The greatest challenge to getting your book out of the “someday” box isn’t writing, it’s starting. It helps if you spend some time finding why; if you clearly establish your real reason for writing a business book.
- Are you writing a book to make money? Don’t. Virtually all books sell less than 500 copies. Ever. Even if you make $12 a copy (which is pretty good), you just made $6,000.
- To establish yourself as an expert. Good reason. If you literally wrote the book, you’ll be recognized as an authority on your subject.
- To share the gift of your knowledge and experience. Sometimes, just giving, sharing, teaching, is enough.
- As an introduction to prospects: an overview of who you are and what you believe. If you’re going to take someone on as a client, it’s marvelous if they already know how you think.
- To use it as a big fat business card. Seriously. You can get copies for $4. If you’ve got a hot prospect, give ‘em a $4 business card. Imagine the impression it makes to say, “I want to give you a autographed copy of my book. I want to work with you.”
Clearly identify your desired outcome. Eliminate confusion. If you lie to yourself about your reasons for writing, you’ll invest a lot of time and effort on the wrong tasks in order to make progress down the wrong road.
It’s okay to write a book just to say you’ve done it. It’s great to write a book because it makes you proud. It’s fine to write a book as a business tool, a gift for your mom, or your own self-respect.
Just be clear on your “why,” and the “what” and “how” will fall into place. Suddenly, getting your book out of the “someday” box is less challenging, because finding why creates courage and motivation.
This post was originally at Finding Why.
Great post Joel, Many writers try to justify writing a book instead of just finding the why. I love to share my experience with others and I believe it shows in my books. Sure, I want to make money but knowing it won’t make money doesn’t stop me because it isn’t the main why.
I’m writing a book on relationships now and its been difficult and even Barbara, a great writer, said she would not dare tackle the subject. I have no qualifications to write it beyond 74 years of life but I have something to share and even if I don’t sell a single copy, I will have shared my experience and perhaps one person will find it of value.
All the whys you listed are good ones and there may be others that only the individual writer will know. Whatever they are, wanting to write a book is already a good reason. Thanks.
Bill
I’d guess that three quarters of a century of experience, especially if you’ve been paying attention, qualifies you to share a few things. It can be a thorny subject, but it’s one that never loses appeal because it’s so very important to each of us.