Ally Machate is a publishing strategist, author services expert, and founder of The Writer’s Ally. A former Simon & Schuster editor with 25+ years in the industry, she helps authors write, publish, and sell high-quality books that fuel business growth, attract ideal clients, and boost authority. Known for her honest, strategic approach, Ally helps authors cut through the noise, avoid costly mistakes, and turn their books into real engines of visibility and results. In this episode, you'll learn: → How to identify the "right book" for your business goals versus writing a vanity project → Why researching your "neighbours on the shelf" is crucial before writing your first word → The optimal word count for different types of business books and why longer isn't better ✦✦✦ CONNECT WITH ALLY 🌐 Website: https://thewritersally.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allymachate/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysonemachate 📚 Free Gift: "Don't Write the Wrong Book" Webinar at https://www.offers.thewritersally.com/clientcode ✦✦✦ TIMESTAMPS Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome to Client Code 00:01:07 Ali's Unique Client Code for Authors 00:02:45 Writing the Right Book vs. the Wrong Book 00:06:17 Joining the Conversation at the Cocktail Party 00:08:16 Why Books Still Matter in the Digital Age 00:10:24 How Long Should Your Book Be? 00:13:00 The First Steps to Writing Your Book 00:15:15 Success Story: A Leadership Book for Engineers 00:19:28 Resources and Ali's Own Book Journey 00:20:52 What You Don't Change, You Choose