Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast
Episodes
Minisode: Goodreads Reminded Us that Not All Book Promotion is Equal
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We got to chat with a team at Goodreads and wow, we got a lot of insight into their future plans, but also, a great reminder about what really moves t...
Insider Info on the Current Children’s Book Market
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amy volunteered at her kids' book fair this year and came out of the experience with a lot of cool and exciting insight into what kids are lookin...
Minisode: Why Large Print Books Matter
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of authors when thinking about “editions” of their books think: audio! Hardcover! Translation! But so few think of large print books - which...
The Big TikTok Show
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We thought it was time that we did a show on Tiktok, because while I realize it’s not a new-new platform per se, as social media sites go it’s f...
Minisode: How to Crowdfund Your Book
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you interested in creating a Kickstarter campaign to finance your next book? Tune in to listen to our take on one crowdfunding campaign that worke...
What Most Authors Don't Understand About Publishing
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We did this episode because there still seems to be a lot of confusion around the differences between self-publishing, traditional publishing, and usi...
Minisode: What Your Book Review Process Says About You
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We get it, bad reviews can be hard. But instead of focussing on the negative, it's important to understand all of the positive benefits that can ...
10 Myths About Author and Book Success
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Separating fact from fiction, in this episode we tackle the myths, untruths and yes, even a few urban legends - all of which can tank your publishing ...
Minisode: Let's Talk About Paid vs. Organic Reviews
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We hear a lot about paid reviews and many authors are eager to get their book into these services, but are there drawbacks to paid reviews? In this ep...
Book Covers that Actually Sell Books
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is your book cover helping or hurting your success? In this podcast Amy and Penny dig deep on what it means to have a successful book cover vs. one th...
Minisode: Why "Good Enough" and "Everyone Loves It" are Dangerous
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"I know enough people who will buy my book I don't have to worry about marketing it!" If you've said this you're not alone,...
Zeroing in on Your Real Reader Market
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We love creativity, but sometimes there's such a thing as "too creative." When authors are looking for readers, they sometimes want to ...
Minisode: Big Changes with Amazon Ads!
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard by now, the Amazon ads team just opened up Amazon ads to *every* author. Previously you had to be a KDP author to get this....
An Easy Way to Spend More Time Writing
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's so much to learn and do as an author to continue building your platform, and it's easy to get overwhelmed - whether you're rele...
Minisode: The Surprising Thing That’s Killing Your Book Sales
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is another gem from the wayback machine that we felt deserved a second shot to get in front of more listeners. Send us an email and let us know i...
Rallying Your People: Superfans and Street Teams
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about Superfans and Street Teams and what they can do for your longevity as an author! There are some major differences between them, bu...
Minisode: The Unexpected Details that Drive More Book Sales
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is an episode from the time machine!But in all seriousness, we feel this is a really important topic to cover and felt it was worth revisiting. W...
Selling Non-Fiction Books in the Age of Free Information
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s so much free information out there, and a lot of non-fiction authors forget that Google is often their toughest competition. We've cove...
Why Releasing a Book is Like Starting a Business
03 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A book, like a business, doesn't become successful due to luck!There's detailed research, smart budgeting, clever promotion, and a lot of st...
Minisode: Why You're Never Too Successful to Turn Down Media
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're covering a lot of "success topics" in 2022 in order to help our authors elevate their perspective on what it takes to make it in ...
How to Reverse Engineer Your Author Success
20 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We told you to buckle in for 2022 and we meant it! Reverse engineering means to start with the end in mind, but what does that mean for you as an auth...
Minisode: How to Engage Social Media Adverse Readers
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We love listener questions, and this is one we absolutely wanted to address: How do I engage with readers who don't use social media? This listen...
Secrets to Becoming a Profitable Author
06 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're back with our first show of 2022 and we're kicking this year off with a bang - so buckle in!In this episode we're talking about h...
Minisode: Red Flags We Look For and You Should Avoid
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to book marketing, we've seen a lot - including the folks and issues we refer to as "red flags." Part therapy and part ca...
