In today’s episode, Karen Williams and Sheryl Andrews dive deep into one of the burning questions on every business author’s mind – what does real return on investment (ROI) look like when you write a book? Sure, we all want to sell copies, but as Karen and Sheryl discuss, the true value of a book goes far beyond simple sales numbers. We debunk the 15-pound fallacy, discuss why focusing on book sales alone misses the bigger picture, and explore the unique ways a business book can boost your authority, streamline your processes, and open unexpected doors for your business. Whether you’re using your book to save time, build credibility, or attract your dream clients, you’ll come away with fresh insights on how the process of writing a book is transformative – both personally and professionally. ** Upcoming Events ** If you’d like to find out more about how we can support you with your book, come along to one of our free monthly online networking events, the Coffee and Connect Café, held on the first Tuesday of each month. You’ll get learning, ideas, and the chance to connect with other authors. Our Smart Author Momentum programme starts on Monday 19 January 2026, and we also run an annual writing retreat and our next event in Spain is from 25 April to 2 May 2026. Join us for a week in the sun writing your book! You can find out more about all our upcoming events at https://www.librotas.com/librotasevents. Or contact Karen Williams to find out how she can help you via www.librotas.com. Related episodes S5, Ep 8: The Mindset Shift Behind a Bigger, Bolder Book with Claire Brumby (where we talk about Claire’s experience of self-publishing vs getting a publishing deal). S5, Ep 6: The Courage to Write a Book That Matters with Deborah Naish (where we talk about how her book shifted her business long before her book was published). S2, Ep 9: Cracking Crowdfunding during COVID with Paul Newton (where we talk about Paul’s crowdfunding experience). S3, Ep 9: Career Trends and Crowdfunding Success with Della (which also touches on crowdfunding). S4, Ep4: 5 Things Every Business Authors Should Know Before Publishing with Karen and Sheryl (where we talk about the pros and cons of the different publishing routes for business authors) Key insights Book sales are not the whole story: The true return on your investment doesn’t come from sales alone. It’s about the credibility, authority, and opportunities you create by putting your thinking, experiences, and processes into words. Clarity is priceless: The process of writing a book forces you to reflect, structure, and articulate what makes your approach unique. That self-awareness helps you communicate your value—and often attracts the clients and work you most want. Momentum matters more than perfection: You start seeing returns even while writing your book. Sharing your expertise, getting feedback, and talking about your project opens doors, builds your visibility, and often draws in business before your book is even published. Bio – Karen Williams Karen Williams is The Book Mentor at Librotas®, a leading authority in helping experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders write and market non-fiction books. Having started out in business in 2006, and writing her first book in 2009, she knows the difference that writing a book can make to your business when done well. With a focus on sharing significant stories and memorable messages, Karen guides her clients through the entire process of planning, writing, marketing, and launching a book that boosts credibility, attracts new clients, and creates exciting opportunities. Karen is the bestselling author of 10 books and a TEDx speaker. Website: https://librotas.com Socials: https://www.facebook.com/librotas https://twitter.com/librotas https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenwilliamslibrotas/ https://www.instagram.com/karenwilliamslibrotas https://www.youtube.com/@librotas Bio – Sheryl Andrews Sheryl Andrews is The Listening Detective and is known for helping you do more of what you love and ditch the critic that says you can’t. Sheryl spends her time supporting individuals to work, learn and live at their best, both independently and in groups, and her first book, Manage Your Critic, was published in 2016 and she is currently writing her second. Website: https://stepbysteplistening.com Time-stamped overview: 00:00 Books as Business Tools 04:08 Writing with Purpose and Vision 09:15 Write Books for Ideal Clients 13:14 Making the Invisible Visible 16:47 Balancing Writing and Work 18:09 Just Start Writing 23:39 Overcoming Blocks to Writing 25:00 Funding Creative Projects Through Support 28:35 Purpose-Driven Book Writing Insights Keywords: book sales, return on investment, business book, book marketing, Amazon sales, self-publishing, traditional publishing, author authority, business credibility, business growth, client acquisition, content creation, coaching, workshops, personal branding, vision planning, niche audience, ideal reader, ideal client, content clarity, expertise, transformation, program creation, speaking engagements, confidence building, crowdfunding, merchandise, publishing options, editing process, thought leadership writing, purpose driven books
