Are books the new business card? That’s the question an article by serial entrepreneur Andrew Meal writing for The Entrepreneur asks.
Quoting from the Bowker Report in the article, Medal states that more than 400,000 books were self-published in the US in 2013, an increase of more than 400 percent since 2007, and non-self-published books issued annually has also increased to more than 300,000 in 2013.
So why does the author feel that books can be used as a business card? As someone who self-published a book in 2013, Medal views a book as “high-quality marketing tool” which can potentially earn you side income from new customers or users, speaking opportunities and consulting jobs.
Quoting from the Bowker Report in the article, Medal states that more than 400,000 books were self-published in the US in 2013, an increase of more than 400 percent since 2007, and non-self-published books issued annually has also increased to more than 300,000 in 2013.
So why does the author feel that books can be used as a business card? As someone who self-published a book in 2013, Medal views a book as “high-quality marketing tool” which can potentially earn you side income from new customers or users, speaking opportunities and consulting jobs.
- A book can establish expertise – it shows off that expertise better than a business card.
- It sets you apart – from other people in your space, as not everyone in your space or industry will be a published author so this can help differentiate you.
- It can open doors.
- It can bring you new business. Your book can help establish your expertise in an area, which in turn can help generate you new business or customers.
- It's a marketing tool. You can give copies of your book to contacts when you meet with them, send copies to potential clients and mail them to other people you’re hoping to connect with.
