I’ve had so many calls with leaders asking themselves, ‘Should I write a business book?’ Usually followed by: ‘I think I’ve got one in me, but I’m not sure.’
That uncertainty doesn’t mean you don’t have a book idea. What’s really going on is that you have no way of assessing all your knowledge and ideas.
Many of my best projects started exactly in this way. Before an idea had any sort of shape to it. I’m not talking about a blank canvas, I’m talking about a mixture of ideas in your head, voice notes, unfinished documents, and loose notes.
You more than likely have a book if you have a clear reader in mind, specific knowledge that people keep asking you about, and a reason it matters now.
I’ve put together some questions in this article so you can test your idea for real and find out more about book ghostwriting.
How Do I Know If I Have A Book In Me?
These are the questions that I tend to ask in a first conversation. Don’t overthink it as there are no trick questions. The answers will tell you what kind of book it is and whether it’s a book at all!
What Do You Want The Book To Do For You?
Think about what you want this book to do for you. It might be you already have a slight idea, but it’s important to be clear on why you are creating this book.
You might be doing it:
- To gain credibility with clients
- To attract speaking invitations
- To showcase your skills for recruitment purposes
- To create a legacy
You don’t need to be completely clear on this answer, but a clear one will make the book easier to write and ultimately better overall.
Who Is It For, Specifically?
You might think that your book can help anybody in business. However, the reality is, if you write the book for everybody it basically means it is for no one. A good answer to this question is, “a first-time founder”, “a newly promoted director”, etc. Being as specific as you can, about who your reader is, makes a huge difference and helps you keep the focus and engage the reader throughout the book.
What Do People Keep Asking You?
Think about the questions you are answering over and over again. That is the area that usually becomes the backbone of the book.
I remember helping a gentleman who wanted to write about conquering discipline. He had so many stories of things he had done to conquer difficult areas of his life by being disciplined. But every one was so different. The chapter titles wrote themselves, as each one related to one specific area and challenge in his life.
If you find yourself repeatedly explaining certain things to people about a specific topic, take note and ensure you include this in your book.
What Stories Do You Tell Again And Again?
Think about the stories you like to tell people. The ones you have told so many times and you never get bored telling them. The ones where people lean in, or ask you to tell it again at the next dinner. The stories that you can see genuinely excite and inspire people. These are the stories that you need to share in a book.
How Involved Do You Want To Be?
Writing a book as a CEO or founder might seem a bit daunting if you are already extremely busy. The good news is, I have a process that we both follow, be it a three- or six-month project. That means everybody knows what they need to do at any given time.
Plus, I only need 15 to 30 hours maximum of your time in the beginning (depending on the book’s length), which is spread out in set meetings.
Then, once I have all the information I need and everything is set, I create the draft manuscript. During this period you can continue with your work, with very little needed from you beyond reviewing chapters.
The priority is ensuring that you are there for the first meetings, so everything runs smoothly.
Why Now?
Maybe the question isn’t “Should I write a business book?” but “When?”
You might have just had a significant business milestone. Or perhaps you have noticed a shift in the industry that you would like to highlight.
What If The Answer Is “Not Yet”?
It’s true, you might not be ready for a book. Your thoughts might be best suited for something else. For example, some ideas would be perfect for an article series or a keynote speech. This is fine.
If this feels like you, I also write speeches and long-form articles.
FAQ
Do I need to have my ideas fully formed before talking to a ghostwriter?
No. I offer free informal book chats to discuss book ideas. I’ll give you my honest assessment.
Should I Write A Business Book If I’ve Never Done It Before?
Absolutely! You can turn your expertise into a book. You might not think you can, but take a step back and think about all of the things you have achieved in your career.
How long does it take to write a business book?
Usually three to six months. It all depends on the word count.
Will the book sound like me?
Yes. I spend time in the early stages gleaning as much information as I can through our meetings and interviews. This ensures that I write in your voice and the tone is consistent throughout the book.
Is it normal for CEOs to use a ghostwriter?
Perfectly normal. I have ghostwritten for CEOs, founders, directors, etc. across multiple industries.
Not Sure If You Are Ready?
Not sure yet if you’ve even got a book? That’s what the informal book chat is for: Free Informal Book Chat – 30 minutes with Sally
Sally Leslie is an executive ghostwriter helping leaders, senior professionals, coaches, and founders turn their thinking into books, keynotes, and thought leadership that actually sound like them. With 20+ years in business, including 11 years in leadership, she writes with a leader’s instinct for what matters, not just a writer’s ear for language.
She’s also the author of Think Clearly. Lead Calmly. Based between Newcastle, UK and Mallorca, Spain.