Four reasons why writing a book should be a top goal for speakers, coaches and experts this year

If you’re a speaker (or a coach who promotes your business through speaking), then you’ll probably have been asked if you’ve got a book. Which is great if you’ve got one, but a bit frustrating to say the least if you haven’t. In a Facebook group for professional speakers which I’m in, someone recently asked about everyone’s top three goals for 2015; virtually all respondees said that writing a book, or another book if they already had one, was on their list.

So why is being the author of a brilliant book so important if you’re a speaker or coach (or any other expert for that matter)?

1. Instead of seeking clients and speaking gigs, you become sought after

What a lovely thought! Just imagine the scene. You’re at the networking part of an event, and get talking to someone who  might be interested in you speaking at their own event. You outline your area of expertise, including your big message and how you get it across. They seem interested, but have other options available. Then you mention your book, and their eyes light up. Why? Because being the author of a published book gives you credibility and status. The fact that you’ve got enough of importance to say to create a book speaks volumes (sorry!) about you and your business. Enough said.

2. Your sales can rise to a new level

Being able to sell copies of your book at the end of your talk is a great way of making some extra money, but that’s only the start. By being a published author you are declaring ‘I know my stuff, and I’m serious about it’.  Your clients want the best that money can buy, and nothing says ‘quality’ like having a book which gets across your big message in a persuasive way. Once you’re an author, you have the potential to raise your rates and attract a whole new tranche of clients and speaking gigs.

3. You can extend your audience way beyond the speaking circuit and your existing clients

Having a book to offer at your next speaking engagement is obviously brilliant. But how many more people could you reach if it was found on Amazon and other book retailers? By making your message available in this way, you’re spreading your net so much more widely than your existing marketing activity.

4. New opportunities come your way, that would never have found you had you not propelled yourself into the spotlight with your book

Here’s where the  magic happens. Someone reads your book and passes it on, or recommends it to someone else. That person realises that they have need of your services, or knows someone who does. Before you know it, new contacts – already impressed by the fact that you have a well written and insightful book – are knocking at your door. Of course it takes a lot of work to get to this point (writing, publishing and marketing a great book is no picnic) but that’s part of the reason people respect you for it. And those people may be future clients and business partners.

Do you want to write a book this year? Tell me your number one block to doing this in the comments below and I’ll see if I can help you. Or apply for a free strategy session with me  here.