It’s not required, but part of your content strategy may involve writing a book. This is not to be taken lightly. It’s huge endeavor, even for seasoned writers. It’s even harder if you’re just starting out. There’s so much to learn about the process, that it can feel intimidating.

So it has to be worth it, right? Let’s look at the considerations around whether or not writing a book should be a part of your content strategy.

Why bother writing a book?

A book is still a great way to convey information. Why?

• If you do it right, it’s a way to package up information (or inspiration, etc.) for your reader in a really cohesive, well-organized fashion.
• You have the time to fully examine an idea. Articles and blog posts and white papers are all great, but it’s hard to really delve into a complex idea and dig out all the nuances.
• You can take your reader on a linear path, from start to finish. The reader may not interact with it in the way that you intend. In other words, will they “raid” it or read it?
  • Reading is from A to B, following the path that you’ve laid out. Your intention is clear—and the format of a book is biased towards the path that you intend. You, the artist, have some control in that regard.
  • Raiding is using it more of a reference—getting what they need in small “snacks.” If this is what’s useful to your reader, then who’s to argue?
• It’s highly sharable, especially in today’s digital world. Delivery and point-of-sale systems are optimized to handle the propagation of book-length projects. We have a pricing rubric in place—people know roughly what to expect to pay, i.e. what a book “costs.”
• The world of ideas is built around the book as a cultural element. It’s easy to see why when you look at all the reasons above.

Why is a book good for you?

It’s also really good for you, too. A book affords you:

• Authority. If your ideas are strong and well-presented, you will be seen as a thought leader.
• Efficiency. You have a clear and convenient statement of your opinion, beliefs, knowledge—it’s the best articulation of your ideas. You can return to this over and over again to speak for you.
• Propagation. A book propels your ideas. The format lends itself to circulation, which means that your ideas will be spreadable.
• Accomplishment. A book casts you in a different light. Just the fact that you finished a book-length work says something about you. You have something to say, and people will see you differently for that. You took the risk, you made an attempt. Even if your book doesn’t sell a single copy, it’s a résumé of sorts.

Even with all these reasons, writing a book may not be the best strategy for you. There’s a lot you can do in your overall content strategy without a book. Take a look at your goals and determine what’s right for you. Projects of this size and scope require a ton of time, effort, and dedication. You want to have a good reason for it before you start out, or you’ll find it very hard to stick with it.

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Photo credit: “NaNoWriMo begins” by Bill Selak is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. Unchanged from original.