5 Good Reasons to Write Your Book

There are plenty of books in the world – likely even on your subject of expertise. So why should you consider adding yours?

Here are five reasons.

1. Clarity. Writing a book brings order to chaos. Consider: In 2021, there were 575,000 tweets, 856 minutes of Zoom webinars, and 5.7 million searches on Google – every minute. And that’s just a few small examples out of a much larger universe of new content. (Put more broadly, there were 2.5 quintillion – or million million millions – of data bytes created in 2017.)
   
   That is so far beyond our capacity to comprehend; it’s a small wonder the world feels as chaotic as it does. A book is one clear, simple, humble yet effective way to bring some much-needed clarity to you and your readers.
   
   Think of it as the thinking person’s equivalent of “tidying up.”

2. Opportunity. In a world of nearly 8 billion people, writing a book is one smart way to establish your expertise in a way that opens doors.
   
   And while the proceeds from book sales is unlikely to make you rich, a book can open doors to profitable speaking engagements. In fact, it may be hard to get those engagements without one. For example, All American Speakers boasts the world’s largest directory of speakers across 24 topics. The most prestigious topic area is thought leaders on global issues. Every single one of them has a book.
   
   Writing a book is quite simply the 21st century’s calling card.

3. Connection. Think of one of your favorite authors. Now think about whether you feel a bit connected to him or her. Chances are that, at some level, you do. There is a deep connection, even an intimacy, between a writer and readers that has a life of its own.
   
   Neuroscience is even showing that reading a book heightens connectivity in the brain. And once written, a book helps you keep making those connections – even after you’ve moved on to something else.
   
   It’s a bit like a current of energy that lights up every time someone new picks up your book.

4. Influence. I’ve met several people who have a strong instinct to write a book at a certain point in their careers or personal lives. Why? They want to share what they know, what they’ve learned, to help others.
   
   Of course, they may also want the influence and reputation that can come from writing a book. But this often comes from a desire to grow influence in the best of ways: as an act of generosity.
   
   It’s like gift-giving. It uplifts the giver even more than the recipient.

5. Joy. If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of writing, this one may feel like a stretch.
   
   But consider this reflection from Mary Oliver: “That’s the big question, the one the world throws at you every morning. Here you are alive. Would you like to make a comment?”
   
   The point is that writing a book is about more than self-expression. It’s about self-actualization. It’s you in full bloom. If you’d like help, please contact me.