Books are Powerful Marketing Tools for Business

Books as Marketing Tools for Business Owners, Consultants & Experts

by Dan Smith

Increasingly, business owners, consultants, experts, and thought-leaders are writing and publishing books. Often, book sales are of little concern to them. A book and media coverage resulting from book marketing can be incredibly powerful marketing tools for their companies and professional practices. From new client leads and consulting opportunities to speaking engagement offers and direct sales, publishing a book related to your field of expertise can be a game-changer.

Here are five reasons why it’s a great marketing idea for a business expert of professional to write a book:

• Reputation. Having a book, whether it is self-published or traditionally published, provides instant credibility and proves that you are an expert in your area. Consider two consultants vying for the same opportunity. One has excellent credentials, and the other also has excellent credentials and is the author of a book about his area of consulting expertise. Who is more likely to win the opportunity?
• Media coverage provides credibility. There’s a reason companies often have “As Seen on TV” on their products, sometimes even when it was a paid TV advertisement. Media coverage proves credibility, mainly when it is earned coverage. Being featured in major business publications or vertical market outlets, or interviewed on regional and national TV is gold for business owners, consultants, and experts. The sheer power of “as featured in the Wall Street Journal,” for example, can’t be over-estimated. Showcasing media placements on an author website is always impressive.
• Thought–leader establishment. Again, if you author a quality book offering advice in your area of expertise, you are a thought-leader in that area. Your book elevates your reputation as an expert and leader.
• Marketing collateral. If you’re conducting proactive business development outreach to your target business segment, sending collateral material with a book makes you stand out. The book has, in many ways, replaced the old-fashioned brochure. The book is your business card and brochure.
• Additional opportunities. Media coverage for business experts can do more than attract clients and enhance expert recognition. Some authors who get significant media are offered opportunities as regular contributors to a publication, and some times paid contributors. The same applies to interviews on radio and TV. Many of the regular experts you see on national TV shows – whether it’s an expert on personal finance and investing, a psychologist providing advice on family relationships, or someone who discusses excellent travel and vacation ideas – got these opportunities by first appearing as guest interviews.