Melissa Perri · 9 min read · Product Discovery
What I Wish I Knew Before Writing a Book
Read the original on melissaperri.substack.com →
The author reflects on lessons learned from writing two business books, emphasizing the importance of defining a clear message and audience, building an audience early, and understanding the motives and potential impact of publishing. He also discusses the evolving publishing landscape, credibility, and the realities of the writing process, highlighting that a book is not a guaranteed shortcut to wealth.
Key Takeaways
- Clarify your core message and audience, and test interest through conference talks, blog posts, and social media before writing.
- Build your audience before you write and stay true to your beliefs as you develop the manuscript.
- Be deliberate about your reasons for writing a book—reach more people, boost credibility, and expand your impact beyond other channels.
- Expect writing to be time-intensive and plan accordingly; don’t rely on a book as a shortcut to wealth.
- Stay aware of the changing publishing and content landscape (LinkedIn, podcasts, etc.) and how it affects credibility and reach.
Excerpt
I’ve been reflecting on what I learned writing two business books and wanted to share those insights that I wish someone had shared with me before I started. Escaping the Build Trap has sold over 75,000 copies in 5 years, and my second book Product Operations came out just a few months ago. If you're considering writing a business book, here are some of the biggest lessons I've learned that might help you. Know What You Want to Say Before You Begin Writing a book really boils down to caring deeply about what you're trying to say. Back when I…