Building Authority Through the Boardroom | Erik Hanberg | 667

Episode notes

What does it take for a self-published author to turn a niche book into a best-seller—and then hand it over to a traditional publisher for its second edition? Erik Hanberg did just that with " The Little Book of Boards: A Board Member's Handbook for Small and Very Small Nonprofits ". His journey offers lessons in entrepreneurship, publishing strategy, and the business of thought leadership. In this episode, Erik shares how his early board experiences shaped his expertise and sparked a desire to help others avoid common pitfalls. What started as trial by fire became a passion for teaching—and a book that has sold more than 40,000 copies. By targeting a highly specific audience, he created a resource that spread by word of mouth, bulk orders, and Amazon's niche algorithms. We explore the business side of publishing, from self-funded ads that fueled sales growth to negotiating with a Big 5 imprint for the book's second edition. Erik reveals the financial trade-offs between steady monthly royalties as an independent author and the broader reach a publisher's distribution network can provide. He also explains how he negotiated a contract that protected his long-term interests.