Darren Ogden’s New Book “40 Ways To Build Leverage” Is a Must-Read for Anyone Serious About Business and Networking

#NOLAZINE - In business, sometimes the difference between staying in the same position and reaching the next level isn’t simply how much money you have—it’s who you know, what value you bring to the table, and what you do with the relationships you build.

That message sits at the center of Darren Ogden Sr.’s newest book, 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income, an independently released business guide that deserves a place on the bookshelf of entrepreneurs, creators, professionals, and anyone serious about expanding their network.

Ogden, the entrepreneur and media executive behind Nolazine, officially released the book on June 24, 2026. It is his second independently published book of the year, following Speak Like A Media Mogul: The Journey of Darren Ogden Sr.

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But this time, Ogden isn’t simply telling readers his story.

He’s teaching them what he learned from it.

40 Ways to Think Differently About Relationships

40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income is built around a straightforward concept: relationships can become one of your most valuable assets when you learn how to build and maintain them correctly.

Instead of approaching networking as simply meeting important people, collecting phone numbers, taking pictures with successful individuals or adding thousands of followers on social media, Ogden pushes readers to look deeper.

What value do you bring to your relationships?

Why should someone want to do business with you?

Are you only calling people when you need something?

Do people trust you?

Can your name open doors because you have developed a reputation for doing good business?

Those are the kinds of questions that separate simply knowing people from actually having a valuable network.

Throughout the book, Ogden presents 40 principles designed to help readers understand how to develop stronger business relationships, increase their value, create opportunities and eventually turn the right relationships into income.

The book covers concepts including building trust before seeking profit, creating a strong personal brand, becoming valuable to other people, forming strategic partnerships, connecting with decision-makers and using relationships to create mutually beneficial opportunities.

Darren Ogden Isn't Teaching Something He Just Read About

One of the biggest reasons 40 Ways To Build Leverage stands out is because Ogden isn't approaching networking strictly from a theoretical perspective.

He has lived it.

Before building Nolazine, Ogden worked in party and concert promotion—an environment where relationships, reputation, communication and knowing the right people can determine whether an opportunity happens at all.

He eventually took those lessons and applied them to media.

Through Nolazine, Ogden built relationships throughout music, entertainment, entrepreneurship, fashion, restaurants and the New Orleans business community. Those experiences became part of the foundation for the philosophy he shares in 40 Ways To Build Leverage.

His career provides an important lesson by itself:

You don't always have to own everything—you need to understand how to connect with people who have resources, audiences, information, opportunities and skills that complement what you bring to the table.

That is leverage.

And when everyone involved benefits from the relationship, that leverage can become extremely powerful.

Networking Isn't About Using People

The word "leverage" can sometimes be misunderstood.

Some people hear it and immediately think about using someone else to get ahead.

That isn't the philosophy behind this book.

Ogden's approach emphasizes becoming valuable yourself.

Before constantly asking what another person can do for you, ask yourself what you can do for them.

Can you make an introduction?

Can you promote their business?

Can you bring them a customer?

Can you connect them with someone who solves a problem?

Can you provide information they need?

Can you help them reach an audience?

Can you create an opportunity where both sides win?

The stronger you become at creating value for other people, the more valuable you can become inside your network.

That is a major difference between having contacts and having relationships.

Your Network Can Become Part of Your Net Worth

We've all heard some version of the phrase, "Your network is your net worth."

Ogden takes that concept and breaks it down into actionable principles.

Your network isn't valuable simply because you have someone's phone number.

A contact you haven't spoken to in five years isn't automatically a relationship.

Following a millionaire on Instagram doesn't make the millionaire part of your network.

Taking a picture with a celebrity doesn't mean you have leverage.

Real relationships are built through communication, consistency, trust, value and reciprocity.

If you consistently show people that you are dependable, creative and willing to bring something meaningful to the table, your reputation begins working for you even when you aren't in the room.

That's when networking becomes bigger than exchanging business cards.

It becomes an asset.

Stop Waiting Until You Need Something to Start Networking

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is waiting until they need help before trying to develop relationships.

They need funding, so suddenly they want to meet investors.

They need publicity, so suddenly they want to know media executives.

They need customers, so suddenly they want influencers.

They need a job, so suddenly they're contacting everyone they've met over the last decade.

Strong networks shouldn't be built out of desperation.

They should be developed over time.

Ogden's message encourages readers to build relationships before they need favors from those relationships.

Support people.

Stay connected.

Follow up.

Congratulate people when they accomplish something.

Share information.

Make introductions.

Show genuine interest.

