Introducing the Inner Circle Press: Turn Your Expertise Into a Published Book
Has anyone ever told you, "You should write a book"? If you're a consultant, coach, or advisor, you've probably heard it more than once. And you may have wondered whether it's worth the time, the cost, and the work of figuring out publishing on your own.
That's exactly why we created the Inner Circle Press.
Where the Idea for Inner Circle Press Came From
As the Inner Circle Business Network heads into its 10th year, co-founders Kim Kleeman and Joy Poli noticed something happening across the community. More and more members were writing books, speaking at events, and sharing their expertise in bigger ways.
Kim's first business was in publishing books and textbooks, so the next step felt natural. "I don't know why I didn't think about this earlier," she says. "Then it hit me: Wait, I know how to publish a book."
The press started with our first anthology, Lead From Within, published by Sierra Melcher at Red Thread Publishing. For the second anthology, Unmuted, Kim felt ready to handle publishing in-house. She brought in Inner Circle members with book editing, publishing, and marketing skills, including Tami Palmer, Alina Rubin, and Joy Poli, to see it through. After that, the question became simple: why not do more? Today, the Inner Circle Press also helps individual members publish their own books.
Who the Inner Circle Press Is For
The press is a great fit for Inner Circle members who want to use their expertise to win more consulting work or land paid speaking opportunities. Once you start speaking at local clubs, libraries, and business groups, the next level of opportunities (such as conferences, trade shows, and TED Talks) often comes with an unspoken requirement: a published book.
"I used to say, 'Oh, who cares?'" Kim says. "But I realized there was a ceiling there."
Publishing through the press is an added bonus for Inner Circle members: the whole community can get behind your book and help spread the word at our events. There is baked-in promotion through our strong network of professionals who want to see your book succeed. We’re helping small business owners with something that’s very costly to do on their own. We’ve built the whole mechanism to market them forward.
What the Press Handles
The press can handle the entire process from start to finish, based on your needs. That includes:
Shaping your idea and the system or framework behind it
Coaching sessions to draw out the stories and examples that make your book come alive
Developmental editing, line editing, and proofreading
Cover design and publishing
A launch party
Marketing support before, during, and after release
There's also an optional business-building phase, where you get coached on how to use your book in your sales conversations.
Why a Book Opens Doors
A book helps people trust you before they ever meet you. Business owners, especially those running companies in the $5 million and up range, want proof that you know what you're doing. They want to know you have a proven concept and that the knowledge they’re paying for is going to pay off. A book is the easiest way onto the “know, like, and trust” path if you haven’t been able to meet someone in person.
On the flip side, Kim explains that doors have stayed closed because she didn’t have a book. Kim shares, “When I started trying to get onto podcasts or land speaking engagements, I found that a book is one of the easiest ways to open those doors and help people quickly understand who you are. In fact, for our own events, I choose speakers who have a published book.”
Photographer Anna Cillan, one of the authors in Lead From Within, saw firsthand how having a book opened doors. She started mentioning her book at photo shoots, with business leaders, and at networking events. Her talent was already there. The book helped her stand out as a leader among other photographers, and her business grew because of it.
Two authors already in the pipeline show there’s no single starting point. Inner Circle member Bridget Wesley is using the press to lay the groundwork for her new consulting business while she’s still working full time. As Kim puts it, “You have to get started somewhere,” and building your book and ideas now means you’ll have something ready to jump into when the time is right. Member Angela Garcia is coming in from the other end. She already has her system, tools, and content worked out, so she’s moving straight into the publishing phase for editing and cover design.
Not Ready for a Whole Book?
If you’re not ready to publish your own work, we have good news. The Inner Circle Press is putting together a new anthology for 2028. Each anthology features six to eight authors, so you can become a published author by writing a single chapter, with a group of fellow authors helping market the same book. Many anthology authors find they have plenty more to say and go on to write their own books.
Ready to Get Started?
Here are three ways to take the first step:
Book a free consult. Email hello@oinnero.com to talk about your idea. Projects start with a $500 assessment, where the team reviews what you have and recommends next steps.
Join the anthology interest call. Watch our newsletter and social media channels for details on the 2028 anthology, or email us to get on the list.
Become a member. Not part of the Inner Circle yet? Join us at an upcoming virtual event to meet the community and see if it's a fit.
Your expertise deserves to be shared. Let's get it in print.
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