Drumroll, please! Tune in for a big announcement about Penny's latest book that just hit Amazon ! This book is bigger and better than any previous Amazon title and you definitely want to tune in to find out why. We're also going to be running a lot of special promos so keep an eye out on all Penny's social media channels to win special swag and great bonuses! Penny on Instagram Penny on Facebook Penny on X Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will defin...
Dec 30, 2023•7 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast This is our second most downloaded episode of all time! Why do we think it's popular? Well, as an author you want people to love your work, we get it. You also put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into getting your book made and it's normal to have moments of, "it's good enough" because you just want to move on to the next thing. But good enough and assuming you've created the field of dreams can be a dangerous mindset to get into. Two of the biggest pitfalls we see ...
Dec 29, 2023•6 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast This is our most downloaded episode of all time! Why? Well, because display advertising has been a part of marketing and promotion forever. It's also tempting to be able to run display ads to take some of the pressure off of coordinating other kinds of marketing that require a lot more hands on work. But does display advertising stack up in terms of getting the best return for your investment? Check out our thoughts! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will defi...
Dec 22, 2023•12 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to another insightful episode of our podcast where we will deep dive into all things book pricing, a vital yet often overlooked facet of your book marketing journey. Pricing is your silent powerhouse. Is a discounted price a boon or a bane? How do you know if you've hit the pricing bullseye for your market? Learn from the missteps of others as we dissect the most common pricing blunders and sidestep the pitfalls and avoidable mistakes that can hinder your success. Send us your feedb...
Dec 15, 2023•31 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast Ever wished you had a crystal ball to foresee your book's success? Say no more! Penny and Amy are decoding the mysteries of effective book marketing, empowering you to plan your 2024 without the daily struggle of figuring out your next move. Tune in to discover pre-planned strategies that not only ensure consistency but also guarantee more attention. No more pondering, "What's my next move?" We're laying it all out – the smart, actionable steps that will make your book s...
Dec 08, 2023•27 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast Calling all aspiring and seasoned authors! It's a great time of year to reassess what's working and what isn't! In this episode, we share insights on how to distinguish game-changing strategies from outdated ones. Learn how to amplify your author brand, captivate your audience, and find more readers, and what that sometimes means doing less of some things, and trying new tactics. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: htt...
Dec 01, 2023•49 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Join us as we unravel the secrets of the author success mindset. This isn't your typical "stay positive" pep talk; we're dissecting the distinct mental strategies that set go-getter authors apart from the rest. Learn how to navigate challenges with resilience, and witness firsthand the extraordinary impact a refined mindset can have on your writing career. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or just starting your literary adventure, this episode is your compass to naviga...
Nov 25, 2023•27 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode we're talking about another hidden gem in book marketing - trade magazines! What exactly are trade magazines? They're not just ordinary periodicals that you're almost guaranteed to see at the grocery store check out. They're your gateway to dedicated topic, hobby, lifestyle, and industry fans. Discover how to research and find these opportunities, refine the art of pitching them, and harness their reach and influence to pull in the kind of quality attention yo...
Nov 17, 2023•15 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Hear about Penny's trials and tribulations through the process of book cover design while we unveil the secrets, struggles, and triumphs of book design done right. We'll equip you with invaluable tips and tricks to streamline your own book cover creation, saving you time, energy, countless headaches and even more critically - giving up and settling for a less-than-stellar cover. Don't embark on your book cover journey unprepared – learn from Penny's years of publishing experi...
Nov 10, 2023•23 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast This is a holiday edition of our podcast, where we unveil some helpful tips to ramp up your book sales during the festive season! Picture this: twinkling lights, cozy evenings, and a festive bump in revenue! In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on our most coveted strategies and easy-to-follow action items to make your holiday season truly magical. 🎅 Discover how to leverage the holiday spirit to connect with your readers on a deeper level. 🎁 Uncover the hidden gems of holiday ...
Nov 03, 2023•37 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast Ah, Bestseller lists - they are shrouded in mystery but are often at the top of every author's team board! Our goal for this episode is to cover what it really takes to hit a bestseller list (and what doesn't work), and tips for all the things you need to make sure you're doing right to earn one of those coveted slots. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ Help promote the ...
Oct 27, 2023•25 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast We're back for another Amazon update! Recently it's been discovered that if you're only choosing categories from the KDP dashboard you might end up with a category that doesn't even exist. What?! Our goal for this episode is to educate ya'll on how this potentially affects your shot at a bestseller, and how to double-check your work and avoid this potential landmine in the future. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change you...
Oct 20, 2023•15 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast Our goal for this episode is to break down when you should start working on key elements of your platform, including everything from your website, to social, to Amazon, to Goodreads and BookBub. Plus we've included tips for saving time and ensuring you've got all the details covered. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ Help promote the podcast and earn free swag: If you'r...
Oct 13, 2023•24 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast Our goal for this episode is to break down the elements of a really great book pitch: one that generates responses and opens doors. So whether you've pitched your book in the past and were underwhelmed, or you have a release coming up that you want to be really prepared for, this episode is a must-listen. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ Help promote the podcast and earn free sw...
Oct 06, 2023•23 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast Our goal for this episode is to break down what your Amazon sales rank really means - and spoiler alert - it's more than just book sales. We're firm believers that the more the author community understands about the Amazon machine, the more successful we'll all be, so get busy educating yourself! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ Help promote the podcast and earn free s...
Sep 29, 2023•13 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Our goal for this episode is to help you think inside the box, see what we did there? But in all seriousness, catalogs and subscription boxes are underutilized opportunities to reach a wider audience, and a lot of potential buyers you couldn't reach through other marketing efforts. We'll chat about options, tips, and making the most of pitching these outlets. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/...
Sep 22, 2023•16 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast 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 follow her on Instagram to see the book! Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program ...
Sep 15, 2023•15 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ Help promote the podcast and earn ...
Sep 08, 2023•21 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast 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'll learn about things to avoid, things to definitely plan for, and ways to get back on track without ...
Sep 01, 2023•23 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast 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're seeing and what Amazon is beta-testing for book searches! Don't miss it! Send us your ...
Aug 25, 2023•17 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast 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 your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://ama...
Aug 18, 2023•29 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast 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 on the platform ASAP. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definite...
Aug 11, 2023•21 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast 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 feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketing...
Aug 04, 2023•8 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/author-mentorship/ ...
Jul 28, 2023•19 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast 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 us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://...
Jul 21, 2023•22 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast 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 run, while uncovering other options you can add to your arsenal of marketing ideas. Our goal for this e...
Jul 14, 2023•15 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast 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 strategy of all. Send us your feedback! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change y...
Jul 07, 2023•18 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast 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 episode is to pull back the curtain on the podcast world, and open your eyes to this rapidly growing ...
Jun 30, 2023•25 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Check out our new mentorship program that will definitely change your life: https://amarketingexpert.com/autho...
Jun 23, 2023•23 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast 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 listeners (and the author community at large) stay up-to-date on everything you can be doing to contribute t...
Jun 16, 2023•23 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast