how to write a business book, ghostwriter Barry Fox explains

How to Write and Publish a Business Book

Writing a business book is one of the most powerful ways to amplify your ideas, attract opportunities, and leave a lasting mark in your field. Every year, thousands of new business books are published. But only a handful truly break through.

Why? Because while most leaders have valuable insights, few know how to transform them into a book that resonates, persuades, and endures.

That’s where we come in. We’re Barry Fox and Nadine Taylor, New York Times bestselling authors and ghostwriters of business books (and many others).

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential questions we hear most often from executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who want to share their vision in book form. Along the way, we’ll explore the different types of business books, how to choose the right structure, what it really takes to get them published — and most importantly, how to ensure your book doesn’t just sit on a shelf but moves your business forward.

Let’s begin.

1. Are there different types of books on business?

There are many, including:

- Biography/autobiography – the story of a company or business leader. (Click for tips on How to Begin a Business Memoir.)
- New ideas – introducing new concepts or reimagining old ones
- From life to business – applying lessons learned in life to business
- From business to life – transferring concepts from business to other aspects of life
- Wealth-enhancing ideas – approaches to making money
- Leadership – how to get people to do what you want them to do, willingly. (For more, see our How to Write and Publish a Leadership Book and How to Begin A Business Leadership Book.)

In addition, business books can deal with finance, management, sales, innovation, company culture, and many other related topics.

See 12 Ways to Write a Business Book for more approaches to writing a business book.

2. How do I structure a business book?

There are many possible approaches, including:

- “Presenting a New Idea” – a discussion of a new idea, broken into several parts
- “We’ve Got Trouble” – an examination of a problem, with a mention of the solution
- “Smashing the Paradigm” – a look at why our current understanding of some aspect of business is completely wrong
- “Telling a Story or Fable” – an entertaining way to introduce a concept
- “Borrowing from Other Fields” – an application of lessons learned in other areas to business
- “The Encyclopedic Approach” – a reference book addressing certain aspects of business
- “Topic 101” – a “basic course,” in book form

For a more detailed look at these business book formats, see our article, “7 Winning Ways to Structure a Business Book.”

Remember: There is no “best” business book structure. In fact, there are even business books structured as memoirs, history books, and health books.

The key is to find the format that works best for your book.

3. How do I start it off?

There is no hard-and-fast rule for determining whether you should begin your business book with startling statistics, a quote, a case history, your own story, or something else.

A look at major New York Times best-selling business books shows there are five popular approaches:

- A story illustrating the book’s topic, used in The Tipping Point
- A story about why the author(s) wrote the book, used in Think Like a Freak
- A dictionary definition, used in Outliers: The Story of Success
- An example of the phenomenon/situation the book is describing, used in Thinking, Fast and Slow
- An explanation, used in Money: Master the Game

For a more detailed discussion of each of these openings, see our article, “5 Bestselling Ways to Begin a Business Book.”

4. What should I think about before beginning to write?

There are many issues and questions to consider, including:

- Why you are writing a book – Is it to increase sales? Share your business philosophy with the world? Tell your company’s story? Book more speaking engagements? The answer to this question will help determine your book’s style and substance and prevent time-consuming false starts and U-turns in the writing.
- Who you want to read it – “Everybody” is not the best answer. Figure out who makes up your specific audience—those genuinely interested in hearing what you have to say. This will help you determine the book’s content, style, and voice.
- What do you want readers to know/feel when they’ve finished your book – Is the point to educate your readers? Get them to support your new idea? Have them hire you? Feel as if they’ve enjoyed a great story? Zeroing in on your overall message will help you determine how to format your book.
- How you’d like the book to be published – Will you go with standard, self, or academic publication? Your choice will affect the book’s content and style.

5. How should I prepare to write my book?

While you’re thinking through the issues above, you can start to gather the materials you’ll need when you begin to write. These vary according to what you’ll be covering in your book and may include:

- Articles by or about you and your company
- Transcripts of your speeches, or those by relevant associates
- Transcripts of podcasts or other presentations
- Blog posts, whether by you or your associates, or about you
- Company white papers, newsletters, manuals, and guidelines
- Relevant documents, perhaps memos or contracts that detail your company’s history
- Press releases and media coverage highlighting major events or achievements
- Marketing materials, brochures, and ad campaigns
- Social media posts or threads that capture public reactions or company milestones
- Website content (especially “About,” “Mission,” or “Case Studies” pages)
- Public reviews, testimonials, or endorsements from clients and partners
- Photographs
- Books and other outside sources you may want to use as references, or as a source for quotes
- Industry trend reports and analyst insights for external context
- Academic papers or business case studies relevant to your field

In addition, you can interview key associates and other people to get the necessary information.

