Laura Schaefer's Blog

You just know, right? Perhaps. But you could probably use a few specific metrics to judge the quality of a nonfiction book, particularly if you're looking to hire a ghostwriter. 1. A book should have a central idea that is easy to understand. Simple = good.2. A book should be elegantly written, meaning its chapters each have a clear purpose and flow in a pleasing way, with a clean structure and a conversational tone.3. The best books offer clarity: they get to the point and don't have a lot of extra words or jargon.4. Finally, a book should be stimulating. It must evoke emotion and curiosity. It guides readers right to the heart of key moments of transformation, both in your own life and in the lives and careers of your clients. You should be choosy about what to include.Your book isn't really about you (wait...what?). Stay with me. Your book is about the reader. Stay relentlessly focused on that one person and how each part of your book exists to help her. Your book should be conceived and executed with a heart of service. How will your book serve and uplift others? How will it move them closer to their goals? How will it help them see the world differently?

1. They begin at the beginning. Sounds like a very good place to start, right? Wrong. One of the first things I ask during a free consult call is this: “Imagine your book is done and perfect. What’s next?” I ask this question because I want to understand what result you seek with your book. What will your book do for you, for your business, for your clients? What need will it meet? What problem will it solve? By starting at the end, from the future, we can work backward to create the best book possible.2. They say their book is for “everyone.” AUGHHHHHH! Your book is not for everyone. Very, very few books are for everyone. Even Harry Potter isn’t for everyone. I challenge you to describe your ideal reader to me...to a person. I want to know that individual's problems. Their age. Their interests. The pop cultural references they love. The best books and coaching practices speak to a specific niche. If you want to reach everyone, we’ll have to write many, many books together. I’m cool with that. But let’s just start with one reader and write for her.3. They don’t focus. I want readers to get a clear sense of your book and its main idea from the title and subtitle alone. It won’t work well to say, “I just want to tell my story because I think it can help people.” Yes. Telling your story WILL help people. But you won’t get anyone to pick up your title and actually read it in the first place unless you get more specific than this in your overall concept. Tell me why someone should care. Tell me what you’ve figured out that very few people have. Tell me how you’re going to challenge conventional wisdom. Surprise me. Make me think, “Huh. That’s new.”4. They fail to dig deep. You can have a very strong hook, a very narrow niche, and still fall short of excellence by failing to push yourself while we are working together. Now, I’m not saying write a book has to be difficult. Far from it. Writing a book with me is fun and cathartic because I’m a goofball. But you have to dig deep within yourself and share the truest truths you’ve ever learned. You have to be willing to ask yourself, over and over if necessary, “What is the ONE MAIN THING I want to teach?” I cannot have surface-level summaries of your knowledge. I need stories...the more unusual, the better. I need to understand the key moment of transformation for you. The moments of transformation you’ve seen in your clients. Give me the good stuff and don’t save anything for your second book.5. They over-focus on costs and unit sales to the detriment of the big picture. Producing a good book costs money and time. It won’t do to scrimp on a ghostwriter or a cover designer. If you’ve been wanting to create a book for years, now is not the time to hire someone for a couple grand on Fiverr and hope for the best. Similarly, it’s unwise to expect book sales to recoup all of your costs immediately. Selling books isn’t easy, so I encourage you to think about ten ways having a book will help your business that have nothing to do with your sales ranking on Amazon. Will having a great book increase the number of speaking engagements you’ll schedule next year? Will it change the perception your customers have of your business or your level of expertise? Will it create a runway for a different product? Will it create a legacy for your children and grandchildren? Figure this out ahead of time so we write the right book.I am taking on a very limited number of new clients in 2020. I hope you will be one of them. With love, Laura Laura Schaefer: Book Nerd At Large

