Book Profit Secrets with Ray Brehm

One of my favorite topics is email, and Philip Duncan is here to talk about all things email marketing. Philip is an award-winning Amazon best-selling author. He's the host of the Powerhouse Offerings Summit and runs a workshop called Email Marketing for Authors Made Easy. Philip explains why email is his number one marketing strategy and how it's transformed his life and business. Just a few years ago, he was working a nine-to-five but took a giant leap of faith and hasn't looked back.Email marketing can feel overwhelming, but Philip shares some of his best tips and tricks for authors so you can better promote yourself and grow your business. He walks through what you should do if you're just getting started with email marketing and what he covers in his workshop. Philip and I discuss how often you should send emails out, the importance of authenticity, and why you need to have a “reader magnet” in your strategy. We also talk about cross promoting with others, ads, and how an email list can help you scale.What's Inside:Why email marketing is so powerful for authors.How to start an email marketing strategy from scratch.How to use cross promotion to boost your email list.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmPhilipSDuncan.com

Matt McWilliams is living proof that you can pursue your passion in life and do so while making a profit. He's worked with some of the top companies and entrepreneurs on the planet, including Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington, Tony Robbins, and Lewis Howes. Matt's here to help you on your quest to turn your own passion and message into a profitable and growing business. We begin our conversation by talking about Matt's journey, which he outlines in his new book, Turn Your Passions into Profits. Matt's a genius when it comes to book launches and marketing, and here he shares his secrets. He shares the techniques that he uses to help his clients see massive success when they put their books out into the world. We discuss how your book launch can lead to huge growth in your email list. We also talk about how to set up the perfect book launch funnel, the power of working with affiliate partners, why you don't need to partner with big names to see big results, and what to do if you already have a book but want to revamp your strategy. What's Inside:How to set up the perfect book launch funnel,Why you don't need to partner with big names to see big results,How to revamp your strategy if you already have a book,Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmPassionsIntoProfitsBook.com/Ray

Alinka Rutkowska is the CEO of Leaders Press. She's a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, and Leaders Press made me a best-selling author as well! Alinka helps entrepreneurs create books from scratch and launches them to best-seller with a 100% success rate. She runs a hybrid publishing house with traditional distribution through Simon and Schuster, through which more than 500 entrepreneurs have been able to share their stories. Alinka has been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and numerous other outlets.Alinka's mission is to help 10,000 entrepreneurs share their wisdom with the world by 2030. Here, she shares her own wisdom around book marketing, and we kick off our conversation with where a beginner can start. We discuss how to set realistic goals as an author, which aren't always about how many books you sell. We also talk about how to invest money into becoming a best-seller, the truth about how many books best-selling authors actually sell, and how to use a book to bring in a ton of revenue for your business through other channels.What's Inside:Where to start if you're new to book marketing.How to set realistic goals as an author.How to use a book to skyrocket your income.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmLeadersPress.com

Derek Doepker went from being a broke valet parker to best-selling author. He's sold over 100,000 books using free and low-cost strategies. Today, he shares those strategies with authors to turn their passions for writing into thriving businesses. Derek has also been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Success magazines as well as several other world-renowned publications. Here, Derek and I talk about how to market your book, specifically through an audiobook.A solid marketing strategy typically involves you putting yourself and your message out there in various forms of media. Derek and I discuss which formats make the most sense and why you need a good book cover, description, and a list of reviews. We also talk about how multiple formats help you build authority, the pros and cons of doing an audiobook and whether or not you should do it all yourself, the benefits of reading through your manuscript, and how to upload your audiobook to various platforms.What's Inside:How audiobooks can uplevel your book marketing strategy.Whether you should do your audiobook yourself or outsource.How to upload your audiobook to various platforms.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmDerekDoepker.com

Joris van Leeuwen is the CEO of Cutting-edge-studio.com where he helps self-published authors publish and market their books successfully by providing all the author services they would need. Joris and his sister company, Cutting-edge-business.com, create websites and promo videos that can help authors grow and promote their businesses. Joris loves to work with first time self-published authors who are overwhelmed with the publishing and marketing process. Here, we're diving into a bit of book marketing 101. Basic book marketing is a tough hurdle to get over, and Joris is an expert. The process involves a ton of clear thinking and focus. Many authors pour all of their time and energy into writing and publishing their books, not realizing that marketing is even more vital. Joris shares the basics authors need to get their book marketing plan started. We also discuss the importance of having a great book cover, why you shouldn't rush the publishing and marketing process, and more.What's Inside:The basic elements of a book marketing plan.Why you need a great book cover.Why you shouldn't rush the book marketing and publishing process.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmCutting-edge-studio.comCutting-edge-business.com

Glen Kowalski is an ex-Microsoft software engineer who said, “Screw the commute,” moved to Panama, and now helps business owners get their message out without worrying about being cancelled or censored. He's a fierce freedom lover who believes that freedom of speech should be a core human right and is fundamental to living a life outside of tyranny. Here, Glen shares his story of how he wound up in Panama, the evolution of his marketing business ventures, and how he became more involved in freedom movements.Freedom comes in many shapes and sizes, and many people simply want freedom from their jobs. Freedom of boss, income, and geography can be a total game-changer and Glen shares advice on the first steps people should take to move in that direction. The biggest thing to do is figure out your financial situation and how you'll earn the income you need to get the freedom you crave. Glen and I also discuss how he helps clients find their own path to freedom and information on his upcoming virtual summit on how to own your own assets. What's Inside:Glen's story of going from software engineer to business owner.The first steps to take to find your own path to freedom.Information on Glen's upcoming summit.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmRenegadeSummits.com

Jackie Lapin helps leaders grow their online and live audiences by getting booked faster, easier, and in more places.  Here, we talk about springboarding your business using live and virtual speaking events on multiple platforms. Jackie was one of the first female sports writers in America, and she then segued into having one of the largest sports special events and PR companies in the United States with a world-class client list. Jackie later rebranded her agency as Conscious Media Relations, where she does radio podcast tours for authors, leaders, and experts. Today, Jackie also runs SpeakerTunity, a speaker and leader resource company that gives people contacts where they can book themselves across a number of different platforms. Her clients book everywhere, including radio shows, podcasts, virtual summits, live and virtual stages, and even TEDx stages. Jackie and I discuss some first steps to take if you're thinking about booking speaking gigs yourself. We also talk about overcoming stage fright, the types of programs to sell during speaking events, and why how writing a book can help you book more stages. What's Inside:How Jackie helps her clients book speaking events to grow their businesses.The first steps to take to book speaking gigs.How to develop programs to sell during speaking engagements.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmSpeakerTunity.com44 Ways to Seduce Your Next Client

