Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing,” said Benjamin Franklin. If you’re in business, you could be doing both.
They say everyone has a book inside of them – it might be a crime thriller, a historical romance or a volume of self-help advice, but most of us don’t find the time to write. But as a business owner you might be missing out on a golden opportunity if you don’t put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Maybe you’re a start-up and need to establish a presence in the market. Maybe your business is doing well and is ready to expand. Perhaps you’re looking to revamp your image and brand. In all these circumstances, publishing a book that draws on your business and your expertise can be exactly the right strategy for the following reasons:
Building and boosting your brand
A book is a tangible way of demonstrating your expertise and business credentials to the world. Your business card or website says who you are and what you do. But a book is your opportunity to show that you know what you’re talking about. A book is a high-profile status badge, telling everybody that you are an expert in your field. Put simply, whether you’re giving it away on your website, selling it on Amazon, or having it reviewed by the press, your book is a solid boost to your credibility.
Marketing you and your business
Much like a website or a blog or an advertisement in the local newspaper, your book is a marketing tool. Your book is another channel through which you can reach out to your target market. What’s more, marketing and selling your book via Facebook, Twitter and Amazon gives you access to a wider audience. Your book is both an advertisement and product at the same time. It gives the reader something of value (advice, guidance, a good read) and as a result, they’re inclined to treat it more seriously than a business card or a flyer or a pay-per-click ad. This means that your book will establish you and your business more firmly in their memory; which sounds like the very best kind of marketing.
Great networking
Networking is about making contacts – potential suppliers, potential partners, potential customers – and the secret of good contact-making is to make sure you’re remembered. People don’t meet too many authors in the course of their working day, so as a published author you’re guaranteed to stand out and be memorable. Especially if you give them a copy of your book.
It leads to other things…
As well as good contacts and sales and so on, a book can lead your business into new areas. The process of writing and publishing may prompt other ideas. Maybe your book will become a series. Maybe its contents are perfect for conversion into a smartphone app. Maybe you’ll be invited to meetings and associations as an expert (and inspiring) speaker. Your book may open new doors to new opportunities.
Money
Selling your book – especially in e-form – can make you some money. Your book will probably make more indirect profit for you (new customers intrigued by what they’ve read) than it will from direct sales… but nonetheless you should expect a financial return from publishing your book.
Admittedly, some business owners may appreciate some help in becoming an author; writing, polishing, and publishing is time-consuming, and not everyone is comfortable expressing their expertise in writing. But for this, you don’t need to be a writer. You just need the expertise that you already have that comes from knowing your business. Some or all of the rest of the process can be outsourced. So, if you’re an expert in your field and want to publish a book, at Soul Space Design we can help you do just that. Find out more about our book design and e-book services and how we can take you through the whole series of steps that ends with you holding a book bearing the names of you and your business.