1. They begin at the beginning. Sounds like a very good place to start, right? Wrong. One of the first things I ask during a free consult call is this: “Imagine your book is done and perfect. What’s next?” I ask this question because I want to understand what result you seek with your book. What will your book do for you, for your business, for your clients? What need will it meet? What problem will it solve? By starting at the end, from the future, we can work backward to create the best book possible.2. They say their book is for “everyone.” AUGHHHHHH! Your book is not for everyone. Very, very few books are for everyone. Even Harry Potter isn’t for everyone. I challenge you to describe your ideal reader to me...to a person. I want to know that individual's problems. Their age. Their interests. The pop cultural references they love. The best books and coaching practices speak to a specific niche. If you want to reach everyone, we’ll have to write many, many books together. I’m cool with that. But let’s just start with one reader and write for her.3. They don’t focus. I want readers to get a clear sense of your book and its main idea from the title and subtitle alone. It won’t work well to say, “I just want to tell my story because I think it can help people.” Yes. Telling your story WILL help people. But you won’t get anyone to pick up your title and actually read it in the first place unless you get more specific than this in your overall concept. Tell me why someone should care. Tell me what you’ve figured out that very few people have. Tell me how you’re going to challenge conventional wisdom. Surprise me. Make me think, “Huh. That’s new.”4. They fail to dig deep. You can have a very strong hook, a very narrow niche, and still fall short of excellence by failing to push yourself while we are working together. Now, I’m not saying write a book has to be difficult. Far from it. Writing a book with me is fun and cathartic because I’m a goofball. But you have to dig deep within yourself and share the truest truths you’ve ever learned. You have to be willing to ask yourself, over and over if necessary, “What is the ONE MAIN THING I want to teach?” I cannot have surface-level summaries of your knowledge. I need stories...the more unusual, the better. I need to understand the key moment of transformation for you. The moments of transformation you’ve seen in your clients. Give me the good stuff and don’t save anything for your second book.5. They over-focus on costs and unit sales to the detriment of the big picture. Producing a good book costs money and time. It won’t do to scrimp on a ghostwriter or a cover designer. If you’ve been wanting to create a book for years, now is not the time to hire someone for a couple grand on Fiverr and hope for the best. Similarly, it’s unwise to expect book sales to recoup all of your costs immediately. Selling books isn’t easy, so I encourage you to think about ten ways having a book will help your business that have nothing to do with your sales ranking on Amazon. Will having a great book increase the number of speaking engagements you’ll schedule next year? Will it change the perception your customers have of your business or your level of expertise? Will it create a runway for a different product? Will it create a legacy for your children and grandchildren? Figure this out ahead of time so we write the right book.I am taking on a very limited number of new clients in 2020. I hope you will be one of them. With love, Laura Laura Schaefer: Book Nerd At Large

I agree with the central Gary Vee (and Ken "Spanky" Moskowitz) message: give, give, give. So that's what I'm doing today.Message me for a copy of my all new and totally free ebook, WRITE YOUR BOOK IN 6 EASY STEPS. It's fun, it's valuable, and it'll help you. GET IT.

