Destroy Your Self-Imposed Glass Ceiling: Leveraging Books for Business Growth with Melanie Herschorn
Episode Details
Transcript
Are you ready to uncover the surprising truth about leveraging books for business growth? Dive into the untold challenges and triumphs of a marketing expert's entrepreneurial journey, and discover how to turn adversity into abundance. Join us as we unveil the real impact of sharing your unique story and leveraging it to make a big impact in your business. Stay tuned to unravel the unexpected secrets of book marketing and author strategies that could transform your entrepreneurial path. Get ready to rewrite the narrative of success with a powerful twist.
Melanie Herschorn, the founder of VIP Book Marketing and Publishing, is a seasoned book strategist and marketing expert. With a mission to empower authors to share their messages with the world, Melanie offers a unique blend of creativity and business acumen. Her journey from overcoming self-limiting beliefs to experiencing organic growth in her entrepreneurial endeavors is truly inspiring. Drawing from her extensive experience as a celebrity publicist, journalist, and entrepreneur, Melanie brings a 360-degree view to help real estate professionals, business owners, consultants, and speakers leverage books for business growth. Her focus on leveraging books to bring impact, income, and influence makes her a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and authors looking to enhance their marketing strategies.
“If you have a story to tell that you think can help somebody else, then don't be afraid to share it.” - Melanie Herschorn
“Even if you think your story is boring, other people are going to find it interesting.” - Melanie Herschorn
“Your book is an extension of your business, and it's the greatest marketing tool ever in the world.” - Melanie Herschorn
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Unlock the power of leveraging books to fuel business growth and expansion.
- Crush self-limiting beliefs and unlock your full potential as an entrepreneur.
- Master game-changing marketing strategies to elevate your author brand and reach a wider audience.
- Craft a compelling personal brand through the art of storytelling that captivates and resonates with your audience.
- Gain insights into the unique challenges and remarkable triumphs of female entrepreneurs, empowering you to navigate your own entrepreneurial journey.
Book and Resources
Make a Big Impact with Your Book
Connect with Melanie Herschorn
Website: vipbookmarketing.com
Podcast: https://vipbookmarketing.com/media#listen-now
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melherschorn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vipbookgroup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-herschorn/
Integrity Income Fund:
https://investors.appfolioim.com/labradorlending/investor/submit_interest/5
—
Labrador Mentorship:
https://labradorlending.com/investors/active-investors/
—
Haven Financial Services:
Learn more: https://jamie.myfinancialhaven.com/
—
Purchase Jamie’s Book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGTWJY1D?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
—
Leave us a REVIEW: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-adversity-to-abundance/id1618672867?mt=2&ls=1
https://www.adversity2abundance.com/reviews/new/
—
Podpage:
Calling all aspiring podcasters and seasoned pros! Transform your podcast with a stunning website in minutes. Sign up for Podpage today to effortlessly grow your audience with our easy-to-use tools.
Sign up here: https://www.podpage.com/?via=jamie-bateman
Connect with us
Website: https://www.adversity2abundance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089126144055
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adversitytoabundancepodcast/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/89949391/admin/feed/posts/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FromAdversity2AbundancePodcast
Connect with Jamie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bateman-5359a811/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/batemanjames
Speaker 0
In this episode, you get a chance to hear from Melanie Hirschhorn who runs VIP book marketing and publishing. She is a book strategist, marketing strategist, a book publisher, and she serves, real estate professionals, business owners, not just real estate, but business owners, consultants, and, speakers. And, she's on a mission to empower authors to share their messages with the world. Really, really cool episode here. And, you know, we walked through several things that that kind of growth periods in Melanie's own entrepreneurial, story, particularly how she, for many years, didn't feel good enough, didn't feel like she was ever gonna make enough money, didn't feel like she was ever really worth enough. And then it was it was, and something that was said to her by her father that actually kind of crushed her for a few months. And, that enabled her through working with therapists and and a coach, to, I think in her words, break that glass ceiling that she'd self imposed. And then all of a sudden her world just opened up. Her self limiting beliefs went away. She bet on herself and, went out on her own and, has just been experiencing, organic growth ever since then. And, you can just tell that she's a a a trustworthy, giving individual who really wants to serve and help their her clients make an impact, and more income. And particularly, she's focused on the forest, not just the trees. Meaning, how does creating a book that tells your individual story, how does that impact your business, and your overall brand, company brand, and personal brand, not just how do you market a book or how do you write a book or how do you publish a book, but the big picture, how do you use your story through a book to benefit your business and ultimately serve your clients and benefit the world? This is a fantastic episode. Speaker 1
Welcome to From Adversity to Abundance, the go to podcast for real estate entrepreneurs seeking not just to thrive, but to conquer with resilience and mental sharpness. Each week, join us as we dive into the compelling world of real estate through the lens of mental fitness, where challenges transform into opportunities. Get ready to transform your mindset and expand your understanding of what it takes to succeed in real estate. Let's explore these stories of triumph and resilience together. Speaker 0
Welcome everybody to another episode of the from adversity to abundance podcast. I am your host, Jamie Bateman, and I'm thrilled today to have with us Melanie Hirshhorn. Melanie, how are you doing today? Speaker 2
I'm doing great. Hey. Did you know that from adversity to abundance is also a book? Speaker 0
I actually did know that, but I think if if any of the listeners, for some random reason, did not know that, they should they should Google it. Speaker 2
They should totally go to Amazon and pick up a copy. Speaker 0
That too or or ten copies, for loved ones. But let's let's, I love that. That's that's awesome. It it is a fantastic book in my opinion, and there's so much, wisdom and inspiration packed into a a pretty easy read. So highly recommend that one. Yes. I am one hundred percent biased. But although we may touch on that later, the the episode is not gonna be focused on that entirely. It's mostly about Melanie and her story and how Melanie adds value to entrepreneurs and, real estate investors and and specifically, pertaining to marketing of books. But, Melanie, you can describe what you do a lot better than I can. So why don't you do that for the listener? Speaker 2
