How to write a best-selling business book with Danielle Hutchinson

When it comes to publishing your book, I bet you’ve heard of editors (hi!), book cover designers, proofreaders, and marketers.   But have you heard of beta readers?   You’re not alone if you haven’t. Most first-time authors I speak to haven’t heard of beta readers, but it’s something I recommend any self-publishing author adds to their publication timeline.   Beta readers will be some of your first readers, reading your book (I know, mind-blowing), before it’s published.   Essentially, they’ll let you know what they think your book, but they’re not reading it to provide reviews or endorsements – those are your ARC readers (advanced reader copy). And they’re not going to come up with suggestions for improvements – that’s what a book editor is for (again, hi!).   Beta readers will be able to tell you if they enjoyed the book or not, what they thought of certain aspects of the book (exercises, questions posed, etc.), if they were confused at any point, what they thought of your research etc. (see below on ‘how to get the most out of your beta readers’ for more help here).   Read the rest of my blog post on beta readers to find out:   -             Why you should use beta readers -             Where to find beta readers -             What questions to ask your beta readers -             When to use beta readers -             How to use feedback from beta readers   You’ll find the blog post on my blog page – https://lnkd.in/eyFr27BA – or just comment BETA in the comments below and I’ll send you the link.   #betareaders #selfpublishing #bookeditor

3 mistakes to avoid before writing your book [I used to be guilty of number 3] 1. Relying too heavily on AI to do the writing for you 2. Skipping the vital outlining/positioning phase 3. Avoiding real conversations about your book idea before you start writing Make these mistakes and watch your book crash and burn: 🔥AI: You won't have a book, you'll have an unorganized trash dump 🔥Skip the outline: You'll never feel confident that your writing the right stuff 🔥Don't talk about your ideas: You will miss vital, real world feedback ⁉️What's one mistake about content creation you used to make? PS: Big thanks to Michael Beltran for shooting this video during the Badass Business Summit! --- 🔥 I'm Jordan Ring, business book ghostwriter, big-picture editor, and author of Nonfiction Alchemy. See if we're a good fit—DM me your questions, or share your idea/outline.

The details in a book do matter. And as our fantastic editor Dave Taylor points out, each individual word has an impact on the manuscript you’re writing.  If you skip out on that process by generating your words with AI, what do you lose out on? In our two-part episode of Intelligent Think, the whole team sat down to discuss AI, where it could be used for books, and compared stories of what we’re seeing with AI out in the industry. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/e-XUdCjm #thoughtleadership #author #writing #bookcoach #editing #editingskills #businesscoach #betterbusinesswriting

5 simple tips to finish a 70,000 word novel in 30 days—even if you've never written one before I wrote my first novel during NaNoWriMo in 2023—something I'd wanted to do my whole life. The draft was not perfect, but it proved it was possible. Since then, I've invested $10k in courses, and I'm drafting my 6th book. Here's the framework for your first novel: 1. Set your 30-day commitment • When exactly will you write each day? Make it nonnegotiable. • What do you need to make it happen?wake up earlier, put your phone on airplane mode. • How will you ensure you don't break the chain? Even one line on your busiest day is progress. --- 2. Answer these 3 questions before you write • Who's your main character, what do they want, and who's in their way? • What are the big sections? (beginning, midpoint, climax, ending) • Can you state this clearly in a one-sentence premise? If yes, your novel is 50% done. --- 3. Turn plot points into chapter notes Under each beat, list scene-level details: • What happens in each scene? How does it serve the main plot? • Which characters play it out? How do they grow or clash? • What obstacle or insight turns the story? --- 4. Draft section by section Your chapter notes are now your prompts. You already have the book in front of you, your only job is to play each scene in your head and describe it on the page. Write non-stop—no back-editing until you're done. --- 5. Accept that THE END is just the beginning Let your draft rest for two weeks, then revise. You'll rewrite, edit, and polish—there's no way around it. But the story exists outside your head now. You can't edit an empty page, but you can always improve a finished manuscript. --- That’s how to draft a complete novel in 30 days. If you’re going to try this, drop your one-line premise in the comments—and follow for more practical tips on how to make a living as a writer.

