Book Marketing Simplified
Marketing consultant Jenn Hanson-dePaula sits down with her partner, Marcus to chat about marketing strategies and processes that can help authors connect with their readers and sell more books. Save time with marketing and spend more time writing!
How to Write Emails That Sell Books
Hate writing emails? Feel like you're just bothering people when you hit "send"? You're not alone and you're not doing it wrong. In this episode, we’re flipping the script on email marketing and showing you how to write simple, reader-friendly emails that build trust and sell books. By the end of this episode, you’ll have everything you need to write one email this week that actually works.
LINKS
The Ultimate Newsletter Checklist
Newsletter Starter Kit
Book Publishing Red Flags With Elizabeth Lyons
Publishing a book is an exciting time. But with so many options (traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing) and so much conflicting advice, it’s easy to feel confused about which path is right for you.
In this special episode (and our first-ever interview!) I’m joined by bestselling author and publishing strategist Elizabeth Lyons. With decades of experience helping authors publish with clarity and confidence, Elizabeth is pulling back the curtain on the red flags every author should look out for.
We dive into:
The real differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishingThe most common (and costly...Time-wasting Marketing Traps Authors Can Avoid
If you feel like you’re constantly marketing but still not seeing book sales, you might be pouring your energy into the wrong strategies.
In this episode, Jenn & Marcus discuss how you can stop spinning your wheels and start focusing on what actually moves the needle for you and your book.
You’ll learn:
Common marketing tactics that waste time and money (and how to avoid them).Which analytics and metrics matter the most when assessing marketing efforts.A simple framework to map out your reader’s journey through your marketing funnel.Grab...
What to Do When Your Book Is Not Selling
There’s nothing more discouraging than pouring your heart into a book… only to watch sales stall or never take off at all. But before you assume your book is the problem, let’s take a closer look.
Because chances are, it’s not your writing. It’s your marketing.
In this episode, Marcus and I walk you through a 5-step Book Sales Audit to help you pinpoint exactly where things may be going wrong.
You'll learn what to look for, what to tweak, and how to breathe new life into your sales.
Wheth...
What Successful Authors Do Differently (That You Can Start Doing Today)
Is it luck? Timing? Maybe. But when you peel back the curtain on authors who consistently sell books and grow an audience, you’ll find they’re playing a different game entirely.
In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 habits that separate successful authors from the ones still spinning their wheels (and no, it’s not just about being good at Instagram).
You’ll learn:
Why showing up (even when you don’t feel like it) matters more than you thinkHow to actually connect with your ideal readersThe power of partnerships (and how to start one...Where Authors Can Find and Connect With Readers
Feeling overwhelmed by all the marketing platforms out there?
You’re not alone. Many authors burn out trying to be everywhere at once—but the ones who thrive know exactly where to focus their efforts.
In this episode, we’ll break down how to choose the right platforms for your book marketing based on what actually works for you.
You'll learn how to:
Cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves the needleChoose platforms that fit your strengths (and ditch the ones that drain you)Align your marketing strategy with your long...How to Make Time for Marketing While Writing Your Book
Finding the time and energy to create social media posts for marketing while you're writing your book can be one of the biggest challenges authors face. Jenn has a couple quick tips to help you maintain those connections with your readers online without taking too much time away from your writing.
LINKS
Stand Out Social Media for Authors
When Should Authors Invest in PR?
A lot of online advice about book marketing includes hiring a Public Relations specialist. But what do PR agencies and publicists do, and at what stage of an author's career is it a good idea to hire one?
LINKS
Mary O'Donohue, Strategic Media Coach and Author
The Author Circle
Should I Hire Someone to Do My Social Media and Marketing for Me?
If you're toying with the idea of hiring someone to do your social media for you, there are some important things for you to first consider. Many times we think that just handing off our social media for someone else to manage will give us the results that we want. But that isn't always the case. Here are some things that you should do FIRST before hiring someone to manage your social media accounts.
Links
Try The Author Circle for a month to get questions answered by fellow authors and access exclusive member guides and...
What Can Authors Expect After Releasing Their Book?
Another frequent question I get from new authors leading up to their new book release is: “What should my expectations be?” Having a long-term marketing plan, paired with reasonable expectations, can keep us from getting discouraged and keep our sales rolling in well beyond the launch.
Not sure where to start with creating your long-term marketing plan?
