“Don’t die with your best work in your head. Twitter only kind of counts.”
In a world full of tweets, newsletters, and content churn, it’s easy to overlook the one asset that can have the biggest impact on your business, brand, and legacy: a book.
A book distills your deepest expertise, captures your values, and builds trust at scale. It doesn’t just inform—it influences. And unlike most content, it lasts.
Whether you're a founder, operator, investor, or subject-matter expert, here’s why writing a book might be the most strategic move you haven’t made yet.
Books Are the Most Scalable Way to Share What You Know
You could spend 10 hours with every client, prospect, or investor. But you don’t have the time—and they don’t either.
A book can do that work for you.
It’s the only medium that lets you distill your expertise, articulate your values, and scale your presence. Done right, it’s your sharpest sales tool, clearest thought leadership platform, and most enduring legacy—all in one.
Why Books Still Matter in the Age of Content Overload
We live in a world drowning in content—so why write a book?
Because books still hold power. They’re a signal of seriousness, depth, and permanence. They say: “I’ve put in the work. I’m not just tweeting hot takes.”
Books don’t go viral and disappear. They endure. They reach people at the right time—when they’re searching, struggling, or transitioning. That’s when a book lands. And that’s when it makes a difference.
The Business Case for Writing a Book
This talk covered more than a dozen examples of founders and operators who used their books to grow their businesses, expand their reach, and deepen customer trust.
1. Convert Leads with Authority
David Craig, a Midwest attorney, wrote a book to help potential clients evaluate lawyers. When someone expresses interest, he overnight-ships them a copy.
Now he defines the criteria—because he wrote the test. It’s a high-trust, high-conviction sales tool that turns inbound leads into confident clients.
2. Create Hyper-Local Referrals
Dr. Joseph Field, a Bay Area dentist, gives every patient a copy of his book, Creating a Confident Smile, with a “golden ticket” referral incentive.
He’s not aiming for bestseller lists. He’s building word-of-mouth momentum in his community—and helping people overcome one of the most painful insecurities in their lives.
3. Build Industry Movements
NVIDIA, years before its AI dominance, saw scientists hacking its products. CEO Jensen Huang doubled down: he wrote a new programming language (CUDA), created a textbook, and trained professors to teach it.
A movement was born—and it started with a book.
4. Transition into Your Next Chapter
Books also serve founders in transition:
- Tim Ferriss wrote The 4-Hour Workweek at 29, launching a career as a writer, podcaster, and investor.
- Ray Dalio used Principles to shift from CEO to “tribal elder,” sharing wisdom as he stepped back from Bridgewater.
- The Almanack of Naval Ravikant became the credential that unlocked a new level of opportunity for its author.
Books are a bridge—to new careers, new identities, or just a new stage of life.
5. Leave a Legacy That Lasts
When Sam Walton knew he was dying, he dictated Made in America from his hospital bed—not to boost sales, but to pass on his principles.
Your book can do the same. For your family, your community, your younger self. Your experience isn’t contagious. It isn’t inherited. But it can be taught—if you write it down.
Don’t Die With Your Best Work in Your Head
That was the parting message. And it stuck.
Books are part of humanity’s great conversation—from Plato to Popper to today’s founders and builders. They are your chance to capture your thinking at its best, and share it at scale.
You don’t have to sell a million copies. You don’t have to be a writer. You just have to take your knowledge seriously enough to record it.
Three Ways to Write a Book (Even If You're Busy)
If you’ve been meaning to write a book—but haven’t—it’s not a discipline problem. It’s a scheduling one.
Here are your options:
- Write it yourself – This takes serious time and focus. You’ll need to rewire your schedule and commit.
- Write with a coach – A professional can guide the structure, sharpen your ideas, and hold you accountable.
- Hire a writer – Many (if not most) nonfiction books are ghostwritten. You can get a great writer for far less than you’d expect—and the right partner can turn your insights into something extraordinary.
Pro tip: Start with The Scribe Method, which distills everything we’ve learned from helping 2,000+ authors write and publish their books. (There’s a free Kindle version and audiobook.)
Final Thought: What Book Changed Your Life?
Now ask: could you write a book that does the same for someone else?
Because if your book helped one person—what if it could help 100? Or 1,000?
What if it’s the thing you’re remembered for?
And what if the only thing standing between that future and today… is getting started?