The Unexpected Business Perks of Publishing a Memoir
February 27, 2025
Do You Know the Stories Behind the Popular Brands You Choose?
Think about one of your favorite brands. Can you describe its purpose and values? How did the company get started? How has it evolved over time? What is it most known for? How would you describe its founder or CEO? A typical employee?
These elements all contribute to a brand’s story. And public knowledge of that story plays a key role in building a mega-successful brand. Think Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company. Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook.
Chances are, your enterprise is somewhat smaller than those. But the principle remains the same—the story behind a brand helps make it a household name.
In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, how can you, as a CEO or entrepreneur, accelerate the process of familiarizing your target customers with you and your business? How can you share your story in a way that truly resonates?
“Write a memoir” may not be the first answer that comes to mind, but it could be one of the smartest and most innovative. Let’s explore the benefits of telling your business story from your unique perspective as its leader.
1. A Memoir Can Double as a Marketing Tool
A business memoir gives a face and personality to a brand that might otherwise be unfamiliar to its target audience. If it’s your brand, your memoir can highlight the passion and mission that fueled its beginnings and the motivations of those who started it.
Alternatively, a memoir can focus on a specific aspect of the company’s journey—such as a major innovation and its industry impact.
In either case, personalities, especially yours as the author, play a vital role.
Unlike a slogan or an ad, a memoir doesn’t just claim that you’re committed to providing quality products or services—it illustrates, through storytelling, how you’ve upheld that commitment over time.
Often, memoirs include photos that further bring the narrative to life.
When it comes to marketing collateral, a business memoir stands out. A brochure might provide useful information, but if you truly want a prospective client or customer to connect with your brand and remember it, a signed copy of your memoir is far more impactful.
Even the best ad campaigns and social media strategies have relatively short lifespans. A memoir, however, has staying power.
2. A Business Memoir Can Boost Your Credibility
In a recent post on “Coffee with Carma,” Carma Spence emphasized the importance of differentiating your brand to “build trust and emotional connections in a crowded market.”
She’s right. Whatever your industry, the market is likely saturated with competitors, making it difficult for potential customers to determine whom to trust.
You might think, “Well, they can always read reviews.”
True—but reviews provide only a narrow, microscopic view of a company, often focusing on a single product or service.
A memoir, on the other hand, presents the big picture, offering a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of your brand.
Honesty and transparency are critical for building credibility, but they’re difficult to convey through traditional advertising.
A memoir gives you the space to showcase these qualities through an authentic, transparent narrative.
3. A Memoir Can Attract High-Value Clients
A well-written, engaging memoir bearing your name as the author can elevate your brand’s status in the eyes of the clients you most want to attract.
High-value clients—those with more to invest—are also the ones most likely to take the time to learn about you, your motivations, and the impact you’ve had on others.
By securing a loyal, high-value client who feels they’ve come to know you through your memoir, you also strengthen your reputation within their network. As with any compelling book, readers are likely to recommend yours to friends and business associates, creating a ripple effect.
A great business memoir can also draw media attention, further boosting your credibility.
Journalists frequently seek expert sources to validate their stories, often turning to authors who have written books on relevant topics.
Wondering how much personal content to include in a business memoir?
The choice is yours. You can share as much or as little of your personal journey as you feel comfortable with. As the author, you’re in control.
4. A Business Memoir Can Make You a Desired Public Speaker
You may not have considered public speaking, but a successful memoir can open the door to this lucrative opportunity.
Take Molly Bloom, for example. Public speaking likely wasn’t on her radar when she was a young skier with Olympic ambitions. It probably wasn’t after a career-ending injury, nor after she built a high-stakes poker empire that landed her in legal trouble.
But after publishing her memoir, Molly’s Game, she became a highly sought-after motivational speaker.
In her keynote talks, she leverages her experiences in skiing and poker to teach aspiring entrepreneurs how to “win” in their own businesses.
What worked for Molly Bloom can work for you, too.
A memoir continues to promote you and your brand long after publication—even after you retire—serving as a “permanent advertisement” for your expertise.
When prospective clients or peers see their own aspirations reflected in your skillfully told story, they’ll want to hear from you in person. This can lead to speaking engagements, podcast interviews, and even teaching opportunities.
The Perks of Hiring a Ghostwriter to Create Your Memoir
What if you’ve built an incredible company and have a compelling story but don’t consider yourself a writer? Or what if your schedule simply doesn’t allow time for writing? Or maybe you’re concerned about recalling all the details from years of experience?
The answer: Hire a ghostwriter—ideally, one with memoir-writing expertise.
A ghostwriter is a professional whose job is to craft books that are published under the name of the person who hires them.
When you bring in a ghostwriter, you gain a collaborator who will work closely with you, conducting interviews with you and anyone else you want to include.
This behind-the-scenes writer captures your voice—your tone, pacing, expressions, and perspective—so that the final product feels authentically yours.
And they do it in a fraction of the time it would take you to write it yourself.
You don’t need to remember every detail from your career; an experienced ghostwriter will ask the right questions and conduct additional research to fill in the gaps. Throughout the process, they’ll seek your input and approval, ensuring the finished book is something you’re proud to put your name on.
Now is a Good Time to Write Your Memoir
Memoir writing is booming in the nonfiction publishing world, with many titles topping bestseller lists. That makes now an ideal time to leverage this trend for the benefit of your business.
And when it comes to memoir writing, there’s no such thing as being too old. In fact, this is one area where age and experience are valuable assets.
If you have a business story worth telling, there’s no better time to start writing it—or to find a ghostwriter who can help bring your vision to life.
