Ever wondered why some books get noticed while others gather dust? The secret might be simpler than you think: a powerful elevator pitch.In this eye-opening episode, Penny and Amy reveal how one author transformed her fortunes at a writers' conference by crafting a compelling elevator pitch – going from zero interest to landing both an agent and a publishing deal for the exact same book. The hosts break down exactly what makes an effective elevator pitch, walking you through the essential components. They tackle common mistakes authors make, from drowning pitches in unnecessary details to relying on generic descriptions like "it's about love and loss" (cue the buzzer sound!).Through before-and-after examples across fiction, romance, business, and memoir genres, Penny and Amy demonstrate the dramatic difference between mediocre and magnetic pitches. They offer practical exercises to help you create your own winning pitch, including recording yourself, testing on strangers rather than supportive friends, and creating tailored versions for different audiences.Whether you're pitching to agents at a conference or marketing directly to readers, this episode provides the tools to make your book stand out in seconds. Ready to transform how you talk about your work? Your perfect elevator pitch awaits.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll! 📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas! Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number! Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Be sure you're following the show: by clicking the + Follow button on the top right of our show page. If you're already following you'll see a ↓ downward arrow. Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section. Rate the podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating. Write your review: Under the star rating there will be the most recent review and just below that click "Write a Review" and compose your review in the text box that appears. Save: Once you've written your review, click "Save" to submit it. Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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