When you operate that way consistently, you aren't trying to manufacture relationships at the last minute. You've already built them.

Relationships Can Eventually Create Income

The title doesn't stop at leverage and relationships.

It specifically says "Gain Income."

That part is important.

Business relationships can eventually create financial opportunities through partnerships, referrals, collaborations, introductions, joint ventures, consulting opportunities, sponsorships, promotions and countless other arrangements.

But the money should be the result of value—not the only reason the relationship exists.

That distinction is crucial.

If every conversation immediately becomes a sales pitch, people will eventually recognize it.

Instead, 40 Ways To Build Leverage challenges readers to become someone other people genuinely want inside their business circles.

Become reliable.

Become resourceful.

Become knowledgeable.

Become connected.

Become someone capable of solving problems.

Become a connector.

When you become valuable enough, opportunities can begin coming to you instead of you constantly chasing them.

From “Speak Like A Media Mogul” to Teaching the Business

Ogden's second book also represents an interesting evolution in his journey as an author.

His first book, Speak Like A Media Mogul: The Journey of Darren Ogden Sr., focused heavily on his personal journey and the obstacles he faced while building his media career.

Nolazine reported that the memoir surpassed 3,000 independently sold copies during its first six months.

Then came 40 Ways To Build Leverage.

The two books complement each other.

The first book essentially explains who Darren Ogden is and what he went through.

The second explains what Darren Ogden learned.

That's an important transition.

Readers who were inspired by his journey can now study some of the principles he believes helped him create opportunities along the way.

Instead of simply saying, "Look what I accomplished," Ogden is saying, "Here's what I learned while doing it."

Two Independently Published Books in Six Months

Another part of the story worth recognizing is Ogden's independent approach.

Both of his books are listed as independently published, demonstrating his willingness to apply the entrepreneurial mentality he promotes to his own publishing career.

There is no traditional publishing company required to validate the message.

There doesn't have to be a major corporation standing behind the release.

Ogden has spent years developing his own platform, audience and relationships—and now he's using those same assets to build another part of his business portfolio.

In many ways, the release strategy itself reinforces the message of the book.

Build your audience.

Build your relationships.

Build your platform.

Build your credibility.

Then use those assets as leverage to create your next opportunity.

Why “40 Ways To Build Leverage” Is a Must-Read

This isn't only a book for someone who already owns a company.

It's for the person thinking about starting one.

It's for the independent artist wondering how to get into better rooms.

It's for the content creator trying to secure collaborations.

It's for the entrepreneur looking for partnerships.

It's for the professional trying to advance in their industry.

It's for the person who attends networking events but doesn't know what to do after exchanging contact information.

And it's especially valuable for anyone who has ever wondered why some people seem capable of continuously creating opportunities without having unlimited money or resources.

Often, those people understand leverage.

They understand relationships.

They understand positioning.

They understand value.

And they understand that business isn't always about doing everything yourself.

Sometimes your greatest advantage is knowing how to bring the right people together.

Become Someone Worth Knowing

Perhaps one of the strongest lessons surrounding Ogden's philosophy is that everyone wants to meet successful people, but fewer people ask themselves the more important question:

Why should successful people want to meet me?

That's where the work begins.

Build your skills.

Develop your reputation.

Keep your word.

Create something valuable.

Help other people.

Become knowledgeable.

Follow through.

Connect people.

Show consistency.

Because once you become a person who creates opportunities for others, your network can begin expanding naturally.

Instead of begging to enter certain rooms, eventually people may start inviting you into them.

Add This One to Your Bookshelf

There are thousands of books about entrepreneurship, networking and making money, but 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income offers something particularly relevant for independent entrepreneurs: lessons from someone who has spent years building his own platform through relationships.

Darren Ogden Sr. isn't presenting networking as simply shaking hands with important people.

He's presenting it as a long-term business strategy.

Build relationships.

Bring value.

Develop trust.

Create opportunities.

Connect people.

Build leverage.

And ultimately, learn how to turn those assets into sustainable income.

For entrepreneurs and professionals who understand that success is rarely achieved completely alone, 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income deserves consideration for your bookshelf.

We insist you purchase the book, read it, apply the lessons and keep it somewhere you can return to whenever you need a reminder about the power of relationships in business.

Darren Ogden Sr.'s 40 Ways To Build Leverage, Business Relationships & Gain Income is available now, independently published and sold through Amazon and other book retailers.

And if you want to keep up with Darren Ogden Sr.'s journey in media, entrepreneurship, publishing and business, follow him on Instagram at @DarrenOgden.