Blog to Book or Book to Blog

BookMarketing.pro with Bo Bennett, PhD

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Bo Bennett, founder of bookmarketing.pro, shares his strategy for increasing book sales by leveraging the power of blogs. He explains how he turned his popular blog about logical fallacies into a successful book, "Logically Fallacious," by repurposing the content and offering it in a more accessible format. He argues that while blogs can be valuable for disseminating information, many people prefer reading books for their ease of consumption. Bennett highlights the importance of having a clear call-to-action on the blog to encourage readers to purchase the book. He also discusses the reverse approach, transforming a book into a blog, suggesting it as a strategy for authors who are struggling to sell their books. He acknowledges that this approach may not be suitable for every type of book, particularly lengthy ones that require frequent updates, but emphasizes that it has proven successful for him.

Key Ideas/Facts:

• "Logically Fallacious": Bennett's most successful book originated from a blog collecting and explaining logical fallacies, addressing a gap he observed in existing online resources. He strategically chose to maintain the blog as a free resource while offering the book as a more user-friendly way to consume the same content.
• Blog as Advertisement: The blog functions as a free advertisement for the book, attracting readers with valuable content and offering a convenient purchase option for a more enjoyable reading experience. "If they like what they're reading on the blog and you have a clear and easy way for them to purchase your book from your blog…that's where we get a lot of the sales from because people really enjoy what they read on the blog, but they realize that it's not a good experience."
• Content Sharing: Bennett advocates for a relaxed approach to digital rights management (DRM), believing that sharing ultimately leads to increased exposure and potential sales. "If somebody actually does want to share your book, then fantastic. Let them share your book. I think one share like that would lead to more sales."
• Book to Blog: While Bennett's personal success stemmed from "Blog to Book," he also highlights the potential of adapting existing non-fiction books into blog content to increase visibility and drive sales. He cautions against using this strategy for books with frequent updates due to the increased workload.
• Suitability Considerations: The strategy's success depends on factors like book niche, content type, and the author's willingness to consistently update both the blog and book. Bennett advises testing and allowing sufficient time for evaluation.

Important Quotes:

• On the decision to create "Logically Fallacious": "I found that there were hundreds of these logical fallacies. Literally hundreds. And there was no one resource for them."
• On the blog's role in promoting the book: "The blog is actually a fantastic advertisement for the book."
• On the benefits of sharing: "You're getting readers. You're getting people into your content and that's what you ultimately want."

Actionable Insights:

• Identify content gaps: Research potential niches where a blog can serve as a valuable resource and a springboard for a book.
• Prioritize user experience: Offer the book as a more convenient and enjoyable alternative to consuming content on a blog.
• Embrace content sharing: Recognize the potential for increased exposure and sales through sharing.
• Test and evaluate: Experiment with the "Blog to Book" or "Book to Blog" strategy and assess its effectiveness over time.