Publishing a business book is a great achievement. But did you know it can also be a fantastic source of additional income? Many authors overlook the various ways they can monetise their work beyond book sales.
In this article, you will discover:
- How to promote your services through your book
- How to leverage affiliate marketing opportunities
- Innovative ways to create multiple income streams from your book
Let’s explore these opportunities.
1. Promoting Your Services
Your book is a powerful tool to showcase your expertise. Use it to attract clients to your services.
Your book isn’t just a collection of your thoughts. It’s a showcase of your expertise. When readers see the value you offer, they’ll be more inclined to seek your professional services. Here’s how you can make that happen:
Consulting: Offer readers a free consultation at the end of your book. This not only gives them a taste of your expertise but also builds a relationship. It’s much easier to convert a book reader into a consulting client if they feel connected to you. Pretty much all of my blogging consulting clients come via my Kindle books!
Speaking Engagements: Highlight your availability for speaking gigs in your niche. A well-placed mention in your book can open doors to lucrative speaking opportunities. Whether it’s a conference or a corporate event, your book can act as a calling card.
Workshops and Webinars: Promote exclusive workshops based on your book’s content. Readers who find value in your book will likely be interested in more hands-on learning experiences. Offer a workshop or webinar series to dive deeper into the topics covered in your book.
Let’s put this into a practical example. Suppose you’ve written a book on social media marketing. At the end of each chapter, you could include a call-to-action (CTA) such as, “Interested in personalised strategies? Book a free consultation with me at MyWebsite.com.”
Tip: Remember to include case studies and success stories to build trust and credibility. When potential clients see how you’ve helped others, they’ll be more likely to trust you with their business.
2. Leveraging Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing can be a lucrative income stream. Recommend products or services related to your book’s topic and earn a commission for each sale. Kevin (my darling hubby) was always sceptical of this work until he experienced it. I have lots of fab little guides on aspects of digital marketing, and my landing page guide (sold for a whopping 99p) also contains affiliate links for several tools that I use and love.
By leveraging affiliate marketing, you can generate additional income without much effort. It’s about making smart recommendations that your readers will find useful, especially as they help make the reader's life easier.
Tools and Software: If your book discusses business tools, recommend specific software with affiliate links. For instance, if your book is about digital marketing, you could recommend tools like Hootsuite or Buffer. These tools help readers implement your strategies while earning you a commission.
Books and Courses: Suggest additional reading or online courses that complement your book’s content. If your book covers time management, you might recommend a productivity course on Udemy or a related book by another author.
Imagine this scenario: You’ve written a book on SEO strategies. Within your book, you could mention, “For a deeper understanding of keyword research, I recommend using Ahrefs, an excellent SEO tool. Sign up through my link to get a special discount.”
It's an easy and natural way to promote. If you add something to your content and it doesn't feel right, then don't add it. This works best when it's natural like in my landing page guide.
Tip: Ensure the products you promote are relevant and valuable to your readers. Irrelevant recommendations can damage your credibility.
Always be transparent about your affiliate relationships. Readers appreciate honesty and will be more likely to trust your recommendations if they know you’re earning a commission.
Example: Suppose your book is about freelance writing. You could recommend a grammar-checking tool like Grammarly. Mention how it has helped you and provide an affiliate link. This not only adds value but also offers your readers a tool they can use immediately.
3. Creating Multiple Income Streams
Diversify your income by creating various products and services based on your book’s content. This approach not only maximises your revenue but also keeps your audience engaged with fresh, valuable offerings.
Online Courses: Turn your book into a comprehensive online course. This allows you to offer in-depth insights and practical steps beyond what’s in the book. Platforms like Systeme.io make it easy to create and sell courses.
Example: If your book is about digital marketing strategies, you could create a course covering each chapter in detail, with video tutorials and downloadable resources. This gives readers hands-on guidance and a deeper understanding of the material.
Need help with your online course? I have a course just for you! https://training.onlinevisibilityacademy.com/courses/create-your-online-course
Membership Sites: Create a membership site where readers can access exclusive content and resources. This could include webinars, Q&A sessions, and special articles. Membership sites provide a recurring income stream and build a community around your expertise.
Example: For a book on personal finance, you might offer a membership site with monthly budget templates, live coaching sessions, and a private forum for discussions. This keeps your readers engaged and provides ongoing value.
Merchandise: Sell branded merchandise related to your book. This can be anything from T-shirts and mugs to notebooks and planners. Merchandise not only generates income but also promotes your brand.
Example: If you’ve written a motivational book, create merchandise with inspirational quotes from your book. Sell these items on your website or through platforms like Etsy or Shopify.
Tip: Regularly update your offerings to keep your audience engaged. New courses, fresh content for your membership site, or seasonal merchandise can reignite interest.
Additional Services: Consider offering personalised services like coaching or consulting sessions. These can be marketed as premium offerings that provide individualised attention and customised solutions.
Example: If your book is about career development, you could offer one-on-one career coaching sessions. This allows readers to apply the principles from your book directly to their situations with your guidance.
Publishing a business book opens up numerous opportunities for additional income beyond book sales.
Remember:
- Promote your services to attract new clients.
- Leverage affiliate marketing to earn commissions.
- Create various products and services to diversify your income streams.
Ready to take your book to the next level? Consider creating an online course based on your book's content. It’s an excellent way to engage with your audience and provide additional value.
Happy writing
Sarah x
