My blog article this week will focus on how to write a successful non-fiction book proposal.  I chose this topic because in order to get published, you need to introduce your book to the editors and publishers.  They need to know why should they publish your book out of the thousands they see on a daily basis.  I chose to read article by Robert Lee Brewer of Writers Market.Com. http://blog.writersmarket.com/whats-new/3-keys-to-successful-nonfiction-book-proposals.  For over ten years, Writers Market.com has been providing listings and tools to help writers get published. 

Robert listed three ways to write a successful book proposal. Robert came up with an interesting perspective on how to pitch your book.  Most people would start by telling the publishers about the content of their book hoping that this would intrigue the publisher and their target audience.  All writers are well aware that if you don’t have good content then you have nothing to sell. The flip side of this is that most writers must be aware of.  According to Robert, you must pitch the benefits of your book.  In other words, “How does your book help your audience”?  It’s the benefits that will get you published.  It’s the benefits that will get you paid!!

The second way to write a successful proposal, you must show a need.  There must be an audience for this benefit.  The question is, “How do you find a quantifiable audience that need these benefits?” Brewer says all you have to do is find other books, television programs, magazines, etc. that sell well and then show how your book fills a hole in the market or is fulfilling that need better those already on the market. Your book has to be unique.

Brewer says the third way to write a successful proposal is to have an author platform.  You have to have a quantifiable connection to your audience.  He used his newsletter as an example.  His newsletter goes out to 100,000 people interested in being published every week.  You must develop your connections to your targeted audience(s).  WritersMarket.com has a service http://www.writersdigestshop.com/platform-consultation-service?lid=RBwmblog02 which costs starting at 199.00 and up to $2,000 which will provide you with textbooks, tutorials and one-on-one consultations with platform development specialists.  These services will show you how to effectively use Twitter, Facebook and blogs, etc.