Author Marketing Minute

Consistency is the foundation of any author marketing strategy that actually works. In this episode, we break down what consistent author marketing really means, why frequency isn't the point, and how to build a sustainable rhythm that fits your real life. You'll hear about: The difference between evergreen content and live engagement, and why you need both How to batch your content so visibility...

The A10 Shift: Why Your Amazon Ads Stopped Working If your Amazon sales have dropped and your ads aren't doing what they used to, you're not imagining it — and you probably didn't do anything wrong. Amazon shifted to a new search algorithm called A10, and it changed what the platform rewards. This episode breaks down what that shift means, why authors are feeling it now, and what actually helps un...

158 million Americans listen to podcasts every month — not as one large audience, but as thousands of smaller, engaged communities built around specific interests. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis walks through why podcast guesting can be a powerful visibility tool for authors, and why it requires more strategy than it did even a few years ago. This episode covers: – How p...

Finishing and publishing a book puts you in a very small group of people. Most think about writing one. Fewer start. Even fewer follow through. So what you’ve done matters. But once your book is out in the world, the next phase begins — and it’s the one most authors aren’t prepared for. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about what comes after publishing: learning how...

A new book can feel invisible on Amazon — especially in the early days. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis explains why that happens and what authors should check before assuming something is wrong. Amazon needs time and interaction data to understand where your book belongs, and early quiet doesn’t automatically mean your book isn’t being found. This episode covers: – Why n...

It’s one of the most common questions authors ask when they start marketing their books — and it usually comes after a discouraging stretch where nothing seems to be moving. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about the reality behind marketing timelines and why the answer is rarely as simple as authors hope. Sustainable visibility takes longer than most people expect,...

You know something isn't working. You just can't name what it is. That's exactly where an Unstuck Appointment starts — not with tactics, but with one question: Why did you write this book? In this episode, I walk you through what actually happens in those 30 minutes: the first lightbulb, the real diagnosis, and why the problem you show up with is almost never the real problem. If the book is out a...

New authors are navigating an overwhelming amount of advice. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis breaks down six common marketing mistakes first-time self-published authors make — many of them fueled by loud, confident misinformation online. From believing the book will sell itself, to ignoring keywords and categories, to rushing publication out of sheer exhaustion, these are...

Do you need social media to sell books? In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis answers that question directly: no, you don’t. But you do need visibility. Social media is one way to build awareness. It’s not the only way, and for many authors, it isn’t the most sustainable way. This episode explores the difference between rented attention and owned visibility, why algorithms shou...

Many authors get stuck trying to decide which marketing activity to focus on next — building an email list, running ads, or posting more consistently. But before choosing what to do, there’s a more important question: who is your book actually for? In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis explains why vague audience definitions lead to vague marketing results. If your answer to “W...

One of the most common questions self-published authors ask is whether disappointing sales mean there’s a problem with their book — or their marketing. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis walks through how to diagnose what’s actually happening before jumping to conclusions. Instead of guessing or self-blaming, this episode breaks down what different signals can tell you about...

Getting book reviews can feel frustrating and confusing, especially when readers tell you they loved your book — but nothing shows up publicly. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis explains why book reviews are statistically rare, why a lack of reviews is not proof that your book failed, and what actually influences whether readers take the time to leave one. This episode brea...

Social media can quietly wear authors down. What starts as sharing meaningful work often turns into performance — showing up out of obligation rather than intention. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about why sustainable visibility doesn’t require being everywhere. It requires being intentional. Performing for attention is exhausting, and for many authors, it pulls e...

A quiet book launch can feel like failure — even when you didn’t expect a bestseller. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis reframes what disappointing launch sales actually mean. A book launch isn’t a verdict on your work or your ability as an author. It’s a stress test that reveals what already existed underneath — audience, visibility, momentum, and infrastructure. Low initi...

January has a way of making us feel behind before the year has even really started. If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or questioning your visibility strategy, this episode is a pause button. What feels like a marketing problem is often just a Q4 hangover — not a sign that something is broken. In this episode, I talk about why January doesn’t require a fresh start, but a Visibility Reset. A reset i...

For the final episode of 2025, I’m pausing the usual teaching to reflect. This year was, in equal measure, a very good year and a very hard one. In this episode, I look back on the work that mattered, the lessons that shaped my approach, and the realities of building visibility and authority as an author in a constantly changing landscape. I talk about the wins and the setbacks, what experimenting...

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, we explore practical, thoughtful ways readers and writers can support their favorite authors during the final weeks of the year. From gifting Kindle books and writing meaningful reviews to sharing quotes, lifting up fellow writers, and practicing generosity online, these simple actions can make a big impact during the holiday rush. Whether you’re an auth...

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, we’re breaking down six quick, high-impact holiday marketing moves you can use even if December already feels chaotic. From crafting a scroll-stopping hook to sharing standout review lines, book quotes, short personal videos, small ad experiments, and heartfelt holiday messages, you’ll learn simple, doable actions that help you stay visible during the bu...

As the holidays approach, visibility pressure ramps up — but that doesn’t mean you have to. In this episode, we’re talking about how to stay visible without burning out. I’ll share a few simple ways to prep your content ahead of time, what to post when your energy is low, and how a light-week plan can protect your attention while still keeping your presence warm. Takeaway: A little prep now gives...

If you’re an indie author gearing up for holiday sales, don’t sleep on these three underrated—but powerful—marketing tools. In this episode, Lynn McGinnis breaks down how to optimize your Amazon Author Central profile, use BookBub to boost visibility (even without paid ads), and why Goodreads is a set-it-and-forget-it SEO powerhouse you shouldn't ignore. Whether you’re updating old assets or launc...

The holiday season can pull authors in every direction — family, work, and the pressure to “do it all.” In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis shares why this time of year isn’t about doing more; it’s about focusing on what matters most. Her hope is that the 2025 Holiday Author Marketing Guide helps you use the time you have in a more impactful way, so you can keep your momentum...

Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re “supposed” to do to market your book? You’re not alone. In this episode, Lynn shares why momentum doesn’t come from doing everything — it comes from doing one small, strategic thing at a time. Through real-world examples and insights from her coaching work, she explains how to shift from scattered effort to focused progress — and why clarity, not comple...

Most authors think marketing means selling more books — but real author marketing is something entirely different. In this episode, Lynn breaks down the difference between book marketing and author marketing, showing why the first feels exhausting and the second creates real, lasting visibility. If you’ve ever wondered why your ads, posts, or promotions aren’t working, this short episode will help...

In this first episode, host Lynn McGinnis introduces Author Marketing Minute — a podcast created to help indie authors build lasting visibility without burnout or gimmicks. She shares what listeners can expect, why author marketing is different from book marketing, and how meaningful visibility starts with relationships, not transactions. Lynn also introduces her philosophy on making one small mov...