Q&A: "How can I publish my Army enlistment guide?"

Today's listener, an Army veteran, wants to help new enlistees get a leg up. What's the best format for his material — and how can he actually sell it?

Hi Chris, this is Doug, and I've been listening to the show since last year. I recently completed my active duty service with the Army after ten years. I had a great experience, but there's a lot I wish I'd known before enlisting, and a number of life hacks I picked up along the way. I found some networks and Facebook groups for young enlistees and people thinking of joining, but I'd like to sell a guide that compiles the very best actionable advice — everything from housing to how to choose where to enlist, since that's an overlooked point that can make a difference later. Is there anything wrong with this idea? And if not, how can I sell thousands of this guide — or at least enough to make it worthwhile?

First, a reminder for everyone: who is your ideal customer? Doug's isn't "enlisted members of the U.S. military." It's new enlistees entering the service — and he could go even more specific, since young and single enlistees are very different from those arriving with partners and children.

With that settled: the idea is genuinely helpful. To sell it, write the most helpful guide possible; get feedback and testimonials from the target audience (offer a free early version in return); price it low — $50 or even $25 or less, since many young enlistees don't have much money and your goal is to help; and network on Quora, Facebook groups, and Reddit — not promotionally, just being a resource, with a discreet link at the end.

To sell thousands, it eventually has to get recommended by someone with a large audience in his target market — which often flows from all that helpful posting.

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