Three Great Nonfiction and Business Writing Hacks

Over the past 15 years, I’ve been researching the best secrets for successful book writing, publishing, and marketing.
I’ve read the top-rated books on nonfiction writing hacks.
I’ve worked with a number of best-selling author-experts in the field (like Seth Godin).
And I’ve spent a near infinite number of hours experimenting with the best ideas.

Now I’m excited to share my best ideas with you!

Here are three great nonfiction writing hacks that have helped my authors significantly.

1) Create a winning title.

Titles make a big difference. I’ve written lots of advice on how to generate a great title. But put simply, the strategy that has worked most often is to create a shorter title. A single, fitting word makes a bigger impact than a longer phrase.

2) Develop a solid, powerful outline.

Recently, one of our awesome team ghostwriters at Networlding said, “If you give me a great outline, I can write a great book about anything.”

To create a top-notch outline, aim for 10 chapters for nonfiction and 15 for business fiction. However, note that you can always make them shorter or longer.

3) Collect powerful stories.

Let’s start with nonfiction. Look for 10 to 20 amazing stories where up to half are yours and the rest are the product of deep research. Recall the studies done in “The Tipping Point” whereby writing about the Hush Puppies comeback and through the art of a great story, Gladwell teaches readers the science of networks.

For business fiction, refer to stories with a clear literary arc. Here, block out scenes and important moments rather than chapters in your outline. This will help you fill in content, which is much easier than starting from a blank page.

Think of an iconic hero like Luke Skywalker. When we first see Luke in Star Wars: A New Hope, he loses his family and decides to seek revenge. He goes on a Hero’s Journey, where he gathers allies in an attempt to destroy the Death Star and defeat Darth Vader. Those scenes are so vivid that they have permanent homes in our imaginations.

Be it fiction or nonfiction, tart out with what I call a “scenes session” to create a much richer book.

Further Reading

21 Clever Ways to Get Your Book Writing Regimen Back on Track
9 Business Writing Tips and Techniques
Researching to Position Your Book for Success
Wrecking Balls for Writer’s Block: Tips from the Greats

For more advice…

Feel free to contact me to ask about anything pertaining to writing, publishing, or marketing books. My goal is to help experts write successful, exciting, and impactful books better and faster. Just reach out here!

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