Before The Bestseller

BTB113: Mastering B2B SaaS Pricing: Niche Marketing, Content Strategy, and Harnessing Expertise for Business Growth with Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt Dec 09, 2024

We’re back with Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt, a leading expert in B2B SaaS pricing, who has worked with—and is the go-to pricing partner for—some of the biggest names in the industry, including Microsoft Western Europe, SamsungNEXT, Intel IGNITE, SAP.io, Bosch Growth, and top private equity and VC funds.
In this episode, Ulrik shares his marketing journey, emphasizing that success comes through trial and error, with persistence being key—even when certain strategies don't work out. He also reveals how he uses LinkedIn to share helpful tips based on real conversations with clients.
Ulrik talks about how his book has generated leads for his consulting business by focusing on the niche area of B2B SaaS pricing. He explains why pricing is a critical yet often misunderstood aspect for businesses, creating high demand for expertise in the field. He also highlights the power of specialized knowledge and how it can help businesses stand out in a competitive market.
Tune in for valuable lessons on niche marketing, content creation, and leveraging expertise to fuel business growth—and get a sneak peek into Ulrik's upcoming book update, where he’ll dive even deeper into these strategies!
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/66GYGAa
Visit his website here: willingnesstopay.com
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB112: The Pricing Roadmap | Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt Dec 02, 2024

Today, we’re joined by Ulrik Lehrskov-Schmidt, a leading expert in B2B SaaS pricing, who has worked with—and is the preferred pricing partner of—some of the biggest names in the industry, including Microsoft Western Europe, SamsungNEXT, Intel IGNITE, SAP.io, Bosch Growth, and several top private equity and VC funds. With a strong academic background in analytical philosophy and finance from Harvard, and having successfully exited three businesses, Ulrik is widely recognized for his expertise in optimizing pricing strategies. In his book The Pricing Roadmap, he outlines how businesses can build pricing models that drive revenue while still delivering great value to customers. In our conversation, he shares his top strategies for SaaS pricing, how to avoid common pricing mistakes, and why focusing on outcomes can transform a business’s approach to pricing. Don’t miss this episode as Ulrik reveals powerful strategies for optimizing your SaaS pricing and explains how focusing on outcomes can accelerate growth and unlock new value for your business!
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/66GYGAa
Visit his website here: willingnesstopay.com
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB111: Nir Eyal on Self-Publishing, Email Lists, and Organic Growth: Building an Audience and Marketing Strategies for Authors Nov 25, 2024

In this episode, we're back with Nir Eyal, speaker, behavioral design expert, and bestselling author of Hooked and Indistractable. Nir takes us through his journey from self-publishing to achieving success as a traditionally published author. He reveals the strategies that helped him build a strong audience, such as creating engaging content, gathering early feedback, and fostering a loyal community. Nir highlights the importance of engaging with readers early on and shares how his innovative crowd-editing strategy helped build a network of contributors who spread the word about his book.
Additionally, Nir offers valuable tips for authors, including the importance of crafting original content with fresh perspectives, cultivating genuine connections with readers, and targeting problem-solving communities that are more likely to engage and share the book. This episode provides essential insights on timing, marketing, and community-building—perfect for authors at any stage of their journey.
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/2pcLeT0
Check out Nir Eyal’s website here: www.nirandfar.com
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB110: Hooked | Nir Eyal Nov 18, 2024

In this episode, we welcome Nir Eyal, a renowned author, speaker, and expert in the field of behavioral design. His curiosity about how people form habits and make decisions shaped his writing, particularly in his books Hooked and Indistractable. Hooked explores the psychology behind building habit-forming products, while Indistractable dives into the root causes of distraction, offering practical tools to help people regain focus and manage their habits.
Nir delves into powerful insights on how habits are formed and how we can take control of our attention in a world full of distractions. He shares strategies like his 10-Minute Rule—a simple but effective tool to resist distractions and stay focused—and discusses why most distractions stem from internal emotional triggers.
If you're looking to boost your productivity, build lasting habits, or take control of your attention in today's distraction-filled world, Nir’s practical insights and curiosity-driven strategies will guide you to greater focus and self-discipline. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on human behavior and habit formation!
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/2pcLeT0
Check out Nir Eyal’s website here: www.nirandfar.com
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB109: Growing 2 Million+ Followers: LinkedIn Content Creation and Marketing Strategies for Real Engagement with Award-winning AI and Automation Expert Pascal Bornet Nov 11, 2024

In this episode, Pascal Bornet, award-winning AI and automation expert, keynote speaker, influencer, and best-selling author, shares how he became successful in his field and built a strong personal brand. His book, Irreplaceable: The Rise of Human-AI Collaboration, has sold over 4,000 copies within just six weeks of its release, with a goal of reaching 20,000 to 25,000 copies in the next year.
Pascal frequently shares articles, updates, and insights on LinkedIn about AI, automation, and the future of work. His posts include personal reflections, industry trends, thought leadership pieces, and practical advice on how businesses and individuals can leverage AI. He also engages directly with his audience by sharing real-life use cases, success stories, and discussions on human-AI collaboration. In addition to LinkedIn, Pascal runs the website irreplaceable.ai, where he shares articles and resources designed to help individuals and organizations thrive in an AI-driven world. The site also promotes his book Irreplaceable and offers tools for staying relevant in the age of automation.
His career took off with the release of his first book, Intelligent Automation, in 2020. Published during the COVID-19 pandemic, it addressed the urgent need for automation solutions as businesses faced unprecedented challenges. This success helped him grow his LinkedIn following, secure speaking engagements, and ultimately leave his corporate job to become an independent entrepreneur.
Pascal emphasizes that authenticity, passion, and offering real value are the key ingredients for building a personal brand and growing an engaged online following. With over 2 million followers across social media platforms—1.4 million of them on LinkedIn alone—he discusses how focusing on genuine, impactful content—whether educational, emotional, or even humorous—has played a major role in his success.
With Irreplaceable, Pascal’s goal is to help people remain relevant in the face of increasing automation, aiming to train more than 1 million people to become irreplaceable in their careers. Those interested can join the community on his website or find the book on Amazon.
Whether you're an aspiring author, entrepreneur, or content creator, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to share your passion, stay authentic, and create a lasting impact online.
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/bdUsTTl
Check out Pascal Bornet’s website here: www.irreplaceable.ai

If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com

Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB108: Irreplaceable | Thriving in an AI-Driven World with Pascal Bornet Nov 04, 2024

Today, we’re diving into the captivating world where humanity meets artificial intelligence with award-winning AI & Automation Expert, Keynote Speaker, Influencer and Best-Selling Author with over two million followers, Pascal Bornet. Join us as we chat with thought leader Pascal, who unpacks his groundbreaking book, Irreplaceable.
We explore how AI is reshaping our world and what it means for our uniquely human abilities. From genuine creativity and critical thinking to social authenticity, Pascal reveals the essential skills we need to thrive in an increasingly automated future. Tune in to discover practical insights on embracing our humanity while leveraging technology to create value and connection. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that challenges us to redefine what it means to be human in the age of AI!
Learn more about his book here: https://a.co/d/bdUsTTl
Check out Pascal Bornet’s website here: www.irreplaceable.ai
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Visit our website here: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB107: What is a Successful Book Funnel and what does it look like with Smart Author Media founder Chris Benetti Oct 21, 2024

In this episode, we’re back with Chris Benetti, founder of Smart Author Media and host of the Smart Author podcast, for a deep dive into book marketing strategies and the evolving landscape of selling books. Chris highlights the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting marketing approaches, particularly emphasizing the effectiveness of Amazon ads for straightforward book sales. He also mentions the potential of TikTok Shop ads, though they require a lot of creative effort. We touch on book funnels, where Chris explains how they can help authors not only sell books but also convert readers into clients by offering valuable upsells. He emphasizes the need for excellent content that encourages sharing, suggesting that a truly valuable product is the foundation of effective marketing. Tune in as we explore the intricacies of lead generation, audience engagement, and the necessity of continuous testing to find what works best for each author’s unique context.
Check out Chris Benetti’s website at smartauthormedia.com

BTB106: Converting Readers Into Clients with Smart Author Media founder Chris Benetti Oct 14, 2024

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Chris Benetti, founder of Smart Author Media and host of the Smart Author podcast, who has sold over 40,000 books and invested nearly a million dollars in advertising, collaborating with industry leaders like Ryan Deiss, the author of Get Scalable. We dive deep into Chris's insights on crafting nonfiction books that resonate with readers and convert them into leads.
We talk about strategies like conducting an "ask campaign" to gather valuable insights from clients, which can help shape your book’s content. Chris also highlights the common challenges authors face, such as how to balance book sales with actually converting those readers into clients and explore the need for books to serve as conversion tools rather than just personal achievements. Chris emphasizes the importance of clear calls to action and even suggests trying out split testing to refine your marketing strategy. If you’re a nonfiction author looking to write impactful books and build trust with your audience, you won’t want to miss this one!
You can check out his website at smartauthormedia.com

BTB105: Before The Bestseller | Friday Sessions: Insights on Amazon Ads, Systematized Book Marketing, and Influencer Connections Oct 07, 2024

We’re back with another episode of our Friday Sessions featuring Laura Russom, Director of Author Success. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Kat Finnerty, author of Never Let a Good Disaster Go to Waste: Making Sense of a Life of Absurdity, A Memoir. Kat shares her inspiring journey of writing her memoir, encapsulating struggles like personal betrayal and the complexities of book marketing.
In this session, we take a closer look at how Amazon ads function and the typical hurdles authors run into, particularly with profitability, shedding light on the common frustrations of the publishing landscape. We explore effective strategies for engaging with podcasts and building relationships with micro-influencers, emphasizing the importance of having a solid system for content creation. Additionally, we talk about finding the right balance between quality and quantity in marketing outreach, offering tips for boosting visibility while maintaining a practical focus on delivering real value to readers. Join us as we navigate collaborative learning opportunities in systematized book marketing.
You can check out Kat Finnerty’s book here.
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
Check out our website here.

BTB104: Before The Bestseller | Friday Sessions: From Gathering Amazon Reviews to Building Author Communities Sep 30, 2024

Today, we’re featuring a special episode from one of our Friday Sessions with Laura Russom, our Director of Author Success to share valuable insights from our years of experience in the community. This session aims to equip authors with essential tools and deepen their understanding of the publishing industry!
We’re excited to welcome three amazing authors: Brooke Bussard, MD, author of Chew On This: Bite-Sized Stories about Nutrition; Nathan Tanner, who wrote The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game and Not Your Parents' Workplace: Critical Lessons for Interns and Young Professionals; and Susan Keller, whose works include Blood Brother: A Memoir and Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip. Together, we’ll explore effective book marketing strategies and the crucial role of gathering Amazon reviews.
Join us as we dive into practical tips for collecting reviews, leveraging personal connections, and using storytelling to engage potential reviewers. We’ll address common challenges authors face, discuss ethical practices for requesting feedback, and provide actionable steps to boost visibility and sales. This session is packed with valuable advice to enhance your book’s reach and foster a supportive community!
Be sure to check out the books by our featured authors:
Brooke Bussard, MD:
Chew On This: Bite-Sized Stories about Nutrition
Nathan Tanner:
The Unconquerable Leader: Mastering the Internal and External Game and
Not Your Parents' Workplace: Critical Lessons for Interns and Young Professionals
Susan Keller:
Blood Brother: A Memoir and
Mostly Sober: A Love Story and a Road Trip
If you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email Alex at alex@advancedamazonads.com
You can check out our website here.

BTB103: Sourdough Success: Elaine Boddy’s Path from Food Blogger to Published Author—Mastering Sourdough, Navigating the Editing Process, and Authentic Community Engagement Sep 23, 2024

Today we welcome Elaine Boddy, a UK-based author renowned for her expertise in sourdough baking, having authored three books: Whole Grain Sourdough at Home, The Sourdough Whisperer, and Easy Everyday Sourdough Bread Baking. With her fourth book, The Sourdough Bible, coming out in late 2024, Elaine is on a mission to make sourdough baking simpler and more accessible for everyone.
Her journey began in 2013 with a food blog, sharing her passion for Middle Eastern dishes and her baking adventures. Her passion for baking led her to develop a personal method that makes sourdough more accessible and less intimidating for home bakers. Elaine encourages aspiring bakers to maintain a journal of their experiments, which helps them refine their techniques and learn from their experiences.
Elaine's approach shows that really connecting with your readers and staying true to your own style can make a book launch successful and keep your writing career going strong. We also explore the editing process, the role of authentic visuals in her books, and how she balances staying true to her voice while being open to editorial feedback. Plus, we chat about the importance of setting boundaries in life while still being accessible to her fans. Tune in for valuable insights on baking, writing, and building a meaningful connection with your audience!
You can learn more about her books here.
Website: foodbodsourdough.com
You can also head over to Elaine’s other social media pages below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elaine_foodbod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.boddy.3
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/foodbodSourdough
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elainefoodbod

BTB102: From the Wall Street Journal Discontinuation to Success Magazine's New Ecosystem, Sales Metrics, and Future Trends with Michael Drew—Author, Speaker, CEO, and Marketing and Promotion Expert Sep 16, 2024

This week, we welcome back Michael Drew to our show. He is a seasoned expert on book lists and is known for his deep knowledge and insights into the world of best-seller rankings. Michael frequently shares his expertise on how various lists operate and their impact on the book industry.
Michael dives into the recent discontinuation of the Wall Street Journal’s best-seller list, thoroughly exploring the reasons behind it and what it means for the industry. Losing the list has hit bookstores, publishers, and authors hard since it was a major sales driver. Michael also talks about how Success Magazine could build a whole ecosystem around its list with things like book reviews, cliff notes, book clubs, and partnerships with retailers like Books-A-Million. Michael’s insights offer a glimpse into how these new lists are trying to step up to fill the void and their potential to reshape the landscape of book rankings.
Stay tuned and keep an eye on the latest trends as the book world adapts and new opportunities arise.
Learn more about their writing services on this website here.
Feel free to get in touch with Michael by emailing him: michael@promoteabook.com

BTB101: Laura Russom on Pre-Launch Planning, Target Audience, Book Cover Design, Content Creation, Niche Influencers, and AI Tools Sep 09, 2024

In today’s episode, we are joined by Laura Russom, from our team in Advanced Amazon Ads. Laura brings a wealth of experience from her previous role in indie publishing, where she honed her skills in paid advertising. We explore why it’s crucial to start your marketing strategy at least six months before your book's release. Our discussion covers practical tips for validating demand with tools like Google Trends and social media, understanding and narrowing down your target audience, and designing a compelling book cover that stands out.
We also cover selecting the right marketing platforms, overcoming content creation challenges, and collaborating with niche influencers for more effective promotion. Additionally, we discuss the role of AI tools in gaining valuable audience insights. Tune in to discover essential strategies for a successful book launch, with a special focus on pre-launch planning and a comprehensive guide to crafting a well-rounded and impactful marketing strategy.
Visit our website here to learn more and get in touch.

