If you're developing a branded business or professional practice, writing a book might be one of the wisest moves. Just check some information online about how to promote my book, and you'll see that you (and potentially your business) naturally receive the PR. There are multiple reasons books are excellent vehicles to build brands, and the biggest one is the launch publicity campaign. As the author, you'll be the one interviewed and mentioned in articles, and your profile will become higher. Published authors are automatic thought leaders in their fields, giving you long-term credibility.

You'll be an author in a nonfiction genre such as self-help, lifestyle, personal finance, or business books. Select a category that aligns well with your business or professional practice. Your expertise supports the book, which helps you in return, especially with publicity. If you've tried to earn press coverage of your business, you know it's an uphill battle, and the competition is fierce. When you have a newly published book that shares information people regard as exciting and valuable, the odds of getting coverage increase. Authors are seen as experts in their fields, and they become newsworthy.

If you're strategic about selecting your book's topic, you'll write for a complementary target audience to your business. Never resort to the hard sell and let readers and the media make the connection between you, the book, and your business. You'll also qualify to speak and give presentations, resulting in new professional relationships and customer leads. Anytime you're out and interacting with people about your business expertise, you open the door for a new client. Most press coverage will include your name, title, and business, leading people to make the connection.

As you're writing your book, begin developing your marketing plan – it is never too early. It may impact the book's content and how much you write about specific facts and topics. It's better to err on being newsworthy than to be too cautious about what you say. Some amount of controversy can be healthy for books, and taking an opposing view to conventional wisdom works when you can explain why. Most nonfiction genres already have thousands of books, and yours needs to have a unique point of view. Readers will buy copies when they sense there is something to gain from them.