Why A Book Is The Best Business Card?

Why is a Book the Best Business Card?

You might not have thought about it but author business cards are a thing, you know.

Everyone can own and hand a business card for whatever purpose, but one intended to market oneself as an author makes little sense.

The reason is simple: books are a much more powerful means to communicate and share your ideas than any piece of paper ever can.

Writing and selling a book are two different things; if you’ve published one before, you know this is true.

You write a book and feel quite good about yourself. You envision a promising career as a bestselling author.

But then you discover that selling your book is a different ballgame.

While writing is your birthright, you’re no marketing guru. Sometimes, books don’t sell because they’re bad; it’s more on the marketing side.

If you can’t afford to hire a professional publicist, know your book is the best business card. It’s tangible, relevant, and effective and won’t ever be outdated.

A good book tells a story that captures readers’ fancy; it promotes your work as an author and offers a great way to speak with customers.

When people read your book and like it, they won’t forget you.

Your book will keep selling for years to come, giving readers plenty of time to get familiar with your style and ideas – something no business card can do.

What’s a Business Card and Why Do You Need One?

A business card is a form of identification, albeit a tiny one.

It comes with a logo or digital print that identifies your brand. But the information it contains matters – it carries your basic contact information, i.e., name, address and phone number. Mostly, it’ll contain text that serves as some form of pitch.

Customers expect quick solutions and answers to their queries in a world filled with the constant need for instant gratification.

A business card serves this purpose well; it helps you connect with people quickly and easily.

Business cards are also useful in networking events where they can serve as conversation starters and fuel the exchange of ideas between two individuals or businesses.

But with all its advantages, a business card has limited use to an author.

For one, it’s too small to contain a summary of your book.

It’s also limited in its ability to market; the pitch is usually short and may not be enough to make an impression.

Frankly, it’s hard to discern the value of a business card from an author’s perspective.

While a real estate agent or a lawyer may benefit from having a business card, the same cannot be said for an author.

There’s nothing wrong with handing business cards to people who could be interested in buying your book.

But when you think of the prospective reach of your book and the doors it can open for you, you realize that your book alone does the job of a business card and then some.

One could say that business cards are a subtle marketing tool, but your book delivers a much more comprehensive message.

From a marketing perspective, authors need their books to serve as an identifier. To understand this better, we first must understand the existing marketing predicament that all authors face.

Marketing Challenges

Unless you’re a well-established author with a few bestsellers, marketing your book is no joke.

You’re not alone – even well-known authors struggle with getting their books in front of the right people.

One of those challenges is the cost of traditional marketing channels. Aside from the cost of hiring a publicist, expensive ads such as newspaper, radio and TV commercials can be prohibitively costly.

But if you’re clever enough to use your book as a business card, you won’t have to worry about the cost, and we’ll delve into that soon.

Another challenge is the time it takes to promote a book.

Traditional marketing channels require time and effort to be effective; even then, you can’t guarantee results.

On the other hand, using your book as a business card requires little time if you have an organized action plan.

To spread the word, you can be proactive and focus on the people you’re already connected with – your family, friends, colleagues, and social media followers. You don’t need much money to promote your book; it’s all about creative thinking.

Authority-Building Power of Your Book

Your book is much more than a tool for selling – it’s also yourself as an author that sells.

When people read your book, it’s an endorsement of you as an expert. It builds your authority and positions you as a thought leader in readers’ eyes.

No business card can make such a powerful statement. It’s an intangible form of marketing that can help you to get your message across, establish yourself as a credible authority, and lay the foundation for long-term success.

Remember that your book demonstrates your credibility on a particular niche or subject.

As such, you can take full advantage of it as a marketing tool. Once people understand that you know to write an authoritative book, they’ll recognize your expertise and trust your advice.

Here’s how to explain this further:

If you’re about to hire a consultant to help you with your business, wouldn’t it be better to hire someone who has published a book on the subject? That person will likely have more expertise in the topic than without tangible proof.

When people read your book, they’ll believe you are an authority and will be more likely to approach you as an expert in your field. You’ve written a book about your field, and that’s a big deal for most people.

Focal Point of Your Marketing Efforts

When marketing your book, don’t forget to use it as your focal point – this way, you can make the most out of all the other marketing efforts.