Alright. Well, you did pretty well. I am a an independent publisher and a book marketer. And so what I'm helping people do is write, publish, and market the book so that they can really leverage it to grow their business. Because memoirs are awesome, but they're not gonna, you know, bring money in the door. And when you're self publishing or just in general, when you're publishing a book, you're not gonna get rich on book sales. So what I really help my clients with is leveraging that book to bring to have impact, income, and influence in their chosen Speaker 0
That's awesome. Briefly, before we jump into your backstory, and I know it hasn't always been smooth sailing for you in, in every every facet of your life, including business and and, relationships. So we're gonna dive into a lot of that. But before we get there, briefly, what gives you any kind of credibility to help, entrepreneurs on on that front? Speaker 2
Well, I published a book. Does that count? Speaker 0
I think that that goes a long way for sure. Speaker 2
I think, you know, my my my career has been one where I've been able to take from my different jobs and and really have a three hundred and sixty degree view of what makes a book successful and how to make a business successful. So I've been a celebrity publicist. I have a master's in journalism. I've worked as a journalist, and I've been an entrepreneur for twelve years. So I really see I see the the forest for the trees, if that makes sense. Speaker 0
Yeah. Absolutely. I think it's important to, at times, see the trees, but but absolutely be able to zoom out and and and not miss the forest for sure. But, let's jump back. I know, like, I alluded to, you've had some challenges over the years. Speaker 2
What are you talking about? Easy peasy. Speaker 0
Yeah. It's just a straight line up into the right. Straight line to success. Speaker 2
Yes. That's the only the only direction I go. Speaker 0
Mhmm. In all seriousness, alright. Let's let's jump back. What, where do you wanna start, Melanie? Speaker 2
Well, I'll just say, you know, childhood up through the end of high school, I come from a family that is all in the medical field. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
I am not a sciency person Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
At all. I have a calculator because I cannot do mental math in my head. Speaker 0
That's why Speaker 2
I'm so I don't wanna say envious, but I have such kudos for, you know, realtors and brokers who can look and go, well, it's eleven hundred per square foot, and that caught I'm like, Speaker 0
tear it out. Speaker 2
Lights. Like, hold on. Can't find my phone my my, calculator app. Hold on. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
But I'm so I'm a big you know, kudos to you. Speaker 0
Not a numbers person. Yep. Speaker 2
Not no. But I love math, but I just can't do it in my head. Speaker 0
Got it. Got it. Speaker 2
Good on paper. So so I was always you know, people just assumed that I was gonna go into that and that I've always been much more creative, much more artistically inclined, much more interested in people and, you know, stories. Yeah. And so Speaker 0
Love that. Speaker 2
I so I was going to college, and I don't know what I was gonna study because Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
What do you study when you don't wanna be a doctor? I don't know. I Speaker 0
think a lot of people a lot of people can relate to not knowing what they wanna do in college. Speaker 2
So I studied history, and I loved it so much. But then I graduated, and then it was like, well, what am I gonna do now? Sure. And I thought, well, maybe I'll take the LSAT. And my father was so excited because he thought I was gonna be a lawyer, and then I chickened out, and I never took it. So always I always felt that I was not going to be enough. Speaker 0
Mhmm. You weren't gonna be good enough Speaker 2
for not gonna be good enough. I'm not gonna make enough. I will never make money. I'll never make money because I'm not a doctor. Speaker 0
Right. The creative people just don't don't make money, and and that's who you are, and that's is what it is. Right? Speaker 2
Yeah. And I mean, look. I I went and got a master's in journalism, and I worked as a journalist. And my first year out, I'll I'll give you numbers. We'll talk numbers. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
My first year, I was making thirty seven thousand dollars. Nice. And then the following year, there were budget cuts. Speaker 0
Wow. Speaker 2
And I made less. Speaker 0
Wow. Speaker 2
That's not a lot of money. Speaker 0
No. No. You don't typically go into journalism for just for the money. Right? Speaker 2
Well, no. But Yeah. Then you see the people on TV, and they're making uploads. I mean, I always wanted to be Oprah, and she makes a lot of money. Speaker 0
Absolutely. Speaker 2
So I had resigned myself to thinking, well, clearly, you know, I I'm not gonna pass muster. I am not gonna be smart enough. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
Or not necessarily smart enough, but I'm not gonna be able to do what it takes to make a lot of money. Speaker 0
Sure. The end result is not gonna be that you're producing a high income. Even if you are smart, it's just not gonna result in, sure, in in being wealthy. Speaker 2
Right. So what did I do? I married a doctor. Speaker 0
There you go. Speaker 2
Because and and it you know, it wasn't like I set out to find a doctor to marry. That wasn't what it was, but I do think that the universe was like, well, clearly, you don't believe that you can have Speaker 0
Yep. Speaker 2
And so when I got laid off when I was pregnant with my first child, and all of a sudden, he was the my husband was the one, you know, carrying us on his, like, marginal salary as a resident. I just felt so beaten down. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And, you know, I went I was like, I am now unemployed and unemployable. Speaker 0
Now just briefly, were and, obviously, up to you how much detail you wanna give, but what why were you laid off? Was that budget cuts? Or Yeah. Speaker 2
Okay. A third year a third year budget cuts because I was working at a, an NPR affiliate, and all their money came from the state. Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
And those horrible drives that, you know, the the the money drives where you're like Speaker 0
Yeah. Yeah. Pull this Speaker 2
number and give us money. Yeah. Speaker 0
Right. Right. Speaker 2
So yeah. And because I was pregnant, and, unfortunately, that company had a was notorious for laying off pregnant women. Speaker 0
Wow. Speaker 2
But, you know, there were twenty other people that got laid off at the same time as me, and that's not a court case. So I know. So I was it's just sort of at a crossroads, and I and, you know, I was very lucky that I mean, for my brain, not for my bank account, but the, the managing editor of the local newspaper called me about a week after I was laid off, and she said, we want you to come and do be a freelancer for us. Speaker 0
