Can you briefly introduce yourself and your writing background?
My name is Brad Gosse. I am a comedian who writes dirty children's books for
adults. I wouldn't call what I do writing as much as I would call it publishing. Lots
of pictures and very few words would be the best way to describe my books. I
have a background in graphic design and I am well known as an Internet marketing
expert. I'd leveraged these skills after a midlife crisis into becoming a successful
humor, author and comedian. I have published over 150 books through KDP.
What inspired you to start writing, and how did you get into publishing your books?
I have always been fascinated by the idea of publishing a book. Even as a kid I
recognized the power that a few good selling books would have in my life. A lot of
people don't want to say that they publish books for the money. But I got into this
for the money. I like money. I don't believe you have to be broke to be an author.
How did you achieve your first significant milestone in book sales?
Sharing my work on social media is what broke the mould for me. I was trying to
run ads to promote my books and it wasn't working. So I started reading them in
part on social media. That's what moved the needle for me in book sales.
Were there any specific strategies or steps you took early on that made a big
difference?
My strategy is really a game of bulk. I publish a lot of books. And I publish
thousands of videos of me reading my books on social media. Some people might
consider what I do spamming, but it works and I have built a nice audience.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in your journey to millions of
sales?
Getting banned. I had one book that I wrote RIGHT before the covid lockdown. It
was called. You're going to Camp coronavirus because you didn't wash your
hands. The book was selling like crazy and then Amazon pulled it because it had
the word coronavirus in the title and they were trying to get ahead of any scam
products leveraging the name. This really took the wind out of my sales and
derailed my publishing efforts for several months while I contemplated if it was
worth continuing.
During that time, Amazon actually stopped selling books entirely while prioritizing
grocery orders during the first few weeks of lockdown. This made it even less
desirable to publish at that time.
How did you overcome these challenges, and what did you learn from them?
Eventually, I got over self-pity and started publishing books again quickly, realizing
that there was money to be made in new titles.
I also leveraged the banning as a tool to generate a mailing list. I made my banned
book into a downloadable PDF. Then I made several videos about how Amazon
banned my book and how the only way to get it is by downloading it on my
website. I did a pay what you want campaign using Gum Road. Their platform
allows you to let people put in their own dollar amount or pay you nothing and just
give up their email address. I made some good money from the voluntary
donations people made, but I also built a huge mailing list that I was able to
continue leveraging indefinitely.
What are your future plans for your writing career?
I have dozens of books in the pipeline. I am also working on some animated TV
pilot scripts based on characters I have created. I plan to create several more
characters to build out my own Multiverse. I am also working on a proper
paperback book similar to the ones other stand-up comics publish.
How do you plan to continue growing your readership and sales?
More of the same. What's worked for me in the past will continue to work. But I am
also seeking collaborations with other creators, authors, and comedians. This will
help me expand my reach.
What would you say to people who want to pay for others to do their marketing for
them? Do you believe you are your author brand and everything comes together or
something else?
I don't think anyone should pay a third-party to do their marketing unless they
know exactly what they want out of their marketing campaign. A third-party will
just go through the motions for you and won't necessarily build out a proper viral
campaign. A lot of forethought is required to come up with viral hooks that will sell,
your work to the public. Most of that has to be done by the author in my opinion.
I do, however, strongly recommend taking on a mentor or hiring a consultant to
help you come up with the ideas for your marketing. Unless you already have that
figured out yourself.
Additionally, networking with other authors in your genre will probably bring you
closer to some good marketing strategies.
A word from Alex at Indie Bubble.
I've thoroughly enjoyed exploring Brad's content and books. His success as an author is yet another example of how leveraging expertise you have from previous endeavours can help you in your publishing journey. There's so much to glean from Brad's interview, and I extend my gratitude again to him for sharing his insights with us.
Brad has carved out a unique niche that complements his career as a comedian. A recurring theme from successful authors is that volume matters. Publish numerous books; you never know which one will be a hit. Keep producing books and creating engaging content about them in a way that resonates with you. This approach helps build a dedicated audience and a strong readership. It’s clear that hard work and consistency play significant roles in achieving success without compromising on quality.
I particularly admire how Brad turned a major setback into a success story. Faced with a book ban that nearly halted his progress, he used the experience to generate income and build a mailing list that continues to serve him well. This tactic not only provided value to his readers but also attracted new followers by offering something unique. Mailing lists are consistently highlighted across these interviews as essential tools for long-term marketing success.
Recently, several authors have asked if I would handle their marketing. While I too like Brad love money, I also value honesty. As Brad suggests, managing your own marketing is crucial. Understanding your audience and attracting them can rarely be outsourced effectively. You, as the author, are the creative force behind your work, and your readers are drawn to your unique voice. However, consulting with a professional to develop a marketing plan can be beneficial, but the actual execution should largely come from you as you build your brand and audience.
Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, please drop them below, and I'll make sure to pass them on to Brad!
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