Reader's SoundOff -- The Logical Step to Validate Your Methods and Boost Your Career

By Dianna Booher, CSP, CPAE--Speakers Hall of Fame
Founder & CEO, Booher Consultants, Inc. (Grapevine, TX)

Now that the majority of sales and marketing professionals have at least a college degree, what do you do to distinguish yourself from your peers? Gain the next promotion? Further your revolutionary idea, product or service?  These days, the answer is to publish a book.  Seriously--publishing has become the new pastime for those who have already "arrived," and even those who are still building a career.  Prestige, money, new business, recognition—all are valuable and reasonable to expect as a result of publishing your marketing idea, sales process, procedure, or data.

How do I know?  I've published 42 books with major publishers (and more are in the works) and it has totally revolutionized my company and sales organization for 25 years.  And it will work for you.  Lee Iacocca, Donald Trump, Bill Gates, Michael Eisner, Jack Welch, Queen Noor, Harvey Mackay--they have all  turned publishing into financial power. Publishing has added pizzazz to their already prestigious careers.

The mere mention of your company's name and product or service is now worth measurable dollars—dollars companies are willing to pay their employees in bonuses for their publishing efforts.  That third-party endorsement from a major publisher says to the world that "somebody out there," an objective editor, thinks that what you have to say is worthwhile and that people would pay money to read it. 

Nothing enhances your credibility or brings recognition—from colleagues, from your own management, from customers and clients––like publishing a book on your subject of expertise. In fact, this principle has even worked its way into our language. To establish someone's credibility, we say, "He/she wrote the book."

Not only do you receive nice royalty checks from the book sales, but if you play your cards right, you'll often find that sub-rights sales fatten the pot: software, video, and audio rights; fees for excerpts reprinted in national magazines and journals; premium sales; Internet licensing fees;  sales of spin-off products such as T-shirts, buttons, posters, calendars, and other paraphernalia; and fees for consulting and speaking engagements.

Prestige, money, new business, recognition—all are valuable and reasonable to expect as a result of publishing and promoting your nonfiction book.  Like Suze Orman, Robert Kiyosaki,  Brian Tracy, Phil McGraw, John Gray, Ken Blanchard, Tony Robbins, Ann Coulter, and Stephen Covey, you, too, may find that the recognition and credibility gained through publishing translates into a more powerful platform that increases your sales exponentially.

Editor's note: Speaking of publishing, make sure to read the reviews on recent business and industry books in our resources section on ManageSmarter.com. 

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Comments

[The Sales Hunter]

Dianna- you're spot on with your comments and publishing today is easier than ever especially if your target audience is a narrow niche. There are any number of small publishing firms happy to take on projects that will have limited print runs

[Dianna Booher]

Thank you, Don, for your thoughtful consideration of the publishing angle for career enhancement. I am also a big believer in posting articles in various publications, and I spend a part of each week submitting articles just to stay visible in the print and online arenas.

[Don Antonucci]

Thanks for the great blog. I'd add that publishing ideas in articles, in educational journals and even in short blogs such as this can also be a great opportunity for professionals to distinguish themselves. Those that can get their ideas out there in writing and provide real value to readers have unlimited opportunities to get the word out and enhance their professional and company profile.