Susan Friedmann is a certified speaking professional (CSP). She's also an international best-selling author of 18 books. Susan is on a mission to wipe out sameness and add vitality and differentiation to author marketing. Through her company, Aviva Publishing, she has guided hundreds of non-fiction authors to use their books to become trusted and recognized authorities in their niche markets. Susan started her career training exhibitors at trade shows. There, she got her expertise in honing in on a niche market and going from unknown to one of the go-to experts.Susan joins me here to talk about niches and how to stand out from the crowd. She shares insights from her book Riches in Niches and how to make yourself a big fish in a small pond. Some niches can run dry pretty quickly, so you want to make sure your niche is profitable and sustainable. Writing a book is a great tactic to stand out as a leader in a niche market, as many in those areas aren't published. I also talk to Susan about the process of niching down, how to adapt your books and programs to niche audiences, how authors can leverage virtual summits, and why you shouldn't be afraid to do something different.What's Inside:How to stand out as an expert in a niche market.The value of writing a book to establish authority.How authors in niche markets can leverage virtual summits.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBrainstormWithSusan.comSusan's Book: Riches in Niches

Honorée Corder is a good friend of mine and the OG of self-publishing. She's an author, publishing consultant, TEDx speaker, Founder of Indie Author University, and co-founder of the Empire Builders MasterClass. Honorée has published more than 50 books, and helped hundreds of professionals and entrepreneurs successfully craft, write, publish, launch, market, and monetize their books. There's a new term out there called “quiet quitting”, which is doing the bare minimum in a job just to get by. Here, Honorée and I discuss how to transfer your life from a dead-end career and build your empire.Before you quit a job you're unhappy in, it's important to have a plan. Honorée advises getting your ducks in a row before making a move, which includes getting a support system in place and building up reserves. You also don't want to give your employer a reason to let you go before you're ready. Honorée and I discuss the first steps to take to become a thought leader. We also talk about how to cultivate the energy it takes to be an entrepreneur and the importance of self-development.What's Inside:How to come up with a plan to quit your job and build your empire.The first steps to take to become a thought leader.Why self-development is the key to successful entrepreneurship.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmHonoreeCorder.com

Kris Safarova is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon best-selling author. She's a former management consultant and banker who managed billion-dollar portfolios, and she's also a concert pianist! Kris is currently the CEO of FirmsConsulting.com and StrategyTraining.com and the host of the 90 Day Business Building Summit. She helps people get out of their corporate cubicles so they can move into the world of entrepreneurship. Here, Kris shares her own story and journey from the corporate world to where she is today.Kris and I discuss how physical ailments and mental stress can nudge us out of jobs we know are wrong for us. Kris shares how she helps her clients make the right move and the endless opportunities that come with being an entrepreneur. She recommends experimenting to find your passion and purpose, which are often tied to emotions, and building from there. Kris and I also talk about why coaching and content marketing are a good fit for beginner entrepreneurs, how to build an email list, and the benefits of writing a book and creating an online course.What's Inside:How to experiment to find your passion and purpose.Why coaching and content marketing are perfect for beginner entrepreneurs.The benefits of writing a book and creating an online course.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmFirmsConsulting.com

Webinar and event expert Jon Schumacher has worked with more than 300 private clients and over 1,000 students. He's helped them generate over $50 million in sales, and here, Jon shares all the details on how to use 30-minute webinars to sell your flagship programs. We kick things off by discussing the four things you'll need for your webinar: your goal, offer, messaging, and how to get people to attend. Jon talks about the different types of webinars you can use depending on your end goal. Your offer is where the rubber meets the road, and it's the most important piece. Jon shares tips on how to get clear and how to make what you sell more irresistible.Jon dives deep into how to create your messaging, including an easy-to-follow framework that involves getting clear on “why, what, how, and now”. Addressing pain points is key, as is sharing a little about yourself. Driving traffic to your webinar and getting people to register can be challenging, however, you don't need hundreds of people on your email list. Jon shares some client stories of how they made sales with just a handful of attendees. We also discuss how to collaborate with affiliates and how to create and use automated webinars.  What's Inside:The four things you'll need to put together a winning webinar.Jon's framework on how to create the right messaging.When and how to create and use automated webinars.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmJonSchumacher.com

Susan Epstein is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) as well as a business coach and strategist. She works with coaches, therapists, and healers to fill their practices and helps them leverage their time through groups and masterminds. After finishing school to become an LCSW, Susan spent several years building a psychotherapy practice. Over time, she started running groups and clubs and eventually discovered coaching. Susan got certified and began building her business, including creating a landing page, an email list, and writing a book. She began attracting others who wanted to build their own businesses, and in 2017, Susan let go of everything but her business coaching practice, which is now thriving.Susan shares her recommendations for those thinking about starting their own business. We discuss the differences between a group coaching program and a mastermind and how to decide which one to run. We also talk about the advantages of group coaching over one-on-one sessions. Enlisting the help of a business coach is also a great way to get support while you're figuring things out. Susan also shares tips on how to form your first group, what a typical group coaching program looks like, and how to overcome typical coaching challenges.  What's Inside:The difference between group coaching and a mastermind.The advantages of group coaching over one-on-one sessions.Tips on how to form your first group.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fm5 Simple Steps to Create and Fill Your First Mastermind

Bri Seeley is a bespoke business designer who works with both established and emerging entrepreneurs to create highly profitable businesses through consistent revenue creation. Whether you're ready to make your first dollar or your first million, Bri will help you create a long-term, sustainable path to success on your own terms. She also recently recorded a TED talk called “Going from Wages to Wealth”. Here, Bri shares her story about how she accidentally started her business. After leaving an unaligned opportunity, she was thrust into the unknown and figured out how to create lasting wealth for herself.Bri believes entrepreneurship is the path to financial freedom and fulfillment. Through her business, she helps people embrace their creative potential to build a life they love. We discuss how Bri got started and why it's important to begin creating a vision on the inside. Shifting your beliefs and reprogramming your internal operating system are essential parts of being an entrepreneur. Bri and I also talk about overcoming fears, leaving people behind as you change on your journey, how to find your most aligned path, and how to set yourself up for entrepreneurial success.What's Inside:Why it's important to reprogram your internal operating system.How to handle leaving people behind on the entrepreneurial journey.How to set yourself up for entrepreneurial success. Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBri's Workbook - How to Guarantee Consistent Income in Your Business

