You’ve poured your heart and expertise into writing your book—now what? While publishing your book is a major accomplishment, it can also be the beginning of something bigger. One of the most powerful ways to extend the life and reach of your book is by creating companion products. These supplemental tools not only offer new ways for readers to interact with your content, but they can also boost your income, expand your brand, and deepen the transformational impact of your message.

What Are Companion Products?

Companion products are thoughtfully crafted extensions of your book that help readers engage with your message on a deeper, more practical level. They can take many forms, including:

• Journals or Planners: Perfect for nonfiction or self-help books, these allow readers to reflect on what they’ve read, jot down goals, and track progress.
• Workbooks: Help readers put theory into action by offering guided exercises, prompts, or challenges that reinforce the book’s core teachings.
• Courses or Webinars: Package your knowledge into digestible online content that allows your audience to dive deeper and interact with your teachings in a structured environment.
• Merchandise: T-shirts, mugs, tote bags, bookmarks, or art prints with meaningful quotes or designs from your book build brand awareness and community identity.
• Exclusive Online Communities: Create a private Facebook group, Slack channel, or membership site where readers can connect, discuss, and grow together.

Why Companion Products Matter

1. Deeper Engagement
   Companion products help readers slow down and truly absorb what you’ve written. A workbook or journal turns passive reading into active reflection, which can lead to meaningful transformation.
2. Multiple Revenue Streams
   Diversifying your offerings allows you to earn beyond book sales. A $15 workbook, $40 online course, or $25 branded journal may bring in more long-term value than a single $10 book.
3. Brand Expansion
   Companion products build out your author brand. They show you’re not just a writer—you’re a mentor, a leader, a creator of experiences.
4. Community Building
   When readers connect with each other around your message—whether through a course cohort, an online group, or even wearing the same merch—you’re cultivating a community. This boosts loyalty and turns readers into lifelong fans.

How to Get Started

• Survey Your Readers: Ask what they’d love to see. Do they want a journal to reflect, a course to go deeper, or a printable planner?
• Repurpose Your Content: Take chapters or concepts from your book and adapt them into exercises, video lessons, or design elements.
• Start Small: You don’t need a dozen products right away. Begin with one—perhaps a digital journal or a printable workbook—and test how your audience responds.
• Stay Aligned with Your Message: Every product should complement your book’s tone, purpose, and audience. Consistency strengthens your credibility.

Think beyond the book!

Your book is just the beginning. Companion products open the door to richer engagement, stronger impact, and more sustainable income. Whether you’re a coach, storyteller, spiritual teacher, or entrepreneur, companion products allow you to serve your readers in new and meaningful ways.

So, think beyond the book. What else can you offer that brings your message to life?