Creating (and sticking to!) a Book Marketing Plan in the New Year
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we're digging into some creative ways to strategize your book marketing for 2022. We're also looking at common pitfalls tha...
Minisode: Are Covid-focused Books a Good Idea?
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, the global Covid-19 upheaval changed a lot of things, but if you're considering writing a Covid-focused book or memoir, you may want to re...
How a Publisher Can Kill Your Success
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Publishers are great, but sometimes they can negatively impact an author's success. In this episode, Amy and Penny are unpacking what to look for...
Minisode: Your Love/Hate Relationship with Your Content Editor
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We all need editors! Sometimes we love them, and sometimes, well, we don't love them as much. In this podcast, Amy and Penny discuss what to look...
Why Gratitude Marketing is the Secret Sauce to Success and More Book Sales
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This time of year, especially, we hear a lot about gratitude and being grateful. But incorporating gratitude is also a highly underutilized strategy f...
Minisode: Understanding the Limits of Fiction in the Media
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Unknown fiction authors need to stop planning their marketing efforts around national media, television shows and big name podcast and radio interview...
Why Some Goals Never Work and the Problem with Brainstorming
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's great to have goals, but is there a trick to creating book marketing and sales goals that produce results? Indeed there is! We discuss how...
Minisode: Goodreads Drops Their Event Feature
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Goodreads is not just a virtual library, it’s a social networking site, and it’s important they encourage engagement and interaction! Check out wh...
Five Reasons Not to Put Your Book on Amazon Until You’re Ready to Promote It
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. Check out t...
Minisode: Amazon's New Bilingual Author Central Feature!
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon Author Central has added a feature that allows you to create additional author bios in other supported languages. But before you log on and jus...
How to Battle Amazon Publishing (KDP) and Win - Bonus Episode
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is a very special episode! We hear this a lot, "I can't deal with Amazon!" or "Amazon won't help me!" And guess w...
Minisode: I Want to be Famous (but I hate Amazon!)
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Can you compete if you don’t want to list your books with major online retailers? We get this question more often than many of you might think, auth...
How to Sell More Books Direct to Consumer to Sidestep Amazon
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon is a great place to sell books, but you know what's even better? Selling more direct to your readers! Is it possible to do this? Absolutel...
Minisode: Using a Special Pre-Order Price to Drive Book Sales
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are you getting ready to launch a book? Why not consider doing some special pre-order pricing? If you haven't considered it, or even if you have,...
10 Easy Ways to Revive an Older Book
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You've got a book that's still current and interesting, but it's a bit older. Can something be done to spike book sales on this older t...
Minisode: Using Your Author Bio to Increase Sales
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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, wit...
How to Sell More Books on Social Media without Burning Out
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of authors jump onto social media without a real plan, or knowing which social media platform best suits their message. You wind up wasting a lo...
Minisode: Double Your Newsletter Sign Ups with This One Tip
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all been told that a newsletter is something that will help us build a better, often more engaged, fan base. But getting sign ups is quite ano...
Why a Good Author Brand is a MUST to Sell More Books
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What’s your author brand saying about you right now? Not sure? Don’t have one? Well guess what you do. Because your brand is out there, whether yo...
Minisode: Don't Promote Something That's Working Against You
13 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Special Minisode: Amazon Launches A+ Content for KDP Authors
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ALERT! This is a special minisode because this announcement from Amazon is awesome!It's a big book marketing win for all of you KDP authors out t...
Understanding Kindle vs. Kindle Unlimited
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There's a lot of confusion around Kindle Unlimited vs. Kindle and in this episode we break down what it is, why it matters - and does it matter t...
Minisode: Why Your Next Book Won't Fix Your Last One
30 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It happens a lot: we get to release day and our marketing falls through the cracks, and the book winds up languishing on Amazon with little to no sale...
Using Book Reviews to Launch Your Success
22 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you read your book reviews on Amazon? Book reviews can be a goldmine for authors wanting to find out how they can improve their...
