This episode focuses on Amazon bestseller status particularly focusing on its relevance for coaches, consultants, and service providers. When marketing for authors, bestseller status should align with individual goals and the overall strategy of using a book to attract clients and generate leads. The conversation explores the realities of achieving Amazon bestseller status, the importance of building relationships with readers, and the need to focus on generating income through products and services tied to the book rather than solely on book sales. Ashley invites listeners to consider the long-term impact of their work.

Takeaways:

• Why bestseller status should not be your only or main goal
• Why focusing on using your book to attract clients is a better use of your time
• How the income potential from your book is more impactful than just bestseller status
• Why Amazon Bestseller status makes it harder to building relationships with readers

• 00:00 Introduction to Bestseller Status
• 02:42 The Overrated Nature of Bestseller Status
• 05:53 Understanding Amazon Bestseller Status
• 08:40 The Importance of Goals in Publishing
• 11:49 Building Relationships Over Status
• 14:21 Realistic Expectations for Authors
• 17:01 Legacy and Impact Beyond Sales
• 22:59 Conclusion and Invitation to Profitable Publishing Live
  

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

→ Profitable Publishing™ LIVE 2 Day Intensive (Feb 12th and 13th, 2026): Learn how to write, publish, and market a book that packages your expertise into a client attracting resource www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live (Use code PODCAST at checkout for a special discount).

→ Publisher Rocket: Find out how many books needed to reach best seller status https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=240 (affiliate link)

→ Profitable Publishing™ with Preorders: www.PreorderProfits.com/Book

CONNECT WITH Ashley D. Shepard on social media:

Website: www.sheppublishinghouse.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ShepPublishing

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@sheppublishing

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sheppublishing

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-d-shepard

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sheppublishing

Subscribe to Profitable Publishing™ on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review if you found this episode helpful!

bestseller status, profitable publishing, book marketing, lead generation, author goals, Amazon bestseller, coaching, consulting, book sales, client attraction

In this conversation, author Kendra Pecci shares her journey with hosting a preorder that earned $4000 and paid for her multi city book launch tour. At first, Kendra wanted to traditionally publish, but after 27 years from writing a book to releasing it, she knew self publishing was the better option to get her book done. When it came to book marketing, Kendra knew she needed help to reach her goals. She joined the Preorder Profits™ Challenge to help overcome mindset blocks and shift her author focus. She discusses the importance of running preorders from her website, building a community of readers, and implementing effective marketing strategies while writing her book.

Takeaways

• How she made $4000 using the Preorder Profits™ Framework to generate income before her book was released (At the time of the recording it was $3,300.)
• How she abandoned traditional publishing dreams and found success with self publishing
• The mindset shifts she had that changed her trajectory as an author
• How preorders paid for her book tour expenses
• Why authentic marketing resonates more with readers
• Investing in marketing is crucial for authors
• The importance of using a marketing approach that feels authentic

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Author's Journey

02:55 Mindset Shift: From Traditional to Indie Publishing

05:52 The Challenge Experience and Its Impact

09:00 Marketing Strategies During Book Creation

12:12 Building a Reader Community

14:51 Pre-Order Success and Financial Insights

17:56 The Importance of Authentic Marketing

20:51 Final Thoughts on the Pre-Order Profits Program

Links Mentioned:

• Join the Preorder Profits™ Challenge at www.preorderprofits.com (waitlist when the challenge is not live).
• Ready to put in the work to get massive results from your preorder? Join the the Preorder Profits™ Accelerator or secure your spot for a VIP Day to presell your book to raving fans and generate income: https://Www.PreorderProfits.com/Join
• Grab the book, Profitable Publishing™ with Preorders here: https://www.preorderprofits.com/book
• Book not finished yet? Secure your seat to Profitable Publishing™ LIVE 2 Day Intensive to to write, publish, and launch a profitable book that builds your authority, ties to your offers, and generates leads and clients. Visit https://www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live and use code PODCAST for a rolling discount (the more you buy, the more you save). The event is Feb 12-13th, 2026 (virtual or in person attendance available). use code PODCAST for a rolling discount (the more you buy, the more you save). The event is Feb 12-13th, 2026 (virtual or in person attendance available).

indie publishing, author journey, marketing strategies, preorder profits, reader community, book launch, self-publishing, author mindset, book marketing, writing tips

Whether you choose to entirely self publish or work with a consultant, there are quite a few things to consider to bring your book baby to life. Before choosing your path, it’s important to be mindful of what steps are involved and consider your capacity. This episode explores what to think about when deciding what kind of help you’ll need to complete your publishing project. I also share what I outsource and also how to get the most out of relationships with contractors who support my book publishing processes.

