E2A 089: Beyond the Book – 5 Ways to Monetize Your Book 

Writing a book is just the beginning—real impact and income come from what you do beyond the book. In this episode of The Entrepreneur to Author Podcast, your host Scott MacMillan breaks down why some authors thrive while others struggle to gain traction. Discover how successful thought leaders turn their books into powerful business assets and leverage them for high-ticket opportunities, premium speaking engagements, and scalable revenue streams.

Scott walks through five proven business models that can transform your book into a thriving business. Whether you're an aspiring author or have already published, this episode provides a roadmap to maximize your book’s potential and establish lasting influence.

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Episode Transcript

Please note: The transcript is produced by a third-party company from an audio recording and may include transcription errors.

Scott MacMillan:

You're listening to the Entrepreneur to Author podcast. 

Announcer

Welcome to the Entrepreneur to Author podcast, the podcast that brings you practical strategies for building authority and growing your business. And now, here's your host, Scott MacMillan.

Scott:

Writing a book is just the beginning. Real impact and income come from what you do beyond the book. If you've ever wondered why some authors explode in influence and revenue while others struggle to sell a few hundred copies, well, this episode is for you.

A book alone won't build your business, but it can be the key to unlocking high ticket opportunities, premium speaking gigs, and scalable revenue streams. So today I'm going to walk you through how the most successful thought leaders use their books as business assets and how you can too. In this episode, we'll cover five business models that turn a book into a powerful growth engine.

Whether you're an aspiring author or have already published, you'll come away with a roadmap to take your book beyond the bookshelf and into a thriving business. Let's dive in. Most first-time authors believe that once their book is published, the hard work is done.

But the reality, the book is just the beginning. If you shift your mindset to see your book as a business asset, you unlock far greater opportunities. A book isn't just something you sell.

It's something that sells you. Instead of focusing on book royalties, think of your book as a credibility multiplier. It builds your authority, opens doors to high-value opportunities, and positions you as a leader in your industry.

Think about any successful thought leader that you know. Their books aren't just products. They are lead generators for coaching, consulting, and business growth programs.

As an example, Alex Hermosi. His books, Hundred Million Dollar Offers and Hundred Million Dollar Leads, they aren't about book sales at all. They're about attracting business owners into his ecosystem for possible investment.

Your book is not the finish line. It's the launchpad. If you treat your book as a gateway to bigger opportunities, you'll create lasting impact and a thriving business.

So once you recognize that your book is a business asset, the next question is, how do you turn that asset into revenue and impact? Successful thought leaders don't rely on book sales alone. Instead, they build an ecosystem around their expertise. Now let's walk through five proven business models that you can use to turn your book into a powerful business asset.

First, high-ticket consulting and coaching. Your book positions you as an expert, and that authority can be turned into premium coaching or consulting offers. If a leadership consultant writes a book, they can then launch a $10,000 executive coaching package.

Readers who resonate with your book often want personalized guidance. So offer them a way to go deeper. Second, speaking engagements and keynotes.

Having a book gives you credibility. Event organizers are far more likely to book an author than someone without a book. And if you structure your book with speaking in mind, using clear frameworks, it can easily translate into an engaging talk.

For example, an author who wrote a book on innovation might land a $5,000 keynote at an industry conference. You see, your book is a calling card to land paid speaking gigs and build your reputation. Third, online courses and digital products.

If your book has a structured methodology, well, it can be expanded into an online program for scalable income. Say a non-fiction author turns their framework into a $997 online course. This allows them to serve more people without trading time for money.

Online courses provide a low barrier entry for readers who want more but perhaps aren't ready for one-on-one coaching. Fourth, masterminds and group programs. People crave community and deeper access.

Your book can be the gateway to an exclusive mastermind. Some authors launch a $5,000 mastermind for business owners wanting to implement the strategies from their book. A group program like this allows you to help multiple clients at once while creating a high-value experience.

And fifth, done-for-you services or software-as-a-service. If your book teaches a process, you might be able to turn that into a service, an agency, or even a software tool. For instance, an author who writes about sales automation might launch a consulting firm that builds sales funnels for businesses.

If you already have an expertise-based service, your book should funnel clients into it. Your book gives you authority. These business models allow you to monetize that authority.

The key is choosing the path that best aligns with your expertise and your audience. Now, let's talk about how to execute your plan. So now you've got the book, and you've seen how successful thought leaders turn it into a powerful business asset.

But the question is, how do you put this into action? So here's your roadmap. Step one, identify your business model. Of the five models we just discussed, which one best aligns with your expertise and audience? Does your book naturally lend itself to coaching, speaking, courses, masterminds, or a done-for-you service? Step two, structure your book for the next step.

Your book should seamlessly guide readers towards the next level of engagement with you. If you're offering a course, include a free resource in your book that leads readers to a landing page where they can learn more. Step three, use your book as an entry point.

Your book should act as the top of your funnel, leading people into your ecosystem. A practical tip, offer a free worksheet, bonus chapter, or video series that requires an email sign-up. This builds your list and creates an engaged audience.

Step four, build an ecosystem, not just a book. A book should be the starting point of a larger journey, not just a standalone product. Pair your book with a podcast, blog, or YouTube channel to create multiple touchpoints for engagement.

The most successful thought leaders don't stop at writing a book. They use it as a foundation to build something bigger. By executing a strategic plan, you can ensure your book works for you long after its launch.

We've covered a lot, how your book is a business asset, five proven business models to leverage it, and the exact steps to take your book beyond the bookshelf. Now remember, writing the book is just the first step. The real success comes from what you do with it afterward.

So what's your next move? Think about how you can integrate one of these business models into your strategy. If you're ready to take action, start by identifying how your book can serve as the foundation for your business growth.

Now is the time.

Time to write, time to publish, and time to grow. I'm Scott MacMillan. Until next time.