What Erica Andersen and Jack Covert Think About Your Writing a Business Book
I was blown away when I read Erica Andersen’s recent column in Forbes, “Why Writing a Book Is Good Business.” Her advice for businesspeople who would like to write a book is spot-on, and I highly recommend you read it.
Ms. Andersen mentions Jack Covert’s book, blog and website, The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. Ah, yes, there’s Stephen Covey, Peter Drucker, Dale Carnegie, Guy Kawasaki, Clayton Christensen, Hammer and Champy, Heath and Heath, Seth Godin — I better stop before I name nearly all of them.
She goes on to define a good book as grammatically and syntactically well written, filled with smart ideas, and interesting. This is the BBG value-add, the aspects of book-building where we shine for our author-clients.
Then Erica discusses the bottom line: the ROI of writing a book. Some authors may think they’ll become rich, or at least be able to recoup their development costs, but this is rarely the case. Bottom line: a book is an incredible marketing tool for the businessperson. Few ever write a book, perhaps because of their lack the time. Perhaps they don’t have all the needed skills to put 40,000-50,000 words together into a well written, interesting, idea-rich narrative. But those who do accrue financial benefits downstream from increased visibility, increased lead generation, more (and more lucrative) requests to speak, and the ability to charge higher fees for their services.
A book gives you incredible street cred, even if you never appear in the New York Times bestseller lists. Erica Andersen describes the benefits as increased or enhanced personal credibility, business credibility, and brand clarity.
If you have thoughts of writing a business book, you really ought to read this article. Be sure you go to the links as well. Then download a copy of our Special Report, “Secrets of Success for Business Book Authors” on this site’s home page to learn even more. Be sure to read the sections on ROI and opportunity costs. Then call or write us, and we’ll answer your questions.
