This Navy SEAL Built A Million Dollar Book Empire With 0 Employees
29 May 2024 (6 months ago)
- Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL and the author of the bestselling book series, Terminal List.
- Terminal List is a novel about a Navy SEAL who is wronged and seeks revenge.
- The book series has sold millions of copies and has been adapted into an Amazon Prime show starring Chris Pratt.
- Jack Carr's writing process involves:
- Outlining the story in detail before writing.
- Writing the first draft quickly without editing.
- Revising and editing the draft multiple times.
- Carr finds that writing in the morning works best for him.
- He also finds that listening to music helps him focus while writing.
- Jack Carr is traditionally published, but he also self-publishes some of his books.
- He has found that self-publishing can be more profitable than traditional publishing.
- Carr also makes money from speaking engagements and merchandise sales.
- Jack Carr believes that masculinity is about:
- Being responsible.
- Being accountable.
- Being a good father and husband.
- He also believes that it is important to be a standup person, even when it is difficult.
- Carr discusses the importance of integrity and honesty in both personal and professional life.
Launching a book how Red Bull launches a drink (1m15s)
- Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL, has built a successful book empire without any employees.
- He identified gaps in the publishing industry and capitalized on them by creating high-quality packaging and personalized experiences for his readers.
- Carr's "Terminal List" series is known for its action, adventure, and high integrity, attracting a large and loyal following.
- He personally selects merchandise and ensures the highest quality for his readers.
- Carr sends personalized gift boxes to influencers and supporters, facilitating the promotion of his books.
- The "Terminal List" series has been adapted into an Amazon Prime show starring Chris Pratt.
- Carr estimates that over 10 million copies of his books have been sold.
- Carr prioritizes the happiness of his readers over the financial success of his books.
- Carr believes his background as a Navy SEAL has contributed to the success of his books.
6 books in 6 years (7m30s)
- Started writing the first book in December 2014 while still in the military.
- Books released annually since 2018, with two books releasing in 2023.
- Seventh book in the series, "Red Sky Morning," coming out in June 2023.
- First non-fiction book on the 1983 Beirut Barracks bombing releasing on September 24, 2023.
- Weaves a lot of history into his books, including topics like viruses and Ukraine before they became current events.
- Initially defined success as getting a publishing deal.
- Inspired by John Grisham's success after writing "The Firm" following the initial rejection of "A Time to Kill."
- Has since achieved significant financial success with his books.
Manifesting success from age 11 (9m41s)
- At age 11, the author decided he wanted to be a writer and a Navy SEAL.
- He noticed that all the books he read had the phrase "number one New York Times bestselling author" on the cover and set that as a benchmark for his own success.
Defining your own calculus (11m36s)
- The author does not consider being a "number one Amazon bestseller" or "USA Today bestseller" as a true measure of success.
- For him, success meant achieving financial freedom and controlling his schedule so he could write.
- He had always been a writer and gravitated towards English classes in high school.
- He was inspired by the short story "The Most Dangerous Game" to write his own novel, "Savage Son."
- While in the military, he focused on reading both fiction and non-fiction.
Lessons from Mr Ballen and other SEALs (13m35s)
- Mr Ballen, a successful YouTuber, started by telling scary true crime stories on his channel.
- He has millions of subscribers and has a billboard in Austin, Texas.
- Mr Ballen's success is attributed to his great storytelling delivery.
- Ex-SEALs like Mr Ballen demonstrate creativity, which was crucial for their success in military operations.
- Being creative and solving problems quickly was essential for SEALs in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Mistakes on the battlefield could have severe consequences, but writing allows for more time to find solutions.
- Mr Ballen's book-writing process involves outlining and giving himself a year to solve any challenges in the story.
- Unlike split-second decisions on the battlefield, writing allows for more time to find solutions and avoid mistakes.
Made-to-stick branding (15m23s)
- The author of "Made to Stick" emphasizes the use of specific and relatable examples to make ideas memorable.
- A local newspaper in North Carolina achieved success by featuring local people and their friends, creating a sense of familiarity for readers.
- The author's books include product mentions to add authenticity and provide context for characters, especially those in law enforcement or the military.
- The author includes gear guides and gift guides on his website, some with affiliate links, but monetization is not his primary focus.
- The author's affiliate link is primarily for enjoyment and to support small businesses, seen as a way to give back and offer assistance.
How to build an audience today (19m44s)
- The former Navy SEAL author built a successful book empire without employees.
- Initially hesitant to monetize his website, he saw podcasting as a way to provide value to his audience while maintaining authenticity.
- In today's competitive market, he emphasizes the importance of creating new readers through various platforms like podcasts, social media, and blogs.
- The author admires Ryan Holiday's multi-platform success, including books, emails, merchandise, a bookstore, and a podcast.
- He recently expanded his team with a chief of staff and additional members to support his growing business.
- The author's latest book, a 150,000-word project, extended the writing process, and he hired assistants for limited interaction.
- As of yesterday, his team consists of six people, marking a new phase in his business evolution.
The writing and launch process (24m10s)
- The author describes the challenges of being a one-person operation, handling all aspects of writing, marketing, and fulfillment.
- He emphasizes the need for help but acknowledges financial constraints that prevent hiring additional staff.