Nice. Speaker 2
And I and I said, but, Kate, I'm pregnant. And she said, I don't care. Speaker 0
That's awesome. So how how did she knew know you had been laid off? Speaker 2
It was in the news. Speaker 0
Oh, wow. Got it. Got it. Speaker 2
Which is something that as a journalist, you don't wanna be in the news. Speaker 0
That makes sense. Right? Speaker 2
You don't you don't Speaker 0
wanna good if you're in the news. Right? Speaker 2
Right. Yeah. There there are plenty of people who've been laid off recently from their respective journalism, outlets that they would they are not happy to be in the news either. Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
So, so so I did that. It wasn't, you know, very lucrative, but it kept my brain kept me in the game, made me feel like an adult, like a Speaker 0
human. Right. Speaker 2
And so we then my husband got a job because, you know, now he's like a full time doctor, so we got a job here in Arizona. And so we moved across the country to be in Arizona. And I thought, well, I can try to find a job in journalism and pay a nanny or a caregiver or a daycare more than I will actually make because now you guys know what a starting salary is. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
And and I said, or I can do this thing. So I had this idea to design and manufacture breastfeeding clothing. Okay. Right. Total left turn. Speaker 0
Can't say I've ever had that idea. But Speaker 2
K. Well, if everybody did, it wouldn't have been an interesting idea then, I guess. Fair point. So I did that, and I trusted my gut. I don't know what I was doing. Yeah. I Googled. I found found somebody to design to do the designs for me and make them for me, and then I I got, I got a company to in LA to manufacture them for me. And then I was selling them on nordstrom dot com and on Amazon and in boutiques. And I'm like, wow. I'm a real entrepreneur. Speaker 0
That's so cool. Speaker 2
And thank you. It sounds awesome. Right? Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
But now because we're talking about adversity Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
And not, like, all shiny here. Speaker 0
Yeah. Absolutely. The truth is real in this show. Speaker 2
Yes. And the truth was I didn't take home a salary. Speaker 0
Gotcha. Speaker 2
So was the was Speaker 0
the in seven years? In seven years. Oh, wow. Did you make any money in seven years? Speaker 2
The business did. Speaker 0
Okay. Got it. Speaker 2
All went back into the business. Speaker 0
Yep. Understood. Speaker 2
And so that was mistake number one. Speaker 0
Well, so so let's start very briefly. I mean and and one thing I keep hearing, whether you're intending it or not, you're focused on your thoughts and your your, just mental approach to your situation, which I think is it just speaks to the importance of that because, you know, you just never you you mentioned you didn't think you were gonna be enough and but eventually, you ended up believing in yourself and betting on yourself. And these are these are all sort of mental, you know, the the mental positioning that your mental gymnastics and and how your own perspective of yourself and your situation impacts your your your life and your your actions. But I think that's just something really critical to emphasize. It's, it plays such a big role in things. So this the seven year business was a mistake entirely? Or or No. Okay. Speaker 2
Okay. No. I have no regrets in life. Speaker 0
Nice. Yeah. Was that that that, tattoo? Speaker 2
Yes. I I was and then but but I could never get a tattoo because it's too permanent. And Speaker 0
Fair. Speaker 2
I couldn't I couldn't name my stuffed animals when I was a child because that was too permanent also. Speaker 0
That's too much commitment. Gotcha. Speaker 2
Too much commitment. Yeah. But I commit to myself. That I can commit to. Speaker 0
Yeah. So, actually, before we for and what was it that made you really believe in yourself when you before you, you know, when you decided to go all in on that idea, what why did you believe in yourself? Speaker 2
I've always believed in myself. Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
Okay. Against all odds, there are other things I'm not gonna bore you with. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
But no matter what, I've always believed in myself. Speaker 0
I love that. Well and one thing the I just had a a a a recent episode that just came out. At this point, it will have been a few weeks ago, but, Mark Pasarelli, he mentioned, if you if you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? Right? And if you don't believe that you can make it as an entrepreneur, why should anyone purchase your product or have any faith in in you at all? So it kinda starts there. So I love that. So looking at that that seven year period, what were the what came out of that that was a a positive? Speaker 2
Knowing that if I have an idea, I can bring it to fruition against all odds. Speaker 0
Love it. Speaker 2
Knowing that I'm smart enough that I also, I have I I'm good with people, and it it is. I mean, people are I love I love learning from people. Like, I could just like this, and you can tell me all about you. Exactly. Right. If this weren't your podcast, I would make you tell me all about your life because I am so interested. Speaker 0
And I love I love it too. I mean, it's one reason I love doing the the show. It's just I get to learn so much personally, and I do take a a big interest in people's stories and backgrounds. So you should you should start a podcast as well. Speaker 2
Oh, I had one. I had one. It was fun. Speaker 0
It is it is good bit of work, but, not saying you're afraid of work, but it it's definitely a long game, and there's just a lot of work to it. But I'm I'm with you, though, just briefly. I I I mean, I always thought of my I was always good at math and science since since you wanna know about me. Right? I was always good at math and science and, you know, the sort of the engineering type, facet of life, I I guess, if you will. But but I always kinda had that, you know, interest in in people as well as especially as I've gotten older. I've appreciated history and stories more. And so, you know, I guess, I always thought, oh, I'm not creative. Right? The kind of the the Right. Opposite of you. Right? I'm not creative, and I'm I'm just, like I'm only, like, analytical math and science. And and the reality is entrepreneurs create, and that doesn't mean I'm I have to be artistic per se. Like, creating means, you know, adding value or building, right, or, you know, generating something out of nothing or taking the parts and assembling something better. Right? And so that's creating. And so I am actually creative. You know? It's taken me a while to realize that, but, I love that sort of, you know, crossover from, yeah, I can I can do the numbers, and I do generally default to facts and, you know, the analysis side of things? But I really people and adding value to people and listening and learning from people, those are critically important skills that I think for entrepreneurs are are super, super valuable. But alright. So I I I cut you off. So your seven year business. So So Yeah. What did you take from that? Speaker 2
