Thinking Beyond the Book

Whenever I’m working with a self-help author, whether as an editor, book coach, or ghostwriter, I always encourage them to think beyond the book. I ask questions like: could you turn this into an online class? What about a three-hour workshop? What about a series of podcasts?

If you’re a self-help author, your book is just one piece of a larger relationship with your audience—a relationship that may also include live or online classes, social media, one-on-one coaching, and in-person workshops and events.

In 2024, readers expect to engage with self-help authors in all kinds of ways—not just on the page. With a little planning, you can design a book which makes all these other forms of engagement a breeze. Here’s how:

Make it Quotable:

-Which quotes or phrases from your book will people be sharing on social media platforms like X and Instagram? Can you refine your writing to be even more quotable?

Make it Teachable:

-Which exercises from your book would translate well to live classes or one-on-one sessions? Can you refine your exercises to create memorable experiences for small or large groups?

Make it Reusable:

-Which chapters of your book could be repurposed as podcast episodes, blog posts, or magazine articles? Can you refine the structure of each chapter to make it even easier to harvest your own material in this way?

Make it Social:

-Can readers work through your book with friends or an online study group? Do the exercises in your book lend themselves well to sharing on social media? Can you refine your book to encourage the formation of a community?

*

By paying attention to these simple principles, you can ensure that you don’t just write a book—you cultivate a benevolent and meaningful long-term relationship with the readers whose lives will be touched by your work.

Ready to write your self-help or spirituality book? Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me.