6. How does one actually write a business book?

The process is just like that of writing any other non-fiction book. And it involves lots of writing and revising.

Some people like to begin by creating a detailed outline, while others prefer to dive right in and see where the book “wants to go” on its own.

Some authors sit at the computer and dictate into a transcription program, others prefer to write it by hand, and have it typed up later.

But while materials and method vary from person to person, there’s one imperative for all writers: you have to write, write, and write more!

Time, routine, and regularity are key to completing your book. You must devote ample time to the effort; develop a routine, which may be a specific time and place you write every day; and stick to your writing schedule.

For more on the process of writing a book, see “10 Habits of Successful Book Writers.”

7. How long should the book be?

The standard length for a business book has long been about 200-250 pages. This equates to between 50,000 and 60,000 words.

Shorter books are becoming more popular, with “shorter” meaning quick reads of 30,000 to 40,000 words.

Ebooks, especially those sold inexpensively or given away for free, may be as short as 6,000 to 10,000 words.

8. How long does it take to write a business book?

The same amount of time it takes to write similar non-fiction books, such as health books.

If you’ve thought through your reason for writing and other matters described above, and have gathered all the necessary materials, you should be able to write your book within a year. That is, if you’re diligent about writing every day, and remember the importance of time, routine, and regularity.

If not, the writing process can drag on forever. When that happens, you want to reconsider your motives for writing or hire a business book ghostwriter.

9. Why not just edit transcripts of my speeches together?

There’s a major difference between communicating ideas via a speech and doing so through the written word.

When you give a speech, your mere presence has a tremendous influence on how people respond—often much more than the text of your presentation.

A great deal of what people take away from your speeches will be determined by your vocalization, gestures, and facial expressions, none of which will be present in your book.

That’s why the text that works as a speech often flounders as a book.

Your presentation of your speech carries a lot of information about your “leadership brand.” You have to recreate that brand in your book, with words and words alone. (See also “The Language of Leadership Writing.”)

**10. How do I write a bestselling business book?**

Don’t set out to write a bestseller. That will have you chasing fads and torturing your ideas to align with keyword research and networking models.

Instead, write the best book you possibly can. Pour your heart into your story. Present your ideas in a clear and compelling fashion. Make readers yearn for the change you propose, and otherwise fill your book with great content.

Write a book that readers simply cannot put down and can’t wait to tell their friends about. That gives you a tremendous leg up when it comes to sales and best-seller lists. It also almost guarantees that you will write a successful book.

11. Suppose I need help writing my business book?

There are several experts who can help you write a business book, including a business book ghostwriter, book coach, developmental editor, line editor, copy editor, and proofreader. In brief, the:

- ghostwriter writes your book for you
- book coach educates you and guides you through the process
- developmental editor reviews your manuscript and makes suggestions for major changes
- line editor tunes up your manuscript’s style and langue
- copy editor checks the manuscript for errors, omissions, and redundancies
- proofreader looks for errors and inconsistencies in the manuscript

For more, see “Book Writing Helpers, From ‘360 Degrees’ to ‘Pinpoint.”

12. How do I get my business book published?

Exactly as you would any other non-fiction book. The big question is which publishing path you want to pursue.

There are three main options today:

Traditional (standard) publishing
This is the classic route: convincing a publishing house to invest in your book. With this option, the publisher handles production (editing, design, printing), distribution (getting your book into bookstores and online retailers), and a measure of marketing. The upside of traditional publishing is credibility and prestige, plus the possibility of an advance against royalties. The downside is that you give up a significant degree of control over content, title, and design, and the process can be slow—often 18 to 24 months from acceptance to release.

To secure a traditional publishing contract, you’ll need a strong book proposal. You’ll usually start by finding a literary agent, who will then shop your proposal to publishers. Even then, there’s no guarantee a publisher will buy your book.
Self-publishing
With self-publishing, you are in charge. You manage (or hire out) the editing, design, and distribution. Platforms like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, and others make it relatively easy to get your book onto both digital and print-on-demand platforms. The upside is speed, control, and higher royalty rates. The downside is that every detail, from quality control to marketing, is up to you.

Self-publishing can be an excellent option if your primary goal is to use the book as a strategic business tool—for example, giving it away at seminars, using it to attract clients, or bundling it into consulting packages—rather than relying on book sales alone for profit.

For more on self-publication, see our article, “Introduction to Self-Publishing.”
Hybrid publishing
Falling between the two extremes is hybrid publishing. Here, you pay for some or all of the production costs but get the benefit of professional-level editing, design, and distribution. It’s faster than traditional publishing, more polished than many self-published efforts, and offers a balance of credibility and control.

The key differences among these paths are:

Control: High in self-publishing, low in traditional, middle ground in hybrid.
Cost: No upfront cost in traditional (publisher pays), significant in self and hybrid (you pay).
Speed: Traditional is slowest, self fastest, hybrid is in between.
Prestige & distribution: Traditional has the edge, though hybrid can be competitive, and self is strongest online.