BTB100: AJ Crabill on Early Endorsements, Coaching, and Conference Deals to Amplify Book Impact and Audience Engagement Sep 02, 2024

We’re back with AJ Crabill, author of Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective,as we dive into the book marketing strategies that can make or break a book launch. AJ shares valuable lessons learned from his journey including how he used a quiz, an interactive element, to boost reader engagement. Discover how teaming up with an expert author coach, transformed his book’s marketing approach and led to effective audience outreach.
From leveraging established networks for early praise to creatively negotiating bulk book purchases for conferences, AJ reveals tactics that expanded his book’s reach. Learn why investing in professional support for marketing tasks, like podcast outreach, can be a total game-changer. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned publisher, this episode offers practical advice on making strategic investments to elevate your book’s impact. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights!
Visit their website here.
Learn more about the book here.

BTB99: Great On Their Behalf | AJ Crabill Aug 26, 2024

In this episode, we’re thrilled to chat with AJ as we uncover his book,Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective. AJ shares his journey from a concerned parent to a seasoned school board member and author. He discusses the crucial lessons he learned about effective governance and how they extend beyond school boards to other types of organizations. AJ highlights key concepts from his book, setting specific, measurable goals that align with desired student outcomes, rather than vague objectives focused on adult inputs, and the concept of "guardrails" to guide decision-making. Whether you're involved in education or any form of organization, AJ's insights offer valuable strategies for improving effectiveness and achieving meaningful results.
Visit their website here.
Learn more about the book here.

BTB98: Get Out of Your Head | Brian Sachetta on Anxiety, Media Impact, Lead Magnets and Effective Book Marketing Aug 19, 2024

Today’s episode features an interview with Brian Sachetta, author of Get Out of Your Head. We explore Brian’s personal journey with anxiety and the transformative experiences that inspired his groundbreaking book. Brian opens up about his struggles with anxiety starting at age 18 and how years of dedicated research shaped the strategies outlined in his book. He offers a fascinating look at how the landscape of anxiety information has evolved since 2008, contrasting the scarcity of resources in the past with today’s wealth of information.
Brian introduces his three core principles—fundamental truths about anxiety—as pivotal strategies for managing it effectively. Listeners will gain practical insights into techniques like deep breathing exercises designed to combat the fight or flight response and enhance critical thinking in stressful moments.
The episode also explores the modern media’s role in amplifying anxiety, highlighting how constant connectivity and negative news cycles contribute to heightened stress. Brian doesn’t just stop at mental health—he shares his journey through the challenging world of book marketing, offering valuable advice on leveraging podcast appearances and using lead magnets to capture reader interest. Whether you’re seeking strategies to manage anxiety or looking for effective book marketing tips, this episode provides a wealth of practical advice and thought-provoking insights.
Check out Brian Sachetta’s website here.
Get to know more about the book here.

BTB97: Insights from Areté’s 50,000-copy milestone in just 6 months with Brian Johnson Aug 12, 2024

In this episode, we delve into the success of Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential, which has sold 50,000 copies within just six months. We touch on the marketing strategies and Brian’s decision-making process that contributed to the book’s achievement. Brian shares valuable insights on trusting one's instincts and making bold choices, reflecting on his journey and the importance of quality and self-trust in the publishing world.
Our conversation also highlights the concept of "planting seeds" in marketing—taking various actions that can lead to unforeseen successes. Brian emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships, consistently adding value, and making strategic investments, even if not all efforts yield immediate results. He shares great advice on creating great work, setting clear goals, and being ready to tackle any challenges that come their way.
Brian also discusses the WOOP method (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) for effective goal-setting and stresses the need for discipline and persistence. Ultimately, he underscores that being the best version of oneself and playing the long game are essential for achieving both bestseller status and lasting impact.
Get to know more about Brian Johnson and his book here.
You can also check out his book here.

BTB96: Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential | Brian Johnson Aug 05, 2024

We dive into the world of Brian Johnson, Founder & CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation and author of Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential. He’s 50% Philosopher + 50% CEO and 101% committed to helping create a world in which 51% of humanity is flourishing by the year 2051. He's even got it tattooed on his arm. As a philosopher and educator, he has helped millions of people from around the world, trained over 10,000 Heroic Coaches from more than 100 countries, and developed a transformative protocol that blends ancient wisdom with modern science.
In this episode, we highlight the importance of embracing pain, uncertainty, and hard work to unlock one's potential. We also explore Brian’s innovative book, which merges stoic philosophy, modern science, and personal experience into 451 concise chapters designed for actionable insights which includes understanding life's ultimate game, embracing challenges, focusing on energy, work, and love, and prioritizing daily actions. We discuss overcoming fear and laziness through disciplined routines, effective learning strategies, and the balance between self-help and professional guidance. Tune in to learn practical tips for personal growth and mental well-being.
Get to know more about Brian Johnson and his book on his website: https://www.heroic.us/arete
You can also check out his book here.

BTB95: A Year Without The Grocery Store: Karen Morris on publishing, reviews, and marketing Jul 29, 2024

In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Karen Morris, author of A Year Without The Grocery Store. This engaging short read explores her journey in mastering home preparedness and equipping herself for any situation, with strategies for maintaining readiness that are particularly compelling. As a mother and wife, you'll find the book both practical and inspiring. I highly recommend tuning in to learn how Karen expertly balances demanding tasks—such as one-on-one outreach with influencers or attending live events—with essential behind-the-scenes efforts like managing Amazon ads. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights that can help you become more self-sufficient. Tune in now!
Check out Karen Morris’ website here.
Learn more about the book here.

BTB94: Radical Candor: In-depth exploration into Kim Scott’s book promotion and writing process Jul 22, 2024

If you're in the business world, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of the book Radical Candor by Kim Scott. She’s also the writer behind Radical Respect. In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of all the major aspects such as her approach to writing her books, her strategic thinking on marketing, and her methods for sustaining book promotion momentum. These are amazing and pivotal books that stand out as essential reads, offering profound perspectives on leadership, management, feedback mechanisms, and fostering an inclusive and engaged workforce. Yet, what truly sets Kim Scott apart is her approach to delivering continuous value to readers—from the initial stages of book development through long after its launch. Tune in to our enlightening and enjoyable discussion with Kim Scott.
Learn more about the book here.

BTB93: Banned Book Club: Ryan Estrada’s graphic novel journey and success with multiple demographics and post-viral book marketing Jul 15, 2024

On this week’s episode, we welcome Ryan Estrada, an artist, author, and adventurer who co-wrote the Banned Book Club, a fascinating graphic novel detailing his wife's experience in the 1980s of reading banned books in South Korea. We covered a lot of ground in our conversation: how to market your book to multiple demographics and audiences, finding passionate supporters or readers, maintaining momentum, and post-viral book marketing. Ryan shares plenty of valuable advice and memorable one-liners that can inspire your writing, publishing, and book marketing endeavors.
I’m particularly excited about today’s guest because his book is truly unique, and it's a shining example of how a compelling story and smart marketing can lead to big success across different markets. You won't want to miss this one!
Check out Ryan Estrada’s website here: https://ryanestrada.com/
Get to know about his book here.

BTB92: PR Pitfalls and Triumphs with Book Publicist Master Scott Lorenz May 06, 2024

Our guest for today is a good friend of mine, Scott Lorenz, with an amazing history and expertise as a book publicist. Scott also serves as the President of Westwind Communications, a distinguished public relations and marketing agency that specializes in providing strategic PR and marketing services tailored to professionals such as Doctors, Lawyers, Authors, Startups, and Entrepreneurs. He has successfully managed publicity campaigns for books authored by CEOs, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers, and Adventurers. Scott also has a proven track record of collaborating with a diverse range of authors, including bestselling authors and self-published authors, across various genres. In addition to book publicity, Lorenz has garnered media coverage for clients spanning numerous industries, including fiction, health, romance, business, and children's literature. He is recognized for his marketing acumen and conducts marketing classes at the Learning Annex in New York City.
Scott's expertise in marketing and publicity has earned him recognition as a featured expert on platforms such as America Online. He has also been sought after for interviews by various media outlets in the US and Europe, discussing topics related to publicity and promotion. His insights have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal's Startup Journal and French Channel 5.
Through his efforts, Scott has secured placements for his clients in renowned media outlets such as Good Morning America, CNN, ABC Nightly News, Nightline, TIME, PBS, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Investor's Business Daily, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Howard Stern, Family Circle, Woman's World, and Entrepreneur, among others.
As you will hear further in this episode, Scott and I chose to talk because of a recent newsletter we sent out discussing the challenges authors encounter when working with a publicist. When I posed the question to authors about their biggest financial do-over, their resounding response, nine times out of ten, is a regretful glance toward PR investments. Scott also refers us to a good number of clients who I know are pleased with his work, and so naturally, I felt comfortable having this open discussion about PR.
I wanted to have Scott on for us to have a candid conversation about how he has built an ethical business in PR and how he has worked with many top authors like Jonathan Sanger, the creative mastermind behind the 'Making The Elephant Man'.
We delve into some excellent information regarding how to prevent hiring an undesirable hire or a bad employee depending on your budget. Several of these tips can assist you in saving money, as it's unlikely to find someone who will genuinely complete the work for just a few thousand dollars.
Big shout out to Scott for agreeing to come on as a PR skeptic and for putting up with my relentless inquiries. Here's the scoop on our chat with Scott Lorenz.
Check out Scott Lorenz’s website here: https://book-publicist.com/
Get to know more about his book here.

BTB91: Bestseller formula and continuing success with Michael Drew - Marketing Expert, Promotion Specialist, Author, Speaker and Coach Apr 29, 2024

In today's episode we welcome back Michael Drew a close friend of mine and a significantly towering figure in the realm of publishing, with a rich background having worked in different roles in traditional publishing, including Bard Press. Michael has has been instrumental and helped many famous authors launch successful books, such as T. Harv Ecker and Marshall Goldsmith. His expertise far exceeds mine and many other sources I consult for information.
We explore the intricate landscape of book launches, shedding light on the strategies required to appear on lists like The New York Times. We delve into exploring the importance of tailoring your writing to resonate with a middle school audience, uncovering treasures of wisdom in the domain of non-fiction. We also discuss the real goals and genuine objectives of book launches and how your marketing efforts should be shaped by them. Realizing how these aspects of the publishing world are related to one another helps you on your way to success.
Each moment spent conversing with Michael is a treasure, especially in today's episode, which turned out to be one of our deeper discussions. Initially intended as two separate conversations, our engagement seamlessly flowed, with minimal opportunity for interruption, and the depth of information provided is undoubtedly invaluable.It is with utmost pleasure that we welcome Michael Drew back to the show, continuing our insightful journey together.
Check out Michael Drew’s website here: https://promoteabook.com/

BTB90: Book Marketing Mastery with Laura Briggs - Before The Bestseller Co-host and COO Apr 15, 2024

We explore the extensive and varied experiences of soon-to-be Dr. Laura Briggs with her background in business administration. Her 10 years of experience writing copy for law firms and producing SEO material have made her a remarkable figure in the field. As an accomplished author with multiple books published, Laura freely imparts her invaluable expertise in the dynamic world of book marketing strategies.
With a wealth of experience gained from her long career, Laura provides invaluable guidance on negotiating the complexities of the publishing industry. She skillfully crafts her story, giving listeners an intimate picture of her triumphs, setbacks, and turning points from the beginning of her writing pursuits including her culmination of giving an insightful TED Talk experience.
In addition, as a skilled practitioner of book launch management and marketing, Laura offers valuable strategies and tips meant to inspire both beginner and experienced writers. With an attention to detail and a desire to foster literary success, she clarifies the subtleties of properly placing and marketing one's work within today’s competitive market.
Listeners can explore a master class in strategic marketing techniques designed exclusively for the literary industry through Laura's insightful talk. This episode promises to elevate educate, and inspire your approach to book marketing—whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your current tactics.
Get to know more about her books here:
Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business
The Six-Figure Freelancer

BTB89: Navigating the freelance landscape with Laura Briggs, COO and Co-Host on Before The Bestseller Apr 08, 2024

In this episode, we welcome Laura Briggs, a dynamic figure empowering the freelance generation. Laura has been crucial in assisting independent contractors in realizing their aspirations of becoming business owners through her writing, mentoring, and public speaking. Earning $200,000 as a freelancer in 2018, Laura's proficiency in her field is truly evident and demonstrated by her remarkable achievement.
Delving into her backstory, Laura's journey from inner-city school teacher to solopreneur sheds light on her resilience and determination. Her impressive client roster, including Microsoft, TrueCar, and the Mobile Marketing Association, underscores her credibility and impact in the industry.
Moreover, Laura's impact goes beyond personal accomplishments; on two occasions, she has graced the TED Talk stage, sharing her thoughts on the revolutionary potential of the freelance economy. Laura's dedication to empowering others is evident, as she is the creator of Operation Freelance, a non-profit organization supporting military spouses and veterans in starting online service-based businesses, and the author of "Start Your Own Freelance Writing Business."
Our listeners may have noticed Laura's recent addition as a co-host on our podcast, and her name appearing in our podcast image reflecting her expanded role as the COO at Advanced Amazon Ads. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Laura as she shares her expertise and experiences on "Before The Bestseller.
Get to know more about her book here.

BTB88: Over 250,000 copies sold with Michael Lennington and The 12 Week Year impact Mar 11, 2024

In the latest second episode featuring Michael Lennington, the brilliant mind and esteemed author of 'The 12 Week Year.' Join us as we dive into a fascinating discussion about the incredible journey of his book, which has garnered immense popularity since its release in 2013. With hundreds of thousands of copies sold, 'The 12 Week Year' has stood the test of time, captivating readers with its unique approach to productivity and goal-setting.
Discover the secrets behind the book's enduring success as we explore how it evolved from a humble self-published manuscript to a global phenomenon. Lennington shares captivating insights into the strategies that have propelled the book to greatness, offering listeners a glimpse into its transformative impact on individuals and teams worldwide.
Tune in to learn more about the inspiring story behind 'The 12 Week Year' and how it continues to empower countless individuals to achieve their goals and unlock their full potential.
Check out The 12 Week Year Website here.
Get to know more about the book here.

