Mar 24 2025 8 mins
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Russ Gaiser and Mike Hoeflich, financial advisors and authors of the bestselling book "Beyond Break Even."
Discover how they transformed their stalled manuscript into a #1 bestseller in five categories in just six months, and how their book has opened unexpected doors for their financial practice.
Whether you're a financial professional considering authorship or someone who's stuck on a creative project, this conversation offers valuable insights on the power of following a proven process.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Why even knowledgeable experts struggle to turn their expertise into published books
- The critical turning point that took Russ and Mike from 4,000 stalled words to bestseller status
- How publishing a book changes client perception without changing your actual expertise
- The unexpected business opportunities that emerged after publication
- Why "commitment trumps interest" in the book publishing process
- The value of following a proven system rather than trying to reinvent the wheel
KEY QUOTES
"We probably got about 4,000 words in and we just stalled, because we didn't really have a strategy." - Russ
"It's been so rewarding beyond measure." - Mike
"We've always told people if it's not broke, don't fix it in our business... And it's funny when Paul talked about one of the strategies of launching the book, I'm thinking, 'there's no way I have time to do all that.' And I said, 'no, Russ, take your own advice, do not deviate from the process.' And so we didn't. And it was completely incredible." - Russ
"I'd break it down like this, the two words interested or committed. And we've been just so committed to this, like the excellence of retirement income planning." - Russ
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- "Beyond Break Even" - Bestselling book by Russ and Mike
- "The Short Book Formula" - Paul's book on the publishing process
- "The Efficient Advisor" podcast with Libby Greiwe
ABOUT OUR GUESTS
Russ Gaiser and Mike Hoeflich are financial advisors specializing in retirement income planning. With decades of combined experience helping clients secure their financial futures, they recently channeled their expertise into the bestselling book "Beyond Break Break Even," which reached #1 in five categories.
NEXT STEPS
If you're a financial professional interested in publishing your own book, visit www.theshortbookformula.com to learn about our proven process for turning your expertise into a published book in 6-12 weeks.
Claim your free audiobook copy at: www.theshortbookformula.com