Interview with Dan Janal: How to use a book to stand out and get clients

Dan Janal works with business owners and professionals who want to elevate their reputations and set themselves apart from their competition by writing a book. As a book coach, developmental editor, and ghostwriter, Dan shapes stories and strategies that can transform a career or business.

Dan has written more than a dozen books that have been translated into six languages. His latest book is Write Your Book in a Flash.

He also hosts a podcast, “Write Your Book in a Flash with Dan Janal”, where he interviews experts who have written books. Thinkers360.com named the show one of the top 50 podcasts for thought leaders.

You can read a summary of the interview below the video.

1. Who do you serve, who are your clients?

I work with business owners and professionals who want to have a book that builds their credibility. How do we stand out? That’s where the book comes in.

2. What is their problem, their need and what are the symptoms of that problem?

They need to stand out from everyone else. They’ve tried everything and they still don’t stand out. When you have a book that answers your prospects, they’re going to hire you. When I work with my clients, we focus on the top 8 problems that their prospects would have, so we could send a copy of the book to someone who we heard had a problem that we solve.

3. What are the common mistakes people make or obstacles they face when trying to solve that problem on their own?

When they start to write a book, they think they’re writing a biography or memoir. They should focus on the problems of their prospects. Also, we don’t want to include problems that attract people we don’t want to work with. They focus on the wrong problems that get them the wrong clients at the wrong fees. It doesn’t have to be that way.

4. What is unique about your solution that helps people avoid those mistakes or overcome those obstacles so they can finally solve their problem?

I sit down with people at the beginning and we create an executive summary and I ask what do you want the book to do for you.The second question is the transformation for the readers. Lots of people have started books, not a lot of people have finished their books.

5. What is one high-impact free action, such as a tip, that you recommend that the audience can implement that will help them solve that problem?

Go back to those 8 problems and ask your best prospects, “What are your biggest problems? How can I help you?” Do some research and put that into the book.

6. What is one valuable free resource that you can direct people to that will further help with that problem?

I have a resource called “3 Keys for Getting Your Book Done Fast.” Go to www.writeyourbookinaflash.com/pages/get-your-book-done-fast

7. What’s the one question that I should have asked you that would give great value to our audience?

A lot of people stop writing books because they think they don’t know how to market it. One simple marketing advice. Read your local papers, go to local networking events. Then send them your book and tell them which chapter solves the problem they were talking about. Be more proactive. (I gave HIM a tip for doing something similar on LinkedIn.)

Next step…

Check out Dan’s “3 Keys for Getting Your Book Done Fast” here.

How about you?

Leave a comment with your questions or frustrations about getting new clients or writing a book.

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