We all need some type of a guide for a project. Oh, you may have one in your head—which is good. Visualizing what your book will look like; feel like; seeing buyers line up to buy it; speaking from a stage to hundreds—heck, thousands, is always good. But, what’s the plan in getting there? What are you doing to hold yourself accountable in bringing those crowds; delivering the book for which that the oohs and aahs gurgle forth? Yes, you need a PLAN.
If your goal is to publish via a traditional publisher, the proposal you will need to create will include information on marketing
—your plan to shout out and implement buying. If you are publishing yourself, what’s your plan for producing the book and marketing it? Do you have a plan to reach out to media for publicity? Do you have a plan for educating yourself in the how-tos, nuances, and twists and turns of publishing?
If you are like most authors, you don’t. You just want to get the book done and out. If that’s your plan, get ready for disappointment.
Tip: Your PLAN should be to succeed. Therefore, your plan should be to have a PLAN … and get it in writing. Your PLAN should have a beginning and an end. It should have room for flexibility—after all, some of the road bumps you will encounter along the way will need you to create alternate routes so you can get to the end … book in hand. Your PLAN needs to keep up front WHO the audience is that you are writing for.
You can do it yourself … or you can even hire it out … but you better be joined at the hip with the person who is creating it. Your PLAN acts as a guide to what your book is about; who your market is; how you are going to reach out and connect with it; what media support you are going to desire and use; how much money you are going to invest in your venture; even, what kind of spin-offs you are thinking of. A PLAN and proper, step-by-step planning is essential to your publishing success.
When there isn’t a PLAN, there really is … the PLAN is to not plan. Is that what you want? Not having a PLAN is a good way to practice the art of floundering and that will lead to failure.
Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing 
about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 34 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord IndieFab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences. Book #34 was published this summer: The CrowdFunding Guide for Authors & Writers. Get your copy.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Book Publishing Unplugged, a three day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. In 2015, the dates are August 27-29th. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at bit.ly/PublishingShow .
Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.
Author U is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the author who wants to be seriously successful. Monthly education programs delivered face-to-face and online, The Author Resource ezine, BookCamps and the annual Author U Extravaganza are tools designed for authors pre, during and post publishing of their books. Join AuthorU.org today.
If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen