From Big Idea to Bestseller: Using a Book to Build Your Speaking Career with Jake Kelfer

What if the thing you’ve been waiting for—more credibility, more speaking opportunities, more aligned clients—starts with a book?In this powerful and practical conversation, Deidre sits down with Jake Kelfer to unpack how writing a book can radically accelerate your visibility, authority, and income. Jake shares his unconventional journey from college graduate to bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur—and why you don’t need decades of experience to make a meaningful impact.Together, they dive into the mindset shifts that stop most people from sharing their message, how being “one or two steps ahead” is more than enough to lead, and why your story already is a book—you just haven’t put it on paper yet. If you’ve been feeling the nudge to write, speak, or step into a bigger version of yourself… this episode might be the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.📝 Key Talking Points + Timestamps[05:35] Being in the right rooms + why mentorship fast-tracks your growth[06:00] Investing before you feel “ready” (and how Jake overcame that fear)[09:10] How having a book makes it easier to land speaking gigs and sell your programs[10:00] The biggest mindset shift: you don’t need to be the “best”—just one or two steps ahead[10:35] Jake’s story of writing a bestselling book only one year out of college[11:00] Why proximity to your audience actually makes you a better teacher and speaker[18:00] Turning your lived experience into authority and income[25:00] The real purpose of a book (hint: it’s not just royalties)[33:00] How authors can leverage their book to grow visibility and business[40:45] Jake’s free gift: Big Idea to Bestseller[41:30] Final mic-drop: You’ve already “spoken” your book—now it’s time to write itJake Kelfer is the founder of Big Idea To Bestseller, an elite book publishing company that helps entrepreneurs and executives write, publish, and launch nonfiction books for business growthand impact. He is a 4x bestselling author, high-energy motivational speaker and hype man, and investor. Before helping people write life-changing books, Jake worked for the Los Angeles Lakers during Kobe Bryant's final NBA Season. He is the founder of the Professional Basketball Combine which helped 70+ NBA draft prospects turn their dream of playing pro basketball into their reality resulting in $250M+ in lifetime contracts.He and his work have been featured on Forbes, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and many other majormedia outlets.Get a free copy of Jake’s bestselling book, Big Idea to Best Seller: www.bigideatobestseller.com/free-book