Paul Brodie is a 21-time best-selling author and CEO of the Brodie Consulting Group. He helps people share their stories and positions them as experts in their field. Paul's company accomplishes this by launching their clients' books to guaranteed best-seller status. He's done 92 best-selling book launches, including his own latest books, Entrepreneurship 101 and Book Publishing and Marketing Secrets. Here, Paul and I take a detour from the topics we usually discuss and get into story branding and how folks can start and scale a side hustle.According to Paul, story branding is the best way to sell yourself, your business, and your brand. In order for people to become your raving fans and customers, they have to get to know, like, and trust you. Sharing your story is an authentic, powerful way to connect with your audience. Paul and I discuss how to set up an effective funnel to turn readers into customers. We also talk about lead magnets, using your book to sell products without being salesy, and which steps to take if you're just getting started.What's Inside:How to use story branding to connect with your audience.How to set up an effective funnel to turn readers into customers.Steps to take if you're just getting started.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBrodie Consulting Group

Ellen Finkelstein helps experts get their knowledge out to the world with online products and courses. She's well-known for her email newsletter (I'm a subscriber), which earns her top rankings on the leaderboards. Ellen got started writing books for big names like McGraw-Hill and Wiley. Author platforms were starting to kick off in the 90's and Ellen started her website and email list in 1999. Her list grew automatically within her niche, and she realized she could make more money selling eBooks to her audience. Ellen eventually started Change the World Marketing to show others her email system, which is the opposite of what many of the gurus do. Ellen's email contains daily tips, stories, and many resources instead of just one call to action. We talk about how to create a winning email strategy for your target market, how to handle promotions, and why you need to provide value to your audience. We also discuss why it's OK to include some repetition, how to grow your email list through creating connections, and what to do when you're just getting started. What's Inside:How to create a winning email marketing strategy.Why it's important to provide value to your audience.How to grow your email list through creating connections.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmFreebie - 10 Techniques for Better Results from Your Emails: More Engagement, Opens, and Clicks

Pam Obasa turned £500 into a seven-figure business while working from home and taking care of two young children. Pam has a background in acting and while she was working in that field, there were periods of time where she was out of work. This prompted her to think about what she could do with the money in her bank account along with her skills to get some income flowing in between acting jobs. Pam then created her first offer and sold it to schools, which then became a six-figure business. Eventually, it became her main thing. Pam shares her story and how she recreated her offer after experiencing some personal challenges in 2020. Today, she shows others how to create their own three-day events and teach their passion. Once you have it set up, you can continue to run it and generate even more revenue. Pam walks through how to structure a three-day event around solving a problem for your audience. She shares how to sell a high-ticket offer within your event to skyrocket your income. We also discuss how to run your program while still at your nine-to-five and typical backend offers.What's Inside:How Pam turned £500 into a seven-figure businessHow to structure a three-day event and sell your high-ticket offerHow to run your events while still working your day jobMentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmThe Seed MethodPam Obasa on YouTube

Matt McWilliams is a four-time affiliate manager of the year and has worked for big names like Tony Robbins, Dean Graziosi, Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington, Adidas, Shutterfly, and more. Matt helps online business owners make money as an affiliate and leverage the power of affiliate partners to grow their businesses. He's also the author of Turn Your Passions into Profits, which reached number one best-seller status before officially launching. We talk about the book launch and get into details on ads and affiliate partnerships.Matt and I discuss how to create a long-term book sales strategy and how to hit best-seller status. When you reach number one, you'll rank much higher on Amazon and you can use affiliates to get you there quick. From there, you can add in other strategies like paid ads to keep the momentum going. Matt also shares insights into how to recruit affiliates for your own book launch, how to structure a funnel, where people like to buy books, and why the world needs your message. What's Inside:How to use affiliate marketing to reach best-seller status.How to recruit affiliates for your launch.Why the world needs your message.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmTurn Your Passions into Profits

Here, I'm sharing a boat racing story from my childhood from back in May of 1982 with a lesson about entrepreneurship. It was an early Saturday morning, and I went to the Vermillion Boat Club Bowl with my family. We had been racing this for years and never won. There was a light breeze when we started, but it quickly died, which was rare for Lake Erie. There were also a ton of mosquitoes and flies, and because we slowed down, they landed all over us. They covered the seats in our boat, and I'll always remember my dad never taking his eyes off the sails.Eventually, it got foggy as well, and it was so still that it took us about four to five hours to get to the first mark. The wind picked up a little bit on the second leg and then some more on the third leg. We wound up blowing away all the other boats in our class because my dad took advantage of the little wind we had. The key takeaway from it all was to continue on even when things are moving slowly. As an entrepreneur or an author, just take a small step each day to keep things moving forward. Keep your boat moving and stay in motion towards your dreams. When you're consistent, you will do amazing things.What's Inside:A boat racing story from childhood with a lesson on entrepreneurship.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fm

Although you may not be familiar with TeeJ Mercer, chances are you're familiar with her work. For over two decades, she has worked on major Hollywood projects with A-list talent like Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, and Samuel L. Jackson. TeeJ has worked on movies like Shrek, The Incredibles, Cars, and The Chronicles of Narnia and for big name networks like Disney, ABC, and MTV. She's arguably the queen of visibility, influence, and authority, and she now leverages her experience to help authors, speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs book themselves in the media without a publicist. TeeJ shares insights into the first steps to take if you want to increase your visibility. It all starts with you believing you're the expert, and you don't have to wait for the media to give you that title. We talk about why it's important to approach the media from a service perspective instead of a promotional one. TeeJ and I also discuss the process for getting interviewed on TV, which involves dreaming national and thinking local. Other topics covered include how to target specific markets, what to talk about when featured, how to rock an interview, and how to use “newsjacking” to get media attention.  What's Inside:Why believing you are the expert is the first step to gaining media visibility.How to prepare for a successful interview.How to use “newsjacking” to get featured in the media.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmTeeJ's Newsjacking 101 Guide

Ryleigh Klimenko is a highly sought-after business sales coach. She specializes in helping high-ticket ambitious coaches and service providers seamlessly scale their businesses without awkward pitches. Ryleigh teaches high conversion, heart-centered conversational sales and has worked for Bank of America, TD Bank, and other top financial institutions. She's been published and interviewed by several top media outlets, including CBS, Fox, and NBC. Ryleigh's unique conversational sales flow will transform the way you sell while building confidence and breaking toxic sales practices. Ryleigh's revolutionary method is perfect for anyone who wants to create sustainable change in their business or career and make a lot of money along the way. Here, Ryleigh shares what inspired her to move away from corporate America and into entrepreneurship. We discuss why starting out with a high-ticket offer is best and Ryleigh's secrets to doubling your high-ticket enrollment numbers. We also talk about the importance of mapping out your dream life, the top four things people want from a sale, how to uncover what your prospects and clients need, and why believing in yourself is the most authentic way to attract clients.  What's Inside:Ryleigh's secrets to doubling your high-ticket enrollment. Why it's important to map out your dream life.How to uncover what your prospects and clients need.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fm

