All your efforts to attract clients, build your list and distinguish yourself from your competition will miss maximum benefit if you are making one critical mistake: neglecting to write a book.
Your niche is loaded with skilled, talented and successful experts. You are one of them. While writing a book may be on your bucket list, you are making a big mistake if you don’t move it up to the top of your to-do list today.
You may be lulled into procrastination by thinking that writing a book is not that significant anymore. After all, with the popularity of self-publishing and sites like Amazon and their company, Create Space, it’s easier than ever to write a book. Perhaps you think there’s not much likelihood that you will shine as an author.
Not true.
Whether you are a coach, entrepreneur or speaker, when you write a book sharing your slant on your niche, you will not only stand out, but you will kick butt. Whether networking on and offline, as an author you will rise to the top of your niche, bolster your own confidence and set the stage for creating multiple streams of income.
- One of my clients is finishing up the rough draft on her book for helping Christian entrepreneurs, and she already is putting in place workshops, coaching and audio products.
- While another client is eagerly waiting for his book on AIDs survival to be delivered, he has already presold copies, lined up two speaking gigs and is increasing his visibility by participating in a bike ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco to raise money for AIDS research.
The best thing about being a coach, a blogger, a speaker, or a pastor, is that you already have content. Unlike the average person who dreams of writing a book one day without any idea of what he wants to write about, you (and you know who you are) already have the ingredients for your book (actually more than one.)
As an entrepreneur you also already have a platform, a list (no matter how small) and are probably active on social media. This means that you have fans who already like what you offer and will become the first wave of buyers of your book, not to mention evangelists for spreading the word.
So why should you write a book if you already have all these great things going for you?
Your book is going to get your transforming message out to a wider audience and fulfill the purpose for which you went into business. While you can reach a throng through your blogging, speaking, and other forms of communication, it’s no comparison to what your book can do.
You can’t even imagine the reach of your book.
It reminds me of a time when I spoke at a workshop and took some of my books for sale. One lady who came up to my table didn’t want to buy my book. She already had a copy and wanted me to sign it. When she handed her book to me I noticed that she had little colored post-it tags sticking out throughout her book from top to bottom. She had read my book thoroughly and thanked me so much for making a change in her life. She was not on any of my lists, had never read my blog nor heard my radio show. But she had read my book.
As an author you will have an unfair edge over your colleagues because your book can work on your behalf when you are resting. It will
- demystify your niche for your potential clients, endearing you as the go-to person in the field
- introduce your product/service to people of influence who can become joint venture partners
- establish your credibility as an expert in your niche
- put you at the forefront of meaningful interaction in your niche
- enable you to command higher fees
- help build a team of devoted fans and even evangelists
Now that you know the critical mistake you’ve been making in your niche, it’s a good time to correct it. And if you’ve always promised yourself that you’d write your book someday, I have a special gift for you. Download it here
Great post!
I love how you’ve moved writing books to the top of the list. Sometimes the value of printed books is questioned, given the rise of ebooks, but I think traditional books still separate their author from the ‘dime a dozen’ digital alternatives.
Cheers, Caylie
Caylie,
The more I work with my clients, the more I realize the deep satisfaction and absolute joy publishing a book gives. Then there’s the after benefit when it touches the lives of our readers.
And, you’re right, of course that print books will still hold their own even with the digital alternatives.
This post made me re-think alot of things. Gives me great inspiration. Isn’t it funny that when someone says the same thing others say, but it a completely different way, it make so much sense? This is one of those times for me. Thank you for the someday gift. 🙂
Excellent post, Flora! I absolutely love the simple but, oh, so true line: “You can’t even imagine the reach of your book,” and the story of the woman who had you sign her well-used copy.
I will definitely link to this post in a future post of my own.
Laura (aka Marcie)
Hi Laura,
It is so true that we don’t know the reach of our books and our lives.
I’m honored that you will link to my post in the future.
Thanks for making time to stop by.
Flora, enjoyed your blog here. I love the idea of kicking ass (in the nicest possible way) and like your suggestion of moving the book up and off my bucket list. Looking forward to exploring more of your posts on writing here too. Anything to improve. 🙂
Ruth,
LOL about kicking ass in the nicest possible way. Of course, but we must kick it all the same.
After all, we must get through that bucket list so we don’t die with our books inside of us.
I’m delighted that you liked the tips. We all need encouragement to keep moving forward.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. If one can take the energy to create a product or book, they have made the leap that most of their competitors have not!
You point out some really good benefits of writing a book here.
Thanks!
Gwen
Wise words from a Wise Woman. I noticed how one of our members at the Home Business Alliance meeting used her book to speak for her. When something came up in conversation, she simply turned to a page that addressed the issue and showed it to everyone. It looked so easy.
Hi Linda,
Thanks for pointing out how the HBA member used her book to make various points, and thereby let her book speak for her. She also was promoting her book and strengthening her credibility each time she did that.
It is easy to use your book in the same way. I look forward to helping you reveal your expertise in that way.
Gwen,
Thanks for popping by to confirm the edge that writing a book can give an entrepreneur.
I jumped over to read your post on creating games for our niches, and now my creative juices are stirring and coalescing on this goal.
Annette,
You make a very good point about the need to hear things more than once and from different people. We have different ears each time, depending on where we are in our businesses. Eventually, it clicks.
You’re welcome for the someday gift.
Thanks for visiting. Come back soon.