Some authors really bare their soul in their books, but is it necessary? Do personal stories make the difference between success and failure as a business book author?
A personal example
Let me give you an example of a personal story of mine: “I write like I practice yoga. I practice mostly when I’m afraid of pain. Right now, I’m preparing for a seven-day retreat later this year. It will be painful unless I reboot my practice. I also write a weekly blog to avoid pain. Not writing every week is embarrassing for a writing coach who tells clients to write consistently. If you want to write consistently, it’s worth finding your pain point.”
Build trust
In this story, I’m sharing something about my vulnerability—the discomfort of both writing and yoga. And vulnerability is key to forming deep connections, according to the research of author Dr Brené Brown, whose TED talk on vulnerability garnered over 60 million views.
Make a point
But vulnerability also requires balance. Your story must make a point that is valuable to the reader, or it will sound like waffle. In my story, I’m illustrating a point about writing.
When to hold back
Of course, you don’t have to share anything personal. It’s not mandatory. Only share what feels natural. If you push beyond your comfort zone, you risk not feeling proud of your book.
The pay-off
I encourage you to go as far as you can. When you share those raw, human moments—the sleepless nights, the fear of failure, the doubt—something magical happens. Readers don’t just learn from you; they see themselves in your story. They feel understood. Those shared struggles create a bond. Your vulnerability lets readers know they’re not alone. No one succeeds without failure.
Safeguard
And, finally, to avoid sharing too much (or too little), ask a trusted colleague or friend to review your personal stories before you publish.