5 Reasons to Consider Writing a Short Book(let)

The other day I told a group of people about my short books, or booklets. I wrote and self-published these so I would have something to sell at the back of the room when I went out to speak. I speak to build platform for the full-length books I’m writing.  I found myself mobbed by writers wanting to know more about how to write and produce a short book or booklet.

Here are 5 reason to consider writing a short book or booklet, sometimes also called a tip book, and some information on how to do so as well:

1. Writing and self-publishing a short book or booklet gives you reason to say you are, indeed an author. This provides you with added credibility when you are trying to land speaking gigs to build an author’s platform
2. You can make money selling your short book or booklet while you are writing the longer version. Often you will speak for free while starting out as a speaker or speaking simply to build platform. If you have something to sell at the back of the room, you can actually make some money from  your speaking. Plus, you can sell the books from your website as both a physical book and an e-book; you can also sell the e-book via a distributor like Smashwords.com.
3. Writing a short book or booklet is quick and easy. If you already know the contents of your full-length book, your short book will simply contain an abbreviated version of this. If you are writing nonfiction and you have some tips or steps, a shortened form of these will quickly fill a booklet or tip book. Add an introduction to your concept and a conclusion plus one other chapter, and you’re done. Oh…don’t forget a nice bio, testimonials and links to anything else you sell or do.
4. Short books are cheap and easy to produce. You can create one using MS Word, InDesign or MS Publisher. Then just create a PDF and send this off to a local printer. I use a printer with a booklet press. The booklets cost me a few dollars each. I sell each one for $7-10. Nice pocket change.
5. You can test market your idea. A short book or booklet doesn’t cost much in time, energy or money to produce, and offers you a superb way to test market your book idea. If they fly off the table every time you speak or you can’t keep them in stock because you are offering them on your website, you know you have a winner. If not, it’s time to go back to the drawing board–or computer.

Oh…by the way…should you want to see some of my booklets, you can click here.