So, You want to Write a Book?
DEAR ADVISORS,
Writing a book can be a great way to serve and connect with your ideal clients. Whether it’s about recovering from the death of a spouse, or changes in tax law, you know your book can help people because these are things clients ask you about every day. It’s been in the back of your mind for years, but how do you know when it’s time to start? It’s not like there’s someone around to give you permission! But it is a huge commitment of time and effort. Here are 10 questions to ask yourself to see if you’re ready:
Am I listening?
Listen to your frustrations, passions, and what gets you excited! Listen to conversations at work, podcasts, and live webinars. Normally I’d also say to listen at conferences but these days, make sure you still block time to attend those virtual conferences!
Don’t write about something you only half care about just because you think it would make a nice “calling card”. It’s your job to listen to what’s happening in the world around you. How has your book idea shaped your life, both emotionally and practically? Listen to yourself and write down what you hear.
Am I already writing about this?
Pro tip: You should be!
Maybe you fear that if you write about it in a blog now, you’re “wasting” your best material? Or maybe you worry that someone will see it and steal your idea? Saving “the good stuff” for your book is a common misconception. The truth is, if you have a book idea, you need to be able to write about it, often and well! This will shape and clarify your ideas. Your finished product will be refined, intentional, and much more impactful.
Do I know who this book is for?
All books are not for all people! Imagine the books on your millionaire retired clients shelves vs. those their DINK entrepreneur children are listening to on Audible. The more clearly you have visualized your reader, the more deeply your work will resonate. This is similar to visualizing your ideal client psycho-graphic. You should be very familiar with their hopes, fears, and pain points.
Do I know what other people are saying on this topic?
Although this may sound counter-intuitive, you need to know who is already writing what you want to write. Read the blog posts that sound dangerously close to your idea. You’ll find that you’re coming from a slightly different perspective. You see things other people don’t see, and this will help you find your voice. Is there someone already established in the industry who would write a forward for your book, give you constructive criticism, or promote your book to their audience?
Am I writing this from a place of health?
Whether your book is fiction or nonfiction, your words tell your story and carry pieces of your soul. Have you processed your experiences in order to share your message in a healthy way? The goal of writing a book is not validation, but offering something meaningful to your reader. Are you ready for the public to read and critique the thoughts and experiences you’ve shared in your book?
Can I confidently talk about my book idea?
It’s so important to hear yourself talk about your book idea. I’ve found that talking with my ideal reader challenges me to analyze the topic from new perspectives, clarify my message, and builds my confidence in my work. More importantly, talking about your book makes you better at TALKING ABOUT YOUR BOOK! You need to be able to answer questions with confidence when it really counts. Talking about your book with clients is a great way to practice answering those FAQs and promote your future book at the same time!
Is a book-length work the best way to share my message?
A book is long because it is a progression of lots of smaller ideas. Not all great ideas have to be a book! Many of the best books start out as a blog series, or an interview with a podcast guest, and grow to book-length later. If you write a book on a not-book-length idea, you run the risk of repeating yourself or not finishing at all. Before starting, you must decide on the best medium for your message.
Do I appreciate the difference between writing and publishing?
We usually think of writing and publishing as two steps of one process: write first, then publish. Although this can be true, it’s important to understand the purpose of each. Writing is for yourself. Publishing is for the reader. Writing is a form of art, self-expression, and personal development. Publishing is a strategic business where your words provide a service to your reader.
You need to talk with your own financial advisor to quantify all the costs of writing a book. How does your family feel about committing money and time to this project? You already own a financial advisory firm. This book will take your time and focus away from your clients. Once it’s published, do you plan to promote it and speak at conferences on the topic? If so, then you’re on track to become the owner of 3 companies: your advisory firm, your book sales, and speaking gigs. What is your end-goal?
Do I have a support system?
Even though financial advisors, and writers, spend a lot of time alone, publishing a book is not a solitary activity. You are always in dialogue with your reader, and you’ll need a support system around yourself so that your book actually makes it into the hands of that reader. Start with your people: your family, friends, coworkers, writing circle, if you have one. If you don’t, you should find one! You’ll need the accountability. You will be your book’s best advocate, but these people will be a close second.
Am I kind to myself?
Spoiler alert: writing a book is hard. If you are habitually self-critical and hold yourself to perfectionist standards, the creative process will eat you for lunch. If you want to do the hard work of writing a book, it’s important to learn how to write even when the words are terrible, to show up even when it feels hard, and to celebrate progress even when it’s small.
For further resources, and a real accountability group, consider Hope Writers, who inspired our content today. They are a community of writers dedicated to helping you make progress as you learn to balance the art of writing with the business of publishing.
We are all in the business of helping our clients, but how we do that looks different for every advisor. If this is your time to write a book, I’m so excited for you! Send me an email about your book idea, or even your first rough draft, and I’m happy to schedule a call to talk about it together! If you’re starting your own blog to practice and work up to writing your own book, then I will be your first subscriber! Email me at Brooklyn@EllevateAdvisors.com. Let’s help each other change the world, one word at a time!
Warm regards,
Brooklyn
P.S.
At Ellevate Advisors, we believe that advisors deserve to retire too. What does that look like for you, your family, and your business? Let’s figure it out together! Click here to schedule an initial phone call with our team today.