It's social proof that you're an expert. You'll often get work just by being at these places in the role of a speaker, if you're looking for it. There are many people who have clients they either don't like the work from the client, or want to get help with a thing -- so they can handoff clients/work to you.

I agree with what he's saying, it helps!

We are talking about consulting right? You want to pitch technical topics to non-technical (owners presumably)?

Find a way to meet them and literally tell them that "you wrote the book on that (said subject that will... Fill in the blank)". Then hand them a copy of the book .

Folks like to work with experts (or people who are passionate enough to write a book).

I mean how should non-technical prospects find you? They don't go to such tech talks/conferences, don't read tech books. Such clients usually go to software agencies but not to individuals.

Great point. Most of my work comes from "technical" folks or my network. My attempts at cold-calling/etc have failed.