How I Turned My Niche Expertise into a $50,000 Online Course (And You Can Too)
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October 1, 2025
Writing a Technical Book is a Powerful Way to Establish Authority
I wrote a book about copper coins. Not because I’m a publishing expert. Not because I had a big platform. But because I noticed something in my community: people kept asking the same questions. Again and again.
For years, I kept seeing these intense weekend threads about Copper 4 The Weekend™ – collectors dissecting everything from 18th-century copper coin mint marks to the subtle differences between AU50 and MS63 grades. The discussions were brilliant but scattered across forums, emails, and auction notes.
That’s when it hit me. This needed a book. Not just any book – a technical one. The result? “Copper 4 The Weekend: A Technical Guide to 18th & 19th Century Copper Coins, Grading, and Provenance” published by O’Reilly Media.
Here’s how I did it – and why your niche obsession could be your next technical book.
Why a Technical Book? The Authority Multiplier
As a CTO, freelancer, or investor, you know credibility is currency. But in specialized fields like numismatics, blockchain, or embedded systems, blog posts don’t cut it. A book shows you’ve gone deep. It’s commitment in paper form.
For me, this wasn’t about monetizing my collection. It was about organizing what I’d learned over 10 years of collecting, authenticating, and trading. I found myself asking: What if I could put all this technical knowledge in one place? What if someone could learn from my mistakes – and my wins?
The book had to answer real questions:
- How do you authenticate a rare 1788 New Jersey copper without lab equipment?
- What’s the real difference between NGC and PCGS grades – and when does CAC matter?
- How can you spot the 1909 VDB’s key varieties just by looking?
- What’s the best way to document prooflike surfaces without damaging the coin?
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The Audience: Who Are You Writing For?
Before writing a single page, I asked: Who needs this most? Not “everyone interested in coins.” But:
- Numismatists willing to pay $500+ for a single AU55 coin
- Investors treating coins as alternative assets (yes, they exist)
- Curators who need standardized documentation for museum archives
- Developers building blockchain provenance trackers
This meant my book needed to work like a manual. Technical specs. Clear examples. Code where it matters.
Structuring the Book: From Forum Thread to Technical Framework
My “Copper 4 The Weekend™” forum threads were a goldmine – but gold needs refining. Hundreds of posts with photos, debates, and technical nuggets. The challenge? Turning this into a coherent technical book.
Chapter Architecture: The 5-Pillar Framework
I organized around five clear pillars:
- Metallurgy & Authenticity: From mixed alloy detection to UV fluorescence analysis – no XRF machine required.
- Grading Systems Compared: Not just NGC/PCGS side-by-side – but a practical
decision treefor which service to use when. - Varietal Recognition: 120+ images with detailed overlays showing diagnostics like CONECA VDDR-064 markers.
- Digital Provenance: Code for blockchain verification – because provenance shouldn’t be just paperwork.
- Preservation & Handling: Climate control specs, anti-tarnish materials, and photography techniques that actually work.
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Code & Automation: The Developer Angle
For the tech audience (and there are more than you think in numismatics), I added:
- Python scripts analyzing auction trends – because data beats gut feelings
- JavaScript for mobile grading assistant apps – “Is this really a 64+?”
- Solidity for NFT-backed ownership trails – yes, some collectors want this
Like this simple overdate detector:
def detect_overdate(date_str):
# Check for overlapping digits - 1847/47, 1909/09
import re
patterns = [r'\d{4}/\d{2}', r'\d{4}/\d{4}']
for p in patterns:
if re.search(p, date_str):
return True
return False
print(detect_overdate("1847/47")) # True - found it!
Pitching to Publishers: O’Reilly, Manning, Apress—How to Win
I targeted publishers who get technical books:
- O’Reilly: Perfect for practical, code-inclusive guides. They want clear examples that solve problems.
- Manning: Great for deep technical content with early access programs.
- Apress: Strong in applied sciences like metallurgy and imaging tech.
The Book Proposal: What They Really Want
My proposal included:
- Competition review: Five existing books – all outdated, none covering digital tools.
- Chapter outline: With page counts, image requirements, and code deliverables.
- My platform: GitHub repo (1.2k stars for coin analysis tools) + LinkedIn (20k+ followers in tech/collecting).
- Marketing plan: Webinars, collector meetups, and partnerships with shows like Santa Clara.
Key move? I sent O’Reilly a 3-chapter preview to my 5,000 newsletter subscribers. The 87% engagement rate? That sealed the deal.
Building an Audience: From Zero to Thought Leader
Big secret: You don’t wait until the book is done. You build buzz during writing.
Lead Magnets & Engagement
- Free mini-guide: “5 Common Grading Mistakes in 19th-Century Copper” – 1,200 downloads in first week.
- Discord server: Collectors submitting coins for live grading – turned into a community hub.
- LinkedIn articles: Auction analysis using my research – positioning me as the “go-to” expert.
Speaking & Partnerships
- ANA and CoinExpo talks – using slides from my chapters.
- PCGS collaboration: “Grade This!” challenge – winner got a free book and exposure.
Navigating the Writing Process: 3 Lessons Learned
1. Write in Sprints, Not Marathons
My rule: 90 minutes every morning. 1,200 words. No excuses.
Tools that helped: Obsidian for notes, GitHub for version control, Grammarly for cleanup.
2. Image Licensing is Tricky
Every coin photo needed permission. My template:
“I, [Owner], grant [Publisher] non-exclusive rights to publish images of [Coin ID] in ‘Copper 4 The Weekend’ in print, digital, and derivative formats.”
3. Use GitHub for Collaboration
Editors and indexers all had repo access. Issues for feedback – no endless email threads. It kept everything transparent and searchable.
Conclusion: Your Niche is Your Superpower
You don’t need to write about trending tech. My book worked because it solved real problems for real people. Whether you’re:
- A CTO documenting system architecture
- A freelancer teaching a niche skill
- A VC explaining investment frameworks
Your expertise matters. The key points I learned:
- Build systems, not just content – make it actionable
- Show your platform, not just your manuscript
- Use code, data, and visuals – they bridge tech and traditional audiences
- Start building authority before the launch – never after
That weekend obsession? It’s not just a hobby. It’s book material. Start writing.
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