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How to Get Famous Fast: Real Life Hack for Entrepreneurs Publishing a book is the best life hack for entrepreneurs, but don't worry about the writing part.

By Wendy Keller

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What if I told you that for a minimum investment of time you could enact a strategy that result in three benefits that will change your life forever?

The three benefits are

  1. Send up the equivalent of a giant flashing neon sign above you or your business (new or established) that shouts, "Do business with this person! They know what they are talking about!"
  2. Point new business toward your company, fill your pipeline with prequalified prospects, and open up lucrative speaking, coaching or consulting projects (if you want them).
  3. Make your mom proud and your friends green with envy.

What one strategy could do all that you ask?

Related: 5 Reasons Why You Should Write a Book

Writing a legitimate book published by a real, known publisher. The kind of publisher who pays you for the honor of publishing your book, and who has a team of experts already proven and aligned, ready to help you.

  • Maybe you flunked English class....not a problem. Write a book anyway.
  • Maybe you don't have a moment to breathe, much less write a book...not a problem. Write a book anyway.
  • Maybe you have it on your "someday" list...not a problem. The time to write a book is now.

Now here's the hack: You don't have to write the whole book to sell it. In fact, you shouldn't.

The number one thing most people who want to write nonfiction books don't realize is this: nonfiction books are sold based on what is called a "book proposal." A book proposal is a specific, carefully crafted short document that helps the publisher understand what you want to write and how you will help them market your book once it is released. For tips on how to write a good proposal, sign up for my webinar by clicking here.

Related: A Simple 4-Step Process for Writing Your First Book in 100 Days

Think of it this way: A book proposal is to the publishing industry what a business plan is to a venture capitalist. It's a way to assess whether or not there is money to be made from the investment being offered.

All you need to sell a book is a book proposal. You can easily find qualified people to help you write one, or come to our free live online program to learn the basics. Once you know the structure and psychology behind the five major sections of a proposal, you'll find it remarkably easy to start on yours.

Once the proposal is written, you find yourself a literary agent. We're everywhere! Do a simple Google search for the kind of book you're writing and append the words "literary agent". For example "Sales Book Literary Agent". Most agents will then polish up your proposal a bit and then we show it to the editors at the most appropriate publishing houses. The editors discuss your proposal with their colleagues and usually, several different publishers come back with an offer to publish. That offer includes a sum of money that you will be paid "in advance" of future earnings from your book. The agent gets 15 percent and you keep 85 percent.

Related: 5 Truths to Contemplate Before You Start Writing Your Book

Next, you and your collaborator, editor, or ghostwriter, if you're using someone else to help you out, write the book in the next nine to 12 months. You then make sure you've built the marketing systems to ensure that all leads generated by your book get filtered right into your company...and onto your bank account. That's it. Poof! You're famous.

Your book is the single greatest, longest-lasting, business growth tool you will ever create. Done right, it will go on generating leads for many years to come. Your reputation will be firmly established and your credibility will be impeccable. Writing a book is the best life hack for entrepreneurs -- whether you are just starting out or have an established company that could use a rocket booster.

Wendy Keller

CEO and Founder of Keller Media, Inc.

Wendy Keller is an award-winning former journalist, a respected literary agent, an author, speaker, acclaimed book marketing consultant, and branding expert. She is the author of Ultimate Guide to Platform Building (Entrepreneur Press®, 2016) and got her first job as a newspaper reporter as a 16-year-old college freshman. Since then, Wendy worked for PR Newswire; the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain; as managing editor of Dateline magazine; and as associate publisher of Los Angeles’ then-second-largest Spanish language weekly, La Gaceta. She works with authors, speakers and business experts to help them build and promote their brands. She founded Keller Media, Inc. in 1989.

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