Is there still a place for books?

When I was interviewed on Katie Martin’s show on BBC Radio Solent earlier this month, where I was promoting my latest book, this is one of the questions she asked me.

In today’s modern era, is there still a place for books?

At the risk of feeling old saying this(!), when I was young, we didn’t have the resources available to us like we have now. Research was done by making phone calls, going to the library, and flicking through books to find the answers to our questions.

And now when you have a simple query, you just need to open your internet browser, type in your problem, and a plethora of answers will come to you. Of course this has a downside, as this one simple bit of research can overwhelm you with potential responses.

But going back to Katie’s question…

Despite the information overload that we all get every day, I do believe that there is a place for books. Writing a business book is a brilliant marketing tool and…

1. It positions you as an expert and raises your credibility.

2. When you’ve sifted through everything you know to find the nuggets that your prospective clients want, then as well as providing them with this information, it also enables you to stand out from the crowd.

3. You’ll get clear on your knowledge, which you can then use to develop other products and programmes, and ultimately streamline your message.

4. With the right distribution of your book, you can reach more people than you can through other means like your website, networking and social media.

5. Ultimately this will help you to grow your business.

And it’s amazing how things have progressed over the last 20 years. Now we can read books on our tablets, download Kindle publications in a matter of seconds and devour them immediately without having to wait for the postman. So when your prospective client finds you, it won’t take long for them to get to know you and find out more about what you have to say.

On this note, I’m often asked by my clients how they should publish their book once they’ve written it. Is having an e-version or Kindle enough?  Personally, if you’re using your book as a business building tool, you’ve got to have a physical copy too.

It’s very difficult to sell a Kindle book at an event and having your book as a paperback will build your credibility (and it is really straightforward to do).

Also there’s something special about the feel of a physical book, where you can leaf through the pages, and scribble in the margins. And if you’ve been staring at a screen all day, do you want to read a book this way too? And if you love to breathe in the intoxicating smell, well I’ve probably convinced you already!

Do you think there’s still a place for books?

I’d love your comment below on this topic. What do you think?

Have books had their day? Is writing a book on your list? What do you have to say?

How can I help you?

And if you’re ready to write your book, then just go here to complete a short questionnaire to find out how I can help you. Let me demystify the process and give you the tools to turn your idea into a published book that will grow your business – in less than six months!