Business owners are always searching for the next big thing to set themselves apart from the competition. After all, you can’t just do the same things everyone else is doing in your industry and expect to stand out. The truth is that everyone wants to work with an expert, someone who has been there and done that. But how do you position yourself as an expert? Self-publish a book about your industry!
Publishing a successful book can give you the authority you need to land those high-ticket clients and deals. Customers are more apt to spend big money on an expert than on somebody who seems like everyone else on the market. The book you publish will be the proof you need to showcase your expertise and worthiness.
A published book can also help you land big speaking gigs. What does almost every TEDx speaker have in common? They have a book and they are experts on their topic. Experts help sell event tickets. People are inclined to join an event hosted by or including an expert. If you are a digital marketer, for example, you may be very good at your job but writing and publishing a book on digital marketing will be the boost you need to get you to the next level in your career.
Of course, most business owners don’t have the time or skills to write an entire book on their own. You can expect to spend at least 6 months to a year outlining and writing the book. Many new authors spend well over a year writing their books. There’s one way you can cut that time in half: Hire a ghostwriter to write the book for you. Yes, you should prepare to spend at least $15,000, up to $100,000 for a proper ghostwriting service, and that might sound expensive, but think of all the time you’ll be saving by outsourcing the writing to a professional. Not only that but the book will actually be good because it will be written by a professional, not a first-time author like yourself.
Once the book is ghostwritten and approved, remember that not all self-publishing platforms are created equal. Choose a self-publishing company that meets all of your needs for your specific book. Some companies force you into an exclusive contract, which is always a big no-no for self-publishing. You should always retain your rights. Royalties should be another consideration; how much will you receive for each book sold? Quality should be another focus, of course, because your book will reflect on you and your business. Your book product should look professional. For this reason, some entrepreneurs team up with a hybrid book publisher like Manhattan Book Group in order to elevate their book and make sure it’s the highest quality.
Regardless of how you decide to publish your book, you’ll be on your way to creating the ultimate business card for you and your business. Let all your competitors use their stale and overdone strategies while you position yourself as an authority by producing a book.