Write a Book, Jump Start Your Speaking Career

If you’re serious about becoming a successful speaker, you have to get serious about writing a book.

A book gives you instant credibility and multiplies your income through back-of-the-room sales. It also forces you to get focused about your message and your unique selling proposition (USP), turns you into a brand, gives you name recognition and puts you on the same level as other top speakers. Most important, a book extends the reach of your message. When you want to help people, a book is your best ambassador.

If the idea of writing a book incites a sense of dread, consider this: in preparing your presentations, you’ve probably written at least a volume’s worth of material.

Here are ten things that stand in people’s way of getting started—and the answers that will get you moving.

1. “I don’t know what to write about.” Yes you do. You talk about it every day. Ask yourself this: “What’s the one thing I could say that would give people greater success/hope/health/inspiration/wealth/happiness?” Put it in one sentence. Don’t think about it...just name it. That’s the topic for your book.

2. “The market’s already saturated.” Whether you’re a humorous speaker or a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, you have a USP. It’s the personal spin on your material—the specific information or style that sets you apart. For instance, thousands of people speak and write about building wealth. Robert Kiyosaki did it with Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Harv Eker did it with Millionaire Mind. This means there’s a huge market out there—and you’ll capture a chunk of it with your own fresh twist.

3. “I don’t know how to organize it.” When I do presentations on writing a book, I give people 10 minutes to pair up and answer these questions:
--What’s the theme?
--What are three stories that support that theme?
--What’s the one point you want readers to remember?
There you go...a basic outline, and easily done in ten minutes or less.

4. “I hate to write.” Record your presentations, hire a transcriber, then hand over the transcripts to a writer/editor to shape into finished form.

5. “I don’t have enough material.” Recently I met with a couple who are specialists in social networking for business. In one hour, we not only sketched out their first book, we started on their second and third: social networking for life and social networking in parenting. Get together with someone who will ask you questions, then start telling stories. You’ll be amazed at how much material you have in your head.

6. “I don’t know what format to use.” Is it a how-to book with step-by-step instructions? A workbook? A collection of interviews? Look at the books you admire most and engage in the sincerest form of flattery.

7. “I don’t know what to call it.” Don’t worry...the title will emerge. If you want a simple and successful formula for great titles, remember there’s strength in numbers. For example: 7 Spiritual Laws of Success, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, 5 People You Meet in Heaven.

8. “I’ll do it as soon as I have time.” If you don’t do it now, someone else will. Other speakers/writers can’t steal your USP, but they can steal your thunder. The world needs your message. So if you want to make your mark, you have to take action.

9. “I’ll just print up my notes.” I’ve worked with some of the best writers in the country, and I know the truth: Everyone needs an editor and proofreader. Otherwise your book may end up with errors in organization, clarity and spelling. This is a totally preventable problem, and one that can compromise the credibility that’s rightfully yours.

10. “I don’t know anything about publishing.” There are plenty of us here to help you, from ghostwriters to manuscript coaches and publishers of all kinds. Just ask.

Writing a book is like giving yourself a promotion, and it will change your speaking career in ways you can’t even predict. Visualize yourself holding up that book on national TV shows, talking about it on radio interviews, and seeing it fly off the table at the end of your presentations.

There’s no reason not to write a book. So write it right. Write it now. And most important...write it.