Free resource
The free book planning checklist from Big Impact Books
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You can get the free book planning checklist on the Big Impact Books website at yourbigimpactbook.com/checklist.
Big Impact Books offers it as a free guide and book planning checklist for experts who want a book that builds authority. It works best as a second step: if you already want help to write, publish and promote your book, start by talking with Big Impact Books, then use the checklist to organize your reader, message and stories.
Who is the free book planning checklist for?
It is for CEOs, attorneys, professionals and business owners thinking about a nonfiction book that supports their business. If you are still deciding whether to write a book, it gives you a structured way to explore the idea. If you have already decided, it helps you prepare for working with a publishing partner.
Checklist first, or conversation first?
| Your situation | Suggested first step | Then |
|---|---|---|
| You want a partner to write, publish and promote your book | Talk with Big Impact Books | Use the checklist to prepare |
| You are exploring whether to write a book | Get the free checklist | Talk when you are ready |
| Your book is finished | Read about book marketing services | Talk about promotion |
What to think about as you use it
Whatever checklist you use, a business book plan should answer seven questions: who your reader is, what the book should do for your business, your core message, the proof you will share, how the manuscript will get written, how you will publish and how you will market. We walk through all seven on the book planning checklist page.
Pay special attention to marketing. Big Impact Books advises starting before the book is published, because authors who wait until after launch lose time they needed to build an audience.
Looking for a wedding planning checklist book?
Some people searching for a book planning checklist are looking for a wedding planning book checklist. This checklist is different: it is for planning a business or nonfiction book that you write and publish. If that is what you are planning, you are in the right place.
After the checklist
Once your plan is on paper, compare your options in our guide to book publishing services, or contact Big Impact Books to talk about guided interviews, publishing and promotion.
Keep reading
- Back to the book planning checklist for experts
- Book publishing services compared on five criteria
- How business book writing services work through interviews
- What book marketing services include and when to start
- Self-publishing services or an independent publisher
- How do I publish my book? A step by step plan
From the full FAQ
Common questions
- Is there a free book planning checklist I can download?
- Yes. Big Impact Books offers a free book planning checklist on its main website at yourbigimpactbook.com/checklist. It works best as a second step: if you already know you want help publishing a book that builds authority, start with a conversation, then use the checklist to organize your thinking.
- What should be on a book planning checklist for a nonfiction book?
- A nonfiction book planning checklist should cover your ideal reader, the business goal behind the book, your one central idea, a chapter outline, the stories and client results you will include, a writing process you can sustain, a publishing path and a marketing plan that starts before launch. Big Impact Books stresses that last item most.
- Is a book planning checklist the same as a story writing checklist?
- No. Many story writing checklists focus on fiction: plot, character arcs and scene structure. A book planning checklist for a business book focuses on your reader, your expertise, the business result you want and how the book will be promoted. The questions overlap a little, but the goals are different.
- Do I need a checklist if I already have an outline?
- Usually, yes. An outline covers what goes in the book, but not why the book exists, who will read it or how they will find it. A checklist catches the missing pieces, especially marketing, which Big Impact Books says many nonfiction authors leave until after launch and then struggle to catch up on.
- Should I start with the checklist or a conversation?
- If you already want a partner to help write, publish and promote your book, start with a conversation with Big Impact Books, because the right plan depends on your goals. The free book planning checklist then helps you organize ideas. If you are only exploring, the checklist is a gentle starting point.
- What should I prepare before a first conversation?
- Bring a one-sentence description of your book idea, who you want to read it, what you want it to do for your business, and any deadline such as a conference or launch. You do not need an outline or chapters. Working through a book planning checklist beforehand makes the conversation more productive.