Listen to this

The audio book recording of my latest book ‘Argh!’ is available on Audible and other audio book channels. 

I shared some pics from the recording experience recently, using SquareSound / Soundfirm for the recording and production. Thanks to Maryanne Rowe for coordinating and Ryan for recording and production. 

As a self-publisher, this kind of extension of my book is funded by me, not a big bucks publisher or distributor. 

So it makes the process all the more easy and rewarding when you have control over important decisions and are consulted with throughout. It’s a true collaboration. 

I’ve been a radio broadcaster and voice over artist in the past and returning to ‘the booth’ was a joy. I hope you can hear that in my reading. (And I know that some audio books can be a drag to listen to - hopefully not this one 😁…!)

If you’ve got a book that you’d like to record into a format that increasingly more people are accessing for ‘reading’, I recommend these professionals. 

The power of a book, no matter your job or role

Books have become a powerful marketing and branding tool of today. They're better than a business card and can become a key part of your social media content. A book authored by you is an immediate way to show that you've got a point of view and that you have some wonderful expertise.  

Yes, authoring a book shows you have a story to tell, advice to give or you want to provide an accompaniment to your services. This is ideal if you’re a coach, trainer or business or management consultant or have your own business. 

Imagine being able to drop a book on the desk or table of a prospective client… it's powerful, influential and impactful.  You’re saying ‘here’s my thinking on the topic’, and 'this is why we know what we're doing'!

But writing a book is a big deal. There are plenty of people who start but can’t finish. Or they don't start because they’re not sure of what's really involved ... it can be a tricky process to think, write and publish!  So, yes, a book is a BIG project.  

Starting and then fizzing out...

Many people start with great intentions, some clever ideas and a few words here and there with their initial attempts to write a book.

I sure did! Several times. I think I had six different books that I'd started - and none of them finished, published or available for sale or put out into the world to go to work for me! That's a missed opportunity. A BIG one.

A book can seem insurmountable at times; especially if you start with a flurry and then it all fades away and other things in life seem to take a higher priority. You might feel like you lose that initial spurt of energy or enthusiasm. You might even wonder if writing a book is a bit of a 'brag'. 

Having a book (a hard copy book or an e-book or digital download) with your name on it isn't an ego thing at all. In fact the opposite is true; it's saying 'here is my thinking', 'here's what I'm working on' or 'here's where I'm heading next'. It's helpful, instructive, supportive and clarifying. 

A book is a vital marketing tool for today. With social media available for you to share your thoughts, ideas and opinions, a book is the perfect way to bring these - and other -  ideas together in a focused, professional and contemporary way. 

From average to leverage

Having your own book published can help take you from being lost or hidden in the crowd.

With so many businesses, consultants, entrepreneurs, marketers and job hunters looking to stand out and have a profile, it's too easy to slip into a space where everyone else is. Being a commodity or the same as others doesn't give you a competitive advantage. You're lost, hidden. 

If you appear the same as every other consultant or coach, business owner or entrepreneur, how do you get ahead, build your profile or get known for your unique offer, services or expertise?

Whether you're starting up your own business - or hope to in the future - having your services clearly positioned early on in the journey is smart thinking. And if you're already along the journey of being a freelancer, sole trader, entrepreneur or business guru, the best time is always ...now. 

Getting the leverage of a book looks like this...

Break clear

Writing and publishing a book is a strategy to help you break clear from average. 

You'll build your profile in the fields or industries you're interested in, strengthen your identity and be able to leverage the power of having your thinking, ideas and knowledge in print and able to be shared.

This powerful combination helps position you in the market or industry in which you work - or would like to work. And if you're writing a book for the pleasure of it, you'll position your unique thinking and ideas in a way that no one else has. 

You'll move from commodity to identity; from average to leverage. 

Once your book is published, you have incredible opportunities to build on the profile and positioning that come from authoring. 

Make 2016 the year you write and publish your book.