Information Country

“My topic doesn’t fit into a how-to tips format.”

That comment shows up periodically, and did again this week.
Even when a person has written a novel, there are ways to create a tips booklet that can help market that novel plus become its own new source of revenue. THOSE are the purposes of a booklet.

A booklet is a way for the reader to test out the information of the author, to see if it’s something that leads to wanting more of what the author’s got. It’s a way to gently approach a topic that may be otherwise overwhelming or brand new. It’s one format of the material, which can then be embellished, expanded, or otherwise modified by the author.

A booklet is NOT the consummate reference on a given topic. A tips booklet, in particular, is NOT a narrative philosophical statement or observation of something. It’s a tips booklet, with how-to’s in it.

Let’s say you wrote a novel, set on a rural farm in midwest America, and you want to sell lots of copies of that novel, which common wisdom says is a challenge to do. One way to do it could be by writing a tips booklet about ways (tips!) to live a happy, fulfilling, and interesting life in rural America, or on a farm. That would certainly give the reader of your book more of a connection to what your book is about, wouldn’t it, especially when you include some specific invitation that looks something like “for more about living on a farm in midwest America, you’ll enjoy reading our book, “Life in a Corn Field.”

Or you are interested in featuring the accomplishments of some noteable people of current or historical times. Instead of a treatise about them, it could be very useful to create a tips booklet that includes guidance based on what those people did to accomplish what they accomplished, for others to mirror in their own lives.

Once in a rare while there is a topic that simply does not lend itself to a tips booklet. It’s usually something in science or math and focused on theory. It’s at that moment you’ll see a glaze come onto my face. Otherwise, let’s talk about what your tips booklet is and can be.

Paulette Ensign has sold well over a million copies of her own tips booklet, “110 Ideas for Organizing Your Business Life,” in four languages and various formats without spending a penny on advertising. From her San Diego, CA-based http://www.tipsbooklets.com, she assists individuals and groups transform their knowledge into tips booklets and other information products for marketing, motivating, and making money.

Are you one of the many people who spends more each month than they earn? Do you wonder how you can get off the merry-go-round of continuous debt that debilitates you and makes your life miserable? If you relate to either of these statements, your salvation may just be at hand. Darlene (Dar) Arechederra’s “Rat Race Blues for Women” details a refreshingly different approach from the usual advice about budgeting that so many other get-out-of-debt books offer.

Dar’s aim is to help you, “… enjoy your life more, put you on the path to cutting back on work hours, or teach you to set yourself up for leaving your job completely.” She does that by stepping readers through a number of strategies for trimming expenditure and paying out your debts in an easy to read, conversational manner.

Her e-book is small, but concise and is based on her experience as one of those who had money managing problems, but who overcame them to move on to a bigger, better future. What worked for her, she infers, will work for you. And because it all makes so much sense and is so easy to implement, I’m sure it will.

Surprisingly, she advises readers to give budgeting the ‘flick’ (my word, not hers!) and shows us how more money is not the solution we all think it is. Instead, she shows us how to trim a bit here and a bit there until it becomes a habit that reduces our expenditure and increases our savings … incremental salvation, or a step-by-step approach rather than the cold turkey approach many books recommend.

Dar steps readers through an income and expenditure statement which is necessary to see where your affairs are at present so you can identify areas where you can make adjustments. This process itself is a good part of our learning experience because often we aren’t aware of where our hard earned money is disappearing.

There were two things that appealed to me most about this title; Dar encourages readers to begin a Life Book with their goals and ideas. These help you to focus on what you want and how to achieve them. Just as a matter of self-discovery, I spent a little time thinking about what I need most from life at present. I opted for continuing good health, without which nothing else is of much use, friends which we all need to enjoy ourselves, and good fun, but I’m closer to the end of my life than I would expect most readers of this title will be. They will be where I was thirty years ago … in debt, earning a low income while raising two children, so their needs will likely include much to do with money. Of course, this is the target audience, not Baby Boomers like me!

The other thing I liked was the insightful case studies Dar included, helping readers live through the lives of Paul and Marcy, middle class Americans. They were incredibly realistic and the people involved came alive for me. I could see my wife and I in their shoes. One or two of the questions raised during the case study were questions I had pondered very recently, even after 30 years of marriage. You will recognise some aspects of your life or relationship in the case studies also. I promise.

The one thing I’m surprised at is why Dar has written this book just for women. There are just as many men who need help to get their debts under control and win back their lives for whom this title would be of great benefit.

This book is about taking control of your life and winning your financial freedom. It will help you get out of debt, save for a home business, build an online business, and much more. It’s well written and has excellent advice that is different from others I have read about the same topic. If you really want to make a difference in your life, grab a copy now and implement Dar’s recommendations immediately. In the long run, it will be money well invested.

Find out more about this ebook here.

Published May 2006 | Copyright 2006 Robin Henry

Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet entrepreneur. He helps home-based businesses and individuals improve performance by applying smart technology and processes and developing personally. He runs his business Desert Wave Enterprises from his home base at Alice Springs in Central Australia, although at present he is on temporary assignment in the United Arab Emirates.