A short talk by Julie Broad describing two authors’ paths to viral success and bestseller status. It contrasts Jonathan Stanley’s sudden media-driven virality (supported by preparation, polished assets, and reader-focused storytelling) with Imani Roberts’ deliberate audience-building and refined launch process that led to a USA Today bestseller. The speaker emphasizes that author success is repeatable and driven by preparation, consistency, knowing and serving your reader, and effective promotion.
Chapters
One of our authors went hyper viral, like Today Show, People magazine, USA Today, like you name it. And they were on it, kind of viral. And yeah, you know what? Luck played a role. But he was doing a Barnes and Noble signing, working his author business when luck happened upon him and he was ready. He had a great book, his website was polished. He knew exactly who he was writing his book for. He told an authentic story and he didn't chase an algorithm. He served his reader. So when the major media interviewed him, the preparation and the heart he has for his reader shone through. And his viral moment kept going and going. He signed international publishing deals and he's doing big keynote talks. That's Jonathan Stanley, author of Purposeful Performance. Another author, Imani Roberts, came back years after his first book launched to a lackluster audience right in the middle of the pandemic in early 2020 and launched his second book to hit the USA Today bestseller list. And it's not because he changed who he was, but because he refined the process. And of course he had a better climate to launch to, but also he had worked to build an audience and he got to work promoting this book big time. Eight hundred authors later, I can tell you being a successful author takes work, consistency, a strong message, and a dedication to serving your reader. It takes work on the part of the author. It's repeatable and you can do it too. Hiring the right company may help you. Of course, book launchers played a role in both of these stories. But. But most importantly, success as an author is the byproduct of knowing your reader, writing for them, consistently, doing things every day that attract your audience and promote your book.
