018: How to Write a Book That Sells for Decades with Tim Grahl
Jan 18, 2024
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Tim Grahl, one of the best book marketers in the world, shares his secrets on creating books that sell for decades. Topics include: the long-term revenue potential of books, comparing the course industry and the book industry, factors contributing to a book's success, studying drop off points and writing successful books, using rubrics to improve conference talks and storytelling, the importance of focusing on creating a high-quality product, and sales calls and content creation.
Writing a great book that stands the test of time can generate long-term revenue for authors.
Books have a longer shelf life compared to music or movies, allowing them to continue making significant profits over time.
Word of mouth is a powerful driver of book sales, and passionate recommendations from readers can contribute to the long-term success of a book.
Deep dives
The Importance of Writing Great Books
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on writing great books. They discuss how the book industry is massive and often underestimated, generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. Unlike other industries such as music or movies, books have a longer shelf life and tend to grow in sales over time. Examples of books that continue to sell well and make money for authors, even decades after their release, are highlighted. The podcast explores the difference between simply writing a book and writing a great book that stands the test of time and generates long-term revenue.
The Size and Longevity of the Book Industry
The podcast dives into the size and longevity of the book industry. The speaker shares surprising statistics, comparing the revenue generated by the book industry to the music and movie industries. Despite the lack of flashy publicity, books consistently make significant profits due to their longer lifespan and continuous sales. The podcast discusses how books can continue to generate income for authors many years after their initial release, unlike movies or music that often fade in popularity. Examples of successful books that sell well long after their publication are also highlighted.
The Power of Word of Mouth in Book Sales
The podcast emphasizes the role of word of mouth in book sales. The speaker explains that book sales thrive on recommendations and how readers share their love for a book with others. They discuss how books can experience continued growth through word of mouth, especially when readers passionately recommend them to others. Several examples of books that initially did not hit bestseller lists but continue to sell well through word of mouth are presented. The power of word of mouth in ensuring the long-term success of books is highlighted.
Writing a Great Book Requires Learning and Mastery
The podcast discusses the process of writing a great book and emphasizes the importance of learning and mastery. The speaker explains that writing a book is a different skill set compared to writing shorter pieces like blog posts or emails. They stress the need for writers to study and understand the craft of writing, as well as to analyze masterworks in their chosen genre. The podcast explores the idea that writing a great book requires mastering various aspects, such as structure, sentence construction, and engaging storytelling. The speaker encourages aspiring authors to invest the time and effort to write something truly exceptional.
The Importance of Creating the Best Product
The speaker emphasizes the significance of creating the best product possible. They believe that having a superior product makes everything else easier, including sales and business growth. They urge creators to focus on creating a product that is better than what already exists, highlighting the importance of quality and innovation.
The Power of Customer Feedback and Audience Targeting
The podcast explores how customer feedback and audience targeting play crucial roles in content creation and business success. The speaker discusses the value of holding sales calls to connect with customers, understand their struggles, and gain valuable insights for content creation. They also emphasize the importance of aligning content with the target audience's needs and desires, rather than pursuing high views or subscribers. By focusing on attracting the right people and providing solutions to their specific problems, creators can build a loyal and dedicated customer base.
What does it take to write a book that keeps selling far into the future? What is the art and science behind writing an amazing book?
Tim Grahl is legitimately one of the best book marketers in the world, once simultaneously having five authors on the New York Times Bestseller list. He knows everyone in the industry, everything about the industry, and he’s sharing his secrets with us this week.
Discover what it takes to create a book that stands the test of time and makes money for decades. We’re discussing books that are an example of what to do in this industry, and Tim is discussing how he uses a perfectly executed flywheel in his business Story Grid.
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