In part 2 of this episode

We discuss the business side of being a Sex Researcher with Dr. Justin Lehmiller where he shares how he got into podcasting, how he wrote his infamous book “Tell Me What You Want” and how he turned his blog into a business. Along the way, we talk about the importance of having multiple streams of income and Justin offers advice for anyone wanting to write about sex or start their own blog.

Turning a book into a career

Dr. Justin Lehmiller shares why he decided to write his latest book “Tell Me What You Want” which is the largest survey of sexual fantasies in America that helps readers better understand their own sexual desires. This book set Justin up for a media frenzy and made him famous in the sexual health community but it wasn’t easy. As Justin speaks about the challenges that come with writing a book about sex, he also offers advice to anyone wanting to write a book and how to create a whole career and brand around it.

“Don’t just look at this as a book and not look at this as a get rich quick scheme, but rather look at this as a way to build a whole brand. What are all of the different things that this book can do for you? What are the products and services that can spin-off from this? How can they all come back and support the book so that you got this diversified ecosystem that builds a sustainable career for you?”

Diversifying yourself and having multiple streams of income

Dr. Justin Lehmiller stresses the importance of having multiple streams of income like media appearances, podcasting, public speaking, writing textbooks, blogging, consulting, etc. We discuss how Justin strategically does this in order to have a steady income. Not only that, Justin also shares how this has helped him during the COVID-19 pandemic after all of his public speaking events were canceled.

“Be diversified, you can’t just do one thing.”

Episode highlights:

🎙 3:00     How Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s podcast came to be after his first interview with
🎙 6:06     What Justin’s latest book “Tell Me What You Want” is all about    
🎙 11:00   How to build a brand around a book as an author
🎙 15:14  Turning blogging from a hobby into a career and making money out of it
🎙 17:15  The importance of having different streams of income and being strategic about it

Resources: 

🔗 Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s website
🔗 Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s Podcast
🔗 Dr. Justin Lehmiller’s YouTube Channel
🔗 Sexcasters Sexuality Professionals Podcast Community
🔗 SHA Certification Trainings where Dr. David Ley is on the advisory board
🔗 Respark Therapy & Coaching for sex therapy and couples therapy in Colorado and Texas
🔗 Practice Outside the Lines

Meet Dr. Justin Lehmiller:

Dr. Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He is the author of the blog Sex and Psychology and the popular book Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, having been honored three times with the Certificate of Teaching Excellence from Harvard University, where he taught for several years. He is also a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works, including a textbook titled The Psychology of Human Sexuality that is used in college classrooms around the world. Dr. Lehmiller is a much sought-after voice in the media on sexuality research and education. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CNN, and he has appeared on dozens of international radio, podcast, and television programs.

Social Media:

-Twitter @JustinLehmiller https://twitter.com/JustinLehmiller
-Instagram @JustinJLehmiller https://www.instagram.com/justinjlehmiller/
-Facebook facebook.com/psychologyofsex