BTB87: The 12 Week Year | Michael Lennington Mar 04, 2024

Today, we're thrilled to welcome our new co-host and COO, Laura Briggs, alongside our esteemed guest, Michael Lennington, co-author of the groundbreaking book 'The 12 Week Year.' This book has been a constant companion for Laura for over many years, offering invaluable insights into time management and strategic project planning.
Whether you're seeking to enhance your time management skills or looking to approach your projects with a more strategic mindset, this episode promises to be a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom shared by Michael.
Get ready for an enlightening journey in this episode, where we uncover the transformative principles of The 12 Week Year. Discover the immense power behind this approach as we delve into its proven strategies, drawn from the successes of countless businesses worldwide. Join us as we explore why traditional annual goals might be holding you back and how embracing 12-week cycles can revolutionize your planning and strategy. Tune in to learn why it's time to ditch the old methods and embrace a more dynamic, effective approach to achieving your goals.

BTB86: 100k Followers: TikTok Quality Content and Book Promotion with Colton Dubell Jan 22, 2024

In this episode, we explore the dynamic world of TikTok as a powerful tool for book promotion as I have recently become obsessed with this fascinating platform, details of which you can find in my newsletter and podcast. Join us as we dive into a conversation with Colton Dubell, a TikTok enthusiast, and discuss his remarkable journey to over a hundred thousand followers within six months.
Colton shares invaluable insights into overcoming challenges on TikTok, unveiling surprises, navigating psychological biases, and adopting a unique approach that challenges conventional advice. Discover how he defies the norm of posting three videos a day, choosing to prioritize quality over quantity. Colton gives us a unique perspective at using TikTok to promote content by going over his distinct formula for success. Tune in to gain exclusive insights and join us in welcoming Colton to the show.
For everyone passionate about drawing anime manga, explore Colton's expertise at drawanimeacademy.com, and don't miss his book, 'Anime Academy! How to Draw Manga.'
Explore more and follow their TikTok here.

BTB85: Blueprint for Podcasting Success with the Top 100 Podcast Strategist Chris Jordan Jan 15, 2024

Chris was kind enough to grace us with his presence again, delving into the captivating domain of podcasting during this episode. If you're an author, you’ve probably heard a million times about the importance of podcasting - getting on podcasts, having and hosting your own podcast, and to put it bluntly, that advice is not completely useful. What truly resonates are actionable strategies and precise insights into approaching figures like Ed Mylett, whom we use as a prime example to secure spots on prominent shows. Ever wonder why you find yourself at the center of attention from influential platforms? Many people struggle with this question, particularly those who are just starting their podcast journey.
Chris, our esteemed guest, has dedicated the past two and a half years to producing top podcasts, including 'The School of Greatness' and 'The Daily Motivation,' both by Lewis Howes with second podcast having produced and launched by Chris. Additionally, he collaborated with Dr. Benjamin Hardy on the production of 'The Dr. Benjamin Hardy Show,' and worked with him to get into the top Business podcast charts on apple.Chris has also played a significant role in guiding authors through successful book launches, offering expertise on maximizing book sales and developing effective strategies within the podcasting lens.
Chris, our esteemed guest, is set to unfold a detailed narrative—a blueprint that empowers individuals to optimize their time, channel their energy effectively, and make smart financial decisions within the dynamic landscape of podcasting. Get ready for an insightful conversation that delves deeper than meets the eye and paves the way for anyone looking to achieve real success in the fascinating realm of podcasting.
Check out Chris' podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/thepodcastgame
Get a free consultation with Chris: https://bit.ly/growyourpod
Follow Chris:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/imchrisjordan/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5fupZwpmzM
https://www.instagram.com/imchrisjordan/
https://twitter.com/imchrisjordan
Check out free content and more of Chris Jordan through this link:
https://linktr.ee/thepodcastgame

BTB84: Working behind the scenes with Lewis Howes, Daymond John, Dr. Benjamin Hardy - Chris Jordan Jan 08, 2024

Today's featured episode spotlights a valued colleague turned close friend, Chris Jordan. While Chris may not be a widely recognized name right now, his influence extends deeply within the inner workings for prominent figures such as Lewis Howes, Daymond John of Shark Tank, Gary Vee, and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Chris has made a significant contribution behind the scenes to these teams in a variety of roles, from video editing to podcast production and most recently, book launching.
Chris has an amazing track record of working with a wide spectrum of personalities, and his extensive knowledge of multiple platforms made me know right away that I had to have him on the show. Chris's wealth of knowledge extends from book marketing to also understanding the intricacies of podcasting and getting on podcasts that contribute to book success and longevity. I am genuinely excited to have Chris as our guest for this episode and he has graciously agreed to come back next time to talk about everything from having your own podcast to navigating the podcasting landscape. It is my pleasure to welcome Chris Jordan.

Check out Chris' podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/thepodcastgame
Get a free consultation with Chris: https://bit.ly/growyourpod
Follow Chris:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/imchrisjordan/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5fupZwpmzM
https://www.instagram.com/imchrisjordan/
https://twitter.com/imchrisjordan

BTB83: Over 200,000 copies sold with 5,000+ Amazon ratings in just 1 year with Joseph Nguyen Dec 11, 2023

We are delighted to welcome Joseph back to the show today. He joined us previously to talk about his book, 'Don’t Believe Everything You Think,' which was recently published in 2022 and has soared past 200,000 copies sold—an amazing topic we will delve into further during this episode. Joseph has demonstrated exceptional marketing insight, implementing practical and easily-followed strategies. He maintains an active presence on TikTok with three daily posts, all impressively done on his own without the assistance of a team, giving him firsthand knowledge of what works and what doesn't. It is my pleasure to reintroduce Joseph to the show today, where we will explore his insightful author journey and the elements that have led to his remarkable success, including the attainment of over 5,000 Amazon ratings. Welcome back, Joseph!
Make sure to follow Joseph on these sites for more of his insightful advice and connect with our author:
Website: https://josephnguyen.org/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjosephnguyen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsjosephnguyen
You can also get his book here.
And get his new book, Boundaries = Freedom, here.

BTB82: Don't Believe Everything You Think | Joseph Nguyen Dec 04, 2023

Today's featured guest is the author behind "Don’t Believe Everything You Think," a literary work that has garnered over five thousand Amazon ratings and a remarkable sales record of over 200,000 copies since its market debut in 2022 becoming a breakout sensation, captivating readers with its exquisite writing style and profound insights.
The author captures the spirit of this book and navigates the complexities surrounding the concept of thoughts, along with one of my favorite quotes: 'Perfection is not when things can be added, but when there’s nothing left to be removed.' This quote encapsulates the essence of the book and introduces a very exciting topic.
Speaking with a very insightful self-help author at the forefront of his niche is one way to delve deeply into a subject as a self-help junkie. Join me as we explore the innovative approaches he's taking to transform the self-help landscape and break free from the traditional mindset. Joseph will also return in a future episode to share insights and talk about his book's remarkable success. Tune in and welcome to the show!
Make sure to follow Joseph on these sites for more of his insightful advice and connect with our author:
Website: https://josephnguyen.org/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsjosephnguyen
Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsjosephnguyen
You can also get his book here.

BTB81: Navigating the New York Times List Criteria with Leading Book Marketer Michael Drew Nov 13, 2023

In this episode, our spotlight is on the coveted New York Times list and the intricate process of securing a spot. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Michael Drew offers a firsthand perspective, and meticulous review of the diverse standards imposed by the New York Times in order to garner recognition fit for a list. Join us as we explore the interesting realm of literary acknowledgment, led by Michael Drew's perceptive analysis of the criteria that propel books to the New York Times list.
Check out Michael Drew’s website here: https://promoteabook.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter here

BTB80: Behind the Scenes of Bestselling Books: Expertise from Michael Drew, Leading Book Marketer Nov 06, 2023

Today's guest is Michael Drew, and I've invited him not only because he's an author, but rather due to his extensive work with some of the most renowned authors in the industry. He has collaborated with well-known authors such as John Spoelstra, who has previously appeared on this show, T. Harve Eker, the author of 'Secrets of a Millionaire Mind,' and Marshall Goldsmith—authors who have sold millions and millions of copies of their books. The list continues with notable individuals like Roy Williams and authors that many of our listeners are familiar with. These authors, including Dr. Goldsmith and T. Harve, have achieved remarkable book sales, and Michael played a significant role in their successful promotion.
Michael is also recognized for his ability to assist authors in securing coveted spots on prestigious lists such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. He simultaneously enhances the authors' businesses through essential marketing activities required for a book to attain such distinctions which is indeed intriguing, and our interview delves deeply into it. This is Michael's first time on the show and much of our focus will be primarily on the theory of book marketing.
Back when I initially entered this domain, a conversation like the one we're about to have would have been a game-changer for many up-and-coming authors. My goal for you and our conversation is just to be able to absorb as much as you can about the inner workings of the publishing industry and the true factors that keep a book successful over the long haul with our expert, Michael Drew.

BTB79: Dr. Michael Rucker’s Marketing Craft -- Selling over 10,000 copies with journalist engagement and book publishing deals Oct 09, 2023

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Michael Rucker, an accomplished author, to share his insights into the remarkable success of his book, which has sold over 10,000 copies. Dr. Rucker has extensive knowledge in reaching out to journalists, a skill that has landed him in the esteemed newsletters of prominent media outlets like NPR and CNN. Dr. Mike Rucker also did a great job networking his way into a book publishing deal. Join us as we explore his journey and learn insightful wisdom on the craft of marketing 'The Fun Habit.'
Make sure to follow our guest on these sites for more of their expert advice.
Website: https://michaelrucker.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/performbetter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.rucker.phd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewonderoffun
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrucker
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mikeruckerphd
Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Fun-Habit/Mike-Rucker/9781982159054
Substack: https://funhabit.substack.com
You can also get his book here.

BTB78: The Fun Habit | Michael Rucker, Ph.D. Oct 02, 2023

Michael Rucker is an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist, a charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association, and currently serves in the Active Wellness as a Senior Leader who has been academically published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management and Nutrition Research. His ideas about fun and health have been featured in a variety of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Vox, Psychology Today, Thrive Global, Fast Company, the Telegraph, and many more.
He is a remarkable behavioral scientist in addition to being a good author. What sets him apart is how, in a never-ending pursuit of happiness, which I have also come across, Mike is the first self-help author to call out in the book that if you have any mental disorder or depression, then, this probably is not the magic fix for you which is one of the first realistic approaches to a self-help book that I've actually seen making his book truly stand out. Join us as we explore how these components fit into the fun habit and discover its true essence with Mike Rucker.

Make sure to follow our guest on these sites for more of their expert advice.

Website: https://michaelrucker.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/performbetter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.rucker.phd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewonderoffun
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrucker
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mikeruckerphd
Simon & Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Fun-Habit/Mike-Rucker/9781982159054
Substack: https://funhabit.substack.com
You can also get his book here.

BTB77: Unlocking the Power of Goodreads: A Deep Dive for Authors with Steve Sarner, Former VP of Sales at Goodreads Sep 25, 2023

In our previous episode, Steve gave us invaluable insights into the integration between Amazon and Goodreads. In this episode, our focus is exclusively on the Goodreads platform itself. We will delve deep into how authors can use its power to effectively promote their books.
Understanding and utilizing Goodreads has become crucial for authors trying to navigate the complicated world of book marketing and promotion. That's precisely why we've invited Steve, the former vice president of sales at Goodreads and a subject matter expert in this area, to guide us through the intricacies of maximizing your presence on Goodreads.
Whether you're a non-fiction author seeking to expand your reach or anyone eager to make the most of this platform, you'll gain actionable insights and strategies to propel your book marketing efforts to new heights. Join us as we unlock the full potential of Goodreads with Steve Sarner.

For more of our guest's expert insights, be sure to follow them on these platforms:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/stevesarner

Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevesarner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevesarner

Let's get Alex Hormozi on the show! Sep 20, 2023

Thank you for being a listener - we're closing in on 200 loyal listeners of the show and I want to bring on bigger and bigger authors to give their book marketing blueprints over to you.

BTB76: Steve Sarner, Former VP of Sales at Goodreads, on Amazon's acquisition of Goodreads Sep 18, 2023

In this episode, my friend, Steve Sarner, a former vice president and one of Goodreads' original users who supervised sales and marketing in addition to other duties, shares special insights into the integration of two popular platforms for readers and authors, Goodreads and Amazon. His journey to publishing demonstrates the art of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of modern publishing.

With Amazon's acquisition of Goodreads, the two platforms are poised to work creatively together in the future. This strategic relationship has the potential to reshape the literary scene, providing authors with unprecedented opportunities for visibility and readers with new paths for discovery.

BTB75: Getting Doctors to recommend her book with Dr. Katrina Ubell (10,000+ copies sold) Sep 11, 2023

Dr. Katrina Ubell is back to talk about how she got her book in the hands of gatekeepers and organically expanded it.

About a handful, a very small niche, specifically women physicians who focused on weight loss fell in love with her book. It felt like she was talking directly to them making the book very relatable not only to physicians but also to other professionals, doctor's patients, and everyone interested in losing weight.

Dr. Ubell also shares her great marketing strategies as well as her experience during her book launch which was met with great success to the point where she's now sold over 20,000 copies of her book.

Dr. Katrina Ubell’s Podcast: https://katrinaubellmd.com/podcast/

Dr. Katrina Ubell’s Website: https://katrinaubellmd.com/

Learn more about the book here

BTB74: How To Lose Weight for the Last Time | Katrina Ubell, MD Sep 04, 2023

Dr. Katrina Ubell is a Master Certified Life and Weight Loss Coach who struggled with her own weight for decades before finding a permanent solution. In 2016, she founded the Weight Loss for Busy Physicians which offers a weight loss program that has helped over a thousand busy physicians. She is a graduate of John Hopkins University, and the University of Michigan and lives in Wisconsin with 3 children, her husband, and a West Highland Terrier.

In this episode, Dr. Ubell talks about her struggles and journey for personal health and weight loss while also seeking a career as a doctor. She discovered that the way we think including emotional components produces our desire or urge for food which results in our weight gain and loss, which transformed everything for her and helped her lose and maintain her ideal weight. She now uses her brain-based and science-backed method to help busy physicians and non-medical professionals lose weight for the last time.

Dr. Katrina Ubell’s Podcast: https://katrinaubellmd.com/podcast/

Dr. Katrina Ubell’s Website: https://katrinaubellmd.com/

Learn more about the book here

BTB73: Using masterminds to sell books and an effective press release with Anna David Jul 10, 2023

In the previous episode, Anna highlighted her book marketing and publishing tips for authors; in this episode, she talks about why she wrote On Good Authority and delves more into her journey while crafting the book's content and the strategies she used for her marketing plan.

Anna David’s Newsletter: authoritysecrets.club
Anne David’s Podcast: https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/podcast
Learn more about the book here.
Check out her first episode in the podcast here.

BTB72: On Good Authority | Anna David Jul 03, 2023

Anna David is a NY Times Bestselling author of 8 books, founder of Legacy Launch Pad Publishing Company and has been featured on TED, Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, NYT and Page Six.

