Episode #60: How To Become a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author (Our Strategy)
Host: Ashley Brock
Podcast: Marketing Matters with Ashley Brock
Release Date: March 20, 2025
In Episode #60 of Marketing Matters with Ashley Brock, Ashley delves deep into the strategic journey behind launching her book, How to Win with Paid Ads. This comprehensive episode is a treasure trove for small business owners and entrepreneurs aiming to harness the power of paid advertising to achieve remarkable milestones, such as becoming a bestselling author on Amazon. Below is a detailed summary capturing all the pivotal discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
1. Introduction to the Book Launch
Ashley kicks off the episode by introducing the topic of her book launch party. She outlines the key questions she aims to address:
- How the book launch went
- Decision-making processes
- Collaborations
- Results achieved
Notable Quote:
“At the end, you were able to develop new frameworks. It allowed you to have something that I truly believe is unique and different.”
— Ashley Brock [15:45]
2. Promoting the Win with Paid Ads Challenge
Before diving into the book launch details, Ashley promotes the Win with Paid Ads challenge. She emphasizes the benefits of live coaching, learning from other business owners, and receiving personalized feedback over five days.
Actionable Tip:
To join the challenge, listeners are directed to visit ashleybrock.com/challenge.
3. Crafting a Successful Book Launch Strategy
a. Launch vs. Announcement
Ashley distinguishes between a simple announcement and a strategic launch.
Key Insight:
“A launch is a story with a beginning, middle, and end,” she explains, emphasizing the importance of building anticipation over two weeks leading up to the launch.
b. The Secret Launch Party
Ashley hosted a secret book launch party, inviting around 150 select individuals, including current clients, past summit attendees, and friends. The exclusivity fostered a tight-knit community atmosphere, celebrating the collective growth achieved through paid advertising.
Anecdote:
She shares a memorable experience at Hotel Bennett in Charleston, where a mishap with champagne led to exceptional hospitality from the hotel staff, reinforcing her desire to treat her guests exceptionally during the launch.
4. The Writing Process: Commitment and Clarity
Ashley discusses her decision to write the book herself rather than opting for ghostwriting. Guided by Coach Mikaela, she committed to writing the book in 30 to 45 days, breaking it down into manageable daily chapters. This disciplined approach not only expedited the writing process but also honed her messaging and cemented her status as a thought leader.
Notable Quote:
“One of the reasons I've had such clarity on my message... is because of the work that writing a book forced me into.”
— Ashley Brock [08:30]
5. Publishing on Amazon: Strategy and Execution
a. Selecting the Right Categories
With Mikaela’s expertise, Ashley meticulously selected Amazon categories to maximize visibility. This strategic categorization was pivotal in achieving bestseller status swiftly.
b. Tracking and Optimization
Ashley highlights the importance of creating specific tracking links for different marketing channels—organic Instagram, paid ads, email, and the book launch party. This granular tracking enabled precise measurement of sales sources and optimization of future campaigns.
Notable Quote:
“On the day of the book launch party, the majority of sales came from email, followed by ads, then organic.”
— Ashley Brock [32:15]
6. Astonishing Results Achieved
a. Bestseller Rankings
The book achieved the following rankings on its launch day:
- #1 in Advertising
- #1 in New Releases
- #1 in Top Movers and Shakers
- #360 in All Books
These rankings were accomplished by strategically timed sales and efficient ad spending, solidifying the book’s success without exorbitant costs.
Notable Quote:
“By 3 pm, we had hit the bestseller status.”
— Ashley Brock [22:10]
b. Cost-Efficiency in Advertising
Contrary to some expectations, Ashley's ad spend for the launch day was modest—$2,800. This lean investment, combined with a well-targeted email list, drove significant sales without the need for a massive budget.
Notable Quote:
“We could have spent $100,000, but we didn’t need to because sales were coming through organically.”
— Ashley Brock [30:50]
7. Insights on Paid Advertising
a. The Power of the Right Audience
Ashley underscores that having a targeted, engaged email list is more valuable than a vast, untapped audience. Her email list, though not massive, comprised the right people primed for engagement and purchases.
b. Transferable Skills with Paid Ads
She emphasizes that the skills acquired in paid advertising are universally applicable across various business models. Whether it’s real estate, fashion, or digital products, proficient ad management can drive success.
Notable Quote:
“With paid ads, you're not exclusive to one platform. You have a competitive advantage across the board.”
— Ashley Brock [45:20]
8. The Importance of Thought Leadership
Ashley advocates for becoming a thought leader rather than merely repeating others' ideas. Writing her own book forced her to articulate her unique perspectives, enhancing her clarity in messaging across all her business channels.
Notable Quote:
“When you write your own book, you become a thought leader instead of a thought repeater.”
— Ashley Brock [20:35]
9. Conclusion and Forward Look
Ashley wraps up the episode by reiterating the significance of tracking and strategic planning in achieving business goals. She encourages listeners to adopt similar strategies in their ventures and invites them to join her Win with Paid Ads challenge for hands-on learning and growth.
Final Encouragement:
“Whatever business you run, you can use paid ads to achieve your goals. It’s a transferable skill that empowers you for life.”
— Ashley Brock [58:10]
Key Takeaways
- Strategic Launch Planning: Treating a book launch as a story with a beginning, middle, and end can build suspense and engagement.
- Targeted Audience Over Large Numbers: A well-curated email list can outperform massive, untargeted audiences in driving sales.
- Efficient Ad Spending: Strategic, well-managed ad campaigns can achieve significant results without enormous budgets.
- Importance of Thought Leadership: Creating original content, such as writing a book, establishes authority and clarity in messaging.
- Transferable Advertising Skills: Mastery in paid advertising can be applied across various business models and industries.
Recommended for Listeners
- Join the Challenge: Participate in the Win with Paid Ads challenge for a deep dive into effective advertising strategies.
- Listen to Previous Episodes: To complement this episode, Ashley recommends listening to the previous episode featuring Carrie's success story with paid ads.
Ashley Brock’s Episode #60 is an insightful guide for entrepreneurs looking to leverage paid advertising to achieve extraordinary business milestones. From meticulous planning and strategic execution to the empowerment that comes with skill mastery, this episode serves as a blueprint for success in the digital marketing landscape.