| By :
Ronda Del Boccio
One of the easiest formulas for how to write a book is to interview experts in your niche or industry and create the book. And as easy as this is to do right, it's easy to "mess up" as well. So let me show you how to create an interview book in a way that it truly drives people back to YOU and your business. The idea of an interview book is slap your forehead simple. Simply record interviews with experts or industry leaders and turn those interviews into chapters of your book. I've seen successful interview books that are worth reading. Others are boring, useless, and plain old unmemorable. So before you dash off to chat up experts, take a breath and find out how to avoid the most common big mistakes authors of interview books tend to make. Big mistake #1: No "end game" or goal in mind other than to turn transcripts of interviews into a book. DOn't just try taking the easiest road and put nothing of yourself into it. Everything you do needs to be useful in the lives of your readers. It also needs to establish you as a leader with influence. Big Mistake #2: Lack of clarity for how the book benefits both you and your reader If you don't know exactly where you are taking the reader with these interviews and how the book will position you as the go-to expert, you'll write a wishy-washy book that does little if anything for you as an expert and business owner and even less for the reader. Big Mistake #3: Choosing experts with nothing original to say You can't just interview someone simply because they "do the right thing" or have the right kind of business. If you do, you're likely to have a hard time putting together a book people want to read. Big Mistake #4: Failing to plan your interviews Don't just start blabbing with your expert and hope for the best. Go into the interview with a set of specific questions. I suggest you have some that you ask everyone and 2 or 3 that are specific to each one. Bring out their unique voice and brilliance. Big Mistake #5: No message or reader outcome for the book You'll very likely have a book nobody wants to read if you leave too much to chance. Don't just start recording conversations. Guide the content so the message of your book shines through. Big Mistake #6: Leaving everything to the interviewees. I don't know why, but people who write this type of book tend to just turn transcripts into chapters and add nothing at all to them. If you do this, you're not positioning yourself as the expert and not adding to your own reputation. Now that I've thoroughly rained on your parade, let me show you how to create an interview book that truly establishes YOU as an industry leader worth heeding. How to Write the Interview Book Step 1: Formulate the flow (or outline or table of contents) of the book. Decide what you want each chapter to say based on your intended outcome. Your book is not at the whim of your interviewees. It's up to you to shape it. Step 2: Select the experts that correspond to your chapters. Once you know what needs to be in your book, contact the best industry leaders who fit this profile. It's important to choose your experts well. Select them because they have a unique spin, a specialty, a strong story or some other element that adds to the benefit of your book. Step 3: Create your list of questions that you'll ask everybody. This will give you an overall structure for each interview that will create a book that makes good sense to the reader. Leave room for 2 or 3 that are specific to each interviewee so you cam showcase their brilliance. Step 4: Once you have your list of interviewees, set up your schedule and get busy. Add. 2-3 specialized questions you will ask your experts based on what you know about them in particular. Be sure to make 2 recordings so you have a backup. Step 5: Assemble your book Make transcripts of the interviews, but for goodness sake, I hope you'll do more than clean up the transcripts and publish. Why not add some of your own personality and expertise to each chapter? You could simply add an introduction and a conclusion with some of your own thoughts. ONce you work through each step, you have a stand-out interview book that brings out your brilliance, not just your experts'. You can be proud of this book, because it will boost your reputation AND your business.
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