Back in 2018--- I made a connection—a referral to a mortgage broker named Graeme. 

He was very up-front and brutally honest with his clients.... He didn't seem to be the average mortgage broker.

Graeme really stood out to me because I had worked in a bank and was also a mortgage broker at one point.

He wanted me to help him create and publish a book to attract more clients to his mortgage business. In fact, he had a few books planned!

What really captivated me was his unique approach. He held credit card-cutting ceremonies in his office, complete with tissues for clients who often found themselves shedding tears. That struck a chord with me; here was a man not only addressing his clients' financial burdens but deeply connecting with their emotions.

I was intrigued. Graeme shared with me how he could help people pay off their mortgages in under ten years—without them having to live like hermits.

Sounded like the makings of an incredible book, didn't it?

For a few months, I collaborated with Graeme and my editor in his office, crafting his story, his insights, and his expertise into what we ultimately titled "The Money Mentor".

We launched it with our usual bestseller campaign, and to Graeme's joy, he overtook Scott Pape’s "Barefoot Investor" on the Amazon charts. We achieved 43 x #1 rankings across four countries!

You can check out the book "The Money Mentor" at GetMyBook.Store

After the initial surge, things quieted down—a common fate for many authors. They publish their book and then tend to retreat back into their lives. This quiet phase becomes what I call the "dead zone"—when books sit, unpromoted, waiting to gather dust.

However, that wasn't the end for Graeme. Out of nowhere, a few years later, his business took a remarkable turn. His book began to sell again, consistently holding the #1 spot in Australia.

Graeme had integrated his book into his business organically. He wasn’t overtly promoting it, yet it was gently woven into his services and interactions. As a result, customers began searching for it, and sales followed.

Now, we’re working on the second edition because the landscape has shifted since the first release, and he has so much more to share.

Here's a thought:

What never surprises me is that every time I speak to an author who says, "I can't seem to sell many books", I find that they haven't covered the basics and end up trying high-end strategies that fail because the foundation is unstable. In less than 30 minutes, I have always uncovered ideas and strategies.

So this prompted me to re-opened my VIP consultation service for 2025.  

Ready to make waves with your book? Let’s talk! Go to www.evolvecall.com 

Thank you for tuning in!

Don’t forget to subscribe at johnnorth.com.au , and I’ll see you in the next episode of my daily email summary podcast.

ORIGINAL EMAIL

Back in 2018, I made a connection—a referral to a mortgage broker named Graeme. 

He was very up front and brutally honest with his clients. He didn't seem to be the average mortgage broker.

Graeme really stood out to me because I had worked in a bank and also had been a mortgage broker at one point.

He wanted me to help him create and publish a book to attract more clients to his mortgage business. In fact he had a few books planned!

What really captivated me was his unique approach. He held credit card cutting ceremonies in his office, complete with tissues for clients who often found themselves shedding tears. That struck a chord with me; here was a man not only addressing his clients' financial burdens but deeply connecting with their emotions.

I was intrigued. Graeme shared with me how he could help people pay off their mortgages in under ten years—without them having to live like hermits.

Sounded like the makings of an incredible book, didn't it?

For a few months, I collaborated with Graeme and my editor in his office, crafting his story, his insights, and his expertise into what we ultimately titled "The Money Mentor".

We launched it with our usual bestseller campaign, and to Graeme's joy, he overtook Scott Pape’s "Barefoot Investor" on the Amazon charts. We achieved 43 x #1 rankings across four countries!

You can check out the book here: [The Money Mentor]

After the initial surge, things quieted down—a common fate for many authors. They publish their book and then tend to retreat back into their lives. This quiet phase becomes what I call the "dead zone"—when books sit, unpromoted, waiting to gather dust.

However, that wasn't the end for Graeme. Out of nowhere a few years later, his business took a remarkable turn. His book began to sell again, consistently holding the #1 spot in Australia.

Graeme had integrated his book into his business organically. He wasn’t overtly promoting it, yet it was gently woven into his services and interactions. As a result, customers began searching for it, and sales followed.

Now, we’re working on the second edition because the landscape has shifted since the first release, and he has so much more to share.

If you want to hear more about the book, we have a podcast episode: [The Money Mentor: A Bullshit-Free Guide to Crushing Your Mortgage]

If you Subscribe, (click on never miss episode green button on right of the page) and you'll discover the behind-the-scenes how we created 48 podcast episodes in 24 hours.

