You’re a Published Author… Now What?
A certain amount of prestige comes to you as a published author. And while that feels good for a little while, it eventually fades. Then the reality sets in: now what?
Do you tour the country doing book signings at mom-and-pop bookstores? Do you dump a ton of money into social media to advertise and hope you land a handful of sales? Or do you just buy a hundred copies and hand give them as Christmas presents for the next twenty years or so?
All of the above can work, but there are a few ways that might be better options.
What Do You Do with Your Published Book?
Long before you write the book, you need to answer the question: what do I plan to do with this book? If you’re wondering what that even means, check out my previous blog post about the six steps of turning a good story into a great story – it’s tip number 1.
Or, you can keep reading, because here are some of the most common ways you can use your book to kick more ass in the coming years.
Land More Public Speaking Gigs
Think about when you went to your last conference. How did they introduce the speakers? Were they “Joe Blow, who knows a lot about the industry,” or were they “Internationally best-selling author, Joe Blow”?
When you have taken the time to sit down and write a book, and you have put in the work to learn the material and put it together in a way that people are engaged, eager to read, and don’t walk away thinking, “well that was a waste” you are automatically given more authority than those who haven’t written a book.
Bring More Clients to Your Existing Business
As a business grows, it loses its face, not like in the hit 1997 movie Face Off starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, but rather in the way that it becomes less personable. Bob’s Plumbing and Heating is great because it’s all about Bob the Plumber. But what about when it expands, and now Bob is largely doing office work, and his 18 employees are those doing service calls? People want Bob, and they need to know it’s still that personal service he used to provide.
In 2008, media mogul Ted Turner published his autobiography Call Me Ted (well, he had the help of a ghostwriter). That book took him from this obscure billionaire to a more personable obscure billionaire. Of course, most of us will never be billionaires, but we can create that likability with a book that draws people into our businesses.
Bring New Clients to Your New Business
Some people are ready to wind down. You’ve created a business, saw great success, and now it’s time to slow things down. But you’re not ready to get out completely. The hustle and bustle of running a business don’t appeal anymore, but helping others understand your industry certainly does. Your book can show that you’ve learned a whole lot during your career, and now you’re eager to help others learn from your mistakes.
Creating a training course that goes alongside your book is a great way to keep earning money off your expertise and encourage others to do the same. Maybe you were a successful accountant, and now you’re ready to inspire and train other accountants. You might write the book 800 Days with the accompanying training course that goes along with it.
Land a Position as a Board Member
In the world of climbing those ladders, it’s all about showing off that you know what you’re doing. A great way to do that is to land a position as a board member for a company that aligns with your goals and values. Bonus: many are paid positions that can help increase your net worth.
If you’re applying for these positions, showing that you’re a best-selling author moves you from the pool of applicants that all look the same, into the elite few that have gone above and beyond. Now you’re on the shortlist to get onto the board.
Book a Five Figure Consulting Gig
It doesn’t have to be five figures. Maybe you only want a four-figure consulting gig. Or maybe you’re especially a badass, and you’re going to land that six-figure consulting gig. The world is your oyster – which you’ll crack open with a sword… or a book because, you know, the pen is mightier.
Remember when we talked about how you’re given authority as a published author, and people are more likely to hire you for their board positions or speaking gigs? Well, that works with consulting gigs, too.
Update Your Wikipedia Page
Maybe you already have fame and fortune. Maybe you don’t want to start a new business, land a consulting gig, or serve on a board. Perhaps you just want the clout that comes with being a published author. Well, now it’s time to tell the world you’re a published author.
Update that Wikipedia page, shout it out on your LinkedIn profile, and make it a part of your X-formerly-known-as-Twitter bio… the more places you can say, “Look ma, I’m a published author!” the more likely it will be that people buy, your book.
A Ghostwriter Helps You Write a Best Seller
Now, what do you do when you have this awesome idea but you’re not that great at writing?
What if you are a decent writer but strapped for time?
Where do you turn when you think, “Self, Scott Sery could write my book for me, and I get all the credit for his hard work!”
Well, you turn to me, Scott Sery, a writer from Billings, Montana. You heard it here first, folks – when you want to be a published author, you need a ghostwriter named Scott.