What a Book Can do for You: A Book and a Business in Zero to Four Months
Description: Shelly Longenecker, author of Dinner for a Dollar, talks about growing her business with a book.
Format: Video Q&A
Level: This presentation is for the beginning level author.

Shelly Longenecker
Author
Shelly is the founder and author of Dinner for a Dollar where she explains how she feeds her family a simple, allergy-friendly, whole food diet with loads of fruits and veggies for $1 per person per meal. Shelly is a wife and mother of 4. When her son was diagnosed 10 years ago with several food allergies, she felt completely overwhelmed, believing the myth that she had to spend a fortune on food and all day in the kitchen to feed her family safe, whole foods. She couldn’t find anything on the market that taught her how to eat a simple, allergy-friendly whole food, veggie-forward diet on a tight budget, so she created her own system that ticked all these boxes and turned it into a book to share with the world. She has a passion for helping others slash their whole food budgets and get out of the kitchen and on with their lives.
Shelly wrote the book and launched her company in 4 months – all while going through a complete kitchen remodel and wrangling 4 kids. She can’t wait to share with you about the mindset and work habit that allowed her to pull this off – all while working on a tight budget.

Mentioned in this video:
The marketing course that Shelly took (not an affiliate link): https://manoulamarketing.com/products/6-hour-marketing-masterclass
She also mentioned Alexa’s marketing course: http://writepublishsell.thinkific.com/courses/market-your-book
Amazon/Audible Standards for Audiobooks : https://www.acx.com/help/acx-
Shelly also offers this additional information about selling audiobooks directly from your website:
“I used Awesound. They charge 20% (compared to audible who charges 75%!!!!), and let you sell directly on your site. They store the book and the reader gets the exact same reader experience as any other audio reader.
Best part about Awesound? In almost all cases, the reader doesn’t have to download anything to play the book. It plays on audio platforms already installed in your mobile or desktop. I have a super old phone and have never downloaded an app to listen to audio.”
More about Awesound: https://awesound.com/
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Can I get a link for the Social Media Marketing course that Shelly mentioned?
Hi, Trina
Here you go! https://manoulamarketing.com/products/6-hour-marketing-masterclass
Enjoyed Shelly’s interview so much. She is so real by telling her mistakes and making the point that sometimes you need to get help doing the things you might not be good at to succeed.
Thank you so much, Jan! I am thrilled to hear that sharing my journey encouraged you!
I have tried unsuccessfully to buy the marketing course.
She also mentioned this one: http://writepublishsell.thinkific.com/courses/market-your-book
Hi Jean. Thanks for asking! I know that her site is in the middle of updates. The course is available, but you have to take one extra step to buy it.
After you put it in the cart, you then have to actually click on the cart – in a separate action – to actually buy it.
Let me know if you still have troubles and I can put you in touch with Angela personally.
I did also use the course that Alexa linked – later in my journey – and it was very helpful for me. Once I had my brand nailed down and I needed direction specifically related to books.
Thank you! Clear, forthright information. I appreciate your willingness to share your learning and decision-making process with us. Your budget-minded considerations are especially refreshing and realistic.
Thank you Anita! I really appreciate your thoughtful review. I am glad to hear that my story – and openness about my journey – helped you along yours.
Well, I cannot access the videos for Day 1 this evening. 505 Internal Server Error has appeared . The monkey is on the page.
Hi Virginia – what internet browser are you using? Try to watch them in Google Chrome. We have heard there are issues with Internet explorer.
I wanted to thank you both for this extremely honest and inspiring interview! I’m at the beginning of my writing/business building journey, and found it to be very helpful!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth! I was really hoping that my story would help those at the very beginning of their journey and I am thrilled to hear that it helped you.
A wonderful interview thank you for all the information and tips. This has really spurred me on.
Thank you Adele! I am happy to hear you enjoyed it and that it inspired you to move forward!
I really enjoyed this presentation! Not only for how much I learned and how positive Shelly is, but when she said she spent hours watching Netflix to recover from parenting – perfect!!!! Thank you both so much for this interview/presentation.
Ha ha ha! I had forgotten I had said that until I listed the the replay! I did suffer from Chronic Parenthood at one point – that is for sure. I am glad you appreciated that! Thank you for your comments – I am happy to know that you enjoyed it!