If you want to work directly with me to create a profitable book that builds your authority, ties to your offers, and generates leads and clients, then Profitable Publishing™ Live is for you. Join me Feb 12-13th, 2026 (virtual or in person attendance available) where you’ll not only learn the profitable publishing™ process, but also have time to implement the steps with feedback at the same time. Visit www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live to secure your spot. Use code PODCAST for a rolling discount (the more you buy, the more you save)

Takeaways

• Outsourcing Considerations
• Publishing is in an investment (time, money, energy)
• Options beyond traditional publishing and self publishing

• 00:00 Introduction to Outsourcing
• 05:07 Investing in Expertise
• 10:23 Consulting vs Hybrid Publishing
• 16:17 Outsourcing Options
• 22:57 Outsourcing Personal Tasks

Links Mentioned:

• Profitable Publishing™ LIVE 2 Day Intensive: It’s time to create a profitable book that builds your authority, ties to your offers, and generates leads and clients. Profitable Publishing™ Live on Feb 12-13th, 2026 (virtual or in person attendance available). Visit www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live Use code PODCAST for a rolling discount (the more you buy, the more you save)
• Profitable Publishing™ with Preorders www.PreorderProfits.com/book

The podcast episode focuses on on whether using social media marketing for books is the best option for most authors. Find out the importance of choosing the right platform, developing clarity around social media goals, assessing capacity and consistency for social media engagement, and leveraging social media for book marketing.

Get details on the Profitable Publishing™ Live 2 Day Intensive for event to create a profitable book that builds your authority, ties to your offers, and generates leads and clients. Profitable Publishing™ Live on Feb 12-13th, 2026 (virtual or in person attendance available). Visit www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live for more information and use code PODCAST for a discount when you secure your seat.

Takeaways

• Social media is not the only option for marketing a book
• Choosing the right platform for social media is crucial
• Algorithm shifts actually work in your favor if you know how to capitalize on them

Chapters

• 00:00 The Myth of Social Media Marketing
• 08:32 Choosing the Right Platform
• 15:04 Clarity and Capacity
• 26:00 Platform Selection and Lifestyle
• 33:59 Leveraging Social Media for Book Marketing

Links

• Profitable Publishing™ Live: www.ProfitableSelfPublishing.com/Live

Connect with Ashley

• Website: Www.ShepPublishingHouse.com/Contact
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/ShepPublishing
• LinkedIn:
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-d-shepard
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/sheppublishing
• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sheppublishing

Profitable Publishing™ is for coaches, consultants, speakers, and nonfiction authors who want to package their expertise in a book that builds their brand, attracts clients, and supports real business growth. This isn’t for authors who just want to get their book out there.

Your book has more sales to make, more doors to open, and more people to serve. But traditional publishing advice doesn’t quite fit your publishing goals.

On this podcast, you’ll learn how to:

• Use a strategic book to build your brand and align to your services
• Get consistent book sales (before, during, and long after launch day)
• Turn your message into income generating offers your readers will love
• And use your book to land paid opportunities like speaking, bulk orders, and partnerships
• Focus on more than royalties by creating income-generating offers from your book

You wrote your book to make a difference. Profitable Publishing™ helps you make it happen in a way that aligns with your business or brand.

This isn’t just about selling more books.

It’s about creating the kind of ecosystem that gives you the freedom to publish on your terms and profit at the same time.

If you’re ready to make your current or future book a powerful part of your brand, subscribe now and start your Profitable Publishing™ journey today.