So the the things about you know, if I build it, it can happen. Mhmm. And my you know, I brushed up my PR skills. I got myself on TV. I got myself in magazines. But I think Speaker 0
the Speaker 2
bad thing that happened Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
Was the best thing that happened. Speaker 0
Okay. How so? Speaker 2
So the bad thing that happened was well, I'll be really, really transparent. I don't know how to be any other way. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
I was doing these baby gifting suites for celebrities. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
And because I thought here's the transparency. I thought if celebrities wore my clothes, that would just be, like, the magic the magic fairy dust to make my business take off. Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
So I was going to these celebrity gifting suites, which if you don't know what that is, I will just give you a quick primer. It's a room where you set up a booth and then b, c, sometimes a if you're lucky, celebrities Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
Will walk through and get your stuff for free. And in exchange, they will maybe tweet it out or, you could let you take a picture with them. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And, the goal is for them to fall in love with your product so much that they post about it on Instagram, and then you're the next big thing. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Okay. So, like, yesterday, I saw a a Instagram reel where Jim Carrey had a a reel of this some little camera. Mhmm. This minor you know, you you could take this minuscule camera and and stick it somewhere, and and I guess, you know, I guess I I just thought it was just was he paid to do that or or maybe? Yeah. Speaker 2
Yeah. And this was before this was before the word influencer was really part of our vernacular. Speaker 0
Sure. Sure. Speaker 2
So but, yeah, I mean, it was in same idea. You know? Anything with that, you know, a Kardashian touches turns to gold. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
So I so this woman who ran those suites Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
Reached out to me, and she said, you know, I'm I'm doing marketing now for baby brands. Would I think you need my help. And this is where my putting people up on pedestals problem showed up. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
And I said, sure. And, it was bad. I paid her twenty five grand over the course of a year. She helped me grow my Instagram following Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
But none of those people were ever gonna buy the stuff. Speaker 0
Mhmm. And Speaker 2
she also belittled me at every turn. Speaker 0
Really? Speaker 2
How could you have a master's degree? You're so boring when you write. Speaker 0
Wow. Speaker 2
And other things. And my husband would say, you're paying her. Why are you letting her do this? And you're giving me that look. And and I said and I maintain this, what if she does the smear campaign online and I can't sell my products anymore. And I'm totally ruined. Everything online is ruined, and I'm destroyed. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
So, obviously, worst case scenario, catastrophizing. Speaker 0
Sure. And Operating out of fear. Right? Speaker 2
Operating out of fear. I have lived in that place. It is not fun. Mhmm. Speaker 0
And Speaker 2
this went on for a year. And I was a shell of myself after a while. And this was when, you know, things got stressful in my marriage because he's like, you're not taking home an an income. Mhmm. You know, you're spending all this time on your business, and we're paying a babysitter to spend time with our child. But that should be something you're doing, but that's a whole other animal. Not gonna go there. And, like, you're not contributing to the pot that Yeah. You know? So if you're tie and and I now I can see it Speaker 0
From his perspective? Speaker 2
From his perspective. But at the time Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
I could not see it because the way I saw this business was my sanity. When I had I I didn't you know, I wasn't I don't think I was put on this earth to be a mom. I'm not one of those people. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
I I it wasn't until I turned thirty that I even entertained the idea of having children. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And I love my kids to the ends of the earth. Speaker 0
Of course. Speaker 2
And I love being their mom. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
But I am not one of those girls who played baby doll and pretend Mhmm. Meh. Like, I wanted to, like, run a Fortune five hundred company kinda thing. Speaker 0
So Yeah. Speaker 2
So I was I you know, it was, how am I going to reconcile being a mom when I'm not I'm talking to a one year old? Like, I need other, like, adult interaction. Anyway, so the business Yeah. Kept me sane. Speaker 0
Right. Understood. Speaker 2
And and, yes, you can think of it while it's a super expensive hobby. Whatever. Yeah. It was still mine. Speaker 0
Yeah. Absolutely. No. I I can I can as I'm listening, and I I you know, I'm not gonna go take too much time on this, but I can relate in a lot of ways both from the entrepreneur perspective and from the spouse perspective? Yeah. And it can entrepreneurship can be very taxing on a marriage, whether you're working with your spouse or not, and especially if your income is not high. And, you know, in our or at all at all. Speaker 2
Or at all. Speaker 0
You know, and most businesses fail. Right? I mean, it's got a very high failure rate. And and it's, it's, you know, it's we again, I like to keep it real on this show for real estate entrepreneurs, whether those are agents or investors, no matter what the business actually is, you know, it's it's can be taxing. It's not for everyone. And, I I don't, you should really think through whether you truly wanna be an entrepreneur. Every situation is different. But I can speak from experience that, yeah, when businesses are not going well, you know, and our our cost the money's going the other way into the business, not not from the business to you, man, it can really put a strain on a marriage. And and, you know, my wife took a a job for a couple of years where, she in the grand scheme of things wasn't making a lot of money, but it was her sanity and her she was, the same kind of thing. Like, it and so I I do see that, but it also did put a lot of stress on the the family. And I've put stress on the family. To be clear, I'm not just Speaker 2
Well, you're you're not perfect. Okay. Speaker 0
Yeah. No. No. Right. Believe it or not. Are you sure? Believe it or not. But I so, anyway, I think a lot I know I can relate to kind of multiple characters in in that story, in your story, if you will, and I I'm sure a lot of people can. So what did that, how did that end up? Speaker 2
Well right. So the issue so it wasn't just that this was my sanity. There's also the other piece that we started with about how I'm not a doctor. Speaker 0
Right. Right. So Speaker 2
Yes. So I'm juggling both of these. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And I'm just feeling worse and worse and worse about myself. Speaker 0
