough research really slowed me down.
This is why I recommend you research the following areas:
- Whether there is a need for your eBook subject at all. If you want to make money, there must be a market.
- Think from the point of view of your reader and what questions they’d want answered. Use these as chapters/ sections of your eBook or report.
- Jot down the points you want to include under each chapter.
- Note down any resources you’ve found that will help you when it comes to writing.
STEP 4: Start As You Mean to Go On (From Day 1)
Do NOT miss your first day of the challenge, and make sure you start as you mean to go on. This means starting on time, and completing or even exceeding your goal for that day. Believe me, it’s easier to do a little extra at the beginning of your challenge than it is to work harder near the end of your challenge.
So there you have it – a simple plan to set your challenge. I’ve put all of this into a PDF file along with a check list that I will send to current subscribers and add to my eBook report for any new subscribers (just enter your details below).
~ Web Career Girl
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December 18th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Good stuff. It does take a bit of a push to get yourself moving sometimes and get in a routine of writing. Step 4 here seems to be the key for me.
One thing that really works well for me is to start writing an outline before anything else. This way I can be more analytical than creative. I can jump directly into a particular part of the outline without worrying about the “writer’s block” that is associated with the introduction.
Twitter: webcareergirl
Says:
December 19th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I agree – I did a good outline for one eBook and it made the writing go SO much easier as, like you said, I could just jump in and write the sections. I found that the writing went so much slower when I didn’t have that solid outline.
And step 4 – yes I truly believe this is key. If you start half-heartedly, then you don’t take your challenge seriously. In fact last year when I did a challenge in November, this set me up for failure I think. This year I started really well and it helped so much
Thanks for the comment!
Twitter: ShaneRQR
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December 24th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Very well laid-out system.
I have this 3/4-finished ebook on my harddisk, that I didn’t plan out well enough. I am going to finish and publish it, but the whole creation process was far from optimal, so I definitely have a lot to learn in this regard.
December 26th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I am happy for you! Congrad! I had been following you since a little while and you are amazing. This project will help you in your writing career. You now know that you can carry longer projects and so on. Its very great. All postive stuff.
On this, I wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Twitter: lbogaerts
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December 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Ruth,
Your report is really gold. I finally finished my first ebook. Now the only thing I need to do is write my salescopy I’m still not doing (guess I’ll need a report for that too, maybe another idea for you
LOL)
Leslie
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 am
This report is incredibly useful. I’ve had a few eBook ideas, to support my ideas blog, but have yet to find the ideal way to approach it. It always seems such a daunting task to start writing such an extended body of text.
James | Cogroll.com´s last blog ..4 Tools to Create Amazing Domain Names
Twitter: webcareergirl
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January 3rd, 2010 at 9:56 am
Hi James, thanks for stopping by and leaving your thoughts on my report – I’m glad you found it helped! It really can be daunting, but by kind of challenging myself and knowing it didn’t have to be perfect first time, I found it really helped to push me forward.