Lucas Marino is a doctor of engineering, project management professional, and a serial entrepreneur in the training business. Lucas is a former military engineer who spent 21 years as a naval and training manager in the United States Coast Guard. He's the founder of Marino Training and EAST Partnership and the co-founder of the Empire Builder's Masterclass. Lucas helps entrepreneurs and authors launch and sustain online training products. He's also a Thinkific expert, the host of the Conversations with Course Creators podcast, and author of the book Monetize Your Book with a Course. Course creation is a great way to create authority, visibility, and influence for yourself. Lucas and I talk about his Empire Builder's Masterclass that he hosts along with Honorée Corder. Many people have amazing courses but need help getting the marketing in place, and the Masterclass helps with this. We get into how Lucas' crowdsourced platform helps both instructors and affiliates and how he helps creators develop their curriculum. We also discuss partnerships, course marketing strategies with Swipe Files, and why a book is the best way to establish accessible authority. What's Inside:How Lucas helps course creators through the Empire Builder's Masterclass.How Lucas' crowdsourced platform helps both instructors and affiliatesWhy a book is the best way to establish accessible authority.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmMarino TrainingLucas Marino on LinkedInLucas Marino on Facebooklucas@marinotraining.com

After receiving degrees in poetry and creative writing, Carolyn Choate unexpectedly fell in love with sales and marketing funnels. Today, she helps coaches, speakers, and authors utilize funnels to connect with prospective clients, free up their time, and scale bigger. As a child, Carolyn loved looking at the descriptions of products in catalogues and she says she always loved marketing but didn't know it. Marketing gets a bad reputation, but Carolyn realized that so much of it is all about storytelling and connection. She decided to take marketing on as a career so she could help others come to the same realizations.Carolyn explains what funnels are and we discuss her main method of helping clients. Without a funnel in place, you could be missing out on a ton of leads and sales. The faster you get your funnel up and running, the faster you can generate passive income and scale your business. Carolyn offers VIP days with her clients where she gets them set up within a day. We also talk about different types of funnels, technical requirements, tips for developing your own funnel, and why you should start with a free opt in or lead magnet.What's Inside:The importance of having a sales funnel in place.How Carolyn helps her clients set up their own funnels.The technology needed to create a sales funnel.Funnel creation tips.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmFinanciallyFreeAuthor.com

Andre Loibl is the founder of Changenow.de where he helps people with their subconscious money blockages, allowing them to thrive in their businesses and do more things that they love. You can do amazing things if you get your mind right. Whether you're trying to start your own business or create authority and influence in the marketplace, it all starts with how you think of yourself and what you're worthy of. Here, Andre and I talk about “giving it all to God” and how powerful that kind of connection can be. We tend to only pray and ask God for things when we're desperate, but why not ask for the plan along the way?Andre shares insights about affirmations and trance states and how deep relaxation can help you tap into your subconscious mind and rewire your thoughts. We also talk about hypnosis and the differences between stage hypnosis and a more therapeutic approach. We discuss the most common problems Andre works through with clients along with a case study and how to enjoy the journey. Don't miss the end of the episode where Andre demonstrates his work and the power of trance.What's Inside:Andre's 30-second hack to solving issues around feeling unworthy.How to tap into the subconscious mind.A demo of Andre's work with trance states.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmChangenow.de

For this particular influence and authority piece, I'm interviewing myself! Virtual summits, or virtual events, are one of the best ways I know to make yourself visible and create instant authority. As an interviewer, you don't have to be the expert, but you can gain credibility and authority through association. Here, I'm sharing some quick ideas about virtual summits that get you in the mindset that you can do this. The beauty of a virtual summit is you can do one even if you're just starting out. As long as you know how to ask questions, it's an amazing way to build up an audience and email list, build authority quickly, and meet other partners. I dive into what exactly a virtual summit is and how they're structured so you can put one together. Unlike in-person events, online events are easy to attend and people can make a last-minute decision to join. You also benefit from exposure to the audiences of your guest speakers. Everything is scheduled in advance to minimize scrambling. I share the five key ingredients of a successful virtual summit and how can use them to sell products and services. I also share tips on attracting speakers and influencers.What's Inside:How a virtual summit creates authority.The 5 key ingredients of a successful virtual summit.How to attract speakers and influencers.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fm

Eric Van Der Hope is a three-time number-one internationally best-selling author, a book publishing shepherd, and a book launch strategist. His experience in digital and print publishing began in the late ‘90s. Eric's helped thousands of struggling content creators navigate the often-confusing publishing process and shorten the time it takes to become a published author. We've been talking a lot about authority, visibility, and influence lately and Eric has seven steps to develop an effective author platform. Here, we go into each of the steps and focus on a couple of them and how they can help.It's common for authors to start freaking out when they hear the word “platform”, but Eric's steps help make the process less overwhelming. Having a platform makes it much easier to launch your book with some momentum behind it. Eric and I talk about creating valuable content you're willing to give away for free, connecting with your tribe, and nurturing relationships. A huge part of building an effective platform is being as authentic as possible and Eric shares his wisdom about how he does this so well. What's Inside:Eric's 7 steps to developing an effective author platform.Why having a platform makes a book launch easier.Why being authentic is the key to a successful platform.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmEricVanDerHope.com

Derek Doepker's no stranger to the show. If you don't know his story, he went from being a broke valet parker to a best-selling author. He's sold over 100,000 books using free or low-cost strategies. Now, he shares those strategies with authors and helps them turn their passion for writing into thriving businesses. Derek's been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Success magazines, among other world-renowned publications. He's also the only person I know who sold a book to somebody who thought he was Deepak Chopra! Derek has one of the most responsive audiences out of everyone I know and he's here to share his secrets. Consistency in showing up through email and providing your list with valuable information is key.  Derek and I talk about ways to boost visibility without breaking the bank, why it's important to nurture your existing following, and how to repurpose emails into other forms of content to save time. Derek and I also discuss creative ways to engage your audience, how to deal with trolls, and how email compares to podcasting and speaking engagements.What's Inside:How to build visibility in your niche.Why it's important to nurture your existing audience and customers.How email compares to other modes of gaining visibility.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBestSellerSecrets.com

