For thought leaders who have solidified their reputation in a particular industry (or are looking to do so), one next step to build up credibility among colleagues and followers is to broaden their credibility by publishing a book. Doing so can help elevate trust and loyalty among your current audience. It may also bring in a new base to keep the momentum thriving in the future.
If you’ve got plenty of ideas but don’t think you have the time or patience needed to realistically get the job done, think again—11 experts from Fast Company Executive Board are here to help. They each share some tried and true best practices for a thought leader or influencer who wants to share their knowledge through book publishing for the first time. Here’s how new writers can get their thoughts down on paper and expand their reach.
1. LEVERAGE DIGITAL TOOLS TO TRANSCRIBE YOUR IDEAS ASAP.
Just start! Capture your main ideas, and then use ChatGPT to organize them coherently. You can record your thoughts on your phone as they pop into your mind and have them transcribed, rather than facing a glaring blank piece of paper. If you’re lost for ideas, ask yourself what you wished someone had told you when you launched a career in your industry, then use that as your outline and idea bank. – Jason Hennessey, Hennessey Digital
2. DEVELOP A THEME AND OUTLINE TO PROVIDE STRUCTURE.
I highly recommend starting with a theme and a strong outline that will become the chapters. This will help to structure the book and enable the author to use this as a guide or map. I like to write daily to see progress. It’s also very effective to have an accountability partner. – Jo Ann Herold, Herold Growth Consulting
3. WORK WITH A SPECIALIST WHO CAN BRING YOUR THOUGHTS TO LIFE.
I went through this last year. Just start getting your words down and get your thoughts on paper. Once you get a critical mass, locate a freelancer or a smaller publishing company that specializes in entrepreneur publishing. Without this help, you will spend countless hours learning how to self-publish and not working on your business. They know the game to get you to the finish line. – Michael Cupps, ActiveOps
4. READ BOOKS THAT INSPIRE YOUR OWN WRITING JOURNEY.
If you want to be a writer, you need to be a reader first, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the structure and format of other books shelved where yours is likely to be stocked in a bookstore. Then, summarize your theme and chapter headings, as those will form the basis for your proposal. Finally, get your ideas on paper to find your voice, because that is what ultimately sets you apart. – Tim Maleeny, Havas North America
5. KEEP YOUR PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE LEVELS UP.
Be patient and persistent. The publishing process can be lengthy and filled with rejections. Your story matters, and with determination, it will find its way to the readers who need it. – Maria Alonso, Fortune 206
6. SHARE DRAFTS WITH TRUSTED PEERS FOR FEEDBACK.
Once you’ve started writing, share your drafts with trusted peers for feedback, and stay consistent with your writing schedule. Begin by outlining your main ideas and organizing them into chapters. Set aside dedicated writing time daily to build a habit. Leverage tools like voice-to-text apps for capturing spontaneous thoughts. Consider collaborating with a professional editor or ghostwriter. – Stephen Nalley, Black Briar Advisors
7. CONSIDER THE LATEST METHODS AVAILABLE TO PUBLISH A BOOK.
Explore your publishing options. Traditional publishing requires you to submit your proposal to agents or publishers. Self-publishing is offered through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark to allow you to publish independently, and hybrid publishing combines traditional and self-publishing with shared costs for services. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
8. SYNC UP WITH THOUGHT LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT AND INTRODUCE YOU.
As a cybersecurity professional, I joined forces with other well-known authors to write a chapter as a way to start and get out there. I reached out to others in the field and tried to foster a culture of trust and innovation, leveraging my expertise to drive impactful change in digital security practices. Draft a strategic plan, map out thought leaders, and sync with them to help introduce you. – Dan Sorensen, Air National Guard
9. BUILD YOUR MEDIA PLATFORM TO ATTRACT POTENTIAL READERS IN DIFFERENT SPACES.
Build a media platform first—this could mean traditional media or a social media account with a good follower base (maybe 10,000 or better). Since your planned book is likely nonfiction, you first need to interest a publisher, unless you plan to self-publish. This is because they may want it done in a certain way or style. –Zain Jaffer, Zain Ventures
10. CREATE A CONSISTENT WRITING ROUTINE AND STICK WITH IT.
Set a daily writing goal. For example, commit yourself to writing for a specific amount of time or completing a certain number of pages each day. When I published my first book, I found that setting a target of writing for at least one hour every morning helped me stay focused. Consistency is key, so make your writing routine a non-negotiable part of your schedule. – Frederik Bussler, Bussler & Co
11. CLARIFY CORE MESSAGES FOR READERS TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR BOOK.
My top tip is to start by outlining your key ideas and structuring your content to ensure a cohesive flow of information. By creating a detailed outline, you can clarify your core messages, organize your thoughts effectively, and improve the writing process. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC