Before The Bestseller

Today we're excited to welcome Navid Nazemian, best-selling author of Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide. He is a speaker on leadership and career topics, and an executive coach affiliated with groups like 100 Coaches Agency and Hult Ashridge. Navid draws on 25+ years of global leadership to help executives navigate high-stakes transitions and deliver lasting impact. Recognized as the world’s #1 Coach by CEO Today for three consecutive years, he has supported senior leaders across top firms including BP, Coca-Cola, TikTok, Shell, and SAP.In this episode, Navid shares the hard-won insights behind his book, shaped by decades of experience and a realization that even top companies struggle with executive onboarding. He breaks down why 40% of executive hires fail, the real cost of misalignment, and why transitions should be measured in 12 to 18 months instead of just 90 days. We also explore how Mastering Executive Transitions became the cornerstone of a $1 million ecosystem, from pre-launch crowdfunding success to 50+ podcast guestings, a 9,000-subscriber newsletter, and a focused LinkedIn strategy that earned him a Top Voice blue badge. You’ll hear practical tips on author positioning, thought leadership, and building momentum without burnout.This episode is a masterclass in how one well-positioned book, supported by consistent thought leadership and a focused LinkedIn strategy, can quietly power a high-trust author brand and unlock long-term business momentum.—Make sure to check out the book here: https://a.co/d/bqbYlp9Want to learn more or get in touch? Connect with Navid on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/navidnazemian—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re back with bestselling author Jim Murphy, author of Inner Excellence and The Best Possible Life. As a high-performance coach to world champions, CEOs, and elite athletes, Jim brings over 15 years of experience helping people live and lead with purpose. His book Inner Excellence, now translated into 27 languages, has quietly become a global success, rooted in years of research, real-world coaching, and a relentless commitment to inner growth.In this episode, Jim shares the full story behind the moment his book went viral when NFL star A.J. Brown was spotted reading it during a playoff game, and the years of quiet obsession that made that moment possible. Long before any spotlight, Jim was putting in the work, sending handwritten letters, chasing down interviews with some of the biggest names in Major League Baseball, and slowly collecting the 39 conversations that shaped his thinking. He spent years deep in research, poured everything he had into the book, and even went $90,000 into debt, facing serious financial risk to bring the book to life in its most authentic form.Jim’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of writing from a place of genuine passion, staying focused on personal growth, and letting the work speak for itself. Tune in for a story about long-term grit, unexpected timing, and the kind of success that only shows up when you’re willing to do the work no one sees.—Get a copy of Inner Excellence here: https://a.co/d/5V2rKT5Dive deeper into Jim’s work and get his latest insights by subscribing to his newsletter here: www.innerexcellence.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today’s guest is someone who’s helped some of the world’s top performers not just succeed, but grow into stronger, more grounded people. Jim Murphy is the author of the best-selling book Inner Excellence, a mindset and system he’s shared with professional athletes, CEOs, and world champions around the globe. His work is all about training the heart for peak performance under pressure and finding deep joy, peace, and purpose in the process.A former professional baseball player turned high-performance coach, Jim wrote Inner Excellence after five years of deep research and over 50 interviews with Olympic coaches and sports psychologists. He now works with elite athletes and top executives to help them build inner strength, self-mastery, and extraordinary lives. His philosophy centers on gratitude, growth through adversity, and pursuing excellence not for accolades but for personal transformation. Jim leads global workshops and retreats and works one-on-one with a handful of clients each year, many of whom experience their best seasons yet.In this episode, Jim shares the personal transformation behind his book and dives into the core philosophy that self-centeredness, not fear, is the real enemy of high performance. He talks about anxiety, comparison, and purpose, and explains why humility, gratitude, and a clear inner mission are essential for lasting impact. From helping elite athletes rewire their focus to reframing anger in everyday life, this conversation offers practical tools for anyone seeking more peace, courage, and clarity especially when the pressure is on. Because when your heart leads, even pressure becomes purpose.—Get a copy of Inner Excellence here: https://a.co/d/5V2rKT5Dive deeper into Jim’s work and get his latest insights by subscribing to his newsletter here: www.innerexcellence.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

It’s our pleasure to welcome back Brendan Kane, bestselling author of 1 Million Followers, Hook Point, and now The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment and business, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katie Couric, MTV, Paramount, and IKEA. But his strategies aren’t just for celebrities or major companies. He’s also helped everyday creators, entrepreneurs, and authors grow real audiences from the ground up, including those starting with no social media presence at all. Brendan is back with us again for a breakdown of the strategy behind his newest book and what it really takes to build lasting influence.In this episode, Brendan takes us behind the scenes of his latest book launch, offering a masterclass in unconventional strategies for lasting impact. He discusses why he chose a self-publishing route, the value of giving away over 100,000 copies to build trust and readership, and the lessons he’s learned from experimenting with pricing and marketing funnels. Beyond the tactics, Brendan dives into the mindset of a creator who’s constantly evolving, sharing the challenges, failures, and pivot points that come with a viral strategy. He’s not just changing how books are marketed; he’s quietly rewriting the playbook.—You can listen to Brendan’s first episode on his book One Million Followers here: https://bit.ly/3TRMVKk Learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/etY0dLkYou can also go to hookpoint.com/alex to get a free PDF of the book to check it out. Make sure to check out Brendan’s website and sign up to his newsletter here: www.hookpoint.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