Liam Austin is the co-founder of Entrepreneurs HQ and a virtual event strategist. To date, Liam has launched over 15 successful virtual summits, averaging 10,000 attendees. He's also launched countless online events and workshops with a more intimate setting, hosted over 400 speakers, and educated over 100,000 business owners through his programs. Liam walks through his career journey and how he started his business empire. His motivation to focus on online events was driven by his desire for freedom and the ability to travel around the world.Liam and I discuss his strategy for driving attendance to online events and virtual summits and he shares a detailed presentation with a ton of great tips and details. Collecting leads is important, but it's also key to give people the opportunity to buy products and services so you can generate revenue right away. Traditional sales webinars often feel salesy and people are expecting that pitch at the end. Liam shares a different approach through a 90-minute virtual workshop. Through his strategy, you can take your leads through a series of steps and get them to your high-ticket offer.What's Inside:How to use a 90-minute workshop to generate leads and drive sales.How to attract your ideal clients through event design.Steps to take your clients from free offerings to high ticket offers.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmEntrepreneurs HQ

Anthony Garcia is the founder of Catapulting Commissions Inc. and an expert in sales training, goal achievement, and motivating business professionals to peak performance. Anthony's here to talk about achieving sales in your first 90 days. He started his career at the age of 22 and spent 20 years building sales teams for large corporations. As he was building out these teams, Anthony realized he didn't see the same things happening in the small business community. Four years ago, he founded Catapulting Commissions where he builds sales processes and systems for service-based professionals.Sales are often one of the scariest subjects for authors, and Anthony and I discuss how he gets people out of that fear state. One of the ways to get over those fears is to hear feedback directly from their ideal customer through a discovery call. We also talk about the steps to take in your first 90 days to drive sales. Anthony shares tips on how to avoid common sales mistakes, pricing, market research, and how to position yourself as a problem solver. He also shares his wisdom about selling high ticket offers. What's Inside:How to overcome fears about selling.What to do in your first 90 days to make a sale.Tips for selling high ticket offers.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmCatapulting Commissions Academy

If you don't already know Paul Brodie, he's a 20-time best-selling author. As the CEO of Brodie Consulting, he's launched 79 consecutive best-selling books for his clients, even amidst all the nonsense going on with Amazon right now. Lately, Amazon has been having issues with the algorithm and they've been really annoying. Part of the issue is that they're not tracking sales correctly. Paul has launched four books in the last two weeks and here, we chat about how things went and what's different.If you're planning an Amazon launch, it's important to have fail-safes and backup plans so you can stay on track. Paul's company allows authors to outsource those headaches and stressors to him and his team instead. Paul and I discuss his process to help navigate the Amazon publishing process and fight glitches, promo strategies for launches, and how to use the KDP select free launch phase. We also cover the items on his pre-launch best-seller checklist.What's Inside:The changes and glitches in the Amazon algorithm.Why it's important to have a backup plan when publishing on Amazon.Paul's pre-launch best-seller checklist.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBrodie Consulting Group

Rob Kosberg is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best-selling author. He's the founder of Best Seller Publishing and has been featured in some of the biggest media outlets in the country. Rob has spoken to tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants on how to stop hunting for clients and instead position themselves as the hunted. Rob and I have talked zillions of times and here, we're discussing examples of some of Rob's clients and whether or not it's worth striving for best-seller status.Your book is about authority and credibility and positions you as the expert or thought leader in your space. Becoming a best-seller brings you to the next level. It makes a difference when you want speaking engagements, running paid ads, and when you're speaking to high-profile customers. Rob shares success stories, including a bit about how he was able to reposition himself as an expert. We also talk about Rob's workshops, high ticket offers, and a bit about email marketing, ads, and sales funnels. What's Inside:How Rob helps his clients position themselves as thought leaders in their niche.How Rob was able to reposition himself as an expert in his field.Tips on email marketing, paid ads, and sales funnels.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBest Seller PublishingPublishPromoteProfit.com

I'm back with Derek Doepker and in case you don't know his story, he went from being a broke valet parking attendant to a best-selling author. He's sold over 100,000 books using free or low-cost marketing strategies. Today, he shares those strategies with his fellow authors to empower them to turn their passion for writing into businesses and rewarding careers. I got to know Derek by originally being a member of his email list and eventually buying one of his courses. The reason why we wanted to talk about email marketing for authors is because it made me a super fan of Derek's and it's led to my introductions to many other folks in the business.Many authors start out with email marketing by creating an opt-in but never follow through. Here, Derek dispels all the email marketing myths and provides valuable secrets and tips that can help you succeed. We talk about how to overcome the intimidation factor, how to create your own unique strategy and set expectations, and the value of an email list in Derek's business. We also discuss referrals, collaborating with other authors, and where to find inspiration to write great emails for your audience.What's Inside:Email marketing secrets and tips for authors.How to develop your own custom email marketing strategy.The value of collaborating with other authors and cross-promotion.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmDerekDoepker.com

Amy Dix is a two-time international best-selling author. She's also a sought-after keynote speaker, professional artist, founder of Authority Speakers Agency, and one of the happiest people I've ever met! Before she became the queen of speaking, Amy wrote a business-focused book that allowed her to see the business side of what a speaking career had to offer. Then, she wrote a more motivational book which helped her see the full picture. This session is all about the secrets of best sellers and here, Amy and I get into how authors can make the transition into speaking gigs. Amy shares tips on which comes first: your book or speaking opportunities. It all depends on where your passions are, so if speaking lights you up, you don't have to wait until you're published. Once your book is finished, you can use that as leverage to gain credibility in your niche and book more events. You can also sell copies of your book at events in a number of different ways. Amy and I discuss how to speak at different stages, who to contact if you want to start speaking, and how virtual summits can help you find your audience.What's Inside:Why you shouldn't wait until your book is done to pursue speaking gigs.How to leverage your book to land more speaking opportunities.How to use virtual summits to gain experience and find your audience.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmAuthority Speakers Agency Website

Philip Duncan is an award-winning and Amazon best-selling author. He's also the host of the Powerhouse Authoring Summit. Philip's success story is a great example of an author who knows exactly how to build an audience. Almost two years ago, Philip and I discussed working together on one of my done-for-you summit services, but it wasn't in his budget at the time. A year later, I sent him info on a pilot program for my lower-investment Summit Lab course and he went for it. Six months later, Philip hosted the Powerhouse Fiction Summit, and today, he's in the middle of another summit that's crushing it. It's even beating my own numbers from a recent summit!When Philip first heard about summits, he was skeptical. After taking Summit Lab, he realized it was something he wanted to get into, especially since he was looking for a way out of his day job. In March 2022, he launched his first summit, and it was a game changer. Philip took a lot of risks to get to where he is today and they're paying off in a big way. Here, we talk about what he learned from his first summit and how he created a follow-up program for authors. Philip also shares his numbers from his first and most recent summits, the value of business relationships and a solid email list, and details on his core offer.What's Inside:Philip's virtual summit journey and lessons learned.The importance of an email list and business relationships.Details on Philip's core offer and his plans for the future.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmPhilip@PhilipSDuncan.comPowerhouseAuthoringSummit.com

