Whether you’re a coach, a consultant, a memoirist, or a niche expert with a story to tell, we’re sharing real-world advice to help you rise above the crowd and actually connect with your readers.
Here’s a recap of the key insights from Sarah’s session. Grab your favorite highlighter and notebook — there’s gold in here. 🏆
Yes, bestseller status is shiny. But chasing it often leads to short-term, unsustainable strategies. Instead, try to:
Start with the end in mind. What do you really want your book to do? Generate leads? Build your brand? Get you speaking gigs?
Write with purpose. Your book isn’t just about you — it’s for your reader. Focus on the transformation you’re offering them.
🗣 “Your book might be about you, but it’s not for you.” – Sarah Bean
Spoiler alert: Your reader isn’t everyone.
Move beyond vague demographics. Instead, dig deep:
What are your readers struggling with?
Where do they hang out (online and off)?
What have they tried already that didn’t work?
How do they talk about their problems?
The better you understand your readers, the more your book will feel like it was written just for them.
Your “hook” is the magnetic message that makes people say, “I need this book.” And it should answer this sequence:
A: What’s the problem your reader is facing?
B: What’s your unique solution?
C: What’s the outcome of the outcome?
For example, a book on financial freedom isn’t just about budgeting — it’s about the freedom to travel, to quit that 9–5, to finally sleep well at night. That’s what you’re really selling.
It’s not just your content that matters — it’s how you present it.
Title & Subtitle: Short, memorable, and SEO-friendly.
Cover: It needs to pop as a thumbnail. Think contrast, clarity, and emotion.
Table of Contents: Each chapter title should spark curiosity and highlight a benefit.
Your Amazon “Look Inside” preview? That’s prime real estate. Use it to sell the transformation.
Want to attract media, endorsements, or influencers? Then prep like the pro you are. Here’s Sarah’s checklist:
✅ Website (even a simple one)
✅ Social media presence
✅ Lead magnet + mailing list
✅ Editorial + reader reviews
✅ Media kit
✅ Videos of you speaking or presenting (yes, even on Zoom!)
Be ready when opportunity knocks — and have your virtual “headshots in the car.”
Don’t just build your own audience — borrow others (ethically, of course).
Create a “dream list” of influencers, podcasters, and community leaders in your niche.
Follow and engage with them before you pitch.
Look for ways to offer value (share their content, recommend their work).
When you reach out, be clear on what you want: a blurb, a podcast invite, a social post.
It’s a long game — relationships come first, the ask comes later.
Authors often think: “Once my book is out, I’ll start marketing.” But your marketing needs to start before the first word is written. Don’t wait for opportunity to knock. Set out the welcome mat. Robert Belle did just that. A numbers guy by trade, Robert is an accountant who dared to do something unexpected — he wrote a book about creativity. His goal? To help other professionals (yes, even the spreadsheet-loving ones) reconnect with their creative spark and let it fuel their careers.
His book, Blow the Lid Off: Reclaim Your Stolen Creativity, Increase Your Income, and Let Your Light Shine!, didn’t just sit quietly on a shelf. Because Robert had put in the prep work — building a website, creating resources, and thinking deeply about his message — he was ready when a major opportunity came calling: a TED Global Talk.
Not just TEDx. The big leagues.
And because he was prepared — because he built it — his talk was selected, went live, and garnered over two million views in its first year. His book sales surged. His inbox started filling up with leads. And most importantly, his message got out there.
The moral of the story? Your book is a calling card. But your brand — your platform, your prep, your perspective — is what opens the door.
So write the book. Build the funnel. Polish the pitch. Even if the “what’s next” feels uncertain.
Because when the moment comes — and it will — you’ll be ready to shine.
Want to dive deeper? Download the free audiobook version of Self-Promote and Succeed by Book Launchers founder Julie Broad at selfpromoteandsucceed.com/audio.
Register for our next Speaker Series! Each month we host live Speaker Series sessions with book marketing and self publishing experts. Anyone can join the live sessions and Gold & Platinum Members can watch the recordings any time!