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Books and Brands: Why Entrepreneurs Publish

Jul 14, 2017

By Hannah Woodlan

 

Writing is part of any business. Few would say that it’s the most important part (unless you’re in the business of words), but when you come across a poorly-spelled email, or bad grammar in a brochure or website article, does your estimation of that business’s professionalism change? Attention to detail is what people expect to find when they choose any service or product. Now, this doesn’t mean that a person to whom writing does not come naturally is out of luck, or that misuse of “their” or “they’re” breeds instant mistrust.

What it does mean is that writing provides a bridge between the client/customer and the entrepreneur. Thousands take advantage of this bridge every day—whether you want to learn about The Lean Startup or The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, there’s likely a book out there documenting someone else’s journey down a similar path.

There are many reasons why these books exist. The number one reason is probably this: people buy them. If a certain kind of book doesn’t exist yet, a prime opportunity arises for the ambitious entrepreneur to write it.

Tucker Max of Entrepreneur.com states that “writing and publishing a book is not only the best way to get attention—it’s one of the most underutilized by entrepreneurs.” Every cross-section of every career has individuals following unique routes to become the successes they are now. Someone out there can benefit from their experience.

A smart book shows the world you’re smart about your business, lending increased credibility and visibility. That book can become part of your brand, a marketing tool to support you through conferences, lectures, and beyond. Once the book is “out there,” associations and acquaintances with other people and books that are “out there” begin to grow and multiply into a larger network. The most successful published entrepreneurs publicize the dickens out of their brands and books, a method that translates to what Jason Baptiste of Onstartups.com calls “a rapid accelerator of serendipity.”

Still, Tammy Kling of Virgin.com emphasizes a deeper, philanthropic motivation when she shares that “entrepreneurs often tell [her] that they simply must get their book out, and that they feel as if the message inside of them is what they were born to do. This is usually sparked by something deep in the soul, such as a passion or a business idea that you want to share. It is a pull.”