Jackie Lapin helps leaders and authors get booked faster, easier, and more frequently through her company, SpeakerTunity. She also does done-for-you radio and podcast tours for authors and has a lot of wisdom to share with those who want to create a speaking career from their book. Jackie is passionate about helping people gain the visibility they deserve, as they've poured their heart and soul into publishing their work. She started her career as one of the first female sports writers in America. Jackie then started her own public relations agency. As that was winding down, she wrote two books herself in personal growth. She then changed gears to serve conscious authors and creators.SpeakerTunity started as a subscription service to provide speaking leads all over the nation. It has since evolved and grown to include more in-demand offerings, like podcasting. Jackie and I discuss what to do if you're a new author interested in starting your speaking career. She recommends having a great pitch letter that summarizes your vision and story and having both a hard copy and a digital copy of your book.  We also talk about virtual summits, the best ideas for freebies and giveaways, interview tips, and more.What's Inside:—How and why Jackie created her company, SpeakerTunity.—First steps to take if you're an author pursuing a speaking career.—How to find and book virtual summit speaking gigs.—Ideas for freebies and giveaways.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmSpeakerTunity.com

Alfonso Inclan is an entrepreneur who helps investors, authors, public speakers, and other entrepreneurs write books and become best-sellers in order to promote their businesses. He's based in Phoenix, AZ close to where I live, and is also a successful real estate investor. Alfonso's work is focused on helping Hispanic entrepreneurs and he's had an incredible journey so far. One of the things he works on with clients is helping them craft a persuasive narrative to turn their readers into customers. Alfonso started by writing his own best-selling book and many people started asking him how he did it. At first, he helped family and friends which then led to him opening his own academy for aspiring best-selling authors.Building confidence and trust with your readers is a huge factor in long-term success, both as an author and a business owner. Alfonso and I discuss the importance of having the right title for your book, as well as cover design and what content to include inside. We also talk about how to plant seeds to lead your readers to more offerings, a story about Robert Kiyosaki, and the delay between a reader buying your book and investing in your products or services. What's Inside:How Alfonso helps his clients publish best-selling books to promote their business.The importance of having the right book title.How to plant seeds in your book that lead to your offerings and services.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmAlfonso Inclan on LinkedInAlfonsoInclan.com

My friend, Alinka Rutkowska, is the founder and CEO of Leaders Press. She's also a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author and a top 100 Amazon best-selling author in business and money. Alinka has sold over 100,000 copies of her books. Her book creation process has been showcased in Entrepreneur magazine and she's been featured in several top media outlets, including ABC, NBC, and Fox Business. She's also the founder of LibraryBub, which connects independent authors with over 10,000 librarians worldwide.Alinka's been on the show before, and here, we talk about how she started Leaders Press. Her done-for-you concept has helped several thought leaders establish authority in their niche. Alinka shares tips on how to take your own book to best-seller status on today's top lists. Along with ads and promotions, Alinka uses email marketing and influencer networking to take her clients to the next level. She shares the details of her strategy from beginning to book launch, the criteria used to qualify an author on the most popular best-seller lists, and how being in an anthology can be a shortcut to best-selling status.What's Inside:—How to get on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author lists.—Why networking and having the right connections is the key to a successful book launch.—How Alinka's anthologies can serve as a shortcut to success.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmLeaders Press

Kent Sanders is the author and co-author of several amazing books, including 18 Words to Live By, The Artist's Suitcase, and The Faith of Elvis, which he wrote with Elvis' stepbrother, Billy Stanley. Kent is also the host of The Daily Writer Podcast as well as the founder of The Daily Writer Club, a membership community for writers who are building a business. Kent's here to share his story as well as what you can do to get your own podcast going, which is incredibly useful to authors looking to establish authority and grow an audience.Kent spent time as the music director at a church and had a teaching career. After 10 years, he realized he wanted to build a side business, and he began freelance writing. He built his side hustle up to a point where he was able to quit his full-time teaching job and he's now a full-time ghostwriter. He also coaches and helps authors through his online community and podcast. Kent loves the power words have in the world and loves to share that with others. We discuss how Kent got his ghostwriting career off the ground, how to analyze your podcast listener data and statistics, how frequently to record and release podcast episodes, how to develop content, and more.What's Inside:How podcasting has allowed Kent to grow a full-time ghostwriting career.How to analyze your podcasting data and statistics.How often to record and release podcast episodes.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmDailyWriterLife.com/Free

If you've ever been a participant in a virtual summit, you may have wondered how you could create a similar experience for others. Virtual summits are not only profitable, but they help you build your audience as well. I had the opportunity to be part of one of Derek Doepker's summits and here, we dive into how authors can collaborate with experts in their niche to create a winning summit of their own. You can create a valuable asset without carrying all of the burden. We kick off by talking about my own story and journey into creating summits and all the benefits that come with hosting these events. Summits are the perfect way to build a business from your book and generate income beyond royalties. One of the biggest benefits of virtual summits is how much they boost your email list. They also boost your authority in the field, which sets you up to do more summits and events in the future. Derek and I discuss the value of the relationships you make and maintain with summit speakers. We chat about who is the best fit for a virtual summit and the importance of having a purpose in mind before getting started. Other topics we discuss include tips for hosting your first summit, creating courses and offers, how to find people to speak at your summits and how to reach out.What's Inside:My story and why I decided to get into virtual summits.The value of building relationships with summit speakers.Tips for putting together the perfect virtual summit.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmTheSummitGuy.com

Kris Safarova is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon best-selling author. She's an entrepreneur and consultant with extensive experience in online businesses and publishing and has been in business for over 12 years. Kris has written more than 20 books and publishing is very close to her heart. Kris and I are also working on some projects together as well. Here, she shares her wisdom about how to maximize your chances of your own book becoming a best-seller on an ongoing basis. It's one thing to hit the top of the charts and head right back down to zero, but ideally, we want to stay there at the top over time. When Kris put her first book on Amazon, she realized how powerful publishing is. Receiving emails from all over the world from her readers who got results is something she cherishes. Today, she primarily serves two types of clients: entrepreneurs and people looking to develop top management consulting skills. Amazon has become a sort of resume potential clients check and through publishing books, you can establish yourself as an authority figure. Kris provides her best tips on where to start if you're looking to make your book a success. We also discuss what to include in your book, how updating your book helps sustain growth, and the type of content to include in your book to provide the most value. What's Inside:How Kris became a best-selling author and authority in her field.How updating your book helps you sustain growth.What types of book content provide the most value for readers.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fm29 Steps to "Outsource" Your Book

