Why should you write a business, self-help, or personal development book? What makes it a good idea? I’m glad you asked! Here are seven reasons to write a book (really friggin’ good ones), and one BIG reason you shouldn’t.
And if you’re wondering… my personal reason is number seven.
Seven reasons to write a book
Reason to write a book 1
To allow people to check you out before committing to your more expensive services.
Reason to write a book 2
To get you speaking gigs, so you can get paid to stand on stage and share your message with audiences.
Reason to write a book 3
To reach more people with your message than you could ever serve one-on-one (or even on a stage).
Reason to write a book 4
To pay it forward and pass on your knowledge, experience, and insights to those who are where you were a few (or many!) years ago.
Reason to write a book 5
To tell your truth, even if others have tried to shut you down and said you weren’t worth listening to.
Reason to write a book 6
To leave a legacy—something that will inspire others, even after you’re gone.
Reason to write a book 7
Because you’ve been thinking about writing a book forever, the idea won’t leave you alone, and you just really want to do it.
Maybe you want to prove to yourself you can. Or perhaps you can't explain why you're called to write, to share your message, to leave a part of you in this world... but you are. And you want to honor that.
One BIG reason not to write a book
I truly believe you should not write a book if…
You don’t have a clear message, concept, idea, or something you feel passionate about sharing.
Maybe someone said you should write a book and you think that’s a cool idea. But you don’t know what you’d write about yet.
Or perhaps you have a sense of your subject. You kinda know what you wanna say. You can ramble about it for five minutes, or an hour. It’s in your heart, but when you try to say it out loud in any kind of succinct form, you stumble.
If this is you, your idea isn’t ready. Not yet.
That doesn’t mean it won’t become a concept that’s roaring to go, but it needs more time to get there. Read more about this here.
Write a book when your idea is clear.
Did you notice?
Did you notice what ISN’T the big reason for not doing this?
Being scared.
Because doing something meaningful is always scary.
But you can be scared and still have excellent reasons for moving forward. You can be scared and still take the leap.
You can.
So if one (or more) of those seven reasons to write a book is your reason, go get ‘er! You write that thing.
Thanks,
Liz “Seven Is the Most Powerfully Magical Number” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
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