Hello Author

David Ogilvy once said, ‘The more you tell, the more you sell.’ In this episode, I break down why providing detailed information, when done strategically, can boost book sales. I’ll share how Author Nation's RAVE uses storytelling and layered messaging to build excitement and how you can apply the same tactics to sell more books.

In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of counterintuitive marketing, where unconventional strategies lead to extraordinary results. I’ll explore insights from marketing legends Eugene Schwartz, David Ogilvy, and Rory Sutherland, and show how these principles apply to indie authors. From amplifying existing desires to creating exclusivity, you'll learn how to attract readers and build demand in ways that defy logic.

In this episode, I explore Eugene Schwartz’s principle that successful marketing doesn’t create desire—it amplifies what already exists. Learn how to uncover and leverage the desires your readers already have to build irresistible book campaigns. I’ll use examples from Author Nation's RAVE to show you how tapping into existing passions can transform your marketing approach.

In this episode, I explore how managing your creative energy like a balanced system is essential to sustainable authorship. Learn how to strategically align your creativity, business, and relationships to avoid burnout and create a lasting, fulfilling writing career.

In this week’s episode, I explore Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership by Joseph Jaworski, discussing how aligning your inner values with your actions can transform your leadership journey. Tune in for key insights on leading from within, shifting your mindset, and embracing synchronicity to connect with the people and opportunities that drive meaningful change in your work and life.

In this week's episode, I delve into Kraig Kramers' "CEO Tools" and share the invaluable insights I gained from him through Vistage. Discover how mastering tools like the one-page business plan and understanding the importance of implementation over imitation can transform your business strategy. Join me as I explore the essence of turning knowledge into actionable results for lasting success.

In this week's episode, I shift gears from my planned topic to share a deeply personal journey. I'll explore the concept of peak creative performance, debunking common myths about success, and offering practical insights into managing stress and achieving an upward spiral in your creative and personal life. Join me as I discuss the importance of cycles, recovery, and seeking help to improve and sustain high performance.

In this week's episode, I dive into "The Formula" by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg, exploring how success strategies from Formula One racing can be applied to the publishing world. Join me as I discuss the vital roles teamwork and innovation play in driving success and creativity in your writing journey!

Join me this week as I discuss the future of publishing through the lens of Michael Lewis’s Moneyball. This episode explores how statistical analysis can transform the publishing industry, allowing indie authors to thrive while traditional publishers struggle. Learn how to leverage this data to design your own success algorithm and stay ahead in the competitive world of book publishing.

Join me this week as I delve into the Human Givens approach and its profound impact on human behavior. I'll explain how meeting our innate emotional needs can enhance storytelling and marketing strategies. Discover how embracing these principles and challenging conventional approaches can help build a thriving community around your brand.

Join me this week as I discuss the influence of behavioral psychology on decision-making and marketing. I'll share insights from my experiences with experts like Nick Epley and Richard Thaler and how their teachings have shaped my approach to creating effective marketing systems. Discover how challenging your own thinking and the status quo can set you on a path to success in the publishing industry.

Join me this week as I delve into the profound influence of Shane Parish, the mastermind behind "The Knowledge Project" podcast. I explore Shane's insights on decision-making, the importance of mental models, and introduce his latest book, "Clear Thinking," which focuses on developing critical and consistent thinking. Discover actionable steps to enhance your decision-making process and stay present in your daily actions.

In this episode, I explore how to deepen our learning methods beyond what we pick up from others, emphasizing that real understanding and innovation come from developing our own approaches. I discuss the importance of advancing through the levels of Bloom's taxonomy—from basic recall to creating new ideas—and relate this to the Japanese concept of Shuhari, which describes the journey of learning, mastering, and transcending knowledge. I challenge listeners to evaluate their learning processes and consider how they can move beyond mere application to truly innovative thinking.