Brynne Tillman is the CEO of Social Sales Link which helps sales professionals have better sales conversations through the power of LinkedIn. Brynne's been in sales since she graduated college and she says she became a LinkedIn expert by accident. Although she loved the problem-solving aspects of sales, she didn't like cold calling. Brynne dreamed of having access to her clients' Rolodex and today, LinkedIn can provide the same information. For the last 12 years, she's been teaching folks how to use LinkedIn for business development.There's no cheating in sales and it takes a lot of hard work. However, by using the right LinkedIn strategy, you can make the process easier. Brynne shares her recommendations on how to use LinkedIn if you're an author just starting out. Your branding as an author is super important and your LinkedIn page should have the right graphics and links. If you're brand new to LinkedIn, start with your existing connections and go from there. Brynne and I discuss who LinkedIn is and isn't for, why you should create an email list on the side, why you shouldn't automate or schedule LinkedIn posts, and more.What's Inside:How to structure your LinkedIn page as an author.How to start networking on LinkedIn.Why having an email list is important.Why automating LinkedIn posts is a bad idea.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmSocial Sales Link

Sarah Jolley Jarvis specializes in helping people build the businesses of their dreams on their own terms. She's an international best-selling author and a multi-six-figure business owner and she's an expert on turning your passion into profits. Sarah started her career in medical device sales about 17 years ago in the UK and learned a lot about selling and building relationships. After the birth of her first child, she realized she couldn't go back to her original job while raising a family. Sarah then decided to dip her toes in the online business world and today, she continues to help clients excel in sales and marketing. It's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks of our business and we lose sight of the bigger picture. No one wants to be the best-kept secret in their niche and Sarah shows her clients how to get in front of their ideal audience. Many of us authors write our books in the hopes we won't have to be sleazy with sales, but there are ways to sell ethically and still be successful. In her book, Selling Without Sleaze, Sarah explains why finding your ideal client makes sales authentic and genuine. We talk about why mindset is important in sales, how to identify your target audience, how to set and advertise your pricing, and what to cover on a client discovery call.What's Inside:Why sales and marketing don't have to be sleazy How to find your target audience and client baseHow to set the price for your products and servicesHow to structure a discovery callMentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmSelling Without Sleaze - Book

Troy Broussard is my mentor, friend, and coach. I use several of his amazing software products. Troy is a prolific content and offers creator and here, we're talking about how to create great things from the back end of your book. Troy's services make me look like a champ to my clients, and his RedirectMe.io platform has been a game changer. We get into the benefit of QR codes and how they could help you capture more leads. We also talk about how to use Amazon and whether or not it's more beneficial to sell books in more unconventional ways. Technology is advancing at a fast pace and as an author, it's worth keeping up with the latest trends.First and foremost, it's important to know your objective and start with a goal in mind. Staying alive in business should be your goal and it's no secret that Amazon isn't going to help you retire early. Troy talks about why it's important to know your end goal before you even start writing. We discuss what to do if your first book wasn't written that way and what you might be able to do to turn things around. We also talk about how breaking content up can help you make more sales, the advantages of private book sales, why it's important to understand your target demographic, and more.What's Inside:How technology is changing and which tools authors should use to boost sales.Why you should start writing a book with an end goal in mind.How to break up content to make more sales and elevate your authority and brand.The advantages of private book sales.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmRedirectMe.ioTroy Broussard

Sales, marketing, and automation are all things that scare authors, but they're the fundamentals of building a business from your book. Tim Hyde is a fixer, a Keep Certified Partner, and an authority in these scary topics, which we're diving into here. After founding one of Australia's first social media sites, Tim has since moved on to help businesses convert more of the attention they create from their digital marketing efforts. Over the last eight years, he's worked with more than 1,000 business owners in 36 countries to help them optimize their sales and marketing strategies. He focuses on CRM, sales life cycle, and marketing automation.Tim found that his clients only had part of the puzzle when it came to attracting attention, and the missing piece was marketing. Writing a book is only part of the customer journey, and we need to move people from one part to the next. When you nurture your readers, you can then turn them into high-ticket clients over time. Tim walks through how he makes marketing less overwhelming for his clients and shares some practical tips you can use in your own business. We also talk about overcoming icky feelings about sales and how to get started if you're an author who's brand new to sales.What's Inside:How Tim helps authors build a sales lifecycle and master marketing.Why it's important to move your readers along on the customer journey.How to overcome resistance to selling.Where to start if you're a sales beginner.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmWinMoreClients.com.au

Melanie Benson is an authority brand amplifier for expert-preneurs. She's also the host of the Amplify Your Success Podcast where she shows you how to stand out in a crowded market and attract high-paying clients and opportunities. Melanie's been in business for 21 years and has a proven track record of accelerating results for her clients. In fact, it's not uncommon for them to experience a revenue increase of up to five times in the first six months. As a business coach, Melanie searched for ways to set herself apart from the competition and consistently be seen by clients looking for solutions. After doing some speaking, Melanie launched her podcast which allowed her to share her expertise without being a road warrior. Podcasting allows you to transform the lives of people you'd never encounter otherwise. Melanie shares tips for authors who want to get into podcasting, and explains the differences between hosting and being a guest. Guesting is a great way to build momentum before launching your own show. Most podcast hosts are looking for authority figures who can provide value for their audience, and if you have a book, you're ahead of the game. We dive into how to pitch to podcasts and how to choose a topic, which isn't always the name of your book.  Melanie also shares how to structure a “podcast tour” to promote your book or services and why having a plan is important.What's Inside:How Melanie used podcasting to elevate her business.Why being a podcast guest can help you build momentum.How to pitch to podcast hosts and choose the right topic.How to structure a podcast tour to promote your book.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmMelanieBenson.com/bookprofit

Chris Kyle is a coach, teacher, and e-learning expert. He's also the founder and CEO of Launch Academy, a deep-dive online training program community to help authors, speakers, and experts create and launch profitable online courses. Chris is the co-author of the number one best-selling book Internet Marketing Secrets. He started as a coach doing one-on-one work with business owners and entrepreneurs and then received a full-time Chief Marketing/Development Officer role through a client where he created courses with some of the world's most well-known teachers. Chris fell in love with the e-learning space and eventually started Launch Academy, which has been his focus over the last several years.Today, there are so many opportunities for authors to create amazing online courses and teach their passion. Your book is your calling card and what brings you visibility, but it's often not your primary money maker. Chris recommends that authors shift their mindset from selling books to finding a way to teach the material. Launching a course is a great way to make a ton of money and build a sustainable community and audience along the way. We discuss how and when to launch your online course and how to set up the right system. We also talk about why tech isn't the most important thing in creating a course, how to step through imposter syndrome, the essential elements of a great online course, and why courses are key in creating a community.What's Inside:How Chris got into the e-learning space and founded Launch Academy.Why authors should shift their mindset and commit to developing a course.The myth that tech is the most important component of an online course.The essential elements of creating a great course.Why courses are key in creating a community around your message. Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmChrisKyle.com/ebook

