Building a business around your existing book can be a strategic decision that potentially positions you for greater success than writing another book. Consider which approach might offer a clearer pathway to becoming a seven-figure CEO. It’s important to note that this journey goes beyond financial gain; it centers on the opportunity to reach and assist a larger audience.

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Building a business involves establishing processes as you progress. There will be numerous processes to consider. This doesn’t refer to one-time tasks, such as creating a:

• Website
• Podcast
• YouTube channel

Instead, we’re focusing on ongoing processes for crafting website articles, producing podcast episodes, and creating various video styles. Consistency and standardization are key to building brand recognition. Think of your business as akin to running a factory, with much of the operation occurring online rather than dealing with physical products.

Consider the organization of your website articles. How many images do you typically include, and where are they positioned? For instance, do you consistently place the feature image at the top of each article?

These decisions must be made once and documented as part of your established processes. This approach significantly simplifies your workflow, allowing you to perform your tasks efficiently.

Keep in mind that processes will evolve over time. It’s advisable to review your articles every six months. Links may become outdated, and circumstances change, necessitating periodic checks as part of your article-related processes.

I will provide detailed process steps through this channel. Some may be needed immediately, while others will be developed over time.

Building a successful business is a gradual process, mirroring the saying that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Generally, developing into a seven-figure CEO can take approximately seven years.

As an engineering student, I learned a methodical approach akin to eating an elephant: you start at one manageable piece, such as the tail, and then progress to individual ears, and so on.

In my previous position, a young engineer requested guidance while we had a guest engineer visiting from a factory that had recently burned down in Ireland. The young engineer questioned how we achieved so much in our aerospace project. I suggested, “Create a list of tasks. Then, prioritize them.” I turned to the visiting engineer and added, with a hint of humor, “Oh! Sorry!”

The surprised looks on their faces indicated the impact of the conversation. This interaction served as an important lesson in project management and prioritization. It’s an insight that can be valuable in any career path. Will you take this lesson to heart?

To start your journey, focus on your nonfiction book. You can create engaging articles for a website from your book, which you’ll need to set up. Here are some steps to help you build your website.

Next, consider launching a podcast, a YouTube channel, and profiles on social media platforms where your audience is active. For enhanced visibility, embed your podcast episodes and long-form videos or playlists within your articles. This multimedia approach will significantly increase the likelihood of your content being noticed.

Your priority may initially be to create a website dedicated to your articles, especially if you haven’t yet begun generating income from your online endeavors. This time spent is an investment in the future of your business.

When your schedule is tight, the website should be your starting point. Collecting email addresses from your audience is essential, as these will become a crucial asset to your business.

Once you’ve established a comfortable process for writing articles, consider expanding into a podcast or YouTube channel. It is advisable to start with a podcast, as it often reaches a comfortable production level faster than video content.

You may be tempted to jump straight into video creation for quick revenue via YouTube, but this mindset is outdated. Relying solely on video content won’t necessarily lead to financial freedom, regardless of your subscriber count. It’s important to diversify your efforts and not concentrate all your resources in one place. A quick glance at Google’s stock price, the parent company of YouTube, will illustrate the volatility inherent in such platforms.

You are essentially the driving force behind your company, with all decisions resting on your shoulders. Much like living alone, certain tasks, such as picking up that sweater on the floor, will remain unattended unless you act.

As your YouTube channel starts to flourish, aided by the support from fans of your podcasts and website, you’ll generate enough revenue to bring on your first hire, followed by more in time. Your initial recruitment should focus on a video editor. At the same time, the next hire could be someone to manage your email correspondence—replying to most inquiries and forwarding a select few that require your attention.

Consider establishing a team structure that allows you to remain in front of the camera or microphone while team members manage the rest of the operations. Another effective approach is prioritizing working on the business rather than getting lost in daily tasks.

Use your book as a resource to create articles for your website, integrating an embedded podcast episode and a long-form video. Have your team edit these materials to ensure they align perfectly with your brand vision. Aim to produce thirty to one hundred pieces of content to lay the groundwork for an online course titled “30 Days to…”

To test the waters of market interest, consider preselling the foundational course at a lower price than you might anticipate. This course should consist entirely of recorded videos and text assignments. After it has been on the market for a period, you can then shift focus to your advanced, higher-priced course.

This six- to eight-week advanced course will involve weekly online meetings with your students to address their questions. Given that your foundational course, a prerequisite for this advanced offering, set high expectations, this program is expected to deliver exceptional value. At this point, it stands as your premium offering.

Approximately ten percent of your email subscribers will likely enroll in your introductory online course. From this group, about ten percent will advance to your higher-level course. Furthermore, around ten percent of those enrolled in the advanced course may go on to purchase your subsequent offering.

At this stage, various options are available, such as organizing a conference, assisting clients in developing their businesses and implementing their strategies, or engaging in paid speaking opportunities. The potential avenues are extensive. However, one critical question remains: what is your plan?

As you embark on your business journey, it’s essential to contemplate its conclusion—not in the context of failure, but in terms of success. What steps will you take when your business flourishes?

Will your children inherit the enterprise, assuming they are interested in it? Alternatively, do you intend to sell it or cease operations suddenly?

Any business owner must have an exit strategy. While you may not need to finalize this plan immediately, it’s wise to consider it now to avoid being unprepared later. Reflecting on this matter is highly recommended.

Instead of focusing solely on writing another book, consider the potential benefits of establishing a business centered around your existing work. This approach may increase your chances of becoming a successful seven-figure entrepreneur, allowing you to reach and support a larger audience of fans.

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