The Expert's Journey: Helping Speakers & Authors Succeed!

Dixie Maria Carlton Brad Hauck

The Expert's Journey: How Authors & Speakers Build Profitable Businesses with Books & Marketing Turn your book into a business-building asset. Learn proven strategies to leverage your expertise, get booked as a speaker, and create multiple income streams beyond the page. Are you an author, speaker, or expert who wants to use your book as a powerful marketing tool to book speaking gigs, grow your authority, and build a profitable business? This podcast delivers the strategies you need to transform from writer to sought-after thought leader. Hosted by Brad Hauck (author of AI Powered Profits and international digital marketing expert "Mr Web Marketing") and Dixie Carlton (publisher and author of Start With the Draft), this show provides actionable insights to help experts monetize their knowledge through books, speaking, and smart marketing. Brad: www.proficlix.com.au Dixie: www.indieexpertspublishing.com What You'll Learn:  ✅ Book marketing for speakers – Turn your book into a lead generation machine that attracts high-paying speaking opportunities✅ Author platform building – Create a strong personal brand that positions you as the go-to expert in your industry✅ How to write a book – Practical strategies to plan, write, and publish books that build authority and credibility✅ Speaker marketing strategies – Leverage your published work to get booked for conferences, corporate events, and keynotes✅ AI-powered content creation – Use artificial intelligence to streamline writing, marketing, and audience growth✅ Thought leadership – Establish yourself as an industry influencer who shapes conversations, not just joins them✅ Multiple income streams – Create coaching programs, online courses, membership sites, and subscription models from your expertise✅ Book to business blueprint – Extend your influence beyond book sales into speaking fees, consulting, and digital products✅ Publishing and self-publishing – Navigate the publishing landscape to maximize your book's business impact Perfect for: Published authors looking to monetize their books beyond salesAspiring authors building their expert platformSpeakers who want to write books to boost their speaking careerExperts and consultants ready to establish thought leadershipNon-fiction authors seeking to turn books into business assetsSolopreneurs building authority-based businessesConference speakers positioning themselves for higher fees Each episode features conversations on author success, expert positioning, content marketing, and the intersection of writing, speaking, and entrepreneurship. You'll discover how to use your book as the foundation for a multi-six-figure expert business that generates income through speaking, coaching, digital products, and more. Whether you're writing your first book or scaling your existing author platform, The Expert's Journey provides the roadmap to transform your expertise into influence and income. New episodes weekly. Subscribe now and start your journey from author to authority.

  1. 2D AGO

    Travel Turbulence: How Global Events Shape Our Journeys

    Talk To Us Directly In this Experts Journey podcast episode, Brad and Dixie discuss how events in the Middle East are already affecting travel for speakers and authors through flight cancellations, higher airfares, reduced routes, and rising fuel costs, and what that could mean for conferences and bookings through 2026–2027.  They compare potential knock-on effects to COVID-era supply chain disruption, noting changing travel behavior and economic pressures, and debate when virtual delivery makes sense versus in-person—especially depending on topic and audience expectations.  They explore practical options like improving virtual presentation setups, using hireable studios and advanced backdrops, and expanding into podcasts and online workshops. They also share preparation priorities: be ready to pivot, coordinate contingency plans with event organizers, strengthen technology and self-sufficiency, and consider more local work if travel becomes harder. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    24 min
  2. APR 1

    Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - From Self-Doubt to the Spotlight

    Talk To Us Directly In this episode of the Experts Journey podcast, Brad and Dixie unpack imposter syndrome as it shows up for speakers, authors, and anyone in the spotlight, including the fear of being “found out,” comparing yourself to seasoned pros, and worrying you can’t answer every question.  They explain that you don’t need to know everything—just more than your audience—and that your “next step” may be far ahead of late adopters. Practical strategies include naming and externalizing your inner critic, identifying triggers, being kinder to yourself after mistakes, focusing on why the audience is there (your perspective), and remembering that even top speakers struggle or freeze on stage.  The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    20 min
  3. MAR 25

    Why Conferences Matter for Speakers & Authors (Global Speakers Summit GSS2026 Recap)