Dr. Gena Lester is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and professional speaker. She's also an educator with over 20 years of experience in college admissions counseling. Dr. Gena helps business owners, coaches, and consultants take their skills into the entrepreneurial world by developing their "uniquely you” formula. Through this formula, her clients develop their passions and become more successful on their journey. After working as an admissions counselor for several years, Dr. Gena was inspired to write her first book, which was geared toward helping the average student. She then moved towards creating a program that was more affordable for families and offered more support than a high school counselor provides. After experiencing success with her book, Dr. Gena looked for ways to expand her offerings outside of the one-on-one, in-person work she was doing. She then took her signature formula which she outlines in her book and created an online course. She started her business in 2019 and experienced triple growth over the last several years! Dr. Gena shares tips on how to get started if you're an author looking to develop an online course of your own. We also discuss designing a business around your own personal preferences, how to shift your mindset around competition, and advice for aspiring online course creators.What's Inside:How Dr. Gena developed a highly successful online course from her first book.Where to start when developing a business from your book.How to design a business on your own terms.Advice for aspiring online course creators. Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmEducation Prep Centers

Since 2015, Paul Brodie has launched 71 consecutive best sellers for his clients through his book launch service. He's also a best-selling author himself and has written and published several books. Paul lets me pick his brain on making money after the book and has some great advice for authors. He shares his go-to method for doing business with authors, which includes a high-ticket offer. Paul attracts his clients in a number of different ways, including podcasts, websites, summits, books, and referrals. He runs one summit a few times a year and interviews some of his top affiliates. This year, he's letting his speakers pick the topics to change things up.Word-of-mouth referrals bring in a ton of business for Paul and he's always refining his list to keep only the most interested and engaged audience members. Many people stall themselves because they think they need to have a perfect launch right out the gate but done is better than perfect. Your book positions you as a subject matter expert and allow you to leverage your business and your brand. Even though you may not make millions from your first book, selling copies after your speaking gigs can help you make connections with potential clients and a book is way more powerful than a business card. We wrap up by talking about the next steps authors can take to start building out their business. What's Inside:Different ways to attract clients for high ticket offers with your book. How to use your book to build authority. Next steps for authors to take to build a business.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmBrodieConsultingGroup.com

Heather Dempsey is a business coach who specializes in emotional health, mindset, and the psychology of business. She focuses on helping introverts, highly sensitive people (HSP), and those struggling with anxiety show up powerfully and comfortably in their businesses by creating radical mindset transformations. Heather and I discuss the roadblocks authors often face after publishing our first books, dealing with imposter syndrome, and not knowing what to do next. She helps her clients carve out a path to public speaking, live coaching, and workshops based on their book, which also uncovers valuable market research.You can create a whole new business from your book, and completing your book is just the beginning. Many readers will look for more when they're finished with a book, so offering programs or the next steps can be a game changer. It's easy for authors to put themselves in the writer box, but the truth is that the audience wants more than words, they want guidance. Authors can use this knowledge to develop offerings to further their credibility, better support their audience, and make a lot of money along the way. What's Inside:Roadblocks authors face when launching a business from their books.How to change your mindset and overcome imposter syndrome.Why taking imperfect action is the key to success.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmHeatherADempsey.com

If you need a crash course in publicity, you came to the right place! Jill Lublin is a four-time best-selling author, international speaker, and master publicity expert. She helps authors get book deals and teaches a virtual publicity course. Jill's books include Guerrilla Publicity and The Profit of Kindness, which went number one in four different categories. “How do I get publicity?” is one of the most common questions authors have, and here, Jill demystifies the process. Jill became a publicity expert out of her own frustrations with getting her message out, as both a businessperson and an author. Today, her system helps authors and entrepreneurs create messages that matter and get out there.When it comes to getting publicity, it all starts with your message, which should come before your book. You can get started with promoting your work way before your book is finished or published, even if it's just a simple 500-word blog post. You can start integrating the name of your book in your messaging as well to start getting noticed. Just like growing a garden, publicity for your book should be planned in advance so you can bloom when you're ready to launch. Whether you're planning your first book or your 50th, Jill's tips can help you take your publicity to the next level.What's Inside:Where to start when setting out to get publicity.Why publicity for a book should be planned in advance.How to get featured in media outlets.Mentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmJillLublin.comPublicityCrashCourse.com/FreeGift

Derek Doepker has achieved best-selling author status multiple times. When I first got to know Derek, he helped me with audiobooks, and he's got an amazing instructional course on them. Derek's also a rock musician as well as a successful digital entrepreneur and I'm always learning something new from him. He's got a ton of great tips around email and here, he's sharing his tips and tricks. Building a business off the back end of our books is a major goal for us authors, and you can take things to the next level with a smart email strategy.Although you can grow your audience in many different ways, having an email list is one of the best ways to do so. Through an email list, you can keep the relationship going with your readers through personal messages and share upcoming books and product launches. You can even funnel people from your social media into your email list, which can help you stay focused. Derek breaks down list building and list engagement and gives his recommendations on where to start. The frequency and type of communication will be up to you, but Derek shares fundamental principles to help you stay consistent. We also discuss how a solid list can help you make quick cash and test out new concepts.What's Inside:Why you don't need a huge audience to have a successful email listHow to get an email list up and running if you're just getting startedHow an email list can boost your revenue on demandMentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmDerekDoepker.com

International keynote speaker Adam Houlahan specializes in LinkedIn strategies for entrepreneurs. He's the CEO of a global LinkedIn agency called Prominence Global. Adam hosts one of the world's largest free online LinkedIn training events with thousands of people registering five times a year. He's considered to be one of the world's leading experts in harnessing the power of LinkedIn for business.  Adam shares his journey and how he was led to be a powerful authority in the LinkedIn space.If you have a book but are struggling to connect it with your business, making strategic updates could make a huge difference. You can even do re-releases and have a strategic launch plan and marketing strategy to boost your audience and get more people to purchase. Adam shares the outlets where he prefers to sell his books, as it's always to your advantage to have your book available on multiple platforms, not just Amazon. Books can be a great way to lead your audience to higher ticket offers, which is something Adam has mastered. Trust and credibility are two of the biggest factors in getting speaking events and taking your business to the next level, and books are one of the best ways to position yourself as a leader.What's Inside:How Adam came to dominate the LinkedIn spaceHow to update your book to better connect it to your businessHow to use your book to lead customers to other offersWhich types of authors and businesses benefit the most from LinkedInMentioned In This Episode:Ray.fmProminence Global