A surprising fact is that ghostwriters wrote some of the most famous business books that have stood the test of time.
For a business leader who wants to be positioned as an expert authority, a book can be the number one marketing tool, and speaking about the book can be the number one business development strategy.
For business owners who sell expertise—marketing agency leaders, financial advisors, consultants, professional service firm partners, and executive coaches—a book can be your most powerful client attraction tool.
But there’s a smarter way to create one than staring at a blank page: work with a book strategist.
A book strategist is more than a ghostwriter. They are a business-minded partner—often with journalism experience—who knows how to extract your best thinking, shape it into a compelling narrative, and position it to win clients.
Your joint goal is to create a book you are proud of. That’s a book that will have an impact and influence prospects, employees, and prospective partners.
Start with Strategy, Not Writing
Most business experts struggle to write a book, not because they lack ideas, but because they lack structure. This is where a book strategist becomes invaluable.
By teaming up with a book strategist, you can turn your expertise into a book that helps the right people say, “This is exactly who I need to work with.” “This is exactly where I want to work.” “This is exactly who I want to partner with.”
Your Expertise, Pulled Out Through Great Interviews
One of the biggest misconceptions about writing a book is that you have to do the writing alone. In reality, the best books often come from conversations.
A seasoned strategist—especially one with business journalism experience—knows how to interview you deeply. They ask the right questions, challenge vague thinking, and uncover the insights you didn’t even realize you had.
The result is a book that sounds like you—but sharper, clearer, and more compelling.
Every business leader has hidden business assets: their success stories. Neuropsychologists argue that the human brain is hardwired for stories. A strong book strategist doesn’t just capture your ideas—they shape your stories.
Many business leaders have leveraged their impact and influence with a book. Their authority comes not just from what they know, but from how they communicate real-world results.
A strategist helps transform your work into relatable case studies, clear before-and-after transformations, and memorable stories that build trust
A Book in Your Voice—But Better
One concern many people in the business of selling their expertise have is: “Will it still sound like me?”
Through interviews, transcripts, and iterative drafts, a skilled ghostwriter captures your tone, your phrasing, and your personality. But they also refine your voice by removing clutter, sharpening clarity, and enhancing flow.
A book strategist also ensures your book is aligned with your business goals.
Experts often overcomplicate what they know. A book strategist brings an outside perspective, helping simplify complex ideas without losing depth.
This is where their journalism background shines: they know how to make ideas accessible without dumbing them down.
Publishing the book is the starting line, not the finish line.
An author cannot wait to be discovered. When an author shares their expertise through speeches and podcasts, it builds authority, opens doors, and creates trust before you ever speak to a prospective client, employee, or strategic partner.
Henry DeVries is a former Forbes columnist who has ghostwritten, co-authored, or edited more than 200 business books, including the international bestseller, How to Close a Deal Like Warren Buffett, and is the chief book strategist at Indie Books International.
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