EP 179 | Day 3 of Writing Retreats Breaks You, Here’s the Breakthrough with Ellie Shefi

Ellie Shefi flushed $25,000 down the drain before she figured out what most authors never learn: your book isn't supposed to make money from royalties. It's supposed to build a business. In this conversation, the attorney-turned-publishing strategist pulls back the curtain on why over 97% of books never sell more than 1,000 copies, what actually happens on day three of her book writing retreats when every author wants to quit, and the single question that should drive every decision you make about your authority. This isn't about writing a book. It's about whether you're willing to do what you came here to do before it's too late. Key Timestamps [00:00:52] "Over 97% of books never, ever, ever sell more than 1,000 copies" [00:03:15] How three hours on Zoom during COVID changed everything [00:06:42] The $25,000 lesson in publishing fraud [00:11:28] Why your book will never make money from royalties [00:15:45] The most common lies wannabe authors tell themselves [00:19:33] How men and women approach authority differently [00:22:47] What happens on day three when everyone wants to quit [00:28:15] The question every entrepreneur should ask before leveling up Memorable Quotes [00:11:28] "Over 97% of books never, ever, ever sell more than 1,000 copies. And so when people think, 'I want to write a book, and I'm gonna make all this money off it,' you're not." – Ellie Shefi [00:23:18] "Sometimes you need somebody to believe in you more than you believe in yourself." – Ellie Shefi [00:28:22] "If I died today, did I do what I came here to do?" – Ellie Shefi Guest Information Ellie Shefi is a business and book alchemist for visionary women leaders, experts, and founders ready to turn their expertise into authority, impact, and revenue. An attorney, strategist, keynote speaker, and 12x #1 international best-selling author, she is the founder of Made to Change the World™ Publishing and MTC Consulting, a powerful consulting and publishing ecosystem that helps experts turn their knowledge into best-selling books that drive credibility, visibility, and revenue. Her work demystifies thought leadership as a growth lever, showing entrepreneurs how to move from "experienced" to "recognized authority" via strategy-first books that actually grow their businesses. Ellie is known for her unapologetic belief that a book is not a vanity project—it's a revenue engine and a leadership platform. Website: www.ellieshefi.com   Free Resources: https://www.ellieshefi.com/freeresources   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellieshefi   Made to Change the World Publishing: https://www.ellieshefi.com/freeresources Connect With the Host Website: https://raeirelan.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeirelan/ Join the Evolved Influence Academy Community today! https://www.skool.com/evolved-influence-academy/about?ref=28c7243ce169469eb9979bbc4226a76a Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices