Book Marketing To Best-Seller
You could write the best book in the world. But, if nobody knows about it, then would it matter? I hope to inform you on how to be sure that your book gets discovered by thousands of readers.
I love books. On average, I finish one per week. These are mostly non-fiction. There is no better way to learn decades of knowledge from experts in any subject. Books make this simple, with such a condensed and inexpensive format. Want to learn something new? There are probably dozens, if not hundreds of books on that subject. Read a few, to gain several perspectives.
Because of my utmost respect for books, I’ve always admired other people who held the title of “Author”. While I’ve been published for writing magazine articles in the past, those come with the title of “Journalist” or “Writer”, rather than “Author”. It only takes a couple hours of dedication to write an article. It takes months to write a book, therefore earning more esteem with me.
How do you effectively market your book? So many authors make the mistake of going through the entire process of writing a book, getting it published, and then deciding to market it. They missed out on months of potential marketing, via social media. The book tours, book signings, speaking gigs, interviews and such come afterward… and those are still easier to get when your book is already a best-seller.
I began marketing my book before I typed the very first word.
In order to prepare myself to become the person that I needed to be, to effectively market this book on podcasts, radio, live interviews, TV, and speaking events… I started taking lessons in public speaking. I joined Toastmasters.org and attended weekly speaking training meetings for almost a year before my book launch. This gave me more confidence and presentation skill for doing live videos along the way. Joining Toastmasters has changed my life; I wish I had joined years sooner. If public speaking or doing live video is a weak point for you, then you give up a huge amount of marketing potential. You must step out of that comfort zone and become the person that you need to be. This training will also greatly improve my upcoming podcast show.
Prior to the start of writing my book, I posted a simple question on my Facebook timeline. “Hey everyone, I’m considering writing a book. What would you like to learn from me?” It got dozens and dozens of responses. Some responses were funny, some sarcastic, and some purposeful. All responses are excellent, and all responses to those responses are also excellent. This activity from others, the post likes and responses are what boost your viewership on social media. Facebook sees all the activity, so it assumes the post must be interesting, so the Facebook algorithm places your post on the feeds of hundreds of your other friends and followers.
Even though I was almost certain about the book topic I’d be writing, I still asked the open-ended question. This plants the seed of marketing within your social media circle, and they become curious about your new project. During that first post, I even got a few other ideas for potential future books!
Once I had announced that I was going to write a book on how to start a business, I frequently created other new posts asking questions to build more social media engagement. I asked what people would like to know about starting a business. That post got hundreds of responses, from so many people. Basically, I was indirectly asking them what the contents of my book would be, and made sure to capture the recurring responses. This helped me to make sure to include those hot topics within my book. You could almost say that the audience is who created my table of contents. I knew my book would be a winner, if I could just answer all their questions!
I also created a private Facebook group for those interested in the subject of business ownership, and invited my friends to participate in discussions within the group. This group also became a supportive group for the book project, and a place where I could share more information and ask more specific questions from those with experience in the subject.
I had a few ideas for the book title. I created a poll to ask which of the titles their favorite was. We had a lot of fun with that one. Some of the titles were purposely absurd, to toss in some humor. This builds engagement; people love to have fun with stuff like this. Being serious all the time is boring!
After completing each of the 10 chapters, I would share a couple paragraphs on my public feed, and within the group. This was to show them two things. 1) That I was indeed progressing on this project, and 2) To provide some “insider access” value to help others. My group picked up quite a few invited guests from current members, because of the business-related stuff I was sharing. That group is over 2,000 people now. I’m proud to have these amazing people in the group (365 Driven Entrepreneurs).
I wanted to involve my group with the book project, to share their own valuable experiences. So, I decided to do an analysis on gathered data from current and aspiring business owners. I did this by creating an online fill-in form webpage, with 6 simple questions. I asked the group to answer the questions, and provide an email address. There were 120 people that participated in answering the questionnaire. They became my core group of book supporters, since they were now involved with the content inside it. I shared the compiled results with the larger group, and we had excellent discussions around each question. The results of this analysis became Chapter 2 of my book.
I hired a third-party book service company to handle the content editing, Kindle and paperback format editing, and cover design. When we received artwork from the multiple cover designers, we shared them and had another poll with 16 choices presented. This was a HUGE hit! People loved talking about all the various designs. We also created a few bogus and silly covers in there, to build the humor aspect. This was all intended to help build engagement, and to have some fun at the same time.
I frequently shared updates, such as a photo of the completed manuscript printed out. I shared updates on when the editors were completed. I announced the book cover design selection. I announced when the launch week would occur, so that people were prepared for it. I posted a video of me receiving the very first copy of the paperback from Amazon. I basically wrote this book in front of everyone.
