Use a Book You Write
to Drive Business Growth
Nothing gives you greater credibility and authority than a book you write (yes, you, using my process) that explains your superpower, your business philosophy and how you help your ideal clients.
Show them you know their issues, provide case studies and help them recognize you as the best person for them to consult for help on the issue.
The thought of writing a business book may seem daunting, not to mention time-consuming and complicated.
My POWER Process makes it easier and quicker than ever for you to write a book that you will be proud to hand out and sign, and your ideal customers will want to get their hands on.
If you have a business, I can help you write a book.
You've Been Duped
Writing isn't as challenging as your English teachers made it out to be.
With more than 30 years of professional writing experience and as a former English teacher, I have collected some tricks to make writing a book no more difficult than writing emails or texts. Seriously!
THE 5-STEP POWER PROCESS
POSITIONING
By digging deep into who your real client is and what they need from you, we can identify exactly what should fill the pages of your book. We also can decided between a SuperBook that illuminates your best superpower or a POWERBook that provides more insights into you and your business.
OUTLINING
Writer's block does not exist. Authors who fail to plan enough struggle to find their story. By outlining (whatever an outline means to you) exactly what you need to write and rounding out that outline with success stories, customer journey stories and other vaulable information, your book will practically write itself. No kidding!
WRITING
With an effective plan for what to write as described in your detailed outline, writing becomes easy -- and often fun. You avoid writer's block, Blank Page Synddrome and every other malady that stood in your way of writing. You actually look forward to your 1 hour of writing time each day.
EDITING
Don't just think about grammar and punctuation. Behind every great writer is an even better editor. In this case, since I know your audience, your outline and the goals you set for your book, I can ensure that your book meets your clients' needs.
RELEASING
The goal of the book has always been to put it in the hands of people who can help you grow your business. Using my proven strategies for using signed books and other marketing tools to highlight your authorship, you separate yourself from your competitors and invite new clients eager to work with the author you have become.
Who Makes It Happen?
About Bob Graham
Using my POWER Process, I have written 55 Soft Skills to Rule the World (2024), Writing With POWER: Taking Your Book from Dream to Done (2024), Alignable Tips, Tricks and Secrets for Small Business Success (2023) and The Renegade Way (2021). I co-authored The 55 Soft Skills That Guide Employee and Organizational Success (2017) and The Insider's Guide to Baltimore (1998).
I cut my teeth writing as many as 20 articles a week for newspapers. Later, I freelanced for magazines, and wrote several speeches for a governor and other state and local officials, prepared seminars and workshops for people, and crafted just about every kind of marketing message you can imagine, from press releases to annual reports.
I have taught English, Composition, Journalism, Communications and Marketing classes to high schooll, undergraduate and graduate students at various schools in the Baltimore, Maryland area, including Towson University, Goucher College and Johns Hopkins University.
As a business coach, I have helped hundreds of businesses with marketing, leadership and ownership. Among my clients are an insurance brokerage that sold for 12 times its annual revenue, an entrepreneur who started three multi-million dollar businesses in four years, a startup courted by Apple and a regional pain management practice with eight locations in the Mid-Atlantic.
OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES
DETAILED EVALUATIONS
Effective communication is at the heart of every successful business. My outside perspective generates insights, both obvious and hidden, that will spark clearer, more engaging communications that drive growth.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Tired of the same old, same old? Shake things up. Drawing on techniques honed in college classrooms and as a journalist, our sessions are engaging and lead to actionable, inspiring and exciting plans.
SPEAKER/TRAINER
As a speaker on national, regional and local stages, I help companies use my engaging, insightful presentations to spur change. Topics include Becoming an Effective Leader, Shifting from Manager to Leader, Having the Difficult Discussions, Communicating with Power, as well as presentations on leadership, time management and leadership.
BUSINESS COACHING
I guide business owners to overcome common challenges. They range from product design and pricing to time management to prioritizing, from sales and marketing to process design and improvement, and leadership to implementing an exit strategy. Make better business decisions with my help.
What Do You Need To Become An Author?
Becoming an author of a book that serves your ideal clients isn't as hard as you think.
I have coaxed words out of a wide range of people. I have guided business owners to write books in a range of fields -- from insurance and financial services to sales and even photography.
My proven process works to maximize your time and effort and minimize the stress that paralyzes non-professional writers and the worry about what to say that causes them to quit writing.
