Write Publish Market

In this episode, Jodi breaks down a topic that many business owners encounter when considering writing a book: understanding the role of the book within their business ecosystem. This understanding helps business owners writing books set realistic expectations and appropriate goals.

Time Stamps: 00:00 – Introduction

01:30 – The common misconception about book sales

03:15 – Why your book isn't your primary revenue stream

05:45 – The math behind book sales vs. client revenue

08:10 – The real ROI of a business book

10:25 – What happens when expectations are misaligned

12:40 – Reframing your book as a supporting asset

14:30 – Where your book fits in your business ecosystem

16:00 – Thinking in terms of offers: tripwires, upsells, and more

18:20 – Why clarity early in the process matters

20:00 – Final thoughts and wrap-up

Keywords: book as a business asset, business book strategy, author marketing strategy, book ROI for business owners, how a book grows your business, lead generation with a book, book as a supporting product, signature offer vs book, business ecosystem strategy, sales funnel and books, nurturing leads with a book, know like trust factor, book marketing expectations, monetizing a business book, book vs coaching revenue, entrepreneurial author strategy, writing a book for your business, book marketing for entrepreneurs, long term ROI of a book, tripwires and upsells, offer suite strategy, book as lead magnet, sales cycle acceleration, content marketing with a book, business growth through publishing

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Episode 170: Sales Multipliers + Your Book: http://www.jodibrandoneditorial.com/write-publish-market-podcast/170

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Du0z1Lhu5UKwry1ayv1sqrwAlE91FpsGm3VEDhqA_Eo/edit?usp=drive_link

In this episode, Jodi welcomes back Hailey Dale to discuss how business owners can write a book without putting their business on pause. They discuss how your signature process can become the foundation of both your content strategy and your future book, why your content is an asset (and not disposable), and how to use your editorial calendar as a book-writing tool.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Introduction of Haley Dale

02:00 – The push-pull between content creation and book writing

04:00 – Why you need a signature process before writing a book

05:30 – From signature process to book outline

07:30 – Content campaigns as chapters

08:20 – Example: Atomic Habits by James Clear

09:30 – Validating book ideas through content response

11:00 – "Your content is an asset"

13:30 – Permission: This is not your magnum opus

16:00 – "Your content is your book. You just need the right system."

18:30 – Building audience while writing the book

20:00 – The 4-step process recap

23:30 – Why the first draft feels overwhelming

27:30 – Book recommendation: The Lifestyle Business Playbook by Daniel Priestley

Keywords:

signature process, content pillars, editorial calendar, content campaigns, repurposing content, business book strategy, nonfiction book writing, first draft overwhelm, content as an asset, lifestyle-first business model, minimalist content system, authority building, thought leadership, book marketing strategy, content repackaging, table of contents development, audience building, book launch preparation, IP development, sustainable content systems, book writing for business owners, business owners writing books, book writing for entrepreneurs

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Lifestyle Business Playbook by Daniel Priestley

About Our Guest:

Hailey Dale is an author and award-winning content creator behind Your Content Empire. With 10+ years of experience, she helps coaches, course creators and service providers scale their businesses through custom strategies, sustainable systems and lifestyle-first business model design.

https://www.yourcontentempire.com/

https://www.instagram.com/yourcontentempire

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nzLKUyI0gEwu4PVOuPzDHdKE-Lzi3dymr9h7YXnGJ1U/edit?usp=drive_link

In this episode, Jodi breaks down the emotional and mental challenges of writing a nonfiction book as a business owner, focusing on the "messy middle" when motivation dips and doubt creeps in. She explains why these cycles are completely natural, how to recognize your personal patterns of resistance, and what to do to get back on track. Jodi also shares practical strategies for recommitting to your writing schedule, revisiting your goals, and understanding the hidden costs of delay so your book can become the powerful marketing asset your business needs.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome to the Write Publish Market Podcast

02:00 – What the "messy middle" really is

03:30 – The predictable motivation arc: excitement → resistance → doubt

06:00 – Why messy middle ≠ wrong project

07:45 – Invisible progress and lack of external deadlines

10:00 – Competing priorities and deprioritizing your book

12:00 – How to reset: clarity, structure, accountability

14:00 – The Book Planning Intensive evolution

16:30 – Creating a realistic writing schedule with data

19:30 – The hidden costs of not finishing your book

22:00 – Final encouragement: dips are normal—regroup and continue

Keywords:

messy middle, book writing motivation, sustaining momentum, resistance and doubt, writer's block, imposter syndrome, fear of rejection, invisible progress, self-publishing, external deadlines, competing priorities, realistic writing schedule, writing habit, authority building, invisible ROI, clarity and recommitment, accountability and support, book as a marketing asset, nonfiction book strategy, long-term projects in business, business owners writing books, book writing for business owners