Anna is back with her latest book, On Good Authority, and is the topic of today’s conversation. It is very seldom that I open a book about book marketing and find that a lot of the information in it is new stuff and so I’m excited to dive into the book.

She has worked with countless authors on their books and marketing and in this episode, she shares helpful tips on the best ways to pitch in the media and discover great content for authors and everyone else.

Anna David’s Podcast: https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/podcast

Learn more about the book here.

Check out her first episode in the podcast here.

BTB71: Susan Friedmann, CSP | Author Marketing Mentor shares her expertise in publishing and marketing Jun 26, 2023

Susan Friedmann is an international best-selling author whose debut book sold over 500,000 copies. She also founded Aviva Publishing which came when she needed to create her own publishing company for her own books. Susan also hosts an award-winning podcast, Book Marketing Mentors, that helps authors with their book marketing strategy.

In this episode, Susan Friedmann shares her author journey as well as her expert techniques in publishing and marketing to influence and empower authors.

This is an excellent listen for all authors, particularly nonfiction authors, as it helps them in discovering their niche market and identifying their perfect target audience.

You may listen to her podcast here.

BTB70: John Strelecky--author who sold 8 million copies of his books--shares his marketing strategy Jun 12, 2023

In this episode, we have the seasoned author of 20 years, John Strelecky, come back on the podcast to share his strategy in customizing his approach on different markets for his books.
John is a great resource to tune in to as he had already sold over 8 million copies of his books and today we are going to cover how he was able to market to Europe, leaders, and have a bespoke approach when it comes to different topics of books.
He shares what worked before, what's working now, and his advise on authors who are looking to make their mark in the industry as well.
If you'd like to learn more about John's work, check his website here.

BTB69: The Big Five For Life | John Strelecky Jun 05, 2023

We are welcoming back John Strelecky who is actually our first return guest and with good reason.
His episode is one of our most popular, and the man has sold over 8 million copies of his books. Originally, we talked about The Cafe On The Edge Of The World, and this time John is back to discuss another remarkable book.
On this episode, we talk about The Big Five For Life, a life-changing book about leadership and a wealth of insight into our daily lives. This book continues to inspire so many people and led to its selling of over a million copies and spent an astonishing three hundred and fifty weeks as Europe's #1 Best Selling Personal Development and Leadership book.
Get to know more about the book here.

BTB68: Steve Harrison on promoting Rich Dad Poor Dad and Chicken Soup for the Soul May 29, 2023

We've had marketers and authors from previous episodes who shared that they did not find value in investing in a PR firm. In this episode, we want to explore further why that came to be the experience of other authors and debunk some of the common misconceptions about PR efforts and PR firms.
Today we have Steve Harrison, the co-founder of authorsuccess.com, who will share his experience being on the other side of the coin and utilizing PR to promote authors.
Steve's company has helped successfully promote the books of 15,000 non-fiction authors including Chicken Soup for the Soul and Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Their clients ranged from showing up on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Fox News, ESPN among many others.
Tune in to learn from an experienced PR expert how to build your brand. Steve also shares about understanding the media and how you can serve them, finding the best PR firm for your book, and how Robert Kiyosaki worked with them.
This episode also shares insight into why authors failed in their PR efforts and the delineation of where the PR firm's work ends and the author's work begins in terms of marketing and promotion.
If you want to learn more about Steve and his work, visit https://authorsuccess.com/ and get your free report

BTB67: Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz on sending book order forms to executives...500,000 copies later May 22, 2023

In this episode, we have the authors of "Go For No" back on the podcast to talk about the strategies and mindset behind how they were able to reach massive success for their book.
Currently, they have over 4000+ reviews for Go for No on Amazon and consistently move 600 to 800 physical copies of the book per month.
They shared about how intentionally writing the book and focusing on consumption could be the best marketing tool you can do for your book launch and marketing your book.
Other key points of the conversation were how to build long-term relationships and focus on bulk selling, how huge the book cover impacts the sales and impressions of the book, the mindset shifts needed to happen to gear yourself up for success, and how long it takes to see the results of your efforts.
If you'd like to learn more about their work, check out the link here.

BTB66: Go for No! | Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz May 15, 2023

In this episode, we have Richard Fenton and Andrea Waltz on the podcast. They are the authors of "Go For No!"--a book that has already sold 500,000 copies to this date and garnered thousands of reviews on Amazon.
Richard shares his story on how he came upon the idea for the book, and how he and Andrea was able to encapsulate it in a written format without making the story convoluted and keeping it direct to the point.
We also discuss the main premise of the book on how getting to a yes is a destination and the no is the way to get there, how to take advantage of the 5 levels of failure, and how success cannot be achieved without failure and how you will use this to inspire your team.
Next week, Andrea and Richard will be coming back on to discuss how they were able to market and what strategy they had prior and during launch that cleared the path for the book's massive success.
If you'd like to learn more about their work, you can find the link to their book here.

BTB65: Matt Treacey on generating millions of dollars for small businesses through email marketing May 08, 2023

Email marketing for authors is one thing we haven't discussed previously on this podcast. This episode is going to change that as we have Matt Treacey--author of Natural Orders and an email marketing expert.
With a track record of generating millions of dollars in revenue for small business owners through email marketing, he's the best resource person to walk us through the basics of email marketing all the way to the advanced level.
I will also share what email marketing system we have in-house and have Matt share his thoughts on what to do next and how to scale it.
As an author, you are going to get solid KPIs to benchmark on, the best practices to prevent turning off your audience with your emails, and practical advice to improve your conversions if you are already running your email marketing campaigns.
If you're just starting out, Matt also shares with us what platforms are a good place to build your ecosystem, what to look for, and how you would know when you need to scale.
To learn more about Matt Treacey's work, you can find his book here.

BTB64: Jotham Stein on how to write a book that sells itself May 01, 2023

In this episode, we have Jotham Stein back on the podcast to discuss further how he was able to write a book that sells itself organically.
When Jotham started, he had seeded only a few hundred copies and gone from selling 5 to 10 copies per week to over 50 copies per week. What's impressive is that most of these sales come from word-of-mouth and referrals from people who have read his book.
To recap, his book "Negotiate Like A CEO" mainly covers how to protect yourself if you're a business owner, investor, or employee. This book is backed by his decades of experience representing clients that did not know how to use their leverage and missed potholes engaging in business.
He was able to take his knowledge, expertise, and experience into a word form that made the book engaging, relevant, and practical to virtually almost everyone that has a role or job.
It took him 2 years to write the book and in this episode, he goes on to share what was his writing process and the importance of having someone provide meaningful feedback on the work he has done.
This is a good listen for authors to glean insight into what are the best ways to give yourself a boost when writing a book and ensure you are able to polish what you have created.
To learn more about Jotham Stein and his work, click on this link here.

BTB63: Negotiate Like a CEO | Jotham Stein Apr 24, 2023

In this episode, we are speaking with Jotham Stein about his book Negotiate Like a CEO. Jotham Stein is a lawyer by profession and has worked with many entrepreneurs and employees who are ever so passionate and focused on their craft that understanding the risks and contracts that come with the role usually get placed on the back burner.
This and the trends he has seen of how frequently these problems arise inspired him to share his knowledge with the public.
Negotiate Like A CEO is written for entrepreneurs and employees to educate them on how they can protect themselves if ever things go south. As an author and publisher, you may have encountered these problems and stories as well and might find value in understanding the perspective and interests of investors, business owners, and employees whenever they enter an agreement.
The book is geared to enable the readers to understand what an exit plan looks like, what type of protection should be set up from day 1, non-competes, common mistakes, differences in regulations for each state, and leverage, among many others.
The book is dense with lessons however it should not be taken as a replacement for legal advice.
In the next episode, Jotham will be coming back to share the grassroots marketing strategy he did for the book and how he was able to successfully market the book.
If you want to learn more about the book and Jotham's work, you can find the link here.

BTB62: Leidy Klotz on getting an agent & selling 50,000 copies without a marketing background Apr 18, 2023

In the previous episode, Leidy Klotz shared with us the concept of his book--Subtract. For this episode, we're focusing on the successful marketing tactics behind the book's launch and promotion.
To give you an idea, Leidy's background focuses on teaching and research. He did not have any following on social media except for his family, friends, and acquaintances. Most of our listeners also come from that background, so in this interview, we're pulling back the curtains on how to successfully market your book from the ground up and where to get the help needed to springboard to your success.
Leidy needed to figure out how to market a book without any leverage, the mindset shifts that are needed to focus on marketing and promotion, including how working with a publisher helped versus becoming self-published.
He also shared what he found to make the most waves in terms of organically marketing his book, where he focused his energy, and what was his strategy to get picked up by a book agent, how to get blurbs, and how to find a publisher to work with.
To learn more about Leidy Klotz and his book, check out this link here.

BTB61: Subtract | Leidy Klotz Apr 11, 2023

For this episode, we interviewed the author of "Subtract", Leidy Klotz. His book is one that Adam Grant recommends reading.
The whole premise of the book talks about how to solve a problem whether it's related to design to corporate business problems. Our initial approach is to add more things and create something new to reinvent the wheel. However, Leidy argues and builds the case in the book that it is actually by subtracting and removing something that allows us to solve the matter better.
He goes on to talk about how and why we are hard-wired biologically, socially, and culturally to keep adding more when faced with solving a problem, and how this impacts our daily lives such as the simple things of managing our calendar and to-do list
The discussion had a range of topics starting with personal life, policies, regulation, design, and even finding solutions for the climate crisis we are facing.
This is a good listen for you as a book marketer or author if you'd want to look into a new approach for how you can solve a problem and what steps to take in embracing the complexity first of the issue and then stripping away the things that are not fundamental to the process
Join us back next week to learn how Leidy was able to achieve success for his book.
If you'd like to learn further about Leidy's work, check out this link to the book.

BTB60: How Doug Evans used Tik Tok and Social Media Networking to Sell Thousands of Copies Apr 03, 2023

This is the 2nd episode where we have Doug Evans, author of The Sprout Book. Previously, we discussed the concept of sprouting and its health benefits. Now, we're going to take a look into what made it so successful to reach the 10th printing using grassroots marketing efforts from sending physical copies and dm strategy on Instagram.
Doug started from 2,000 to 3,000 followers on IG, driving 3 hours each way to record interviews for podcasts, using Linkedin outreach to reach a bigger audience, and essentially being fearless in the approach of marketing his book. We explored his strategy on TikTok as well as how he managed to get 1000 of reviews for his book without soliciting.
This is a great listen for those who have not yet started on advertising and would like to see what are the options in a more organic approach.
If you'd like to know more about The Sprout Book and its amazing author Doug Evans, check out www.thesproutbook.com and https://www.tiktok.com/@sproutwiz

BTB59: The Sprout Book | Doug Evans Mar 27, 2023

Doug Evans is the co-founder of Organic Avenue and the founder of Juicero. He is also the author of "The Sprout Book" which we will cover in depth in this podcast episode.
He will be with us for 2 episodes including this one and the next episode wherein he will cover the book's marketing. As an overview, Doug Evans also did digital marketing for Apple and has interesting experience under his belt that we will explore in both episodes.
This episode is a valuable resource for those looking to transition to a plant-based diet without breaking the bank, or just for those looking to leisurely listen to scientific explanations of how sprouts are more nutrient-dense than another period of a plant's life cycle
We discuss the important aspects of nutrition in alignment with improving life and health, growing your own sprouts, the health benefits of eating sprouts, and Doug's journey for going full plant-based diet.
To learn more about the book and Doug, you can check out the link here: www.thesproutbook.com

BTB58: Author of "Published" Chandler Bolt shares effective strategies for book launches Feb 28, 2023

Chandler Bolt is the CEO of Self Publishing School and has authored 6 bestselling books. His most recent book is "Published" which we'll talk further about in this episode.
We discussed how aspiring self-published authors can strategize and prepare for their book launch including getting reviews, when to start running ads, how much time should go into preparing your book launch, and how you can build your launch team.
Chandler also shared his insights on an excellent way to utilize the local media to your advantage and the current status of the self-publishing space.
Tune in to the conversation if you're looking to get definitive advice on book launches and if you'd like to learn more about Chandler and his most recent book we talked about in this episode, check out this link here
If you are curious about what they do at Self Publishing School, you can go to link: https://self-publishingschool.com/

BTB57: Ricardo Fayet founder of Reedsy that helps 15,000 books to market each year Feb 20, 2023

On this episode with Ricardo Fayet, we take a deep dive into book marketing to help amplify and catalyze the success of a book to get more sales from tweaking Amazon's A+ content, creative ways to market a book using actual billboards, influencer marketing, and many more.
Ricardo is the founder of Reedsy--a site that you can go to to find and work with the best publishing professionals. Since 2014, the team has built a community of 1 million+ authors as well as 2,500 freelance professionals that is helping bring more than 15,000 books to market each year.
We covered topics such as best way to advertise, get visibility, and reviews on your book whether you are just starting out, or you're ready to scale, and answered which avenues are the most effective way to launch your book.
Listen to this episode if you're looking to find tools, strategies and resources that will help in launching and marketing your book whichever stage of the process you might be in right now.
To learn more about Ricardo and his book, you can check out this link here

BTB56: How Bob Lung built his network which sells 1000's of copies for him each year Feb 14, 2023

In this episode, we focus on Bob Lung and his strategy in creating great content consistently on one topic--Fantasy Football--that allowed him to build his network and sell thousands of copies of his book in a year.
Bob traces back his steps on how he was able to achieve the status of being an authority and resource person in his space.
This episode is a must listen if you enjoyed the previous one with Jon Sherman.
If you want to learn more about Bob and his book on Fantasy Football, you can check out this link here.

BTB55: How Jon Sherman sold 100,000 copies of his book in the first 6 months of release Dec 19, 2022

Jon and I first got in touch right before he was about to launch his new book, The Four Foundations of Golf. I remember him telling me about everything he had planned for the launch and how he was finally creating a product of his own.
Little did he know just how well that launch would go, and continues to do. That book is on its way to selling over 100K copies within just 6 months.
The reason why I love Jons story so much is because he’s another one of these self published authors who literally started blogging about something he was passionate about, blogged about it for years and learned a lot about how to make a blog work, built relationships through great content, captured followers in an email list, and then used all of that to launch his book.
Every time an author like Jon comes on, they give away little details of what they specifically focused on or hacks they figured out along the way and that’s what I love sharing the most with you. So it’s my pleasure to have on Jon Sherman of The Four Foundations of Golf.
Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Foundations-Golf-Build-Lifetime-ebook/dp/B0B4FDYTD3

BTB54: The Four Foundations Of Golf | Jon Sherman Dec 11, 2022

Jon Sherman wrote and released what has become one of the bestselling golf books of the year, The Four Foundations of Golf.
I personally know nothing about golf and so in this episode, Jon and I dove into golf for the beginner. Golf was emphasized in business school as a place that business got done. If you also thought you’d never touch a club but understand the value in being able to hold your own, Jon gives us the quick rundown on what to focus on when starting out.
We do two very different episodes with Jon, this one’s obviously about golf and if that’s not your cup of tea, listen in to next weeks episode where Jon takes us step by step through how he went from something he was passionate about to translating that into 100K copies sold in the first 6 months of his book launch.
Get the book here: The Four Foundations of Golf

BTB53: Quitting his consulting job to selling 8 million copies: John Strelecky Dec 05, 2022

John lives the truth he speaks about as he quit his consulting job to pursue a higher purpose and hustled his way into becoming a world famous author.

