By Steve Fretzin & Dr. Robert Plotkin

Why Lawyers Should Write a Book: Build Authority, Trust, and Business Opportunities 

You may have thought about writing a book at some point in your career. You’ve probably even asked yourself, “Why should I write a book?” or “How would this help my practice?” Well, I recently sat down with Robert Plotkin, a patent attorney who has authored two books, to discuss why writing a book can be a game-changer for lawyers. His insights were clear: writing a book isn’t just about sharing knowledge—it’s about establishing authority, building trust, and creating new business opportunities. 

Robert and I started our conversation by tackling a common concern: the fear of giving away too much. Many lawyers worry that if they put their strategies and expertise into a book, they’ll lose their competitive edge. I can relate to that concern. As someone who has developed my own methods for client retention, I’ve sometimes hesitated to share my ideas freely, wondering if I was handing over my “secret sauce.” But as Robert pointed out, this fear is mostly unfounded. 

He explained that writing a book doesn’t mean giving away all your value. In fact, most people—even your competitors—won’t be able to execute your ideas as effectively as you. What’s more, sharing your expertise builds credibility and trust with potential clients. They may read your book, realize they can’t do it themselves, and turn to you for help. Robert’s experience with his first book helped him see that by sharing his knowledge, he wasn’t losing business—he was gaining it. 

One of the key benefits of writing a book, according to Robert, is the opportunity to position yourself as an expert in your field. It’s one thing to be knowledgeable, but it’s another to have a book that demonstrates your authority. A book sends a powerful signal to clients, peers, and even potential business partners that you’ve mastered your area of practice and have something valuable to say. 

Robert shared how his second book, AI Armor, which focuses on intellectual property strategies for AI technologies, allowed him to showcase his expertise to a broad audience. By sharing his proven methods and approaches in the book, Robert not only provided value to his readers but also positioned himself as a thought leader in a rapidly evolving field. Writing about what he knew best didn’t just enhance his credibility—it gave his clients a blueprint for understanding complex IP strategies and how he could help them navigate those challenges. 

Of course, one of the biggest challenges for lawyers is time management. Many of you are already stretched thin with billable hours, managing a team, and running the day-to-day operations of your firm. The idea of sitting down to write a book can feel like an impossible task. Robert gets that. In fact, he talked about how breaking down the process into small, manageable tasks made it achievable. Rather than viewing the book as a daunting, all-consuming project, he approached it in chunks—writing blog posts, giving webinars, and gradually building content that would later form the foundation of his book. 

I know from my own experience that perfectionism can be a barrier to getting things done. Lawyers are notorious for striving for perfect outcomes, but when it comes to writing a book, Robert stressed the importance of progress over perfection. He advised starting with an outline, writing in small pieces, and not being afraid to produce imperfect drafts. After all, you can always refine and improve as you go along, but getting those first words down is critical. 

One strategy that Robert shared, which I found particularly valuable, is the idea of leveraging your book to generate leads and create speaking opportunities. A book can serve as an incredibly effective business card. It’s something tangible that you can hand to a potential client, referral source, or industry contact that immediately communicates your expertise. And it doesn’t just stop there. By tying your book’s themes into webinars, speaking engagements, and articles, you can extend its value far beyond the written pages. 

But writing a book isn’t just about the immediate payoff. It’s also about long-term brand building. When potential clients search for a lawyer in your area of expertise and see that you’ve written a book on the subject, it sets you apart from the competition. You’re not just another lawyer—they now see you as a trusted authority. This level of credibility can help you secure more high-quality clients who are looking for someone with proven expertise. 

One final point Robert made that I think every lawyer should consider is the idea of using a book to create a system. By documenting your process and expertise, you give potential clients a window into how you work and what they can expect when they hire you. This transparency builds trust and helps clients feel more comfortable investing in your services. 

In short, writing a book offers a unique opportunity to build your brand, grow your business, and showcase your expertise in a way that other forms of marketing simply can’t. It’s not just about the book itself—it’s about the authority and trust you build along the way. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, don’t let the fear of giving away too much or the daunting nature of the task stop you. Start small, plan strategically, and remember that the long-term benefits can far outweigh the initial effort.

Lear more about Robert HERE

For more information about taking your law practice to the next level, please email me directly at steve@fretzin.com.

Steve Fretzin, an expert at legal business development, is the author of four books regarding the topic and is the host of the Be That Lawyer podcast. He has helped hundreds of attorneys across the world dramatically grow their book of business while living a well-balanced life. He can be reached at steve@fretzin.com.

Ready to grow?
Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you’re looking to grow your practice, there’s no better time to schedule your free consultation. Simply fill out the form below or call (847) 602-6911.

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Fill out this field

The post Why Lawyers Should Write a Book: Build Authority, Trust, and Business Opportunities appeared first on FRETZIN, INC..