If you’re a reader, you already know how important books are, but what about writing your own?
If you haven’t given it much thought, or you’re just not convinced yet that it’s necessary, consider these reasons why you should write a book:
You will grow. This will come about partly because writing a book will teach you about yourself, and help you connect on a deeper level with your own values and thoughts; sometimes you may not know what you really think about something until you write and then read what you’ve written. The other part of this growth will be because writing a book is not a walk in the park. It’s a lot of work. The process of actually committing to a writing project and seeing it through will show you just how important willpower is, and test how disciplined you are.
You get to share your message. Writing a book is the best way to let people know that you really care about your idea, discovery, or story. And if you care, perhaps others will care too.
You will be serving others. The knowledge you’ve acquired and the experiences you’ve been through can make a difference for others, so you have a duty to share and help others by documenting them in a book.
You’ll become smarter. When you write, you learn. Writing a book requires research, no matter what topic or theme you’re writing about. This process will open the door for new ideas, and you will find yourself being educated on a wide range of ideas. You’ll be energised by all the things you’ll be learning as you write, and when you’re done you’ll be significantly more knowledgeable and smarter than you were when you started. If you devote enough time and rigour to this research and writing, you can even assert yourself as an expert in your field. This brings us to point number five.
You’ll establish credibility. Not that many people write books. In fact, only 1% of the world’s population ever publishes a book. As such, you gain credibility simply because you have, and you set yourself apart from the majority who haven’t. Furthermore, you have actual proof that you know your onions, which also serves to establish you as an authority in your field. This in turn leads to point number six.
You create valuable content. Preacher and teacher Mike Murdock, who is also a prolific writer, once tweeted advice to speakers and teachers: write a book, and then teach from your book. Having that body of work puts your message together cohesively, and gets attention for you and your business or mission. If you have it before you even begin, it sends a loud and clear message that you’re starting a business or a ministry around that topic or theme and helps you generate interest and buzz, which in turn attracts customers, clients and others you want to serve.
You will amass material. In the same vein,writing a book also means you have lots of material, parts of which you can use to create other income streams in the future, like digital courses, audio books, podcasts and videos. Your book can also give you ample material for speaking engagements. And all this in addition to the fact that, by simply existing, your book brings you passive income. Furthermore, all of these other income streams can also lead to even more book sales. It’s a beautiful virtuous circle!
I haven’t listed money per se as a reason to write a book, because many authors never earn directly from their books. Writing a book, having it properly edited, designing a good cover, actually getting it published, and then marketing it, all cost a lot of money. Most authors are lucky to break even. Does this mean a book can’t make money for you? Of course not. If you see it as a way to generate attention for your other endeavours, you are less likely to be disappointed than if you set your sights on making money from actual sales of thousands of copies. And with that attitude, you’ll be poised for lasting, long-term profit.
So, what’s keeping you from writing your book?
