So You Want to Write a Book?

Countless people want to write a book, but only a small percent actually do it. Many would-be authors get stuck in a holding pattern wondering if writing a book would be a smart career move. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before deciding whether to embark on the publishing journey.

Can you make time for another project?
Even if you work with a ghostwriter, you’ll need to devote time to passing that person information and reviewing drafts. It’s possible to be totally hands-off and let the ghostwriter shape the whole project, but most authors want some degree of personal involvement. If you plan on interviewing people for the book, many authors like to manage that directly as well. Think of it this way: when something is truly important, do you set aside time for it, or try to cram it into your normal schedule and hope for the best?

Do you have an audience that will buy the book?
Authors are the driving force behind selling copies of their books. Publishing houses typically only give book deals to business authors who are already well-positioned to drive sales on their own. Authors who choose to self-publish are in the same boat when it comes to managing their own marketing for books. Before choosing to write a book, think about how you would get the word out to let people know your book exists.

Will becoming an author help you reach your goals?
There are myriad reasons people write books, and it comes down to professional and personal goals. Authoring a book can help boost your image as a thought leader, and serve as a marketing piece for your business. It can help you bring in new clients, and strengthen relationships with existing clients. A book can also become a much-needed resource to help people learn about a specific topic that falls under your expertise. Whatever goals you have, make sure writing a book would help you reach them.

There are many factors to consider when deciding to write a book, but these are some of the most important. If you can confidently answer yes to all three of these questions, you should consider taking the first steps to start the publishing process.