Most bucket lists share a few points in common:

✔ travel the world

✔ run a marathon

✔ write a book. 

For those first two, sorry–you’ll have to figure them out on your own. (“Marathon? I would, but you know…social distancing.”)

But we do have that last one covered for you.

Writing a book is one of the best ways for entrepreneurs to become leading experts in their field. 

On Sunday, Chris Schelzi interviewed authors Tucker Max and Charlie Hoehn from Scribe Media to equip Sumo-lings with tips and resources to help you put your ideas on the page.

This interview is a goldmine for entrepreneurs and aspiring authors.

Tucker and Charlie even dive into why they’re giving away their best authorship tactics for free this week in Book School (more on this below). 

Here’s the complete interview:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin

Write a Book While You’re In Quarantine: The Complete Guide

Resources to Help You:

• The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe (book)
• Recession Proof Graduate by Charlie Hoehn (book)
• Mastery by Robert Greene (book)
• Book School (free book writing course from Scribe Media)
• AppSumo Remote Academy (free webinar series)

Writing a Book Means Being an Entrepreneur

“Entrepreneurs are not only people who take opportunities. They also are people who take responsibility for other people’s problems and help them through those problems. And right now, there are a lot of problems.” – Charlie Hoehn

• Use crises to find opportunities. When Charlie graduated from college in the middle of the 2008 financial crisis, he feared he was destined for meaningless work. Rather than settle for a job he didn’t care for, he reached out to his heroes and soon-to-be-mentors (Ramit Sethi, Tim Ferriss, and Tucker Max) and offered them valuable work for free. This led to ongoing relationships and eventually, paid opportunities.
• Reframe your fears into opportunities: The body responds the same way to fear as it does to excitement. Sometimes we just need to reframe a situation to open our eyes to opportunities.
• People who can adapt to changing markets and environments learn to thrive.
• How do I use my current skills to maximize an opportunity? If you’re a natural-born writer, find companies that are doubling down on content right now and offer them a reduced rate, free content, or free advice. (i.e. Re-write their current sales page to one that will convert higher!) This will take you an afternoon and can result in a HUGE ROI for your growing portfolio.
  
• Stop looking for perfect opportunities. Go out and create them. That’s how billionaires like Warren Buffett got their start.
• Modern proof of work: Old-style proof of work came in the form of degrees and resumes. Today, it comes in the form of media that broadcasts the work you’re doing. Create a website for yourself that showcases what you can do. Every time you get a new client, even if it’s a free client, include them and build up your social capital.
• Media is the modern networking tool: With professional networking breaking down (e.g. conferences in the wake of coronavirus), using various forms of media for proof of work will become the new status quo in how we connect with other professionals. 
• It’s hard to start a business that tailors to a broad audience. But once you master a small niche, it’s really easy to go wider. Start small and then expand.
• Remember: When you can give away what other people are selling, you’re going to dominate your market.

Now, Let’s Get Down to Writing

“You’re not trying to make a bestseller. You’re trying to get your book into the hands of someone who could hire you… Being a rockstar in a profitable niche means you will be rich.” – Tucker Max

• Two questions to ask to know if you should write a book: Do you have a reputation that you want to solidify? Do you have an important story to tell?
• Writing a book is not about book sales. It’s not about distributing to a million people. It’s about turning yourself into the go-to person everyone wants to work with.
• A book is one of the best tools for winning high-net-worth clients in service, freelance, and consulting businesses.
• A book is the only form of media that people will pay for, keep, hand off to their friends, and value for a decade. It’s a lasting part of your marketing funnel.
• People who work with you because of a book often become your best clients. The relationship starts from a place of trust — your reputation precedes you.
• When you’re just starting out, your media can consist of simple things like social media accounts, a YouTube profile, etc. As you level up in your career, your media should expand to books and speaking engagements.
• You’re not trying to make a bestseller. You’re trying to get your book into the hands of someone who could hire you.
• Books help you become an undisputed thought leader in your niche.
• The best way to improve your writing is to put it into the market for feedback.
• Start by writing like (perhaps even imitating) your writing heroes. 

Watch the webinar to access even more examples, stories, and tips from two authors who have dominated the media and publishing business. 

Free Writing Workshop

Oh, and if you think it’s finally time to put pen to paper and write your book, get started with the FREE Book School, launching March 23rd.

This free multiple-day video resource taught by Charlie and Tucker will show all the value that Scribe Media has delivered to its over 1,500 clients–many of whom are authors you’d recognize (David Goggins, Tiffany Haddish, Todd Herman, and more). After attending Book School, you should have everything you need to write your book. That includes templates and processes for book positioning, structuring, outlining, planning, and of course, writing and editing. 

Now go on with your literary self!

P.S. Want to make the most out of working from home? AppSumo is running a free remote academy for the next few weeks. Register here.