Having a book published is an exciting event in a writer’s life. It is probably the biggest piece of validation that you can receive, and it’s a significant milestone. After all, it is expensive for a publishing house to bring a book to market. They have to take a risk on a writer, and hope that they can recoup that investment through book sales.
What if you aren’t a full-time writer, though, but instead a business person who happens to write? What difference does writing make to your business, and is it worth the effort to write a book and attempt to get the support of a publisher? This is the situation I found myself in.
I run a small marketing agency. I spend my days handling all of the usual situations that every other small business owner faces — finding new business, servicing existing clients, dealing with employees, contractors, vendors, the bank, managing money, and thinking about what we do next as a business.
The prospect of writing a book for many in my position seems daunting, and I am not going to lie to you, even when you start out, it is a daunting endeavor. However, a book is, and has been described by numerous individuals, as the best $25 business card you can’t buy. A book immediately ascribes the title of “expert” on the author. In fact, you change titles from writer to author, and that act in itself brings with it a certain cache.
But is this true? Are business authors experts in their field, or just people with too much time on their hands? After all, if they are so busy actually running a business how could they possibly find the time to write a book about it at the same time?
And are authors worth trusting? I’d say take a look at their track record. Are they doing it? Are they walking the walk as much as they talk the talk? The reason someone like Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine.TV and Internet business consulting fame, and author of “Crush It” and “The Thank You Economy,” can fill a room with a thousand people on his book tour is because he isn’t just talking about his book topic, he is living it.
So should you write a book about your business experience? If you have unique experiences and knowledge that would be valuable to your peers and the generations of people who want to be in your line of business, sharing it with them through a book is a great legacy.
I have met many people who have said these magic words: “I’d love to write a book, but..” My advice is, if you think you want to write a book, write it. I can’t guarantee it will be published, but that is usually a side effect of a good book even if it isn’t the aim.
Image credit: christgr