About your self worth. Right? Speaker 2
Is that pretty Speaker 0
much yeah. Speaker 2
Hundred percent. And my dad won't ever hear this podcast, so I can tell you this. About two years ago Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
My dad came to visit, and we were chatting. And he mentions that my sister, who's also a Speaker 0
doctor, Speaker 2
and my father's doctor. Yeah. My sister makes a lot of money. Speaker 0
That's what he said to you. Speaker 2
And he didn't mean it in any way. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
But it was like, hitting getting hit in the chest with Thor's giant hammer. Speaker 0
Yeah. Right. Not fun. Speaker 2
And I I mean, I I'm thankful that that happened because I got to finally break free of the glass ceiling that I had self imposed. Speaker 0
That's that that's we need to make sure that's a quote. What you just said there when we're marketing this episode, that that was really good. So dive into that. What what does that mean? Speaker 2
I first, I I well, when he left, I spent the next week in and out of tears. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
I'm never gonna make money. I'm never gonna be good enough. I'm all these things, I'm not a doctor. Fog and going, but why not? There are so many entrepreneurs that make bazillions of money, and doctors are capped at what they can earn. Speaker 0
For sure. Speaker 2
Why wouldn't I make a lot of money? And and it it had sort of been this weird mantra. I kept telling myself, I have to be a millionaire. I have to be a millionaire. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And then I said, but why? And so it took several months Mhmm. But I broke out of it. Mhmm. And it was like the fog lifted. Speaker 0
And what was that process? I mean, it was just self Speaker 2
No. Are you kidding? No. I have business coach. I have a therapist. I have Speaker 0
Thank you. That's Speaker 2
All sort please. It takes a village. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
Just just on our just in my family. We have, like, seven therapists between four people. Speaker 0
Got it. I'm Speaker 2
a big fan of helping getting help with your mental health. And whereas, you know and I I'm I just turned forty five. So when I was a kid, it was not okay to have a therapist. It was very embarrassing and, like, you're mortified and nobody should know. Mom don't say anything. Speaker 0
Absolutely. Speaker 2
But I'll tell you, I was at my kid's, third grade class, and he was playing with some putty that I had bought for him on Amazon, but it's called therapy Putty. Speaker 0
Oh, right. Speaker 2
And so he says to a a girl comes up to me, and she says, what's that? And he goes, oh, it's Therapy Putty. She's like, where'd you get it? He goes, my therapist, which wasn't true, but he has a therapist. Anyway, we all have therapy. So and she says, I want a therapist. Speaker 0
That's so funny. Speaker 2
And I was like, this Speaker 0
so different from Speaker 2
This is so different. I mean, these these kids are going through they're going social, emotional learning in emotional learning in in school. They're talking about feelings and all this stuff. Anyway Right. So I do not Speaker 0
believe you can do it alone, but I definitely Speaker 2
believe you have to put in the work. And so when I well, just to backtrack, when I closed that business, I I thought, what do I do now? And I looked at the through line of my career, and it was always helping people share their stories and their voices. And so that's what I do now too. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Mhmm. Speaker 2
And now I don't wake up every day and think, oh, I'm not a millionaire yet. I just think about the sky's the limit. Speaker 0
I love that. And you're not as focused, it sounds like, on some some end result from Speaker 2
Arbitrary. Speaker 0
Twenty years from now or whenever it's gonna be. You know? Right. It's just adding value to other people now. Right? Mhmm. And but you but you might end up being a billionaire. I mean, you you've you know, there's no reason to cap it at one million or you know? Right. Okay. So several months of self reflection and working with coaches and therapists and, sort of working through what had you know, was triggered by your your father's comment. But but, obviously, there was an there are under underlying, you know, issues and and Speaker 2
the feeling get wide open. Speaker 0
Yes. Absolutely. Okay. So and so what action steps did you take after those, few months? Speaker 2
Well, I mean, my business has grown. Speaker 0
Let's talk about it. Okay. So what what did your business your current business look like when you started it, and then walk us through kind of the growth and where it is today. Speaker 2
So so my the when I started my business, it was marketing. I didn't know for whom or or what. Yeah. And now and then it moved into book marketing. And then a couple years ago, I said, wait a second. If I help people write, publish, and market their books, I'm gonna help them guarantee success with their book as opposed to just publishing it or just marketing it. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And so I had the courage Yeah. Or the stupidity to decide that no. No. I'm kidding. It's definitely courage. That that I could do this, and I could help people publish. And so I sort of stood there. I put my arms out in my best, superhero pose and Yeah. Said, I'm a publisher now. Speaker 0
That's awesome. And but but and you'd examined what, like you said, the through line and what had worked for you through over the years and what, you know, maybe you the the ways that you're wired and what you're good at and what you what you enjoy. Briefly touch on and there's no one size fits all answer here. But for some people say, you know, for career advice, business advice, life advice, really, Follow your passion. Do what you love. You'll never work a day in your life. Other people say, we're focus on adding value and and, you know, how can how you could help others. And then you'll end up enjoying whatever that is because you're making more money and you're serving people, and it's not black or white. We know. But what what's what's your take on that? And and how did you approach that, and what's your take for other entrepreneurs out there? Speaker 2
I don't know if I gave it that much thought. Speaker 0
Gotcha. Well, how about now then? Speaker 2
Well, I mean, when when when when you ask this question, the first thing I think of is, well, I just do what I enjoy. Speaker 0
Gotcha. Speaker 2
I just do what I gravitate to, and I don't really overthink it. Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
And I and I know I always know what I don't want. I'm really good at knowing what I don't want. And when I find something that I do want, I'm like, oh, I'll just do this. You know, to to my first job out of college, I didn't know what I was gonna do. I I had a history degree. I didn't wanna be a historian. Speaker 0
Right. It's not Speaker 2
