Episode 59: Part 2 - Bestsellers Get Attention but "Best Helpers" Close Deals

Episode Title:The Smart Publishing Impact Series – Episode 59: Part 2 - Bestsellers Get Attention but "Best Helpers" Close Deals Episode Summary: Most authors get stuck before they even begin—because they don’t know how to structure their book.In Episode 59, Renée Lautermilch, Chief Editor at Smart Publishing, and co-host Jonathan Lautermilch break down one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of writing a book: structure.From defining who your book is for to building chapters around clear principles, this episode walks you through how to create a book that doesn’t just share stories—but actually delivers value, drives action, and creates opportunities.You’ll also hear why starting with your story can lead to confusion, how to reverse-engineer your content for clarity, and why the best books act as a bridge between your reader’s problem and your solution.If you’ve been thinking about writing a book—or you’ve started but feel stuck—this episode will give you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.What You’ll Hear:The two critical questions you must answer before writing your bookWhy vague “I want to help people” books don’t workHow to define who your book is for and what problem it solvesThe difference between story-first vs. principle-first writingWhy starting with principles creates clarity and structureHow to use storytelling to support (not replace) your messageThe structure behind highly impactful books like Extreme OwnershipHow your book can act as a natural funnel for your businessThe concept of “result of the result” and why it mattersWhy books should be built as attraction tools—not just productsQuote to Remember: “Clarity creates speed—without it, you’ll stay stuck or build something that doesn’t work.”Mentioned in This Episode:Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babinsmartpublishingservices.com – publishing resources and supportConnect with Renée Lautermilch on Facebook – she’s the only one in the worldConnect with Jonathan Lautermilch on LinkedInEmail: [email protected] Episode:More tactical strategies on how to turn your book into a client acquisition and authority-building tool—not just something you publish and forget.