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Welcome to Season 4 of The Book Marketing Action Podcast with Becky Robinson, where we give you information that you can immediately implement to increase your influence and market your books more successfully.
This episode is about the importance of putting your readers first and crafting the kind of books that will change lives. Becky is joined by AJ Harper—Editor, Publishing Strategist, and Author of Write a Must-Read: Craft a Book That Changes Lives–Including Your Own—who discusses her writing journey and why it is important for nonfiction authors to shift from focusing on what they are writing about, to who they are writing for.
Key Points From This Episode
[01:57] AJ shares a little bit about herself and her work in the world.
[03:14] The approach called “Reader First” is something AJ teaches in her workshops and her book. Listen as she reveals more about it.
[04:50] AJ expands on the concept of “Reader First” and why it’s so important to care about readers from the very beginning of the book to the end.
[05:46] If you want to write a must-read book, it’s not fast or easy. AJ explains why.
[07:24] AJ walks listeners through the steps of the Reader Transformation Sequence.
[09:31] Learn how the Reader Transformation Sequence might be different if someone receives a book as a gift or as part of a sales cycle.
[10:54] AJ reveals how she landed on the title and subtitle of her book and how she coaches authors through the process.
[16:24] Discover AJ’s advice for how authors can overcome the fatigue they might experience when it comes time to market their book.
[18:03] AJ shares the marketing efforts that have been the most meaningful on her author journey.
[20:24] AJ reveals her three favorite books of all time.
Action Steps:
Ask two questions while preparing to write your book:
- What’s the change you want to see in the world?
- Who can help you facilitate that change?
Resources:
- Explore AJ’s personal website and her book website.
- Connect with AJ on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Tweetables and quotes:
If you choose to share on Twitter, don’t forget to tag @beckyrbnsn and @AJHarperAuthors so they know you enjoyed this episode!
I say reader first, last, and always. —AJ Harper
People will read your book because they feel seen by you—they feel like you see them and you get them. That has to happen on page one, but it also needs to happen all the way through. —AJ Harper
I think giving away books for free in the beginning is important. —AJ Harper
When you write a book that changes lives, that leads to your life changing. —AJ Harper
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I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.