What does it really take to go viral? In this episode, we’re joined by Brendan Kane, bestselling author of One Million Followers, The Hook Point, and now The Guide to Going Viral. Brendan is the behind-the-scenes strategist for some of the world’s biggest brands and celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, IKEA, Vice, and Sketchers. He once gained over one million followers in 100 countries in just 30 days and has helped clients turn zero visibility into global attention.In this conversation, Brendan breaks down the myth that virality is just luck. We talk through his data-driven framework for reverse-engineering attention online, how storytelling drives retention, and why most content fails before it even begins. He shares the importance of using repeatable formats, explains the “generalist principle” that helps creators scale without losing their niche, and offers real-world examples from luxury real estate agents to leather crafters who have turned everyday topics into millions of views. We also explore the role of AI in content creation and why even the most advanced tools still depend on your ability to tell a compelling story.Tune in for a refreshingly realistic take on what actually gets people to watch, share, and remember your content, and how to finally turn viral moments into something that lasts.—You can listen to Brendan’s first episode on his book One Million Followers here: https://bit.ly/3TRMVKk Learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/etY0dLkYou can also go to hookpoint.com/alex to get a free PDF of the book to check it out. Make sure to check out Brendan’s website and sign up to his newsletter here: www.hookpoint.com—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today marks the final episode of Before the Bestseller, our 18-part series where we’ve broken down the entire audiobook into focused, actionable chapters for nonfiction authors. If you've made it this far, you're not just dreaming about sharing your book with the world—you’re committed to doing it right. This final chapter is all about turning everything you’ve learned into a clear, personalized book marketing blueprint.We’ll walk you through how to take inventory of your assets, set realistic goals for each marketing tool, and build a week-by-week strategy, whether you’re months out from launch or already post-release. From setting copy movement goals across podcast guesting, Amazon ads, and bulk buys, to planning your launch timeline and post-launch rhythm, this episode offers a complete framework you can adapt to your own author journey. It’s not just about hitting a list. It’s about sustaining momentum and knowing what to do, when, and why.Because writing the book was never the whole journey. Marketing it with clarity, consistency, and purpose is what gets it into readers’ hands. This isn’t a sprint. It’s a smart, intentional marathon. And if you’ve come this far, you’re already ahead of most. Let’s finish strong.—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re down to the final stretch. In episode 17 of our 18-part series, Before the Bestseller, we’re diving into two topics that get a lot of attention in the publishing world: traditional PR and what it really means to make a bestseller list. As we near the end of this audiobook journey, this chapter pulls back the curtain on some of the final, more public-facing tools authors often consider.Some authors found their way into media coverage by paying attention to what was already being talked about and figuring out how their book could genuinely add to the conversation. Others aligned their launch with timely events or simply started local and built from there. We also touch on what it actually takes to make a bestseller list, not just the surface-level criteria but the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that rarely gets discussed.The hard truth? Being called a bestseller doesn’t mean your book is being read. You can buy the label, but you can’t buy real readers. The value isn’t in hitting the list. It’s in becoming the kind of author who could. And even if you fall short, doing the work leaves you with something far more powerful than a badge: momentum that lasts.—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re back with episode 16 of our 18-part series, where we're putting the entire book Before the Bestseller up on our podcast for you to listen to. We’re just a couple of episodes away from the final chapter, and we hope you’ve been making great progress since you first started listening. In this episode, we’re talking about building a launch team for your book. This is the part where we start figuring out what that process actually looks like and how to make it work.Putting together a launch team can feel a little awkward at first, especially if you’re not sure who to ask or what to even ask them for. In this episode, we talk through how to start building that early group of supporters, even if it’s just a few people at the beginning. We get into the kinds of help that are actually useful, how to keep things organized without it becoming a full-time job, and why a little consistency often matters more than big gestures. You’ll also hear real examples of what’s worked for other authors, from inviting readers behind the scenes to creating small moments that invite people to be part of the process.Most authors don’t start out with a massive audience, and that’s okay. The real value comes from a handful of people who are willing to show up, share the book, and leave thoughtful reviews when it matters most. This episode is about how to make the most of that support in a way that feels personal, sustainable, and aligned with what you actually need.By the end of the episode, you might find yourself thinking more clearly about who you’d want on your team and how to support them in supporting you. Maybe it’s revisiting your timeline, reaching out to a few trusted friends, or just writing down what kind of help would actually make a difference. Wherever you are in the process, this chapter is a good place to pause, take stock, and start mapping out what comes next. It’s a good moment to look back at how far you’ve come and to think about who’s coming along with you.—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

Today we’re on Episode 15 of our 18-part series Before the Bestseller, and we’re digging into a topic that can quietly make or break your book’s reach: gatekeepers. These are the people your readers already trust—think podcasters, bloggers, authors, and professionals—and earning their support can take your book much further than trying to do it all yourself.This episode unpacks what it really takes to connect with the right people—without spamming or cold pitching. We explore ways to build genuine relationships, offer value in unexpected ways, and stay consistent with outreach across each stage of your launch. Whether you're months out from publishing or deep into post-launch, there's a strategy here that might just open the right doors.The truth is, most books don’t take off from a single post or pitch. They build momentum through thoughtful outreach and the quiet support of people who already have their audience’s trust. It’s not about chasing influencers or gaming the system—it’s about showing up consistently, offering real value, and letting trust do the heavy lifting for your book.—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com

We’re back with episode 14 of our Before the Bestseller book series, where we dive into one of the most creative parts of the book, the section where we talk about bold, outside-the-box marketing moves. This is for the moments when standard strategies just don’t cut it and you're ready to try something a little more daring.We’ll explore how some bestselling authors turned unexpected tactics into powerful book-selling engines, marketing ideas that don’t follow traditional book promotion paths. Think car washes, thank-you pages, handwritten notes, rubber chickens (yes, really), and how speaking gigs can double as book distribution channels if you play your cards right. They’re not paint-by-numbers, they’re wild colors spilled on a blank canvas.Because sometimes, the difference between a good book and a breakout one isn’t just the content, it’s the courage to market it in a way no one else has. Let’s talk moonshots.—Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.—Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here:  https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.comIf you're interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com