Why Write a Book? Everything You Need to Know About Writing a Book that Matters
Writing a book is one of the most underrated brand building strategies.
Authors like James Clear and Malcom Gladwell have built successful brands from their bestsellers.
But, you don’t need a bestseller to access the benefits of writing a book.
In fact, writing a good book should be a part of your content strategy if you’re serious about increasing your exposure.
My best selling book has sold over 100 copies.
You read that right. Not 1,000. Not 10,000.
Only about 140 copies have been sold partly because I haven’t been aggressive with my book promotion strategy.
I would have sold over 1,000 copies by now if I was aggressively pursuing book sales each month. Life got in the way.
Another part of the problem is that my audience doesn’t have direct access to Amazon. So, I have to order bulk shipments. That’s a story for another day though.
The thing is that it’s not the book sales that have benefited me the most.
Sure, it was great to have a bit of cash coming in.
But, this book solves a problem and has allowed me to:
Develop connections with a diverse range of people
Be invited to speak at events
Be seen as an authority in that niche
It has given me exposure.
In fact, I secured one of my first long-term content writing clients through an event I was invited to present at because of this book.
That’s probably the biggest reason to write a book. You’ll get exposure with the right book promotion strategy even if your book doesn’t become a bestseller.
This article explains:
5 Reasons You Should Write a Book
How to Use Blogging to Support Your Book
Some Common Questions Asked About Writing a Book
The Benefits of a Writing Coach
5 Powerful Reasons to Write a Book
I love writing nonfiction books. I’ve self-published four books and helped several clients create their own books. My experience has helped me effectively answer the question, “Why write a book?” Here are five powerful reasons.
Build Your Credibility
Dee Robinson and I had an interesting discussion recently about the benefits of writing a nonfiction book. Here’s a snippet of our discussion. You can watch the full interview here.
She shared a story of someone who was awed by the fact that a female online coach had written a book. The respect for the person was dialed up a few notches. Writing a book demonstrated her commitment to being a valuable resource in her niche. It boosted her credibility!
Feel a Sense of Accomplishment
Writing a book is a long process. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It takes at least three months to write a good book. The beauty of it is that you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment when the process is done.
Take the time to write a book that meaningfully answers your target reader’s burning questions. That’s how you’ll really feel like you’ve accomplished something great.
Impact Lives
A well-written book that provides practical solutions to problems will impact lives. It’s all about sharing your story and expertise in a way that helps your reader learn something valuable. Focus on making a difference and the rewards will follow.
Here are some images of real reviews from business owners whose lives have been impacted by my book.
Be Seen as a Thought Leader
Be honest. You’re building an online presence because you want people to take you seriously. You want to use your knowledge, skills, and experience to earn some money.
A nonfiction book can definitely help you be seen as a thought leader. The trick is to write it in a way that allows your unique perspectives shine through. I explain more about this in my comprehensive guide for writing a nonfiction book.
Increase Positive Business Outcomes
Writing a book can definitely help your business increase profitability and engage more customers. It’s a way of adding multiple income streams since a nonfiction book can:
Provide royalty payments
Lead to business opportunities
Catapult your public speaking career
Lead to brand deals and collaborations
Can You Write a Book With No Experience?
The short answer is yes. You don’t even need to be a great writer to write a book. Here’s what you really need:
A relatable story
Verifiable results
A willingness to invest in a quality product
An experienced ghostwriter can write a book that helps you experience the five benefits I just mentioned. You don't even need a writing coach. All you need is a ghostwriter who is willing to interview you and work with you step-by-step to produce the best result.
How to Write a Book Without Plagiarizing
The market is saturated with mediocre publishers trying to make a quick buck. They hire writers to do basic research and put together a book that they can sell to the masses. It’s like they’ve created a book creation assembly line.
Your book shouldn’t be a combination of content that already exists. It should be written from your perspectives, research, and insights. After all, you’re writing this book because you have something unique to share right?
So, you can write a book without plagiarizing by writing from your perspectives. Sure, you may need to do some research. But, that research shouldn’t take up a large portion of the book. It should be used to support what you’re saying.
If you’re adding paraphrased content, ensure you cite the source. You should mention the author in the body of text and in your bibliography or reference list. If you’re using direct quotations, remember to use quotation marks.
Is It Better to Start a Blog or Write a Book?
It doesn’t have to be one or the other. An effective blog strategy can help you promote your book to active readers. You can also use your book to direct traffic to your blog. So, a blog and a book really work well together.
You have three choices:
Start increasing traffic to your blog then write a book
Write a book then use the themes discussed in the book to create a blog
Work on your blog and book at the same time
The choice really depends on your goals.
Do You Need a Writing Coach?
A writing coach works with you to ensure that you write your book. This coach helps you:
Set deadlines
Organise your writing schedule
Stay motivated to keep writing
A writing coach does not write the book for you. You may get some help with editing and proofreading but there’s no writing support. Expect to pay at least $100 per hour for a writing coach.
You need a ghostwriter if you actually want someone else to write your book. I’m a ghostwriter who charges based on the overall project. I interview you, write the content, and work side-by-side with you to ensure you get the best possible manuscript. Reach out to me if you want to find out how I can help you write your book.
Final Words
Writing a book can be a rewarding experience. You’ll get the best results when your book is written from your perspectives rather than a random compilation of research. Hire a ghostwriter if you want someone to write your book for you.