Book Writing and Marketing

Situation

In 2019, Maggie, the founder of Avanti Content Co. authored a book highlighting the stories of 20 remarkable women in Cleveland who had become leaders or trailblazers in their respective fields.

Recognizing the significant underrepresentation of women, particularly women of color, across various industries in Cleveland and the State of Ohio, Maggie was determined to address this disparity. She envisioned a future where more women held positions of influence and believed that sharing the narratives of those who had already achieved this would be crucial. Her goal was to create a valuable resource for women and girls, demonstrating that they could achieve any dream within the vibrant city of Cleveland.

Challenge

Undeterred by the lack of interest from regional and local presses, Maggie proceeded to draft the book over the course of one year. Armed with her skills in project management, writing, and marketing, she took on the challenge of independently managing, writing, and promoting the book.

Facing the hurdles of no established contacts, influence, or credibility, Maggie resorted to cold-emailing the featured Boss Ladies, persuading them to participate in her project. Juggling her limited time away from a full-time job, she conducted interviews and captured photographs for the book. With no budget allocated for advertising, Maggie devised a marketing strategy centered around organic social media and earned PR.

Result

Published in May 2020, "Boss Ladies of CLE" is a captivating 209-page paperback showcasing the stories and photographs of twenty accomplished women, ranging from a James Beard Award–nominated chef to hip-hop artists and the CEO of Vitamix. This collection celebrates diverse voices, painting an authentic and attainable portrait of success in Cleveland. The book seamlessly met the contemporary moment by blending practical advice with a powerful message of women's empowerment.

The release of the book garnered extensive coverage, with over 25 Cleveland news outlets and influencers featuring it. Notably, WKYC-TV embraced "Boss Ladies of CLE," transforming it into a recurring segment. The book achieved notable success, selling nearly 500 copies and resonating with readers seeking inspiration from the dynamic stories within its pages.

450+

books sold

7M+

earned media impressions

4.5

stars on Goodreads

25+

unique media hits

4

participating library systems

8

bookstore and retail partners

book about successful women in cleveland

Praise for Boss Ladies of CLE

"Her selection of Cleveland women is diverse and well-chosen. Most will be familiar to those who are plugged into the local entrepreneurial scene and are excellent choices to be packaged and showcased in a volume like this."

Anastasia Pantsios
Cool Cleveland
"Boss Ladies of CLE is like your dream dinner party. Each woman hails from a different neighborhood, brings her own energy, mission, and flavor, as well as her funny anecdotes and ideas for changing the world. Though each story is uniquely personal, they come together to paint a beautiful picture of what can be achieved in Cleveland."

Courtney Ottrix
Courtney Covers Cleveland
"I was thoroughly inspired, challenged, and humbled by each Boss Lady’s story and I’m sure you will be too. We are lucky to have such authentic women working hard every day to make Cleveland a better place and we’re lucky to have Maggie Sullivan to amplify their voices."

Jen Rome
Authentically Cleveland