Writing a business book is no small feat. If you’re wondering how to write a good business book, you’re probably asking the wrong questions to start with. People start to see you and your business differently the moment you have a book. You’ve moved to a whole new level of authority that shows the world that you know your stuff. You’ve framed your thinking into something tangible. Which is why the usual questions of: what should I include in my business book? or, how should I structure it? aren’t actually the most useful ones to be asking at the start.
The trouble with business books.
A business book is often one of those projects that sits quietly in the background. You might have already half-written several books in your head, but never actually got the words down because that little voice in your head says: Who the fuck are you even to write a book?
You might have chucked a couple of ideas into ChatGPT, asking it for help. It churns out grammatically perfect word salad. And it’s nothing you’ve been excited enough to actually sit down and get stuck into.
Most people don’t struggle with ideas: they’ve got plenty of those. Lots of half-written books are sitting in their heads. Notes scattered across documents. Voice notes they’ve never gone back to.
People don’t struggle with ideas — they struggle to actually write the thing.
They circle it for months, overthink it, procrastinate it… and end up with nothing published.
And so the book stays where it’s always been… in your head.
A Business Book Is a Big Deal
Writing your business book isn’t just a creative side project. A good business book can:
- Propel you into expert status in your field
- Significantly increase demand for your services
- Get you invited to speak on stage, in front of your dream clients
- Put you in rooms you’re not currently in
It changes how people see you. And more importantly, it changes how they approach working with you. Which is why I believe writing a business book needs a bit more strategy than writing.
Why Strategy Matters More Than Word Count
There’s a tendency to focus on the mechanics. How many chapters? Or how long each one should be. How quickly can it be finished? Do a quick cover. Stick it on Amazon.
Wait for the royalties to roll in.
A good business book proves its value in what the reader does next, not in how neatly you structure it on paper.
- What action does the reader take?
- What do they do next?
Do they close the book and carry on as they were? Or has your book moved them into taking a decision that moves them closer to their goal?
That outcome isn’t accidental. It comes from thinking about the role of the book before it’s written, not after.
A business book is the only piece of marketing people will pay you for.
They choose to read it out of the many thousands on Amazon. It’s taken precious time to read it. They sit with your thinking for longer than they ever would with a post, a reel, or an email.
Which means it literally pays to think about it properly.
Not just what goes in it, but what comes after it.
Most people begin with: What should I put in my business book?
The more useful question is: What is this book actually going to do for my business?
What can a book do for my business?
Your business book can do many things for your business, such as:
- Act as a lead magnet (that people actually pay for)
- Support onboarding so clients arrive already aligned
- Open doors to speaking opportunities
- Lead people into a sales call
- Filter out the wrong clients before they ever reach you
There isn’t one right answer. But there does need to be a clear one.
You can plan it. Shape it. Build it properly from the start, so what you end up with is a book that actually reflects your thinking, your personality, and the work you want to be known for.
And When You Get It Right…
You don’t just have a book. You showcase your expertise, position your business properly, and create something that works for you long after it’s written.
If you’re serious about writing a business book that works, rather than just be something you’ve ticked off the list, there are two ways I can help.
You can join Write the Bloody Book, where you’ll shape the idea properly and finally get moving.
Or, if you want it done with you (and done right), The Book Forge is where we build the whole thing into something solid, strategic, and publishable.
Either way, stop guessing. Start building something that actually earns its place in your business.
Get in touch for more info here.