The landscape of publishing changes on an almost daily basis. As a result, authors and entrepreneurs are discovering that publishing a physical book has various benefits. In the past, writing a book was about making profits through sales of the book. Now, however, it is about enhancing the value of a brand. Indeed, the value is not in the selling of the book, but rather in the act of writing itself.
Branding Benefits
It is known that writing a physical book greatly enhances personal branding. This is particularly true if the book helps others to achieve a goal or solve a problem. It also helps to enhance visibility, thereby demonstrating authority in a specific field. Furthermore, it means that prospective clients are more likely to become interested, which, in turn, allows a business to be more picky about their own customers.
Naturally, it helps that a good book can also enhance opportunities and profit. However, the authority building aspects are far more important. Indeed, many entrepreneurs have stated that it was publishing a physical book that allowed them to drive their business and authority forward. This is something that Richard Branson, owner of Virgin, explained very well: “Never go into business purely to make money. If that’s the motive, you’re better off doing nothing.”
Further Benefits of Publishing
There are many other benefits to writing a book. The first is that it enhances writing skills, and these are important skills across the board. After all, delivering excellent online content is a way to build authority, and this requires good writing skills. It is an exercise in expression, in other words.
Secondly, it allows entrepreneurs to practice planning. Writing and publishing a physical book means project managing, mind mapping and time managing. All of these skills are hugely important in order to be successful. It also helps to build a brand new perspective, either on the subject that the book is about, or in terms of how larger projects should be managed. It teaches entrepreneurs about their personal working habits and where their strengths and weaknesses lie.
The content marketing element is incredibly important as well. Once a physical book has been written, it allows entrepreneurs to build authority and promote their businesses. Every element of the physical book can, eventually, become a piece of online content as well. It can either be copied as is, or it can be used as a discussion point to further knowledge and authority. This is a two-way stream as well, as the book helps to build online interest, while online interest also helps to sell more copies of the book.
There are also personal benefits to writing a book. For instance, it has been demonstrated to help in decision-making, which is a hugely important skill in terms of running any type of business. When writing books, authors need to learn to prioritize, decide what is and isn’t important and, generally, build up their own authority. As such, doing this also builds confidence. Being able to place a name below a title, and boldly stating that this is an authority piece will leave many feeling as if they can take on more, thereby driving their business further forward.
“Your biggest challenge as an entrepreneur is not concealing your idea from others or keeping your idea a secret,” says Sean Parker, founder of Napster. “It is actually convincing people that you’re not crazy and that you can pull this off.”
By showing confidence and sharing ideas in a physical book, an entrepreneur demonstrates that their ideas are worthwhile and that they have fantastic authority. Furthermore, by writing a book, an author creates curiosity. They create this in themselves, as they will need to research information to include in the book, but they also create it in their reader. This is the curiosity that builds authority, as readers will want to know more.
Ultimately, writing a physical book is a great way to share ideas and knowledge with a specific audience. Additionally, it is a great way to build new connections and new ideas, thereby enhancing entrepreneurial spirit. Writing is a journey of discovery. It teaches an author about what they already know and what they still have to learn. This shines through in readers, who will be more than likely to return to other information provided by the author.
It is a known fact that writing a physical book is a great way to build a personal brand. Doing so is therefore hugely beneficial in terms of building authority. Additionally, it is important in terms of personal development plus it is the new calling card in business today.
Patrick Hurinenko
SBT Contributor