If you have the following, you are ready:
A firm that's prepared to handle more business
The recognition that whatever your English teacher said probably no longer applies
An openness to collaboration
A willingness to become an author and promote yourself as one
A desire to use the power of words to change people's lives for the better
1 hour to 90 minutes a day for up to four months (probably less)
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Say
"Bob Graham is my business Buddha.....Just so you know this morning's call with you was probably the single most important call to date. Thank you! I believe I have made a breakthrough."
Eric Dexter
Entrepreneur
"Bob is like a Swiss army knife for your business."
Brendan McAdams
Entrepreneur and Author
"It was great experience working with you on this branding project for Cowtrip.com. This is one of the happiest invoices I have had to pay."
Terry MacGregor
Business Owner
"I appreciate all the professional help you gave me with my book. I had never done anything like this before. Your help with getting everything in the correct order made the piece look much more professional. Your suggestions with several areas made the information more understandable to the average person. Your selection of the cover made for a more sellable book. The marketing suggestions you made helped me pass my sales goal."
Bob Porterfield
Author/Photographer
"We worked together to identify the right audience, the right message for that audience and how I can draw from my experiences to tell a powerful story that helps me achieve my big business goals while giving the audience what they need. His system and coaching made what seemed complicated so much easier and fun. He’s a wealth of information who is dedicated to helping executives accomplish big breakthroughs. I feel inspired and with much clearer direction thanks to Bob!"
Dr. Dori Gatter
Psychologist and Business Coach
"The most impressive aspect of Bob's style of work is that he consumed himself in our culture and services. He truly inhaled our culture, studied our history, learned about our services and goals, and examined us thoroughly prior to even starting the project....Bob is a consummate professional with a a wealth of innovative knowledge in an ever-changing world of marketing. He is highly attentive, masterful in his human relation skills, excellent problem-solver, prudent decision-maker and extremely flexible in his work style. His work ethic, integrity, character and how he conducts himself is beyond reproach -- a truly refreshing energy."
Sandy Meagher
Corporate Fitness Firm Owner
FAQS
What makes you different?
My commitment is unfailingly to your clients. As a former journalist, I have refined my ability to be objective and quickly assess situations. I'm going to provide honest, constructive feedback on your work in a way that encourages and inspires you to achieve more. Having worked with hundreds of business owners and more than a thousand college students, I have learned how to deliver messages on writing and other topics with finesse and tact. In all cases, I will work with you to deliver tailor-made solutions that resonate with your specific audience and goals. I'm not just your partner; I am your brand's advocate and storyteller.
I have a marketing department. Why engage you?
The marketing folks may argue (which only proves the point more); however, marketing departments tend to fall into a "groupthink" approach. Thinking the same way or using confirmation bias to make decisions can cripple the best communications. My work should never be seen as a threat. I can help you become more successful at engaging customers by providing the outside perspective and new approaches; For example, a book written specifically for marketing, that your marketing team may discourage, knowing they might struggle in executing it.
How do you measure success?
Sales, sales, sales. When you become more in tune with your customers and their situations, you will see more sales. It's that simple.
What's your process?
I help authors clarify their vision and their audience; craft an outline; identify and compress their anecdotes and examples; draft the pages section by section; review and help them revise; edit and proofread the manuscript; and print and publish the manuscript. In addition, for some authors, I help market and promote their book to target audiences.
When I am helping companies with their communications, I meet with key players to identify objectives and approaches. Then I talk to customers, prospects and other stakeholders to evaluate messaging and to identify areas to consider moving forward.
Do I need more than an idea for a book?
Absolutely not. You don't even need much of an idea. I have drawn books from the most unlikely of writers. I have worked with authors in every phase of the book creation process -- from concept to outlining, first draft to printing. What helps most is to have a good idea of what you want to say, who you want to say it to and why they should care. If you don't know all that, I am skilled at helping you.
What would I do with a book I write?
Four big things, not to mention the incredible joy that comes from seeing your thoughts and ideas in a form that can outlast you.
First, putting your ideas to paper clarifies them for you and others who read the book. Second, it's a great touch point with your clients, who, if invited, might share a copy with friends, meaning easy referrals. Third, nothing separates you from your competitors better than sending prospects an autographed book reinforcing your ideas.
Fourth, the best -- absolute best -- business card is a book you write and sign. Few people can discard a book with the author's autograph. Even better, people like to place these books in prominent locations in their offices and homes, which gives you access to everyone who visits as potential clients.
