What Value Are You Bringing?
Every successful author adds value. They build a bridge to their audience with that value. It’s why we subscribe, follow, and listen to them. Whether it’s purely for entertainment or wisdom or insight, value is what every author has to bring if they want to succeed.
That’s why it’s important to stop what you are doing today and ask yourself, “What value am I bringing to my audience?”
This question plays a huge part in determining the felt need for the books you write. The things you feed your audience should be tiny morsels for the main course - your book. Value is what keeps them coming back for more.
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“The smart author knows that everything begins with delivering value consistently.”
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Check out this quote from James Clear, author of Atomic Habits: “Good marketing can sell once, but only a good product can sell twice. In the long run, your performance reverts to the value you provide.”
And David Ogilvy, the godfather of modern advertising, said, “Good marketing only makes a bad product fail faster.”
They are both saying the same thing: Marketing can’t save you; only value can. The best marketers know you have to give your audience consistent value if you want people to listen to you.
Now if you’re not sure about what value you are bringing, ask them. Surveying your audience is a great way to better understand what they want from you. You can also look at how your emails and posts are performing. As agents, we often look at those numbers to help us better understand what book your audience wants from you. A strong email’s content can become the first inklings of a new book idea. When your audience responds to the value you are bringing, you are going in the right direction. Keep adding value.
Take Action: Your Book Will NOT Write Itself.
Your book is a way to reach exponentially more people than any speaking gig, sermon, article, or social media post. Your book is also a way to share your idea, story, and conviction in long form--using illustration, extrapolation, metaphor, testimony, and research. And your book is going to last years into the future, impacting steadily over time even after you are gone.
That’s why we created How to Write a Book: Five Building Blocks for Your Author Career. Our team has over 125 collective years of experience working in the publishing industry. We have five agents on our team and work with top publishers worldwide, both in New York and in the faith-based space.
If you read How to Write a Book, you’ll receive ...
- 9,000 words of coaching wisdom from literary agents who have been working in publishing for decades
- Opportunity to apply the tips and tools of NY Times Bestselling authors to make sure you avoid mistakes and unnecessary labor
- Five specific, clear action steps for you to take to get you started
- Critical, helpful advice to help you take the next steps toward publishing
