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Welcome to Season 7 of The Book Marketing Action Podcast with Becky Robinson, where we give you information you can immediately implement to increase your influence and market your books more successfully.
In this episode, Becky sits down with Jim Murphy—performance coach and author—to explore the extraordinary journey behind his book Inner Excellence. What started as a self-published book that sold 8,000 copies over 16 years transformed into a #1 New York Times bestseller after A.J. Brown was seen reading it on the sidelines of an NFL playoff game. Jim shares the behind-the-scenes story of how his book found its way into the hands of professional athletes, the years he spent refining his message, and why he never gave up on the work.
Key Points From This Episode:
[02:05] Jim shares some background about his journey as an author.
[07:41] Jim talks about the various contributing factors that led to his book, Inner Excellence, becoming a New York Times bestseller for several weeks in a row.
[12:27] Jim reflects on the 16 years between the original publication of Inner Excellence and when it really took off in January of 2025.
[16:13] (AD) Learn about Weaving Influence Press—Weaving Influence’s marketing-first approach to hybrid publishing.
[17:50] Discover what Jim did to keep Inner Excellence in the conversation throughout the years after publication.
[20:45] Jim shares the story of a life-changing moment for him.
[27:22] Jim talks about what’s different when it comes to marketing his new book, The Best Possible Life, and what his greatest hopes are for it.
[29:44] Jim elaborates on his marketing plan for The Best Possible Life.
Action Steps:
- If your book has been out for a while, continue to think about ways you can share it with others who might benefit from it. You never know when the right person will pick it up, and your whole life might change.
- Reflect on this question: What is most important to you about your message, and how can you stay connected to that? Remember that book marketing is not self-promotion; it’s message promotion.
Resources:
- Explore Jim’s website and learn more about the Inner Excellence retreats.
- Subscribe to Jim’s Substack newsletter.
- Follow Jim on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.
- Get a copy of Inner Excellence and Jim’s latest book, The Best Possible Life.
Key Quotes:
I decided that for my master’s paper, I would interview Major League Baseball managers and coaches on how to build a championship team. —Jim Murphy
I had an affirmation in my phone that said: “I’m a New York Times bestselling author.” It was 16 years before it happened. —Jim Murphy
Now the book is going to be in 29 languages, so it’s been really incredible how it’s taken off. —Jim Murphy
The best possible life is where you feel fully alive, and you have amazing experiences and deep, enriching relationships, where you’re learning and growing and making a difference in the world, and you have a purpose beyond yourself. —Jim Murphy
One of the things I teach authors about book marketing is that longevity is incredibly important, and that when we write a book, the book has value long beyond launch. The book can be a value for years to come. —Becky Robinson
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