There’s no single “best” option. The right path depends on your goals for your book—whether that’s broad retail visibility, strategic business growth, speed to market, or creative control.

13. Should I self-publish my book?

This is an excellent question, which leads to another question: Why are you writing this book?

What is your goal? To make money from sales of the book? Raise your media profile? Introduce your product/service to potential customers? Share your concept with the world?

Your answer to this question will help you decide which is best for you: standard publication, which means getting your book published by Simon & Schuster or another major publisher, or self-publication.

14. Do I have to sell my book in “real” bookstores to make writing it worthwhile?

No. Selling books in brick-and-mortar bookstores is just one way to profit from your book. There are many others, and here are some of the approaches our clients have successfully used:

- Selling their book on Amazon and other online outlets
- Using their book to present their expertise and get invited to appear on podcasts, radio, and television.
- Including their book as part of a larger package of consulting and/or educational services sold to clients
- Using their book to explain their philosophy/approach as they seek promotion or other professional advancement
- Selling their book at seminars and other appearances.
- Giving their book away to generate interest in their product/service
- Using their book to memorialize their achievements and/or company’s successes.

15. Bottom line: Will my business book be profitable?

As with all aspects of business, there’s no guarantee of financial success.

But keep your ultimate goal in mind.

If your true ambition is to introduce a new concept or present your hard-learned lessons to the world, earning a profit from your book should not be the primary concern.

It may be that profit is your driving motivation. In that case, remember that the increase in media attention and business generated by your book can greatly enhance your revenue, even if the book itself doesn’t make a lot of money.

It’s all about thinking of the ROI on writing a business book in a new way.

16. Doesn’t every author want to write a “big” book?

Aspiring authors often think BIG—a quarter-million-dollar advance from a major New York publisher, a New York Times bestseller, a 20-city tour complete with multiple appearances on all the big shows!

Thinking big is great. But sometimes it’s better to think small. And by “better,” we mean more profitable. Successful.

We learned that going small can be lucrative in a big way from a man who asked us to help him write a business book many years back. He intended to use the book to get himself hired to give more seminars, building the cost of giving each participant a “free” copy into his seminar fee.

Being on the bestseller list or the big TV shows was of no concern to him. He didn’t care about making money directly from book sales, or winning the Pulitzer Prize.

He made a lot of money off his book, even though his profits from direct sales of the book were negligible.

So, big or small?

It depends on your goals, which are among the first things you should think about when you start to write your book. Better yet, think about them before you begin.

17. What about audiobooks and podcasts as spin-offs?

In today’s marketplace, the written book is often just the beginning. Many authors expand their reach by turning their business book into an audiobook or by creating a companion podcast.

An audiobook gives busy readers another way to consume your ideas. Business audiences, in particular, appreciate the ability to listen while commuting, traveling, or exercising. You don’t necessarily have to narrate the audiobook yourself. Professional voice talent is often used to ensure a smooth listening experience.

A podcast spin-off can keep your message alive long after your book’s launch. You might use each episode to explore a chapter in greater depth, interview experts you quoted in your book, or discuss new developments in your field. The podcast format allows for ongoing engagement, helps attract new readers, and keeps your name top of mind.

In short, a book can be the centerpiece of your intellectual property, with audiobooks and podcasts serving as extensions that expand your reach and create multiple entry points for your audience.

(For more, see “The Power of Pairing Your Online Course with a Book.”)

The bottom line?

Writing a business book isn’t just about filling pages.

It’s about clarifying your message, choosing the right audience, and deciding how you want your ideas to ripple outward.

For some, success looks like landing a traditional publishing contract and reaching a global readership. For others, it’s about boosting visibility, securing speaking engagements, or using the book as a strategic tool to drive new business.

There’s no single “right” path. There’s only the path that aligns with your goals.

What matters most is that you start. Begin gathering your stories, your data, your perspective. These are the pieces of wisdom only you can share. And when crafted with clarity and heart, your business book becomes more than just a marketing asset. It becomes a legacy.

And if you’d like expert guidance along the way, that’s exactly what we do: helping leaders like you write books that inspire, persuade, and open doors.

If You’d Like Help Writing Your Business Book or Memoir…

Barry Fox explains how to begin a business memoir or autobiography

Contact us! We’re Barry Fox and Nadine Taylor, professional ghostwriters and authors with a long list of satisfied clients and editors at major publishing houses.

You can learn about our business ghostwriting work and credentials on our Business Ghostwriter Page.

For more information, call us at 818-917-5362 or use our contact form to send us a message. We’d love to talk to you about your exciting idea for writing a business book or memoir!