I finally decided to write a book about virtual teams (Update 7/14: The book is now published on Amazon Kindle)
I’ve been playing around with the idea for a while now, especially after publishing my latest course, but I kept delaying it.
Why?
Because writing a book is hard.
I know how much work it takes because I’ve done it before.
For my first book (published back in 2006), I remember spending every single weekend for a FULL YEAR at a local Starbucks in Michigan typing away on my laptop while loading up on grande cups of coffee.
It was a grueling process, especially since I’m a slow writer.
I also made a ton of mistakes.
In fact, I made so many mistakes that the book flopped.
I thought I’d sell a million copies, but the actual number was around two or three hundred at the most.
I think there are two big reasons why the book failed:
Mistake #1: Not having a platform
The first mistake was that I did not have a platform before writing the book.
No blog, no email list, and no audience.
I wrote the whole book in my own little corner without telling anyone about it.
I thought “surprising” everyone after publishing it was the way to go to make a big splash.
I was dead wrong on that.
Nearly every successful author today has some form of a platform before they publish.
I also had zero knowledge about how to market my book, and I didn’t understand the value of starting my marketing efforts way before writing it.
Plus, I totally undervalued the effort needed to market my book during and after the launch.
I just assumed that it will be “picked up” by the media and I’d just sit back and relax after that (yeah right).
When I realized how much effort marketing was going to take, I just gave up on it.
8 years later, the book still has only 2 reviews on Amazon.
Site note: For a great example of how to market a book the right way, Chris Ducker did a phenomenal job with his latest “Virtual Freedom” book, which just became an Amazon.com bestseller in 3 categories.
Mistake #2: Not asking for help
The second big mistake was not asking for help.
Help from friends, readers, authors, and other bloggers.
I don’t mean help just in terms of spreading the word about the book, but also help with feedback on everything from cover design, to marketing, to content.
If I had reached out for advice, I could have avoided a lot of other small mistakes, and had a better idea of what I needed to do.
So this time around, I’m doing things differently.
This time, I do have a platform, and I am asking for help.
Here’s how I’m Going to use my Platform
My platform includes my Couch Manager blog, my email list, and a few social media outlets (including my LinkedIn profile, my LinkedIn group, my Twitter account and my Facebook Page).
I don’t have a ton of followers on all those channels, but the number is definitely greater than zero 🙂
So hopefully that’ll translate to a lot more sales than my first book.
However, the most important use of my platform is not to sell, but to gain trust and get feedback.
So I’ll be using all those channels and outlets to connect with readers and provide incredible value to them first.
I’ll also use any feedback I get from potential readers as data points that’ll help me create a better book.
Here’s How I’m Asking For Help
I can write this book, but ONLY YOU can make it successful.
There’s no way I can do this alone, and it would be awesome if you join me throughout the process.
I’ll be sharing the details about my journey as I write the book, which will give you a chance to get involved in it.
This will allow you to ask me any questions you may have, especially if you’re interested in writing your own book someday.
You’ll also learn all the strategies, tactics and tools I’ll use to market my book.
Here are 3 ways to get involved (choose one):
#1 I Want to Get Notified
If you want to get the behind-the-scenes details about the book writing process, and you’re interested in being one of the very first people to know when you can order a copy of the book once it’s out, sign up here:
Click here to get behind-the-scenes details PLUS get notified (The book is now published! Click here to check it out)
#2 I Want to Spread the Word
If you want to want to get the behind-the-scenes details about the book writing process, and play an important role in spreading the word about the book once it’s published (by championing the book at your organization, among your friends, or among your colleagues who might be interested in getting a copy of the book), sign up here:
Click here to get behind-the-scenes details PLUS help spread the word (The book is now published! Click here to check it out)
#3 I Want to Feature the Book
If you want to want to get the behind-the-scenes details about the book writing process, and have the potential opportunity for author interviews and getting an advance review copy (to spread the word on your own blog, email list, newsletter, or company publication), sign up here:
Click here to get behind-the-scenes details PLUS feature the book (The book is now published! Click here to check it out)
Thank you so much!
I really appreciate your support, and I’m honored to have you join me on this journey.
Cheers,
Hassan
P.S. Thanks to Elizabeth Saunders from Real Life E for the inspiration to write this post.
P.P.S. The title of the book is “Influencing Virtual Teams: 27 Tactics that Get Things Done with your Remote Employees.” And the picture of the book cover shown above will change soon (I’ll tell you why later).
P.P.P.S. The book is now published on Amazon. Check it out by clicking here.
