Sometimes you don’t need a book, a few pages will suffice. An article, or if you need a dozen or more pages, a booklet.
Here are some of my best tips to create booklets that wow.
What is a Booklet?
Let’s start with, what is a booklet? A booklet is a book that is under 50 pages. It is that simple. When you have a book idea, don’t think you have to write a long 200-page book on that topic. Sometimes a booklet is all you need. They can be faster to create, and you can design a booklet to have both remarkable content and a remarkable design.
Why and Who?
The first question you must ask yourself is the purpose of the booklet. Why do you want to create it? Who will read it? How does this booklet fit into your life or your business?
I’ll give you three scenarios.
Lead Magnets
You have heard that the gold is in the list. And lots of entrepreneurs and businesses want to create a lead magnet in exchange for a potential client’s email. I do that. I have a series of checklists which are short booklets. Yet, all my lead magnet checklists have valuable information and look attractive.
I consider the exchange of email for information an important one. I don’t want to give them just anything. This is the start of a relationship. You wouldn’t show up to a first date to a refined restaurant, sweaty and in gym clothes. Well, not if you want a second date.
Make sure your lead magnets are attractive and offer value. Booklets are a great way to do that.
Onboarding Booklets
Lots of coaches and other program facilitators need to onboard clients and that can be a long process. The coach says the same thing to every client. Why not put all the onboarding information into a quick booklet? Then, have a call to answer questions and start digging into the good stuff, instead of spending time saying the same thing repeatedly.
Reading a booklet is much faster than listening to someone’s spiel, and you can refer to a booklet if need be. Keep the important stuff for your one-on-one calls and put the rest in a booklet.
In Depth on a Narrow Topic
Sometimes we have something to say about a very narrow topic. And yet somehow, we think we need to write enough words to fill a book. That just isn’t so. If you have knowledge of a narrow topic and you only need 42 pages to say it, don’t add filler. Write a booklet, not a book. I’d rather buy a booklet and love it than buy a book and not be able to finish it because it is all filler. You know what I am talking about. You know those books that you read and then think, he could have said that in a quarter of the pages that took! Don’t be that guy. Write a booklet and wow your readers.
Start by deciding why you want to write. Decide its purpose. Decide on the ideal reader. Then you can start working on the content.
Developing the Content
When determining the content, take your central idea and then branch out to subtopics that will help the reader understand your central idea. In other words, what is your one big idea? Start there. Then do a mind map or a tree diagram to come up with subtopics. These subtopics will become the sections or chapters of your booklet.
Take those sections or chapters and chunk them down into heading and subheadings. That will help you write as well as help the reader digest the content.
As you are writing it, focus on one heading and one subheading at a time. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed, and you will write a well-organized booklet.
Here are some helpful tips as you write and revise:
- Use heading, subheading, and page numbers,
- Use brief paragraphs,
- Use bullets rather than full sentences where you can,
- Create summaries and highlight information,
- Make the information easy to skim, and
- Don’t over-stuff your booklet with content.
Finally, include a call to action for readers who want more. This is very important! Too many booklets out there leave the reader hanging at the end. Tell them what to do next, whether that is setting up an appointment with you, joining your program, or registering for an event.
Create a Compelling Cover
I want to talk a bit about your booklet’s cover. Have a clear title and subtitle so readers know what your booklet is about immediately. And make the front cover easy to read, even if it is a thumbnail. That way, people skimming through information online can easily see what you are offering them.
Use your brand colors and your logo on your cover. If you have many booklets, you could have a look for an entire series of booklets, so people instantly recognize them as yours.
Design Tips
I am no designer, but I do have some useful tips for you. First off, you can create beautiful documents easily in Microsoft Word or Canva. Both are simple to use.
Here are tips for non designers who are doing their best in Word, Canva, or similar programs.
- Be consistent with your theme, your colors, and your fonts. Don’t use too many fonts. Keep it to two fonts for simplicity’s sake.
- Keep to your brand’s colors and fonts. And put your logo somewhere.
- Use headings and subheading and bullets. We talked about that in the content section, but it is important in the design as well. Make them stand out so they act as signposts for the reader.
- Next, use visual content to help tell your story. Have lots of images and illustrations. But make sure you know why each visual fits in. For example, if you are talking about obstacles. Add an image of an obstacle course. Images help people remember information.
- Use your space wisely. Don’t pack in content. Give lots of white space. Use blocks for quotes or side bars for extra information.
- Finally, if you want people to print your booklet, make sure the design works in gray scale. And choose simple shapes and graphics.
With a bit of time and effort, you can create a truly memorable and professional-looking booklet.
Let me know what topic you could cover in a booklet?
– Keep writing
Melody Ann
Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.