Book Publishing: How I Built Authority One Page at a Time
In a world full of short-form content, a book stands out as a complete and lasting impression.
Today, anyone can build a website, open a social media account, or start a podcast. The tools are easy to access, and the platforms are free. But in a world where everyone is online, trust has become the most valuable asset.
People scroll endlessly. Content is everywhere. But real trust - the kind that leads to business, referrals, and influence - is hard to earn.
One of the best ways I’ve found to earn that trust is by publishing a book.
Not because a book makes you look smart. But because a book proves you were serious enough to put in the effort. It’s not just about what’s written inside. It’s about what publishing it says about you.
"Personal branding is a shortcut to trust. And publishing a book is the shortcut to personal branding."
Why a Book Makes You More Credible
In a noisy digital world, a book is different. It’s not another post or reel. It’s not a thread that will disappear in 48 hours. A book has weight. It tells your story in full.
When someone sees your name on the cover - even if it's on Amazon - they see you as someone who finished what they started. That alone builds credibility.
It doesn’t matter if every chapter is perfectly written. What matters is that you put your ideas into a format that most people won’t even attempt. That effort stands out.
My First Book and What It Did for Me
The first book I published was Edge of Sanity. I didn’t overthink it. I didn’t wait to be “ready.” I simply took some of my long-form articles, some over 4,000 words and turned them into a book.
Yes, it still had lines like “in this blog post.” Yes, it could have been more polished. But it worked.
Why? Because it wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being visible.
People took me more seriously after that. Clients responded differently. Partners saw me as someone with more authority. Even my personal circle treated the book as a milestone.
I’ve said this jokingly in sessions before, but it’s true:
“Maybe the book wasn’t the only reason my girlfriend was impressed - but having my name on a paperback didn’t hurt.”
A Book Builds Long-Term Trust
We use all kinds of signals to earn trust in business:
Testimonials
Certifications
Number of followers
TEDx talks
Speaking gigs
Design and branding
These things help, but many of them fade over time. Algorithms change. Ads stop. Platforms evolve.
A book, on the other hand, stays.
“A book is a business card that never gets thrown away.”
Even if someone reads only a few chapters, your name sticks. You’re no longer just a marketer, consultant, or coach. You’re an author. And that label comes with built-in trust.
How I Used KDP and NotionPress
Publishing a book today is not complicated. You don’t need a publisher or an agent.
I used Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) to release the digital version. It was as simple as formatting a Google Doc and uploading it. You can even get someone on Fiverr to help you with formatting for under ₹1,000.
For the print version, I used NotionPress. That’s how I published Edge of Sanity in paperback. The quality was excellent, and I was able to ship it to students across India for around ₹200 a copy.
We sent out over 500 copies. It wasn’t about making sure every word was read. It was about making the brand more real. A book on someone’s shelf creates stronger recall than any lead magnet.
Don’t Wait for Perfect
A lot of people delay publishing because they’re waiting for everything to be “just right” - the structure, the tone, the cover design.
Here’s my advice: forget perfect. Just start.
As I’ve told students many times:
“Don’t build a monument. Build a prototype. Then iterate.”
Write your first 500 words. Use ChatGPT to generate a chapter outline. Create a simple book cover and announce it publicly.
Even if the book is 20% original and 80% repurposed content, it’s still better than having nothing. Once it’s out there, you’ll feel more confident. And people will begin to see you differently.
Why a Book Works: Trust Is Built on Faith and Doubt
Trust is not about knowing everything for sure. It’s about moving forward even when you don’t.
Think about it. When someone new finds you online, they don’t know who you are. They carry doubts. “Can I trust this person? Will their product or program actually help me?”
You can’t go out and personally meet every lead. You can’t take every potential customer to coffee. So you need proof.
That’s where a book helps. It fills the gap between doubt and faith. It tells people, “This person has done the work. This person knows what they’re talking about.”
As I said during Week 3 of the Digital Mentor Program:
“You can’t wait 16 years to build trust with thousands of customers. A book helps you compress that timeline.”
Make It Public Before It’s Done
One of the best things you can do is announce your book before it’s ready. It creates accountability.
Design a book cover using ChatGPT. Post it on LinkedIn. Say something like, “Working on my new book - releasing in 2025.” That small act builds momentum.
People will comment. They’ll ask what it’s about. They’ll look forward to it. And most importantly, you’ll feel more pressure to follow through.
“When you tell the world what you intend to do, your reputation becomes your boss.”
You’re Not Writing for Fame. You’re Writing for Leverage.
Most people won’t get rich selling books. That’s not the point.
The real value comes from what the book brings you: podcast interviews, speaking gigs, coaching clients, newsletter subscribers, and inbound leads.
It becomes a key part of your brand and a door-opener in business. It shows people what you believe, how you think, and what they can expect from working with you.
So if you want to grow your personal brand, stand out in your industry, or just build long-term credibility - write the book.
You’re not just gaining readers.
You’re earning trust.
And in business, trust is what moves everything forward.