by Mike | May 3, 2017 | Best Entrepreneur Books, Biggest Problems, Million in the Bank, Mindset, Selling, Writing the book |
How To Write a Book (Guaranteed)
Many surveys show almost everyone would like to write a book, 80-90 %, and get published. Most will never do it, but could. Here’s a great way to get started? Write a page every day of 250 words and in one year you will have a 365-page book. That is 91,250 words in one year. It may not be a very good book, but that is fine for now. I never looked for a publisher either, I self-published.
Writing A Novel
The recommended size for a novel most publishers would agree is 80-90,000 words. I am writing one now, I am at 48,000 words and writing 1,270 words a day. I wanted to get a completed first draft done in 2 months and I am on track. If I don’t get 1,270 words written every day, I still try to write something and make up for low count days by going over on other days.
My first book was a business book, and that is a different experience. But my novel is so very exciting. I am always thinking about the plot and the stories in the novel. My wife thinks I am losing my mind, as I forget to do something or give the wrong response to a question. The truth is I am deep into distraction, thinking about how my main character is getting in and out of trouble.
Writing a Business Book
A good size for a business book I have found for me is about 50,000 words. It takes much, much more research. It is more difficult because you want to say something meaningful and useful to people. Novels are about entertainment. But there is a better market for a business book and you can charge a little more. It took me two years to write and publish One Million in the Bank. It also took me two years before that to get on track to even find the topic and inspiration to start that book.
How I Got Started
First Book Attempt
I first tried to write a book in high school. I had a pencil and notebook paper. It was a war story and looking back I did not have the experience to write that book. But I never got very far anyway. Writing a book with pencil and paper was hard and I was only 16 years old. Over the years I have tried again and again, but never got very far, then it happened.
365 Page Book
I call it my “365 Page Book.” What I wrote about was everything in my life? I wrote about my childhood, West Point, the Army, everything. It is easy to write about yourself and make them small chapters 1,000 words unless you feel like letting it flow, then let it flow. Make an outline, like for me, “Fishing with My Grandparents,” “Saved my brother”, “Getting accepted to West Point,” and any and all stories you can think of. The big events will be easy to remember but write about the little events too. This will get you in the habit of writing with very little stress. As a bonus, it will be a good chronically of your life for your family. This is not a daily journal. It is your life story.
Finding Your Book Idea
While I was writing this, I kept trying to think of an idea for my real book. I started a few pages many times even a 15,000 word start on a novel, then got stuck (I can tell you how to never get stuck too, maybe later.) Then I thought I found it, I was 30,000 words in a Goal Setting book. My adult lawyer son read it and made the comment, that there was nothing new in my book and needed stories. So I set it aside to start over but decided to interview someone and get a story. So I got my first story, by interviewing a plant nursery business owner. Wow, what a story. He made himself a millionaire from nothing. That was the beginning of One Million in the Bank and it lead to 7 awards.
Advantages Of Writing A Book
First, it will probably not make you any money. But it could, so you can dream. Even if your book doesn’t make money, there are substantial rewards:
1. People will think you are pretty smart and give you more respect than you probably deserve. I am amazed, people will say “I never meet an author before.”
2. If you have a business, even a very short book can greatly enhance your status as an expert in many ways.
3. You will feel a huge sense of accomplishment. It will make you feel very good and give you bragging rights.
4. For my business book, I learned so much in writing my book. It made me feel young and invigorated.
5. For my novel, it is exciting and often a surprise to see how you can be creative with your characters. Plus I am learning about the craft of writing a novel. Again it is invigorating.
6. With just a little luck you might make some money, but the odds are against you.
Get Started Today
Pick a favorite memory and start writing about it today. Seriously, do it. And if you quit or miss a day, feel no guilt, just pick it up where you left off. Good luck!
Related from my blog:
One Million in the Bank-Starting My Book
by Mike | Oct 27, 2016 | Biggest Problems, Business ownership, Finding Money, News, Planning, Types of Business, Venture Capital |
Live Your Dream
Do you want to live your dream? Most people dream of happiness, freedom, and the ability to do the things you really want to do. Most people do not dream of having a stack of money, or dream of a bank statement that shows you have $1,000,000. Having $1,000,000 does not guarantee anything, except that you can say you have $1,000,000. But being a millionaire, and being careful and responsible, allows all the other things to happen more easily. In many cases without good financial resources, many people are stuck in a life they wish was better.
Good News
Opportunity is everywhere, we all know that, but then why hasn’t everyone made $1,000,000 yet? I have covered so many stories of people doing it with regular businesses everywhere. They are not extra smart, definitely not richer, and they don’t know the secret handshake. Opportunity is there, but you must take action. Recently in my Google+ Community, a man complained he had no head for business and has failed twice. I told him, his feeling that he has “no head for business” really was just not having the experience and training. I told him if he thoroughly researched his next business, identified his weaknesses and strengthened those areas, and also sought advice and help from others like the SBDC and SCORE-he might then just have a very good head for business.
