“Why publish? Why write?”
“Why publish? Why write?” – I’ve been asked these questions many times!
The typical questions are:
- Is it pure ego or is it financially worthwhile?
- How do you make money?
- How long does it take?
- Isn’t it a distraction?
- What are your influences?
- How can you read so much?
I’ll answer the questions in order
- Is it pure ego or is it financially worthwhile?
It is not financially worthwhile in terms of sales revenues (unless you are very successful in your sales). However it increases your authority and therefore your fees and access to new clients.
- How do you make money?
For me this has been about bulk sales. Organisations have bought thousands of my books for their staff. That’s where the money is. Not in Waterstones or Barnes and Noble where you are selling books one at a time.
- How long does it take?
I write very quickly so the writing process is a matter of a week or so – the redrafting and tidying up takes much longer.
- Isn’t it a distraction?
I focus and throw myself at the task in hand. It is an obsessive activity.
- What are your influences?
I always have a recent book that has really made me think or helped me clarify my thoughts. Currently ‘The One Thing’ and ‘Pumpkin Plan’ are two books that qualify for my books of the year. In the long term, I have been heavily influenced by Seth Godin, Tom Peters and David Maister.
- How can you read so much?
I don’t read so much. I read a lot just before I write a book. I absorb all of the different views and approaches, think about mine… then I go for it!
And to add a final note… yes it can be all consuming and stressful at times, but the result is always something to be proud of. What’s the worst that can happen? Bad PR? There’s no such thing!
About the Author:
Robert Craven (@robert_craven) is an international Keynote business speaker, author, consultant and owner of The Directors’ Centre, a consulting and training company which helps owner-directors run the business they want to run.
His latest book Grow Your Digital Agency, which provides the business fundamentals that every growing agency needs to address, is now available.
To view all of Robert’s books, please click here.
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