Design is Marketing

From Book to Business: Turning a Niche Topic into a Thriving Community w Josh Manley

July 4, 2025

What if your book wasn’t just a book, but the starting point for a profitable online course, a loyal community, and a sustainable business?In this episode, I talk to Josh from CADClass, who went from studying pharmacy to becoming an educator in 3D printing and CAD design. But this isn’t just a story about design—it’s a blueprint for authors, educators, and niche creators who want to turn their knowledge into a movement.We dive into:- How Josh used his book to build trust and authority- Why offering it for free (or donations) helped him grow faster- How Reddit marketing and community-building on Discord fueled his success- The power of solving real problems and listening to your audience- His long-term vision for product development — and what authors can learn from itIf you're an author looking to market your book, build a following, and monetize beyond just sales, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.More about Sparkr: www.sparkr.coContact: www.sparkr.co/contact

Episode overview

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