My favorite part of being a ghostwriter, editor and writing coach, hands down, is meeting truly remarkable people. Anyone with the focus and the guts to write a book is someone to admire and to celebrate. Andrea M. Pearson, founder of Slaying It! Books, is no exception. Throughout the process of working together over the last several months, Andrea and I found we share many things in common. We are both mothers, new Floridians with Northern roots, hard workers, and dedicated entrepreneurs who get up early and can’t help but share ideas and helpful advice with those in our circles.For some great information about Andrea’s experience releasing her excellent book Single Mom…Slaying It!, check out today’s Q and A:What inspired you to write a book?Being a single mom myself, I see all the struggles that other single moms face. I wanted to write a book to inspire and empower them. I wanted single moms to know they aren’t alone in their journey and that they can not only survive, but thrive as well.What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who want to write a book? My advice would be to break it down into bite size pieces. Start with an outline and table of contents. Schedule in your work so that you are committed to working on your book daily, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day. Always remember your why, because that will allow you to push through the times when it’s difficult. I would pick a topic that you are passionate about and make it personal so the reader can connect with you.How was the writing process? How long did it take for you personally?I’m sure each author will have their own process. For me, I wrote out my first draft rather quickly. Then I did research and added to it. As a result, I had to do a lot of editing to rearrange the flow of the book. You learn a lot throughout the process. I learned what I needed to do at each point that I needed to know it. You could get easily overwhelmed if you feel the need to know it all upfront.I honestly don’t know how many work hours it was since the process was so broken up. I did it a little bit here and there when I could. My book took me about two years to complete, because I took my time and took breaks from it. This allowed me to come up with new ideas and see it with fresh eyes. I work full-time and am a single mom, so I don’t have much down time to write. It really took me being disciplined to actually complete it.Can you speak about your experience with publishing? Were the platforms you chose difficult or expensive to use?As a first-time author and not extremely tech savvy, I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of self-publishing. These platforms walk you through the process. Of course, I had the help of Laura formatting the manuscript for me. It would have been much more tedious for me to figure it out on my own. I am a big fan of outsourcing areas you are not strong in so that you can focus on the areas you excel.Both platforms, Amazon and Smashwords, have resources to answer your questions along the way. Smashwords has an extremely informative podcast, The Smart Author, that really helps break down the overall process as well as tips for marketing your book. I highly suggest listening to them as early in the process as you can. I wish I had known about it while I was writing my book. Both platforms have dashboards where you can create author profiles and see your sales reports. Each offer slightly different services and tools.You're getting lots of positive reviews already. How does it feel?It is the most amazing feeling to get reviews for my book. I love when readers tell me they felt the same way as I did and it helped knowing they weren’t the only ones who experienced it. My book is helping them not feel as alone. Many readers tell me they are inspired by me. The feedback has been incredible so far. They all say the book is an easy read yet full of wonderful information. It means a lot to me that someone took the time to purchase, read and write up a review. We live in an extremely busy world, so to receive a review is a huge compliment to me and makes me feel good about writing the book. I hope many people benefit from it.Single Mom…Slaying It! is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon and Smashwords. Grab your copy today, and don’t forget to leave a review!

The short answer is: “Yes!”I admit I am biased. Let’s dig a little deeper into this question to determine if now is the time for you and I to work together.1. The answer is yes if your desire to write a book has gone from a vague dream to a specific goal with a set timeframe. You know what you want to say and you are determined to finish and publish your book THIS YEAR. You’ve made your decision; the rest is just details. In other words, you’re already writing your book or you’ve been thinking about it consistently for some time. You are brimming with ideas and you do research in your spare time. You are unstoppable.2. The answer is yes if you have the time to work on your book. Even with the help of a ghostwriter, writing a book of any length is a time commitment. If you hire me, I may write every single word in the manuscript as well as edit and organize the whole thing. But all the ideas, stories and content come from you. And once you’ve shared all of that with me (which takes time, whether it’s in person, over the phone, or via email), you’ll need to review my work. We’ll be in partnership getting the final book to exactly where you want it. Polishing a book, ensuring the reality matches your vision, and getting it published takes time—even with the help and skills of an experienced ghostwriter.3. The answer is yes if you want to help people. When I speak on the phone with authors who hope to work with me, I see a red flag if all they talk about is wanting to be a New York Times bestseller. That’s a worthy and awesome goal—one I’d never discourage. But if this book project is only about you and raising your own profile, it’s not going to work. Write to serve and to help. Let the bestseller lists worry about themselves. A corollary to this: I appreciate it when clients are open to self-publishing via Amazon or other services. Traditional publishing has its merits, but it’s a long and often grueling road. First, write your book. Then think about whether you’d like to go through the process of putting together a proposal and a query letter, attracting the attention of the right literary agent, and waiting as he or she works to sell your project.4. The answer is yes if you’re ready to invest in the project. I have two packages for my clients: one is $9,000, and one is $24,000. The first package is for people who either want a short (under 100-page) book or are ready to do the majority of the actual writing themselves. These folks hire me to organize ideas, coach them as they write, ask probing questions and edit their work once they are done. The $24,000 package is for longer books (150-200 pages) and for projects in which I’ll be doing the majority of the writing after collecting the client’s ideas and stories via recorded calls or video chats. A hybrid of these two options is possible; I’m a flexible person. If these numbers are out of reach but you really want to work with me, I do offer lower-priced editing or coaching services.That’s it! I hope I’ve provided some good insights about how I think as a ghostwriter and the questions you should ask yourself before we talk. I love books and I love my clients. I learn from each and every one of them and I look forward to learning from you when you are ready.Much love,Laura

