7 Reasons You Need to Write a Book

It feels like just yesterday when being an author made you part of an elite group. But the truth is, that hasn't been the case in quite some time. With the increased availability of affordable self-publishing options for paperback, e-books, and audiobooks, more and more people are taking the plunge and getting their message out to the world. When you are a subject matter expert or thought leader in today's world and don't have a book, you are relegating yourself to a place where people can wonder why.

At Penforhire, our goal is to help everyone with a message to share deliver it with compelling written content. Here are the top seven reasons you should think about adding a book to your tool kit:

1. Reach

How many clients can you currently help in a day? Whether you are a solopreneur or have a team of people behind you, there are still only so many people you can touch in a day, week, or year.?Sure, you can speak on stage to reach more. But even that is limited to the number of people in the room. A book can help amplify your message to audiences of scale you might never have thought possible.

2. Credibility

If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, does it make a sound? The same can hold true for your expertise on any given subject.?We live in a world where everything is available online with the click of a button. Your website can list all of your education and achievements, but for your target audience to get this far, they must already know who you are and where to find you. As a published author, your name will have more SEO exposure and a higher level of esteem. Book publishing has become much easier in recent years. But there is still a significant level of commitment required. When you put in the time and effort to create a book, your credibility automatically increases.

?3. Door Opener

Books have become the new business card. There is plenty of competition soliciting the clients you want to do business with. Not every potential speaker will have the opportunity to get on stage. You can cold call, use email marketing, work the networking group circuit, or ask for warm market introductions to decision-makers. Or, you could mail a copy of your book to the person you would like to speak with a week or two before ever reaching out. Now, when they hear your name on the other end of the phone they already know a little about who you are and what you do. And even if they never opened the book, you will still stand out as someone who went above and beyond to get their attention.

4. Value Add

We all want to be able to provide our clients with the most possible value. After all, there are many options of where they can take their business. One of the key things about teaching and sharing knowledge is that everybody learns differently. Some are auditory learners, some are visual, and others still need hands-on guidance. No matter what your message is, a book is a perfect complement to the other products and services you have. Courses, personalized coaching services, and a comprehensive compilation of your knowledge ensure all of your clients' learning styles are being met.

5. Brand enhancement

Brand enhancement is similar to credibility; only it takes into account more than just yourself. To grow and reach more clients, those prospects need to feel like they are in the best hands even if it is not you directly working with them.?When you buy an Apple product, you don't expect to get their CEO on the phone for technical support. But you do know the company philosophy and level of service you can expect. Your book can help enhance your brand so that anyone on your team can work with a new client and there is no uncertainty around the experience.

6. Marketing & Publicity

Let's be serious, books are conversation starters. There are more bestseller lists than I can count. NY Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Amazon, and many more heap praise on those who not only published a book but sold well. Whether you are fortunate enough to make list or not, there is still ample opportunity to get in front of the media and speak about it.?Public relations specialists are in the business of securing earned media time for their clients, and when you have a book to work with it makes their jobs much easier.

7. Giving back to your audience

Never underestimate how meaningful it can be to your clients, audience, or followers to know more about the authentic you. No matter how transparent you are during your routine interactions there will always be more to your story. A book can make you more relatable and appealing to do business with. Even though people may hire you to do a job or achieve a specific result, it doesn't mean they want to be told what to do or preached to. A book is your opportunity to be vulnerable and attract the types of clients you can provide the most benefit to and will get the most satisfaction out of working with.