Here's a thought:

What never surprises me is that every time I speak to an author who says "I can't seem to sell many books", I find that they haven't covered the basics and end up trying high end strategies that  fail because the foundation is unstable. In less than 30 minutes I have always uncovered ideas and strategies.

So this prompted me to re-opened my VIP consultation service for 2025.  [VIP Consultation]

Ready to make waves with your book? Let’s talk!

I grew up in a tiny town.

And I don’t mean “small” like everyone knew each other.

I mean really small—population 5, maybe 10 on a busy day.

It was actually railway siding in western Queensland called "Stamford". 

My adopted parents (long story for another time) ran a trucking company from home and also managed the local post office—where I had my first taste of entrepreneurship. 

There was a Railway Station and a house for the Station Master (he actually taught me how to play chess).

At age 12, I was already serving customers, running the phone switchboard, and learning firsthand how business worked.

And when I say "old-school"—I mean party line phones where you'd connect a call, and all the local cattle and sheep properties could listen in. Pretty sure half the district knew who was fighting with their cousin before the gossip even hit town.

That's social engagement right there!

At the same time, I was driving the mail truck ( well a Toyota 4WD)—yeah, at 12. I could barely see over the steering wheel, and the only time I was on the road was when I crossed it.

Probably not the safest idea, but hey, it built resilience (and made me appreciate better driving laws).

My schooling?

“School of the Air.” They’d mail you a full semester’s lessons (yep, by mail), and every day, you’d check in on a two-way radio to prove you were actually doing the work. 

No skipping class when the whole district could hear you. So I got up early and did my lessons, and then, by lunchtime, it was done for the day, and I could disappear outside until dinner time.

It turns out that having no distractions out in the bush means you get your schoolwork done fast.  

By the time I hit high school, I was almost a year ahead of everyone else. 

But high school with other students wasn’t easy for me. I got bullied—a lot. 

Growing up so isolated didn’t exactly give me people skills. Plus, my mum and I moved 13 times in 10 years, running from my adopted father, who’d spiralled out of control on stay-awake pills (cause he was a truck driver), and literally wanted to kill us.

Being the “new kid” at school that often? I had to learn fast how to talk people out of picking on me—or at least try. I even tried boxing...not my calling, but hey, points for effort.

By 1980, life had come full circle. I ended up back in Hughenden, finished Grade 10, and landed a job at the local bank. Fun fact: I was only 16, so technically too young to handle money. They stuck me in the back office until I was “legal.” I applied for exactly two jobs in my life—and got both.

But after 11 years of bank transfers, I was done. I wanted control. So, I quit and started an IT and accounting software business. While working in the bank, I’d completed a Business & Accounting Diploma, and I was determined to use it my way.

That whole wild ride—small-town lessons, tough situations, and figuring stuff out on my own—taught me a lot.

Fear?

Not an option.

Focus?

The only way forward.

At one point, I actually wanted to be a journalist. Even did work experience at a local paper...until they convinced me not to do it. Ironically, when I take those career quizzes, it always pops up as a journalist, cop (I was one for two days—another wild story), or a business owner.

Guess I was wired for storytelling all along.

Which brings me to why I help people publish books today.

Deep down, I always wanted to see my name in print. And now, with self-publishing easier than ever, I’ve realised a book is more than just a collection of pages—it’s a legacy.

The one thing you create that can outlive you.

Writing a book is the only asset you create that will still be around long after you're gone.  Unless you're a movie star, oh wait, they write books, too.

I even wrote a book on how to publish your book called "Book Publishing Secrets for Entrepreneurs.

It's because I believe everyone has stories worth sharing. 

Want a free copy? 

Check out the link in the description.  https://evolvesystemsgroup.com/page/freebooks

So what's your story? 

No one survives this 3rd rock from the Sun and does not have some stories to tell!

Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe at johnnorth.com.au , and I’ll see you in the next episode of my daily email summary podcast.

ORIGINAL EMAIL:

I grew up in a tiny town. And I don’t mean “small” like everyone knew each other. I mean really small—population 5, maybe 10 on a busy day.

It was a railway siding in western Queensland called "Stamford". 

It has a long history check it out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamford,_Queensland my sister even built a roadhouse there in 2012 and helped build a local school.

My adopted parents (long story for another time) ran a trucking company from home and also managed the local post office—where I had my first taste of entrepreneurship. 

There was a Railway Station and a house for the Station Master (he actually taught me how to play chess).

At age 12, I was already serving customers, running the phone switchboard, and learning firsthand how business worked.

