9 years ago today, I received the craziest phone call. A producer for the Chris Evans Show on BBC Radio 2 rang me and asked if I’d like to be interviewed on his programme.
She said, ‘Chris has read your book Flip It and wants to interview you about it’.
‘Of course. I’m in. What do I need to do?’
‘Nothing, just be by your phone at 5.15 on Thursday.’
And that was it.
At this point Flip It had been published for just a few months; it was selling well but nothing could have prepared me for what would happen next …
I was in my home office listening to the opening of the show, when Chris said this:
“And tonight, the Christmas sparkle comes from my Christmas book recommendation - a little gem by the name of Flip It. A book so simple and so useful that I really am going to urge you to put it in someone’s stocking this year.”
He then went on to sing the praises of Flip It to ‘Sally Traffic’ and give examples of what the book was about. There was an instant spike in orders and that was just from the introduction.
I remember running downstairs, diving into the kitchen where Christine was listening to the radio and blurted out, ‘What did you think of that intro!’
In true Christine style she replied, ‘I think you’d better get back upstairs and concentrate on giving a brilliant interview – now scoot.’
The actual four and a half minute conversation couldn’t have gone any better. You can listen to it here
Flip It went on to be a Sunday Times No.1 Bestseller. It sold out in every bookstore in Britain and copies were auctioned on Ebay for £50!
Had I been lucky that Chris had read my book?
Was it just good fortune that he enjoyed it so much he wanted to promote it?
Or had it been ten years of developing content, five years of writing every day and six months of constant promotion?
I’ll never know.
What I do know is that Flip It has gone on to be a bestseller in seven other countries, is available in 20 languages and continues to be a powerful self-help tool for thousands of new readers every year.
Oh …. and it’s a perfect Christmas gift! Not my words just the thoughts of one of the most listened to radio DJ’s in the world. It’s here
Next week will be my last newsletter of 2018. Until then, embrace the wonder of this magical time of year.
Be Brilliant!
