Why Write a Book? The New ROI.

“The ripples of impact happen when you connect with fellow humans in an authentic way. – Jennie Nash, founder of Author Accelerator.

For most experts, they get to a point in their careers where writing a book is a logical next step. Being a book author can confer a sense of legitimacy and authenticity. It can make your peers and the public view you in a new way. Most experts I know have either written a book, are in the process of writing one or seriously considering it.

But most books don’t earn out their advances. When they do, you get royalties. The more the book sells (whether it's traditional or self-publishing) the more money you make. But most books are not bestsellers. In this case, it’s difficult to see a good return on your investment of time, money and energy.

But there’s another ROI. 

It’s defined at Ripples of Impact according to Janet Jenn Lim, the author of Beyond Happiness:

How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact. I learned about this concept from Jennie Nash, who articulates this idea perfectly, above.

What this means is that your book is more than just a book, it’s a tool to reach and have an impact on a much wider audience and can even establish you as a Thought Leader like Brene Brown, Elizabeth Gilbert and Jay Shetty.

It can take you where you want to go.

Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit. Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever calls a book the “big kahuna” in content marketing. If that's true you probably need one!

Think of your book as your own magic carpet ride that can take you where you really want to go.

The most effective way to do this is to align opportunities with your expertise, your book’s message and who you want to reach.

For example, if you’re a psychotherapist who specializes in stress reduction or fine-tuning your intuition, think about giving a workshop at a spiritual center like the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health or The Omega Institute. If you’re an herbalist consider speaking at The International Herb Symposium or the Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine.

Using your book in the ways mentioned here will also help you sell more books. So, it’s a WIN-WIN.

You Can Use Your Book:

• To land interview requests about your subject matter whether it’s for print, radio, the internet, podcasts or TV. This further establishes you as an expert and builds your presence as a thought leader.

• To supersize your content. You can use and repurpose book content for speeches, blog posts, articles, newsletters, in person and on-line courses.

• To help you land speaking gigs. Defining who you are, what you do and what you believe in through your book makes it easier for people to find and book you.

• To give in-person workshops in your hometown, at universities, associations, green companies, organizations. Bonus you can sell your book to participants too!

• To book consulting gigs with people or organizations who want to know what you know and learn what you have to teach them. Maybe you can teach Buddhist stress reduction techniques or mindfulness meditation to accountants or lawyers or businesspeople.

• To educate your clients or patients about your method, plan or program. Instead of giving each one handwritten instructions, you give them a complete approach from A to Z.

And of course The Big Kahuna:

• To get booked for a Ted Talk and boost your visibility, way, way up!

What ways have you used your book to raise your visibility and expand your reach? Please share in the comments below!

Until Next Time!

Contact me when you’re ready if you need:

1. A book coach to be your editorial guide, support and project manager as you write or re-write your book and/or book proposal.

2. A manuscript evaluation for a big picture, smallest detail overview.

3. A developmental editor to structure your book, and make the text clear, concise, and reader friendly.