The Next Chapter

Weekly Tips for Writing & Publishing Your Bestselling Book

Do Your Market Research (and Help Us Do Ours)

Sep 29, 2024

Let’s say you were launching a new business. Would you just start selling something right away?  

No. You’d do your market research first. 

Say you're making healthier snacks for kids. Would you just whip up some low-sugar brownies in your kitchen and head straight to the store to sell them? Of course not! First, you'd visit grocery stores to check out what’s on the shelves. You’d research products online. You’d explore what other companies are doing before developing your offering.

Well, launching a book is no different. A book is a business. If you're looking to build an author platform – establish yourself as an expert, secure media interviews, land speaking engagements, and attract higher-paying clients – then you must start with market research.


Tip of the Week: Go Shopping

What's the equivalent of visiting the grocery store for book research? 

Going to the bookstore, of course! Both physical and virtual. 

Head on over to Amazon and Goodreads. See what’s selling in your genre. Study the bestsellers. What do you think makes them bestsellers? What do you like about the blurb, the author bio, the cover design? What do you not like it? You can even read some reader comments. 

Then take it a step further by visiting a local bookstore. Browse the shelves. It’ll give you a different perspective to see those hard copies lined up staring at you. 

Once you've done your market research, you can better define your unique angle. What sets you apart from other authors in your niche? Is it your background as a nutritionist and a parent? Are you offering something fresh—like worksheets that get kids involved in preparing healthier meals?

Now you’re ready to dive into writing your introduction or first chapter, keeping your competition in mind. 

Aloha,

MeiMei


Quote of the Week

If we knew what we were doing it wouldn't be called research.

- Albert Einstein

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