Business cards! Websites! Speaker reels! Professional headshots! A speaker coach! Templates for contracts! Oh, and a book! You need a book to set you apart from speakers in your industry! And don’t forget the blog and social media posts! “Ahhhhh!” 

Becoming and maintaining your speaker business is a whirlwind of shoulda, coulda, woulda, and haftas! Each year, we are reminded about new technology we need to learn, and the latest promo piece needed to “get the gig!” Just as we are corralling our marketing collateral, we get the new list of “hot topics” for the year. And, on top of that, the vernacular changes – “We don’t call them ‘gigs’ anymore!” “Don’t call them ‘meeting planners!’ They prefer ‘meeting professionals.’” What’s a speaker to do?

The adrenaline pumps, the lists get longer, you check each promo piece off your list. You get the gig! “Lights, camera, action!” Your name bellows through the speakers, and you walk towards the center of the stage as the applause infuses every cell of your being. There really isn’t anything better for a speaker than it all coming together for keynotes, presentations, workshops, training programs, and the infamous emcee. It is a hard business to build, maintain, and sustain, but the butterflies, the smiles, the applause and the positive feedback overfills our cups, affirms the need for our work, and fulfills our purpose as speakers. We wouldn’t have it any other way!

Each year, as we examine our business – what’s working, what’s not, and what’s needed? Don’t forget ‘what’s wanted,’ too! To stay with the crowd and jump ahead of the crowd, the priorities and needs are constant. So how do you know what’s the most important for the year? Why do we need a book, when does it ‘fit into’ our schedule, and how do we even start to write a book?

3 Tips for When to Write a Book

As a published author, there are lots of benefits and opportunities for you to expand your influence, speaking business and income stream. How do you know if you are ready? First, remember, you will have a whole list of business development opportunities, and all of them will get done in due time. Here’s some perspective for when it’s time to write your book.

1. When you feel that the amount of your expertise is enough to fill at least 100 pages, or 25,000 words, it’s time to consider your first book or next book. Author Tip: Amazon’s publishing company requires a minimum of 100 pages in order to get your title on your book spine.
2. Speakers have all levels of experiences, and the book size can be flexible to your level of expertise. Consider these two sizes to make the right level impact for your topic:

• Quick Read – Approximately 125 pages or 30,000 words – can be read on a quick plane ride
• Thought Leader Book – Approximately 200 pages or 50,000 words – more in depth on your topic and more detail

3. When you are writing your next awesome presentation, and you want your book to be a complimentary product for that presentation.

I’m a firm believer that when it is time for you to write a book, you will know by intuition, and the “stars will align.” It’s a long project and needs the time and attention it deserves for it to be done well.

3 Tips on What to Use for Content

If you hate writing like I hate math, it can be difficult to figure out where to even get your content. Even people who love writing or have already published books struggle sometimes with content. Here are some starting points.

• Examine your expertise, experience, for topics that would be relevant and impactful to your audience members, social communities, network, and readers.
• Identify which lessons from your professional or personal life you want to teach others how to do it better than you, and then pair up stories and calls to action with each lesson.
• Use and repurpose your content from past presentations, slides, videos, blogs, social media posts. Author Tip: It does not have to be more complicated than you can handle in order for it to be an excellent book that showcases you, your talent, your message, and your heart.

7 Reasons Why Speaker Write Books

Priorities, needs, and wants are relative to each of our life plans and goals. For the speakers I work with as their ghostwriter, book doctor or author coach, here are the top seven reasons they choose to write a book.

1. Increase credibility and influence as a thought leader in your industry and for your topic with your name on the front cover!
2. Increase the number of bookings per year and speaker fees for each speaking engagement.
3. Expand revenue opportunities beyond the stage for workshops, training programs, book sales, and more.
4. Frame your brand with your book, and repurpose the content for slides, video, online courses, social media posts, blogs, new speaking topics, and more.
5. Increase your marketing opportunities with your book launch, book signings, freebies for friends, family, your airplane seat mate, and as ‘big business cards’ to meeting professionals.
6. Gives you an added edge over other speakers that might be compared to you. Yes, please keep the Cavett pie in mind – plenty of work for all of us.
7. Leave a legacy for those you love and care about. Author Tip: This is hard but real. When NSA Illinois Past President, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (Ret.) passed unexpectedly, I loved having her book and autograph. It means the world to me!

Dig deep. Why do you want to write a book? Who do you want to read your book? Author Tip: Don’t say, “everybody.” Your riches are literally in your niche. How do you want to impact your readers? What do you want this book to do for your career and personal life? How will you get there?

Fellow Speaker, Writing your own book is one of the most exciting achievements in life, and I hope this article answers many of your questions. If you have more, I invite you to get the free download, “The A-Z Book Checklist to Write, Market & Publish Your Book Now!” when you visit https://www.SoConnectedLLC.com. 

Also, feel free to schedule a complimentary Book Chat to have a clear vision of the steps and team members to kick off your Book Writing Journey! Let’s Get Writing!