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Have you ever thought about writing a book? Believe it or not, most people have thought about writing a book, but very few people have actually actually done it.
I ended up writing my book for fun, but I had no idea how many doors it would open for me. Not only has it opened doors for me professionally, but it’s also made it easier for me to make friends and date—and I’ve also been able to use it as a tool to get into certain spaces I wouldn’t normally have access to.
In this article, I share how I accidentally wrote a book and how it helped me accelerate my professional career.
Related Topics: 5 Ways Your Business Will Benefit When You Write a Book
How I accidentally wrote a book
Writing a book is a big commitment. Most books on the market are between 30,000 and 50,000 words, so there’s no point in accidentally writing a book.
Luckily I was good at keeping a digital diary. In this digital diary, I have documented the ups and downs of founding a company in my parents’ basement. In this journal I wrote everything I learned, the mistakes I made and everything else in between.
At one point I looked through my entire journal and realized that it was enough to make a book out of it. Over the next two weeks I put together a book cover and immediately ordered a marketing copy (a blank book for marketing purposes).
After my marketing copy was received, I hired a photographer for a photoshoot and rebranded my entire online presence to pre-sell and hype the book.
I noticed a few interesting things that I never expected at first:
I started getting job offers (and accepted one)
One thing I didn’t expect about writing and marketing my book online was that companies would approach me with marketing and writing jobs. I didn’t get dozens of offers every week, but I did get a new opportunity once or twice a week, especially through social media.
This happened after I started promoting my book on Instagram. In mid-2022 I accepted a part-time position as a copywriter and recently accepted the position of Chief Marketing Officer at a commercial real estate company. All of these opportunities came about through my book.
My book “pre-sold” me and made me stand out. It got me in the door. All I had to do was attend the interview and close the deal.
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It allowed me to start demanding what I’m worth
Writing a book, especially within your area of expertise, is a great way to boost your credibility. After I started publicly marketing my book online, I felt much more comfortable and confident in charging exactly what I was worth.
I’ve already accumulated the skills and portfolio, but having a book helped me be more confident when asking for those awards.
Whenever I’m faced with objections, I notice that they tend to focus more on price, service delivery, and fear of action. I get fewer objections on the subject of credibility.
Networking is a million times easier
One thing that has become a lot easier after writing a book is networking. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter have not only allowed me to meet a lot of cool and high-profile people online, but also to connect with people personally.
One of my favorite tricks is having a physical copy of my book with me everywhere I go. Of course, throughout my day people ask me, “Oh, what book are you reading?” This is the perfect transition for me to dive into the book I’ve written and learn more about my work.
These conversations result in us exchanging contact information and possibly working together in the future. I too have been able to make many friends this way.
Related Topics: Looking for a groundbreaking way to showcase your expertise? Why a book is the “best business card in the world”.
More ways to talk
Publicizing my book online has made it easier for me to attract and land speaking opportunities. Having a book is a great way to boost your credibility, though Speaking of about the book can also open many doors. These doors include:
And much more!
It’s amazing to get book sales, but there’s more money to be made behind the scenes through various things like speaking engagements, workshops, interviews, etc.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I never intended to write a book. It all happened by accident, but I’m grateful I did it because the benefits are amazing — especially the professional ones.
Don’t get me wrong: writing a book takes some work and requires some sacrifice. However, if you want to take your career or life to the next level, you should definitely consider writing a book. You will be surprised where it will take you.
