Show Notes

INTRODUCTION

Today, we're diving into a topic that's near and dear to my heart – how authors can move beyond just selling books to building truly profitable businesses.

Did you know that the average self-published book sells just 250 copies? And a shocking 90% sell fewer than 100 copies total. Yet, there are authors out there building six and seven-figure businesses from their books. The difference isn't luck or even writing talent – it's strategy.

If you're an author or aspiring author who wants more than just modest royalty checks, this episode is for you. And stick around until the end because I have a special invitation that could transform how you think about your book's potential.

THE REALITY OF BOOK INCOME

Let's get real about book income for a moment. I call this the "Royalty Reality."

If you're lucky enough to make $10 in royalties per book (which is quite generous), you'd need to sell 5,000 books to make $50,000. That's about 96 books every single week of the year.

For most authors – even talented ones with great content – that's an uphill battle. And if we're honest, most traditionally published authors make far less than $10 per book.

This isn't meant to discourage you. I'm actually sharing this because I want you to think differently about your book's purpose in your overall business strategy. What if your book could be the beginning of a journey with your readers rather than the end product?

The authors who truly succeed financially aren't the ones who sell the most books – they're the ones who've figured out how to leverage their books to create multiple streams of income.

THE THREE AUTHOR DILEMMAS

In my years of working with authors, I've identified three major challenges that prevent most from building profitable businesses:

First, there's the Royalty Reality we just discussed – the math simply doesn't add up to a sustainable living through book sales alone for most authors.

Second is what I call the Visibility Trap. With over 2 million books published each year, standing out through book sales alone is nearly impossible. No matter how good your marketing is, you're competing in an ocean of content.

And third, there's the Pricing Ceiling. There's only so much you can charge for a book – even the best books in the world rarely sell for more than $30. This puts a hard cap on your potential income if you're only selling books.

Does any of this sound familiar? If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. These are universal challenges that nearly every author faces.

THE BOOK AS A GATEWAY, NOT A DESTINATION

Here's where we need to shift our thinking: What if your book isn't your final product but actually your most powerful marketing tool?

When I published my first book, I was so focused on sales numbers. I checked my dashboard daily, celebrated every review, and kept pushing marketing. But despite decent sales, the income wasn't life-changing.

The breakthrough came when I realized my book was creating something far more valuable than royalties – it was creating credibility, authority, and most importantly, relationships with readers who wanted more from me.

These readers didn't just want information; they wanted transformation. They wanted guidance, community, and deeper learning experiences that a book alone couldn't provide.

That realization changed everything about how I approached my author business. I started seeing my book as the beginning of a relationship with my readers, not the end goal.

The most successful authors today understand this principle. They view their books as the gateway to a relationship with their audience – a business card that opens doors to speaking engagements, coaching opportunities, courses, and other higher-ticket offerings.

I heard Jack Canfield once say, “The book is the brochure that people buy to see if they want to work with you.”

SIGNS YOU'RE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP

How do you know if you're ready to think beyond book sales? Here are some signs:

• You're frustrated with low book sales despite having valuable content that genuinely helps people.

• You find yourself spending more on marketing than you're making in book royalties.

• Readers are reaching out asking for more help, resources, or guidance beyond what's in your book.

• You feel you're leaving money on the table and not fully monetizing your expertise.

• You want to make a bigger impact and help transform more lives with your message.

If any of these resonate with you, it's time to consider how your book fits into a larger business ecosystem rather than standing alone.

MY MONETIZATION EPIPHANY

Let me share my own journey with you. Back in 2017, I found myself facing a common problem among authors—I had several books published, but the financial returns were disappointing.

Then I realized that I had been approaching this all wrong. The real value of my book wasn't in the royalties it could generate—it was in the organized intellectual property it contained.

My epiphany was this: My book wasn't just a product to sell; it was a roadmap for creating multiple streams of income.

Each chapter of my book represented a workshop I could teach. Each section could become a module in an online course. The entire framework could become a coaching program or membership site.

With this new perspective, I wrote "Digital Mastery for Women: The First 5 Digital Marketing Components You Need to Master in Your Business." But this time, writing the book was just the beginning. As soon as it was published, I began creating a suite of products and services based on the content. I had already started a membership program in 2016 but once I wrote the book, I created workshops and online courses based on the book.

The results were staggering. In the first year alone, this book generated over $18,000 in revenue—not from book sales, but from the membership program and other programs I created based on the book's content.

In the years since, that single book has been responsible for generating nearly $80,000 in revenue. All because I changed my perspective on what a book could be.

THE MONETIZED AUTHOR WEBINAR

If you're ready to transform your author journey from simply selling books to building a profitable business around your expertise, I have something special for you.

I'm hosting a free training called "The Monetized Author Framework: How to Leverage Your Book to Build a Profitable Business."

In this training, I'll be sharing the exact 5-pillar framework I've used to generate over $400,000 from my books – not through book sales alone, but through a strategic ecosystem of offers.

In this training, you will learn:

• The 3 Critical Mindset Shifts that separate struggling authors from those building six-figure businesses

• The 5 Most Profitable Monetization Paths for authors (and how to choose the right one for your book and audience)

• How to Position Yourself as an Expert (not just another author) so you can charge premium prices for your knowledge

• The Exact Framework I've used to generate over $400,000 from online courses, coaching programs, and membership programs based on my books

• The Simple First Steps to start monetizing your existing book (or the one you're writing) within weeks, not years

This Masterclass Is Perfect For:

• Non-fiction authors looking to generate more income from their existing content

• Fiction authors interested in monetizing their craft knowledge and creative process

• Self-published authors who want more control over their financial future

• Traditionally published authors frustrated by small royalty checks

• Soon-to-be-published authors who want to position their book as part of a larger business

• Subject matter experts using a book to establish their authority

Your knowledge deserves to be monetized properly—and it's easier than you think.

This live training is happening on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7PM EDT. To register, go to DMAWebinars.com or check the show notes for the link. If you are listening to episode after the date, check the show notes for the replay link.

I truly believe that as an author, you deserve to be well-compensated for your knowledge and expertise. Your book is just the beginning of what you can offer the world – and I'd love to show you how to unlock its full potential.

I hope this episode has given you a new perspective on what's possible for you as an author. Remember, your book isn't just a product – it's the foundation of a potentially life-changing business.

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with an author friend who might benefit from this message. And don't forget to register for my upcoming webinar, "The Monetized Author Framework," where I'll go deeper into these strategies.