Ever introduced yourself at an event or place and noticed how people’s attention drifts until you mention something remarkable? Something like, “I am the author of so, so and so.”

You’ll notice heads turning towards you and literally feel people’s rising interest. Even when the book does not necessarily address them, their interest is piqued, and they look forward to the next thing you say. Those whose interests and lives fall within the purview of whatever your book addresses immediately develop deep respect for you; they’ll want to connect, and you’ll notice that you have successfully established authority. People see authors as experts, thought leaders and trusted guides in their areas of expertise.

Last year, I released a book titled, Every Journalist Should Write a Book, where I advocated that every journalist has the capacity and resources to write an impactful book. Today, I’m saying the same thing to every professional making an impact in their endeavour. It is not about fame, it is about owning your story, your knowledge, your impact and influencing lives and careers.

What Books Do for Professionals

If you are serious about writing a book, I recommend that youread Every Journalist Should Write a Book. It answers all the questions you may have, regardless of what profession you are in or what kind of book you think you want to write. I will, however, dedicate this edition to discussing some of the things writing a book can do for you.

It Will Position You as a Trusted Authority

Whether you are a media personality or you work in business, finance, tech or the public sector, authority is the currency for relevance during and post-work. A book will do what your CV cannot do for you on this front.

When you write a book which captures your unique ideas or perspective on issues or events in your profession, it demonstrates your expertise. When you put your best into this and you do it well, it places you at the front in your field and makes you a proof of competence and knowledge that other people can rely on. This status makes you someone people can quote, consult and refer to when issues come up in the sector you operate. Attaining this level automatically makes opportunities multiply for you, and before you realise it, you have become that reference point, that authority figure, that thought-leader!

It Opens New Doors

Opportunities will pursue you when you become an author with a stamp of authority in your sector. If you put your best into your book and pay attention to marketing and promoting it, you could open up incredible opportunities. You will get speaking engagements, panel invitations, strategic collaborations, increased visibility and brand equity, which all culminate into better recognition. Your book will be the ultimate business card you need.

It Preserves Your Experience and Legacy

People have different experiences and testimonies in the course of their careers. Experiences accumulated over time breed a wealth of knowledge, insight, and lessons, which often go unrecorded and lost. Documenting your professional journey and the lessons learnt will become a gift of wisdom that will outlive you. It will help the generations after you to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that you have encountered on your journey, and entrench your legacy of impact.

It Can Grow Your Income and Influence

We have already said that a book makes its author visible; now, visibility, if properly channelled, creates value, and value should create income. There is a chance that your book will sell so well that it will hit the bestseller list and lead to more books. But even when you do more, make sure to make such a huge impact. There are several other revenue pathways a book can create.

Your book could lead you into becoming a consultant or coach. For instance, an impactful book within your industry can open up opportunities for corporate training, workshops, media appearances, and even leadership opportunities in your field. The possibilities are truly endless.

It Helps You Make a Difference

One of the greatest privileges of being an author is the ability to change people’s lives from a distance. Your book can motivate someone out of a difficult place, simplify a complex idea or inspire a shift in perspective. The words in your book can become that turning point or open up that lightbulb moment someone has been waiting for. That lived experience you consider ordinary might be the miracle message that leads someone to their destiny, so why stifle it?

It Can Speak for You in Your Absence

No human being could ever be in all the places where they need to pitch themselves, defend their idea or introduce their expertise, but a book can travel anywhere and everywhere. Your book, or the idea that your book sells, can be in rooms you may not physically enter because someone has read it. It can speak up for you. It can network on your behalf, build credibility while you are sleeping or playing your favourite game. It amplifies your voice with or without your presence by cutting through the noise.

As you read this, someone somewhere is struggling with a challenge you have overcome; they desire answers that your experience has equipped you with, and they seek guidance that you can offer. Wouldn’t it be great if you could share that by putting it down in a book and giving that gift to the world?

So, what are you waiting for? You can’t start building your book today on your own terms. You don’t need permission, you don’t need perfect grammar or long hours of solitude. All you need is a message worthy of sharing, the willingness to do the work and the right structure and support. Have you been thinking that you’ll one day write a book? This may just be the sign that the time has come. And as I always say, I am here to handhold you into making a success of it. Would you reach out by clicking on the “Reply” button, and let’s talk about it? I believe that your experience has value, that your story has power and that your book is waiting. You just need to make the move!

Have a great week!

Niran Adedokun,

Writer | Communications Strategist | Book Strategist | Author of “Every Journalist Should Write a Book”