As you can see, there was over six months of marketing value poured into this book, before it even became available to the public. It was an exercise in public involvement. Keeping people involved and updated with the project created interest within them. They felt, and they were, part of the process. This book was always bigger than me, it was meant for them. Books should always be intended for the purpose of benefitting the reader, not about talking about the author. Not until you are famous enough to write an autobiography, perhaps. Books are not about you! Books solve a problem for them.
So, how did all of this marketing effort pay off? The book launched on Amazon on May 29, 2018 and sold over 1,000 copies in the first few days. It only took 9 hours to achieve #1 Best-Seller in the Business Marketing category. This is an astounding result, considering that only 1% of all books ever hit #1 in any category. The odds were certainly against me, being a self-published, unknown author. During that book launch week, I was doing live videos on Facebook and Instagram, three times per day! I did a video at 7am, noon, and 7pm each day. I was sharing the progress of the book, talking about the book, and fielding questions about the book. Those live videos were incredible marketing, as live videos have the most engagement and reach due to the algorithms on social media. You simply use what works, and live videos are the best tool available. How bad do you want it?
Now that the book is published, the marketing is the easy part. I’m a guest on a few podcasts per week. I’ve been on live radio. I’m consistently inquiring about speaking events to event organizers. I’m networking with media people. I’m starting a podcast around the subject, to add more value to readers, and to build a brand. I’m doing book-signing events. Perhaps I’ll do a book tour? All off this stuff is expected, any time you publish a book. I can tell you, it is a lot easier to get those invites when your book is already a best-seller. I didn’t have to do all of this post-published marketing in hopes of reaching best-seller. That is a much harder battle to overcome, which is why so few achieve it. Focus your marketing impact on the book launch week, if you want the best long-term results.
The marketing power of social media is incredible, as long as you understand how it works. If you have a story to tell, give yourself the best chance at it being discovered. Obscurity is the enemy of any author.
For more information on my book, please visit SidehustleBook.net
-Tony
Reasons You Should Write A Book

Reasons You Should Write A Book 🤓
Mondays
Sundays are generally a day for relaxing, for most people. As the sun begins to fade, late in the day, there is a common mindset shift away from our enjoyed activities. We begin to think to ourselves "Tomorrow is Monday." Very few people look forward to Monday. If you happen to be one of the few that do enjoy the day, congratulations. Perhaps you will remember a time when you didn't enjoy the beginning of the work week. We've all been there, before. Remember, we may also return to that point of dislike or unexcited mindfulness, due to any unforeseen circumstance. Your happiness may only be temporary, and could be altered by someone else's decision.
How many of you feel stuck in a routine? A stagnant, stale, repeating schedule. The thought of the stack of to-do's that you must tackle, the pile of paperwork or tasks that you must unravel. All of this stuff is just on pause, awaiting your return to your desk. It can seem overwhelming, at times. That phone, curse that annoying digital ring tone. It can't wait to annoy you again, evidenced by the ringing it is already making as you first walk up to your desk. You aren't late, the callers are just relentless. That email inbox. Sometimes you wish you could just click "select all" and follow it with "delete". You smile when you think of doing this. But, you know reality cannot be avoided. The emails will keep coming. The important messages get buried beneath the reply-all conversations from people who just love to read their own messages.
Sometimes you'll find yourself staring at a wall in your cubicle or office. You begin to think "Is this really my life? Is this it? Do I really have to do this for 40 years? There has to be more. This can't be my life." Then your logic steps in to justify things. "Well, they are paying me to do this. I guess I'll keep doing it. I need a job. I have bills to pay."
How many of you are feeling throttled back at your job? Knowing you could do much more, but are held back from your potential? You succumb to doing busy-work that really isn't challenging to you. You continue to provide value, but feel unrecognized for it. You are continually told to wait your turn for those promotions, while watching the current role-sitters fumble with incompetence. You can keep watching that show, because you know that the company rarely removes people. You might be waiting a very long time, decades perhaps. "Pay your dues" they say. Welcome to the no-passing zone. Stay in line behind that slower moving vehicle. Now, this isn't to disregard wisdom and experience, but some corporations fail to realize that some people never gain those attributes - regardless of age. You can laugh, because we've all seen cases of this.
So what do you do about it? Complaining at the coffee machine in the break room, or while eating lunch with your co-workers won't solve anything. Everyone does that, it is like a favorite pastime for colleagues. Complaining never solves anything. Only action that results in change, can alter your trajectory. If you don't know what your career trajectory is, take a look at your supervisor. Maybe their supervisor, too. That is the path you are on. When you evaluate their positions, pay-scales, and lifestyles; is it going to be enough for you? Are their current standings equal to your final goals in life?
