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Why Podcast Hosts Should Never Write a Book (Do This Instead)
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How are you doing in podcasting as a guest, host, or both?
Your podcast is your platform. But it shouldn’t be your only platform. In this post, Michael DeLon explains how podcasters can amplify their leadership position by creating a book without writing a word. You speak on your podcast and you should use the same process to create your book. As a thought leader, you need to stand out in the crowded podcasting space. Being an Amazon best-selling author of your own book is the fastest way to accomplish that. But doing it on your own takes a lot of time, effort, and know-how. Make the process as simple as possible by speaking your book, instead of writing it. It’s the fastest, easiest, and most enjoyable way to become an author!
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Podcast hosts should never write a book. That may sound like a strange statement from a guy who helps podcast hosts write books and monetize their ideas. But in a moment I’ll explain what I mean, and it will make perfect sense.
I believe that podcast hosts are a different breed. And I speak from experience because I am a podcast host. We have a message to share that we believe can make the world a better place. The challenge is that there is a sea of people with similar interests and perspectives.
How can you stand out from the crowd so that your message is heard? You can not just speak louder as maybe no one is listening. Besides, most of us do not have the means to finance a big PR strategy or buy our way onto certain stages.
How can you reach more people and earn more income?
The Secret To Monetizing Your Ideas
First, you can try to figure it out on your own and blaze a new path.
Or you can learn from those who have gone before you.
As someone who does not like to reinvent the wheel, I vote for plan number two.
There are many people who have influenced my life and shown a path that we can all follow on our journey to impact the lives of others.
Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, Gary Vee, Seth Godin, and Simon Sinek. These are names we all know. They grab our attention, make us think differently and get us to buy what they are selling.
Maybe you want to be a big fish like them, or maybe you’re okay fishing in a smaller pond where you can be the big fish to your audience. Either way, it is possible if you follow the path they have laid out for you.
What makes them different from you and me?
Are they smarter than you? No.
Are they more talented than you? Probably not. So what is it that makes them different?
They are recognized thought leaders.
Each of them has a message to deliver, and they deliver it in a variety of ways. None of them has just one platform. Some may have started with one, but they did not stop there. Soon, they all have websites, social media accounts, and podcasts. They give talks on stages, get interviewed, do seminars, make videos and give Ted Talks.
You can find them everywhere. They are ubiquitous. They all use the media to raise their status as thought leaders. You can do the same.
How To Become a Thought Leader
You need to create your own personal media platforms. When we think of media platforms, we think of traditional media such as TV, radio, newspapers and magazines. But in the new media environment, there is also video, podcasting, blogs, newsletters, e-magazines, email and books.
The key difference that determines your level of credibility in the eyes of your audience and your level of credibility between all these platforms is the barrier to entry. Think about it.
Websites are very easy to create with today’s technology. With blogs, all it takes is the blink of an eye and a new one is published. And what about videos? That’s super easy and very effective. Social media content? Well, you can do that in your sleep.
What about podcasts? That’s not quite as easy, but it’s definitely doable for many people. How about creating your own book? That’s much harder. Yet that should not stop you.
Let us look at two case studies
Tony Robbins was an unknown three decades ago, giving seminars and getting people fired up (quite literally). Then he published his book Unlimited Power and became a household name.
Out of that newfound fame, he built a billion-dollar media company.
Let us look at a more recent example: Simon Sinek. He gave a TEDx talk on Start With Why. That put him on the map. Before that he had tried his hand as a consultant, but nobody really knew him.
After that talk made him famous, what did he do? He went out and published a best seller titled, “Start With Why.”
Then he used that book to deliver a series of popular YouTube videos and even more popular keynote speeches that made even more money. Now he earns over $300,000 a month.
The 3 Ways Thought Leaders Create Their Books
Simon understands how to monetize his ideas.
Here is his formula: Have an idea, speak, create your book, get your message out there through media and get paid to speak. Repeat the process.
That’s what you and I need to do. We are thought leaders. Simon did not get rich by selling his book, but by selling his ideas through his book.
By elevating his status, he was able to attract an audience that allowed him to grow his revenue and influence. You can follow his path.
How do you do it? You have ideas, and you have a platform in podcasting. But you also need that extra platform of being an author, a recognized authority.
It’s your book that puts you on the map and makes you a household name.
1. If you go to a big publisher with your ideas, they will likely turn you down. A traditional publisher pays you upfront. They own your content and your IP. They do the publishing and promotion and basically own everything. For most of you, that will not be the case.
2. You could go the self-publishing route because it’s much more viable. That means you do everything yourself and keep all the loot. You can make it work but it’s just going to take a lot of time, effort, and money.
Yes, self-publishing can be expensive because of the opportunity cost, which many people do not consider.
My Recommended Path
3. The third option is a hybrid publisher like Paperback Expert, where we work with you to help you monetize your ideas. Let me assure you that these thought leaders, like Simon and Tony, do not write their books themselves.
You will not see them hunched over their keyboards late at night, or in a remote hotel on weekends, hammering away at their manuscript.
After all, they are not writers, they are communicators.
They are thought leaders. Writing a book is not the best use of their time, nor yours.
Why Podcast Hosts Should Never Write a Book
Now, can I let you in on an industry secret? Most people believe that these thought leaders write their own books, but in reality, they do not.
They have ghostwriters, people on staff or large publishing houses that take what they say and turn it into a book. It’s faster, easier and more profitable for everyone involved.
You can even dictate into your phone.
But if you want to edit, proofread, format, and then publish your book, that’s a lot of work. That’s why many people I talk to have spent years trying to get their books finished and published.
It’s also why our clients love our speak-to-write process.
Because we remove all the obstacles and difficulties that stand between you and the publication of your book.
Following our process, all you need to do is have a few conversations with one of our writers, and by sharing your knowledge, you can create your book without writing a word.
We take care of all the other details for you, and you keep all the royalties, rights, and credibility.
It’s a pretty cool system.
Keep in mind, though, that your book is not about your podcast interviews. It should not be a regurgitation of your interviews. Your book is about you and your message.
You are a thought leader. And you can monetize your message, like Simon and the others.
Summary
Let us end where we started. I asked you a question at the beginning, and I want to come back to it here.
How will you stand out from the crowd so that your message is heard?
What steps can you take to be perceived as a recognized expert that others should follow, listen to, and hire?
How can you elevate your status, expand your reach and increase your revenue?
There are many paths you can take, but only one that will earn you the credibility, authority and expertise that others attribute to a recognized thought leader.
Use your voice to get your message out through your podcast, and use your voice to grow your influence and income through the pages of your own book. Use your voice to speak to write your book.
And you’ll find that the process is easier than you thought, faster than you can imagine, and more rewarding than you ever thought possible.
You’ll have everything you need to create your book without writing a word.
And when it’s published, you’ll more easily be able to elevate your status as a thought leader and expand the reach of your message so that you’ll have a greater impact on the lives of others.
You’ll be able to increase your income year after year. That’s why podcast hosts should never write a book.
About Michael DeLon
Michael DeLon creates credibility for his clients. As a #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author and America’s Foremost Authority on Credibility Marketing, he helps business owners publish a book without writing a word, and use their book to gain more clients. Business owners seek out Michael to clarify their message, make them a bestselling author, and set up their profitable podcast. They use his Credibility Marketing strategies to gain clients, get referrals, and grow their revenue.
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