As a book ghostwriter, I get approached by many people who say, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”

Sometimes, the person knows exactly what she would write about. What might be holding her back from actually writing the book is a whole ‘nother post in itself.

But what about those people who don’t know? They know they want to write a book – either for print or web distribution – but they don’t have the foggiest as to where to go from there.

Obviously, a ghostwriter can’t help you when you don’t have an idea. I can’t write what you don’t give me. And I need you to give me at least an idea.

But what I can do is help you spark that idea. I can talk to you about why you REALLY want to have a book. Because when you get down to the nitty-gritty, you can usually pull something out of a person and that’s when the ideas start to flow.

First off – think about if you want the book to be personal or professional.

Personal books may be something along the lines of a family story, your own battle with a medical issue, what you’ve learned over the years as a collector of thimbles…whatever. And EVERYONE has a personal story to tell. Okay, so some are more interesting than others, but still, everyone has at least one story inside of them.

Professional books are typically geared toward what you’ve learned in a given industry or profession. Perhaps you want to further your company’s brand. Or tell the world about your unique hiring process that guarantees finding top-notch employees.

Both books can make money. Note the “can.” Some personal books are so personal that they have a ultra tiny target audience. But then, you can have a great professional book with a non-existing marketing plan and make little to no money.

So…go back to the whole “I want to write a book” thing.

Why?

If it’s to make money, then you need to pick a topic (be it personal or professional) and an angle that can be a money-maker.

If it’s to have the sense of accomplishment that goes along with having a book and calling yourself an “author,” then you’ve got some leeway with whichever direction you decide to write on.

But I bet, whether you know it or not, you have a book lurking in there somewhere…

So is your book personal or professional? Or perhaps a little of both? Spill it!