    Talk To Us Directly Brad and Dixie recap attending the Global Speakers Summit in Cairns, Australia, highlighting why conferences and speaking associations matter for speakers and authors: the travel and airport conversations that deepen connections, the reunions and new friendships formed, and the unique relief of being “one of the crowd” rather than the featured speaker.  Brad shares presenting an AI-focused talk on the main stage and the value of giving back to your own industry, plus the importance of applying for speaking slots despite competition.  They discuss awards and recognition, including Brad receiving the Certified Speaking Professional designation, and emphasize volunteering and serving on committees to build credibility and relationships.  They also stress that the best value often comes from hallway conversations, mentorship, pacing yourself, taking notes, and scheduling a decompression day to process insights and implement updates after returning home. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    23 min
  4. MAR 4

    Slide Dependency: Use Slides as a Tool, Not a Crutch

    Talk To Us Directly In this episode, Brad and Dixie unpack slide dependency and how to make slides support your talk instead of propping it up. You’ll hear practical guidance on balancing minimalist visuals with the right level of detail, when to blank the screen to pull attention back to you, and why too much text turns your presentation into an email.  They compare approaches for story-driven vs technical talks, share rehearsal methods for stripping words off slides, and explain how Zoom presentations often require more frequent slide changes to keep attention. They also discuss whether slides should stand alone, how giving decks away can affect your IP and business model, why they resist sending decks in advance, and how AI can help generate ideas while still requiring human refinement and consistent branding. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    32 min
  5. FEB 24

    The Power of Compilation Books | Connect, Lead, Succeed (Conferernce in a Book)

    Talk To Us Directly JOIN US IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA (12.3.26) https://tinyurl.com/cairnsworkshop In this episode, you’ll hear why compilation (anthology) books can deliver big impact when they’re curated like a conference agenda—multiple experts, one theme, and practical takeaways.  Brad and Dixie discuss the new release “Connect, Lead, Succeed” (book two in the series), featuring insights from 16 international experts and a broader series now totaling 28 authors from 17 countries. You’ll learn what makes their “conference in a book” approach different: authors are selected on merit, content is developed from their best keynote material, and an MC-style narrative ties sessions together so the theme flows.  They cover why authors join anthologies (speed, lower commitment than a full book, credibility through association), what can go wrong with poorly managed projects, and key criteria to evaluate invitations (who’s producing it and their track record, number of contributors and chapter depth, content curation/editing/design standards, and who you’ll be associated with).  They also share how Amazon Author Central can link the book to your author page so your followers are notified at launch, and how collective promotion increases traction.  The episode includes details for an upcoming live event in conjunction with the Global Speakers Summit in Cairns on Thursday, 12 March: “From Pages to Paid Programs: How to Sell Workshops Built from Your Books,” running 2:00–4:30 PM, followed by drinks and networking (venue to be confirmed). You’re invited to grab the book on Amazon. Check their profiles for links and event updates, plus ways to get support via Indie Experts Publishing and Brad’s Authority Multiplier Mastermind. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    25 min
  6. FEB 19

    Should You Kill a Product That Still Makes Money?

    Talk To Us Directly You have products or services that still bring in revenue—but they may no longer match where you’re headed. In this episode, we explore how to make the hard call between steady income and clear direction, including how legacy offers can dilute your funnel, confuse your market, and anchor your positioning to who you used to be.  You’ll hear practical ways to decide whether to keep, refresh, update, or retire older books, courses, and content based on industry speed of change, relevance, and actual sales performance—plus why sometimes the market is telling you it’s time to move on. You’ll also learn why archiving matters (even when you stop selling something), and how to store old assets safely so you can revisit them later.  The episode wraps with resources to help you turn your expertise into a book and to clarify your message so your marketing works better. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    18 min
  7. FEB 13

    Why Your Best Stories Aren’t Landing

    Talk To Us Directly In this episode, we look at the critical importance of story selection over storytelling techniques. Hosts Dixie and Brad discuss how the most meaningful and impactful stories can transform audience perception and inspire action.  They share insights on how to recognize stories that resonate, the practice and stagecraft involved in effective storytelling, and how to use personal experiences to create memorable, emotionally engaging narratives.  The conversation touches on the importance of metaphor frameworks, the role of AI in enhancing but not replacing authentic stories, and practical tips for integrating storytelling into your presentations.  Whether you're a seasoned speaker or just getting started, this episode offers valuable advice on making your stories impactful and earning the audience’s belief. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    19 min
  8. FEB 4

    #50 What Is Your Brand Actually Known For Right Now?

