“I don’t know whether or not I’m qualified to write a book!”
The process of helping others write books to build their personal brand often starts by addressing a curious paradox:
- Published books establish their authors as experts in their field
- BUT, What qualifies someone to write a book in the first place?
Unfortunately, many otherwise-qualified individuals question their “right,” or “qualifications,” to write a brand building book to promote their career or build their business.
These individuals are sabotaging themselves before they even begin to build their brand!
Where does this self-doubt come from?
Origins of self-doubt
For many, the origins of their self-doubt lie in their previous writing experiences, especially high school and college “creative writing” classes. There are 3 refrains I hear over and over again:
- I’m not a good enough writer! This is often accompanied by, I almost flunked freshman English or I’m not a creative writer.
- I don’t have the credentials, referring to a lack of a Ph.D. in the field.
- I’m too young, or, presumably, too inexperienced.
Let’s take a closer look at these objections.
Objection 1: I’m not a good-enough writer!
Let’s start by asking, What is a good-enough writer?
Is a “good-enough writer” someone who can dash-off a brilliant first draft?
Or, is a “good enough writer” an individual who will discipline themselves to take the time to:
- Research the market for what they want to write
- Plan and organize their thoughts before they start to write
- Obtain the resources and tools they need to work as efficiently as necessary
- Commit to consistent daily progress, i.e., work as little as 30-minutes a day on their project
- Revise and re-edit until they’re using the fewest words, paragraphs, and pages necessary to communicate their ideas without clutter or decoration
Avoid unrealistic comparisons
It’s important to remember that few are “born” writers.
When our high school and college teachers held up the masters as standards for us to emulate, they may have been inadvertently undermining our confidence by setting unrealistic expectations.
When we read a “classic” book, we’re not reading the first draft that the author’s wrote. Instead, we’re reading words that the author agonized over, often writing and rewriting numerous times.
And, what happened after they submitted their final manuscripts to their publishers? That’s right: the manuscripts were edited and re-edited by a staff of editors before the publisher turned on the printing press!
Writing is a learned craft
The ability to write comes from writing. By writing, you learn how to write. You learn the steps, the tools, and the processes needed to plan your writing, create the first draft, and rewrite it until it’s right.
By writing you learn how to write.
If you want to write a book to build your brand, and are willing to commit to consistent daily progress, you’ll almost certainly succeed.
Objection 2: I don’t have the credentials
Although I hear many bemoan their lack of advanced degrees in their field of interest, outside of the world of academics, there are no “minimum credentials,” or “licenses,” needed to write book.
To look at “credentials issue” from another perspective, notice how the presence of advanced degree doesn’t guarantee the right to publish a book; every degree-holder doesn’t get the right to publish a book!
The “Tyranny of Knowledge”
Indeed, as Chip Heath and Dan Heath wrote in Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, knowledge is often an impediment to understanding a topic and sharing new insights.
Knowledge often puts blinders on experts who view problems from conventional perspectives and who often assume too much knowledge on the part of their readers.
In most cases, “in the field” strategies and tactics experience are more important than theoretical “first principles.” You don’t need to know how internal combustion engines work to drive to the convenience store (or a local bookstore).
Knowing where to turn left, what the convenience store’s hours are, and where the local speed trap is located, is usually more important than a knowledge of the Federalist Papers.
Never doubt the value of your first-hand experience
The value of what you don’t know
Likewise, don’t underestimate the value of what you don’t know; writing can teach, as William Zinsser described so eloquently in Writing to Learn: How to Write–And Think–Clearly About Any Subject at All.
Just like teaching others is the best way for you to learn more about a topic, writing enhances your understanding of your subject and your ability to communicate with, and serve, others.
Objection 3: I’m too young
When are you “old enough” to write a book that creates a personal brand for yourself?
- Is 30 the minimum cut-off?
- Or, is 40 somehow “better?”
- What about 50 or 60?
If age is a criteria, of course, the question then becomes, When are you too old to write a book? Is 65 “too old?”
What if you’re 70, and a subject area expert with a lifetime of experience and perspectives to share?
If the idea of an “maximum age cut-off” for writing a book appears foolish, then you’ll probably agree the idea of a “minimum age” makes even less sense!
Conclusion
If you have an area of expertise, a unique perspecive, or simply want to share your experiences with others, and you’re willing to commit to consistent daily progress, you’re probably “qualified” to write a book to build your personal brand.