These are the questions that few employees take time to consider. The sad reality is that most people eventually land on a plateau of being content. We get to a point where what we earn, can make us sustain just enough pain. It isn't until we feel true pain, and discomfort that we are willing to incorporate changes. We might be running on that treadmill with a tasty snack hanging just before our nose, just out of reach. Then we look at our clock and 40 years have passed by.
These thoughts are what always made me strive for more. While I've truly loved many aspects of my engineering / project management career in oil, I always felt I could do more. If I wasn't going to receive the potential during that 8 hours a day at work, then I'd find an alternate path on my own time. I started building my own companies, in my spare time. It has proven successful. I've essentially led a dual career for the last 20 years, in two completely distinct industries. Oil and Automotive Performance. I have created huge networks within both industries, without merging the two.
I've always striven to do my best, on both sides of this career division. No doubt I've put more manhours into the oil side, as it is more demanding of time. Financially, both sides have been about equal in the long-term. I just want to provide you with the knowledge, and courage to understand what is possible. You can make excuses, or you can make things happen. This was the basis for writing my book, Sidehustle Millionaire. I know there are thousands of working professionals out there, who have hit that glass ceiling within their corporate careers. Highly talented, driven people, who will never get the opportunity to shine brightly. I also know of younger generations of professionals that are hungry, and willing to take alternate paths.
When you aren't receiving the opportunities at your day job, sometimes you have to create your own. I hope to help thousands with this.
Tony
Control Your Fears
In May of 2017, I decided to do something. That was when I officially began the journey of a very public transformation. I've had a large social media following for several years, as a result of starting a couple companies that grew into thousands of fans and customers. But, they only knew me as a car enthusiast, or an oil industry worker. Even though I've been consulting businesses and mentoring startups for over a decade, I was only doing this privately. I didn't have the confidence to inspire and educate people in a public manner. We all have the fears of rejection, and failure. I decided that I would overcome these fears, and step into this big social media spotlight.
It wasn't easy. It still isn't easy. I'm only about a year into this, at the time of this writing. I've learned many things during this past year. Not all of them have been good things. I've learned that some people that you considered friends for years, would not support your goals. Even those who you have always supported, with their dreams. They will laugh at you, talk behind your back, and make passive-aggressive comments to try to take you down a notch. I'd say this was the most disappointing part of the journey, so far. If anything, it has been a great eye-opener, and has exposed these people for who they really are. For that, I am actually grateful. I have a very strong and determined mindset, and it is very clear that I do not let these critics stop my progress. Obviously, they must have underestimated my drive and determination.
Conversely, there has been a positive aspect to this. An opposite realization, which carries far more weight than what naysayers bring. For every negative critic that showed up, there have been dozens of unexpected supporters that also appeared. People that I may have misjudged, who I never thought would support me. Those relationships have grown stronger, and it has highlighted the good people in my circles. The amount of positive emails, texts and messages I receive completely overwhelm me. It tells me I'm doing something right.
Getting back to the topic of fear. I knew I had stories and lessons to tell. I just knew that I wasn't brave enough to deliver them to my own acceptable standards. I had to get better at public speaking. Some people actually rank public speaking higher than the fear of death. There would be no way around this fear. I'd have to trudge right through the middle of it, if I ever hoped to achieve my goals. So, I took a deep breath, and called myself a few derogatory names, and signed up to attend a local club meeting with Toastmasters International in my area. For those of you that aren't familiar with Toastmasters, it is a non-profit worldwide organization that provides education and practice in public speaking and leadership. Chances are, there are a few clubs near you. You can search for them on their website, Toastmasters.org
In less than one year, I went from having zero experience in public speaking, to competing - and winning at public speaking contests. Had you asked me a year ago if I'd be competing at this, I'd have laughed at you as the cold sweats began to form just thinking about it. No way in hell could I see myself doing that, especially in a short amount of time. But here is the thing, I was simply determined. Like everything in my life, I set goals, and then deliver on them. I attended every single Monday night, only missing them on vacations or holidays. I found great mentors, and a room of positive, supportive people, who feel more like family now. We are all there on the same mission, for self-improvement. I recently earned my Competent Communicator certificate, having completed 10 prepared public speeches. Something to frame, and be proud of. Very few start and complete that journey. Most take several years to do so. There are no shortcuts.
I feel that anyone that joins, and participates within Toastmasters will be forever changed for the better. In one year, you will not be the same person that joined. I found so much value here, that I became a VP of this group. I plan to stick around and mentor others. I also have plenty of room to improve. Watching the weekly transformations and improvements of others in the group, is something astounding to witness.
Anyways, here is a contest speech that I delivered a week ago, on the subject of FEAR! I hope that the story captivates you, but more importantly, the message is heard. This is how I live my life, nowadays. If something makes me feel fear, I go after it and try to overcome that fear. Enjoy.