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Ready Set Write Challenge: https://bit.ly/readysetwritechallenge

Book Planning Intensive: https://www.jodibrandoneditorial.com

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PqhNXwesdEO_LnN84Wenq_ZxQHuoQ3RpB_Ylk_z8QFw/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi and Erin Ollila discuss how business owners should use website copy strategically to sell and promote a book, whether that's a dedicated book website or a book sales page on your existing business site. Erin shares with listeners where to feature the book throughout your website for trust-building and SEO, and how blog posts and podcast show notes can drive long-term book visibility. Jodi and Erin also discuss email marketing as it relates to books, including direct sales strategies, customer data, and email list permissions best practices.

Time Stamps:

00:01 — Intro + welcome Erin back

02:40 — Book page on existing site vs. separate book website

05:23 — Why keeping the book on your site supports SEO + authority

07:36 — The must-have: a dedicated book page (and where to place it)

09:31 — Where to reference the book (About page, homepage, resources)

11:46 — Use blog posts + podcast show notes to promote the book naturally

13:00 — SEO strategy: long-tail keywords + "more windows on your house"

16:44 — Why direct sales matter: upsells, funnels, customer data

23:23 — Email compliance: permission-based opt-ins + receipt email strategy

28:20 — Build a book-specific nurture sequence (before general newsletter)

29:45 — What a book page needs (keep it simple)

32:52 — Media page vs. media section on book page

35:45 — Permission to take a "B-minus approach" and improve later

39:44 — Book recommendations + where to find Erin

Keywords:

book sales page, book website vs sales page, author website copy, website copywriting for authors, book landing page, book page on website, how to sell a book on your website, direct book sales, selling books direct, book marketing for business owners, book funnel, book nurture sequence, email opt-in compliance, CAN-SPAM laws, customer data for authors, SEO for authors, book SEO keywords, blog posts for book marketing, podcast show notes SEO, branded keywords, author platform, about page book placement, website navigation book page, media page for authors, speaking page for authors, book page conversion rate, copywriting tips for book pages, business owners writing books, book writing for business owners

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Erin's podcast: Talk Copy to Me: https://erinollila.com/podcast/

About Our Guest:

onversion copywriter. Copy Coach. Lover of ice cream, especially in non-dairy forms. Erin Ollila is a conversion copywriter who believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. When she's not working with big brands and small businesses to marry strategy, storytelling, and SEO, you can find her exploring southeastern MA with her family and friends. Erin graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.

Website: http://erinollila.com

Talk Copy to me (podcast): https://erinollila.com/podcast/

Links to social media accounts:

Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12NfaADDVbezVb5EPLxs3sdmq6g8M9N-eDN3BnJT67v0/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi breaks down what sustainable book marketing really looks like for business owners and leaders, and why long-term promotion should feel manageable rather than exhausting. She explains how marketing energy shifts after launch, why business owners need a different approach than traditional authors use, and how combining active and passive strategies creates a marketing plan your book (and your schedule) can sustain.

Time Stamps:

00:00 — Introduction: Why sustainable book marketing matters

01:00 — Burnout and overwhelm in book marketing

02:20 — Launch energy vs. long-term marketing energy

03:30 — Why business owners market books differently than traditional authors

04:45 — Experimentation and data in book marketing

05:40 — Active vs. passive marketing explained

06:45 — Practical day-to-day marketing approaches

07:15 — Simple visibility tactics that work quietly

08:15 — Quarterly promotion pushes and marketing cycles

09:30 — Building a sustainable long-term marketing plan

Keywords:

sustainable book marketing, book marketing for business owners, long-term book marketing strategy, author marketing plan, book promotion strategy, passive book marketing, active book marketing, book launch vs long-term marketing, marketing a business book, entrepreneur author marketing, book marketing burnout, evergreen book funnels, book marketing systems, book marketing for CEOs, book ROI strategy, business book promotion, marketing after book launch, author platform growth, book visibility strategy, marketing books sustainably, book writing for business owners, business owners writing books

