From #552,709 to #6 on Amazon Books: One Writer's Unexpected Success [WRAP 159]
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Hey Reader, ever wonder what NFL players do between plays during a playoff game? Most pace the sidelines, review plays on tablets, or huddle with coaches. But Philadelphia Eagles receiver AJ Brown? He reads. Not just any book—he was caught on camera with Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy, a relatively unknown book that sat at #552,709 on Amazon's bestseller list. Within days of Brown being spotted with it, it shot up to #6. This week, we're exploring how unexpected moments can change everything, why "trying too hard" might be holding you back, and what it means to put your work into the world without knowing who it might reach. Before the rest of the WRAP, I want to give a shout-out to this week's sponsor, Hoop. It's a free AI task manager that helps gather your to-dos into a single list. Thanks to Hoop for sponsoring the WRAP this week! 💡 One Big Idea: The AJ Brown Book ClubLast weekend, between playing with the kids, picking up around the house, and watching the NFL playoffs, I saw something I had never seen before... Philadelphia Eagles star receiver AJ Brown reading Murphy’s book during the playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. "This game is 90% mental and 10% physical for me," Brown explained about his sideline reading habit. "I read it between each drive to lock in, no matter what happens - good or bad." There's another angle. Murphy's 2020 book hasn't sold well to this point. It's done fine, and he's talented enough to get a book deal. But #552,709 on the bestseller list isn't crushing it. Here's what it makes me think... Do the thing only you can do. Tell your unique story. Put it out in the world and see what happens. You may reach a few people initially, even for years. Then you wake up one Monday morning and the book has risen half a million spots and everyone wants an interview. But none of that happens if you don't write the book, publish the video, or record the podcast. Who knows, a famous athlete might be one of your biggest fans 😉 Source: Kicks X account and watching football.
📹 Videos to WatchA couple options this week. I’ve been listening to this video from Hayden Flohr about “not trying so hard”. Flohr says that “trying” gives off the energy that you’re separate from who you want to be and what you know you deserve to have. It’s a way to say: “I'm trying so hard to be this. I'm trying so hard to get that. I’m working my butt off and that's worth something, right? I can’t count the number of times I’ve had that conversation, consciously and subconsciously. It’s a real mind-melter. Working hard matters. But so does knowing what you want and why you want it. The trick is accepting that you’re already that person, just at a different spot on the timeline. We can’t keep moving the goalposts. This week on the HeyCreator show I sat down with Jonathan Goodman, author of The Obvious Choice and a veteran of 11 self-published books. We dive deep into the art of writing and marketing books that stand out. We talk about why you don’t need to be internet famous to succeed, how to create content that resonates, and the surprising ways a book can elevate your business. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your ideas stick—and sell—this conversation is packed with actionable insights you don’t want to miss! 📝 Post I Liked The MostAlex Garcia's X post makes an interesting case for launching your own social media show. He compares platforms to TV channels with infinite possibilities. These shows, from simple interview series to complex documentaries, build familiarity and create loyal fans. Just like AJ Brown became an unexpected mega-fan of Murphy's Inner Excellence, your show could resonate with the right audience when you least expect it. The key is starting small, staying consistent, and letting your unique voice shine through—you never know who is watching.
Thanks for reading! Matt Ragland |
