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 effective! But too often authors start marketing before they fully understand the bigger picture of w...
Jun 09, 2023•22 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast 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 you might not) but you'll no doubt come away with a better understanding of how to assess the app...
Jun 02, 2023•14 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast 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 convince them your book is a way to keep kids engaged this summer, and will be a slam dunk with their kids....
May 26, 2023•19 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast 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, they're out there, too). Our goal for this episode is to inspire you to put yourself out there ...
May 19, 2023•26 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast 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 you tips for running a successful soft launch if you think you're ready for it! Send us your fe...
May 12, 2023•9 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https:...
May 05, 2023•16 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast 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 working! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life...
Apr 28, 2023•20 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast 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 in fact want to get your books in the hands of readers. Our goal for this episode is to ensure you&ap...
Apr 21, 2023•17 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast 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 empowering. Know your limits and find a firm that can work with them. Send us your feedback! Check out our ne...
Apr 14, 2023•14 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast 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 long-term potential of releasing multiple formats of your book, no matter your topic or genre. Send u...
Mar 31, 2023•11 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast 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 to cover what really needs to be ready for your release, what you can expect to take more time on, an...
Mar 24, 2023•24 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast We keep repeating ourselves because authors don't do it enough, but promoting locally is one of the best ways to start securing media opportunities, and your local exposure is one of the best tools for securing bigger, national-level features and other media. Our goal for this episode is to discuss pitching local media and other tips for building a stronger local brand by leveraging support from those who have a vested interest in your success! Remember to leave a review for the podcast and...
Mar 17, 2023•19 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was inspired by an author that came to us with a wonderful book (but terrible cover) saying, "This one won the Facebook poll I did." Getting advice from your personal network can be tricky, whether it's about your cover, your editing, your website - really anything that represents your brand and your author resume. Our goal for this episode on our podcast for writers is to discuss the pitfalls that come with soliciting advice from people that are close to you, and why...
Mar 10, 2023•13 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Today's podcast is about rules and yes, we know that sounds like a lot of buzzkill but trust us when we say: publishing rules matter and those who follow them, are always successful. That's not an overstatement! Our goal for this episode is to discuss the rules that are often broken, but shouldn't be, and why it can negatively affect your success, because we want you to carve out a path that will continue to serve you long-term. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email...
Mar 03, 2023•33 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Pricing a book has always been a tricky concept, and we get it, finding the balance between making your book accessible while also making money can be challenging. Our goal for this episode is to tackle the hurdles a lot of authors end up facing, with everything from production choices to market choices, and to give you some really helpful tips on pricing your book for success. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to than...
Feb 24, 2023•19 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast If you've been on any publishing news sites, I'm sure you've heard about AI (artificial intelligence) and more specifically, ChatGPT. AI is really ramping up across all industries, including publishing. In this episode we're not only breaking down what AI is and how it can be used, but also sharing our predications of how it might change publishing as well as how books are written. Will an AI start writing books? You'll have to tune in to find out! Remember to leave a re...
Feb 17, 2023•17 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast We talk about book covers a lot, because they really are that important. Your book cover alone can keep a potential buyer interested long enough to read your description - or it can send them scrolling without a second glance - and you won't ever get that potential sale back. So we decided to each share our number one pet peeve when we're assessing whether or not a book cover is strong enough to compete it today's market. Our goal for this episode is to focus on just a couple elem...
Feb 09, 2023•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's not easy trying to compete as a how-to or self-help author, and Penny knows this first hand. Not just from the 18 books she's written and released, but also because she and her team have worked with hundreds of books in this genre! Our goal for this episode is to candidly tackle the challenges you're likely facing, and offer up ways to improve both your platform and your book's sales potential. Honestly, anyone writing non-fiction will benefit from this episode, so don&a...
