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Bookcraft 2.0: Find a Book in Your Archives the Way a Publisher Would

Filed Under Business Book, Content, Strategy, Successful Blog, Writing | 45 Comments

Bookcraft 2.0

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When his talk was over, the questions were answered, and so many copies of 10 Ways to Make It Great!were sold and signed, Phil Gerbyshak and I left the elegant Chase Tower, Chicago, for a restaurant. Through the course of the afternoon we dreamed up a service for bloggers and speakers, who wanted to put their hard-written content to work. It was a cool idea that fit my skill set. It got named Bookcraft 2.0 — a way to repurpose existing content into a book the way a publisher would.

Here is what you should know about this series/case study, Bookcraft 2.0, going in:

    1. This series is crafted so that you can look over my shoulder as we repurpose content into a printed book. We’ll discuss every step in the evolution from pile of blog posts to finished book.

    2. Phil’s Archives will be the content.

    3. I’ll identify approrpiate content that Phil approves, and we’ll make a book.

    4. I’ll write a series about each step so that everyone can watch what we do. This, of course, is the first entry in the series.

    5. The series centers on making a print book from existing content. A print version easily can be offered as an ebook. The reverse can be significantly harder.

    6. I might forget to name or detail some decisions. If you have questions, please ask. I’m happy to explain what I do or how I do something.

Now let’s check Phil’s archives for book ideas. Think we can find one? two? three?

Checking Phil’s Archives

Bookcraft 2.0 began this week, and I’m delighted to report it’s progressing as expected. Here’s what has happened so far.
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How to Make Sure Real People Read Your Book

Filed Under Business Book, Content, Successful Blog, Writing | 23 Comments

Bad Books Are Everywhere

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When he was in 6th grade, my son interviewed me for his school newspaper. He wanted to know what I liked about being publisher more than being a teacher. I said

I can make sure kids never have to read a boring book again.

I meant that.

The world has too many dead books already. We really don’t need to make more.

If you’re building a book, you’re investing real energy. Don’t you want to be sure folks will read it when you’re through?

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Write a Book? Assemble the One in Your Archives!

Filed Under Branding, Content, Idea Bank, Productivity, Strategy, Successful Blog, Writing | 84 Comments

Turning One Kind of Content into Another

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In July of 1995, I met with president and the major partner/owner of a company in trouble. The company had one product earning and was losing 10% a year. They laid out the problem and asked my solution. Thinking I had nothing to lose, I told them.

I’d get on a plane to the UK next week; find the best product they had to offer; repurpose it to perfectly meet this market; and get it out there earning as fast as I could.

My blood sugar dropped when the partner replied, “You’re going to London.”

We made new products by turning one kind of content into another.

Want to write a book? You probably have one almost done in your archives.
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