by Guest contributor | Mar 3, 2014 | Travel Live Learn in the media, Traveller tales and interviews
Welcome to step two of a six part series on how to prepare for the book writing process. If you missed the first article in this series: Step One – How to Begin the Book Writing Process, here’s the link.
Before you can write a book that will be embraced, you must first understand your reader. Keep in mind that there are many ways to gather this information. Some future authors initiate casual conversations, do online research, join topic appropriate groups or create surveys. I suggest all authors start in the bookstore. It’s a great place to begin the journey from where you are now to bestselling author status. While at the bookstore take notice of the huge sections are dedicated to the popular topics.
The following questions are important to first ask yourself and then ask people who might be the market for your book.
Who’s going to read your book?
The first and most important thing is to think about the audience. What interests them? What are their challenges, what excites them and motivates them to do, be and have more? Are they intent on losing weight, having a great relationship, reaching a higher level of success, being able to afford that new car or paying for their kid’s sports season?
Know what interests them
Maybe your audience is other business owners. If so, this should be even easier. What are they interested in? Are they focused on increasing revenue, decreasing costs, gaining the competitive edge, or is it some new industry or legislative change that has them alarmed?
What challenges are they facing?
Keeping an eye on what your readers are experiencing is always a good idea. Often writers find a niche and stay within it so they can focus on a particular market. They easily understand the reader, their challenges and their daily life. This allows the author to offer insightful solutions and increase their own credibility. Finding a niche and sticking with it can lead to “expert” status. Apart from writing, this elevated status could open doors to speaking, training and consulting.
What excites them?
Understanding their hopes, dreams and desires is just as important as knowing the reader’s challenges. By getting a picture of what they are striving for, the writer can shed light on how they might get it. People are frequently too close to their situation to see a clear path to what they want. While they struggle, an outsider’s viewpoint can steer them in the right direction. A knowledgeable writer, with insights into an audience, will be in a unique position to impact individuals, and the group, while standing out as a leader.
The reader needs to be present at every stage of the writing process. Keeping in touch with them mentally, will keep you on the right track towards delivering a book that is well received and valuable.
You won’t want to miss the next part of this series, Step Three – Starting the Book Marketing Process.
Did you read part one on how to begin your book?
About the author
Speaker, author, TV host of Focus Forward, Lauri Flaquer has extensive entrepreneurial and media experience. As founder of Saltar Solutions, she guides her clientele of international business owners to excel as entrepreneurs. Formally in TV production at NBC, CNBC and Bloomberg LP, Lauri produces/ hosts Focus Forward, a show dedicated to helping entrepreneurs soar! Lauri has been the publicist and marketing director for several best-selling book campaigns. To learn more about marketing contact Lauri or Tweet her, @SaltarSolutions.
Are you in the process of writing a book, or have you just finished one? We’d love it if you left a comment below, or found us on Facebook or Twitter. And if you think others would find this series useful, go ahead and share :-)
by Sarah Blinco | Apr 14, 2012 | South America, Travel blogger destinations, Traveller tales and interviews
Another day, another guest interview, and tonight I’m excited to offer some insights into one that is definitely on my own ‘to do’ list, PERU. Simply *amazing*.
Name: Kim Shields
Occupation: Teacher
Age: 33
Destination: Peru
What’s so cool about this place? Peru is filled with amazing scenery, people and wildlife. Every town and city has an interesting history to tell. My husband and I travelled with Intrepid on the Highlights of Peru trip. It took us from the city of Lima to Pisco, the Nazca, Araquipa, Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, Picchu, Aguas Calientes and the Amazon Jungle.
Why did you decide to go? Peru seemed to offer everything we wanted in a trip. I love the outdoors, love wildlife and love seeing places that are so different from what we have here in Australia. It had the right mix.
Favourite part/experiences of your trip? The trek to Maccha Pichu was the major highlight. Parts of it were hard but I love something that is physically challenging and the reward at the end was worth it. The Amazon Basin was also amazing to see. There is such a vast array of wildlife and magnificent trees that are centuries old. Lake Titicaca was also special. When you see what people can build out of reeds from the lake it blows your mind. With Intrepid we were able to have a homestay with one of the local rural families that reside at Lake Titicaca. They are extremely hard workers and life remains simple and uncomplicated for them. We were treated to a village dance in which we were to dress in the local costumes and also a fantastic game of soccer against the local villagers.
How did you get around? After flying into Lima via Santiago the majority of movement was by bus. Some were big buses and some were small. You can expect that not all buses will be in the best of condition. We had an overnight trip on one where the toilet door wasn’t staying shut and the foulest of smells wafted through the back of the bus. We took a very short flight (filled with many air pockets) from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and then back to Lima after returning from the Amazon Jungle. We travelled by boat down the Amazon River to our destination. This was a great way to see the wildlife and surrounds.