even marketable. Is it well, and that and you get, like, lung issues from being in the trenches of basements in the middle of anyway. So I was talking to a friend of mine. She's been a friend since we were eight years old. And I said, I have no idea what I'm gonna do when I graduate. And she says, you should try PR. I think you'd be really good at that. And I said, okay. And then I did. So I I think part of it is I I like change. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And a lot of people are afraid of change, and I'm like, bring it on. So, and that, you know, there have been many twists and turns. Sure. And I don't like stagnation. I like to just keep learning and keep doing and keep growing. Speaker 0
Yeah. Absolutely. Speaker 2
But that not everybody has a servant's heart. And, also, I was in denial of mine because I thought that that's not how you make money. You have to be an a hole to make money. Speaker 0
Right. Yeah. That that's an important distinction too. They're they're yeah. Just people get this view of of, you know, all rich people are are greedy and selfish, and, that's just not true. I mean, certainly, there are greedy and selfish wealthy people out there. There are Speaker 2
also greedy and selfish poor people. Speaker 0
Hundred percent. And I love to just the mental shift of really focusing on, yes, doing what you love, but ultimately for you, doing what you love doing what you love is serving others, it sounds like. Right? So it's it's not really an either or. It's Speaker 2
But it took me a while to really embody that and embrace it. Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
And be like because because I used to think that was a weakness. Speaker 0
Got it. Okay. Alright. So but you're less at that point, when you started your current business, you were less focused on becoming a millionaire and the eventual outcome, and you're more focused on leaning into what you're good at, what had worked for you over the years, but serving others and helping them, share their story and, add value to their own businesses and their own lives. So broad brush from starting, you know, day one of your business through today would have been sort of the ups and downs of your business growth. Speaker 2
Hiring a business coach who told me what I should be doing, and it wasn't what I was doing what I wanted to do. And I was just like, well, if you say so, I have to do it. And then my time with her ended, and I were started working with another one. And she said, well, do you wanna be doing this anymore? And I said, no. Can I stop? Speaker 0
She was Speaker 2
like, of course you can. It's your business. Speaker 0
Right. That's awesome. Speaker 2
And so I think that that I have been my own worst boss. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
I mean and I've had some I worked in Hollywood, so I had some bad bosses. Sure. But I was the worst of all because Speaker 0
Yeah. Why is that? Speaker 2
Because I made myself work every day, seven days a week, as much as I possibly could. Mhmm. I don't even know what I was doing because I don't think I was accomplishing much. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Yeah. Yeah. Well, that that is a trap that's very easy to fall into. I can speak from experience. Like, you start feeling like, well, I gotta be working because I gotta add value to my business and, you know, Yeah. There's a the it's a it's a, you reach a point of limited returns for sure. Okay. So and then how long have you had your current business for? Speaker 2
About five years now. Speaker 0
Five years. And and you've and so you got a new business coach. She gave you permission to focus on what you wanted to do, right, and lean into that. And then what happened after that? Speaker 2
It was scary. Speaker 0
How so? Speaker 2
Because I got rid of all the clients that I was doing copywriting for. Speaker 0
That would be scary. Speaker 2
It was really scary. And I said, okay. I'm doing marketing now. And people started calling me, and I couldn't believe it. There's this So piece of trust. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
This it's it's the trust piece that I couldn't understand before. Speaker 0
And trusting yourself, trusting Speaker 2
Trusting myself. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
Trusting that things are gonna happen for me. Speaker 0
Got it. Briefly, what's the difference between copywriting and marketing? Like, what for those who are unfamiliar with your work Speaker 2
Oh, sure. So copywriting, I was literally writing the marketing emails for people. I was writing their social media posts Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
And posting on their behalf. Speaker 0
For their for their books or or Speaker 2
No. This was just for well, for for just business in general. Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
And then and then very then after that, when I realized I didn't have to do it anymore Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
That's when I moved into the book area, Speaker 0
the book space. Understood. Perfect. Yeah. And and marketing books, how did that become the focus? Speaker 2
Well, authors started calling. Speaker 0
K. Speaker 2
And I went, there's a gap. Speaker 0
Yeah. There's a need. Right? Speaker 2
There's a need here. Yeah. And it was just it was organic. I just went, oh, I can I can help these people because I see I see what they're missing, and I see how to fix it? So that's what I was doing, and it's been wonderful. But there were so many people that had published a book, spent so much money publishing that by the time it came to the marketing piece, they were like, forget it. I'll just I'll just see how it goes. Speaker 0
Well, don't judge me, but it's kinda how it went for me. Right. Yeah. Yeah. We we Speaker 2
And Yeah. Mhmm. Speaker 0
Yeah. It's I I get it. And and it's, yeah. And and, you know, a lot of entrepreneurs, they have a lot of other things going on and not just their book. Right? And, Right. It's it's a new world. I mean, it's it's and, you know, at least for most people who are not in your in your world. So you've got now and and when you made that shift, you had special knowledge, unique knowledge about how to how to solve their problems. Okay. So, now today, what does, you know, what does a typical client look like? Or what, you know, what's the avatar of the person you work with, and and really Speaker 2
They Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
They have unique specialized knowledge. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
They are constantly telling people the same thing that can easily be turned into a book. Mhmm. We weave in some of their personal stories, some of their clients' stories, other experiences. Mhmm. Make it into a book, and then we take that book and we weave it into their overall brand marketing. And so that's what I'm gonna tell you for the same thing. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
Don't think of your book in in in a silo in and of itself. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
It's not. It's part I mean, unless you're, like, going left and starting something new. Speaker 0
Right. Right. Got it. Speaker 2
Your book is an extension of your business. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
And it's the greatest marketing tool ever in the world ever. Speaker 0
Yeah. So it's not just marketing the book that's the Oh. The how I should be thinking about this. Speaker 2
Exactly. And, oh, there are a lot of book marketing people who will just talk to you about marketing your book, and that's not me. Speaker 0
