Ep191: Balancing Business and Full-Time Work with Charles Alexander

03/13/25 • 40 min

The Book More Show: More Leads, More Calls, More Business

In this episode of The Book More Show, I spoke with Charles Alexander, a business coach with 17 years of experience helping over 2,000 clients transition into entrepreneurship while maintaining their full-time jobs. Charles shared insights from his book "Start Now, Quit Later" and discussed strategies for managing this dual-career approach.

I learned about Charles's methodology for building credibility through authentic storytelling and personal experience rather than hard sales tactics. His approach resonated particularly with professionals facing midlife career transitions who want to explore entrepreneurship without immediately quitting their jobs.

We explored how every individual's unique perspective brings value to familiar topics, addressing common concerns like imposter syndrome. Charles explained how he transforms his IT and management background into relatable content that connects with his audience.

The conversation concluded with practical strategies for eliminating unnecessary tasks and focusing on essential business elements.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore the concept of starting a business while maintaining a full-time job, drawing insights from Charles Alexander's book, "Start Now, Quit Later."
We discuss the importance of sharing personal experiences and stories to establish credibility and engage audiences, even in familiar topics.
Charles provides strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome by emphasizing the unique value of individual perspectives and knowledge.
The process of writing a book is examined, highlighting the use of past experiences and organized storytelling to create impactful content.
We emphasize the necessity of eliminating unnecessary tasks to achieve entrepreneurial freedom, with insights drawn from Charles's background in IT and management.
The episode delves into how writing a book can serve as a foundation for content creation and personal growth, despite its imperfections.
We explore the advantages of producing concise and focused books that are more adaptable to current work and future changes, leveraging the power of storytelling.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/191
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Charles Alexander:

LinkedIn: Charles Alexander
Website: Your Charles Alexander

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

The conversation concluded with practical strategies for eliminating unnecessary tasks and focusing on essential business elements.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore the concept of starting a business while maintaining a full-time job, drawing insights from Charles Alexander's book, "Start Now, Quit Later."
We discuss the importance of sharing personal experiences and stories to establish credibility and engage audiences, even in familiar topics.
Charles provides strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome by emphasizing the unique value of individual perspectives and knowledge.
The process of writing a book is examined, highlighting the use of past experiences and organized storytelling to create impactful content.
We emphasize the necessity of eliminating unnecessary tasks to achieve entrepreneurial freedom, with insights drawn from Charles's background in IT and management.
The episode delves into how writing a book can serve as a foundation for content creation and personal growth, despite its imperfections.
We explore the advantages of producing concise and focused books that are more adaptable to current work and future changes, leveraging the power of storytelling.

Charles Alexander:

LinkedIn: Charles Alexander
Website: Your Charles Alexander

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

Previous Episode

Ep190: From Hollywood to the Microphone with Jeff Klein

In this episode of The Book More Show, I sit down with Jeff Klein to explore his remarkable transition from Hollywood to becoming a professional speaker. Jeff shares the story behind his "30 Seconds to Success" brand, revealing how his background in film and advertising uniquely positioned him to master the art of communication and networking.

We dive into the strategic approach of speaking engagements as a powerful business tool. Jeff explains how he evolved from occasional talks to a structured speaking strategy, highlighting the importance of consistent messaging across platforms and positioning oneself as a paid professional.

The conversation uncovers the nuances of creating tiered offerings and building an engaged audience. We discuss the value of targeting specific professional groups, such as realtors and financial advisors, and the critical role of developing a robust email list for business growth.

Throughout our discussion, Jeff provides practical insights into navigating the speaking circuit, from pricing books effectively to leveraging partnerships.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

In the episode, I discuss with Jeff Klein the strategic use of public speaking as a tool for business promotion and audience engagement, emphasizing its potential for turning speaking engagements into business opportunities.
Jeff shares his journey from the film and advertising industries to public speaking, detailing how he developed the "30 Seconds to Success" brand through networking and consistent messaging.
We explore the psychology of book pricing and how setting a strategic price point at speaking events can enhance perceived value and position oneself as a paid professional.
The conversation highlights the shift from occasional speaking gigs to a structured, strategic approach that can generate leads and maximize reach, especially during the transition from in-person to virtual platforms.
Jeff discusses creating tiered offerings, ranging from entry-level products to premium services, to effectively capture and engage a wider audience through speaking engagements.
We address the importance of building a robust email list for sustaining growth and maintaining future prospects, emphasizing targeted speaking and the power of partnerships.
The episode covers strategies for targeting specific audiences, like realtors and financial advisors, and leveraging existing connections to expand speaking opportunities.
We caution against expensive programs that promise quick success and stress the value of building a speaking career through practical experience and structured efforts.
He shares insights on how public speaking can serve as a primary marketing tool, providing a practical blueprint for professionals to elevate their profiles without relying on false promises.
The episode concludes with a discussion on maximizing value through partnerships and encourages listeners to engage with resources that align with their needs, with an invitation to explore future episodes.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/190
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Jeff Klein:

LinkedIn: Jeff Klein
Website: The Speaker Co Op

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com

Next Episode

Ep192: Unlocking Financial Freedom with Gregory McLaughlin

In this episode of The Bookmore Show, I spoke with Greg McLaughlin, a financial planner with 25 years of experience, about his transition to financial independence and his journey writing a book. We explored how reaching financial freedom allowed him to focus on sharing his knowledge of decision-making psychology and financial planning through writing, though organizing these ideas into a cohesive structure proved challenging.

We examined the evolution of book writing processes, from traditional ghostwriting to using AI for editing while maintaining an authentic voice. The conversation covered how books can bridge relationships with financial planning clients, considering their life stages and goals to create content that resonates with their needs.

During our discussion, we explored a book's many roles - from personal achievement to strategic marketing tool. Greg shared how physical books remain powerful anchors for client relationships in today's digital world, helping guide people from uncertainty to confidence in their financial decisions.

I learned about the importance of consistent messaging across all platforms to build trust, and how understanding individual client perspectives helps maintain strong connections during challenging times.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

I explore Gregory McLaughlin's journey from financial planning to authorship, focusing on his transition to passion-driven work and the creation of a book on financial independence.
Gregory shares insights into the process of organizing financial knowledge into a structured book format, emphasizing the value of foundational knowledge for both new and seasoned professionals.
We discuss the evolution of writing from traditional ghostwriting to using AI for editing, highlighting the importance of maintaining an authentic voice in financial advising narratives.
The episode delves into how books can serve as tools for enhancing client relationships, helping clients understand financial concepts and fostering long-term engagement.
We examine the role of consistent messaging across platforms like books and websites to build trust and familiarity with clients, emphasizing strategic marketing through book creation.
Gregory illustrates how books can guide clients from uncertainty to confidence in financial decision-making, underscoring the enduring impact of physical books even in a digital era.
The discussion includes strategies for client engagement, focusing on understanding individual client biases and maintaining strong connections through personalized communication.

Show notes & video: 90minutebooks.com/podcast/192
How does your book idea score against the 8 book building blocks we use here all the time: Book Blueprint Scorecard
Titles & Outline Workshops: 90MinuteBooks.com/Workshops
Ready to get started: 90MinuteBooks.com

Greg McLaughlin:

LinkedIn: Greg McLaughlin
Website: Centinal Financial Group

Questions/Feedback: Send us an email
Extra Credit Listening: MoreCheeseLessWhiskers.com