Imagine yourself telling someone “I’d love you to read my new book.” That’s like a person asking another person for a favor, right? Will that make them want to do it? Won’t they be wondering, “What’s in it for me?”
Anyone can write a book. But it takes true thought to write a book that changes lives. Tying a movement to your book will make people want to read it, share it, and promote it.
So, what is your story telling the world? There may be a movement that people are already talking about that perfectly aligns with your book.
Think about the movements that are happening right now. Does your book align with any of them?
Brainstorm different movements
Pay attention to what’s going on around you. What issues are coming up the most? What needs are going unmet? What can you do to better others that people will get excited about?
So, think about different movements that people care about. For example, it might be the environmental movement, the women’s movement, the Black Lives Matter movement, the civil rights movement, the inclusion movement, or the LGBTQ movement.
Tell a resonating story
Your book should be more than just a story. It should inspire people to take a closer look at themselves. So, no matter what genre you’re writing, try to divide your book into two parts:
Part 1
Tell your story. Whether it’s a character’s or your own, talk about struggles, failures, and triumphs to hook the reader. For instance, if your movement is mental health awareness, you might talk about struggles with depression, anxiety, or OCD.
Part 2
End your story, and begin theirs. Take the rest of the story and speak directly to your readers as if you’re sitting right next to them.
Fiercely encourage them and hold them accountable through thought-provoking questions. So if you’re pushing the mental health awareness movement, you might ask the reader if someone very close to them has a mental health condition. You can also ask what are they doing to build awareness around mental health. These personal questions will help readers dig deep into themselves and find their inner activist.
Don’t stop
Think of your book as a passion project. If you’re not getting the results you want, don’t give up. Starting a movement doesn’t happen overnight.
But eventually, your work will pay off, and somehow in that crazy whirlwind, someone will hear you and tell you how much your book changed their life.
Are you struggling to come up with a good story that resonates with readers? Want to make sure your book is the next bestseller? Apply today for a Bestselling Book Strategy Session.