Minisode: Key Elements of Your Book Promotion Timeline
16 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't miss these strategies you must consider for a successful book release, especially if you want to create the biggest window possible for med...
Special Minisode: What the Next Apple iOS Update Means for Your Newsletter (And Your Book Marketing)
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Did you hear? Apple is pushing out a new iOS update in September with even more security features which could change the way you market your book(s). ...
10 Things Book Marketing Can't Fix
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Book marketing can help your book succeed, but there's a lot that book marketing can't fix and in this episode we're exploring what tho...
Minisode: Do's and Dont's for Series Authors
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've written a book series, or even if you have multiple books out - you might be missing this one, crucial detail that can cost you book sa...
All About Publication Dates and Choosing the Right One
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Picking the "birth" date of your book can be tricky. You want to pick the right one, but where do you start? A lot of authors get confused a...
Minisode: Media Kits and Press Releases
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do media kits and press releases still matter? A lot of authors still want one, but does it really make sense and will it move the needle? --Please ...
How to Market Your Book as a Summer Read
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Summer is in full swing and if you're ready to kick your book marketing up a notch, maybe it's time to consider marketing your book as a sum...
Minisode: Real Talk About Book Blurbs
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we would all love blurbs for our covers and in prep for our releases, but they're tough to get. Luckily today's market gives you more o...
Avoid Looking Like a Book Marketing Amateur
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This spicy yet insightful episode breaks down common mistakes a lot of amateur authors make and why you should avoid them when building your brand and...
Minisode: How to Kill Your Book Series
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We see a lot of authors waiting too long to release books in a series. So what's the RIGHT timing? --Please remember to leave a review and send...
How to Market a Memoir the Right Way
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Promoting a memoir can be challenging, but that doesn't mean it can't be successful. Check out our tips for doing things correctly out of th...
Minisode: This Is a Social Media Sabotage
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's the worst thing you can do on social media? Amy and Penny unravel this mystery! A lot of authors still think social media is a sales chann...
Your Critical First 30 Days on Amazon
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first 30-days of the life of your book are the most critical! If you miss that window, you're fighting a much tougher battle toward success. ...
Minisode: Fun Ways to Enhance Your Amazon Reviews and Editorial Reviews
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ready to dress up your Amazon page? In this episode we unpack some quick ways to dress up your Amazon book page with review enhancements and fun way...
Sales Tips for Children's Book Authors
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a deep dive into the children's book market and what it *really* takes to succeed! Amy and Penny unpack the stuff they love, and ...
Minisode: Costco gets into the Audiobook Game
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a new player in the book game and readers (or should we say listeners) are really excited!--We love a good DIYer, but if you're ready t...
A Guide to Finding the Best Publisher for Your Book
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With so many choices when it comes to publishing, what's an indie author to do? In this episode we unpack the differences between your publishing...
Minisode: Why Non-Fiction Authors Must Be Experts to Succeed
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We love non-fiction books, but they often carry with them the responsibility of being a topic expert. If you wrote a book you're passionate about...
Minisode: Dealing with Bad Reviews
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's happened to all of us - even Penny! What happens when this happens to you? Should you ask Amazon to remove it? We all hate getting bad revie...
Changes to Amazon that Affect Your Search and Keyword Choices
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Getting found on Amazon is a top priority for most authors, but coming up high in search is often challenging. Now there's another wrinkle in the...
Minisode: Be Careful When Tethering Your Book to a News Story or Popular Culture
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, as an author you still have topics you’re passionate about, like politics or social justice, and it’s intriguing to want to weave those into ...
Minisode: Writing Books in Different Genres
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you write books in different genres? Are you sure? Because we often find that authors sometimes do write cross-genre, without even realizing it. If...
How to Create and Maintain a Successful Newsletter
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you have an author newsletter that hasn't really done much for you in the way of book sales - or maybe you haven't considered starting on...
Minisode: Smart Pricing for Discount eBook Promotions
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like a simple thing, but discount eBook promotions are often tricky. What's the exact right price to maximize your exposure? We'll ...