Got Speaker 2
it. Again, this forest piece. Speaker 0
Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 2
Mhmm. Right. I'm big picture. Mhmm. I see how this book can be leveraged Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
For more opportunities and more clients. Speaker 0
Yeah. Got it. So someone, let's say, a real estate, brokerage, they they have several agents who work for them, and they really need to market better. And so they they've got a book sort of in the works or an idea of a book, and they come to you. Mhmm. What does that process look like? What what are Okay. Yeah. What how can you help them? Speaker 2
I think I watch too many real estate shows on television, but, I love them so much. So my idea is who are their client? Right? Because every it's you don't just generally say, well, I work with everybody because then you end up working with nobody. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
So whoever their ideal client is, we're gonna tailor the book to them. So I my most recent real estate show is the Nest Seekers one in the Hamptons. That's a lot. I got the I think it's called selling camp. I don't know. Whatever. Yeah. Doesn't matter. Their ideal client is somebody who wants to buy a fourteen to sixteen million dollar home in the in the Hamptons. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
So they could write a book talking about the benefits of moving to the Hamptons, talking about some of their best client stories where they they, they got a new what's the word? When you like when the price of the home that sells is a record. That's it. A record price on this home, and here's how they did it. Talking about the benefits of working with them because they are you know, they'll hold your hand, and they'll take you for champagne after. Whatever. So so it and it doesn't have to be a long book, but it can be a book that introduces them introduces the client Mhmm. To maybe, you know, if there's, like, one particular team of realtors, maybe each of them writes a chapter. You know? Here's here's what inspired me to become a realtor, and here's how I love helping my clients because, you know, our relationship is forever. It's not just a transactional thing. Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
There are just so many different ways. And then you take this book and you send it out. Or if you have a broker's open, which I don't know if that happens in real life or only on TV. I don't know. But because it could be just on TV. But assuming there is a broker's open. Speaker 0
This is, like, when lots of brokers show up at the same place. Speaker 2
Okay. Yes. Speaker 0
I think those happen. Yeah. Speaker 2
Okay. So you you have you you give the book out as a gift. Speaker 0
Yeah. Got it. Speaker 2
And and so then or or, you know, to all the people in in your brokerage, they give it to their clients. Like, there are just so many ways to just it's it's a touch point, yet another touch point because Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
Especially for realtors, and I know this because the realtor that I that I worked with to buy the home that I've been in for about five years, I text him all the time. I have told him I am never moving ever again. I have moved across the country one twice, three times, three times. I moved across the country three times. I said, David, I am never moving again. Every year on our house anniversary, we get cookies. He understands the value of relationships Because I will tell you that anybody I meet, I will refer that man. Speaker 0
So good. Speaker 2
And and so that book and I've tried to get him to write a book. Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
We're still working on it. Still working on it. So but but any anytime that you could have yet another touchpoint with the people. Sure. Then they'll feel abandoned, and you never know when they're gonna wanna work with you again. Speaker 0
Right. So do you work with, anyone who doesn't want to write a book, or is that it's all about, using books as as part of Speaker 2
It's it's generally about using books. Speaker 0
Okay. So as far as telling your personal story, you know, not not your story, but one of your clients' stories, what are what are some mistakes that people make when telling their story? Maybe maybe they go on a podcast and tell their story, or maybe they write a book or start to write a book to tell their story, or even just set informally, at a at a dinner party or something. What are some mistakes that people make when telling their story? Speaker 2
Well, if you share more than you wanted to, maybe you had a little bit too much alcohol. Speaker 0
Right. Good point. Speaker 2
And there are people who write books, and then they backtrack. I shouldn't have said that. So I think be judicious in what you say and what you share. Speaker 0
Sure. That's a good point. Speaker 2
But on the flip side, you know, I have a client right now, and I made him go back. And I said, you need to inject yourself into this book because right now, it is a strict how to, and I could print this out in a PDF. Speaker 0
Right. Chat GPT can give this Speaker 2
Chat GPT can do. Yeah. Right. Exactly. So so I think that even if you don't feel comfortable sharing personal information Speaker 0
Mhmm. Speaker 2
You can still share information about your mission and your purpose, and that's personal enough. Speaker 0
That's really good. That's that's great. Alright. So and now before we jump into some rapid fire questions today, what does your business look like? You know, as as put your entrepreneur hat back on running your business. Up to you how much detail you wanna share, but how's your business doing overall today? Speaker 2
I mean, we're growing. We're going in the top right up to the right. Speaker 0
Yeah. There you go. Speaker 2
Direction that it's not fast. Yeah. It's not fast, but it has to be. Sure. It's it's even. It's a good pace, and I'm Nice. Feeling good. Speaker 0
Awesome. Speaker 2
I've gotten out of the weeds. Speaker 0
Yeah. How how have you done that? Do do Speaker 2
you I have a virtual assistant. I have a virtual assistant, and I've also just, you know, I've I've create I've got built a team around for pieces of the publishing process that I don't wanna do. Mhmm. I will oversee them, but I'm not going to do them. Speaker 0
Got it. Speaker 2
So I would say that. Speaker 0
And and so and just jumping back real quickly because so you'll walk you'll walk this client through the whole process of the idea of the book. Speaker 2
All the way through publishing and marketing and Speaker 0
and marketing and and really using that marketing of that book as part of their overall marketing strategy, personal branding, etcetera. Got it. Awesome. Alright. You ready for some some rapid fire questions? Speaker 2
Hit me with it. Speaker 0
This one trips people up sometimes. Okay. What is one thing that people misunderstand about you, Melanie? Speaker 2
I think they think I'm an extrovert. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
Yeah. I thought I was too, but it turns out I'm not. I'm a social introvert. I love people, but to regenerate my self, I have to go curl up in a ball alone. Speaker 0
I would say I'm similar to that for sure. Yeah. What's one of your biggest failures that we haven't talked about? Speaker 2
