Don't Write That Book

On this episode of Don’t Write That Book, AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz focus on how they came to write Mike’s best-selling book, Profit First, using the “reader first” method. They self-published the book as their publisher didn’t believe it could sell and wanted them to write a different book entirely. (The book went on to sell over a million copies…) AJ and Mike explain how they came to understand what their readers needed after The Pumpkin Plan as opposed to the book the publisher pitched, then set out to write that book.In this episode, you’ll learn that a must-read book not only must be compelling, but that it must deliver on its promise. They’ll touch on using the Hero’s Journey to not only keep the reader on the page, but how it can help authors structure their books and ultimately build trust.(You’ll even get some insider baseball knowledge on how to accurately track book sales and some of Mike’s gonzo methods for marketing!)Be sure to visit https://dwtbpodcast.com for more information and add your name to start receiving their newsletter. If you’d like to support this show, rate, subscribe and leave a review on your podcast app.Other Books Mentioned:The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay Stanier: https://boxofcrayons.com/boc/the-coaching-habit-book/Connect with AJ & Mike:AJ Harper: https://ajharper.comWrite A Must-Read: https://a.co/d/4H0xQ7GFree resources: https://writeamustread.comMike Michalowicz:Profit First:  https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/Toilet-Paper Entrepreneur:  https://mikemichalowicz.com/the-toilet-paper-entrepreneur/All In: https://mikemichalowicz.com/all-in/Surge: https://mikemichalowicz.com/surge/Pumpkin Plan: https://mikemichalowicz.com/pumpkin-plan/Get Different: https://mikemichalowicz.com/get-different/Fix This Next: https://mikemichalowicz.com/fix-this-next-book/Clockwork: https://mikemichalowicz.com/clockwork/Mike Michalowicz resources: https://mikemichalowicz.comAll books: https://mikemichalowicz.com/books/Socials:  IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikemichalowicz/FB: https://www.facebook.com/MikeMichalowiczFanPage/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/

On this episode, AJ Harper and Mike Michalowicz discuss their challenges and lessons learned from their least successful book, Surge. They also talk about the mindset shifts they had to make to keep working together after a partnership break. The chapter explores their difficulties with the title and cover design of a book. Additionally, they reflect on their personal relationship and partnership, and express excitement about their upcoming release.

Each year, roughly four million books are published. Four million. Considering that staggering number, how can an author hope to make it—make a living, make their mark, make a difference? First and foremost, by avoiding the “better business card” and other shortcut approaches to writing and publishing a book. In their podcast, Don’t Write That Book, writing partners Mike Michalowicz (Profit First, Clockwork, The Pumpkin Plan, and more) and AJ Harper (Write a Must-Read) offer a rare behind-the-scenes look into what it really takes to write a must-read book—and sell the heck out of it. Building on their decades of experience in publishing, Mike and AJ share frank conversations and deep dives about every aspect of authorship in the hopes of inspiring you to write a better book—the book you were called to write.Subscribe now and listen now on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, or Pandora.