1. How does a book fit into your larger goals for yourself, your family, and your organization? What will having a completed book mean for you? Tell me why 2019 is the year for your book.2. A bestselling book changes the conversation about an important topic. Your book needs to be about something you care so much about you can barely stand not talking about it all the time. If you had the world's undivided attention for six hours, what would you say?3. As you consider a book project, take some time to notice the words, phrases and ideas that you tend to use again and again in your own writing and speaking. These will form the potential book chapters or themes for the whole book.4. Tell me about a time someone asked if you had a book. I want to picture, to the person, your ideal reader.5. People get attention for their books when they challenge conventional wisdom. Here's an example from Radical Candor: "From the time we learn to speak, we’re told that if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. When you become a manager, it’s your job to say it--and your obligation." What are some ways you've challenged conventional wisdom in your life? How will your book challenge it?

If you've ever sat down at your computer, opened up good ole Microsoft Word, and began working on your book, you know it's tough to keep your enthusiasm level high and finish what you've started. The first paragraph pours out of you. The fiftieth? Not so much. That's why busy professionals and business owners work with ghostwriters like myself. A ghostwriter gets it done. In my case, I've written dozens of books, so the process doesn't scare me at all. I relish it. As I've mentioned in the past, I was the student who did her homework on Friday night. (True story.) If you're serious about getting your book done in 2019, I am the professional you need to make the dream a reality. To help you take the important step of hiring a ghostwriter, I've crafted two distinct offerings for 2019. The first is my Express Service. This is for those of you who want your book written and want it done YESTERDAY. If this sounds like something you've been looking for, I'm pleased to tell you that one of my ghostwriting superpowers is SPEED. I'm fast and I'm good. If you hire me, you won't spend days or weeks waiting around for deliverables. Here's what you can expect if you choose my Express Service:Four 30-minute calls to capture your best ideas and insightsUp to 10 pieces of existing content reviewed for inclusion in your bookBook written and one revision providedProfessional author bio and book summaryA list of five potential titles for your bookFormatting for print and digitalThe result is a complete 75-100-page book in under six weeksPerhaps, however, you have a bigger project in mind. You've been wanting to write your book for years. You're ready to dig in and create a masterpiece. Your goal is to reach bestseller status, and you'd like a more traditional 150-200 page length. In that case, my Boutique Experience is your best bet:Six 60-minute calls to capture your best ideas and insightsUnlimited review and adaptation of existing content for inclusionBook written and two revisions providedFormatting for print and digitalA list of 10 potential titles for your bookProfessional author bio and book summaryEnjoy a complete 150-200-page book in 12-15 weeksReady to get started? Excellent timing. Both packages are on sale through February 15, 2019. Book me now and enjoy 10% off. (I work at my kitchen table. But hey, someday I might be cool enough to work on your book from a mountain. You never know.)

