Navigating Team Retention: How to Build a “Book Ecosystem” Strategy for Attracting Top Talent

By Jeffrey Mangus, Founder and CEO, Mangus Media Group

 If you've been in the trenches of leadership or professional development over the past few years, you know exactly what I'm talking about when I mention the Great Resignation. It hit like a tidal wave back in 2021, right as the world was stumbling out of the pandemic, and honestly, it's still rippling through workplaces today. Millions of people—talented folks in every industry—decided it was time to rethink their careers, quit their jobs, and chase something more fulfilling.

Being a leader for decades, building teams and helping folks grow, I've seen how this massive wave of people leaving turned hiring into a total war. After exploring blue ocean ideas and investing considerable effort, I realized that writing a book and building a community around it is a game-changer. It's not just about brainstorming; it's a fresh approach that attracts new people and teams effortlessly, unlike the usual dog-eat-dog hiring scene.

First, let's talk about the Great Resignation. It wasn't just a blip; it was a seismic shift in how people view work. If you look at the labor stats, a crazy number of Americans—over 47 million—quit their jobs just in 2021! And it's still going on. It wasn't just about the money; people were leaving because they were exhausted, wanted something meaningful, needed flexibility, and wanted a company culture that fit their beliefs. The old methods of posting jobs online or using recruiters were no longer effective. It seemed like slim pickings, and the competition was tough. I've heard from Mangus Media Group clients, including CEOs and entrepreneurs, who struggled to hire talented innovators. It got me thinking: How do we flip the script? How can we help these leaders attract talented people instead of hunting them?

That's when the “book ecosystem” emerged, an idea that makes perfect sense. Now, I'm no stranger to writing. I've authored books on leadership and media strategy, and let me tell you, it's more than putting words on a page. A book is your calling card, your manifesto. But the real magic is when you create a whole world around it—content, communities, and talks that amplify your message. Imagine podcasts, talks, courses, newsletters, and social media spots where your book's ideas can thrive. Mangus Media Group helps leaders write books that establish them as thought leaders, experts, and authorities, enabling them to build communities and connect with others.

What makes this a blue ocean strategy? If you're not familiar, blue ocean strategy—coined by the brilliant minds W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne—is all about creating uncontested market space. Instead of fighting in the red ocean of bloody competition (like bidding wars for resumes on job boards), you carve out a new space where you're the go-to authority. Finding talent is tough because everyone uses the same stuff: AI hiring systems, recruiters, and boring employer branding. But a “book” ecosystem? That's blue-ocean territory. It attracts people who share your vision, not just those searching for job listings.

I’d like to share a personal story to illustrate. A few years back, I released a book on ghostwriting and building a lucrative six-figure business. That book started the entire ecosystem I built, which merged into founding The Academy of Ghostwriting. I didn't stop at the launch; I brought on a partner, Tim Jacobs, and we built a curriculum and a whole ecosystem around it. We created a course, launched a podcast series diving deeper into chapters, hosted virtual masterminds for readers, and even launched a LinkedIn newsletter community where professional writers could learn more about their business and craft.

Suddenly, I wasn't hunting for students; they were finding us. A marketing whiz and professional ghostwriter reached out after devouring the book, saying it mirrored her career dreams, and she wanted to take the course. She did, and she did so well that she joined my team at Mangus Media Group. Then there was the tech-savvy editor who messaged me on X (formerly Twitter) about a chapter on team dynamics; turns out, he was looking for a new challenge and brought fresh ideas to our content strategy. These weren't random applicants; they were aligned professionals who self-selected because my book and vision spoke to them.

This approach works exceptionally well for leaders and professionals, because it focuses on acquiring talent through shared values and intellectual synergy. Now that the Great Resignation's over, people want more than just money; they want purpose. Your book becomes a beacon, signaling, "This is what we stand for." The ecosystem keeps people talking, turning readers into active members, and maybe even future team members. I've seen it with clients, too: a FinTech CEO wrote a book about ethical AI, created webinars and a Slack group, and attracted a group of developers who loved the idea. No endless interviews: they came pre-vetted by their enthusiasm.

Be warned. It doesn’t come easy. It takes some work. You must write a game-changing book. Once you have it, the next step is to build a book ecosystem, which takes intention, focus, and a defined strategy. Start with a book that showcases your expertise and helps others. Then build out the whole thing: turn chapters into blog posts, videos, or infographics. Start conversations on X or LinkedIn. Host AMAs or workshops. Think about success as more than just sales; how many real talks turn into partnerships? At Mangus Media Group, we've streamlined this process to prevent leaders from making common mistakes, such as letting their book sit online and be forgotten.

The Great Resignation showed us talent isn't just a thing to be bought. By embracing a book and its ecosystem as a blue ocean strategy, you're not just filling seats—you're building dream teams that stick around because they believe in the mission and your vision. If you're a leader staring down the talent shortage, I encourage you to allow us to help you pick up a pen (or keyboard) and start crafting your story. Who knows? Your next star employee might be your next reader.

If this resonates, drop me a line at Mangus Media Group—we'd love to help you turn your ideas into a talent-attracting powerhouse. (Click here to speak with our team)

Jeffrey Mangus
Founder, CEO, Mangus Media Group