Is this not something exciting that your blogs can be turned into a book? We know it sounds like a difficult task, right? However, many bloggers have taken this step, making use of their passion-filled posts as the backbone of their bestsellers.
So why can’t you do so? Compile all your blog’s greatest hits and make them shine on the bookshelves! You have got all the material ready. Transform your blog bytes into book pages. So let’s dive in.
Turning your blogs into a book
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Evaluate your blog content
First and foremost, before transforming your writing into a book, evaluate where you stand with your existing content. If you have been working as a blog writer for years, whittle down the best and most relevant pieces to add to your book. Contrasting, if you are new to the blog writing industry, you don’t need to worry about how to put together a book without rehashing your blog in its entirety. Some of the tips to process are:
Begin with the most popular ones
Let’s say you have a long list of blogs. Out of those select some of the most-read ones and break them down side-by-side on a sheet. In the sheet, note the topic, presentation, style, and takeaway of each post. Record the traffic, comments, likes, shares, and all those points that can highlight its popularity.
Question yourself, ‘What is common in all of them’? They might include a fun persona, or teaching a lesson. This will help you to identify the theme of the book and the reader’s expectations of your book.
Search your favorite posts
All your written blogs might have not secured a place in the popular list. But you have still worked hard for those, and are close to your heart. Read through them and evaluate what you were trying to convey in those posts. You might have made some mistakes that made your readers lose the gist and the message you were trying to convey. However, when you write your book, all post underrated content will have a chance to be given some value. This is possible if you make them more compelling after working on them this time.
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Draft an outline
With a strong sense of what to include and what to set aside, you are good at creating a rough outline of your book. Check for the themes if all the chosen writings align with them. Examine if all the pieces are engaging enough to hook the readers.
Once you have planned a concept that combines your established themes with an interesting angle, you can begin with the outline. At this spot of time, connect with a printing agency like a book printing company in Malaysia or Singapore. They will even guide you with some of the tips that can help you with the outline. Some of the tips that can help you are:
Choose either chronological or thematic order
When organizing the material, one common question is the way it can be organized around the central concept. There are two possible options available: either choose chronological or thematic order.
Memoirs and self-help books that revolve around your experience go well in chronological structure. On the other hand, business books, knowledge books, or other non-fiction books with less narrative work best in thematic structure.
Add some new content
Most of the content in your book will be an updated version of the previous posts. However, there should be some new sections. Think your readers will not pay for something that they have already read online. For instance, if you have written about different foods throughout your blog journey. Adding the same recipes and other counterparts related to food blogs you have already discussed online will not work in the book. You need to cover some of the dishes or some ideas that you never discussed.
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Fill in the gaps
When you place your material in a structure, it is time to pay attention to shaping your blog posts as one whole and then fill in the gaps. Connect yourself with those marketing companies like a book marketing company Malaysia or Damansara, who are aware of the ongoing trends.
You can begin by taking baby steps. Start by editing your blog posts. Your older ones will require some polishing, and the new posts will need some adjustment to give them a look while they are read in the book. Work on longer paragraphs, hyperlinks, and smooth transitions when moving from one section to another.
Then later take bigger steps by adding something new to each post. Here you will flush out all the details that were part of your outline. Some posts will merge with others, forming a single piece. After all these, take some rest as you are close to the labour-intensive part. You need to write new materials for your book. This will utilize your time as you need to work from scratch.
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Edit to enhance the quality and consistency
Congrats! You have written all the content of the book. Now ensure that the themes and messages are aligned with each other. Is the tone consistent, and the order you chose to add the content is not giving a fake look?
If you have worked hard initially on the outline, remember you will have minimum edits. For this use this strategy:
Read your book from start to finish
Rest and relax before you begin this process. For this part, you will require a fresh pair of eyes so mistakes can be detected. As you read, ask yourself if the material is coherent and the aim is achieved.
Address overarching issues first
While reading, if you think a section is unnecessary or out of place, either cut it off or rearrange it. In the same, if something seems missing, add it. After you have read your complete manuscript, make sure that you take a second opinion before you proceed. For this, your friend, family member, or peer can assess you.
Read it backwards
It might seem insane, but you can honor your style, improve transitions, add some bits of information you might left out, and correct all the spelling and grammatical mistakes you find while you read.
5. Begin with the marketing
Pat your shoulders as you are ready with a book that you are about to publish. Start looking for a book publishing service like a book publisher Malaysia or KL. They will guide you through some of the criteria to work for best publishing.
Also, start looking for a cover designer. Hire someone to design your cover. Sign a deal with them and ask them to design a cover that can reflect the theme of the material.
It’s time to begin with marketing. Select some creative marketing ideas to increase traffic of downloaded books and readers, making it out of stock in the bookstores.
Final thoughts
The journey of transforming your blog into a book is like compiling all your posts in one place. For this, you need to use a proper strategy for deep engagement, enhancing its value, and respecting readers’ investments.
The overall goal of your designed book should not be just to reiterate the theme of your blog but to build upon it. Provide your readers with a richer, more satisfying experience that leaves them feeling that their interest is valued.