Most aspiring authors waste money on things they can get for free. I've seen too many spend thousands before they even need to. Here are the FREE resources every aspiring author should use before investing a single dollar: For Writing & Editing: → Grammarly (free version catches 90% of basic errors) → Hemingway Editor (makes your writing clearer and stronger) → ProWritingAid (free limited version for self-editing) For Market Research: → Amazon Best Sellers lists (study your genre's top performers) → Publisher's Marketplace (free deal announcements) → Goodreads (understand what readers actually want) For Learning: → Jane Friedman's blog (industry insights from a veteran) → The Creative Penn podcast (practical publishing advice) → Reedsy's Learning resources (free courses on craft and publishing) For Formatting: → Reedsy Book Editor (clean, professional formatting) → Canva (free version for basic cover mockups and marketing) For Community: → Writing-focused subreddits (r/writing, r/selfpublish) → Local writing groups (search Meetup or Facebook) The truth? You don't need to spend money until you have a polished manuscript and a clear publishing strategy. Save this list. Your future self (and bank account) will thank you. What would you add to this list? Drop your favorite free resources below. 👇

Are you writing a novel and worry about the costs of editing? 😧💵 Getting your book professionally edited rather than relying solely on self-editing, free editing from family members who have no training, or AI is worth the cost because a properly edited book will sell better than one that has multiple issues. But how can you afford it when you're on a tight budget? As promised, here is part two of my blog on how to save money on professional copyediting. https://lnkd.in/e6V2nDFN

Human-Written Books Certification 2025 | Why It Matters for Authors – Book Writing Venture In 2025, the publishing world is undergoing one of the biggest transformations since the rise of eBooks — the Human-Written Books Certification 2025 program. Designed by “The Authors Guild” to verify that a book has been written primarily by a human author rather than AI, this certification is rapidly becoming a badge of credibility for writers and publishers around the globe. Why This Certification Matters: With the explosion of AI-generated content, readers and publishers are increasingly concerned about authenticity. The Human-Written Books Certification acts as proof that a book’s ideas, emotions, and language come from a real person. For authors, it translates into trust — a critical factor in book sales and brand building. Read Full Article: https://lnkd.in/d28cvCqj #WritersCertification #HumanWritten #AuthorRecognition #BookWritingVenture #AuthenticWriting #CertifiedAuthor #UKCertification #WritersCommunity

Continuing from yesterday's video about AI-generated books... They're not as "A1" as you might think! If your reader can tell there’s #ChatGPT in your book, it will almost certainly hurt your reputation.  If you want a book that you’re proud of long-term – make sure you’re going through a process you’ll be proud of too. #ai #writing #writingabook #writingcommunity #writingcoach #books #businessbooks #thoughtleadership

I once told an author to go back and rewrite his book. He had sent it to me for editing. The ideas were beautiful, but the content felt vague. So I told him three things that would make his book stronger: ✅ Add story hooks to each chapter. That’s what keeps readers glued. Every chapter should begin with something that stirs curiosity. ✅ Include your personal experiences. Readers don’t just want theories. They want to see that you’ve walked the path you’re writing about. ✅ Do some research and add references. Quoting existing knowledge or credible sources gives your book authority and makes it stand out. I wasn’t just after adding another project to my portfolio. I care about excellence. I love it when every book that leaves my desk is valuable, clear, and impactful. A few days ago, he sent me a message saying he was almost done with the rewrite. That made me smile. I know I’ll still help him refine his thoughts and restructure his ideas, but there are certain things no editor can add for you — only the author can. Whatever you do, don’t just chase results. Be intentional about the impact you’re creating through your work. Because when you tell your clients the truth, you don’t lose them. You build trust. And that trust keeps them coming back. ________________ Are you working on a book project or planning to write one? I can help you ghostwrite, edit, format, and get it ready for publishing.

Publishing vs Self-Publishing The Truth No One Spells Out When I finished my first book, I thought, “Finally… the tough part is done.” Spoiler: It wasn’t. 😅 That’s when I reached the Publishing Crossroads One road lined with polished “Traditional” signboards, The other… a slightly chaotic “Self-Publishing” lane with DIY posters stuck everywhere. Everyone had advice. No one gave me the real picture. So here it is... the honest version Traditional Publishing: ✔️ Big credibility boost + access to professional teams ✔️ But you need to *get through the gatekeepers* (agents, rejections, waiting… a lot of waiting) ✔️ The timeline is loooong — usually 1–2 years ✔️Less creative control + smaller royalty share Self-Publishing: ✔️You’re the boss — full creative control, faster release ✔️But you wear *every hat* — writer, editor, marketer, designer ✔️ You keep the profits, but you also carry all the weight ✔️ If you treat it like a business, it can grow fast. If not, it can disappear quietly. Neither path is “better.” It depends on what you want: 👉 Validation or Independence? 👉 A Team Behind You or Your Own Empire? Your Writing Coach, -Asma Tahir ✨ #AsmaTahirWrites #Linkedinwriters #Authorcommunity