Books can sometimes be a one dimensional product. You take it from the shelf (physically or virtually), immerse yourself in that world, and if it was a book you truly connected with, feel the sadness of it being over when you come to that inevitable last page.

For fiction authors, having more than one book available for readers of your work often forms the cornerstone of a smart book marketing plan. It’s never good to leave your readers wanting more if you haven’t got anything else to deliver. Having more than one book gives depth and dimension to your work that takes people beyond the first book, and helps move them from readers to fans.

What about non-fiction?

If devoting your career to writing fiction novels were considered a marathon, how do you add depth and dimension to your work if you are writing a non-fiction book, and your natural inclination is to sprint?

When writing your non-fiction book, it is useful at the outlining stage to consider the question “Where next?” In other words, where do you want to lead your readers with this book? If you have no plan as to where you want your readers to go next, what is the point of writing a book for your business?

Whether the goal of your book is to sell as many copies as you can, or perhaps it was written to be a high-carbon footprint business card – below are some ideas to consider building into your book in the formation stages. Doing the thinking now will pay off, rather than as an afterthought which potentially impacts on your time, your expenses, or the momentum that has already gathered for your book once it’s published.

Here are 7 ideas to add value to your book – and your business – through strategic calls to action:

1. Ask for a review – just ask. Social proof is a powerful motivator for potential readers, so make it really easy for a happy reader to review your book by providing a link inside your ebook that directs back to the book’s sales page where the book was purchased from, with some encouraging text for a review.
2. Link to your other titles you have previously published – if you have written more than one book, provide a link inside each book to the sales page of your other books. If they like your book, make it really easy for them to buy your other books.
3. Add a bonus chapter – if you have more material you are constantly developing, consider writing a bonus chapter with extra material that supports the book. Place it on a hidden page on your website and provide the link inside the book.
4. Create a Facebook group based on the key point of the book – just for readers of your book. This is perfect if part of your strategy is to encourage interactivity and discussion around your book. Something to keep in mind, don’t start what you don’t want to manage. If you don’t have time to devote to this group, this might not be the strategy for you. Moderating Facebook groups is both rewarding and time-consuming.
5. Start a movement – a website, or forum, or Facebook page focussed on the transformational element of the book. If your book is a small representation of a larger movement, lead your single readers, one-by-one to the place where your movement is congregating – whether it be a Facebook group, online forum or face-to-face city meet-ups. There is power in numbers for keeping the ideas alive and thriving.
6. Link to further resources – your recommendations on software, hardware, further reading – especially useful when you have further information to share that is not evergreen, or something that you wish to keep adding to as you delve deeper into the subject.
7. Make an offer – in the form of a discount, bonus or something special just for readers of your book. Whether it be an enrolment offer into your courses or trainings, discounts or bonus add-ons for your consulting packages, an offer inside your book can be a creative and subtle way to raise awareness of your core offering. You could provide a coupon code, or special access that readers will have to find inside your book to access.

And in case you were wondering, the answer is no: having only your website address on the contact information on the imprint page of your book does not count as a call-to-action – but good to have your web address there rather than none at all. ☺

By taking on the marathon mentality of a novelist to your non-fiction book, ensures your readers will have the best chance of becoming a fan of you, fan of your work, and coming back for more – even if you only publish one book.