It's Not About the Book. It's About the 5 Ps Behind It.

Let's be honest. Writing a book is not about holding a pretty paperback in your hands or adding 'Author' to your LinkedIn headline. That's nice — but it's not the point.

For business owners, a book is a strategic business tool. And behind every great business-building book are five essential Ps: Purpose, Presence, Positioning, Platform, and Profit.

Ignore them, and your book will sit on the shelf gathering dust. Embrace them, and your book becomes a business amplifier that elevates your authority, expands your reach, and unlocks growth beyond the page.

Let's dive into what the 5 Ps really mean — and how world-renowned authors and our own Book Brilliance Publishing authors have embodied them to create lasting success.

1. Purpose — Your Why in Words

Purpose is where it all begins. Why this book? Why now? Who are you here to help, and what transformation do you offer?

Consider Stephen R. Covey, whose book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was born out of his deep mission to help people live principle-centred lives. His purpose was timeless, and decades later, his book still transforms readers.

Without purpose, your book becomes hollow. But when you write from a place of mission, your words resonate far beyond your immediate circle. Purpose fuels perseverance when writing gets tough. It also makes your message meaningful to your audience. Purpose turns a book from a vanity project into a vehicle for change.

Our BBP author Julie Lewis, found her purpose in helping leaders build resilience and thrive under pressure. Her book opened doors to global stages where she now shares her message alongside world-renowned speakers.

2. Presence — Be Seen, Be Heard, Be Unmissable

A book gives you a voice, but Presence ensures it's heard. Writing a book without building your Presence is like shouting into an empty room.

Consider Mel Robbins, whose book, The 5 Second Rule, catapulted her Presence across social media, TED stages, and global media outlets. The book gave her a platform, but her consistent Presence made her unmissable.

Presence means showing up consistently — in your marketing, on social media, on podcasts, stages, and in the media. It's about making your expertise visible so people know, like, and trust you. A book gives you the credibility, but Presence gives you the Platform to amplify it.

BBP authors like Jamal Ahmed, known as 'The King of GDPR', built a powerful presence through his book, leading to keynote speaking engagements, media interviews, and corporate consulting opportunities. Likewise, Eve Stanway, a leading voice in the divorce space, is building her Presence through press, magazines, and TV, positioning herself as the go-to expert on having difficult conversations during divorce.

3. Positioning — Own Your Expert Space

Positioning is about where your book places you in your industry. Are you a generalist lost in the crowd, or a specialist who owns a category?

James Clear positioned himself as the expert on habits and behavioural science with Atomic Habits. The book's clarity and actionable insights gave him a clear space in a crowded field, leading to one of the best-selling personal development books of our time.

A well-written book positions you as the go-to expert. It gives you a unique point of view, showcases your methodology, and creates a signature message that others want to quote, share, and follow. Positioning makes your audience say, "This is the person I need to learn from."

BBP author Eve Stanway is positioning herself as a sought-after authority in the emotional and communication challenges of divorce, helping individuals and professionals navigate difficult conversations with confidence.

4. Platform — The Launchpad Beyond the Book

The book is just the beginning. Your Platform is what you build on top of it: programs, courses, keynotes, podcasts, partnerships. The book becomes the foundation of a bigger ecosystem.

Smart entrepreneurs use their book to open doors. It becomes your best business card, creating opportunities that weren't available before. The Platform extends your reach and ensures your book's impact lives beyond launch day.

Look at the platforms James Clear, Mel Robbins, and Stephen Covey built — courses, workshops, speaking tours, and licensed content. These platforms create a scalable impact and long-term influence.

BBP author Dr. Glenda Rivoallan has leveraged her book to develop a Resilience app and is now planning to license her resilience framework, "Resilience as Fudge," which will extend her Platform into the digital and corporate wellness spaces.

5. Profit — Turn Words into Revenue

Let's talk business. Profit is not about royalties (although those are nice). It's about the business growth your book unlocks: higher-ticket clients, corporate contracts, speaking gigs, licensing deals, and brand collaborations.

Your book builds trust. And trust builds buying decisions. When readers see your expertise on the page, they want your help in their business, life, or career.

Our BBP authors have used their books to increase revenue through speaking engagements, corporate workshops, licensing, and business expansion. For example, Jamal Ahmed grew his GDPR consultancy by positioning himself as the go-to authority in his niche. Dr. Glenda Rivoallan is monetising her expertise through technology and training solutions. Eve Stanway is opening new revenue streams through coaching, speaking, and workshops.

The 5Ps in Action: Your Author's Adventure® Roadmap

These 5 Ps aren't random ideas. They're part of The Author's Adventure®, the roadmap I use to help business owners write world-class books that drive results.

• Purpose sits at the heart of your Brand Brilliance.

• Presence grows through Writing Brilliance and Marketing Brilliance.

• Positioning comes to life in how you Publish Brilliance.

• Platform and Profit are built in your Business Brilliance and Beyond stages.

When you follow the Adventure, your book is no longer a stand-alone product. It becomes a powerful part of your business growth strategy.

Just as the enduring impact of our BBP authors relates to the Brilliance of Clear, Robbins, and Covey, your book can be a North Star that guides your clients, your industry, and your legacy for years to come.

So, Should Every Business Owner Write a Book?

If you care about impact, authority, and leaving a legacy — yes. But not just any book. A book built on the 5 Ps. A book that reflects your voice, shares your story, and serves your audience with integrity.

The real question is: Are you ready to stop talking about writing a book and start building the business behind it?

Your Next Step

If the 5 Ps have sparked something in you, maybe it's time to explore your own Author's Adventure®. Because your book isn't about you, it's about the lives it will touch, the clients it will serve, and the business it will build.

Ready to begin? Let's talk.