Achieving your most audacious goals doesn’t happen by accident. Explore the Authority Journey and what it takes to influence, lead, and succeed.
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The number-one thing you can do to level up your authority: write a book.
It’s like rocket fuel for your career.
It establishes you as an expert. To write 100 to 200 pages on a single topic, you have to know your stuff. Not just surface-level knowledge, the nitty-gritty details. So a book validated your expertise.
Instant authority.
There’s something in your life that you’re an expert in. People may or may not take you seriously, but when you write a book, you’re instantly seen as an authority in that topic.
Instant credibility.
People take you more seriously when you’re an author.
- Malcolm Gladwell, Tipping Point, 2000
- Joe Pulizzi, Get Content, Get Customers, 2008
- Bob Bly, author of more than 100 books
You don’t have to be well-known. Your book will get you known to the people who matter.
A book is the ultimate marketing and sales tool.
- It’s better than a business card.
- It gets your message in front of the right people.
- It’s the best way to share that knowledge at scale.
- A book is discoverable. Both on Amazon and Google, when someone searches for your topic, your book will show up.
- Books also get good word-of-mouth promotion.
A book is a smart growth tool.
- Test your business idea.
- Launch a business or product.
- Max Altschuler: Hacking Sales, 2015
- Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Project, 2009
- Generate new interest or curiosity.
- It’s an introductory product.
- Use it as a giveaway.
- Use it in funnels.
A book opens up new opportunities.
- Speaking gigs
- Publication in top tier media outlets: Forbes, the New York Times, Washington Post
- Being a guest on podcasts and webinars
- New job offers
- Promotions
A lot of people think they’ll never be able to write a book.
- Not smart enough
- Don’t have time
- Aren’t a writer
Anyone can write a book.
- You only need to know more than your reader.
- You only need to be able to share an elegant or practical solution.
It’s personally satisfying to see your book in print.
- The sense of accomplishment and pride.
- It’s something not everyone can do.
- It’s something not everyone has the discipline to do.
Why you should write a book
1. Because you have a story that needs telling. It will inspire or motivate people.
2. Because you have an idea that’s worth spreading.
3. Because you’ve come up with a new way of looking at life or business. This concept needs to be understood.
4. Because you figured out a better way to do something: a method that needs teaching.
5. Because you have a unique solution to a common problem.
6. Because writing will help you refine your ideas. The act of organizing your ideas and putting words to them will help you find a better way or discover unique solutions.
7. Because it’s fun. It’s the ultimate puzzle.
8. Because you’ll reach your goals faster and easier if you’re seen as the leader in your space.
