Tell A Good Story In The First Place
Good storytelling grabs the reader’s attention, holds onto it and makes them want to keep reading. Like a fiction book, a good non-fiction book IS about storytelling. Tell your readers a good story in the first place and they’ll keep turning pages and keep coming back for your next book and your next and your next.
Start With The End In Mind
Know exactly what you want your readers to know or do when they finish your book. Use that end knowledge to drive your book in a clear, sequential order. A well-written non-fiction book keeps readers informed and interested at the same time.
Tell Your Readers What To Do & Who or What To Be
Who does your reader want to be when they finish your non-fiction book? An improved _____? A more competent _____? A professional _____? Non-fiction books tell the readers what to do in order to achieve a particular end. I maintain that a to-be list is every bit as important as a to-do list.
Write With Authority
Don’t use phrases like “I think” or I believe”. If you’re penning a non-fiction book, you want to be viewed as an expert. Instead, use affirming statements that establish, rather than call into question, your authority.
Use Short Sentences
Long, superfluous sentences full of fluff and filler that show off your vocabulary and elucidate your points in a gratuitous, excessive manner are a turn-off. In other words, don’t try to sound like a thesaurus. Try to sound like you.
Grab Readers Attention With A Compelling Title & Cover
An attention-grabbing title and a kick-butt cover are the very first parts of your non-fiction book reader will see. Take the time to make these two components of your book eye-catching and vivacious.
Write For Your Reader, Not For Yourself
It’s tempting and soothing to write a book you love. It’s profitable, though to write a book your readers love. Let that sink in.
These are my top tips for writing a good non-fiction book. Use one or all of them to shape your writing into a book your readers will love.
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