- The author compares his situation to starting a computer company in the 1970s, where he had to build all the parts and market the product himself.
- He recently hired six people to manage the Hollywood side of his business, as he has multiple projects in development.
- The author describes the process of putting together a team for each project, including a showrunner, director, lead, and production team.
- He then takes the package to Netflix, usually through a production company he has a relationship with.
- The author juggles multiple tasks, including writing scripts, executive summaries, and outlines, as well as creative back-and-forth with potential showrunners and lead writers.
- He also works on his novel and manages his podcast.
- To cope with context switching, the author prioritizes and focuses on one task at a time, with some overlap for editing and generating new ideas.
- Writes a one-pager before starting a project to ensure it's worth the time and effort.
- The one-pager is like an executive summary or the description on the back of a book.
- Asks himself if he's excited about the project and if it would grab someone's attention if they saw it in a store.
- Focuses on the story and honoring the reader's time, rather than following trends or writing for popularity.
Anti self-publishing (28m43s)
- Prefers to focus solely on writing and not worry about the production and distribution aspects of publishing.
- Appreciates the team, production value, audiobook narrator, and regional representatives provided by Simon and Schuster.
- Believes in the value of a traditional publisher for tasks like getting books into major retailers.
- Does not want to adapt to the new publishing landscape by building a social media presence first.
- Built a million-dollar book empire with 0 employees.
Modern masculinity in America (30m3s)
- Scott Galloway, a successful entrepreneur, author, and thought leader, discusses the current state of young men in America.
- Galloway highlights the concerning trends of increasing suicide and depression rates, as well as educational challenges faced by young men.
- Galloway shares his personal experience of seeking guidance on becoming a better man and finding inspiration in various books.
- James Ree, a former Navy SEAL and author, explains how he became interested in guiding and inspiring young men.
- Ree noticed that his books resonated with young readers, motivating them to pursue careers in the military, law enforcement, and other meaningful fields.
- Ree emphasizes that his interest in personal growth and leadership development came naturally through his passion for reading and learning.
- Ree identifies "Once an Eagle" by Anton Meyer as the book he most frequently gifts to individuals starting their careers in the military or law enforcement.
- Published in 1968, "Once an Eagle" is a historical fiction novel that follows two characters from before World War I to the Vietnam War.
- Ree explains that he writes a personalized letter to accompany the book, setting the tone and providing context for the reader.
- The book focuses on leadership and is seen as a valuable resource for those entering the profession of arms.
Creating a rite of passage (33m26s)
- The lack of formal rites of passage in modern society leaves many people feeling lost and searching for a sense of purpose.
- Historically, rites of passage were essential for proving one's value to the tribe and ensuring its survival.
- Today, many young men are drawn to experiences like Marine boot camp or expensive weekend retreats to fulfill this need.
- Reading books and following influential figures can also provide a sense of growth and evolution, offering a virtual rite of passage.
- The absence of institutionalized rites of passage in contemporary society is a contributing factor to the widespread feeling of being lost.
Voluntary hardship (37m27s)
- The speaker is training for a 50-mile race as a form of voluntary hardship, inspired by the concept of "misogi" from Japanese mythology.
- Misogi involves undertaking physically demanding challenges with a 50% chance of success and a rule against dying.
- The speaker is focused on writing and improving the quality of each book he writes.
- He views each finished book as his best work up to that point and strives for continuous improvement as an author.
- The speaker understands the appeal of undertaking difficult challenges to test oneself.
Manifesting Chris Pratt (39m36s)
- Former Navy SEAL Jack Carr envisioned Chris Pratt starring in a TV adaptation of his book, "The Terminal List," even before its publication.
- Carr also envisioned Antoine Fuqua as the director despite having no connections in Hollywood or publishing.
- Carr's friend, who is Chris Pratt's best friend, reached out to him about the upcoming book, leading to an unexpected connection and collaboration.
- Carr emphasizes the importance of hard work and strategic action, rather than solely relying on spiritual manifestation or visualization.
- Carr's success is attributed to his focus on helping people, especially his fellow SEALs, and his genuine care for their well-being.
- Carr's upcoming projects include multiple books, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as other Hollywood projects.
Hitting your mission (44m51s)
- Jack Carr's strategic plan involves achieving various goals, including serving his country as a SEAL, becoming a successful writer, and having his novel reach the top of the New York Times bestseller list.
- He aims to continuously grow and add value to people's lives while pursuing his passion for writing.
- Carr's mission is to take care of his family and combine his passion with purpose after leaving the SEALs.
- Jack Carr has not yet reached the point of financial independence where his income from investments can fully sustain his desired lifestyle.
- He is close to achieving this milestone but continues to invest heavily in his ventures.
- Carr emphasizes the importance of reinvesting in growth and quality rather than holding onto profits.
- A fan of Jack Carr expresses a desire for him to become the new "MeatEater," envisioning a lifestyle media company centered around Carr's work.
- Carr acknowledges this aspiration and mentions his investment in "Churnin," a company that invests in brands with strong lifestyle affinities.
- The goal is to create more content, sell products, and establish a substantial business that benefits both Carr and his audience.
- Carr emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity and staying true to his audience's trust.
Jack's recommended reading list (48m38s)