You know that idea that’s resided in your mind for years? That book you told yourself you’d write…“someday?” It’s the book that popped into your head as soon as you read this blog title; it’s the book that sits somewhere in the back of your mind but hardly ever sees the light of day. You might have scratched down a few notes or ideas. You might have written a line or two. Perhaps it hasn’t yet occurred to you that now is the time to start. Not convinced you’re the writing type, or that your book is worth the work? Here are 5 reasons you should turn your daydreams into action.
- Everyone has something to share.
Whether you’re a small business owner, a motivational speaker, a hobbyist, or “Average Joe,” you have something of value to share with others. Perhaps you have a wealth of knowledge or expertise, or a particular passion that’s just waiting to get out there to be shared with an audience. No matter who you are, you have a unique method of doing things—a product, service, or idea you can offer in a way that no one else can.
You’ve already had that idea. Perhaps you simply haven’t acted on it because you’re not convinced it will be unique when compared with the dozens of other titles out there addressing your chosen subject. Just remember: we all have backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences that set us apart from the crowd. You have your own story to share!
- There’s never been a better time to get into the market.
It’s plain to see that the publishing world is undergoing drastic changes. The rising popularity of e-readers has brought the world of paper and ink into the 21st-century’s style of instantly sharing and receiving information. Now, with the click of a few buttons on a portable e-reader, audiences can download and store an entire library’s worth of e-books and access them anywhere. The best part is that the rise of e-readers isn’t only changing the way people read; it’s also changing how much they read. A 2012 survey found that a third of American e-book readers reported they spend more time reading now that they have access to e-books (see CNN’s article at http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/05/tech/gaming-gadgets/e-reader-survey-pew-gahran).
The publishing world is changing in other ways, too. With the ever-increasing popularity of blogging, as well as social media like Facebook and Twitter, new authors can self-publicize their books and expand their audiences with ease. Now they have instant access to readers’ comments and feedback, not to mention a personal way to respond promptly.
- It’s a “personable” way to promote your product or service.
Who doesn’t prefer personal treatment? No company brags about automated phone messages or cold customer service. However, when it comes to sharing their occupations or credentials, most people are limited to impersonal business cards. A book is your chance to create a detailed business card. It’s a way for readers to get to know you and your background. By actually reading your words, readers have the sense that they are getting acquainted with who you really are, what you have to offer, and why you’re passionate about it. And when people have the chance to get acquainted with you, they will believe in your credibility.
- You’ll be able to reach a broader audience.
The new accessibility of e-books and the increasing number of people who are tapping into this new technology bodes well for the would-be authors willing to break into the market. It means that not only do you have the chance to share your ideas with a new audience, but also you have the chance to reach people you might not have otherwise been able to reach. After all, a book is available to virtually anyone. And face it, having a book is also a lot more attractive to someone craving knowledge in this Information Age—you are giving your audience the chance to “check out the facts” or do the research about you and your product for themselves. It’s like introducing yourself to people you never would have met in person, and then offering them the chance to “interview” you.
- Your book will last.
This is the most important reason of all. A book is a highly effective method for sharing your products, your services, and your ideas with an audience because it will stick around. It will be out there on the market; it will sit on buyers’ bookshelves and coffee tables; it can be distributed to public libraries. And finally, it will stay in readers’ memories. Long after they’ve read, lost, and forgotten about business cards, the knowledge and information they’ve gained from reading your book will stay in their thoughts. They’ll remember it every time they see a copy of your book in their homes. Your book will be a possession readers can loan out or recommend to friends. It’s these facts that make a book a long-lasting investment.
So what’s holding you back? You have an audience out there, just waiting to read what you have to share. You have new technology at your fingertips to help you get the word out. “Someday” is today.
Rachel Schade, editor and writer, Asta Publications, LLC
http://www.astapublications.com
Posted on March 18, 2013
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