Make your business book a reality

One-to-one book coaching for new business authors

“A book is the best brochure or website you could ever hope for.” Charles H Green

As consultant, advisor, trainer or coach there is no better way to prove your expert status than to write a business book. In terms of valuable content, a business book is right there at the top of the pile: the ultimate symbol of expertise. As a respected author you will be perceived as an authority and that gives you a huge advantage when it comes to sales. This kind of thought leadership can turn your business around.

We know from experience that writing a business book is a complex and, from the outside, confusing process. For first time authors it is really difficult to know where to start, and easy to get stuck half way:

Should I try and attract a publisher or go down the self-publishing route? Should I start writing straight away? Will my idea work as a book? How do I best market my idea? What’s involved – how does the process really work? How much time will it take? How can I make it happen around the demands of my business?

It’s a real challenge – one we would like to help you solve.

Step 1: A strong proposal for your book

We’ve designed a coaching programme to help you make a firm start on your road to authorship, giving you the knowledge, process, support and contacts you need to launch yourself as a business author.

We will take you from initial book idea to having a very clear, tested book proposal and route to publish It covers the first major milestone on the road to authorship – creating a well thought out book proposal – the best place to start your journey.

A good book proposal is absolutely necessary if you are going to attract a publisher but also an essential planning tool if you elect to self-publish. It ensures that your book begins with a clear and purposeful focus on improving the business lives of its readers. Putting effort into your proposal will ensure that the book you write is the right one – that it has an audience, that the audience is sufficiently interested in the subject to create a demand, that the book says something original and distinctive that has a shelf life and is credible. By the end of our book proposal programme you will have:

  • A firm idea of the concept, audience, competition and content for your business book
  • Made a decision on whether to self-publish or publish with knowledge and a clear action plan of the steps you need to take to give you success with either option
  • A full, clear and well researched and edited book pitch and proposal
  • A strong ‘personal brand’ as a credible author for your book
  • A marketing plan for the book, helping you to gain credibility, contacts and leads before the book is even published.

The programme covers the first crucial steps you need to take to make your book idea a successful reality, whether you want to publish or self-publish.

Step 2: Tailored support through the writing and publishing process

“As a result of the input and expert help I have received from Sonja, I have managed to secure my first book deal with a major international commercial publisher.  Before I started working with Sonja, I was floundering in my dream to write a business book. If you have a ‘book in you’, which your business or family life is stopping you from writing, then I strongly recommend you give her a call.” Heather Townsend, author of The FT Guide to Business Networking

Business book coach Sonja Jefferson and the Valuable Content team will give you as much support as you need to succeed with your book project. Sonja works with selected authors who are serious about producing a high quality book to transform their business.

You can hire Sonja to work with you as your coach, project manager, editor and thought partner through the process. Sonja has a strong network of contacts who can help you realise your dream of writing a business book – publishers, self-publishing houses, editorial consultants, copy editors, proof readers, book designers and indexers. She will coordinate the team you need to make your book a published reality – whether you choose to pursue a deal with a traditional book publisher or go down the self-published route.

“Sonja took on the role of ‘production manager’ for my book. She is disciplined and has helped me to stay organised. She has the ability to help me discover what it is I want to say. As a result of our collaboration, I have been able to write a book, while continuing to work full-time as a consultant.”Jane Northcote, author of the fantastic Making Change Happen – a practical guide to implementing business change.

If you are serious about producing a high quality business book give Sonja a call to talk through the type of support that would suit you best.

Further feedback from authors

“Sonja, your contribution to my book must be recorded for posterity.  First, because I commented on your website, I got approached by Financial Times Prentice Hall to write a book – WOW – I didn’t think that ever happened!  Clearly, all the right publishers know you as the “go-to-gal” for great new authors.

Next, because I’d no idea what to do, you patiently guided me through several iterations until I’d got the content, the tone and the message all singing in harmony together.  I simply could not have written my proposal, and therefore got a publisher, without your help.  Everybody who’s looking to write a business book needs your help with the contacts, the content and the steady hand on the tiller when we’re going through emotional trauma of yet another rewrite! Thanks again.” Lee Duncan – The Double Your Business Coach www.leeduncan.com

“Sonja was presented with the very difficult task of coordinating 4 co-authors’ broad ideas and individual views and styles into a coherent well structured and interesting book with a single voice and central message. Her first structural edit was excellent and inspired us to believe in the book see it through to completion. We quite simply could not have done it without her project management skills and guidance.” Simon Brown, Partner at BPH Wealth Management, co-author of The 7 Secrets of Money, published 2011.

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