Should You Write a Book? The Real ROI Behind Publishing in the Social Media Era

My LinkedIn feed feels increasingly like a virtual bookstore. Everywhere I look, someone is “#Author,” “launching soon,” or promoting their latest book. For professionals, consultants, coaches, and entrepreneurs, writing a book has become the new business card — a calling card of credibility.

But is it actually worth the time, energy, and expense?

1. Credibility and Thought Leadership

At the top of the list is authority. A published book signals expertise, commitment, and a point of view. In a world saturated with content, a book gives permanence to your ideas. It can position you as a thought leader, differentiate you from peers, and open doors to speaking engagements, podcast invitations, or board seats. Even if the book doesn’t top any bestseller lists, the perception of authority often outpaces the actual sales.

2. Business Development Tool

For consultants, coaches, and fractional executives, a book is a Trojan horse. It enters conversations, offices, and inboxes without a hard pitch. Shared with a prospect, it acts as a long-form brochure — but with value baked in. A well-structured book can subtly sell your services while educating the reader.

Books have helped win six- and seven-figure engagements. Not because they’re sold in bulk — but because they’re read by the right person at the right time.

3. Intellectual Clarity

Writing forces clarity. It requires the author to organize their knowledge, challenge their assumptions, and communicate complex ideas in accessible language. For many, the process becomes as valuable as the product. Authors often report that the discipline of writing helped them refine their frameworks, codify their IP, and better articulate their value to clients.

4. Personal Fulfillment

Let’s not overlook the emotional ROI. Publishing a book is a milestone. For some, it fulfills a lifelong goal. For others, it’s about legacy — leaving behind something more enduring than a LinkedIn post or a PowerPoint deck. And yes, let’s call a spade a spade, it’s also an ego boost. Seeing your name on a spine has an undeniable appeal.

Is It Worth the Effort and Expense?

That depends on the goal.

• If you’re looking to make money through book sales? Unlikely. The average self-published business book sells fewer than 300 copies.

• If you’re looking to build trust, start conversations, and elevate your professional profile? Absolutely.

Thanks to modern publishing tools, writing a book is more accessible than ever — but that doesn’t make it easy. Ghostwriting, editing, cover design, and printing can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Add hundreds of hours of your own time.
If the book is aligned with your business strategy, builds toward your long-term goals, and you’re willing to market it like a product — then yes, it can be one of the best investments you make. A book won’t change your life overnight. But it can change how the world sees you — and how you see yourself. That’s an outcome many professionals consider well worth the effort.

I am still contemplating…