THE BIG PICTURE

1. Presell Your Product Before It's Complete

Before you invest weeks or months into perfecting your product, flip the script: presell it now and keep building while the orders roll in.

Preselling while building validates your concept with real buyers, generates immediate revenue to fund development, and creates accountability that motivates you to complete your project.

The key is offering early adopters special incentives that make waiting worth it, while being transparent about what they're signing up for.

My Live Example

I’m launching a new version of my “4-Week Write Your Book on the Side” system course.

• New format: Moving from a live, cohort-based course to a self-paced platform with two coaching tiers (limited sessions vs. unlimited).

• Work in progress: The landing page is in design, and I’m still recording fresh content, so the full release is weeks away.

Rather than wait, I invited interested readers to join an early-access list via a simple Google Form.

• Personal follow-up: I emailed each prospect individually, offering:

  • A steep discount off the eventual launch price.

  • Guaranteed access in exchange for patience while content drips out.

  • A sneak peek at the draft landing page.

The result? A handful of sales have already rolled in, which gave me additional motivation to finish creating the course.

This is a win-win because early adopters get a great deal, and I gain upfront revenue, proof of interest, and a few smart questions to refine my final landing page.

(P.S. Want in on the early-access deal? Here’s the link to the form. I also included it in the Update #3 below.)

GROWTH TACTICS

2. How to Collect Email Addresses from Your Books (Step-by-Step)

I’m a big fan of Amazon KDP, but one major drawback is that Amazon doesn’t share customer information with authors.

In other words, you have no idea who bought your book (unless someone finds you and reaches out directly).

The solution?

Create a simple landing page and offer a free bonus (like a checklist, workbook, or bonus chapter). Then include the link at the beginning and end of your book.

Readers who want the bonus will visit your page and join your email list (which gives you a direct line of communication for future launches or updates).

I do this with every single book that I publish.

Here’s how to set up a landing page and collect emails:

• STEP 1: Choose a Website Builder

• STEP 2: Set Up a Custom Domain (Optional but Professional)

• STEP 3: Design the Landing Page

• STEP 4: Connect your Email Marketing Tool

• STEP 5: Upload the Free Resource(s)

• STEP 6: Test the Entire Funnel

• STEP 7: Promote the Landing Page in Your Book

If you want a full walkthrough (plus a list of my favorite tools for each step), check out the detailed blog post I recently published by clicking here.

COURSE UPDATE

3. Write a Book Quickly (Using AI the Right Way)

I just pre-launched the next iteration of my “4-Week Write Your Book on the Side” system.

It’s a course that will help you write and publish a bestselling nonfiction book in just four weeks (using AI to write it quickly and in your own voice).

The course used so be a live cohort-based course, but I’m now building a couple of different versions of it (with updated content).

There will be limited seats when I launch it so if you’re interested in getting notified as soon as it’s out, click here to fill in your info:

Click here to be the first to know before I open the course to the public.

WORDS I LIKE

4. One Tactic to Focus on as an Author

Great advice from Eric Jorgenson, CEO of Scribe Media and author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

This is exactly why I’ve been doubling down on building my email lists with newsletters (all on Beehiiv).

ONE-MINUTE HACKS

5. A Quick Side Gig Hack You Can Apply Today

Publish a portfolio of products (books or courses) in the same category.

Doing so gives you the advantage of cross-selling.

It's easier to sell a second book to an existing customer than it is to sell to a new one.

And adding a "You might also enjoy..." page at the end of each book or course is free marketing.