Here’s the deal: my family has owned our home here in Florida for over two years now, and we are really getting settled in. We painted the exterior, we’ve purchased mulch, we’ve power washed the driveway. The place looks great! But, being human, I want more.Our house happens to be located next to an empty lot—that we own. Yes, it is amazing. As of right now, we aren’t using the space at all, other than keeping it nicely mowed so all the neighbor kids can play on it. It’s just grass, two palm trees, and one lonely magnolia tree. The space is begging to be developed. I’m thinking we need to put down a large brick patio next to the house with a fire pit, then buy one of those sweet outdoor ping pong tables.I also definitely require a hot tub.So, what’s the problem? Well, I’m scared to hire a contractor to make it all happen. Every single person you ever talk to about working with a contractor has a horror story. You know what I mean. It goes something like this: The project cost went waaay past the bid. The contractor simply didn’t show up when they said they would. There was a problem with pulling permits, or a problem with the HOA.At the end of the day, it seems like most people who do a home renovation of any kind end up aging five years in the process.Anyway, say I have $6,000 to spend on putting in a patio and a nice privacy fence (humor me). If I give a contractor the go ahead based on a bid of that amount, I cannot have him coming to me in two or three months asking for more money. That just will not work. I’ve already spent it on health insurance, my dude.So, I keep putting off this dream project.I’m wondering if anyone else out there is in my shoes, but with a writing-related project instead of a home improvement scheme. You know you want to do an e-book with a collaborator, for example, but you’re a little worried about engaging a writer. What if it takes too long? What if there are hidden costs? What if you end up not liking the result?It’s scary. We all work very hard for our money, and we want to use it wisely. We want to invest in things that will solve problems, bring us joy, or offer real value to others. We do not want to spend money on processes that will age us five years in three months.If I could talk to some higher authority in my neighborhood who could assure me that a patio contractor would never, ever charge me more than the initial bid, would finish the project on time, and would answer my calls or emails within 24 hours, I might be more open to the idea. I want to hire a contractor who would care about me, really own the result of their work, and address my concerns with thoughtfulness.This contractor would understand that the money I’m spending on this project is hard-earned. I’d want to feel like we could be friends. (I know, it’s a lot to ask…this is why I have no patio, people!)What’s the point of this post? The point is, I can’t build you a patio. But I am a contractor, and I’m a contractor who cares. If there’s a writing or book project tickling your brain, but you’re holding back because of fear of getting burned, let’s talk. Perhaps I can assuage your worries. It’s worth a shot.Also, please give me a free hot tub. Thank you. This image is in no way representative of my housing situation. ~The author

Something cool happened to me this year. I discovered Brooke Castillo, a powerhouse coach and entrepreneur based in Dallas. Brooke is a wonderful teacher who does a weekly podcast, now consisting of more than 225 episodes. She discusses all the things that can hold us back in life—anxiety, limiting beliefs, drama, a victim mentality—and all the things that can power us forward in huge, amazing ways—planning, believing in impossible things, setting goals, gratitude and unconditional love.I listen to Brooke nearly every day because I heard a few years ago that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with each week. I know it’s a little weird that one of mine is a voice on a podcast I’ve never met in real life, but what can you do? She’s amazing—on track to earn $100 million and help thousands of people while doing it! Anyway, today Brooke and the woman she interviewed, Stacey Smith, talked about a very cool concept called the Triangle and why it’s so important for entrepreneurs and coaches. I want to share this idea with you.A triangle has to form in order for any kind of sale to happen. Think of it as three points that must connect. 1. The first connection is between the coach or business owner and her product or service. That connection consists of the business owner’s unshakeable belief in the value of the thing she is offering the world.2. The second connection is between the business owner and her client. It is a belief on the part of the client that the business owner is trustworthy, capable and talented.3. Finally, the third connection is between the client and the service or product itself. A sale only happens when a client believes without question that the service will solve a problem for her—or create new opportunities.You can see why all three connection points are absolutely crucial. This concept reveals why referrals are so valuable to coaches and other entrepreneurs. It’s why so many thought leaders and business owners like Brooke offer free content to their audience in the form of blog posts, books, and podcasts.There will come a time when I hire Brooke, and I’ll feel 100% confident in doing so because I feel I already know her via the hundreds of hours of free content she offers. In fact, by providing all of that free material, Brooke has connected two parts of her Triangle. She’s made me feel that I know her, which makes me believe in her. She’s also given me the time to fully connect with, and believe in, her product. Beautiful.As you work to grow your coaching or consulting business, think about this idea on a regular basis. I’m going to assume the first part of your triangle is rock solid—you wouldn’t even have a business if you didn’t believe in yourself and your offering. But it’s worth spending more time thinking about connections two and three. How can you begin to build new relationships with potential clients? How can you offer more value upfront so these clients start to believe in your service or product before they've even see a contract?I humbly submit that one way to do it is by writing a book. Think about it, and give me a call. Have a great day!