In this episode of Adventures in Business, Amani and Mandi chat with Julie Broad, founder of Book Launchers, to talk about writing a book, the challenges of self-promotion, and the realities of book marketing. Julie shares her personal journey from real estate investing to becoming a best-selling author and book publishing expert, shedding light on what it really takes to write, publish, and sell a successful book.
Why So Many People Never Finish Writing Their Book
A statistic in the publishing world is that while 81% of people say they want to write a book, only 4% start one, and just 4% of that group actually finish. Why? Julie says it’s like dieting – many people begin with great intentions but lose motivation along the way.
One of the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make, she says, is having the wrong motivation. A bestseller title feels great in the moment, but that alone isn’t going to sustain you through the ups and downs of writing a book. Instead, she says that authors need a deeper, more meaningful reason to keep going, like the impact they want to make or the opportunities they hope to create.
The Importance of Self-Promotion
Mandi brings up a challenge that many business owners and authors struggle with: self-promotion. People feel like they’re bragging, and they don’t want to come across as arrogant. But the truth is, nobody is going to tell your story better than you. So you can’t be afraid to tell it.
Many authors assume that a great book will naturally find its audience, but Julie warns that this simply isn’t true. If you don’t talk about your book, no one else will. And talking about it once isn’t enough – you need to share it repeatedly, across different platforms, to reach a wide audience.
What New Authors Get Wrong About Book Marketing
A common misconception among new authors is that Amazon will sell their book for them. Julie debunks this myth, saying Amazon is an algorithm. It will help sell your book, but only after you’ve done the work to prove that people want it.
Instead, authors need to actively drive traffic to their book, encourage reviews, and optimize their book’s metadata to give Amazon the right signals.
What Works in Book Marketing Today
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, Julie shares that the most effective book marketing strategy is having an engaged audience ready to buy. Whether it’s through an email list, social media, or speaking engagements, building anticipation and a community around your book is key.
Where to Start When Writing a Book
If you’re thinking about writing a book, the idea of publishing can feel overwhelming. Should you pursue a traditional publishing deal? Should you go the self-publishing route? What factors should guide your decision? Julie Broad breaks it down for us.
Understanding Your Publishing Options
One of the first hurdles in the publishing world is deciding between traditional publishing and self-publishing. Traditional publishing often seems like the dream scenario – getting a book deal, receiving an advance, and having a major publisher push your book into the world. However, many authors find that traditional publishing comes with unexpected drawbacks, like lower-than-expected sales, advance repayments, and loss of control over their work.
Julie Broad explains how self-publishing works, and how it can help you keep control over your intellectual property. She shared a story of an author whose book was legally republished under a different name without their involvement – an eye-opening example of what can happen when an author gives up their rights.
While traditional publishing can provide credibility and larger distribution networks, it also means lower royalties and longer timelines. On the other hand, self-publishing gives authors full ownership, creative control, and a larger percentage of profits, though it requires more upfront effort in marketing and production.
Start with Your Goals
Before deciding on a publishing path, Julie talks about the importance of defining your goals. What do you want your book to achieve?
Are you looking to grow your business or personal brand?
Do you want to establish yourself as an expert in your industry?
Is your book meant to share a personal story or legacy?
Are you hoping to land speaking engagements or media opportunities?
The answers to these questions can help determine whether traditional publishing or self-publishing is the best fit. Julie says to not write a book just because it sounds glamorous – without a clear goal, the effort may not be worth it.
Who Are You Writing For?
Once you’ve identified your goals, the next step is to define your audience. Who is the single most important person that needs to read your book?
Many new authors assume that their story is compelling enough on its own, but Julie says you need to answer, “Why would someone read your book instead of someone else’s?” If you’re competing with celebrity authors or industry leaders, what makes your book stand out?
Choosing the Right Writing Process
If you’ve decided to move forward with writing a book, the next step is determining how you’ll approach the process. Julie suggests reflecting on how you typically learn and execute new projects:
Do you prefer working with a one-on-one coach for personalized feedback?
Would a group setting with accountability partners keep you motivated?
Do you thrive with step-by-step courses that provide structure?
Are you more of a self-starter who learns best through reading books and watching tutorials?
Understanding your learning style can help you choose the right support system, whether that’s hiring a writing coach, joining a writing group, or following a structured online program.
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