The 5 Types of Writers (And Why Most Pick the Wrong Strategy)

Can I ask you a question? Why do you want to write a book? Seriously, do you even know? What’s your purpose for doing so?

After working with hundreds of writers over the past decade, I’ve learned that there are fundamentally different types of people who want to write books, and they have completely different motivations. Understanding which type you are isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for choosing the right genre, developing the right strategy, and avoiding years of frustration.

When I first started working with writers back in 2007, most of my clients fell into what I’ll call the Beautiful Writer category. They wanted to create art, tell compelling stories, craft elegant prose, and be recognized for their literary talent. Their dream was to see their book in bookstores, get positive reviews, and maybe win awards.

However, as my career evolved and the publishing landscape shifted dramatically, I began working with a completely different type of writer. These people weren’t primarily motivated by artistic recognition or beautiful prose. They wanted to be seen as experts. They wanted to build audiences interested in their content. They wanted to develop careers and businesses that didn’t require selling 20,000 or more books a month to survive.

They dreamed of being on stage, being interviewed, becoming the next Brené Brown, or building influence in their industries. The book wasn’t the end goal for these writers—it was a strategic tool for achieving much larger professional ambitions.

Both approaches are valid. But they require entirely different strategies, and most writing advice ignores this distinction. Which is insane when you think about it.

Now, let me break down the different types of writers I work with so you can figure out where you fit.

The Beautiful Writer

Core Motivation: To create art, craft compelling narratives, and be recognized for literary talent.

Primary Goals:

1. Write novels, memoirs, or literary nonfiction that moves readers deeply.
2. Develop a distinctive voice and style.
3. Get published by traditional publishers.
4. Receive critical acclaim and positive reviews.
5. Build a readership that appreciates quality writing.
6. Leave a literary legacy.

Success Metrics:

1. Book sales and readership.
2. Critical reviews and literary awards.
3. Recognition from the writing community.
4. Personal satisfaction with the craft.
5. Emotional impact on readers.

Typical Genres: Literary fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry, short story collections.

Platform Needs: Moderate. A website, some social media presence, maybe a newsletter. Your platform should serve your book—you need enough online presence to connect with readers and support your book launches, but platform building isn’t your primary focus. You can often build your audience slowly through the quality of your work.

Reality Check: This path requires exceptional writing skill, thick skin for rejection, and often takes years to achieve recognition. Most Beautiful Writers need day jobs to support their writing unless they achieve significant commercial success. But hey, if you’re committed to the craft and can handle the uncertainty, more power to you.

If you’re a Beautiful Writer, that’s wonderful. The world needs people who prioritize craft, storytelling, and artistic expression. Just understand that your path differs from the Expert Positioner’s, and most of this book’s platform-building advice may feel unnecessary or even offensive to your artistic sensibilities. But stand down for a hot minute. You might learn something useful.

The Expert Positioner

Core Motivation: To be recognized as a leading expert in their field and build a business around their knowledge.

Primary Goals:

1. Establish credibility and authority in their industry.
2. Attract better clients and charge higher fees.
3. Generate speaking opportunities and media coverage.
4. Build an engaged audience interested in their expertise.
5. Create multiple revenue streams from their knowledge.
6. Become the go-to person when people need help in their area.

Success Metrics:

1. Professional opportunities generated by the book.
2. Speaking engagements and media appearances.
3. Client quality and fees.
4. Audience size and engagement.
5. Revenue growth from expertise-based services.
6. Industry recognition and influence.

Typical Genres: Business books, self-help, how-to guides, expert positioning books, big idea books.

Platform Needs: Extensive. Your book serves your platform, which means you need to build your audience while writing, test your concepts publicly, and use your book as one component of a larger business strategy. Platform building is as important as the writing itself. You need an active social media presence, an email list, speaking engagements, media appearances, and content creation across multiple channels.

Reality Check: Your book is one component of a larger business strategy. You need to think like an entrepreneur, not just a writer. If that sounds overwhelming, welcome to the modern publishing world. Adapt or get left behind.

The Influential Storyteller

Core Motivation: To share their life experiences in ways that inspire, teach, and influence others while building a personal brand.

Primary Goals:

1. Tell their story in a way that helps others.
2. Build a following around their life experiences and lessons learned.
3. Generate speaking opportunities about resilience, transformation, or overcoming challenges.
4. Position themselves as motivational speakers or life coaches.
5. Create a movement or inspire social change.
6. Become known for their unique perspective on universal challenges.

Success Metrics:

1. Audience engagement and emotional response.
2. Speaking opportunities and media coverage.
3. Impact stories from readers who’ve applied their lessons.
4. Social media following and influence.
5. Revenue from speaking, coaching, or related services.
6. Recognition as a thought leader in their area.

Typical Genres: Memoirs, inspirational books, motivational books, social justice narratives.

Platform Needs: High. Your platform and your book grow together. Your personal story becomes your professional brand, and you must publicly share that journey while writing. Your audience wants to follow your ongoing insights and transformation. Strong social media presence, email list, speaking engagements, media training, content creation that shares ongoing insights and updates.

Reality Check: You need to be comfortable sharing your life publicly and consistently engaging with your audience. If you’re not prepared for that level of transparency, pick a different path.

The Oprah Stage Dreamer

Core Motivation: To achieve widespread recognition, influence, and a platform that reaches millions of people.

Primary Goals:

1. Write a book that becomes a cultural phenomenon.
2. Appear on major media outlets and influential stages.
3. Build a massive following across multiple platforms.
4. Become a household name in their area of expertise.
5. Generate significant revenue from books, speaking, and media appearances.
6. Influence public conversations and social change.

Success Metrics:

1. Bestseller list appearances.
2. Major media coverage and interviews.
3. Social media followers and engagement.
4. Speaking fees and event bookings.
5. Cultural impact and influence.
6. Revenue from multiple streams.

Typical Genres: Big idea books, memoirs with universal appeal, social commentary, transformational stories.

Platform Needs: Massive and professionally managed. You’re competing for attention with established celebrities and thought leaders. This requires significant investment in professional support: professional media training, social media management, public relations support, content creation team, and strategic partnerships.

Reality Check: This level of success requires exceptional content, strategic marketing, often significant financial investment, and frequently some element of luck or timing. Most people who achieve this level have been building their platforms for years before their book launches. If you start from scratch and expect to land on Oprah’s stage within two years, you’re delusional.

The Practical Professional

Core Motivation: To enhance their current career and professional reputation without necessarily building a massive platform.

Primary Goals:

1. Establish credibility in their current field.
2. Attract better job opportunities or clients.
3. Share their expertise in a structured way.
4. Build a professional network and recognition.
5. Create a legacy of their professional knowledge.
6. Differentiate themselves from competitors.

Success Metrics:

1. Professional opportunities and career advancement.
2. Industry recognition and peer respect.
3. Quality of new clients or job offers.
4. Professional network growth.
5. Personal satisfaction with sharing knowledge.

Typical Genres: Industry-specific guides, business books, professional memoirs, how-to books.

Platform Needs: Modest and industry-specific. Your book serves your existing career rather than creating a new one. A LinkedIn presence, professional associations, and industry events may be sufficient. You’re targeting a specific professional audience rather than general readers.

Reality Check: The ROI comes through professional advancement rather than book sales. Don’t expect to quit your day job or become famous. Expect to become more credible in your current field.

So which type are you? Take an honest look at your motivations, choose your category, and start building the strategy that matches your actual goals—not the ones you think you should have.