He tells me about how he got a few copies out initially just by going out to local meet ups and handing books directly to people while having a thoughtful conversation.

Johns success is a brick by brick story of writing a great book, seeding copies one by one, and letting word of mouth do the rest.

We also talk about his writing process, and other marketing tools that have helped him along the way.
Get his book here.

BTB52: The Cafe on the Edge of the World | John Strelecky Nov 28, 2022

My interview with John Strelecky of The Cafe On the Edge of the World was one of top 3 favorite interviews I’ve ever had with an author.

Johns book speaks so much to my own journey of leaving corporate American to find myself and a greater purpose in life.

Johns book isn’t a self help book but a story, much like the alchemist, and shows you the inner workings of a man who’s going through life unconsciously.

Along the way he encounters these 3 questions on the Menu of a cafe he stops at:

The 3 questions are:

Why are you here?
Do you fear death?
Are you fulfilled?

I like this book for the same reason I like autobiographies, you get to take away the lessons you want.

Hopefully this interview allows you to do the same.
You can get the book here.

BTB51: How Thibaut Meurisse started with no following & went from a 9-5 to making a living as a full time author (step by step) Nov 20, 2022

From a indie-author perspective, Thibaut shows a 10+ year realistic progression on going from a day job to becoming a full time author, supported by his work.

I love talking to authors who prove that its about just doing the work, day in, and day out and so I tried to get into the specifics with Thibaut of how he spent his time during the time it’s taken him to get to where he is, and how he stayed focused on area of interest.

Lets hear one example of an author who is entirely self created and how he did it.
Master Your Emotions

BTB50: Master Your Emotions | Thibaut Meurisse Nov 13, 2022

Todays guest is the bestselling author of Master Your Emotions, a book you’ve probably heard of because it has sold thousands of thousands of copies, if not millions by now and has over 7,000 reviews on Amazon.

The book is about a topic we all struggle with, learning to see our mind as a friend instead of this constant source of misery. Now depending on who you are you might struggle with this more or less.

As you might have heard in my newsletter or just talking to me personally, I have become less excited about self help books because I often find that they leave me feeling worse off.

I didn’t stray away from that opinion in my conversation with Thibaut but I do appreciate his responses in regards to seeking professional help for an issue that can’t be solved by a book. You can hear his answers to my questions about the drawbacks of self help books towards the end of our conversation.

Regardless of my opinion on self help, Thibaut also provides some wonderful basics in regards to developing mindfulness, which is one thing that’s always proved useful for my own journey and hopefully it will be for yours as well.

BTB49: David Jenyns on how he sold thousands of copies and built a business around a concept Nov 07, 2022

David came back on to talk about how he’s sold thousands and thousands of copies of Systemology and how he used the same principals to build out his marketing around the book. As one of our mutual friends says “random acts of marketing don’t work” and so in order to build anything lasting and valuable - you need to build systems.

Here’s David Jenyns back on to talk with us about his book marketing.
systemology.com
Book

BTB48: SYSTEMology | David Jenyns Oct 31, 2022

David Jenyns' mission is to free all business owners worldwide from the daily operations of running their business. I’m not going to lie, this episode was sort of a guilty pleasure for me because it’s something I personally have struggled with - you’ve heard me talk about burnout before and it’s the trap so many entrepreneurs fall into when starting out. I use Davids book even today as a reference guide to continue to outsource various parts of my business.

I wanted to bring on David to talk about how he systematizes businesses so well so he can focus on growing, having a larger impact, and actually enjoy his life.
Get his book here.

BTB47: Dorie Clark on blogging her way to a publishing deal Oct 24, 2022

As you heard in the last episode, Dorie knows how to build a network and then use that network in a genuine way to propel her to the next level.

I wanted to bring Dorie back on to talk about how she played the long game with her publishing career and how she’s turned the long game into such a huge success.
Get Dorie's assessment here:
dorieclark.com/entrepreneur

BTB46: The Long Game | Dorie Clark Oct 18, 2022

Dorie Clark is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, Reinventing You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine.

She helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50.

What I love about Dorie is that she has a very followable path to how she’s become the Dorie Clark we all know today from shear will and hustle over a long time horizon.

In fact this is a big part of what her book The Long Game is about. Dorie is now even famous for her dinner parties where you might rub shoulders with a price, a chef, and a gym owner all at the same table. She’s such a wonderful soul and there’s so much to learn from her which is why I am so excited to share our conversation.

dorieclark.com/entrepreneur

BTB45: David Hancock on building Morgan James Publishing and which authors are having the most success with writing and marketing their books Oct 11, 2022

In this episode, we bring David Hancock back on to talk about how he grew Morgan James Publishing into one of the most respected modern publishers today but re-inventing how publishing is done.
Since he's worked with so many authors, you know I had to also ask him which books are selling right now, and how authors are able to best market their books for the long term.

BTB44: Performance Driven Giving | David Hancock Oct 03, 2022

In this episode we talk with Morgan James Publishing CEO David Hancock about the release of his new book, Performance Driven Giving.
Who better to learn from about publishing a book than the CEO of a modern publishing company.

BTB43: Rob Fitzpatrick on making 6-figures as a self published author Sep 21, 2022

We had rob back on to talk about how he marketed Write Useful Books and how it’s going behind the scenes.
Get the book here

BTB42: Write Useful Books | Rob Fitzpatrick Sep 21, 2022

The next guest is one of my all time favorite curious minds. A huge shoutout to Anna David for the introduction. I came across Rob's Write Useful Books book and it was the first time I fully understood the point, reason for, and ideal goals for someone who wants to market their books. The book is really about writing a useful book that sells more and more copies each year.

After becoming an expert to product development, he wrote the Mom test. This book now has over 1,000 reviews, makes Rob over a hundred thousands is mostly passive income a year is taught at Harvard, MIT, and UCL.

After learning what it takes to write a book that sells more and more every year, he wrote Write Useful Books, which I’ve been recommending to everyone who wants to write teaching non-fiction.

In this episode we talk about how an author can write a book that sells itself so you can stop marketing it.
Get the book here.

BTB41: Book marketing rapid-fire with Chad Littlefield Aug 29, 2022

Chad released Powerful Questions in 2017 with the late Will Wise. Since then, it’s sold 10s of thousands of copies, has close to 500 reviews on Amazon, and Chads even gone on to turn the book into a card game.
I wanted to learn from chad about how we so successfully launched his book, and what he’s doing to keep it selling so well.
Welcome back Chad Littlefield
The Book
The Website

BTB40: Ask Powerful Questions | Chad Littlefield Aug 22, 2022

Ever have a conversation with someone, and you’re left feeling like there’s something very very different about the person you were just talking to?
They somehow talked to your soul. It was refreshing, maybe even inspiring.
So many people proclaim to “hate small talk” but what does it actually been to do the contrary.
How can you create moments throughout your day where you actually connect with the people around you.
Ask Powerful questions is the book that teaches you how to have meaningful conversations.
Meaningful conversations with your colleagues, prospects, family, friends, and the grocery store check out man.
Chad Littlefireld wrote the book with the late great will wise. He’s a TedX speaker, founder and CEO of We & Me inc, and has consulted with companies from JetBlue to Starbucks.
It’s my pleasure to introduce the thoughtful Chad Littlefield.
The Book
The Website

BTB39: How Perry Marshall used 80/20 to spend less time selling more books Aug 01, 2022

I wanted to ask Perry what the 80/20 was for the marketing of his book, what were the activities that actually sold his books?
And that’s why I have the privilege of welcoming Perry Marshall back to the show.

BTB38: 80/20 Sales & Marketing | Perry Marshall Jul 25, 2022

The 80/20 principal (or Pareto Principle as it’s also known by) is the idea that 80% of consequences come from 20% of the causes. This can be applied to the effort you apply to something, or the fact that the top 20% of the population has 80% of the wealth.
Perry Marshall is the guy that applied this concept to business. Essentially, 80% of your revenue comes from 20% of your products. Or 80% of your leads come from 20% of your marketing efforts. In his famous book, 80/20 sales and marketing, he lays out the entrepreneurs guide to sanity. All jokes aside, his whole point is, focus on what really brings in the bacon, spend less time stressed and engaging in random activities.
Here’s Perry Marshall to talk about 80/20 sales and marketing.

BTB37: How Brendan Kane sold hundreds of thousands of copies of One Million Followers and Hook Point Jul 18, 2022

Brendan Kane is back on to talk with us about how he leveraged social media to get his book deal and then sell hundreds of thousands of copies of his books.

BTB36: One Million Followers | Brendan Kane Jul 11, 2022

Odds are you’ve seen at least 1 piece of content, whether on FB, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Tik Tok that this next guest has created. That’s because Brendan Kane and his team have racked up an impressive 60 billion views and 100+ million followers for the content they have worked on.
Basically, if social media was a science, Brendan Kane would be the lead scientist. He helped Taylor Swift rebrand her digital experience for fans, his list of clients include Rihanna, MTV, the NHL and many more impressive names.
He’s also the author of Bestselling book One Million Followers and his most recent bestselling book, Hook Point.
Today, he’s here to walk us through what his author journey has looked like from no name entrepreneur, to world famous author.

BTB35: How Gay Hendricks built his author empire which led to clients like Michael Dell and how to write a book which sell more every year Jul 05, 2022

The Big Leap sells more copies every year and so I wanted to learn from Gay about how to write a book that does just that, along with diving deeper into his author career.

In this episode, where we have Gay back on the show, we dive into the author career of one of the greats, along with the marketing that helped get him there.

BTB34: The Big Leap | Gay Hendricks Jun 27, 2022

Last November in particular...I crashed and burned from working 80+ weeks for 6 months straight on getting my business off the ground.
A friend of mine, Dave Chesson, recommended to me Gays book a month or so earlier.
Working through my burnout, having an employee completely ghost me, and needing to drive a dog across the country, it was no coincidence that when a flight I was on, headed back home to San Diego, ran out of fuel and had to make an emergency landing (on top of everything else going on) - I had his book to keep me calm.
The Big Leap, happened to be in my backpack that day as I went from one anxiety attack to the next.
We touched down in Ontario, just east of LA to refuel before heading onto San Diego. All the ground crew had cleared for the night and so there was no-one to meet the plane.
We were trapped for hours, out of water, and filled with sweaty passengers now beginning to freak out. For brief moments here and there I began to see glimpses of breaking open the Exit door just to find a breath of fresh air.
Yet still I had The Big Leap to keep me grounded.
Gay Hendricks has personally coached thousands including Michael Dell and his executive team to breakthrough mental barriers and to have the impact they desire to have on the world.
He’s the author of many great books, one of which, The Big Leap, continues to sell more and more every year even though it was released over a decade ago.
That only happens when a book is so good that overtime it changes so many lives that it continues to get recommended over and over again until theres an army of people out there in the world sharing the book.
I’m excited to dive further into some big topics of the book, like Upper Limits and false beliefs. It’s my honor and privilege to bring you this interview with The Gay Hendricks.

BTB33: The Qat Wanders Story, former circus performer turned author and 7-figure self-made businesswoman Jun 20, 2022

Oh my god you must meet today's guest, Qat Wanders. She’s one of my all time favorite people, bestselling fiction and non fiction author of over 80 books, 7 figure business owner, and used to work in the circus. Yes, you heard that right.
We were introduced a while back by a fellow connection but nothing came of it. I was listening to one of my favorite shows, The Self Publishing School Podcast with Chandler Bolt and she was a guest. I was like, that name sounds familiar, I had no idea that’s who I was talking to…she’s amazing…I must talk to her.
So I reached back out and this time it resulted in a longer conversation.
In this episode we go deep into the world of editing and clear up what different types of editing mean, how she goes about picking her genres to write in, and we also get incredibly vulnerable and talk about the entrepreneurial burnout she experienced which I personally resonated so much with since my burnout last November and how’s she’s moving forward in life professionally and personally.

BTB32: How Joanna Penn built her author career so she could quit her job in IT Jun 06, 2022

If there’s one thing you should know by now, it’s that everyone we have on here is a master marketer or has one of their team. Joanna is a master marketer so in this episode we go deep into the nuts and bolts of the marketing that’s allowed her to make a full time living from writing.

BTB31: Successful Self-Publishing | Joanna Penn Jun 06, 2022

Joanna Penn and Indie publishing go together like sunshine and solar panels. If you can’t tell, I just made that up. Joanna Penn was early to the indie publishing game and has benefited greatly from the early belief that it was the future.

She has over 30 books in multiple pen names both fiction and nonfiction, runs the highly adored TheCreativePenn.com blog, and has possibly the longest running podcast on indie publishing with over a million downloads, The Creative Penn Podcast.

Obviously Joanna is an incredibly popular author but it’s also been a dream of mine to interview Joanna ever since I got into the world of publishing and so you’ll be able to tell that I’m just giddy with excitement throughout our interview.

In this episode we really get into the nuts and bolts of her author career.

BTB30: Allan Dib on how he marketed his book to sales of over $300,000 & got 5,000+ reviews May 30, 2022

It wouldn’t look too great if a book about marketing didn’t sell well.
Luckily that’s not the case here with hundreds of thousands of copies sold and over 5000 reviews on Amazon, Allan Dib wrote a book which continues to sell better and better years after it’s launch.

I want to know why that is and what Allan Dib is currently doing to keep momentum going for the One Page Marketing Plan. In this episode, Allan walks us through the marketing plan for his book, The One Page Marketing Plan.

BTB29: The One Page Marketing Plan | Allan Dib May 23, 2022

The One Page marketing plan has a global following. The book has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon and is still a bestseller, years on from its launch. Allan Dib makes marketing palatable for the average business owner who has a great product or service but no idea how to get it to market.

Like Allan says, it’s not a revolution in marketing but it is a revolution in marketing implementation because as I’m sure most of you know, spontaneous marketing activities don’t work.

Allan also talks about the need to systematize your marketing which to me is the biggest takeaway from the book and something I’m actually right now working on to implement in my business.

Let’s jump into the One Page Marketing Plan with Allan Dib.

