In this week’s episode, I sat down with Corey Fradin, who is the founder of Authrs.io - an agency that ghostwrites, markets, and publishes best-selling books for busy professionals.
In this value-packed episode, we covered:
The biggest mistake first-time authors make (02:16)
Why most books only sell a few hundred copies - and how to make sure your book sells more (03:17)
How to choose the right book idea (04:10)
The real economics of book sales on Amazon (08:12)
Self-publishing vs traditional publishing - which one is better? (09:14)
Why building an audience first makes traditional publishers almost irrelevant (13:02)
How Corey and his co-founder grew Authrs.io into a 7-figure business in under 3 years (24:31)
And much, much more…
Watch On YouTube:
👉 Subscribe to the Write • Build • Scale YouTube channel, where we’ll upload a video version of the podcast every week.
What Would You Like More Of?
Connect With Corey Fradin:
Interested in writing for Authrs.io? Reach out to their Director of Fulfillment here: anthony@authrs.io
(Experienced writers only.)
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Key Lessons From This Episode:
#1: A Book Is a Stepping Stone - Not the Finish Line
A book rarely makes sense as a standalone money-maker.
The real value comes when you treat it as a gateway to higher-leverage opportunities: courses, coaching, consulting, speaking, or partnerships.
When you zoom out and see your book as part of a bigger ecosystem, the ROI multiplies - even if book sales themselves stay modest.
#2: Marketing Matters
You can write an incredible book, but if no one knows it exists, it won’t sell.
Many first-time authors underestimate this part and focus almost exclusively on writing.
Think of your book like any other product: it needs visibility, distribution, and a clear path for people to discover it.
Great writing is essential, but marketing is what actually drives sales.
#3: Start With the Outcome You Want
Before deciding what to write, get clear on why you’re writing the book in the first place.
Do you want to:
land speaking gigs?
attract consulting clients?
grow your newsletter?
build authority in a specific niche?
Once the outcome is clear, the right topic often becomes obvious.
Writing without intention makes everything harder - from marketing to monetization.
#4: Self-Publishing Is the Smarter Path
Traditional publishing isn’t what it used to be.
Today, many publishers expect authors to already have an audience - and they rely on the author to do most of the marketing.
That’s why self-publishing makes more sense for most authors.
Self-publishing gives you:
more control
higher royalties
faster timelines
flexibility to use the book however you want
If you’re already building an audience online, self-publishing often makes far more sense.
#5: Books Create Leverage Far Beyond Book Sales
The true power of a book is what it unlocks after publication.
It creates credibility, social proof, and trust at scale.
A book can help you:
charge more for your services
get invited on podcasts
land speaking engagements
attract better clients
open doors that were previously closed
Think of your book as a long-term asset - one that keeps working for you long after it’s written.
