Hey Ghostwriter, Should My Business Book Be a Memoir?

The Memoir Question Every Business Author Asks

As you sit down to write your business book, you may wonder: “Should I tell my story, or stick to business lessons?”

It’s a natural dilemma. You’ve overcome obstacles and gained wisdom. Your experiences have shaped your insights. But does that mean your business book should double as your memoir?

As a ghostwriter, I’ve guided many authors through this decision. And the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right approach depends on your goals, your audience, and how you want to position yourself.

Let’s look at the pros, the cons, and three real-world examples from business books I’ve helped create.

The Case for Including Memoir in Business Books

Personal stories are powerful. They do more than humanize you; they anchor your expertise in lived experience. Readers can connect more deeply when they see where your wisdom comes from.

The benefits include:

• Authenticity – Your story makes your advice credible.
• Connection – Readers relate to you as a person, not just as an expert.
• Differentiation – Your story sets your book apart because your life is unique.
• Legacy – Including your story, or parts of it, in your business book can help your family and friends remember you and what you’ve experienced and accomplished.

Memoir can make a dry business book memorable. But it comes with risks.

The Risks of Leaning Too Heavily on Memoir

Just as personal stories can enhance a business book, they can also weigh it down.

The pitfalls include:

• Self-absorption – Readers can lose patience with “me, me, me.”
• Dilution – Too much autobiography may bury the business lessons and insights.
• Market mismatch – Business readers often want actionable insights, first and foremost.
• Flow disruption – Long memoir passages can slow the pace.

The key is balance: using memoir with precision rather than indulgence.

Example 1: Memoir as Foundation 

Bruce Kyrsiak’s Make Your Best Life leaned heavily on his personal and business stories.

His experiences weren’t side notes: they were the book’s backbone. Through career triumphs, setbacks, and personal growth, Bruce showed readers how to craft a life of purpose and meaning.

His story was the teaching tool.

Lesson: If your personal journey embodies your message, memoir may be the most compelling way to write your book.

Example 2: Memoir as Seasoning  

Denise Dudley’s Work It! took a different path. Her goal was to teach workplace skills—such as confidence, communication, professionalism— especially to younger readers.

Memoir played a minor role. Denise sprinkled in brief remarks about her own work experiences, but never let them dominate.

The focus remained squarely on practical, step-by-step advice.

Lesson: If your goal is to teach skills, your story should serve as seasoning. It adds flavor and credibility, without overwhelming the dish.

Example 3: Memoir as Transformation 

Robert Herbst’s Cheating Death sits in the middle ground.

As a successful B2B salesperson, Robert had lived through the ups and downs of the profession. His book used those experiences to guide salespeople toward becoming true “sales practitioners.”

His memoir wasn’t just background. Instead, it was the primary case study.

By highlighting his own transformation, he modeled the changes he wanted them to achieve.

Lesson: If your story directly mirrors the transformation you want your reader to undergo, memoir is not just valuable—it’s essential.

How to Decide: Should There Be Memoir in Your Business Book?

When I advise business authors, I offer a simple decision framework:

1. What’s the primary goal of your book?

• Inspire? → Memoir can take center stage.
• Teach skills? → Memoir should stay in the background.

2. Who’s your audience?

• Entrepreneurs and dreamers? → They often crave inspiration.
• Executives? → They often want frameworks and strategies.

3. What makes you unique?

• A one-of-a-kind journey? → Lean into memoir.
• A distinctive method or framework? → Lead with the method.

4. Can you stay disciplined?

Every anecdote must serve the reader. If it doesn’t clarify, illuminate, or inspire, it doesn’t belong.

Practical Tips for Weaving Memoir Into a Business Book

• Use stories with purpose – Tie every personal story to a clear takeaway.
• Be concise – Trim personal sections so that they move briskly.
• Balance narrative with analysis – A story alone entertains. A story plus a lesson teaches.
• Test with readers – Ask beta readers whether your personal content feels enriching or distracting.

Memoir’s Hidden Benefit: Stickiness

Here’s something many authors don’t realize: memoir makes your book “sticky.”

A practical framework may impress, but a story lingers. Readers retell your anecdotes at meetings. They quote your personal turning points. They remember you because they know you.

That stickiness can translate into speaking gigs, media interviews, coaching clients, and other opportunities. Memoir, done well, makes you unforgettable.

Overdone, however, or for the wrong audience, it can make your book boring.

Finding Your Balance

Should there be memoir elements in your business book? The answer depends on the story you want to tell, and the impact you want to create.

• If your goal is to teach strategies, memoir should support, not dominate.
• If your life illustrates your philosophy, memoir is a strong tool.
• If your transformation is your reader’s roadmap, memoir becomes essential.

A business book is both a mirror and a gift. The mirror reflects your journey; the gift shows readers their future. The art lies in knowing how much of you to reveal, and how much room to leave for them.