BTB28: Daniel Pink on book marketing and how he's built his author career May 16, 2022

Daniel Pink is one of the biggest authors we’ve had on this show. I'm incredibly grateful for his willing ness to come on and share his wisdom but one of the great parts of interviewing an author about their book is also to interview them about how they became the NYT bestselling author they are today.
I wanted a blueprint from Daniel on how any one of us with a desire for a greater impact in this life can work towards an author career like his. Lets dive into the marketing side of books with Daniel Pink.

BTB27: The Power of Regret | Daniel Pink May 10, 2022

I’ve been following this next guest for almost a decade.
From his book When, to his most well known book, Drive, Daniel Pink constantly takes complex topics, performs a ton of research on the topic, and then distills it into a framework that we then get to use to make our lives better. He’s done this with selling, our internal timing system, our drive, and now he’s done this with regret.
In this episode we dive deep into regret, the topic of this latest book, the power of regret, with 5X NYT bestselling author Daniel Pink.
I make most decisions in life based around what I’m going to regret on my deathbed the most. It’s easy to think you know what you’ll regret the most but based on his research, Pink gets into the 4 most common regrets which I’ve already started to use on a daily basis to figure out what to do and what not to do.
Let’s get into it with Daniel Pink.

BTB26: Literary agent to authors like Marie Kondo, Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra - A Chat with Bill Gladstone May 02, 2022

Marie Kondo, Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield.
These are just a few of the names of which today’s guest has represented as a literary agent.
He has personally placed more than 5000 titles with dozens of publishers. He’s also the founder of Waterside Productions Inc. which stemmed from his great grandfathers publishing business - founded during the great depression printing study guides for the DMV.
Echkart Tolle is one of my favorite authors and so I wanted to hear about the behind the scenes on how he became what he is today. I also wanted to learn more about what happens behind the scenes in the traditional publishing world from someone who’s been in the industry for decades.
We also end our chat talking about BIll's next adventure, NFTs.

BTB25: How John Sonmez retired at 32, grew his Youtube Channel to 200,000, and became a WSJ Bestselling Author Apr 25, 2022

In this episode of the how, we talk about how John retired at 32 with his books, how he’s built his youtube channel to over 200,000 subscribers, and how he’s now using his latest book, Self Confidence for men as a lead generation tool for his bulldog mindset courses. It’s great to hear from people who have accomplished such great things but what I try to focus on in these how episodes is exactly what steps over what timeframe John took to get to where he is today.

BTB24: How Kary Oberbrunner made 1 million+ with the launch of Unhackable Apr 18, 2022

Last episode - Kary helped us to stop from being hacked by the modern world. This week he tells us how he’s sold the 10s of thousands of books he has, and used them to propel is brand and business. He’s also the founder of Igniting Souls Publishing where they’ve worked with authors like Dan Sullivan, Justin Donald, Jim Edwards, and many others so I thought he’d be a fantastic resource on what actually moves books.

BTB23: The Complete Software Developer's Career Guide | John Sonmez Apr 11, 2022

John Sonmez is most well known for The Complete Software Developer's Career Guide which has over 800 reviews on Amazon. He's also the founder of the Simple Programmer blog and YouTube channel, where he reaches 1.4 million software developers yearly with a central message: Technical skills alone aren't enough for a successful career—or life.
He transitioned from writing about programming soft skills to writing about building something, he calls, The Bulldog Mindset.
In this episode we talk about what he was doing leading up to the book, and how each book he’s launched has had a distinct purpose along his author journey.
Bulldog Mindset YouTube
The Complete Software Developer's Career Guide
Self Confidence for Men

BTB22: Tyler Wagner on How Authors Hit the WSJ Bestsellers List Apr 05, 2022

Tyler Wagner is the founder of Authors Unite where they’ve helped hundreds of authors become WSJ bestsellers.
After learning how to self publish back in the early days of Amazon publishing - he’s build an empire helping others do the same.
I wanted to know what it takes to become a WSJ bestselling author so I brought on Tyler to talk about their exact system for doing so.
He's also a crazy cool entrepreneur going from 3K a month to 8-figures and so I wanted to talk to him about his entrepreneurial journey.

BTB21: Unhackable | Kary Oberbrunner Mar 30, 2022

You’re sitting down either at a dinner or in a presentation with your boss and you feel a buzz in your pocket. You reach down to grab your phone to see what notification has popped up and realize there’s no notification.
You just experienced a ghost buzz. We’re so used to our phones buzzing all the time that we’re actually now feeling buzzes when we’re not even getting a text.
This is just one of the many ways you’re being hacked in the modern world.
I’m not some conspiracy theorist who thinks there’s someone out to get us all - I think it’s just a side effect of the modern world. The sad thing is - if you continue to get distracted every hour of every day - you’ll fail to engage in meaningful work. And if you fail to hit your goals week, after week, you’ll end up with a life of regret - and I’m not joking.
I’ve spent months in this vicious cycle.
But luckily all you have to do is build a few systems around your work and time - it’s that easy. I’ve done this through tools like newsfeed eradicator, turning all notifications off on my phone except calls and texts, and even setting my phone to black and white to make it less addicting.

Kary Oberbrunner wrote Unhackable to solve this problem (and just listening to his voice is so incredibly soothing). He's also a USA today and WSJ bestselling author of over 7 books - one of which - Unhackable has been praised by the likes of Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan for giving you your life back.

It’s a powerful message I believe can help you have less regret at the end of your life.

BTB20: How Mike Cohen sold 10,000+ copies of Nuerofeedback 101 Mar 21, 2022

In this episode we have our second interview with Mike Cohen about how he actually sold 10,000 copies of Neurofeedback 101.
According to publishers weekly, the average book in America sells about 500 copies, multiply that by 20 and you’ll get the number of copies the Neurofeedback has sold.
For those of you interested in writing a book - here’s how you write and market something that sells more than 500 copies.
Neurofeedback 101 on Amazon

BTB19: Neurofeedback 101 | Mike Cohen Mar 18, 2022

Welcome back to Before the Bestseller.

Moving forward I’m going to release two episodes for each author, the what - meaning we talk about the content of the book and the how - how the author actually became not just an author but a bestselling author.

Listeners who just want to hear from their favorite authors can listen to the what and those who want to listen to the how can listen to those and if you’re like me, and love both sides, then every episode is for you.

We’ll also have guests on time to time who aren’t authors but are deeply rooted within the industry - we’ll label these episodes, the who.

With that being said, here’s our first What episode with bestselling author, 10,000+ copies sold, Dr. Michael Cohen, on to talk about his book, Neurofeedback 101. For those of you who are like, "that sounds familiar", neurofeedback was mentioned in the top selling book, the body keeps the score (another book we’ve highlighted in a previous episode with Bessel van der Kolk M.D.). It’s a growing field of medicine which can provide for a more natural alternative for things like Adderall, Xanax and a lot of other pharmaceutical drugs. This is personal for me as I’ve had a lot of friends minds get screwed up from being overprescribed medicines when healthier alternatives exist without all the nasty side effects. I’m not a doctor and this isn’t the right solution for everyone but I think it’s worth having a listen and figuring out for yourself whether it could be right for you or someone you know.

BTB18: The Body Keeps The Score | Bessel van der Kolk M.D. Jan 19, 2022

My guest today is the 8th bestselling author in the world at the time of this recording.
His name is Bessel van der Kolk M.D. and his book is The Body Keeps the Score.
Odds are that you may have heard of this book.
Originally released in September of 2014 - that’s over 7 years ago.
Each year the book sells more and more and has become a global sensation, gaining fandom in eastern and western societies.
The Book, The Body Keeps The Score is a defining moment for healing trauma in our society and explores the science behind the movement away from prescriptions used to cover up symptoms, to truly resolving the trauma which plagues us.
The funny thing is that the book was never meant for such a wide audience. Bessel wrote it to move the study of trauma forward within his field but it accidentally found its way into the hands of people like you and I, who are using it to see and understand trauma in a new light.
A special thanks to Licia Sky who was behind the scenes in making this episode possible.
For those of you listening on the day this airs, the book club launches this Friday on the 21st, for those of you interested.
You can join here: https://traumaresearchfoundation.org/lp/trf-book-club/

BTB17: Book of Failures | Amy Lyle Nov 29, 2021

Amy Lyle is the bestselling author of The Book of Failures and We’re All a Mess, It's Okay. Her story is completely unique from anyone else's we’ve had on the show, from how she marketed her books, to the reasons for writing them.

Her book launch cost as much as a wedding, where she had over 300 people physically show up. She also isn’t afraid of getting down and dirty with optimizing the backend of her book and nailed it with her keywords & ads to keep the book selling well beyond the launch.

This all kept her book #1 in the huge amazon category of humor and entertainment for over a year.

She marries traditional book marketing and modern digital marketing so well and so I found her to be an incredible resource for fellow authors.

We also talk about how she gets speaking engagements, TV appearances, and some mistakes she made that you can avoid.

She’s also a stand up comic which makes for a very fun episode.

Amy’s book

Amy’s website

Amy’s Podcast: In the Burbs

BTB16: The 21 Day Miracle | Ed Rush Nov 22, 2021

Ed Rush is a 5 X bestselling author who knows what it’s like to have a book in the top 20 books on all of Amazon. His books have sold 10s of thousands of copies and he’s the master of converting readers into followers.

But he’s not just an author

Ed flew in his combat career as a decorated F-18 pilot, which included over 50 combat missions and 2 tours to Iraq. While in the Marines, Ed served as the one of the country’s leading instructors on aerial dog fighting and recently worked as a key player in the development of the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

He says he’s done all this despite possessing a below average intelligence and, which whether or not that’s true, everything he talks about is so actionable and accessible.

With His book, The 21 Day Miracle, he knows what it takes to make Amazon happy from backend keywords to product optimization. He woke up to hundreds of organic sales from Amazon promoting his book and if I hand’t seen the sales with my own eyes I probably wouldn’t believe it so I had to ask him how he pulled that off.

Ed is an implementer and has such a unique approach to getting things done. We talk about how he changes anything in 21 days. From fasting for 21 days to how he wrote the 21 day Miracle (in 21 days) its my absolute pleasure to talk with Ed Rush.
Ed's Website: https://edrush.com/
The 21 Day Miracle for 99¢

BTB15: The First 90 Days | Michael D. Watkins Nov 15, 2021

Today's guest wrote The First 90 Days, which since its release in November of 2003, has sold over 1.5 million copies. Mention The First 90 Days to anyone in a leadership, management, or HR role and they'll nod while saying, “I’ve read it and annotated it with highlights, writing in the margins, and my copies filled with sticky notes.”
It was on the Business Week's best-seller list for 15 months.
The author, Michael Watkins, went from teaching Corporate Diplomacy at HBS to confounding a leadership development company, Genesis Advisers, where he's worked with hundreds of leaders, including those at many Fortune 200 organizations to help accelerate leadership transitions within their organization.
Look on Amazon today and the book is consistently labeled a bestseller in some of the top Amazon categories, has almost 5,000 reviews, and even just a few days ago, was ranked in the top 700 books. The book's been selling for over a decade and continues to do just that.
The First 90 Days has also been translated into 29+ languages, named top 100 best business books of all time by 800-CEO-Read, named the "onboarding bible" by The Economist, and was listed among Amazon’s Top Business Books to Read in a Lifetime.
I'm excited to chat with Michael about how he was able to craft, not just a timely message that resonated with so many people, but one that’s lived on for going on two decades.
Connect with Michael here
Get on the Genesis Advisors Newsletter here
Join IMD's The First 90 Days Program here

BTB14: Dave Chesson on becoming the "Kindlepreneur" Nov 08, 2021

Today’s guest needs no introduction but I’ll give you one anyway.

Here's the hint: He’s Mr. Kindlepreneur. Not just by his own naming but by Amazon - which actually calls him that themselves.

While overseas in the military, he started building websites. One of his sites, Kindlepreneur, eventually took off with hundreds of thousands of visitors each month.

After hearing about the struggles of authors and reflecting on his own experiences, he built publisher rocket - a tool used by almost every self-published author and major publisher out there.

If fact, I speak from experience, Publisher Rocket is integral to my own business.

Dave and I talk about how he built what he did, his advice for authors in marketing a book in today’s world, and even going from solo-preneur to leading a whole team.

Along the way we also talk about his latest innovation, Atticus, which is an all-in-one writing and book formatting software.

Here’s Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur.
Kindlepreneur: https://kindlepreneur.com/
Publisher Rocket: https://alexstrathdee--rocket.thrivecart.com/publisher-rocket/
Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/
FREE Amazon Ads Course: https://www.advancedamazonads.com/

BTB13: The Perfect Day Formula | Craig Ballantyne Oct 26, 2021

Craig Ballantyne has written five books, including “The Perfect Day Formula: How to Own the Day and Control Your Life,” which has sold over 25,000 copies and has over 400 reviews on Amazon. His book, Unstoppable, is a WSJ bestselling book. His videos have been watched over 7 million times on YouTube.
He’s built five 7-figure businesses in five different industries, including a $5.5 million/year Turbulence Training business.
I wanted to ask him how he wrote books that still sell today, despite being launched years ago along with asking him about how he does so much with the same time we all have. He’s got some amazing systems that I’ve even started to apply to my own life.
Get more of him on Instagram @RealCraigBallantyne
Get his app on Winningstreak.io using code VXFLG2
Get his books for free: https://www.craigballantyne.com/books/
FREE Amazon Ads Course: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB12: The Power of Creativity | Bryan Collins Oct 17, 2021

Bryan is one of the most prolific writers I know. His site, https://becomeawritertoday.com/ has turned from a side passion to a full time business where his team blogs about various time management, reader-tech, and writer topics along with many helpful courses.

He's written many books including the power of creativity which has over 400 reviews on Amazon.

He’s also contributed to publications like Forbes, Lifehacker and Fast Company which we get into talking about how he did that.

His story is one of creating something from nothing which we can all relate to and in this episode we get his exact blueprint for doing so.
Bryan's podcast: https://podcast.becomeawritertoday.com/
FREE Amazon Ads Course: www.advancedamazonads.com

BTB11: Make Your Mess Your Memoir | Anna David Oct 11, 2021

Anna David is an all-around bada$$!

She's a NYT bestselling author of 8 books (both fiction and nonfiction), a publisher, a TEDxer, a TV personality, podcaster, and much, much more.

She’s been published by the likes of Harper Collins and Simon & Schuster.

She’s been on Good Morning America, written for Time Magazine, The Huffington Post, US Weekly and many others.

Her podcast is one of my favorite shows. She lands $50K clients from her Instagram and in our episode we cover all of this and why your email subject lines should sound like something you’d send your mom.
Anna's Podcast: https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/podcast
Instagram Cheat Sheet & Email Sequence Templates: https://www.legacylaunchpadpub.com/alex-download
FREE Amazon Ads Course: www.advancedamazonads.com/beforethebestseller

BTB10: Britfield and the Lost Crown | C. R. Stewart Oct 04, 2021

When you hear Chronicles of Narnia or Harry Potter, you think of the top .001% of fiction books. These are often cited as the pinnacles of success for fiction authors who build something bigger than a book, go on to become major blockbusters, and bring in billions of dollars.