Dive deep into the world of persuasion and propaganda with me in this episode, where I explore Edward Bernays’ seminal work. Discover how his theories shape our understanding of media, influence, and public opinion, and learn how you can apply these concepts to more effectively connect with your audience.

Join me on this week’s episode as I explore the impact of stoic virtue in our lives, inspired by the philosophy in the book, “The Obstacle is the Way.” Discover how embracing these principles can shape your responses and actions, creating a purpose-driven life.

Join me in this episode as I explore transformative customer-centric sales techniques. Learn how these strategies can revolutionize your relationships with readers and boost your book sales.

Dive into the world of Seth Godin with me in this episode, where we explore the profound insights from his books like “This is Marketing” and “The Practice.” Discover how these principles can revolutionize your approach to marketing and creativity within your writing business.

In this podcast episode, I look at how culture impacts business success using ideas from Ben Horowitz's book "What You Do Is Who You Are." I discuss how our actions shape our brand's identity, highlighting the key role of leadership in building a culture that aligns with our values. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a team, join me as I share strategies for creating a thriving culture that genuinely resonates with your audience and drives sustained growth.

Join me on this week's podcast as we discuss the book "Blue Ocean Strategy" and how it can revolutionize your approach as an author. We'll explore the vast, uncharted waters of creating unique markets and discuss practical steps to build your digital homestead. Tune in to discover how to create experiences that draw the right readers to you, making your offerings not just another book on the shelf but a destination.

Join me this week on the podcast as we delve into Marshall McLuhan's groundbreaking essays in "Understanding Media." McLuhan, a visionary from the 1960s, dissected how media reshapes society and introduced concepts like "The Medium is the Message" and "Global Village." Discover how his foresight into media's impact is even more pertinent today and delve into how these ideas can shape your social media strategy to better connect with readers.

This week, I'm stepping away from our usual book discussions to dive into something crucial for your growth as an author: understanding and articulating your brand promise. Through the inspiring example of Y.Chroma and its founder, Max Israel, I'll show you how a compelling brand promise isn't just a catchy pitch but a deep, consistent narrative woven into every aspect of a business, influencing customer identity and loyalty. We'll explore how you, as an author, can apply these principles to make your books not just products but essential, identity-defining experiences for your readers.





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In this week's episode, I delve into Brad Jacobs' enlightening book, "How to Make a Few Billion Dollars.” Jacobs has consistently excelled in the realm of publicly traded companies, not just through financial maneuvers but by adopting a mental framework that assesses and strategically resolves industry issues in line with his vision. Through this lens, we’ll discuss how to navigate the latest trends and disruptions in the publishing industry and determine which are right for your business—all while maintaining autonomy and staying true to what matters most in the storytelling business.

Join me on this week's episode as I explore the transformative power of thinking big in businesses. Drawing on Dan Sullivan's book 10x is Easier Than 2x, I unpack how adopting a 10x mentality can revolutionize your approach to growth and scalability. From embracing AI to redefining the storytelling landscape, discover actionable insights to elevate your business to new heights.

In today's episode, I dive into "The Debrief Imperative" by James Murphy and William Duke, a game-changing book that outlines a systematic approach to planning, briefing, executing, and debriefing for unparalleled results. I share my journey of applying these principles within my own team at Author Nation, emphasizing the power of debriefing to institutionalize learning and drive continuous improvement. Join me as we explore how this methodology can transform repetitive tasks into opportunities for incremental advancement, ensuring that every launch or project is a step towards perfection, no matter how imperfect the process might seem.

In this week's episode, I explore the transformative potential of integrating "The Balanced Scorecard" framework with actionable game paths to drive strategic business outcomes. Using my work within Author Nation as a case study, I highlight how a focus on customer satisfaction fuels our overall company performance and growth. Join me as I reflect on the experimental nature of crafting systems and the long-term vision these game paths serve.

