You may be surprised at how books are vital in building a personal brand in this digital world. It’s been over 14 years since I wrote my first book, and I’ve been anxious to write another one ever since.
Approximately 80.64 million business and economics category print books were sold in 2021 representing 25% of adult non-fiction print sales which were over 322.56 million in total. 2021 showed 10% rise from over 73.31 million for the business and economics category when compared to the previous FY.
Why To Write a Book
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the attention you get when the title author is added to your professional biography. I was invited to speak, and consult, and clients came to me instead of me hunting them down. I believe much of this was due to the validation that a published book brings… companies trust that you’re an expert who has thoroughly thought out the premise of the products or services they need to invest in.
Books continue to play a vital role in business for several reasons:
- Knowledge and Expertise Sharing: Books are a comprehensive medium for sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices. They allow professionals to learn from the experiences and insights of others in their field.
- Credibility and Authority: Writing a book can establish an individual as an expert in their field. This credibility can open doors to new business opportunities, speaking engagements, and consulting roles.
- Marketing and Branding: A book can be a powerful marketing tool. It helps build a brand and gives a business a tangible product showcasing its values, philosophy, and expertise.
- Networking and Relationships: Writing and promoting a book can lead to new connections and strengthen existing relationships within an industry.
- Longevity of Content: Unlike digital content, which can become outdated quickly, books often have a longer shelf life. The concepts and strategies discussed in books can remain relevant and accessible for years.
- Personal Development: Writing a book requires research, reflection, and synthesis of ideas, which can be a significant personal and professional development exercise.
- Revenue Stream: For some, a book can become an additional source of income, either directly through sales or indirectly by leading to other profitable opportunities like speaking or consulting.
- Legacy Building: Books can be part of an individual’s or a company’s legacy, leaving a lasting impact and contributing to their long-term reputation.
Writing a book was one of the most challenging projects I’d ever embarked on. The discipline it required to organize my thoughts, cohesively document them, and complete a book was an incredible challenge. I’m proud of what I achieved and in awe of my colleagues who turn around and write books every year or so.
How To Write A Book
Writing a non-fiction book for business involves several key steps, each requiring careful planning and execution:
- Identify Your Niche and Audience: Determine your book’s specific topic and target audience. This could include leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, or industry. Understanding your audience’s needs, challenges, and interests is crucial.
- Research and Gather Information: Conduct thorough research on your topic. This may involve reading other books, academic papers, interviewing experts, or drawing on personal experiences and case studies. Ensure your information is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date.
- Create an Outline: Develop a detailed outline to organize your content logically. This should include the main chapters, subtopics, and key points you want to cover. An outline helps structure the book coherently and ensures that you cover all necessary areas. For my book, I found a fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram helpful:

- Write with Clarity and Purpose: Start writing, focusing on clear and concise language. Remember, your goal is to inform, educate, and engage your readers. Use real-world examples, stories, and case studies to illustrate your points and make the content relatable.
- Add Value Through Unique Insights: Offer unique perspectives or solutions that aren’t readily available elsewhere. This could be through novel research, unique methodologies, or innovative strategies that you have developed.
- Revise and Edit: Editing is crucial for clarity, flow, and coherence. Consider hiring a professional editor to ensure high-quality content. They can help with grammar, structure, and ensuring the tone is appropriate for your audience.
- Design and Formatting: Pay attention to the layout and design of your book. This includes choosing a readable font, formatting paragraphs and headings, and incorporating charts, graphs, or images.
- Publishing: Decide whether to pursue traditional publishing or self-publishing. Traditional publishing might offer more support in editing, design, and distribution, while self-publishing gives you more control and often a higher percentage of the profits.
- Marketing and Promotion: Develop a marketing plan to promote your book. This could involve social media marketing, book launch events, speaking engagements, and contacting influencers and media in your field.
- Solicit Feedback and Reviews: Encourage readers to leave reviews and feedback. This provides valuable insights for future editions and helps build credibility and attract new readers.
Each of these steps involves significant effort, and the process can be as enlightening as it is challenging. Remember, a successful business book not only shares knowledge but also inspires and motivates its readers to apply that knowledge in their professional lives.