Build a Better Business Book
How to Plan, Write, and Promote a Book That Matters. A Comprehensive Guide for Authors
by Josh Bernoff
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Pub Date 20 Jun 2023 | Archive Date 21 Jun 2023
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Description
Your brain burns with a powerful idea worth sharing. Could writing a business book spread that idea, create real change, and launch your career on the path to visibility and influence?
Definitely. But don’t start by piling up words. Instead focus on the story. What urgent problem does your reader face? How can they solve it? And what journey must your reader take as you guide them from confusion to understanding, action, and success?
Build a Better Business Book is the first accessible and comprehensive guide for authors who want to create impact. Josh Bernoff, a bestselling author, veteran editor, and insightful writing coach with decades of experience on 45 successful book projects, explains the systematic way to refine your idea and then research, write, publish, and promote a book that matters. Learn how to:
- Build your book not just from ideas but from people and their compelling stories — and how you can research and tell those stories.
- Write a first chapter that creates powerful motivation by emotionally connecting with readers.
- Select among the three major publishing models — traditional, self-publishing, and “hybrid” — on the axes of speed, cost, and influence.
- Plan your book as a project, then efficiently execute on that plan with a low-stress, high potency tool: the fat outline.
- Structure chapters that no reader can put down.
- Collaborate with coauthors, editors, and ghost writers without excessive bloodshed.
- Promote your book to maximize your sales, revenue, and influence.
Josh Bernoff’s book projects have generated over $20 million for their authors. This guide includes results of an extensive author survey and secrets from interviews with successful business authors like Jay Baer, Laura Gassner Otting, Phil M. Jones, Joe Pulizzi, and Scott Stratten.
Don’t waste valuable energy without accomplishing your goals. Construct your business book as a compelling story, and you won’t just get your words in print. You’ll create change in the minds of your readers. And that is the first step to making a meaningful impact on the world.
Advance Praise
Endorsed by more than 50 successful business authors
“If you’re serious about writing a business book that matters, then look no further. Josh Bernoff’s step-by-step approach, backed by years of experience and insider knowledge, will show you how to create a compelling story that connects with readers and drives real change.” —Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human
“There are way too many business books out there, but no guides to business books quite like this. Josh is the architect behind the blueprint for success in this industry.” —Scott Stratten, coauthor of UnMarketing and five other bestselling business books.
“Josh gets what countless teachers of this craft seem to forget: Your book should not be fancy packaging for yet another hollow guide, checklist, or personal success story. Your book should share something profound that transforms readers and shapes markets. If that’s the business book you aspire to write, start by reading this one.” —Jay Acunzo, author of Break the Wheel: Question Best Practices, Hone Your Intuition, and Do Your Best Work
“If you’re thinking about writing a business book, start here. This book provides the formulas for your success, from concept to writing to launch and all the in-betweens you didn’t even know you needed to know.” —Melissa Agnes, author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World
“Build a Better Business Book is staggeringly useful, and I’m more than a little angry that I had to write six books without it. This is the new, definitive guide to making a business book happen.” —Jay Baer, coauthor of Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is about Help Not Hype
“If you care about quality, this indispensable writing guide from respected book coach Josh Bernoff will teach you exactly how to start (and finish!) the business book you’ve always dreamed of writing. Even after writing nine books myself, I found Josh’s advice to be consistently useful and wonderfully non-obvious.” —Rohit Bhargava, three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author and cofounder of Ideapress Publishing
“Finally, a definitive, complete resource for every author who needs to connect the dots from pitching to writing to publishing to promoting! You don’t know what you don’t know about developing a book—but Josh does, and now you can too.” —Margot Bloomstein, author of Trustworthy: How the Smartest Brands Beat Cynicism and Bridge the Trust Gap
“With this book, Bernoff provides a very actionable plan for aspiring—and published— authors.” —Chris Brogan, author of Catching Appfire
“When I write, I feel Josh’s presence like Jiminy Cricket on my shoulder, guiding my every word and sentence. Now, he’s written the go-to handbook for writing a business book your audience is going to want to read. I will never write another book without this one at my side.” —Todd Caponi, author of The Transparency Sale and The Transparent Sales Leader
“As the master of writing without bullshit, Josh reveals twenty-four essential areas that demand action when designing a book capable of standing out in a sea of sameness. This is a clear blueprint for aspiring authors who’d prefer to learn the pitfalls before they publish.” —Dave Carroll, author of United Breaks Guitars: The Power of One Voice in the Age of Social Media
“Your breakthrough idea deserves a breakthrough bestseller. When you finally decide to write that book, this is the indispensable guide to making it great.” —Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
For the complete list of endorsements, please request the book or reach out to info@amplifypublishing.com.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781645432555 |
| PRICE | US$29.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 280 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Mukesh K, Reviewer
"Build a Better Business Book: How to Plan, Write, and Promote a Book That Matters" by Josh Bernoff is an indispensable guidebook for anyone looking to write a business book that stands out in a crowded market. Bernoff's writing style is clear and engaging, and his vast experience in business writing shines through in this book.