Feb 02, 2023•26 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Permissions aren't fun or sexy - but they're necessary. Any time you're using someone else's words, praise, input or inspiration there are right and wrong ways to go about it. Our goal for this episode is to share some pitfalls other authors have experienced so you can better avoid them! Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to thank followers! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program...
Jan 27, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast We know it's tempting to want to do all the right things to get your book out there. But in reality, it's more important to do the right things, at the right time! Our goal for this episode is to help you avoid getting caught up in the whirlwind of marketing and publicity, and instead, help you feel confident creating a plan that you can both manage, and get a solid return from. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative w...
Jan 19, 2023•18 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast This is a revival from the archives because it's really THAT important! How's your bio on Amazon? When was the last time you checked it and gave it an update? Penny and Amy break down the often ignored author bio, with tips for how to use it to improve your sales conversions! Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know , we're always finding creative ways to reward followers! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitel...
Jan 13, 2023•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast You got a great endorsement or review, or maybe you won an award, or finally set up your newsletter - so what do you do now? A lot of authors have a checklist of things they know they should do, but most forget that each achievement can (and should) be turned into a handful of other wins or positive additions to your marketing and promotion. Our goal for this episode is to help you develop a simple, yet strategic, approach that makes the most out of every dollar and hour you spend trying to ensu...
Jan 05, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In our final episode of 2022 we want to address why it's important to reevaluate what success means to you, and how to let failure boost your will to succeed. Let's face it, most of us don't share our failures online. We share success, little snippets of our lives that only show the good stuff and hides the bad. So our perception of failure is skewed. "Where's my Netflix deal?" "Why isn't my book a bestseller?" The truth is, big wins can happen, but y...
Dec 30, 2022•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a revival from the archives because it's really THAT important! As soon as you put your title up on Amazon the platform starts to "learn" about your book and how shoppers are responding to it. Listen to us discuss the top five pitfalls to putting your book on Amazon before you're ready to promote, and why they potentially cause so many problems! Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know , we're always finding creative ways to reward f...
Dec 22, 2022•10 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast This is a revival from the archives because it's really THAT important! I'm betting when you read this title, you thought: "I'm proud of my book!" But we aren't talking about your book, we're talking about the things you may not have considered - like a social media channel you hardly ever use that's still in your signature line or on your website, or a release date announcement that's long since expired... as we often say: details matter! In this epi...
Dec 16, 2022•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast How would you like to sell 5,000 copies of your book in one deal? Have we got your attention? Good, because you're absolutely going to want to listen to this show. Our goal for this episode is to break down selling books in bulk, specifically what works and what doesn't, and why planning and diligence matters, because Penny has done this before quite successfully. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to reward f...
Dec 08, 2022•28 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast This is a revival from the archives because it's really THAT important! Book titles play a huge role in positioning your title competitively in the market, it's also the supporting actor to your cover design in terms of creating a strong first impression - one that convinces shoppers to spend a bit more time reading your description and checking out your reviews. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to reward fo...
Dec 02, 2022•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast We get it, you have knowledge and expertise to share, and you genuinely feel you can help a wide demographic of people. But shoppers don't buy books that don't feel personal to them. And one of the biggest marketing mistakes we see non-fiction authors make is marketing a single title to too many different kinds of people. Instead, you should be identifying and focusing your marketing efforts on reaching the core audience your book will resonate with most. Our goal for this episode is t...
Nov 24, 2022•25 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast It's a simple thing really, but surprisingly, so few authors do it. Our goal for this quick episode is to discuss a simple yet effective tip for authors - regardless of genre - that will leave a lasting impression on readers, thought leaders, and media. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to reward followers! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://a...
Nov 18, 2022•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hiring a company to do marketing for you can be confusing. How much should you spend? What do things cost? And how can you maximize your marketing budget? Our goal for this episode is to shine a light on guidelines and realistic expectations for how you'll need to budget and pay for your book marketing. Remember to leave a review for the podcast and email us to let us know, we're always finding creative ways to reward followers! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship progr...
Nov 10, 2022•35 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast 
