Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast

We're seeing this a lot more - books being populated on Amazon (often written by AI) and published under well-known author names. Our goal for this episode is to uncover why it's happening, and what you can potentially do to protect yourself or deal with it if it happens to you! Penny shares her unfortunate (yet hilarious) experience with this as well and you'll want to be sure to f...

Amazon is making a lot of changes lately, but this one could really level the playing field for indie authors!  Our goal for this episode is to ensure ya'll are staying up to date on how Amazon is presenting books to shoppers, and how keeping on top of these changes can potentially improve your sales conversions! Send us your feedback! Preorder Think Local Sell Global and claim your free Loca...

We get it, writing is the fun part. And we generally don't write books because we can't wait to market them, right? But we also can't keep writing books without putting in the effort to get them in front of readers.  Our goal for this episode is to share some tips and recommendations that stem from the experiences of authors who love to write but don't love to market. You'...

The Amazon book search algorithm is changing again! In this week's episode, the dynamic book duo takes another peek under the Amazon hood to help you better understand what's happening, why it matters for your book, and what you can do now, or at least for your next release, to stay competitive and land on more search results. Our goal for this episode is to discuss all the new things we...

Nothing makes us madder than an author who has been scammed, so this week we're unpacking all the ways authors could get scammed. Our goal for this episode is to highlight some of the most common (and expensive) scams in publishing, along with some of the most overhyped marketing services, what to look out for, what to avoid, and when it's a good idea to push for more answers!  Send us y...

So what's going on with Amazon categories? Have the changes really impacted us a lot? Our goal for this episode is to break down all the things *and* we're also dishing on something new we spotted at Amazon that could impact your book's visibility.  And in other news... is Threads worth your time? Probably not, yet, but that doesn't mean there's not something you should do...

You've seen the special tables in bookstores that draw your immediate attention, right? They're either for local authors, special promotions, holidays, observances, the list goes on but there's no denying they do the job well. Our goal for this episode is to walk you through best practices for getting your book prominent placement in bookstores throughout the year! Send us your feed...

There's so much more marketing to be done offline than many authors realize.  Our goal for this episode is to explore some potential sales opportunities you may not have considered for your book. We'll discuss specialty shops, special placement, and unique stores that could be a perfect match for your genre or topic. Get ready to take notes! Send us your feedback! Preorder Think Local Se...

If you've been hearing a lot about AI and sites like ChatGPT you're going to want to dig into this episode right away!  Our goal for this episode is to discuss creative ways to use ChatGPT to improve your book description, elevator pitch, blog content, and marketing materials. We'll also discuss how to use AI to boost your marketing and give you a leg up over the competition!  Send...

There's a lot of pay-for-play out there right now, and while some of it is great, some of it really isn't.  How can you tell the difference? What's a reasonable fee to ask for?  What should your budget be? If you've been influencer-curious or tempted to shell out cash to a big TikToker, we're pretty sure this episode will save some of you thousands of dollars in the long r...

Have you ever wondered why your social media is falling flat? It could be because of the shelf life of your posts - how long do users actually see your content?  Our goal for this episode is to talk about the shelf life of content on different platforms, and strategies to get more exposure on social media. We also discuss why being on one site (and killing off all the others) may be the best strat...

Podcasts are all the rage, this is not news - but if you've ever thought about getting on the podcast train, this show is for you. We'll talk about how to pitch yourself to podcasts, how to find podcasts to pitch to , and the surprising benefits of getting on shows. We'll also cover everything you need to consider if you're looking to start your own someday! Our goal for this e...

Yes, MORE changes. Amazon is on a roll lately with the changes that are impacting authors and we're committed to getting shows recorded in real-time to ensure you don't get left behind! Our goal for this episode is to cover the latest changes to Amazon's book review policy, and everything you can do to keep your books moving on an upward trajectory! Send us your feedback! Preorder T...

Amazon has done it again! They dropped category changes that have sent the industry into a tailspin!  Penny and Amy unpack all the things related to the changes, why they think they happened, and how they will impact your books going forward. And of course, Penny will also share why she hates this because, in true fashion, we have strong opinions! Our goal for this episode is to ensure our listene...

It feels great to check marketing chores off your to-do list, but how do you know if what you're doing is really worth your time? Focused and strategic marketing  isn't actually that hard. GASP! How can we say that? Because the education and research needed for strategic marketing is front loaded. You set yourself up correctly, and every marketing effort after that is significantly more...

Social media advertising is a staple in many authors' DIY marketing plans, but when is social media advertising not beneficial? And how do you really know if it's paying off? Our goal for this episode is to have an unfiltered and honest conversation about social media advertising, the challenges and the requirements for ensuring they're working for you. You might be surprised (or yo...

Bonus hashtags below! Despite what the "vibe" might be out there these days, parents are still really committed to reducing screen time for their kids, especially over summer break! If you've written a book for independent readers, tweens, and even teens, this is your time to shine.  But don't forget, you're marketing to the parents of these kids, so your goal is to convin...

We love book contests, in fact, Penny has judged a few of them, including Writer's Digest and IBPA's Benjamin Franklin Awards!  So this podcast is both a behind-the-scenes deep dive into book awards and contests, why you'd want to enter your book, and how to find the right ones. Plus, we'll talk about what to avoid, like scammy contests that just want to take your money (sadly,...

Most of us have heard the term 'soft launch' before, whether in the publishing industry or for another product or company launch. But what is a soft launch really? And how does it work in the publishing industry?  Our goal for this episode is to chat about the origins of the soft launch, and what they are and aren't, especially in today's publishing market. We'll also give...

There's a lot of confusion around book distribution, and the terminology can be really confusing.  For example, what is distribution exactly, and how does it differ from digital distribution?  Our goal for this episode is to go over the origin of distribution, what it used to mean, what it means today, and what your role is in making sure you get the opportunities you're looking for! Sen...

Drum roll please! Penny has just finished updating How to Sell Books by the Truckload and it's the 10th edition! We're so excited (especially Penny, who was getting Amazon algorithm-fatigue)!  Our goal for this episode is to celebrate the upcoming release by sharing some insider info on what Penny discovered revising this book and, more specifically, why your Amazon ads aren't worki...

We realize this industry is full of authors with a range of abilities. We don’t all have the same computer savvy, some of you may feel you’ve earned the right to not jump on every trend, and hell, maybe some of you just aren’t interested! We get that - but there are some things you have to know how to do. Whether you’re 17 or 87, there are expectations in this industry that need to be met if you i...

We get it, it's hard to know what to spend on book marketing. So we thought it was a good time to talk about the elephant in the room: How much should you expect to spend on your book marketing?  And the million-dollar question (pun intended): How much money does it take to make a best seller?  Our goal for this episode is to discuss why having a budget is not only imperative but also empower...

Book formats are often not talked about enough until it's too late, or more accurately, until the options and missed opportunities cause a lot of stress and anxiety. Too many authors actually end up limiting their sales potential by not fully understanding the benefits that come along with having multiple formats of their book.  Our goal for this episode is to open your eyes to the short and...

Is there such a thing as the perfect book release?  Actually yes, but it's not what you think! Too often authors get caught up in having ALL the pieces in place for a book release, but it's not about having everything ready on launch day, it's about having the right things ready, and knowing when, and how, to get the other pieces in order along the way. Our goal for this episode is...