Books are the best business cards

A few weeks ago I was in New York and was talking to some people I had just met. We exchanged greetings and got to talking a bit. They asked what I did and I got to talking about writing and marketing and then, at the end of the introductions, I said that I was working on a book about Kickstarter for authors.

That changed the whole conversation. Suddenly there were more questions my new friend wanted to ask, some people they wanted to introduce me to, and some notes they needed to take on their phone so that they could go pick up my book later. Amazing, right? I thought so at first, but I've learned it's not that strange.

I did a Kickstarter campaign myself, I advise people on Kickstarter campaigns, and I've spoken several times at conferences about Kickstarter campaigns. If those things come up in conversation, the reaction is something like, "Oh, that's interesting..." and then we move on. But the second I bring up that I wrote a book or that I'm writing a new book, peoples' eyes light up.

Lest you think I'm speaking only from personal experience, think about the people who you think are experts or leaders in the fields you work in or enjoy. I'll wager those people have written books.

There is something enduringly powerful about writing a book. It's visible, it's tangible, it's personal and it stakes a claim. Even if you haven't read a person's book, the simple fact that they wrote a book about a topic is impressive and meaningful and carries weight. It says that the author has enough faith in him- or her- self that he/she is willing to put thousands of words out to the general public. That kind of self-confidence must equal true knowledge, right?

Most of the time, I would say yes.

But all of the time, I would say that having written a book about a certain topic is the ultimate business card. It literally speaks volumes about where you spend your time and energy.

So, what are you writing a book about?

Image courtesy of TroyTurner via flickr