In this episode, I share insights on the "Knowing-Doing Gap" concept, drawing inspiration from Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton's 2000 book of the same name. Join me as I examine the root causes of this phenomenon within the publishing industry, highlighting the fear of change and lack of trust as prominent factors. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, I emphasize the importance of taking action over elaborate planning, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and navigating the gap between knowing and doing to move forward effectively.

Join me in this episode as I delve into the transformative power of experiences, drawing inspiration from the 1999 book, "The Experience Economy." Discover how moving beyond commodities and services to create authentic experiences can elevate your brand and engage your audience on a deeper level. Together, let's explore practical strategies to enhance your reader's journey and make your brand an unforgettable experience.

In this episode, I explore the concept of adopting algorithms for success, drawing insights from "Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions" by Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths. By examining the pitfalls of fixed rules in decision-making, I emphasize the importance of establishing systems over setting goals, guiding listeners towards a more stable and impactful approach to achieving their objectives. Through real-life examples and insightful analysis, I encourage listeners to rethink their strategies and focus on optimizing their present state for long-term success.

In this week's episode, I delve into the influential ideas of Seth Godin and André Chaperon, two content creators who have profoundly shaped my perspective on audience building. Together, their philosophies underscore the significance of building cumulative advantage and leveraging the acute and chronic value of true fans in driving long-term success in the publishing industry.

In this episode, I discuss a book that I believe can greatly benefit you on your writing journey - "Business Model Generation" by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur. The authors provide valuable insights into designing a model that aligns with your personal vision while avoiding common entrepreneurial pitfalls. Tune in to learn how to apply these principles to your writing journey and gain a competitive edge in the publishing industry.

In this episode, I delve into two influential books, 'Traction' by Gino Wickman and 'Who Not How' by Dan Sullivan, exploring how they interconnect and shape the landscape of entrepreneurial success. Discover the origins of these books and learn valuable insights on building effective teams, letting go of tasks, and fostering a network that propels creative endeavors.

In this episode, I delve into the timeless insights on entrepreneurship and systemization from Michael E. Gerber's "The E-Myth." Reflecting on my own business journey, I share how indie authors can incorporate Gerber's principles to create adaptable systems that foster emergent properties, transforming their reader community experience.

In this episode, I challenge the conventional wisdom that competition is the driving force in the publishing industry. Instead, I explore the transformative power of cooperation and how it can lead to a surplus of value within a Pareto market.

In this episode, I explore the nuanced motivations behind writing, challenging authors to consider the atelic (non-result) and telic (objective-based) aspects of their creative pursuits. Drawing inspiration from Oliver Burkeman's work on productivity, I emphasize the importance of finding joy in the creative act itself, navigating the pressures of the publishing landscape, and ultimately trusting the atelic to enhance the natural manifestation of results over time.

Join me as I explore the dichotomy between being a daydreamer and a creator, emphasizing the transformative power of turning imagination into action. Drawing inspiration from my personal experiences, Picasso's journey, and insightful quotes from figures like Kurt Vonnegut and Teddy Roosevelt, I challenge the conventional notions of success, highlighting the importance of embracing the joy of creation and overcoming fears to step into the creative arena.

In this episode, I delve into the intricate dynamics of change and transition, drawing parallels between my own experiences with Author Nation™ and Robert Fritz's ideas on creating one's life as art. Join me as I explore the transformative power of rearranging structures to navigate the tensions inherent in change and explain how the principle of least resistance can reshape your business and life.

In this episode, I discuss the nuances of transitions in life, drawing on William Bridges' three-phase psychological process of change. Using personal experiences and the evolution of Author Nation as examples, I emphasize the importance of transparent communication, adapting to change, and embracing the challenges that come with transitions, ultimately highlighting the need for constant evolution in an era where change is the norm.

In Episode 1 of Season 4, I introduce the workings of my current project, Author Nation, providing insights into my business strategies. This season's key themes include change and transition, marketing, sales, experience, promotion, business practices, and mindset. Join me as I share valuable perspectives and lessons learned in navigating the dynamic landscape of the self-publishing industry.