One of my LinkedIn contacts asked me a perfectly reasonable question once:
“I’m not asking for a guarantee carved in stone, but what percentage of your students make enough off of their MicroBook to make back the cost of the class?”
It’s an interesting question because although it’s reasonable on the surface, it’s not quite the right question to ask.
First of all: I don’t make any guarantees about what the book will do after you’ve written it, because that’s out my hands. That’s up to you and the gods of capitalism. Nobody can guarantee you a bestseller or a specific income or any specific results and if anyone does make those promises, run away from them.
All I guarantee is this: I will give you everything you need to write your book, I will support you every step of the way, and I will do my damndest to make sure you succeed (whatever success looks like to you) — but ultimately it’s up to you.
This is what actually matters:
A book is an asset. A long-term business asset that keeps working for you while you work on other projects.
It’s much easier to sell a copy of your book to someone than to sell your higher-ticket coaching services, for example. Or even give a copy of your book to someone if they seem like they might be a good fit to work with you.
If you can do that, and they read your book and love it, your book will sell you and your services in turn.
You market the book and the book markets you.
Most of my clients have come to me via my books — or they’ve been on my email list for a while, have gotten to know me, then read my books, and THEN decided they wanted to write a book of their own. It’s a fabulous way to showcase who you are and how you can help people. It helps you build a relationship without having to have the same conversations over and over again with different people. And it’s a brilliant filter — if someone doesn’t like your book, neither of you will waste any time with each other; whereas if someone loves your book, they’ll walk over LEGO to work with you.
Most of those who write their books with me have a longer game in mind. They write the book as part of a wider business and marketing plan. Yes, they want to sell plenty of copies of their book, but they’re under no illusions that book sales are going to make them rich.
Book sales alone rarely make anyone rich. But what a book can do for you in the longer term — that’s what you’re really investing in.
Those who published and marketed their books saw an uptick in all sorts of areas of their business and lives. Some wrote their books just because they wanted to, with no longer term plans, and did an amazing job and loved it. Most wanted their book to sit as part of their business, and have used it well. All of them really enjoyed the process and are proud of what they created.
BUT.
You know you want to write a book. You know you CAN write a book. But you’re stuck.
You’ve read the articles, tried the templates, bought the courses. You’ve started outlines and abandoned them. Maybe written a few pages and hated them. Possibly told yourself “I’ll start properly next month when I have more time. When I know more.”
But you don’t have a time or a skill problem. You have a clarity problem.
When you’re crystal clear on what your book is about, who it’s for, and what you want it to do, the writing becomes easier. Not easy, but easier. Because you’re not sitting down to a blank page wondering “what the hell am I even trying to say?” You’re sitting down with a plan.
That’s what Book Breakthrough: Unlocked does. In 90 minutes, we get you crystal clear on your idea, demolish your doubts, and create a plan that actually works. You walk away with a one-page Book Blueprint, a reader journey map, a rough structure, and a realistic writing plan for YOUR brain and YOUR life. Plus a 45-minute follow-up session to keep you on track.
You’ve been putting this off long enough. Stop planning and start writing.
How to work with Vicky in September
Book Breakthrough Lab: A 3-month coaching programme to write your first draft (1 spot)
Book Breakthrough VIP Day: A full day of magic to FINALLY make progress on your book (1 spot)
Book Breakthrough: Unlocked: Outline your book, nail your idea, and understand your reader in 90 mins (1 spot)
Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?