LISTEN TO THE PODCAST:
#Episode 1: The Year I Funded My Book and Built a Thriving Platform
Transcript #Episode 2: Top 3 Reasons Most Authors Never Publish Their Book
Transcript Persona Series – Episode 10
From Startup to Authority: How I Raised $91K Without a Platform
SCALE WITH SUCCESS* THE PODCAST
5 Myths About Selling An Evergreen Course
#130: 5 Myths About Selling An Evergreen Course
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Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book - The Podcast. I’m your host, Jodi Vetterl, and today we’re diving into one of the most common questions I hear from aspiring authors: Why do so many people start writing a book but never finish—or worse, never publish it?
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or financially stressed about your book project, you’re not alone. Today, I’m going to walk you through the Top 3 Reasons Most Authors Never Publish Their Book and, more importantly, how you can overcome these roadblocks to make your dream a reality.
Let’s dive in.
Reason #1: The High Cost of Publishing
Publishing a book is expensive—let’s be real about that. The costs add up quickly: editing, cover design, layout, printing, distribution, marketing, and PR. If you’ve looked into it, you’ve probably had a moment where you thought, How am I supposed to afford all of this?
Most authors try to cut corners, dip into savings, or take on debt to get their books published. But here’s the truth: those strategies aren’t sustainable. They create stress, limit your creativity, and make it difficult to focus on what really matters—your message.
The Solution? Sponsorships.
When I wrote my first book, Beyond the Banks, I learned a game-changing strategy: securing sponsorships before publishing. Between June and September, I raised $91K. That funding didn’t just cover my publishing costs; it allowed me to invest in marketing, attend retreats, and hire a PR team. It gave me the freedom to create without financial stress.
One of my sponsors, Aly, a mortgage broker, invested $9K in my book. He not only became the exclusive Authority for mortgaging up within my community but went on to close $12M in mortgages through the exposure. This isn’t just funding—it’s a win-win partnership that elevates everyone involved.
Reason #2: Overwhelm and Lack of Direction
Have you ever sat down to work on your book and felt paralyzed by all the things you need to do? Writing is just one piece of the puzzle. You also have to think about marketing, building an audience, and figuring out how to sell your book.
Many authors try to do it all themselves, which leads to burnout. Or they stop entirely because they don’t know where to start.
The Solution? A Clear Framework.
This is where my Beyond the Book framework comes in. It breaks down the process into four simple steps:
1. Purpose: Define your “why” and align your book with your vision.
2. Paper: Craft your content while integrating sponsorship opportunities.
3. Profit: Monetize through sponsorships and scalable revenue streams.
4. Platform: Expand your book into a sustainable business.
With this framework, you don’t have to do it all at once. You have a roadmap to follow, so you can focus on one step at a time and make steady progress toward your goals.
Reason #3: Fear of Failure
This one’s a biggie. Many authors never publish their books because they’re afraid—afraid of rejection, criticism, or not selling enough copies. And I get it—putting your work out into the world is vulnerable.
But here’s the thing: fear doesn’t have to stop you. The best way to overcome it is to take action and build confidence through small wins.
The Solution? Strategic Collaboration.
When you partner with sponsors, you’re not going it alone. You’re aligning yourself with credible brands and individuals who believe in your message. This not only boosts your confidence but also gives your book built-in credibility.
Take Liz, for example. She specializes in infinite banking strategy for Whole Life Policy Insurance, it’s brilliant and she became one of my sponsors. Her investment in my book paid off—she 30X’d her sponsorship and gained significant visibility for her business through my members and readers. And then there’s Ava, who saw an 83% ROI on her sponsorship by aligning her multifamily real estate brand with my book’s audience.
These stories show that when you take the leap, amazing opportunities unfold—not just for you, but for your collaborators as well.
How You Can Overcome These Challenges
If you’re resonating with any of these challenges—the costs, the overwhelm, the fear—you’re not alone. These are the exact obstacles that Beyond the Book was designed to solve.
Imagine this: Instead of stressing about how to fund your book, you’re building partnerships that not only cover your costs but also create lasting opportunities for growth. Imagine having a roadmap to follow, step by step, so you always know what to do next.
…And imagine having the confidence to put your work out into the world, knowing that it’s supported by a network of collaborators who believe in you and your vision.
Your Next Step
I appreciate you tuning in today and invite you to join me next time for another episode of Beyond the Book – The Podcast.
