It’s Already Been Done, But Not By You
TL:DR Your take on things matters and may be the key that unlocks readers’ potential in a way no one else ever could.
In November of 1992, Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” was released as a single from the movie The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack album. It was wildly successful and its popularity persists to this day, having been certified Diamond (10 million certified units) in 2022 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
Thing is, the song was written and first recorded by Dolly Parton—whose version is also beautiful—but a very different vibe. I read somewhere that you listen to Dolly’s version when your heart is breaking, and Whitney’s version when you want to move on. (Search for the 2007 video of Dolly’s appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, where she sings it to Porter Wagoner, for whom the song was originally written. Wow.)
What if Whitney had said, “You know, Dolly has already done that song—no one is going to want to hear my version.”
Books work the same way. The principles you cover may be the same but your take on them is going to be 100 percent unique because there is only one you with your unique experiences, background, and perspective.
Expertise is essential but it’s your vibe—your choice of words, your phrasing, you being you while communicating your wisdom and expertise—that will allow your readers to connect with and embrace what you have to say. Including readers who have heard a specific business principle 100 times but just don’t “get it” until they finally hear it from the right person.
Write that book! Because that “right person” may just be you.
