Putting Your Thoughts On Paper: Why You Should Write A Book

Putting Your Thoughts On Paper: Why You Should Write A Book

For what reason would anyone want to write a book when they can do it much more quickly, inexpensively, and easily with a digital version? Why waste time and money printing and transporting physical books to customers when you can provide them a digital information product right away without any of those costs? Why include a tree-killing relic of the past in your creative portfolio?

Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, many readers still prefer physical books over digital ones. They like holding a physical copy in their hands. Possessing a hard copy of a work offers its readers a sense of security and permanence, as they can take it with them wherever they go and display it proudly on their bookcases. They prefer things to remain the way they have always been done. Or maybe they're not comfortable with eBooks or other forms of digital media.

I was talking to a TV reporter from another country about one of my upcoming books. I didn't have a physical copy yet, but I did have a PDF eBook I could send him. He had previously made it clear that he had no interest in reading electronic books, but I had nothing else to offer at the time, so I sent him one. If only I could have mailed him a hard copy, that would have been ideal. I made due with what I had available, of course, but if only.

Some people prefer physical books to electronic ones since they may be read anywhere and at any time without the need for a computer. In spite of all the hype around "portable media" these days, nothing beats the convenience of a book while you're on the go. It's small enough to fit in your palm, doesn't need batteries, and has straightforward instructions. Even with all of our technological advancements, nothing beats the speed and efficiency with which a book can "carry information" across vast distances in both time and space.

It's funny how many of us assumed that the end of one type of portable, immediate information exchange would herald the rise of another when the internet appeared.

Reading is not "reserved" for those who are good with computers. Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can access them. They're simple to operate, lightweight, and portable, and unlike some of the cutting-edge entertainment equipment of today, everyone knows what they are.

When an author releases a book in print, they are providing readers with more options and removing barriers to entry.

Having a printed book on hand might add legitimacy to your work. If you have a printed book, especially one with an ISBN, you have something tangible to present to editors, reporters, and hosts at print, broadcast, and online media outlets. You can send your book in the mail to critics and journalists, and then, when it's time to explain to the world what all the fuss is about, you can hold up your work for the camera. As an added bonus, depending on the publishing provider you employ, your audience members can request your book by name at their local bookstores to help you get it stocked. (You may already be convinced, like many other infopreneurs, that bookstores are not the place to sell books; nonetheless, it doesn't hurt to see your book on the shelves of a brick-and-mortar store.)

The fact that print media allows you to reach an audience beyond just your immediate circle of friends is my favorite perk of being published. In contrast to creating (and even getting rich from) digital information goods, having a book in print immediately establishes you as an authority in the "real world" offline. People automatically attribute more intelligence to you if they know you've published a book and they see you holding that book. Most likely, that's correct; you are. However, people's assumptions that you must be very intelligent since you wrote a book rarely extend to investigating whether or not your book is any "good" or whether or not your work is generally regarded and respected in academic or commercial settings.

People in general have a healthy amount of admiration for authors who can collect their thoughts, formulate an outline, and write a whole book. The vast majority of individuals never even get there. Many people give it some thought but never take action. For many, your status as a published author places you in a category all your own. That's a great way to feel, by the way!

That sensation is one I've grown accustomed to. When I'm with my close friends and family, they often refer to me as "simply Kay," and that's fine with me. When it comes to my close friendships and family, all this fame stuff is just a distraction. In contrast, I present a somewhat different persona to readers of international press in the fields in which I publish (technology and cross-cultural concerns) because I am a published author who has garnered attention from readers in Asia and Europe with a controversial and rabble-rousing work that was released in the fall of 2006. 

It's nice to meet readers in far-flung places who have heard about my works through publications I've never heard of. In addition, I have a number of interesting newspaper and magazine stories that feature either me or my book prominently or briefly. I wrote a book and had it published, so everything fell into place. The fact that I can offer instantaneous downloads of electronic versions of my books is irrelevant. The vast majority of the time, this doesn't even register on the radar of the major international media. When I tell others about my eBook, though, I see a certain amount of sneering on their parts. On the other hand, my copy of the book in print tells a different tale.

If you want your thoughts to reach more people, then publishing a book is the way to go. By sharing your thoughts with a wider audience, you may have a greater impact on the world and establish yourself as a true thought leader in a troubled world starved for new perspectives and solutions. Actually, there has never been a better time to make your debut as a ground-breaking new writer in the traditional publishing industry than right now. 

We've pretty much outgrown the old formulas and the traditional ways of seeing, communicating, conceiving, and interacting with the world. We are in dire need of original thought, cutting-edge analysis, and unconventional approaches to problems. Although you may have condensed all of your knowledge into an eBook, the printed word provides you with a further outlet (or "channel," in marketing speak) for your thoughts.

One of the best things about having a book produced is the sense of accomplishment you get from finally having a physical copy of your work. It's been over 30 years since I first fell in love with the printed page, but that hasn't diminished my appreciation for books. Perfect when they're my words, of course! Some may call it arrogance, but for me it's about giving my talents the credit they deserve and finally seeing some tangible results after spending my entire adult life writing, writing, and writing some more despite the odds and in the hopes that one day I might be published. I'm a very hands-on learner, so having concrete examples helps me retain what I've read. Although I prefer digital formats these days, I find it difficult to page through a PDF in the same way I would a book.

Writing and self-publishing have never been more interesting than they are now. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been born in this era, to have developed a passion for language and literature, and to have the opportunity to put those interests into practice. There is no end to what you can do, so long as you know how to do it. What this book is all about is helping you, the infopreneur or digital product creator, acquire the know-how and perspective you'll need to successfully adapt your digital content for print publication, thereby expanding your audience and solidifying your position as a leader in your field.