Before You Write a Book, Do This First

Not long ago I wrote an article with a provocative idea.

Everyone has something to say. You don’t lack ideas, you lack the ability to showcase them.

If you haven’t read it yet, start here. It will help you discover your “informational advantage” (something you know, do, or have experienced and take for granted, but that for others is pure gold you haven’t yet brought to light).

Today we’re not going to talk about that. Today we’re going to take the next step. Now that you know you have something to say (and that it has value), it’s time to ask a higher-level question:

Which of the ideas I write about deserve to become a book?

Let’s break it down point by point…

Stop guessing, start listening

Many writers start where the process actually ends.

They lock themselves away to write their book without ever testing it in front of an audience. Without having received real feedback from readers. Without knowing if anyone even wants to read what they’re writing, or whether their chosen approach will be well received.

It’s like building a tower without securing the foundations.

The solution is simple but counterintuitive: To write a good book, don’t start by writing a book. Start by writing in public, on the internet. The best compass for a writer is their readers. Their opinions will be the same ones you’ll encounter when you publish your book, but with a series of huge advantages.

Time invested

Writing an article takes days.

Writing a book takes months or years.

Amount of feedback

Writing an article brings immediate comments and interaction — it’s a radar that instantly picks up crucial signals.

Writing a book is like throwing a bottle into the sea and hoping someday a response comes back.

Production cost

Writing articles is free.

Publishing books almost never is.

No one would run a marathon without first training in shorter races.

The same goes for writing.

Listen to what they’re telling you

By writing in public, you start to see which topics truly connect. And you don’t decide this, your readers do. How do you know? By listening carefully.

Here are 4 key signals to watch for:

Personal comments: “Thanks, I needed this.” → A topic that resonates with many more people than just you. Don’t forget it.

Frequent questions: “Do you have more on this?” → A high-demand topic, great potential for a chapter or book section.

Above-average stats: Maybe it’s a high-interest topic — dig deeper, research more, refine the idea.

Lots of shares and saves: People value your writing enough to keep it and share it with others.

This is your compass for starting your path as a writer.

A perspective that turns your writings into keys for hitting the mark with each new text.

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Where to practice in public? Platform comparison

Now that you know why to write in public, the question is where.

Each platform has its own personality, rhythm, and type of reader.

In my article “Digital Half-Life” I shared a useful rule: The “half-life” of a post is the time it takes to lose 50% of its relevance. This means not all platforms are equally useful for testing your ideas.

Here’s a quick guide:

Twitter/X is best for brief, thought-provoking ideas. The rhythm here is ultra fast, with a digital half-life of about 43 minutes. It’s mainly useful to test phrases or concepts, but not ideal for depth.

LinkedIn works well with a professional, expert tone. The rhythm is medium-fast, and the digital half-life can last for days (variable). This platform is valuable for visibility in your business niche and for establishing authority.

Vocal is designed for essays, reflections, and guides. Its rhythm is medium-slow, and content can live on for days or weeks. It’s ideal for long articles and for testing book ideas.

Waka focuses on newsletters and personal history. The rhythm is slow but steady, with a digital half-life lasting weeks or even months. It’s a great way to connect more closely with readers and also to test book ideas.

Notice that I didn’t even mention the option of writing on your own blog.

There’s a reason for that. Writing in a place with no readers is like talking in the desert. Start where people already are. Don’t try to throw your own party if you’re unknown — go to the popular ones, where the crowd already gathers.

And personally, if you’re serious, Substack is one of the best places to start.

You write while being part of a reading community, which is crucial for a future author.

How to analyze data and spot book-worthy ideas

Once you start publishing, it’s time to stop improvising and start measuring.

Here’s a simple tool you can build in Notion, Excel, or even on paper. Just replicate this basic table and begin collecting data.

Do this for all your posts, then focus on the most relevant ones.

Do certain topics repeat?

Which format connects best? (opinions, personal story, guides, analysis…)

Which angle generates more responses? (being direct, detailed, adding visuals…)

This analysis gradually builds your personal library of articles. From that library, you’ll begin to see which pieces could expand into chapters, and which chapters could come together into a full book.

Fall in love with the process, not the result

Writing is a long-term process. Don’t expect immediate results.

As I explained in the article “Logarithmic vs. Exponential Growth”: It will take you a long time to get your first 1,000 readers. Less time to get the next 1,000. And far less to get the next after that. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see quick results.

That’s normal.

Just write. Keep expanding your personal library of articles. Each one is an investment. The important thing is to publish, analyze, adjust… and repeat. If you’re prolific and love writing, within months you’ll start seeing the first results of your work.

So your book already exists. It’s just scattered throughout your library.

Your newsletter, your notes, your most-shared posts, your most personal stories… All of that is already part of the book you’re going to write. All that’s left is to pay attention. Listen to the signals. Put the pieces together. And take the leap.

Remember: Don’t start with the book. Start by writing in public.

That’s where you’ll discover what to write, and most importantly… who you’re writing for.

And that’s the beginning of every book that makes an impact.

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