Download our free author resources, including:
The Book Marketing BlueprintWhat Authors Can Post Before They PublishThe Ultimate Newsletter Checklist50 Content Ideas for WritersYou can also try The Author Circle for a mont...
One Thing That Will Break Your Book Marketing
I can teach you all of the book marketing strategies and show you everything that you need to do to sell your books, but if you are struggling with this particular mindset, you won't see the success that you're looking for.
LINKS
The Author Circle
Why Isn't My Book Selling? Part Two
Once authors have addressed the visibility problem we covered in part one of this discussion on why our book isn't selling, the next big factor is how to convert that engagement into a sale.
Links
Stand Out Social Media for Authors
Why Isn't My Book Selling? Part One
Whether you are a new or established author, once the book is done and released, getting people to buy your book is often a challenge. Effective book marketing starts with visibility.
Links
Stand Out Social Media for Authors
Can Authors Get a Book Deal Without Social Media?
Must authors have tons of social media followers to be considered by book publishers? What are publishers specifically looking for? I've been bombarded with these questions for the past few weeks, so I figured we should talk about it! In this episode we will discuss what you need on the marketing and social media side of things to get the attention of a publisher.
Links
Book Marketing Blueprint
How Authors Can Use Reviews in Book Marketing
Amazon isn't the only place where reviews can have an impact on book sales. So where can authors get more authentic reader reviews and how can we put them to work in our marketing efforts?
Turning Social Media Followers Into Newsletter Subscribers
We’ve already heard how having an email marketing strategy is essential part of converting social media followers into book buyers. But how do we actually get our ideal readers to subscribe?
Links
“How Authors Can Promote a Book Through Newsletters”
“How to Grow an Author Newsletter”
“Three Things Authors Need to Start Their Newsletter”
“Newsletter Vs Blog Subscribers - What’s the Difference?”
“How Authors Can Start Their Newsletter”
“Are You Making One of These 3 Book Marketing Mistakes?”
“A Simplified Approach to Newsletters for Authors”
<Can Authors Revive Sales for Previously Released Books?
A question Jenn receives a lot in her DMs is if it's possible to revive your book sales years after the launch. Absolutely! In this episode we will outline a strategy to help you breathe new life back into your previously released books.
Ethical AI for Authors
You're probably seeing a lot of disturbing information about AI (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.) in the news and on social media. But is there a way for authors to put it to work for us in an ethical way that can help with weekly book marketing tasks?
Links
The Author Circle
The Social Media Posting Sequence That Sells Books
If you’re sick of chasing social media trends, not seeing the growth or engagement that you want online, this episode is for you! We are going to walk you through a proven strategy that helps authors accomplish their goals on social media.
Links
Stand Out Social Media for Authors
An Important Discussion for Authors New to Book Publishing
If you've ever found yourself saying, "I wish I would have known this before I published my book," you're not alone! In this episode we discuss some important things you should consider as you start your publishing journey.
Links
Hilary Rushford’s 3 podcast episode book publishing story
The Author Circle
Where to Start With Your Book Marketing
One of the biggest questions I get about marketing a book is where do I even start? I can be difficult to figure out what to do, how to do it, and what to focus your limited time on. In this episode we will talk about:
the first two steps to start marketing your book knowing your unique strategyget your marketing foundation setLinks
Book Marketing Starter Kit
What Social Media Outlets Should Authors Be On?
A question I'm often asked is, "What's the best social media outlet for authors to be on?" Social media continues to change and grow, so it can be a difficult landscape to navigate. On this episode we will discuss where authors should be online, what they should focus on, and what changes they should be aware of.
Links
Book Marketing Blueprint
Why Social Media Isn't Helping You Sell More Books
If you feel like you're constantly posting on social media but you aren't seeing any sales, you aren't alone in the struggle! There are some key changes you can make to begin to see a difference.
The outlet is not always the answer. (Simply being on TikTok isn't going to help you sell more books.) Your content - what it is that you're posting - is the key.You need a plan that is always leading them to the next step.Repeat old posts for new followers and for those who may have missed them.Join...
What Authors Need to Know About Book Marketing
A majority of the conversations I have with authors about book marketing start off with, "I hate marketing!" I get it - it's not what you got into writing for. But, what if I were to tell you that marketing just might not be what you think it is? In this episode I share four very important details that authors need to know about marketing.