And when I say "old-school"—I mean party line phones where you'd connect a call, and all the local cattle and sheep properties could listen in. Pretty sure half the district knew who was fighting with their cousin before the gossip even hit town.

That's social engagement right there!

At the same time, I was driving the mail truck ( well a Toyota 4WD)—yeah, at 12. Could barely see over the steering wheel, and and mostly only time I was on the road was when I crossed it.

Probably not the safest idea, but hey, it built resilience (and made me appreciate better driving laws).

My schooling?

“School of the Air.” They’d mail you a full semester’s lessons (yep, by mail), and every day, you’d check in on a two-way radio to prove you were actually doing the work. 

Check it out:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_the_Air

No skipping class when the whole district could hear you. So I got up early and did my lessons and then by lunch time was done for the day and could disappear outside until dinner time.

Turns out, no distractions out in the bush means you get your schoolwork done fast.  

By the time I hit high school, I was almost a year ahead of everyone else. 

But high school with other students  wasn’t easy for me. I got bullied—a lot. Growing up so isolated didn’t exactly give me people skills. Plus, my mum and I moved 13 times in 10 years, running from my adopted father, who’d spiraled out of control on stay-awake pills (cause he was a truck driver) and he literally wanted to kill us.

Being the “new kid” at school that often? I had to learn fast how to talk people out of picking on me—or at least try. I even tried boxing...not my calling, but hey, points for effort.

By 1980, life had come full circle. I ended up back in Hughenden, finished Grade 10, and landed a job at the local bank. Fun fact: I was only 16, so technically too young to handle money. They stuck me in the back office until I was “legal.” I applied for exactly two jobs in my life—and got both.

But after 11 years of bank transfers, I was done. I wanted control. So I quit and started an IT and accounting software business. While working in the bank, I’d completed a Business & Accounting Diploma, and I was determined to use it my way.

That whole wild ride—small town lessons, tough situations, and figuring stuff out on my own—taught me a lot.

Fear? Not an option. Focus? The only way forward.

At one point, I actually wanted to be a journalist. Even did work experience at a local paper...until they convinced me not to do it. Ironically, when I take those career quizzes, it always pops up as journalist, cop (I was one for two days—another wild story), or business owner. Guess I was wired for storytelling all along.

Which brings me to why I help people publish books today.

Deep down, I always wanted to see my name in print. And now, with self-publishing easier than ever, I’ve realised a book is more than just a collection of pages—it’s a legacy.

The one thing you create that can outlive you.

Writing a book is the only asset you create that will still be around long after your gone.  Unless your a movie star, oh wait they write books too.

I even wrote a book on how to publish your book—because I believe everyone has stories worth sharing. Want a free copy? Grab it here

So what's your story? 

No-one survives this 3rd rock from the Sun and not have some stories to tell!

As we wrapped up 2024, I took some time to reflect on everything that happened—the elections, the wars, the rising interest rates. It’s enough to keep anyone up at night. But in the midst of all that chaos, a wise mentor reminded me: "You can’t control the chaos—but you can change one thing that actually matters."

And here’s my one thing: I’m committing to writing to you more often. I’ve spent the last few months mastering the art of daily emails. It’s been a journey filled with research, courses, and enough coffee to fuel a startup! I’m even writing a book about it.

Why is this important? Well, relying solely on social media and corporations to run your business? That’s risky business. We’ve all been there—trying to get support when a bot decides to ban you. Not fun at all.

Daily emails are like going to the gym. The more you show up, the stronger you get, and the results just follow. So, in 2025, I’m all in on sharing lessons, insights, and strategies to help you succeed.

Oh, and here’s a little gift for you—some of my books, totally free! Just check out the link in the description.

Now, I’d love to hear from you. What’s your one thing for 2025? Hit reply and let me know. Here’s to making this year our best one yet!

ORIGINAL EMAIL

Hey, it’s John North here—dusting off the keyboard for something long overdue.

You probably joined my list from a call with me or one of the many campaigns I’ve run over the past decade.

And I’ll be the first to admit—my emails have been a bit... sporadic. 

But that changes now.

Why?

Because, like most entrepreneurs, I spent the holidays reflecting on the wild ride that was 2024—elections, wars, rising interest rates... plenty designed to keep you up at night. 

And then I remembered something a wise mentor once told me:  

"You can’t control the chaos—but you can change one thing that actually matters."

So here’s my one thing: Writing to you more often.

I’ve spent the last few months diving deep into mastering the art of daily emails.

