Books are all about giving.
So often, people assume that books are about the author. They’re not. Sure, the book will have stories and experiences from the author, but the goal of telling those is ultimately to benefit the reader.
And when I say it’s not about the author. I mean this in a deeper way than making sure the writing resonates with the reader. That’s definitely incredibly important, but we need to peel back a layer.
When I say books are about giving, I’m talking about the impact that books can make. The lives they can change. The businesses they can transform.
Books aren’t transactional. They’re a slice of wisdom that can be bought, gifted, and consumed.
Let’s talk about why.
Your Story Inspires
We all have a story to tell. Every single one of us.
These stories have the ability to impact and inspire others. As the owner of those stories, we may not realize that. Our ability to overcome challenges and reach new heights often feels second nature to us because we’re living it, but to someone else, your story could be the spark of inspiration they needed to tackle their own obstacles and achieve their goals.
Inspiring stories don’t just apply to memoirs. I focus on the business and leadership genre, and I can tell you that the stories and experiences in those books are just as powerful as what you read in a memoir.
Books showcase the human experience. Your reader doesn’t need to have the exact same story or journey as you to get it. They just have to be able to relate to what you were feeling, what you had to overcome, and what you were looking to accomplish.
Knowledge Worth Sharing
Similar to the stories that live inside us, we often underestimate the knowledge that we possess. This, too, feels second nature to us.
Because we’ve spent years and years acquiring what we know, we often don’t realize the vastness of expertise that we possess. Oftentimes, we’re focused on what else we can learn and not how far we’ve come.
What if you could help someone acquire that wisdom more quickly through sharing your insights and experiences in a book?
You might object to this by saying that there are plenty of other books on the subject you’re an expert on. But they’re not written by you!
Your life and your journey are unique. How you position your knowledge, paired with the stories you share, might make the information click for someone in a way that some other book or content hasn’t previously been able to.
Scaling Impact
Sure, you don’t really need a book to share your stories and wisdom. But let’s consider two worlds for a minute.
In the first world, you rely on word of mouth, social media, and presentations to share your stories and knowledge. Your colleagues receive your knowledge in meetings. Your friends and family hear your stories. Your social media followers get the sound bites that engage them on the content pillars that are most relevant for that platform. You’re able to impact as many people as you come into contact with or connect with on socials. But no one hears the full message.
In the second world, you write a book. This book has your experiences (professional and otherwise), your expertise, your recommendations, and your “what’s in it for you” all in one place. It’s packaged up neatly into 200 pages. You can hand it to all those people you come in contact with, all those people who follow you on social media can buy it, and then a ripple effect can start. Your friends tell their friends. Your colleagues share it with their network. Your message gets into more people’s hands. Your book is available to the world. And it’s an evergreen asset that will live on.
Which world seems like it has the power to make the most impact?
If you’d like to live in the second world but don’t want to do the writing yourself, request a book consult using the button 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.