Bridging the Gap to Get Published

Previously, I discussed the “Ten Things You Need to Know to Get Published.” This time I want to help you develop your topic-ideas for a speech and a related book with five key points.

Public speakers, of course, should first write the definitive book for every speech-topic they regularly present. Here’s why: The book increases your credibility and credentials you as the topic expert. As a ‘fat business card,’ it can land additional speaking, coaching, and consulting opportunities. The techniques for persuasive speeches easily incorporate your book’s presentation to your gathered audience as your speech can also make them book-buyers, by adding the call to take this action at your merchandise table or website. 

Pastors wishing their ‘preaching to keep on teaching’ should also capture their sermon topic-development into books.

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Let’s define the five key points for your speech ‒ or sermon ‒ and its related book development that will move your audience to get up and do:

1. The Big Idea –This is the overall message-theme that repeats throughout your verbal or written material. Present The Big Idea before focusing it into a promise for your key audience. 

Most preachers and speakers are good storytellers, and that translates well into book-writing. For your first one, pick your best and most demanded preaching/speaking topic. There is usually one specific message that typically floats to the top ‒ your go-to topic. Your first book should be laser-focused on that topic, but plan on spinning related books from it, then addressing your other topics later.

2. The Promise – As you develop the Big Idea, ask “How can we change?” “What should we do?” and eventually, “What happens if we don’t implement the Big Idea?”

Public speakers and pastors are very often auditory learners, who prefer communicating verbally. Pastors (and public speakers with particular expertise) will often preach sermons (present their expertise) in a series which easily collects into a book. With your development editor, talk through what the book (and its related spin-outs) can look like as the outline develops. A mind map diagrams information visually, displaying how elements are related around a central concept, or concept-cluster. Images, words, and phrases are laid out with lines showing how they relate to the central concept or cluster and each other. Mind-mapping gets its full visual image on paper before outlining begins.

3. The way those in the room view the world – You must identify and empathize with your audience to bring them into your story – on their terms.

One way (of many) to do this is connecting through storytelling. Successful comedians do this ‘hook’ by describing their characters up-front or setting up their bits with some memorable characteristic, funny line, and example. Near the end of their routine, they’ll drive home their Big Idea with another funny line that circles back around, connecting to the original setup. This is very effective.

4. The Rewards of achieving the big idea – You need to challenge and motivate your audience to do something above and beyond the typical call-to-action. It could be something as simple as learning more about the topic being discussed.

As an author or speaker with topic-authority, you must answer the “so-what” question your audience will have. So, you’ve delivered a great speech or written a terrific book ‒ what do you want the audience to do with that information? Most of the time, it’s whatever you say to them last. Never assume the listener or reader knows what you want them to do.

5. The Consequences of not adopting the Big Idea – Your biggest challenge? Getting your audience to do something. But this can be achieved by pointing out what happens if they don’t.

There’s no point in giving a speech or writing a book if you don’t motivate your audience to do something. The subtle (and powerful) difference here is showing them the consequences of doing nothing.

The Bottom Line: One of our goals at Leadership Book is to help bridge the gap between how you use a speaking engagement to tell a story and how you can broaden your platform by utilizing the same techniques to write and sell your book. As a public speaker, pastor, or subject matter expert, write a book about the topic or topics you are most familiar with and passionate about. Use your speeches on these topics as an outline for your book and then contact the team at Leadership Book to help you take the next step.

If you have a story to tell, let Leadership Book help you tell it!

Leadership Books Publishing is an emerging powerhouse in book publishing. We’ve joined the two worlds of traditional and self-publishing into one company that can help do it all. Our capabilities and relationships allow us to create targeted and integrated book campaigns that mobilize high-profile contacts in your niche, capitalize on word-of-mouth marketing through social marketers, and extend your reach into the most prominent media publications. Our authors have the unparalleled service of an Executive Editor, one who will work with you in putting your story ideas into book form. Once that’s completed, our professional designers will work with you to design the cover and interior to make your book ready to sell.

Leadership Book markets your book by distributing to every major book seller on three continents.

About Michael Stickler

To set up an appointment to speak to a Literary Agent:
Email: Alfredo Baguio
Call: (702) 605-4354