Today’s author is very much on his way to becoming the next Chronicles of Narnia and I could not be more excited to share his story with you.

Chad's got an incredible marketing mind and has committed to his fiction series in a big way.

In our chat we cover everything from how he’s increased the news-worthiness of his series by adding an educational component to it, how he literally emailed every middle school teacher across the country to speak in classrooms, and how he plans on turning the book into a major blockbuster.

This episode honestly feels like a degree in book marketing. I will warn you it’s a bit of a longer episode but there was so much gold throughout it that I couldn’t help but keep it all.

C. R. Stewart's Book: Britfield and the Lost Crown
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB9: Skip The Flip | Hayden Crabtree Oct 04, 2021

Hayden Crabtree is the author of Skip The Flip which, in just a year, has racked up 600+ reviews on Amazon. He’s sold thousands of copies as a first time author and uses the book to grow his 7-figure real estate business - all at the age of 25.

I wanted to bring him on to talk about how he has such a high engagement rate with his readers, his omnipresence approach to online marketing, and even talk about how he’s now used his platform to launch his software company.

I loved how incredibly actionable his episode was as we to talk with him about his book launch and the marketing around it.
Hayden's Book: Skip The Flip
Hayden's Software: MyPropertyStats.com

FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB8: The Bezos Letters | Steve Anderson Oct 04, 2021

With The Bezos Letters, Steve Anderson went from being a small time entrepreneur just outside of Nashville to becoming an International bestselling author, hitting the WSJ list.

Steve was just looking to put together a lead magnet to offer prospects but in doing so realized he had something much bigger on his hands. After reviewing shareholder letters from Jeff Bezos since the company went public, he uncovered in plain sight what Jeff Bezos had been planning all along and what we’ve come to know today as Amazon.

It's a fantastic deep dive into how Amazon has managed to continuously take calculated risks over and over that have paid off in a big way.

With such a big launch, he poured a good amount of marketing budget into it so whether you’ve got zero budget or a lot, he gives us some things to avoid spending money on when launching.

It just hit 400 reviews.
Steve's Book: The Bezos Letters
Steve's Website: The Bezos Letters
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB7: A Radical Approach to the Akashic Records | Melissa Feick Oct 04, 2021

A Radical Approach to the Akashic Records has racked up over 1,000 reviews on Amazon. It’s been a bestseller on amazon for years, not just for a day or two during the launch.

It was written by our guest in this chat, Melissa Feick. She breaks down the exact blueprint she used to write and market her bestselling book as a no-name self-published author.

Although Melissa calls it out herself that some people find what she says to be controversial as it relates to the spiritual world, you can’t help but get to the end of the show and realize that Melissa is also a marketing genius and the results show for themselves.

From her book she’s built multiple 6-figure businesses and has added thousands of subscribers to her email list directly from her book.

She’s got one of the best book funnels I’ve ever seen and here she goes into the details of exactly what her book funnel looks like.

Aside from business, you also can’t help but see that Melissa is incredibly purpose driven in her work and how she’s been able to take decades of experience changing the lives of her clients to create scalable products.

Let’s dive in.

Melissa's Book: A Radical Approach To The Akashic Records
Melissa's Website: The Spiritual Expansion Academy
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB6: Marketing Outrageously | Jon Spoelstra Oct 04, 2021

Ryan holiday and others have made their living taking what's old and making it new.

A lot of time, what is old is new again. Take bell bottom jeans or bomber jackets. I love listening to how things were done 10 years ago because you’ll often find things that no ones doing now.

That’s why I wanted to bring on WSJ bestselling author Jon Spoelstra. Who’s got a long history of being a successful author not just 20 years ago but now as well.

Jon worked as a National Basketball Association executive for:

->Buffalo Braves
->Portland Trail Blazers
->Denver Nuggets
->New Jersey Nets

While at the Nets he became famous for a stunt he pulled where he sent physical rubber chickens to fans to get them to renew their season tickets.

Mark Cuban wrote the forward to this book which we get into how that came about.

He also happens to be the father of Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami heat

Let’s jump into it with Jon.
Jon's Book: Marketing Outrageously

FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB5: Lifestyle Entrepreneur | Jesse Krieger Oct 04, 2021

Jesse is a younger version of Richard Branson. He's also built and sold a record company along with a dozen other entrepreneurial pursuits. He comes across as one of the most low-key guys but he also speaks mandarin, was a bestseller in Asia, with his publishing company he’s behind some of the biggest book launches and now he’s just launched a software company that could rival Amazon and completely change how self publishing is done.

In our chat we talk about his own journey as a bestselleling author, we talk details on exactly what he did to produce some of the biggest book launches, and then we go on to talk about how he’s completely changing how self-publishing is done, allowing authors to make money virtually through the resale of their own digital-copy books.

Jesse's NFT Platform
Jesse's Book: Lifestyle Entrepreneur
Jesse's publishing company: Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB4: Brian Meeks | Fiction & Non-Fiction Authors Oct 04, 2021

Today’s guest is one of my favorite people in self-publishing. He’s a great friend and mentor of mine and is one of the most innovative people I know when it comes to implementing new strategies and technologies.

Brian went from living below the poverty line to being a 6-figure author of both fiction and nonfiction books.

After making it as a fiction author, he then went on to teach and write non-fiction books to help fellow authors make money from their work.

His books all have hundreds of reviews on Amazon. He’s got a Mastering Amazon Ads Facebook group with over 10,000 members

In our episode he talks about how he found his fiction niche and grew his audience in a way that you can replicate, we talk about how he’s become the master of copy and how he got my book to convert at 1 sale for every 6 clicks. We also talk about how he’s build one of the most loyal followings of authors in self publishing.

Stay tuned to the end where Brian talks about how he was table to rank is book in the top 500 of all of amazon for 10 days straight, 5 years after he launched it.

Brian's Book: Mastering Amazon Descriptions
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB3: The 100-Page Book | Mike Capuzzi Oct 04, 2021

Today, we’ve got a very special guest.
I feel so fortunate to know him because he just gives, gives, and gives. Money aside, I think he runs one of the most integral businesses and just really leads with compassion and thoughtfulness for the people he works with.

He’s helped thousands of business owners around the world create better marketing.

In 2019, Mike launched Bite Sized Books, a publishing venture founded on his proven formula for creating short, helpful books (known as shooks) for Main Street business owners.

Mike recently published, The 100-Page Book, which shows how to author, publish and leverage a shook in their business which is consistently labeled a bestseller on Amazon.

He also founded software company Copy Doodles, which comes recommended by the likes of Dan Kennedy, Russel Brunson and Bill Glazer.

I’m excited to chat with him because for the busy entrepreneur, who’s told they need to write a book, it’s hard for them to find the time. Mike provides a step-by-step breakdown of how an author can get that book done and the catch is that it’s less than a 100 pages. This also plays into the positive psychology of a reader who actually finishes the book.

He actually walks the walk and writes them himself and sells them by the hundreds every month, years-on from his book launches. He’s got an amazing CTA strategy which is also one of the highest converting ones that I’ve seen.

It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Mike Capuzzi, let’s bring him on.

Mike's Podcast: The Main Street Author Podcast
Mike's Book: The 100-Page Book
FREE AMAZON ADS COURSE

BTB1: Sell 100+ Homes A Year | Krista Mashore Oct 04, 2021

Krista Mashore has been in the top 1 % of realtors nationwide for 20 years. Krista is the author of four best selling books focusing on digital marketing and has been named Yahoo Finance’s #1 digital marketer to watch in 2021! She has been featured in Forbes, Inman News, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, Fox, and many more! Krista recently took her new coaching business from zero to 18 million dollars in just under four years with a projection of 20 million+ by the end of this year. She is the recipient of seven Two Comma-Club Awards, and one Two Comma Club X Award.

Through her coaching, teaching, speaking and training, Krista is revolutionizing the way entrepreneurs and professionals market themselves online. She offers an innovative step-by-step approach on how entrepreneurs can gain a massive digital footprint.

She is one of the most creative people in how she’s leveraged her book to grow her business.

Besides all the accolades Krista is one of the hardest working people I know and I’m so excited to have her on to talk about all things book marketing, her funnels do millions, she has amazing tips for entrepreneurs to stay focused over the long term, and so much more.

Krista's Podcast: F.I.R.E.D. UP
Krista's Client Avatar Sheet
Krista's Bestselling Book: Sell 100+ Homes A Year
FREE Amazon Advertising Course

BTB2: Profit First | Mike Michalowicz Oct 04, 2021

Today we’ve got one of the most humble entrepreneurs/authors I know. After selling 2 million-dollar tech companies early on, he spent all his money and ended up broke. From there, he’s built incredibly strong values which have built him back into the Mike Michalowicz we all know today.

Mike started off his author career as The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, who after buying 20K copies of his book personally and selling none of them - realized he needed to find another way.

He finally started selling copies when the moms of the students he was speaking in front of, started to take to the book.

The rest is history.

He’s now gone on to write 7 bestselling books. You might have heard of Profit first which has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon and he just released Get Different, which has already sold thousands of copies so we’ll also talk about that as well.

There’s so many takeaways in this show, from finding your core niche, to things to avoid spending your time on, and at the end, Mike also gives us 5 80/20 book launching tactics.
Let's dive into our chat with Mike.

Mike's new book: Get Different
Mike's podcast: Mike Up In Your Business
FREE Amazon Advertising Course

Welcome to Before The Bestseller Sep 30, 2021

Welcome to the Before The Bestseller Podcast
This show is for book lovers and creators who want to go behind the scenes with their favorite authors to hear about how they were able to not just write a book but create a movement.

How did this author write a story that would resonate with thousands of people?
How did they launch their book to the top of the Amazon, WSJ, and NYT charts?
Did they have a following before the book or did they build it with the book?
How did they get their readers to go one step further with them, to hire them as a coach, join their masterclass, or even just subscribe to their email list?
What did they do that others should not waste their time on?
How were they able to bring something so passionate to life when so many of us struggle to even find our passion?
How can we take what they taught us, and apply it to our own journey towards a purposeful life?

These are just some of the questions you’ll be hearing from me as we dive into books like:

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
The First 90 Days with Michael Watkins
Dave Chesson on how he started writing books, became the go to person on amazon book optimization, and then launched a 7/8 figure software business from it
Melissa Feick who built multiple 6-figure businesses onto the back of her book
Hayden Crabtree who had no following but was financially free by the time he left college via real estate. He then built his following with his book, Skip the Flip
Brian Meeks, who made 6-figures as a fiction author writing in the woodworking/guinea pig niche and is now working with another guest...
Jesse Krieger who’s building powerfan.io, an NFT creation platform for creators to monetize their work and show us the next generation of publishing
Jon Spoelstra - sports marketing legend who had his forward written by MarK Cuban and now writes fiction books
Chad Stewart who emailed every middle school teacher in the US to do a classroom visit and then also created an institute around his book to make it newsworthy. He’s just signed a movie deal.
Steve Anderson who wrote The Bezos Letters, a WSJ bestselling book, that started off as just a lead magnet
Mike Capuzzi who coined the term shook, a genius way for business owners to have a book
Krista Mashore who’s a 2 comma award recipient from ClickFunnels

I’m only bringing on authors who've successfully published books themselves and actually make money from their publishing whether from the books or the backend so we can walk away with the exact blueprints on how they got to where they are now.

One thing you’ll notice about all of these authors is that they’re hitting their potential. That’s why I do what I do, it’s why you’re listening to this, and we get to learn about how these top authors were able to build their dream life, having real impact, providing us with the exact blueprint for how they did it.

This is a new show so feedback will be critical, give it to me, the good, the bad, the ugly how can I make this an even more enjoyable experience for you? How can I make it more worth your time? I know there’s a ton of places your attention could be right now so I want to make sure you know you can always count on me to give you exactly what you need, when you need it. Let me know who you’d like me to have on, let me know what questions you want me to be asking.

So hit subscribe leave a review and let’s reach our full potential together. My biggest fear in life is getting to the end of my life, whenever that may be and having regret. It’s whaat makes old people grumpy, why they yell at kids making noise and having fun, I don’t want to be that old person, I don’t want you to be that old person, let’s do this. Let’s go Before The Bestseller.

Becoming George Washington: Hamilton's Tamar Greene Jan 16, 2020

Becoming George Washington: Hamilton's Tamar Greene by The Young Professionals Podcast

Dan Black, Head of Global Recruiting @ EY, How to WIN the Talent War Dec 15, 2019

We're in a war for talent. We brought in Dan Black, Head of Global Recruiting @ EY to consult with us on how to make sure we're beating competitors to the best talent.

What's your excuse? Boxing Champion Antoine Douglas Nov 25, 2019

Antione Douglas is Alex's boxing coach. He's also a boxing champion drawing comparisons to some of the greats. Here, he talks about his earlier years in life which set him up for who he is today. It's also why he calls his proudest fight ever, one he lost.

Space travel, disappointing your parents, and being a billion dollar CTO, with Michael Beckley Nov 18, 2019

Michael Beckley is the CTO of the 2017 Top-Tech IPO, Appian. We wanted to know what CTO's do all day, so we thought this would be a good time to ask. Along the way we learned about changing majors, cofounding a company, and got to ask him what tech is maybe even too complex for him to wrap his head around.

How to ask your boss for more money with Rashqiue Mustahseen Nov 10, 2019

We bring back Rashique from episode 6 to walk us through the blueprint of how to have that awkward conversation around how much you're worth! Luckily we have Rashique to walk us through it.

Working for Someone Else to Start Your Own Business with Win Sheridan Nov 05, 2019

Today’s episode is another focused on the blueprint for pursuing entrepreneurship. In fact, possibly even a more attainable form of entrepreneurship because our guest says it himself, he didn’t try to reinvent the mousetrap, him and his friends just built a better one. Sometimes we get so caught up on the next idea that’s going to totally create a whole new industry, instead of just improving something that already exists. What you’ll hear about in this episode is how Win Sheridan went to work in an industry for a couple years, learned it, and then decided he could do it better. And they did do it better, they hit just shy of 1 million in revenue in their first year they’ve made more net profit in their first year then uber is yet to do in its entire existence. So here’s Win’s blueprint for building a better mousetrap.

