The Road to Successful Book Publishing
In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Rick Lite, the founder of Stress Free Book Marketing, to discuss the ins and outs of self-publishing, book promotion, and long-term success as an independent author. With decades of experience helping authors launch and market their books, Rick shares invaluable insights into what it really takes to get a book into the world—and keep it thriving.

Rick’s journey into the publishing industry began unexpectedly when he stepped in to help his wife, Lori, launch her children’s book series. What started as a short-term project turned into a lifelong passion for book marketing and self-publishing, leading to the creation of Stress Free Book Marketing. Now, Rick works with independent authors to help them navigate the complexities of self-publishing, from cover design to distribution and marketing strategies.

Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways:

• The Birth of Stress Free Book Marketing: How Rick transitioned from the IT recruiting world to book publishing.
• The Role of an Author Platform: Why building an audience early is key to a successful book launch.
• The Truth About Book Marketing: Why it’s a multi-year journey, not a one-time event.
• Navigating Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Understanding the trade-offs between control, royalties, and exposure.
• The Power of Beta Readers: How getting feedback before publishing can prevent costly mistakes.
• Marketing That Works: The importance of consistent engagement, building relationships, and leveraging social media.
• Lessons from Failure: The biggest mistakes new authors make—and how to avoid them.
• Persistence is Key: Why book marketing requires continuous effort long after launch day.

Rick Lite’s insights into self-publishing and book marketing remind us that writing a book is just the beginning. Success in the publishing world requires strategy, persistence, and a willingness to adapt. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a seasoned writer looking to expand your reach, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how to market and promote your book effectively.

Connect with Bill:

• bill@brandingpillars.com
• www.brandingpillars.com
• www.brandingforresults.com
• IG - @wcellis
• Facebook - @CoachBillEllis
• LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/wcellis
• Book: Women Who Won

Links for This Episode:

• Name: Rick Lite
• Emai: rick@stressfreebookmarketing.com
• Phone: 678-642-9555
• Website(s) http://www.stressfreebookmarketing.com
• SOCIAL MEDIA INFO:
• LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-lite/
• Facebook- @‌stressfreebookmarketing
• Twitter- @‌stressfreepub

Quick Episode Summary:

• 0:00 Bill introduces Rick Lite and the world of book marketing.
• 1:10 How Rick got into publishing by helping his wife with her children’s books.
• 5:00 Why authors struggle with marketing and how Stress Free Book Marketing helps.
• 10:00 The difference between traditional and self-publishing—and which one is right for you.
• 15:00 The importance of building an author platform before launching a book.
• 22:00 How beta readers provide critical feedback to refine a book before publishing.
• 28:00 Long-term book marketing strategies: What works and what doesn’t.
• 35:00 The truth about bestsellers—why short-term rankings don’t equal long-term success.
• 41:00 Final thoughts: Rick shares his “point” on doing what you love and making it work.

Subscribe & Share:
Don’t miss an episode of What’s the Point?! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with someone looking to publish or market their book. Success in the book world starts with taking the right steps—let Rick Lite show you how!