Writing: 6 Good Reasons to Write a Non-fiction Book

Australian publisher Ann Wilson tells why she's turned into an indie author too

Why write a non-fiction book anyway? That's a question Australian ALLi partner member Ann Wilson confronted when stepping outside of her usual role as publisher and self-publishing service provider to put pen to paper herself. Ann's conclusions will be thought-provoking and helpful both to beginners poised to pen their first non-fiction book, and to fiction writers seeking to diversify, as indeed so many do these days, to generate initial income streams and to draw on their own experience as indie authors. Over to Ann…

Recently I have begun the process of writing my first book, and during the planning phase I have had to answer a lot of questions about why I am writing a book.

Working in the publishing industry, I know and understand the mechanics of publishing but I am not ‘technically' a writer. I work with editors and authors and greatly admire their creative flair and attention to detail, but until recently this had not been part of my plan.

To be honest, I feel a bit like a builder: great at banging in the nails and constructing a beautiful house but ask me to create the plans and drawings and I am somewhat out of my depth.

To begin this journey, I have taken Abraham Lincoln's advice and have started ‘sharpening my axe' by researching published authors, and I have found common themes around the idea of reasons to write non-fiction.

My Six Top Reasons to Write a Book

1. Stand Out from the Crowd

In this increasingly noisy world, it is becoming even harder to stand out from your peers in your chosen niche. Growth and prosperity of all economies have seen a rise in the number of small medium sized enterpries (SMES) globally. With this increase comes greater competition. In Australia alone, there are over 2.2 million SMES, and this number is predicted to increase as more young people and women become entrepreneurs. To maintain a viable, profitable business, it has become increasingly important to differeniate yourself from your industry peers.

2. Industry Credibility

Writing a book opens doors. Publishing a book earns you instant credibility and establishes you as a thought leader in your industry. People recognise it takes knowledge and dedication to write and publish a book, and part of the reward is being seen as an expert in your industry.

3. Leveraging Tool

With careful and thoughtful planning, a published book can be a powerful leveraging tool for your business. It can lead to speaking engagements at conferences and seminars, media exposure, invitations to be interviewed on other thought leaders podcasts, new referral partners and has the potential to forge partnerships with big brands.

4. Business Card with ‘Thud' Value

There is nothing like walking into a meeting with a potential client with your book in hand and presenting them with it, knowing that it will be added to their bookshelf as a reminder of you and your business. Or, if there is someone in your industry you have been trying to meet, sending them a book, beautifully packaged, with a thoughtful handwritten note, is a fantastic way of introducing yourself.

Practising what she preaches, Ann Wilson's just published her own non-fiction book

5. Self Confidence

If you are like me, you are probably filled with a fair amount of fear and worry about both writing a book and presenting it to the world. I cannot yet speak from experience, but every published author I have spoken to says adding ‘author' to your resumé and email signature, feels very rewarding.

Joanna Penn, from The Creative Penn, says: ‘Even if it doesn't sell loads of copies, that one book will change your life'.

6. Share Your Expertise

Writing a nonfiction book is a powerful tool to help others avoid costly mistakes. It allows you to share your industry experience in a way that readers gain a sense of who you are and hopefully resonate with your message.

There are many other valid reasons why writing a book will benefit your business; these are my top six reasons, and I would love to hear what yours are.

OTHER GREAT POSTS ABOUT WRITING NON-FICTION
(FROM THE ALLi ARCHIVE)