Credit Card Points: Travel for FREE with Tim Henderson Oct 21, 2019

Who else knows those ads of Jennifer Gardner asking you what's in your wallet, Mastercard's “Priceless” commercials, or Amex, “Don’t leave home without it”. All of these so that they can continue to make sure that 4/10 Americans have credit card debt. But what if we got to change the narrative and instead use these credit cards to increase our own wealth in terms of experiences? Tim, who’s in his mid 20s travels the world in business class all paid for by these credit card companies who compete to offload their barrage of points in hopes that you’ll end up spending more than you have. Here’s the blueprint for playing the credit card point game, the myths around how it impacts your credit score and getting those free trips around the world.

Traveling the World with The World Nomads Oct 13, 2019

If there’s something season 3 really needs, it’s shooting the shit with 2 true blue aussies about travel. We’re young adults, It’s on all of our minds, especially mine since I just quit my job to go travel the world. Who knows? Maybe this episode is more forme than it is for you but nonetheless, if you’re someone who’s dying to get out there in the world, we got the blueprint for making sure you’re focused on the right things when you travel, learned how to travel safely and in a morally correct way, learned a few places that should be at the top of your list for 2020 travels, and got to hear about a pissed off swearing croation taxi driver along the way. I found today’s guests through there own podcast, the World Nomads Podcast, and ended up visiting them in Sydney Australia where I invited them to come on. So Phil and Kim, welcome!

Ski Instructor -> Serial Entrepreneur: The Bruce Thompson Story Oct 06, 2019

We’ve all had that one great idea that we think could really be a great business, unfortunately we give into roadblock and get paralysis by over analysis and after leaving the idea on the backburner long enough, it ends up just fading away. On the other hand, there's a group of individuals that are not just able to take the one good idea and turn it into something, but are able to do that with many ideas, over, and over again, maybe it’s because once they figure out how to make one idea work, they somewhat have a blueprint to work with when pursuing the next. Wouldn’t it be great if we could get inside the heads of one of those individuals so maybe we could at least see what that blueprint might look like? Well today we have the entrepreneurial story of one of the biggest real-estate developers on the east coast. But he got his start as a snow ski instructor. From there he identified the opportunity to plan ski trips which evolved into operating busses and a charter airline company. I could go on but I think there’s only one person who can do this story justice, and that’s bruce himself.

How to save enough money to travel the world Sep 29, 2019

I don’t think anyone here’s those words and doesn’t have that reaction. And that sucks! Being able to financially support ourselves is oftentimes why we do what we do between the hours of 9-5 every M-F. PAUSE What if we were able to have a greater financial consciousness so that we could spend more time of our life doing what we love and not just to support ourselves. This episode is all about the blueprint to do so because as Jazzi says, the goal of personal finance is to not have to think about personal finance.

Real Estate Millionaire Chris Craddock Sep 22, 2019

We’re known as the renter's generation. Thanks to growing up in the midst of the worst economic contraction since the great depression, 2008 has taught us to refrain from any sort of financial commitment. Who can blame us for wanting to rent? We must get outside of this mindset, however, if we are to overcome the poor spending habits of generations prior. Let’s be honest, between the finding of the house, getting financing, and finding and managing tenants, it’s a bit of a mind-fuck (bleeped) so we brought on Chris, who’s goal is to own 13 million in real estate by the time he’s 50, who also leaves us with a great quote, you’re either paying for your landlord's house or your own. Here’s the blueprint for anyone looking to add real estate to their portfolio.

2.88 GPA to $2.5 MIL in Sales at Microsoft Sep 15, 2019

Rishav and I wanted to bring back a favorite. We say favorite his episode had over 500 downloads so you all obviously thought there was something to learn from him, and we agree! Since the last time we spoke, he’s got new awards (probably from the millions in deals he closed for Microsoft in just one quarter), new life achievements which includes a duck in the oven, and a new city. Along the way, we learn about sales, living in Charlotte, and achieving those top awards within your organization. So Bradley, what is going on in your life?

Mail Room to Super Bowl, Executive Producer (SNF & Super Bowl), Fred Gaudelli Sep 08, 2019

Super Bowl 52 was watched by over 100 million in the US. Many of us remember it from our couch and the following months and months of eagles fans making sure to let everyone know they were among the now 20 NFL teams to ever win the Super Bowl. Our guest remembers it differently, and also got to have possibly the best seat in the house, that’s because he was watching from the control room. That’s because he was the man who ran the whole show that ⅓ of all Americans watched. That means in his position, let's say you’re walking down the street, every third person you walk by, his work, has impacted. How many people have that sort of impact on such a large amount of Americans? Maybe Jeff Bezos and the many packages that arrive at our homes each week? Maybe Tim Cook and the iPhones we all walk around with? Yes, we put him in that category, as the executive producer of the super bowl(the 6th that he’s produced) and Sunday night football for 14 seasons. How does one get a gig like this? That’s what we wanted to ask Fred, in our first episode of Season 3 of practically passionate, Fred, first question here…..

The Global Citizen, Maury Peiperl Apr 29, 2019

Maury Peiperl goes by many titles. Global citizen is by far one of his favorites. Maury walks us through his crazy career which includes a stint as entrepreneur and board member of a global non-profit.

Building Personal Systems with Successful Entrepreneur & #1 Bestselling Author Christian Chasmer Apr 07, 2019

Christian Chasmer comes on to talk about the need for personal systems to ensure consistency and intention while delegating your time and resources.

Corporate to Coffee: All Around Young Professional, Ray Clatterbuck Mar 11, 2019

Ray Clatterbuck quit his job in consulting to chase after a startup. A few years later it's now worth millions of dollars. He's also extremely athletic and still finds time to go salsa dancing. He comes on to give us his blueprint.

Cracking the Case Study & Other Life Lessons: A Candid Conversation with Steven Skripak Mar 04, 2019

Cracking the Case Study & Other Life Lessons: A Candid Conversation with Steven Skripak by The Young Professionals Podcast

President Mentoring: Jim Liddle of Champion Aerospace Feb 26, 2019

We brought on the past-president of Champion Aerospace to talk with us about his career.

Over 1 Million Listens on Spotify: Aspiring Music Professional Ryan Cam Feb 17, 2019

Not a regular conversation. This one is about making it in the music industry with an up and coming artist who has over a million listens on Spotify.

How To Quit Your Job Feb 10, 2019

We brought on someone who hated their first job.....and quit after a year. He tells us how to do it, step by step, and talks about his latest job in venture capital.

Practical Mentoring: Ditch the Pitch Feb 04, 2019

Part of one of our mentoring session where we cover the alternatives to the standard, "Hi I'm so and so, I study x, and I want a job.

The One Way to Connect with Anyone from Air Force Veteran Michael Morales Jan 30, 2019

As a high-energy leader, Michael Morales has considerable strategy, operations and management expertise. He possesses broad international experience having spent over a decade advising political and military leaders throughout Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The list doesn’t stop here; His 20 year service in the Air Force was built on flying C-17 & C-130 aircraft. He flew over 200 combat airlift missions, served as an instructor pilot and was a selected as a White House Fellow. Mike attended the Air Force Academy where he became a lifelong rugby player. No, he's not Ironman, but we think he's pretty darn close. Its our pleasure to introduce Michael Morales.

Storytelling with Emmy Winning Journalist Bofta Yimam Jan 22, 2019

Bofta Yimam gives us pointers on how to turn our stories into compelling ones.

A Recruiters Guide to Changing an Organization with Courtney Connolly Jan 14, 2019

Courtney tells us how to really instill change within an organization.

Barista, Bartender, Brave lifeguard to running a #1 podcast: Team GaryVees Seth Feingersh Jan 07, 2019

Team GaryVees Seth Feingersh on the struggles of hopping from job to job and how he finally got paid for doing what he loves.

New Years Resolutions Are Stupid - Do This Instead Jan 02, 2019

Rishav and I take on the tried notion of making new years resolutions while in a treehouse.

Super Bowl Champion Ben Utecht on Winning in Life Dec 09, 2018

Super Bowl Champion Ben Utecht comes on to talk about how he plants his feet on the ground every morning thinking, "What can I do today where when I get back in bed tonight, I can be proud."

How to Find a Job You Love and Tell A Story That You'll Get You There Dec 02, 2018

Craig Barry comes on to talk about his timeless advice to approaching an interview from the perspective of the employer. Totally turning the premise of an interview on it's head by showcasing human qualities as opposed to academic or corporate.

CEO Mentoring: The Quickest Way to Break Into Any Industry from Brad Casper, CEO of OH Partners Nov 19, 2018

CEO of OH Partners, Past President of the Phoenix Suns, Past CEO of the Dial Corporation, Past VP @ P&G, his resume goes on and on. Brad Casper teach us how to be relevant to any industry.

Grit, Consistency & Jim Carrey in a Vending Machine Nov 11, 2018

TV producer by the age of 27, Britton Nagy shows us what it really means to be practically passionate. She got her start on reality and talk shows like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Late Show with David Letterman, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She’s worked on dozens of successful projects, and has filmed all over the world with some of Hollywood’s most notable figures.

Bonus Episode - Practically Political Nov 06, 2018

We wanted to release a timely episode (make sure to get out and vote tomorrow) that dives into navigating the political landscape job-wise. We also break into ways to overcome the typical, "Apply Online", reply we all get when meeting recruiters face-to-face. We brought on Brad & Fraser Traverse, of BradTraverseJobs.com, to help us out.

Owning Your Personal Finances Nov 05, 2018

Credit Scores, 401k, Student Loans… yeah it’s a lot to wrap your head around. With the help of Lesley Chen-Young, a recent graduate from Duke University and a current Associate at LinkedIn, we unpack and understand the concepts that matters to us all: our financial well-being.

Breaking into the NFL/NBA with a First Generation College Student Oct 29, 2018

We brought on Kristi Simmons, first generation college student, who's paying her way through school. 4 years were not wasted here, after she wrote formal letters to major sports teams landing internships at the Golden State Warriors, Washington Redskins, and Detroit Lions & Pistons. Here, she shares her story.

Wine Talk From the Wine Man: John Boyer on Wine for Young Professionals Oct 23, 2018

We brought on wine expert, John Boyer, to talk about why drinking wine is important for a young professional but not be confused with a typical college drinking experience. He talks about it as a life enhancer, including it's impact on him hanging out with some cool people such as Mike D of the Beastie Boys.

Branding Yourself Consistently with Donna Wertalik Oct 16, 2018

We brought on multiple Telly Award winner and Director of Marketing, Donna Wertalik to teach us how a young professional can maintain a personal brand separate from their companies.

Tackling the H1B Paperwork: Getting a Job in the U.S. Oct 08, 2018

After fielding some questions from our international audience, we had a chat with Akshay Rawat to give us the blueprint for obtaining a job in the U.S. and navigating the H1B process. The stresses he had to endure are simply hard to fathom. He's now working for PWC in Charlotte, NC.

Microsoft With a 2.88 GPA Oct 02, 2018

Having a high GPA is seen as the answer to high-paying jobs and future success. However, just because you’re an ‘A’ student it does not mean you will be guaranteed success in the workplace. Similarly, just because you’re a ‘D’ student it does not mean you will be a failure. Bradley is a living example of this testimonial. Not only did Bradley interview with Microsoft, but he accepted a full time offer with the company with a 2.88 GPA. His story showcases us that in business, success is only accomplished when you’re pursuing your goals with a sense of purpose. The biggest companies in the world are no longer interested in the grades you got in your freshmen year classes. They want life experiences, they want you to tell a story and they want to bring you on to help them change the world. Learn how to do take those initial steps by giving this episode a listen!

CEO Mentoring: A Conversation With Wes Bush, CEO of Northrop Grumman Sep 23, 2018

We brought on Wes Bush, the CEO of Northrop Grumman, to talk about the things he did in school to become the CEO, the values he's focused on, and his unique take on mentorship.

Does Happiness Exist After College? Sep 17, 2018

Does Happiness Exist After College? We brought on recent graduate and an Institutional Services Associate at Dimensional Fund Advisors, Madeline Warholic, to answer this question. She has set herself up for success by creating the right routines and transitioning into long-term goal setting to achieve balance and to squash the notion that college is the best 4 years of your life.

Changing Your Behavior: Extroverts vs. Introverts Sep 10, 2018

One of our favorite things to do towards the end of a project is to ask, "After working with us, what qualities did you dislike & what qualities did you like?"To learn from our mistakes,we used our time with Kalli Martin, a Senior Software Engineer at Capital One to hear her thoughts on this matter. As a self-identified introvert, Kalli Martin has crafted the art of understanding herself, her team & her environment to maximize the value created.

Cattle Call of the Career Fair: Standing Out From the Herd Sep 03, 2018

Stuart Mease comes on to talk about the "Cattle Call" of the career fair, crazy ways to get through to a company, billable skill-sets, and what it takes to be someone worth recommending.

10 Terms to be Relevant in Business Today Aug 26, 2018

10 Terms to be Relevant in Business Today by The Young Professionals Podcast

7 Ways to Tackle Boredem Apr 25, 2018

You come across Instagram worthy motivational quotes, inspirational sound-bytes or simply just wake up with an energetic mentality to seize the day....AND Then...All that energy and the fuel that got you started, slowly goes away?We've all been there. Getting into a mundane routine of class and downtime made us live for the weekends only to dread the weekdays.With this horrible mindset, being bored was an option we had to throw away immediately.in this episode, we discuss/list the 7 easy things we can all do today to curb boredom.

Negotiating Your Salary & the Power of Now Apr 18, 2018

Learn How to Negotiate your salary by utilizing the Power of Now and simultaneously prove your worth to a company by doing so.

Owning the Internship/Job Apr 02, 2018

WE ARE BACK! With the next episode of Practically Passionate….How to own your internship/start of your new job. In this podcast learn, how to make your first day on the job easier, learn ways to use your resume to network around the office or company, and learn how to get ahead in your workplace before you ever set foot in the lobby.

The Triumphant Resume Feb 28, 2018

If two guys like us can go from having paragraphs and useless bullets on our resume to crafting a polished document that helped us get interviews and full time offers from companies such as Under Armour, Appian, Microsoft and LinkedIn… just imagine what you could if you got started today! From the header section to the skills, we break down the process in bite sized pieces. What are you waiting for? Take a listen and starting writing one today!

Linked-In Your Way to a Job Feb 21, 2018

LinkedIn is not for weird old people! With only a couple of tweaks and edits, go from where you are to becoming the person you admire in a matter of a few clicks! We share the secrets to writing catchy taglines to sending connection requests. Why the wait? Take a listen and connect with us today!

Value-Based Networking Feb 19, 2018

You're told to grow YOUR network, but the moment you attend a career fair, happy hour or any event around your community, you simply can't get past the small talk?In this podcast, we break down the steps to humanizing these interactions! No more awkward small talks that make you cringe. Take a listen and start making those conversations today!

Knowing Your Stories Jan 31, 2018

“Tell me about yourself…”The dreaded interview questions that we all sometimes struggle to answer is no more! Give a quick listen, hear our answers and how we break down the format to getting you to the job of your dreams today!

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