The system behind the success
Book Yourself Solid has helped over a million small business owners around the world get more clients than they can handle, with integrity and honesty, and without compromising who they are.
About the System
Book Yourself Solid isn't just another marketing book. It's a complete, proven system designed for service professionals, small business owners, and the self-employed who want to build a business they love, filled with clients who inspire and energize them.
The system is built on a simple but radical idea: you don't have to work with everyone. When you only work with people who light you up, you do your best work. And when you do your best work, you attract more of the right people. It's a virtuous cycle, and it starts with having the courage to say no to the wrong clients so you can say yes to the right ones.
The Book Yourself Solid system covers everything from developing your personal brand and building trust to pricing your services with confidence and mastering the core self-promotion strategies that actually feel good.
Your Foundation
Define your ideal client, develop your personal brand, and build a business that reflects who you really are.
Building Trust & Credibility
Create deep trust with your audience through authentic connection, not manipulative tactics or sleazy sales scripts.
Perfect Pricing & Super Simple Selling
Price your services with confidence and learn a selling approach that feels natural and works consistently without scripts or pressure.
Self-Promotion Strategies
Proven strategies to get the word out about what you do. In ways that feel natural and never pushy.
A History of Book Yourself Solid
From a one-man system to a global movement — two decades of helping service professionals get booked solid.
From stage to strategy
Michael Port, a professional actor with an MFA from NYU and credits on Sex & the City, Law & Order, and Third Watch, leaves the entertainment industry. By 27 he was in the top 1% of the Screen Actors Guild, but craved more control over his future.
The system is born
Drawing on his experience building a client base from scratch, Michael creates the Book Yourself Solid system: a step-by-step framework for service professionals to attract ideal clients through authentic connection rather than hard selling.
The book that started it all
The first edition of Book Yourself Solid is published and quickly becomes one of the most popular marketing books for service-based businesses.
Second edition
An expanded second edition arrives with updated strategies for social media marketing, new pricing models, and fresh approaches to networking and outreach in the digital age.
Coach Training launches
The Book Yourself Solid Coach Training certification programme launches, allowing coaches worldwide to teach and implement the system with their own clients.
Third edition
The third edition is published with further expanded strategies and techniques, cementing its status as the definitive guide for service professionals. Over half a million copies sold worldwide.
The system goes deeper
Two industry-specific editions launch: Book Yourself Solid for Creatives with Joana Galvão and Book Yourself Solid for Chiropractors with Dr. Christine Zapata.
Coaches & Consultants
Book Yourself Solid for Coaches & Consultants is published with Matthew Kimberley, completing the series and bringing hyper-targeted strategies to the coaching and consulting world.
A global movement
The Book Yourself Solid system has been translated into 29 languages. Michael Port's thirteen books, coaching certifications, and a dedicated team continue to help small business owners around the world build businesses they love.
Meet the Team
Michael Port
Founder & Creator
Several of Michael's books have appeared on The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
Over the past two decades, he has delivered thousands of keynote speeches around the world and trained countless speakers, authors, and entrepreneurs.
Having created and exited two companies, Michael brings a deep respect for craft to everything he teaches. He believes disciplined practice and genuine service form the foundation of meaningful work and that, together, they create an ethos that supports both personal and professional growth.
Fun fact: Michael appeared in Sex & the City, Law & Order, and The Pelican Brief before swapping scripts for strategy.
Matthew Kimberley
Partner & Co-Author
Matthew Kimberley is CEO of Book Yourself Solid Worldwide and co-author of Book Yourself Solid for Coaches & Consultants. Based in Malta, he brings over two decades of international sales and advisory experience, having generated millions in revenue across multiple currencies for companies around the world.
After six years as head of the Book Yourself Solid School of Coach Training, Matthew now leads the business and helps small business owners learn to sell with sophistication, strategy, and zero sleaze.
Fun fact: Matthew started his career as a street entertainer and busker before discovering he was better at selling than juggling.
Joana Galvão
Co-Author, Creatives
Joana Galvão is a business coach and entrepreneur based in Porto, Portugal, who co-founded the award-winning Gif Design Studios at age 22. She holds a BA in Graphic Design and Photography from Kingston University and co-authored Book Yourself Solid for Creatives with Michael Port.
Through her company The Ambitious Creatives, Joana helps graphic designers, photographers, writers, and artists build profitable service businesses through authentic marketing.
Fun fact: Joana sold her first logo for $800 and ran her design agency from coffee shops before growing it into a team of ten.
Dr. Christine Zapata
Co-Author, Chiropractors
Dr. Christine Zapata is a chiropractor with over 20 years of experience and the founder of Emerald City Spinal Care in Seattle. She earned her Doctorate from Life Chiropractic College West and specialises in the Blair Upper Cervical technique.
Christine co-authored Book Yourself Solid for Chiropractors with Michael Port, bringing the proven system to practitioners who want more patients without the hard sell.
Fun fact: Christine's approach to chiropractic involves zero "popping and cracking", much like the BYS approach to marketing involves zero sleaze.
How We Can Help You
Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years and want to reach the next level, the Book Yourself Solid system meets you where you are.
Ready to get booked solid?
Sign up and we'll show you how.