Building Authority Through the Boardroom | Erik Hanberg | 667

What does it take for a self-published author to turn a niche book into a best-seller—and then hand it over to a traditional publisher for its second edition?

Erik Hanberg did just that with "The Little Book of Boards: A Board Member’s Handbook for Small and Very Small Nonprofits". His journey offers lessons in entrepreneurship, publishing strategy, and the business of thought leadership.

In this episode, Erik shares how his early board experiences shaped his expertise and sparked a desire to help others avoid common pitfalls. What started as trial by fire became a passion for teaching—and a book that has sold more than 40,000 copies. By targeting a highly specific audience, he created a resource that spread by word of mouth, bulk orders, and Amazon’s niche algorithms.

We explore the business side of publishing, from self-funded ads that fueled sales growth to negotiating with a Big 5 imprint for the book’s second edition. Erik reveals the financial trade-offs between steady monthly royalties as an independent author and the broader reach a publisher’s distribution network can provide. He also explains how he negotiated a contract that protected his long-term interests.

Beyond sales, Erik talks about the opportunities that came once he became “the guy who wrote the book.” From board retreats across the country to consulting engagements, his authorship opened doors that no marketing campaign alone could create. And as AI reshapes how people access answers, Erik reflects on why human experience, frameworks, and authenticity still matter in thought leadership.

If you’ve ever wondered how to transform expertise into a platform, or how to balance independence with institutional backing, Erik’s story is both practical and inspiring.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Niche sells big. By writing The Little Book of Boards for small and very small nonprofits, Erik reached the largest segment in the nonprofit space—and sold more than 50,000 copies.

• Publishing is strategy, not luck. Erik turned modest sales into consistent revenue by investing in Amazon ads, then leveraged his track record to negotiate a traditional publishing deal on his terms.

• Books open doors. Beyond royalties, authorship positioned Erik as an authority, leading to nationwide consulting and board retreat opportunities—proof that thought leadership creates business growth far beyond the page.

If Erik Hanberg’s story showed you how a single book can spark authority and open doors in the nonprofit world, you’ll want to hear how Andrew Button is doing the same—this time in local communities. Andrew shares how thought leadership builds courage, activates ideas, and fuels grassroots change. Don’t just think about scaling ideas nationally—see how they thrive locally, too.

Listen now to Andrew Button’s episode on thought leadership in local communities.