What would you recommend other people do? We went sand-boarding in Huacachina, outside Araquipa, and it was fantastic. You arrive at a road-side restaurant with little sand in view. They then whisk you up and over the nearby hill in a sand buggy and it opens up onto this amazing expanse of rolling sand hills. The buggy weaves up and down the sides at great speeds giving all on board a thrilling ride. The board riding is fantastic. I recommend forgetting the trying to stand part (unless you’re a pro) and lying down on the board head first. This was lots of fun. There is also a flashy looking Italian restaurant just off the square in Cuzco that offered a nice break from the local cuisine.
Any accommodation you would recommend? We had no problems at all with any of the accommodation that we stayed in. It was all prearranged by Intrepid and whilst not luxury you know that you will have somewhere to stay that meets the standards of the company and most that travel with them.
Anything you didn’t like about this travel destination? The bus trips are long between the destinations but there is little chance of avoiding this if you want to see all that Peru has to offer. There were parts of the west coast that I would not bother with seeing if I had the trip over again.
An insider’s tip based on your travel experience to this destination? We were lucky but I have heard many stories of people getting gastro on the trek to Macchu Picchu. Be careful with what you consume and hit the chemist for all the electrolytes and gastro stop before you go. You may be unlucky enough to get altitude sickness, especially if you fly straight into the high country. There are apparently some medications you can take but the locals will also advise coca tea which seems to work.
What’s your number one travel tip? Always research the country you are going to. While the world is a wonderful place to explore you need to know where to go and where not to, and how to fit in when you get there.
And your next (ideal) travel destination? I am looking forward to a ski holiday, Canada or Europe.
by Sarah Blinco | Apr 10, 2012 | Europe, Travel blogger destinations, Traveller tales and interviews
How remiss, Sugoi Travel & Style is in need of a little update… too much work and not enough play for this space’s moderator ;-)
Not to worry, you’re all in for some special treats over the coming few weeks. The Escape Travel / Back Roads Blogging adventure begins in just 12 days! In the meantime we’re running some special interviews with a few pals who also share a love of travel.
Today, the lovely Melissa Loakes fills us in on some insider’s tips to NORWAY.
Name: Melissa Loakes
Occupation: Marketing/Purchasing
Age: 32
What’s so cool about Norway? It’s spectacularly beautiful, with friendly people and lots to see and do.
Why did you decide to go? I had wanted to visit Norway for years, mostly for its beautiful scenery, and decided that it was time to go!
Favourite part of your trip? The fjords and the surrounding landscapes. The scenery is breathtaking: words and photos can’t really capture the feeling of being completely surrounded by it. There are some lovely little towns on the fjords, too. I particularly liked Rosendal on the Hardangerfjord. I stayed in Bergen and Ålesund in Western Norway, both of which are lovely cities and departure points for fjord tours.
How did you get around? I flew to Bergen and Ålesund. Once there, I walked around the cities and caught buses to places that were on the outskirts. For my trips out on the fjords and to surrounding areas, I pre-booked day tours (these are unguided, but the transport – trains, buses and boats – for each leg of the journey is booked) and a boat trip. I did the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour from Bergen with Fjord Tours; a boat trip on Hardangerfjord (also from Bergen) to Rosendal, to visit Baroniet Rosendal; and the Fjord Experience (to Geirangerfjord and Hjørundfjord) with 62°Nord.
What would you recommend for others? I definitely recommend doing at least one trip on and around the fjords. There are a number of trips available to book through companies such as Fjord Tours and 62°Nord. In Bergen, I recommend a visit to the Bryggen area with its old wooden buildings and the Fløibanen funicular railway to the top of Mt Fløyen for a view over Bergen. If you like Art Nouveau, the Jugendstilsenteret/Art Nouveau Centre in Ålesund has exhibitions about the history of Art Nouveau and some beautiful pieces on display.
Any accommodation you would recommend? The Augustin Hotel in Bergen and the Scandic in Ålesund were clean, comfortable and conveniently located. Both also have good restaurants. I particularly liked the Altona wine bar at the Augustin Hotel in Bergen.
Anything you didn’t like about this travel destination? No.
An insider’s tip based on your travel experience to Norway? If you’re going out on the fjords, bring warm clothes (even in summer), as there can be quite a wind chill.
What’s your number one travel tip? Good research and preparation make for a much smoother trip.
And your next (ideal) travel destination? Israel.