Hours of research, courses, and enough coffee to fuel a small startup later—I’m even writing a book about it. 

Why?

The events of 2024 have been a powerful reminder of something every entrepreneur needs to keep top of mind.

Relying on social media platforms and big corporations to run your business? Well - that's risky business. 

Ever tried getting real support when their bots decide to ban you? Yeah... not fun.

If you want some extra convincing watch this  https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81554996

Writing daily emails, though?

It’s like going to the gym.

The more you show up, the stronger you get. And better results just happen.

So, in 2025, I’m committing to writing more. Sharing lessons, insights, and strategies that actually help you win.

Oh, and because books make the best gifts—here are some of mine, on the house: [Grab Your Free Books]  https://evolvesystemsgroup.com/page/freebooks

Now tell me—what’s your “one thing” for 2025?

For those of you who may not know me, I’m a nine-time #1 bestselling author on platforms like Amazon, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. I’m also the CEO of Evolve Systems Group, where I specialize in transforming entrepreneurs through innovative publishing and software solutions.

My background is a bit of a mixed bag, but it all centers around one core mission: helping business owners thrive. Over the years, I’ve navigated various fields, including accounting, banking, business management, IT, and strategic marketing. These experiences have equipped me to build tools and systems that truly make a difference for entrepreneurs like you.

Whether it’s through book publishing or cutting-edge software solutions, I’m passionate about providing the strategies and marketing intelligence necessary for success in today’s fast-paced world.

So, here’s the plan: every weekday, you can expect an email from me, followed by this podcast that summarizes the day’s email. It’s all part of my dedication to keep you informed, inspired, and ready to elevate your business.

Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, and I’ll see you in the next episode of my daily email summary podcast.

Every weekday I send an email to my list and this is an audio version for you to Binge them, revisit your favorites, or catch up during your commute.

Let's dive in....

For over a decade, I’ve had countless conversations with aspiring authors, and let me tell you, some recurring myths never seem to fade. 

Picture this: a room filled with hopeful writers, many clutching their pens in anxiety, fixated on spelling and grammar.

Now, let me share a gem of wisdom that I always pass on to my clients. 

New Authors tend to rake in the big bucks. Editors?

Not so much.

The truth is, it’s the core idea that matters much more than perfecting every comma.

Sure, once that first draft is in the bag, we’ll fix those pesky typos, but many aspiring authors get so tangled in their worries about writing well that they hesitate to dive into the writing journey altogether.

In the grand scheme, becoming a published author is like catching lightning in a bottle.

Out of 7 billion people, only a few million will ever hold that title. So, when you publish a book, congratulations! You’re already among the rare 1%.

Next up in the myth queue is what to write about. Sometimes, it’s wiser to start with something simple.

There’s no law that says you can only write one book. 

Strategy is important here, is there a business in the book or a book around a business

From the perspective of an entrepreneur, you want a solid ROI on your investment. I think back to Graeme’s story from yesterday, where it took a few years, but now his book is supporting his lifestyle—proof that the journey is often worth it.

Writing about your expertise is the golden ticket to creating a book. After all, your experiences and insights are what make you the go-to expert in your field. When that inner voice chimes in with, “Oh, that sounds like a ton of work,” remind yourself—it can be if you approach it the wrong way.

But with proper strategy and design from the get-go, you can break the process down into bite-sized chunks. It’s like painting a house; you start with one wall, then one room at a time.

First, we focus on the cover and title, followed by the concept and the all-important Table of Contents.

We often spend weeks perfecting this part, because guess what? 

People do judge a book by its cover!

After that, it’s simply one chapter at a time, breaking the writing down into manageable segments. And don’t forget: your hard drive is likely brimming with ideas, knowledge, and content just waiting to be unleashed.

Getting those thoughts into their raw form should be your initial aim. Once that’s done, an editor can tidy things up to perfection.

Imagine committing just an hour a day for the next three to four weeks. You could end up with enough material for not one, but two books!

Now, let’s chat about the complexities of publishing—that’s our forte.

Honestly, you don’t want to be bogged down with jargon like ‘trim sizes’ or ‘PDF bleeds’—those terms can make your head spin!

They say 90% of people have a book inside them. Yet, believe it or not, less than 1% actually take the plunge and write one.

If you’re intrigued and want to learn more, check out our free mini-class at [Evolve Instant Author] and also discover “Which Publishing Path is Right for You?”

Thank you for tuning in!

Don’t forget to subscribe at johnnorth.com.au , and I’ll see you in the next episode of my daily email summary podcast.