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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I break down how writing a short, imperfect book became one of the most powerful credibility and lead-generation tools in my business—without aggressive promotion or chasing speaking gigs.

I share the real story behind my book Mastering AI and Communications and how it quietly opened doors to speaking, training, and workshop opportunities I never pitched for. We talk honestly about what worked, what I’d absolutely do differently, and how you can use content you already have to create a book that works for you long after it’s published

We cover:

How a Book Becomes a Silent Sales Tool

• Why my book landed speaking gigs without cold pitching
• How a physical book creates instant credibility—even if it’s not read
• The psychology behind why authors are trusted faster than “experts” without books

Using AI to Write Faster (Without Losing Your Voice)

• How I used AI to assist—not replace—the writing process
• Repurposing podcasts, workshops, emails, and trainings into book content
• Why AI helped me write the book in weeks instead of months

The Real Value of a Short, Imperfect Book

• Why your book doesn’t need to be long—or a bestseller—to be effective
• How a short book can outperform blogs, white papers, and lead magnets
• Why perfectionism is often the biggest thing standing in the way

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

• Why I’d take more time (and hire an editor)
• What I learned about publishing, design, and launch strategy
• How I’d approach a second edition with clearer goals

Key Takeaways for Business Owners & Experts

• Why credibility compounds when your content is tangible
• How books differentiate you in crowded speaking and consulting markets
• The importance of creating marketing assets that keep working long-term

If you’ve ever thought, “I could never write a book” or “It wouldn’t be perfect enough,” this episode will challenge that belief—and show you how to start small, stay strategic, and still create something powerful.

If speaking, training, credibility, or long-term visibility is part of your growth plan, this conversation will help you see books differently.

Ready to rethink how your content could work harder for you? Tune in and start looking at what you’ve already created through a whole new lens.

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

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From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I’m joined by Michele DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design and a publishing industry veteran with more than 50 years of experience. We dive into the realities of book publishing—what most people get wrong, what actually matters, and how a well-done book can completely transform your business.

From traditional publishing to self-publishing and hybrid models, Michele breaks down the landscape with clarity and candor, helping authors avoid costly mistakes and disappointing outcomes

Why Most Self-Published Books Miss the Mark

• Why skipping market research is one of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes authors make
• How treating a book like a passion project instead of a business asset leads to poor results
• The danger of cutting corners on editing, design, and production quality

Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing vs. Hybrid Models

• Why landing a traditional publishing deal is harder than ever (and what publishers really want now)
• How Amazon changed publishing forever—and where things went sideways
• The hidden downside of hybrid publishers that charge upfront and take royalties
• What “true” self-publishing was originally meant to be

What It Actually Costs to Publish a Professional Book

• The difference between real editing and running a manuscript through Grammarly
• Why nonfiction books cost more to produce than fiction
• What goes into professional cover design (and why it’s never a “5-minute job”)
• Realistic investment ranges for publishing to traditional industry standards

One-Stop Shop vs. Piecing It Together Yourself

• Why project management matters just as much as creative talent
• The risks of hiring freelancers without knowing what to look for
• Common problems authors face after using bargain services or template-based designs
• How working with an experienced team protects both your book and your sanity

How a Small Book Can Create Big Business Results

• How Michele’s 88-page guide became a powerful lead generator—unexpectedly
• Why books make exceptional lead magnets in an overwhelmed digital world
• How publishing can lead to speaking opportunities, authority positioning, and new revenue streams
• Why a book doesn’t need to be long to be impactful

A Marketing Lesson That Still Holds True

Michele closes the episode with a timeless reminder that applies to publishing, marketing, and business as a whole:

It’s a lesson that has guided her work for decades and continues to pay dividends today

If you’ve been sitting on a book idea, a half-finished manuscript, or the sense that a book could open doors for you—this episode will help you think about publishing strategically, not emotionally.

🎧 Tune in to learn how a well-crafted book can become one of the most powerful marketing assets in your business.

Connect with Michele Defilippo:
Website:

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I’m joined by Ed Troxell, visibility strategist and organic marketing expert, for a real, practical conversation about showing up online—without overwhelm, perfectionism, or burning yourself out.

Ed shares his unexpected journey from stage fright (yes, literal panic attacks) to becoming a trusted guide for business owners who want to increase visibility, attract the right audience, and build a sustainable personal brand. Together, we unpack what visibility really means in today’s noisy digital world.

From Fear to Visibility

Ed opens up about:

• His early fear of being seen and heard—and how that shaped his approach to marketing
• Why visibility doesn’t require perfection, polish, or confidence on day one
• How consistency and repetition help you “get over yourself” and show up as you truly are

Where to Show Up (and Where Not To)

We dive into the overwhelm many entrepreneurs feel around social media and discuss:

• Why being “everywhere” is the fastest path to burnout
• How to choose platforms based on business goals, not trends or pressure
• The importance of understanding where your audience is actively looking for solutions

Creating a Visibility System That Fits Your Life

Ed introduces his GPS framework—Goal, Plan, System—and explains:

• What a visibility “system” actually is (and why it doesn’t need to be complicated)
• How to break marketing into bite-sized, manageable pieces
• Why 15 minutes a day can be enough when you have the right structure
• How content creation, repurposing, and email marketing work together

The Role of Video, AI, and Authenticity

We also explore:

• Why video remains one of the most powerful tools for building trust
• How AI can support your content without replacing you
• Why AI-generated avatars and videos can hurt credibility if overused
• How to use tools like ChatGPT as a creative partner—not a replacement

Common Content Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Ed highlights one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make:

• Posting content without a clear call to action
• Why storytelling matters more than ever
• How to guide your audience instead of leaving them hanging

Key Takeaways

• Visibility isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters
• Your personal brand grows when you show up, not just your content
• Messy action beats perfect silence every time
• Systems create freedom, not rigidity

Whether you’re relying on referrals that have slowed down, struggling with social media overwhelm, or trying to figure out how to be visible without it taking over your life, this episode offers grounded, honest guidance you can actually use.

Ready to stop hiding behind the screen and build visibility that works for your business?

Connect with Ed:
Website: https://edtroxell.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edtroxell/

🎧 Tune in

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

Watch here