The Ultimate Hashtag Formula for Authors
Hashtags have changed a lot over the years - from how we use them to how many we actually use in our posts. So what is the best way to use hashtags? How many do we use? In this episode, I'll share with you a hashtag formula that you can put to work today.
How Authors Can Promote a Book Through Newsletters
Newsletters are one of the most important marketing tools for authors. But how do you actually promote and sell a book through newsletters? In this episode we will walk you through three key ways to successfully market your book through your newsletter.
LINKS
Newsletter Starter Kit for Authors
How to Get Your Ideal Reader's Attention
Trying to stand out in an overcrowded online world can feel like an impossible task. But there is a secret weapon that authors can use in order to get in front of their ideal readers and make it easier for them to find you online. In this episode I talk about Keywords, how to create a list of the best ones for your book, and where to use them most effectively.
Links
The Template Bundle for Authors
Twitter Troubles - What Authors Can Do
Twitter has taken a big dive over the past few weeks. I've seen many authors post that they aren't sure what they are going to do now that Twitter's survival is in question. In this episode I'm going to walk you through a few key factors authors can consider.
Links
Reel and TikTok Templates
The Author Circle
Watch the video and read the transcript at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/60
How Many Social Media Profiles Do Authors Need?
It can be difficult to know how many profiles an author should have on social media. Do you create a new profile for each book? Do you have multiple accounts if you write in different genres? We cover that and more in this episode.
Links
The Author Circle
Book Marketing Red Flags
Authors are bombarded with information, but sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is true and what might be a scam. In this episode, we discuss four red flags that authors should be aware of when it comes to book marketing.
Links
The Author Circle
Things to Consider When Deciding to Traditionally Publish or Self Publish
Authors have several different publishing routes to consider to get their book out into the world. And that can be a difficult decision to make - especially when you don't know what to expect. In this episode, Jenn discusses four questions you should consider when deciding to traditionally or self publish your book.
Read the show notes and transcript, and access all of our book marketing resources at http://mixtusmedia.com.
How to Grow an Author Newsletter
Newsletters are one of the most important elements to your marketing plan. But how do you actually grow that list? In today's episode I’m going to share three elements that you need to focus on to not just gain new subscribers, but to keep your readers on your list.
Links
Book Marketing Blueprint
Read the transcript and episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/56
Which Social Media Outlets Work Best for Authors
When it comes to social media, there isn't one outlet that is best for every author. There are actually a few details to consider. In this episode we are going to discuss what you need to consider to make sure you're where you need to be online.
Links
Instagram Ideas Bundle
Read the transcript and episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/55
How Authors Can Get Book Reviews
Getting reviews for you book can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But there is a way! In this episode I share three tips that you can put to work to get reviews rolling in.
Links
The Author Circle
Read the episode notes and transcript at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/54
Do Hashtags Still Work?
Social media is always changing and growing, so it can be difficult to keep up with what is still relevant. The question of hashtags has been coming up more and more, so I thought I would address it in this episode. Should you still use hashtags? If so, how? And how many do you use? We will cover all of those in this episode.
Links
Book Marketing Blueprint
Three Things Authors Need to Start Their Newsletter
Newsletters are an important element to an author's marketing strategy, but what's actually involved? How does an author get started? In this episode Jenn walks you through the three major elements authors need to get their newsletter started.
Links
The Author Circle
Are Paid Ads Worth It for Authors?
When an author has a very tight budget (or no budget at all) the idea of paying for ads might be scary. Do they work? Should a new author use ads? In this episode, Jenn discusses ads, what you should consider before buying ads, and a few tips to get things rolling.
Read the episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/51
How Authors Can Generate Content Ideas
Content is what sets you apart from every other author out there. So how can authors actually come up with great content ideas? In this episode Jenn and Marcus discuss how you can get started plus a new resource that will provide over a year's worth of content.
Content Vault for Writers
A Marketing Mindset That Authors Often Overlook
When it comes to marketing our books, oftentimes we look for the fastest and easiest ways to complete our tasks. But is that what's best for our readers? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss a vital element to our marketing that many authors overlook and how it can hurt our sales.
Read the show notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/49
What Instagram Users Can Learn From TikTok
TikTok has made a massive impact on the world of social media - and nearly every outlet has tried to mimic TikTok's features. So as users, what can we learn from from TikTok? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss what TikTok is doing really well and how we can apply it to our marketing strategies.
Links
The Author Circle