    Talk To Us Directly Welcome to The Expert's Journey Podcast! In this milestone episode, host Brad and guest Dixie dig deep into the question every expert needs to ask: "What is your brand actually known for right now?" Together, they unpack why your reputation is determined by the market—not just your intentions—and explore the real gap between what you think you’re known for and what people actually see. You’ll hear practical strategies for auditing your reputation, tightening your messaging, and making sure your content doesn’t accidentally undermine your positioning. From the importance of brand clarity and "sticking to your lane," to actionable tips on refining your elevator pitch and using tools like AI to stay on message, Brad and Dixie offer a candid, insightful conversation full of wisdom and humor. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on making your expertise visible, memorable, and impactful—without being repetitive or losing your unique edge. If you want your audience to instantly know what you do (and why they should care), you won’t want to miss this conversation. The Expert’s Journey podcast is dedicated to empowering authors, content creators, experts and professional speakers worldwide. Join hosts Brad Hauck, author of AI Powered Profits: Use AI to Automate & Accelerate Your Business in 90 Days, and Dixie Carlton, author of Start With the Draft: How to Easily Plan and Write a Non-Fiction Book, as they share practical insights to elevate your speaking career. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to grow your audience, sharpen your skills, and increase your impact through speaking, publishing, and smart marketing. Whether you're looking to boost your influence or explore new ways to share your expertise, The Expert’s Journey gives you the tools and direction to succeed. FIND US Brad Hauck Proficlix.com.au Dixie Carlton Indieexpertspublishing.com

    27 min

About

The Expert's Journey: How Authors & Speakers Build Profitable Businesses with Books & Marketing Turn your book into a business-building asset. Learn proven strategies to leverage your expertise, get booked as a speaker, and create multiple income streams beyond the page. Are you an author, speaker, or expert who wants to use your book as a powerful marketing tool to book speaking gigs, grow your authority, and build a profitable business? This podcast delivers the strategies you need to transform from writer to sought-after thought leader. Hosted by Brad Hauck (author of AI Powered Profits and international digital marketing expert "Mr Web Marketing") and Dixie Carlton (publisher and author of Start With the Draft), this show provides actionable insights to help experts monetize their knowledge through books, speaking, and smart marketing. Brad: www.proficlix.com.au Dixie: www.indieexpertspublishing.com What You'll Learn:  ✅ Book marketing for speakers – Turn your book into a lead generation machine that attracts high-paying speaking opportunities✅ Author platform building – Create a strong personal brand that positions you as the go-to expert in your industry✅ How to write a book – Practical strategies to plan, write, and publish books that build authority and credibility✅ Speaker marketing strategies – Leverage your published work to get booked for conferences, corporate events, and keynotes✅ AI-powered content creation – Use artificial intelligence to streamline writing, marketing, and audience growth✅ Thought leadership – Establish yourself as an industry influencer who shapes conversations, not just joins them✅ Multiple income streams – Create coaching programs, online courses, membership sites, and subscription models from your expertise✅ Book to business blueprint – Extend your influence beyond book sales into speaking fees, consulting, and digital products✅ Publishing and self-publishing – Navigate the publishing landscape to maximize your book's business impact Perfect for: Published authors looking to monetize their books beyond salesAspiring authors building their expert platformSpeakers who want to write books to boost their speaking careerExperts and consultants ready to establish thought leadershipNon-fiction authors seeking to turn books into business assetsSolopreneurs building authority-based businessesConference speakers positioning themselves for higher fees Each episode features conversations on author success, expert positioning, content marketing, and the intersection of writing, speaking, and entrepreneurship. You'll discover how to use your book as the foundation for a multi-six-figure expert business that generates income through speaking, coaching, digital products, and more. Whether you're writing your first book or scaling your existing author platform, The Expert's Journey provides the roadmap to transform your expertise into influence and income. New episodes weekly. Subscribe now and start your journey from author to authority.