Episode 211: Sustained Book Project Motivation for Business Owners
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
Episode 210: Use Copy Strategically to Help Your Book Sales Page Convert
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
Episode 209: Active vs. Passive Book Marketing Strategies for Business Owner Authors
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
Episode 208: Use Direct Book Sales to Grow Your Business Ecosystem
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
Episode 207: Self-Publishing: A Business-First Approach for Business Owners
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