Don’t write a unique book

Published: Tue, 05/18/21

But my book is unique Michael!

Of course, every book is unique. But, and I'm sorry to be the barer of bad news, unique is not a selling point .

Humans are lazy. One of the features of our simple brains is we like familiarity.

New thinking may equal new results - but it also equals extra effort.

And our lazy brains don’t like that.

One of the best examples comes from the Maclaren folding pushchair.

To sell the idea Maclaren very cleverly used the same stripy material found on deckchairs.

Smart.

Our brain can handle that. Another chair that folds, but this one has wheels and it’s for toddlers. Yep – got it.

It’s the same when you pitch a book.

Publishers and agents don’t want to hear how unique it is. They want to know what it’s already like.

That's easier for them to sell.

I can’t wait for the Write That Book Pop-Up and Challenge to start. It’s coming very soon.

It’s like the most helpful group you could belong to, with the best teaching but you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home.

See what I did there?

More on the pop up group soon.

Be Brilliant!

Michael Heppell

PS While you're waiting for the Pop-UP to start take a look at what's happening in How to Be Brilliant. There's now over 3,000 members; all helping, sharing and supporting.