If this sounds like the kind of clarity and support you’ve been looking for, I want to invite you to my Beyond the Book Free Masterclass: How to Fund Your Vision and Build a Thriving Platform.
In this masterclass, I’ll walk you through the exact strategy I used to raise $91K before publishing my book and build a 7-figure platform. You’ll learn how to:
- Secure sponsorships and collaborations.
- Monetize your book before it’s even published.
- Turn your book into a scalable business.
Click the link around this page to register for the Free Masterclass. Your book deserves more than just pages in print—it can be a launchpad for your dreams.
Thank you for joining me today on Beyond the Book. I can’t wait to see you in the masterclass and help you take the next step in your journey.
Let’s go Beyond the Book together and turn your vision into reality. I’ll see you in the masterclass!
Intro:
Hello, and welcome to Beyond the Book – The Podcast. I’m your host, Jodi Vetterl, and this is first episode of our Persona Series, where we explore how four types of entrepreneurs can use a book as the launchpad to monetize their message, build their brand, and scale their business—before they even publish.
This episode is for the Startup Founder with a Story to Share—this is where I started so it’s close to my heart..
When I started, I didn’t have a following. I had no publishing experience. My network was small. But I had something powerful: a story, a vision, and a deep desire to build something meaningful.
After starting to write my book and signing with paying to work with a publisher, I learned a strategy of how to fund my book early on and fast. In just 3 months, I raised $91,000 in sponsorships for my book before it was even published—and after the book launched, I built a coaching program that eventually scaled into a 7-figure online course and community!
Let me show you how I did it—and how you can too.
The Power of Claiming Your Ide ntity Before the World Sees It
I didn’t wait until I had a finished manuscript or an established brand to position myself as an author.
I claimed the identity of an author. I led with it.
That decision opened doors to podcasts, speaking gigs, and strategic collaborations—because people take authors seriously, even if the book isn’t out yet.
You don’t need followers. You need clarity and the right framework.
Strategy #1: Your Book Is a Business Asset, Not Just a Story
From day one, I treated my book like a launchpad. Not a personal project or passion piece—but a strategic tool for building authority.
I aligned the content with my vision, then identified brands and businesses whose target audience matched my future readers. It allowed me to pitch value instead of asking for support.
And it worked.
Strategy #2: Build Your Sponsorship Kit Before the Book Is Done
Most people think they need a printed book to raise money.
Not true.
What you need is a strong vision and a polished pitch.
I used a sponsorship kit to raise $91K by highlighting:
Who the book was for
What impact will the book have
And how brands could be part of that story
It wasn’t crowdfunding. It was co-creation.
Social Proof: Real People, Real Wins
And this isn’t just my story.
Jillian, a top Florida real estate agent and founder of RevUp Solutions, came into Beyond the Book thinking she just needed help monetizing her book. What she discovered was a strategy that aligned her book with her brand—and positioned her for strategic partnerships that would elevate both.
“I now see how my book can do more than tell a story—it can drive business, create meaningful collaborations, and provide education to my industry.”
Misti Hurst, a professional motorcycle racer and coach, had been working and creating assets for months with no way to fund everything she needed to fully launch and build her amazing platform—until she joined the program.
“Beyond the Book got me organized, focused, and taking action. I now have the tools to monetize my platform, scale my brand, and fund every book I write moving forward.”
These are startup founders—just like you—who turned their message into momentum and their book into a business.
Summary & Final Thought
Here’s what I want you to take away today:You don’t need a big audience. You don’t need industry fame.
You just need the right approach.
By treating your book as a business asset, aligning it with strategic partners, and claiming your identity as an author early, you create instant credibility and real opportunities.
Yo are not “just starting out.”
You’re at the exact moment when your story can become your most valuable currency.
Your Next Step
If you’re ready to turn your story into a platform—and your book into a fully funded business asset—I want to personally invite you to my free masterclass: How to Fund Your Vision and Build a Thriving Platform You'll learn:
✅ How I raised $91K in 3 months—starting from scratch
✅ How to pitch strategic collaborators and sponsors before you publish
✅ How to build a book that creates income, influence, and long-term business growth
Click the link in the show notes or visit www.beyondthebook.net to register now for my Free Masterclass.
This is your sign to stop waiting and start building.
Thanks for listening to Episode 10 and the 1st of the the Persona Series.
Let’s go Beyond the Book—together.
Are you sick and tired of launching?
Generate launch-sized
revenue without
launching ever again.
Are you sick and tired of launching?
Generate launch-sized
revenue without
launching ever again.
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