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Write Publish Market Episode 179: Effective Long-Term Book Marketing for Business Owners Writing Books

Write Publish Market Episode 143: Think Beyond the Book Launch

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15HlbN4esX56SHyL9fgJlh0hyTYoF6txEsGTfoOQkeqc/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi explains why direct selling your book is the smartest marketing strategy for business owners and leaders. She breaks down the limitations of third-party sellers (including Amazon), explores how upsells and bundles can create increased ROI, and shows how direct sales help business owners collect data, build relationships, and guide readers through their business ecosystem.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Part 2 of the Business-First Book Series

01:10 – Why direct selling matters more than ever

02:15 – The limits of retail outlets and Amazon fatigue

03:45 – Why traditional book marketing advice doesn't work for business owners

05:10 – The real purpose of a business book

06:30 – Why royalties are not the primary goal

07:40 – Relationship-building vs. transactional sales

09:00 – The importance of owning customer data

10:20 – "Do the Math" – how direct sales multiply ROI

12:45 – Upsells, downsells, tripwires, and order bumps

14:20 – Example: pairing a book with a workbook or masterclass

16:30 – Using experimentation to refine your strategy

18:10 – Episode recommendations and resources

19:00 – Book Planning Intensive and final thoughts

Keywords:

direct book sales, book marketing for business owners, selling books directly, Amazon fatigue, third-party booksellers, book royalties, author revenue, book sales strategy, sales multipliers, upsells and downsells, order bumps, tripwires, book bundles, customer data, business ecosystem, author marketing, publishing strategy, self-publishing marketing, book ROI, tangible ROI, intangible ROI, book funnels, relationship-based marketing, business-first books, entrepreneur authors, book promotion

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Episode 207: Self-Publishing: A Business-First Approach for Business Owners

Episode 204: Do the Math to Generate Tangible and Intangible ROI from Your Nonfiction Book

Episode 200: Direct Sales Are the Future of Book Marketing

Episode 170: Sales Multipliers + Your BVook

Book Planning Intensive: jodibrandoneditorial.com/services

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wlm9UPHknZOjtrSg843DMi4a0kfS0DCY4WIArG4px_w/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi makes the case for self-publishing as Plan A for business owners. She explains how control, speed to market, pricing flexibility, and brand alignment make self-publishing a smart strategic choice for business owners and leaders who want their book to serve their business goals.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome and episode overview

01:05 – Making the mindset shift: self-publishing as Plan A

02:10 – Why the "traditional publishing or bust" mindset persists

03:30 – The importance of foundational book planning

04:45 – How publishing paths have evolved

06:00 – Why traditional publishing isn't author-centric

07:30 – Control: the biggest advantage of self-publishing

09:10 – Timeline, pricing, royalties, and messaging control

11:30 – Why retail placement may not serve your goals

13:00 – Fitting your book into your business ecosystem

15:10 – Self-publishing as a strategic business decision

16:30 – The book's role in revenue and client journey

18:20 – Overview of hybrid publishing as an option

19:30 – Preview of Part 2 of the Business-First Book Series

Keywords:

self-publishing, traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, business books, author mindset, publishing paths, book strategy, publishing control, book marketing, business ecosystem, author royalties, book pricing, book timeline, publishing decisions, entrepreneur authors, CEO authors, publishing process, book authority, client journey, book as business asset, direct sales, publishing strategy, publishing options, thought leadership books, book publishing mindset

Resources Mentioned:

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Episode 171: Self-Publishing as a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure

Episode 150: Understanding Hybrid Publishing

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AKm-0yEISiy7vWmgz4TLL5DOru7drwDqgXqnNMfVwPE/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi breaks down why so many business owners overthink their book projects—and how to replace overwhelm with clarity and momentum. She walks through the foundational planning steps, explains how to structure your book based on your business goals, and shares practical tips for reducing decision fatigue through repurposing and realistic scheduling.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 – Why business owners overthink their book projects

