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It was 2010, and I was driving in the car with my wife, coming home from the movies. We were excited for the night out; Susan was seven months pregnant with our first child, and life looked pretty rosy.

Until I happened to look down at a text on my phone. Next thing we knew a semi-truck was bearing down on us, nearly hitting our sedan before we both swerved in opposite directions.

It was a close call—and one too close for comfort. Since that night, I’ve maintained a very strict anti-distraction rule in my car. So while one of my causes is helping people grow their brand, another is helping people avoid the nearly 400,000 accidents that result from distracted driving every year. Now, I’ve just written a book, 2612 Cherryhill Lane, that shares my message in an interactive way.

Your cause doesn’t have to involve such a scary situation, though. Whether it’s volunteering for Make-A-Wish or coaching teens on health and fitness, sharing your stories is one more way to make an impact.

How You Can Be a Champion for a Cause

I wrote 2612 Cherryhill Lane as a way to combine my passion for writing with my mission to help keep roads safe. It’s the story of Jonathan McAllister, a star football player whose life takes a dramatic turn after one dangerous decision. What’s neat about the novel is how I connected it to another part of my brand, on Facebook. Even before it was published, I had 12,000 followers reading excerpts and tracking my progress. That created accountability, publicity, and connectivity for me.

If you’re reading this post, chances are you have a cause. If not, spend time looking at your Triangle of Genius, which I’ve written about frequently, and see how you can fill in the parts with a personal cause instead of a professional one. Then get the word out there. You don’t have to write a fiction book, of course. Simply establishing a Facebook page, writing essays for LinkedIn, tweeting about your work, and posting photos will be worth way more than 1000 words.

Why You Should Remain Authentic

My book is a work of fiction, but sharing your cause is an opportunity to showcase your real self. So be authentic in spreading the word. Be yourself. (And please don’t catch up on posts the next time you run out to the grocery store…)

Read More…

You can discover what happened to Jonathan McAllister by buying a copy of 2612 Cherryhill Lane at Amazon.com. I also have dozens of free resources for staying true to yourself while building a brand at drglennvo.com