More than 80 percent of the population wants to write a book. If you’re among them, ask yourself if becoming a published author would serve your business or career.

Here are four smart marketing reasons to write your book next year.

Credibility: Something very powerful happens when you add “author” to your accomplishments. Not only does it boost your confidence level, but your credibility will also enjoy a healthy spike. Potential customers, partners and employees all will see you in a different light once they realize they can stop by any bookstore and pick up a copy of your work.

Share your message: Do you have a message or viewpoint that you are anxious to share? Do you believe you can teach people some of what you’ve learned and help them improve their business or their life? Isn’t that how the “… for Dummies” book series took off? Why not share your beliefs, lessons learned or strategies?

Use it as a foundation: A book is by far one of the easiest and quickest ways to build a foundation. If you aspire to be a speaker, workshop leader, coach or service provider, your book will be the launching point for many bigger and better opportunities. It serves as your very robust business card in so many settings.

Organize your thoughts: The act of writing a book often serves the author in ways that surprise him or her. By going through the motions of outlining, writing and editing a manuscript, often the author’s own opinions and insights get realigned. Or at least better organized. Often, when explaining or teaching, the teacher learns as much as the student.

Make it one of your 2011 resolutions to add author to your list of credentials. You’ll enjoy the many benefits, and so will your business.

Drew McLellan is Top Dog at McLellan Marketing Group and blogs at www.drewsmarketingminute.com. He can be reached at Drew@MclellanMarketing.com. © 2010 Drew McLellan