Do you need to write a book?
Do you feel the pressure to write a book as a milestone in your professional journey?
You’re not alone.
We’re diving deep into a question that buzzes in the minds of many aspiring authors: Do you really need to write a book?
Writing a book is seen as a prestigious accomplishment, a bucket list item that symbolizes success and expertise. Whether it’s about fulfilling dreams or making a mark in education, the motivations behind writing a book are diverse and compelling. But once we publish the book, we often overlook the marketing implications.
Let’s talk numbers for a moment.
According to WordsRated,
Amazon sells at least 300 million print books each year.
The company reportedly controls at least 40% of the print book sales in the States.
Amazon generates around $28 billion worldwide from book sales every year.
The company is responsible for over 50% of sales from the Big Five publishers and controls between 50% and 80% of the book distribution in the United States.
Even though Amazon’s book sales make up only 10% of the company’s profit, they are still the biggest seller of books in the United States and worldwide.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that last statistic. That’s crazy to think about. This place is the largest consumer of books, yet it only accounts for 10% of the company’s profit. To put it simply, there are a lot of books being published, and the number will keep growing every year.
Before you rush to pen your masterpiece, consider the successful paths of notable authors like Tim Ferris, Susan Cain, and James Clear.
None started with the book; instead, they built platforms—be it through blogs, speeches, or coaching—from which their books emerged as natural extensions of their established expertise.
These platforms not only helped them stand out but also ensured they weren’t just adding to the noise.
It’s crucial to step back and evaluate why you want to write a book.
Is it to validate your expertise, or do you have a unique perspective that genuinely needs sharing?
The book market is crowded, and without a clear purpose or established audience, even the most well-written book can struggle to make an impact.
If you’re looking for ways to amplify the impact of your book, make sure to check out The Content Repurposer podcast episode. We dive into different methods authors can use to tailor their content for their target readers.