How much time do you have? Just kidding. We don't have a lot of time. My biggest failure is not seeing my worth soon enough. Speaker 0
Got it. If you could go back if you could have I'm sorry. If you could have coffee with any historical figure, coffee or drink or whatever, who whom would you choose? Speaker 2
Okay. Well, today, I would say Machiavelli because I've been reading the print. Speaker 0
Okay. Speaker 2
That's my nighttime reading these these days, and I have questions. Questions. Speaker 0
Love it. If alright. If you were given ten million dollars tomorrow, what would you do with it? Speaker 2
Well, first, I would invest it in places that it's going to generate more money, And then I would buy a Birkin bag. Speaker 0
Nice. Anything else? Speaker 2
No. That's it. I'm investing it and buying myself a handbag. Speaker 0
There you go. As far as your business goes, what's one challenge that you're facing right now? There's always a challenge. Speaker 2
Yeah. Oh, yeah. No. I was gonna pick one. Challenge is, I think, time and my schedule right now because I'm trying to pack a whole lot into not a lot of time. Speaker 0
Sure. Speaker 2
And and I I'm finding that, you know, I have days where it's back to back to back to back. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
And I and I really don't love that. Speaker 0
Yeah. Totally get that. What's one piece of advice that you would give to someone starting out? Let's say let's say someone who's an entrepreneur, and they may or may not want to write a book or even try to tell their story. What's one piece of advice you would give them? Speaker 2
They don't wanna write a book. They may wanna write a book. Speaker 0
They may they're not sure if they should write a book or or even really promote their own personal brand. Process? Speaker 2
If you have a story to tell that you think can help somebody else, then don't be afraid to share it. Speaker 0
That's a great answer. It really is. I mean, it it's a because so many people either just get embarrassed or just or think that it's, you know, it's not all about me, so why should I be talking about myself? Right. But you're actually hurting other people in a sense by not sharing your story if if your story could benefit someone else. So I love that. If you, Melanie, you like change. If you could start another business next week, what would it be? Speaker 2
I think I would wanna buy a lot of properties and then have like, buy rental properties. Speaker 0
Yeah. Love that. That's a great answer. A lot of our listeners will like that too. Speaking of books, what is a book or two? I know you have a book out. Right? Speaker 2
Mhmm. Speaker 0
What is a book or two that you can recommend along with your book? Speaker 2
The Go Giver by Bob Berg. Speaker 0
Great book. Speaker 2
I fangirled hard on that poor man. I love that man. Yeah. So I would recommend that. That's a great place to start as an entrepreneur because it it upends the whole, like, knock people down idea Speaker 0
Absolutely. Speaker 2
When you build others up. Speaker 0
And talk about your book, your your recent book. Talk tell us about that. Speaker 2
It's called Make a Big Impact with Your Book, Author Marketing Strategies for Long Term Success. And I really dive into content marketing and how you can take your book and have it create recreate constantly more marketing for your business. Speaker 0
Yeah. My my marketing person, I I we joke that I can't can't give her enough content, and she just loves content so that she can repurpose it. And and, I I love that advice. I feel like books and podcasts now, it's almost like it's almost like webs we used to view websites. It's like you you kinda need it. Yep. You need something like that. Speaker 2
That's true. Speaker 0
Awesome. How about something controversial in your industry that you see going on that that, you could talk about? You don't have to name names, but anyway. Speaker 2
Oh, yeah. Well, what I'll say is there's a lot of I think I started that there's predatory behavior in the publishing industry, and people are not honest about what, you know, publishing a book can do for you. They'll say, it's gonna change your life. Speaker 0
Right. Speaker 2
But if nobody knows about your book, all it's gonna do is change your bank account, and it's gonna be lower. Speaker 0
The wrong way. Sure. Speaker 2
The wrong way. Yeah. Yeah. So do you Speaker 0
work with I'm sorry. Speaker 2
No. Go ahead. Speaker 0
Do you work with clients who have a book out like me of of Yeah. Speaker 2
Absolutely. Yeah. I work with clients who who have written the book, and they've seen no traction. It's very common. Speaker 0
Got it. How about emerging challenges in your industry? What do you see in the next, say, five years? Speaker 2
ATGPT. Because I love chat GPT. I love it for marketing pieces and stuff like that, but you can't write a book with Chad GPT. Speaker 0
Yeah. Speaker 2
And you also cannot make an audiobook with a fake voice. Speaker 0
I could I could, feel the frustration coming across. Speaker 2
Well, you just can't do it. It's and and, you know, I understand wanting the easy way out, but it's not an easy button, unfortunately. Speaker 0
I think we touched on it earlier, but it's it's like the human element, the human, the story side of things is is what's gonna be more and more valuable as time goes on as AI does serve more of of a real purpose. Yeah. It's that human element you just can't replace. Melanie Hirshhorn, where can our listeners find you online? Speaker 2
It's, my website, v I t book marketing dot com. Everything is there. Free resources, all the fun stuff. Speaker 0
Fantastic. What have I not asked you that you wish I had? Anything else you wanna cover? Speaker 2
You know, I think that if I can just say one more thing, it would be about how unique your story is as a human. And that even if you think it's boring, other people are gonna find it interesting. Speaker 0
That's really good. Fantastic. Well, Melanie, thank you for sharing your your time and your story and being vulnerable with us. We definitely appreciate that. And, yeah, love to have you, back on, and we can we can talk about how, you know, maybe you help me take my book to, number one best selling status or something. Speaker 2
Love it. Love it. Speaker 0
No. But it's this has been great. This has been really good both your your own entrepreneurial journey, but also I how you can add practical value to the entrepreneur out there who's listening. So thank you so much for spending your your time, which is your most valuable resource with us. Speaker 2
Thank you. Speaker 0
And thank you to the listener out there as well for spending your most valuable resource with us, and that is your time. Thanks, everyone. Take care. Speaker 1
Thank you for joining us on from adversity to abundance. We hope today's episode has equipped you with valuable insights and practical advice to elevate your real estate journey. For more inspiring stories and resources, visit us at w w w dot adversity to abundance dot com. If this episode has inspired you, please share it with a friend who could also benefit from our conversation. Together, let's turn adversity into abundance. Until next time, keep building your mental fitness and your real estate empire. 
