How to Leverage Your Book Long Term (The Part Most Authors Get Wrong)

📘 Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 56

Let me say this as clearly as possible:

Most authors stop at the exact moment they should be getting started.

They write the book.
They launch the book.
They celebrate the book.

And then…

They move on.

But if you want your book to actually create results—whether that’s clients, speaking opportunities, or revenue—the real work begins after the launch.

In this episode, Jonathan and I sat down to talk about something we see all the time:

Authors who did everything right… except what comes next.

The Truth About Book Launches

I like to describe the book process like having a child.

• Writing the book → Pregnancy

• Launching the book → Labor

• Publishing the book → Birth

But here’s where most people go wrong:

They treat the birth as the finish line.

When in reality…

👉 It’s the starting point.

Because just like a child, your book needs to be raised.

And that’s what long-term leverage is all about.

Why Most Books Don’t Perform

It’s not because the book is bad.

It’s not because the author isn’t capable.

It’s because there’s no long-term plan.

Most authors:

• Stop talking about their book

• Stop promoting it

• Stop putting it in front of people

And then they wonder why nothing happens.

Step One: Your Book Has to Actually Work

Before we even talk about marketing…

We have to talk about the book itself.

Jonathan said something in this episode that I completely agree with:

👉 A bestselling book means nothing if it doesn’t help people.

Your book needs to create:

• A clear takeaway

• A tangible result

• A shift for the reader

Because when your book works:

• People recommend it

• People talk about it

• People want more from you

That’s where momentum begins.

Step Two: Define the Outcome for YOU

There are two questions every author needs to answer:

1. What do I want this book to do for the reader?

2. What do I want this book to do for me?

That second question is where most people get stuck.

Do you want:

• Speaking opportunities?

• Clients?

• Authority in your industry?

• A pipeline for your business?

Your answer determines everything that comes next.

Step Three: Keep Talking About Your Book

Here’s a simple rule to follow:

👉 If you’re not talking about your book, no one else will.

Use the 80/20 rule:

• 80% → Value, insights, storytelling

• 20% → Promotion

Your book should be naturally integrated into your content—not forced.

Step Four: Your Book Is Your Best Business Card

This is one of the most practical strategies we talked about:

👉 Carry your book with you.

Instead of handing out business cards…

Give people your book.

Why?

Because:

• Business cards get thrown away

• Books get kept

Even if they don’t read it immediately, your book sits:

• On their desk

• On their shelf

• In their environment

And every time they see it…

👉 You stay top of mind.

Step Five: Use Your Book to Build Relationships

This is where most authors miss the real opportunity.

Your book is not just for selling.

It’s for connecting.

Jonathan shared a powerful strategy:

• Send your book to people you want to build relationships with

• Follow up with a handwritten note

• Add value before asking for anything

Because the goal isn’t just a transaction.

It’s a relationship.

Think Bigger: One Book, One Network

When you give your book to the right person…

You’re not just reaching them.

You’re entering their network.

That could lead to:

• Podcast interviews

• Speaking opportunities

• Partnerships

• Clients

All from one intentional connection.

The “Dream 25” Strategy

If you want to take this further:

Create a list of 25 people you want to connect with.

Ask yourself:

👉 Who already has access to the audience I want?

Then:

• Send them your book

• Add value to their world

• Build the relationship over time

This is how you scale your influence faster.

Books Don’t Close Deals—Relationships Do

Your book opens the door.

But the relationship is what creates the opportunity.

That’s why:

👉 Giving > Asking

Always wins.

A Mindset Shift for Purpose-Driven Authors

If you’re someone who feels uncomfortable “selling”…

Think about it this way:

What helps people more?

• Reading your book and stopping there?

• Or working with you directly and going deeper?

Your book is just the beginning of the transformation.

Not the end.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve already written a book:

👉 Don’t let it sit. Use it.

If you haven’t written one yet:

👉 Build with the end in mind.

Because the most successful authors don’t just publish books.

They leverage them.

Until next time—
Keep writing your story, because the world needs your voice.
—Renee and Jonathan