How to Make Time to Write a Business Book

You want to share your knowledge, your success, and the story of your professional journey in a business book. There’s just one catch: making time to actually sit down and write. 

Like any literature, business books don’t just happen overnight. They take careful planning, thought organization, and research before you can even sit down and start writing. As a busy professional, how do you carve out time to gather all your industry experience and strategic wisdom and put pen to paper?? Some of the best business authors block off time in their schedules and make (and stick to!) a writing timeline to work on their business books.  

Getting started on your business book

The first step in successful business writing is to consider your topic and ultimate goal by answering a few questions. This will help you clear your mind so you can focus on what you want to say to the world and what you want your readers to take away from your book. Here are a few questions to get you started: 

• What are the reasons you’re writing this book? 
• Who will your book help (i.e., business leaders, industry-specific professionals, or a more general audience)? 
• What aspects of your thought leadership do you want your book to convey?  
• Why will people want to read your book? 

Next, you can start creating an outline. Be sure to include things like chapter topics (and potential chapter titles), quotes you want to use, and research you’ll need to do. Once you’ve fleshed this out, you’re ready to begin the actual writing process. 

Setting aside time for writing

You can’t just put your entire professional life on hold when you dive into the world of writing business books. Clients still need service, your team of employees still needs support, and other business-related fires will pop up here and there. However, you can’t let these obstacles prevent you from working on your book. 

Let your company know that you’re planning to write a business book and communicate to the organization’s key players that you’re not just out to become an authorpreneur—your book will increase the company’s brand recognition and enhance their thought leadership as well as yours. There might be opportunities to work from home, block a few hours off in your schedule each week, or even take a short retreat each month to focus on the book for several days at a time. Make a schedule and a timeline, and stick to it. 

Here are a few ideas to help you maximize every moment throughout your writing project: 

• Block out time on your calendar so meetings don’t sneak into your writing schedule. 
• Take clarity breaks to prevent burnout and keep your creative juices flowing. 
• Keep a phone note open (or a notepad and pen handy) for when ideas come to you while you’re traveling, jogging, or commuting; then go back later and organize them. 
• Use a dictating software and record your ideas; then use a transcription service or ask an executive assistant to translate your audio file into a computer document.
• Build an environment that’ll make you successful by designating a writing space, pouring  yourself the perfect beverage, having some snacks on hand, and blocking out the background noise.

Additionally, set micro goals for yourself that are realistic and manageable. When you break down the huge undertaking of writing a business book into smaller tasks, it’s easier to stay motivated and on track. One of these micro goals can be creating a timeline that you’ll be able to stick to.

Creating a timeline for your writing project 

Like their authors, business books are all unique, so there’s no universal “right” timeline to follow. However, you can set small goals for yourself that chop the entire process down into more manageable and achievable tasks. Consistent writing habits are key here, so whatever timeline and schedule you set up, try your best to stick to it. 

For example, try to set aside at least 10 to 15 hours per week that are strictly dedicated to your business book. Toward the beginning of the process, this time will be largely taken up by crafting your outline and performing your research. Once those portions of the project are done, you can dedicate the same amount of time to writing. 

Some authors find it helpful to write more aggressively in the beginning so they can taper off toward the end. Here’s a sample timeline that might help if you want to complete a 50,000-word book within three months: 

• Weeks 1–3: Write 900 words per day
• Weeks 4–6: Write 750 words per day 
• Weeks 7–10: Write 500 words per day
• Weeks 11–12: Write 350 words per day

Keep in mind that your situation is as unique as the knowledge and experience that’ll inspire your business book. This timeline works for some authors, but it might not be ideal for you. The important thing to remember is to keep your eye on the prize and set aside plenty of time to research, write, and publish your book. 

Partner with our experts to write, edit, and publish your business book 

Embarking on your journey as a professional author is a big undertaking, but you don’t have to go it alone. Some of the best business books employ an entire team of professional experts to make the book the absolute best version of itself—and we want to help! 

Contact us today to start turning your vision into a reality!