The Reasons to Write a Book: Why It Matters More Than You Think

By Renée Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing and Bestselling Author of The One-Hour Author: A Simple Guide to Writing and Publishing on a Busy Schedule

Many people toy with the idea of writing a book, but often, they never take the plunge. Some are unsure of their reasons for writing, while others haven’t thought about the impact their book could have beyond simply publishing it. Understanding your "why" can give you clarity, motivation, and direction in the writing process.

The Three Core Reasons to Write a Book

I categorize the reasons for writing a book into three main areas:

1. Branding

2. Business Strategy

3. Impact & Passion

Sometimes, these reasons overlap, and that’s okay! The key is to determine what success looks like for you before you begin.

1. Branding: Establishing Authority and Credibility

Writing a book can be a powerful tool for personal or professional branding. If you want to position yourself as an expert, a book is one of the most effective ways to do it. When you put your knowledge and insights into a well-structured book, you are creating a lasting representation of your expertise.

For example, my book Leading Through Love was a personal branding play, establishing my approach to leadership. It built know, like, and trust with readers who wanted to understand my leadership philosophy.

Key Benefits of a Branding-Focused Book:

• Builds trust with potential clients and customers

• Enhances media opportunities (podcasts, online publications, TV, etc.)

• Leads to speaking engagements (72% of surveyed authors secured speaking opportunities due to their book)

• Creates differentiation in competitive industries

2. Business Strategy: Creating Revenue and Growth Opportunities

Books don’t just build authority—they can also be a direct part of your business strategy. Many successful entrepreneurs use books as lead generators for higher-ticket services such as courses, consulting, or coaching programs.

One of our authors, a franchisor, wrote a book outlining the entire process of running a business in his industry. His book became a tool to attract potential franchisees and position his company as the go-to brand in the space. Another author used his book as a bridge to a $249 online course, generating over $130,000 in revenue—not from royalties, but from business sales the book helped drive.

How a Book Can Support Your Business:

• Generates leads for coaching, consulting, or services

• Drives traffic to an online course or membership program

• Attracts new referral partnerships and industry collaborations

• Improves SEO and online discoverability

3. Impact & Passion: Sharing Your Story and Helping Others

Not all books are written with a financial goal in mind. Many authors write because they have a message to share or a cause they care deeply about. Books can inspire, motivate, and educate in ways that create lasting change.

Jason T. Powell, the author of Compete to Live: The Every Man’s Playbook to Beating Depression, wrote his book to help men struggling with mental health challenges. He didn’t write it for personal branding or business reasons—his goal was to make an impact.

For me, Leading Through Love was not only a branding book but also a passion project. I wanted to help leaders develop a heart-centered leadership approach that could transform workplace culture.

Examples of Impact-Driven Books:

• Personal memoirs that inspire resilience and overcoming challenges

• Self-help books designed to educate and uplift readers

• Nonprofit-focused books raising awareness for social causes

What About Royalties? The Truth About Book Sales

Many aspiring authors assume they will make a full-time income from book royalties alone. While some do, the reality is that most authors do not make significant money from royalties.

Book Royalties at a Glance:

• Traditional publishers: Most first-time authors earn less than $10,000 per year from royalties.

• Self-publishing: Higher per-book earnings but dependent on marketing and sales strategies.

• The real revenue often comes from business opportunities the book creates, not book sales alone.

If financial return is a primary goal, authors should think beyond royalties and instead design their book as a tool for business growth, speaking engagements, and other opportunities.

Start with the End in Mind

If you’re thinking about writing a book, take the time to define your goal. Ask yourself: What does success look like for me?

• Do you want to build your brand and establish credibility?

• Is this part of a business strategy to drive leads and revenue?

• Are you passionate about making an impact and helping others?

Your answer will shape everything—from your writing style to your book’s structure and marketing approach. Writing a book is an investment of time and energy, but with the right strategy, it can yield results far beyond what you initially imagined.

Want More Guidance?

📖 Read My Book – The One-Hour Author (available on Amazon) for a step-by-step guide to writing and publishing your book.
🖥 Take My Course – Learn the self-publishing process with my KDP course at SmartPublishingServices.com.
📩 Get in Touch – Have questions? Reach out at [email protected] or visit SmartPublishingServices.com.

Writing a book is one of the most powerful things you can do to create impact. Don’t wait—start your journey today!