From Pages to Paychecks: Turning Your Book Into a Consulting Pipeline
Here’s the truth: most people don’t get rich off book royalties alone. But if you’re a therapist moving into consulting, your book isn’t about royalties, it’s about reach, authority, and building a pipeline of consulting clients.
Use Your Book as a Premium Business Card
When I first started in private practice, everyone did the same thing. Get business cards, and maybe some tri-fold brochures, hand them out with maybe a plate of cookies and wait for the referrals to roll in. Yes, we did this. But in 2025, especially if you want to get premium clients, like $10k speaking engagement clients, you can forget paper business cards, because they don’t want them and you will NOT stand out. What will? A signed copy of your book with a personal note could sit on a decision-maker’s desk for months or be passed around an office planting seeds for all streams of your business. That’s built-in visibility AND credibility.
Make Your Call-to-Action Crystal Clear
But it’s not just about having a great book. Readers should never finish your book thinking, “Now what?” This is your chance to guide them toward your next offer: a strategy call, downloadable toolkit, or invitation to your consulting services. When your book is written with the intention of bringing clients to your door, the next step is a no-brainer. I didn’t know that the first time around, but you can take full advantage of the knowledge that I have now.
Build Companion Resources
Your book is just the beginning. Create workbooks, assessments, or online workshops that expand on the content. People LOVE this. I listen to Audible books most of the time and I smile every time someone mentions the companion website for their resources. This shows me that they are already building my connection to them. The book is the first link in the chain, which may be easier to get than you would think, but these resources become easy upsells and add perceived value for organizational buyers. Plus, when other books or offers come out they are ready to buy because they already know what to expect from you.
Leverage Launch Momentum
Because people love to interview authors, books give you built-in exposure. From local morning news stations to national media frenzy, every podcast interview, LinkedIn post, or article you publish around your book can include your consulting offers. Think of the launch as the front door to an ongoing visibility strategy.
FAQ: Turning Your Book Into Consulting Clients
Q: How do I use my book to land my first consulting client?
A: Start small. Send your book to key contacts with a note pointing them to a chapter that addresses their pain point. Follow up with a conversation about applying those insights in their organization. Depending on your print price, this might be a $20 investment, way less than an ad to try and get in front of them, but it stands out more than an email or simple LinkedIn inbox.
Q: Should I give books away for free?
A: Yes, to the right people. A $10 book in the hands of a decision-maker could lead to a $10,000 contract. You might also choose a few strategic partners, influencers around your niche or launch team members who will get a few extra perks for directing people to your title. Again, this is the investment piece. For buyers, who could still pass you along to the right people, opt to give them a free chapter in exchange for your email or a bonus resource that’s not available to the public and that can help close the deal.
Q: Do I need to market the book differently if my goal is consulting?
A: Yes. Your messaging should be aimed at organizations, not just individuals. Focus on outcomes like retention, performance, and culture. For the individual buyer, you want to target whomever is the decision maker in that organization. Think, non-profit leaders or HR leaders, positioning in front of them is a win-win.
Remember: the book is the seed, but consulting is the harvest.
Are you ready to take your book off the shelf in your mind and start getting it on paper? Sign up for a mini strategy session today, get my 5-pack of ebook templates for FREE. We’ll talk about your quickest path to profit and you’ll walk away with a clear plan and focus to finish your dream.