The book covers everything from researching and planning to writing and publishing, providing valuable insights and practical advice along the way. What sets this book apart is its focus on effective promotion and marketing, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to promote their business book to a wider audience.
The author shares several valuable case studies and examples that illustrate his points and provide inspiration to aspiring writers. The book is particularly helpful for beginner writers looking to navigate the complex world of business publishing, but it also offers valuable tips for seasoned writers looking to improve their craft.
Overall, "Build a Better Business Book" is an excellent resource written by an author who clearly understands the business of writing and publishing. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned writer, this book is worth a read if you are looking to write a business book that resonates with readers and drives business success. By providing actionable tips and techniques, this book will enable business leaders to drive innovation and create sustainable success. This book provides business leaders with the necessary tools and strategies to drive innovation and create sustainable success. With this focus on innovation, companies can ensure that they are constantly evolving and improving their products and services to meet changing customer needs. This commitment to growth will help to create long-term sustainability and competitiveness in today's dynamic business environment. Just as companies have learned to adapt to the changing landscape of the business world, they must also learn how to create long-term sustainability and maintain a competitive edge in today's dynamic environment.
Achieving these goals will require innovative leadership and a commitment to making the necessary changes to ensure that the company is successful.
Reviewer 1172112
Review Title: An Unparalleled Guide to Crafting Powerful Business Books
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Josh Bernoff's "Build a Better Business Book" is an invaluable resource for any aspiring business author seeking to make an impact in their field. Offering a comprehensive and accessible roadmap to successful business book creation, this guide brims with insights gathered from Bernoff's extensive career and successful book projects.
Bernoff's approach is refreshingly different. Rather than starting with the words, he encourages authors to focus on the story, asking: what problem does the reader face? How can they solve it? And what journey must the reader take to move from confusion to understanding, action, and success? This method of storytelling in business writing is a novel concept, and Bernoff masterfully demonstrates how it can be utilized for maximum effect.
The author's insights into the various publishing models, and his strategic advice on selecting the one that best fits an author's needs, is especially valuable. Whether you're considering traditional publishing, self-publishing, or a hybrid approach, Bernoff offers clear, concise guidance that cuts through the industry jargon and presents an understandable comparison of each model's speed, cost, and influence.
"Build a Better Business Book" goes beyond simple advice on writing and publishing. Bernoff dives into the importance of effective collaboration, providing practical strategies for working with co-authors, editors, and ghostwriters with minimal friction. His section on book promotion is equally valuable, full of tips to maximize sales, revenue, and influence.
Throughout the guide, Bernoff intersperses insights from successful business authors, adding depth and a variety of perspectives to his own expertise. The extensive author survey results and interviews enrich the content, making it more relatable and practical for readers.
What sets this book apart is its focus on creating a business book as a 'compelling story' – an instrument of change in the minds of readers. This refreshing perspective, along with the wealth of practical advice, makes "Build a Better Business Book" a standout in its field.
For anyone with a powerful idea and a desire to share it effectively, this book is a must-read. It's not just a guide to getting your words in print, but a masterclass in creating a business book that truly matters. Let Bernoff guide you on your journey to making a meaningful impact on your readers and, by extension, the world.
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