So many people take off half-cocked or not cocked at all. Just settle down, get started and systematically get ready, then start your business.
Don’t Pass Up Low-Risk Opportunities
This may not be a good example of a thorough plan, but it is for grabbing an opportunity for with low risk. What if you saw a school bus for sale on eBay for $350?
The $350 School Bus!
Drive Fron Maine
Would you buy it? I know of an individual always looking for business opportunities, Gabriel. He saw a bus for sale for $350, the ad said it was old but operational. He bought it sight unseen then found out it was in Maine if he wanted it, he had to go to Maine and drive it back to Texas. That is exactly what he did. On the way back he noticed an old Pizza Hut was selling its furniture He pulled over, bought several pieces for next to nothing and loaded it into the bus. He was thinking what a great way to redo the interior of the bus. He was already thinking of fixing it up and reselling it, or maybe rent it out as a party bus.
An Adventure
The whole trip was a great adventure and would give him some great memories. But on the trip, it gave him a lot of time to think about how to use his new bus. He did notice on the way back to Texas that the bus had a pretty good smoke trail coming out of the exhaust, he knew he would have to take care of that too. A new muffler cost more than the bus but it had to be replaced. The total cost of fixing it up to rent out was about $3,500.
Now a Party Bus!
He now rents it out for $450/night, 5-8 times/month and gets referral fees for when he is overbooked.
This is just another example of keeping your eyes open for opportunity and taking a small calculated risk as a way to make some extra income to help you get to $1,000,000 in the bank.
Create an Opportunity
Even more unique is Gabriel’s business model as a Business Incubator, which can be found at www.TechStudios.net. His company motto is “Ideas taken to execution.” If someone has a business idea but does not know how to start, how to get the money, or how to find the time, he will get the company started and tested. He will put the plan together, assemble the team, find the means to finance the operation and get the company going.
If you have an idea, look for help from SCORE, SBDC, or a consultant.
The original idea generator can buy it all back later if he wants the whole company. In one sense this is a variation on asking your friends for ideas, to be discussed later, except he lets clients bring ideas to him and gets paid to develop their ideas.
Live Your Dream Boldly
You have to be cautious to not do just anything to make money; you must do things that could lead to $1,000,000. Gabriel will admit his party bus will never make him $1,000,000. Maybe it possibly could if he got more organized, and maybe located party buses in different cities or maybe even franchise the idea. But he really did not want to pursue it. It is best to decide on a business that will have the kind of cash flow and net profit needed to make you enough to save $1,000,000. Do your research, make a business plan and get adviser help. Of course, you may need partners for the money to start and grow, but a good plan and your own confidence can get you the money you need.
Find Your Way to the Door of Opportunity.
In my interviews with people who have become millionaires from nothing, I agree wholeheartedly that almost any business can get you to $1,000,000 in the bank with good execution, sales, and marketing. A solid plan well researched and yet keep your eyes out for low-risk opportunities. Get your head in the game…………..start your plan to save $1,000,000. Allow yourself to live your dream.
Get One Million in the Bank today for yourself or someone you want to help. Also, I appreciate your comments and sharing the post if you liked it.
Michael L. F. Slavin Author of 7-time award-winning One Million in the Bank: How To Make $1,000,000 With Your Own Business, Even If You have No Money Or Experience
www.onemillioninthebank.com
by Mike | Mar 12, 2014 | Biggest Problems, Finding Money, Raising money |
Anyone can learn to raise money.
It was in my “in between years”, the seven years I struggled after I was recruited out of the Army and before I started my company which would make me a millionaire in four years. It was the first time I had tried to raise any money. My partner on this deal was the real estate expert and we only needed $200,000 to get this piece of land and he assured me we could flip it for a big profit. (more…)
by Mike | Feb 15, 2014 | Biggest Problems, Business ownership, It is a Journey, Million in the Bank, Planning |
I have heard so many stories of people in the last few weeks that have put $1,000,000 in their bank account. I have interviewed on the phone about 8 people- 4 have at least $1,000,000 or more in the bank, 3 will have $1,000,000 or more in the bank, and 1 could have $1,000,000 but is in her 70’s and is very happy with her single location very successful book store. None of these businesses were exotic- a bakery, a plant nursery, a book store, a clothing store and tried and true types of business of all types. (more…)
by Mike | Feb 15, 2014 | Biggest Problems, Business ownership, It is a Journey, Million in the Bank, Planning, Starting Out |
SCORE and the SBDC
SCORE and the SBDC are tremendous assets. I am very excited about my investigation of these two agencies that could really be helpful to so many people. Get free advice and education at SCORE and the SBDC, do not pass up these resources.. In short SCORE has retired executives who can help you start or improve your existing business; the Small Business Development Council (SBDC) has professional counselors to help you do the same. Both organizations also have educational courses very cheap or free. (more…)