02:05 – Acknowledging the many moving pieces

03:10 – Why a vague "book time" block doesn't work

04:15 – A personal story: discovering the power of a more specific plan

06:00 – Understanding your writing capacity and time tracking

07:30 – How writing, publishing, and marketing all fit into your plan

09:00 – Foundational book building blocks: who, what, and why

11:35 – Deep dive vs. overview structure—how to choose

13:00 – Repurposing content without guilt

15:00 – Using a Book Brain Dump to reduce overwhelm

17:10 – Why you won't (and shouldn't) know everything about publishing

18:15 – Final encouragement for moving from idea → manuscript → asset

Keywords:

book planning, writing strategy, author overwhelm, book project plan, content repurposing, book structure, business owner authors, publishing process, book timeline, writing capacity, author mindset, book building blocks, Book Brain Dump, book coaching, author productivity

Resources Mentioned:

Book Brain Dump Exercise: https://bit.ly/bookbraindump

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Ready Set Write Challenge: www.jodibrandoneditorial.com/readysetwrite

Write Publish Market Episode 203: Prepare Now to Write a Book in 2026: 3 Tips for Business Owners: http://www.jodibrandoneditorial.com/write-publish-market-podcast/203

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1snDUCQ5RI4unQ5MLjBppn0iY2ODYo2OPk8SSUpQ0BD8/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi breaks down why registering your copyright is essential—especially in the age of AI and digital piracy. She explains what automatic copyright does (and doesn't) protect, shares a recent real-world case involving AI scraping thousands of books, and walks through what to do if your work is pirated. If your book is part of your business ecosystem, this episode is a must-listen.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

00:55 – Why copyright registration matters more than ever

02:05 – Automatic copyright vs. registered copyright: what's the difference?

03:15 – The Anthropic/Claude AI scraping case and what authors learned

06:00 – Why some authors received settlements and others didn't

07:20 – Why registration is a powerful "insurance policy"

08:30 – Human-generated content and what can be copyrighted

09:45 – The $35 decision that protects your IP

10:30 – What to do if your work is pirated or used without permission

12:15 – DMCA takedown notices and how they work

13:45 – Legal disclaimers (Jodi is not a lawyer!)

15:00 – Final encouragement: protect your work, protect your business

Keywords:

copyright registration, book piracy, DMCA takedown, Claude AI case, author rights, book protection, intellectual property for authors, US Copyright Office, AI and copyright, publishing law, business owner authors, book copyright basics, protecting your book, legal steps for authors, copyright infringement

Resources Mentioned:

U.S. Copyright Office: https://copyright.gov/

Anthropic/Claude AI lawsuit coverage: https://www.anthropic.com/

DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act): https://www.copyright.gov/dmca/

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

Ready Set Write Challenge: www.jodibrandoneditorial.com/readysetwrite

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TwagY7clIYTeqeEWZA13BMhiNZQYJ0kc_iutoSgyfpY/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, Jodi explores the tangible and intangible ROI of a book for business owners and why focusing solely on book sales misses the bigger picture. She shares examples from her new "Do the Math" sections in the newest edition of Write.Publish.Market., showing how books can drive revenue through coaching, courses, and offers — not just book royalties.

Time Stamps:

00:00 – Introduction and context for today's topic

01:00 – Revisiting the "intangible ROI" concept

02:00 – Introducing the "Do the Math" feature in Write.Publish.Market.

03:15 – Book launch reflections and why bestseller status isn't the goal for business owners

05:00 – Key takeaways from the 2024 Business Book ROI Report

07:30 – Example 1: Book + Webinar or Masterclass upsells

10:00 – Example 2: Book leading to coaching and consulting offers

12:30 – Example 3: Comparing direct sales vs. third-party platforms

15:00 – Stacking offers: upsells, tripwires, and mini courses

18:00 – The power of pairing tangible ROI with intangible outcomes

20:00 – Final thoughts: "Do the math" for your book's business impact

Keywords:

book ROI, business book strategy, book marketing, author revenue, direct book sales, coaching offers, book funnels, upsells and tripwires, tangible ROI, intangible ROI, book launch strategy, Smith Publicity ROI Report, book as business asset, publishing ROI, author income streams

Resources Mentioned:

A Comprehensive Study of Business Book ROI (2024) by Amplify Publishing Group, Gotham Ghostwriters, Smith Publicity, and Thought Leadership Leverage: https://authorroi.com/

Coffee + Commas signup: https://bit.ly/coffeeandcommassignup

LINK TO FULL EPISODE (RAW) TRANSCRIPT:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1on6VyH0_jXw6d4tFB7QcohKG56WiSHWO78vhJy7tDLA/edit?usp=sharing