For example, if you’re running a webinar, focus on showcasing your book’s relevance to the presentation.

Also, don’t forget to leverage social media and email campaigns to promote your book effectively and engagingly.

Pay close attention to online forums where readers interested in certain topics discuss them.

These are prime opportunities for promotion; if someone finds something useful in your book or asks questions that relate to it, they may be more likely to buy it if they know there’s an expert behind it.

Use your book as a business card to create relationships with potential customers and influencers.

Attend industry events and conferences, introduce yourself and your book, and start building that personal connection. It’s all about being active when you publish your book; the earlier you start, the better.

Your Book Serves as a Summary

Your book is your best business card because it summarizes your work and you as a person in one package.

It provides an in-depth look into your expertise, skills, and experiences, which makes it easier for people to get to know you quickly.

Your book also serves as a memorable conversation starter.

People read it and understand what you’re all about without having to interact with you directly – they can get a good idea of who you are from the content of your book.

Instead of just exchanging business cards with someone, you can allow them to learn more about you and your work through it.

It’s like an elevator pitch, only better because readers can digest each detail at leisure.

And if they enjoy it, chances are they will come back for more, whether in the form of another book or other things you offer.

When a realtor gives a prospective client his business card, it indicates the would-be transaction that will likely transpire – maybe a property sale or partnership. A lawyer giving away his business card is trying to get a client.

Your book does the same thing – it shows you have something to offer, and the information your reader gets will help them understand what that “something” is.

A Product and Advertisement at The Same Time

For authors, books are the best business cards because they’re simultaneously a two-headed beast – a product and an advertisement.

You write a book intending to publish it.

It should work that way if you want to monetize your effort in writing it in the first place. And as you wait for it to sell on the shelves, it’s an advertisement for your brand.

The book tells people who you are and why they should pay attention.

As discussed earlier, marketing is usually out of your league as an author.

But then again, it doesn’t mean you should settle and let things happen as they should.

Use your book to reach prospective readers, influencers, and customers. Show them what you can do with it – make sure they know its value before deciding whether to get a copy for themselves.

Having your book published is already a form of advertising, but it’s up to you to ensure people will find out about it and take note.

Law of Attraction in Action

People attracted to your book will most likely be drawn to you as an individual.

This is especially true if the content of your book resonates with them and gives a clear direction for their success in whatever endeavour.

It’s the epitome of the law of attraction. Your book is a magnet connecting like-minded individuals and draws new readers in. It’s not far-fetched that your book could attract new customers and partners for future business or projects.

It’s the natural order of things – you write your book, and in one way or another, someone will be interested in reading it.

Teaching and Giving Value

A published book is the most effective business card because its value isn’t limited to its physical form – it’s in the content itself: giving readers an insightful perspective and teaching them something new.

A good business card that stands out from others should be flashy and aesthetically appealing and provide insight into what makes you and your work unique. Your book does just that – it tells about the kind of person you are and what skills, knowledge, and experience you possess.

In a world of overabundant information, your book should stand out by providing something of value to those who read it.

When given away as a business card, it will be either a great conversation starter or an unforgettable memory.

Either way, it shows that you have something to offer and are worth paying attention to.

Your book’s content could be valuable to people in ways you wouldn’t expect.

You could be affording financial advice to help someone get out of debt or an entrepreneurial idea that could save a business.

No matter the purpose and intent of your book, it will always be appreciated if you give away something with value.

The key here is you’re handing out a solution.

While a traditional business card tells people to contact you should they need your expertise, your book provides them with an actionable solution. So, instead of being a “potential” solution like what a business card offers, your book is the actual solution itself.

Creating a Lasting Impression

Having your book published proves that you have something to offer and lends legitimacy to you as an expert in your profession.

It’s not just a way for people to recognize you, but it also gives them a tangible product which can be used or saved as a reference in the future.

Your book should be able to provide readers with something that could help them in their lives and businesses.

With this, you can give away an impressive product instead of just a contact number and an email address on your business card.

Your book will afford a lasting impression and make people remember you more readily than a traditional business card.

Creating an impression doesn’t necessarily mean giving away the book for free.

You use it to generate income by selling copies or through affiliate marketing.

Even though you’ll be making money off your book, remember that people read it because they find value in your writing.