I’m always fascinated by the way unexpected pivots create extraordinary opportunities for growth. In conversation with Jay Styles—an award‑winning journalist turned Amazon bestselling author and self‑publishing coach—I heard not just one person’s pivot story, but a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and business strategy.
Executives, pay attention here: whether you’ve ever imagined writing a book or not, the leadership, marketing, and operational lessons embedded in this journey apply directly to your world. At its core, Jay’s story is about repurposing expertise into influence, turning content into credibility, and building systems for visibility.
Today, I’ll unpack three powerful takeaways from his journey. Each one offers practical, SEO‑driven insights to help you scale visibility, build trust, and transform how your business speaks to the market.
Pivoting with Purpose Creates New Revenue Paths
The pandemic forced an industry‑wide reset. Jay had invested years into producing a documentary—only to have screenings shut down days after its release. With theaters dark and marketing channels drying up, his initial “finished product” could have become a sunk cost.
Instead, he pivoted. By repurposing the documentary content into a book, he didn’t just find a workaround—he discovered a brand‑expanding engine. Sales didn’t stop at book royalties. What followed was an explosion of visibility: podcast interviews, press features, client inquiries, and speaking opportunities.
For executives, the lesson is this: your assets are never confined to their original format. That slide deck, that keynote, that internal white paper—those can become evergreen blog posts for SEO, LinkedIn thought leadership articles, or yes, even a nonfiction book that positions you as a credible voice in your market.
Ask yourself: What valuable knowledge assets have I already created that can be repurposed to open new doors?
Key Takeaway #2: A Book is More Than a Product—It’s a Funnel
Too many executives assume a book is about vanity metrics or checking a prestige box. Jay reframes it sharply: a book is a business development funnel.
Nonfiction readers rarely purchase books out of idle curiosity. They’re seeking one of three things:
- Learn a skill
- Accomplish a goal
- Solve a problem
When your book aligns with solving a specific problem, it functions as a pre‑qualified conversation starter. Readers self‑identify as potential clients. By embedding calls to action inside the book—links to book a call, join a workshop, download a resource—you’re inviting them into your ecosystem.
Executives should see parallels for their own industries. Whether you’re in consulting, tech, finance, or healthcare, written authority accelerates trust building. A book is essentially a low‑cost, high‑credibility entry point. It “sells without selling” because readers arrive convinced you understand their challenges.
Key Takeaway #3: Systems Beat Inspiration Every Time
Executives know this truth in business: discipline trumps talent. Jay applies the same logic to writing through what he calls the 2‑5‑500 Method:
- 2 hours per day
- 5 days per week
- 500 words minimum
In 12 weeks, that rhythm equals 30,000 words—the length of a standard business book.
The brilliance here isn’t word count—it’s about reframing scale. By breaking down the intimidating mountain into bite‑sized, achievable increments, Jay equips busy professionals with a process that respects time constraints while delivering measurable momentum.
Executives can apply this well beyond writing. Think about your organizational change initiatives or digital transformation projects. Instead of demanding broad, unsustainable leaps, break complexity into consistent, achievable actions. Small, disciplined progress adds up to transformational outcomes.
Bringing It Together for Business Leaders
Jay’s journey demonstrates what I believe every executive needs to embrace:
- Agility isn’t optional—it’s survival. Pivoting with purpose opens unforeseen growth channels.
- Authority is the new currency of influence. Packaging expertise into content builds trust faster than any pitch deck.
- Discipline creates compounding advantage. Systems of consistency generate transformation.
Executives who combine these truths will not just weather disruption; they will leverage it to outpace competitors in visibility, client acquisition, and market presence.
When you elevate your voice into written authority, you’re not just writing a book—you’re writing the next chapter of your business strategy.
Final Thought
To every executive considering their next growth lever: don’t underestimate the power of the written word. In an era where thought leadership and authenticity cut through AI‑driven noise, your story—told with clarity and discipline—becomes more than content. It becomes legacy.
Listen to the full episode on C-Suite Radio: Disrupt & Innovate | C-Suite Network
Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/N5b8AHwPThs?si=932H9kSGBIdQZo1N
This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing assistant (Abacus.AI’s ChatLLM Teams) and edited by Lisa L. Levy for accuracy, tone, and final content.
