Why I Wrote a Book for My Business (And Why You Should Too)
How writing a book sells your business.
When I decided to writea business book, I wasn’t chasing a lifelong dream of authorship. I already knew what it felt like to write a book that mattered personally—my Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling memoir had done that.
This time, I was solving a business problem. Even after 25 years of building Entire Productions serving Fortune 500 clients, I was still having conversations where prospects didn’t fully understand the depth of what we do—or why it mattered that they hired us instead of someone else. A book helped to fix that. What I didn’t expect was how much else it would solve for, too.
The credibility gap is real
You might feel like you’re the best-kept secret in your industry, and that’s frustrating. You have the expertise and the track record. Yet in a crowded market, credentials alone don’t necessarily move the needle. People do business with those they trust, and trust is built through demonstrated thought leadership—not a beautifully designed proposal deck.
For years, I leaned on case studies, referrals, and hard-won relationships to win business. Those still matter—a lot. But nothing has accelerated a new relationship faster than handing someone a copy of your book that in 200-plus pages, says, “Here is exactly how I think, what I believe, and what we’ve built.” That’s not something a website can replicate.Writing Relentless: Homeless Teen to Achieving the Entrepreneur Dream taught me something important: A book creates a relationship with the reader before you ever meet them. Corporate Event Mastery simply applied that lesson to business development.
The unexpected wins
I wrote the book to serve professionals in the event production industry, as well as clients, and prospects. What it delivered was a lot broader. Writing a business book can create these three opportunities.
Media and speaking opportunities. A book signals credibility to bookers, podcast hosts, and journalists in a way that a bio simply doesn’t. Since publishing, I’ve fielded more inbound media requests than in the decade before. Editors want experts, and authors, by definition, are experts.
Partnerships that opened doors. Industry peers and potential partners who might have passed over a cold email actually read the book—and reached out. It became a conversation starter at conferences and a reason for introductions I’d never have gotten otherwise.
Team alignment. This surprised me most. Having a written methodology gave my producers, account managers, and new hires a north star. It codified our standards, our values, and our approach to client service. Onboarding became faster and more consistent because our secret sauce was no longer just in my head—it was on the page.
What kind of book should you write?
Not every business book needs to be a sweeping management manifesto. In fact, the most effective business books are highly specific. Here are four ways to think about it:
Write the book you wish existed when you started. What do your clients consistently misunderstand about your industry? What advice do you repeatedly give in sales conversations? That’s your book.
Choose your format strategically. A framework book (like a step-by-step methodology) positions you as a systems thinker. A story-driven book builds emotional connection—and if you have a personal story worth telling, don’t underestimate its power. My memoir opened doors professionally that a business book couldn’t, simply because it let people know who I am, not just what I do. A hybrid approach does both. Think about how your ideal client makes decisions and write toward that.
Don’t wait for a bestseller idea. The most powerful business books aren’t the ones that top the Amazon charts—they’re the ones that land on the desk of your dream client the week before they’re about to sign with someone else. Write for your specific audience, not for the masses.
Shorter is often better. A focused 150-page book that your prospects will read outperforms a 400-page tome they won’t. Respect your reader’s time and give them 100 percent value and no fluff.
The ROI is real
Writing a book is not a passive investment. It takes time, discipline, and willingness to be exposed on the page. But the return—in authority, opportunity, and business development—has been one of the highest I’ve seen in my career. It has become the most durable marketing asset I’ve ever created.
If you’re a founder, consultant, agency owner, or expert in any field, stop waiting for the perfect concept or the perfect moment. Write the book that explains why your work matters, how you think, and what clients get when they choose you. That book doesn’t just sell your ideas—it sells your business.
Read the full article on Inc. and discover why writing a book may be one of the smartest investments you can make for your business.
