Oftentimes, I end up working with or doing discovery calls with people who are initially a little hesitant about the whole book writing thing. While each person is unique, one common root of this hesitancy relates to ego.
They’re passionate about their mission, their story, and what they have to teach, but they’re concerned about how the visibility around their book will be perceived. They wonder if a book will make it seem like they’re just out to promote themselves. If it will make them seem arrogant. If anyone else will care.
I’m here to tell you that if you have a mission you’re passionate about and a story you’ve gained wisdom from, it’s an act of service to others and your responsibility to the greater good to share that (to the extent you’re comfortable).
Books are not about you. They’re about your readers. They’re about the lives you can impact. If you’re still concerned that others will perceive a book as an ego-driven project, read on to see why I firmly believe otherwise.
It’s Not About You
The goal of writing a book isn’t to show the world how great you are. That’s not the visibility we’re going for. The goal of writing a book is to bring other people into your world so you can share the wisdom you’ve gained, the experiences you’ve learned from, and the knowledge you have to share.
The intent of the book is ultimately to positively impact the reader. Yes, the book will talk about you. It has to. The reader has to get to know you, truly and authentically. They have to understand the journey you’ve been on, the challenges you’ve faced, and the victories you’ve had. That’s how the stories you share and the teachings you impart resonate because the reader feels like they’re learning from a trusted friend.
Everything that is shared in the book is shared with the greater good of the reader in mind. The goal is to have the maximum impact on them possible. And a great book will create a ripple effect of positive impact. The reader will act on what you shared and then also share your wisdom, teachings, and hopefully your book with others, which continues the waves of positive change.
Books Are Multi-Faceted
Books are multi-faceted reflections of you. Yes, they share a lot of the great things you’ve done. But they also show challenges you’ve faced, mistakes you’ve made, and how you’ve overcome those. They show the vulnerable parts of you. The things that didn’t go so great.
These parts may not be fun to share, but they are the human experience. They make the book relatable. They make YOU relatable.
Your book won’t (or at least shouldn’t) make readers feel that they’re being preached at. Instead, because the readers will get to know the different parts of you, it will feel like they’re chatting with a friend or a mentor over a cup of coffee.
But for this to happen, you need to let your friend, the reader, see you, relate to you, and empathize with you.
No one is perfect. I can assure you that your book won’t be 200 pages of the illusion of perfection.
Books Scale Your Story
Think about all the times you’ve had a conversation or exchange with someone who thought your story or insights were impactful to them. I know you have those. I know they’re the reason you’ve even considered writing a book in the first place.
These conversations could’ve happened at work, over a meal with a friend, or waiting in line at the store. There is so much beauty in these moments, but this approach isn’t scalable.
A book is.
Think about how many more people you can reach through a book. It’s a way to scale your message about your mission, your experiences, and your stories. You don’t need to be in the room with them. You don’t need to know them. You just need to make them feel like they are in the room with you and know you.
The impact then has the potential to be exponential. Readers that your book resonates with will share your book with others they feel it might resonate with, and the cycle continues.
If you’ve been holding back from sharing your knowledge and story, this is your sign to rethink whatever limiting beliefs you may have. It’s a benefit to society to share wisdom you’ve gained. I’m here to help you share it. If you’re interested, book a free strategy session using the link below.
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.