The Story Power Marketing Show How to Publish a Business Building Book Without Selling Your Soul or Losing Your Mind (with Everett O'Keefe)
Everett O'Keefe is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and International #1 bestselling author and the founder of Ignite Press, a hybrid publishing company that helps entrepreneurs, business leaders, and medical professionals grow their authority and revenue through publishing.
His most recent solo book, The Power of the Published, explores how rapidly authoring and launching a book can transform a business — and a life. Over the years, Everett has helped create and launch more than 200 bestselling books for his clients. He speaks nationally on the power of publishing and is passionate about helping experts become the one who wrote the book — not just the one who read it.
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
[00:01:00] Why Authorship Still Commands Authority
Even in a digital-first world, we revere authors. Everett explains why being introduced as “the author” instantly elevates your status — and why authorship still carries subconscious authority that no social media following can replicate.
[00:03:00] The Rapid Writing Advantage
The slowly written book rarely gets finished. Everett shares practical strategies to write quickly and effectively — including turning your most frequently asked client questions into ready-made chapters.
[00:05:00] From Blog to Book (Without Reinventing the Wheel)
If you’ve created content — blogs, emails, speeches, courses — you may already have a book sitting on your hard drive. Everett and Tom discuss how repurposing existing content dramatically reduces overwhelm and accelerates completion.
[00:08:00] Using AI Without Selling Your Soul
AI shouldn’t write your book — but it can absolutely help you refine it. Learn how to use AI as a brainstorming partner, organizer, and editor without sacrificing authenticity.
[00:09:00] Traditional Publishing: The Hidden Tradeoffs
Speed to market? Limited. Control? Minimal. Royalties? Slim. Everett explains why many authors feel like they’ve “sold their soul” under traditional publishing contracts — and what they wish they’d known beforehand.
[00:13:00] Self-Publishing vs. Hybrid Publishing
Self-publishing gives you control — but also responsibility for every detail. Hybrid publishing offers professional execution without taking ownership of your intellectual property. Everett breaks down the differences and what to watch for.
[00:17:00] The Truth About Amazon Bestseller Launches
Everett shares the strategy behind creating a powerful, concentrated sales spike that can elevate a book to #1 status — and why integrity matters more than guarantees.
[00:20:00] Stop Chasing Royalties — Start Leveraging Authority
A book isn’t about making $9 per copy. It’s about generating $9,000 clients. Tom and Everett discuss why giving your book away strategically can be far more profitable than selling it.
[00:24:00] The “Podcast Perk” Strategy
Everett reveals how he uses a simple, memorable URL — mypodcastperk.com — to give away his entire book to podcast audiences, capture leads, and continue nurturing prospects long after the interview ends.
[00:26:00] Don’t Be a Secret Agent Author
Too many experts publish a book and then quietly move on. Everett explains why your book should be everywhere — in your bio, email signature, discovery calls, and every business conversation you have.
[00:30:00] Own Your Intellectual Property
From ISBN ownership to distribution control, Everett emphasizes the importance of owning your content and protecting your long-term flexibility.
[00:31:00] The Unexpected Internal Shift
Publishing a book doesn’t just change your business — it changes you. Everett shares how seeing his name as a #1 bestseller altered his confidence, trajectory, and vision.
FULL EPISODE VIDEO
Watch the complete episode here:
https://vimeo.com/1169545325?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
CONNECT WITH EVERETT O'KEEFE
Website:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ignitepress
LinkedIn (Everett O'Keefe):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/everettokeefe/
LinkedIn (Ignite Press):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignite-press
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ignitepress.us/
YouTube: