Ep. 121 - Books as Business Tools with Alan Weiss

She Talks Business

Leverage Your Writing to Grow Your Brand

In this episode, you'll learn the importance of marketing and monetization in business and how books can establish you as a thought leader. There are authors out there who write books solely to make money and have found a lot of success in the book-selling business; that's not my primary focus. I view books as a means to an end. They are indicators of thought leadership, expertise, and success that help to improve business.

Symbolism of Books as Thought Leaders

Books hold a special place in the world of thought leadership. They serve as indicators of expertise, establishing you as a leader in your field. Successful authors like Dan Pink and Malcolm Gladwell have not only made a name for themselves but also generated significant income from their book sales.

Books as a Means to an End

Books serve as a means to improve both your business and personal life. They provide valuable insights, strategies, and knowledge that you can implement to achieve success. Thought leaders have written extensively, using their books to enhance their businesses and impact more lives.

Books as Marketing Tools

Books have a unique ability to attract people to you and your business. When readers enjoy a book, they often become evangelists, sharing it with others. This word-of-mouth marketing can have a significant impact on your reach and influence. The endorsement of readers who have experienced transformation through a book is invaluable.

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing

While self-publishing has gained popularity in recent years, traditional publishing still has undeniable credibility. Working with a commercial publisher signifies that someone has already invested in an author's work and validated its quality. Self-publishing might be suitable for niche markets, but for broader subjects like leadership or strategy, a traditional publisher can bring greater visibility.

Books are powerful marketing tools that not only establish you as a thought leader but also attract readers to your business. While there are exceptions to every rule, traditional publishing generally offers you greater credibility, where self-publishing requires a stronger personal brand and marketing network. Regardless of your publishing route, you need to focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your readers and leaves a lasting impact.

So, what's your publishing strategy?

What’s In This Episode

• Books as indicators of thought leaders, experts, and icons

• Writing books as a means to improve business and help more people

• Comparing self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and traditional publishing

• Relationships and networking through book readers and evangelists

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e121 for all resources from this episode.