In nearly every interview I do regarding the world of non-fiction publishing I am asked some version of the same question:
What is the #1 (or top 3 things, or fastest, easiest) way to become a bestselling author?
Answer: There is no easy, fast, or simple way to becoming a bestselling author.
Imagine asking that question before beginning graduate school with a goal to obtain a Masters in Clinical Psychology and eventually a Ph.D. Just as you know this goal will require a huge amount of study, work, determination, expense and commitment so does becoming a bestselling author.
Yet people are soooo disappointed when I explain to them becoming a bestselling author takes the same amount of determination as any other big, professional career.
The better question is this: What are the necessary steps to becoming a bestselling author?
Here's the big picture in 7 "easy" steps:
- Become an expert in your field. Yes, you actually need to have a true skill set or be an excellent journalist before researching and writing a book (memoirs are the exception here).
We have been conditioned to want and need fast, easy, simple and free but what most of us really need is clarity, purpose, intention, experience and time to grow into the role of author/expert/speaker.
Once you accept that there is no fast, easy, simple way to becoming a bestselling author, you can begin to embrace the steps to success... which for many of us is fun, exciting, adventurous and fulfilling.
I look forward to seeing some of you on September 25th and 26th at the 21st Century Book Marketing Event. You will learn the newest most innovative book and product marketing techniques while networking with an amazing group of authors and publishers. Learn from the best and apply it to your journey!
Arielle Ford has launched the careers of many New York Times bestselling authors including Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Neale Donald Walsch & Debbie Ford. She is a former book publicist, literary agent and the author of seven books. To learn how to get started writing a book please visit: www.HowToWriteMyBook.com