Getting Reviews is More Complex Than You Think
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you're struggling to get more reviews, or if you just want more love on your Amazon page, we'll unpack all of that in this episode. Also,...
Minisode: Why You Should (still) Pitch your Local Library During a Pandemic
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Local libraries may not be open, but they're still doing lots of business and helping readers find new books, why not yours? We got this idea whe...
This Is the Biggest Mistake Authors Make
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're back for season 2! We thought we'd kick off the season with one of the biggest mistakes we see authors making. Surprisingly though, it...
Creative Ways to Promote Your Book in 2021
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's here, the final show of the year - and might we add that we're so glad 2020 is behind us. But now as we look forward to 2021 we're...
Minisode: An Update on Amazon Book Categories
25 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What in the world is going on with Amazon categories? If your book is showing up in odd categories don't despair, we have a solution! Yes, it&apo...
How the Pandemic has Changed Book Marketing
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We know so much has changed in 2020 - more so than other years. The pandemic has really altered how book marketing is done. But was it all bad? Listen...
Minisode: An Update on Amazon Reviews
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Amazon review system is being glitchy again and by glitchy we mean: lots of odd reviews showing up on an author's book page. Has this happene...
Sell More Books with the Right Amazon Categories
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Doing Amazon categories the wrong way can hurt your book sales - but picking the right categories can help your book sales soar. In this episode we un...
Minisode: Using Little Free Libraries for Local Promotion
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With so many people reading these days, getting your book in front of more readers can really help book sales. This short but impactful episode helps ...
Why You're Wasting Money on Amazon Ads
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon ads are a great addition to any book campaign but you can also waste a lot of money on ads, too - without a lot of return. In this episode we d...
Minisode: Virtual School Readings for Local Promotion
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This fun and quick episode explores the school market and virtual school events. Don't think your book is a fit, think again! --We love a good DI...
Amazon's Secret Relevancy Score
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Though rarely talked about, Amazon's relevancy score is an important piece in the book sales puzzle. Understanding it, and working with it are ex...
Minisode: The Surprising Thing That's Killing Your Book Sales
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you find yourself having to explain your book cover, or your book - a lot? If so, that may be why you're not selling books. In this episode we...
Minisode: Are You Really Ready to Publish
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As anyone who's published a book can tell you, it's a lot of work to write a book and even more work to publish one. Making sure you're...
Creative Ways to Use Video in Your Book Promotion
22 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you incorporated video into your book marketing? If not, maybe you should be. Consider these statistics: 2022 video viewing will make up 82% of...
Minisode: Is Your Book Title a Slam Dunk or a Sinking Ship
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We know that book titles are important but can a bad title kill your book sales? Absolutely. And we'll unpack that and more in this minisode! --W...
Minisode: The Unexpected Details that Drive Book Sales
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The old saying "the devil is in the details" is true, especially in book promotion. This short episode addresses many of the vital details a...
Selling More Books for the Holiday Season
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Now more than ever, folks will be shopping online and, have you noticed, the Christmas buzz has started earlier than ever. It's called "Chri...
Minisode: Avoiding the Buzzword Trap
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Has your book fallen prey to the buzzword trap? It could be impacting your book marketing! This quick episode will tell you why and how to avoid the b...
Minisode: Will Your Book Fit into Santa's Bag
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is it too early to start talking about holiday marketing? NO! This quick and fun episode will give you some tips on how to get more exposure for your ...
Get Your Book into Gift Guides
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gift guides are all the rage, especially as the holiday season approaches. Could your book be a fit? Join us for a fun and informative deep dive and q...
Minisode: How Images Can Improve Your Website
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you're ready to give your website a quick boost, this episode offers a really simple trick to get more readers onto your website, and get them...
Minisode: Why your Social Media is Failing
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"What am I doing wrong?" We get this question a lot, and in this quick 5 minute minisode we're going to break down the right and wrongs...
How to Run a Kick A** eBook Promotion
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you've done eBook promotions, discounts, or specials with very little fanfare, downloads or sales, you'll love this episode where Amy and...
Minisode: Why Collaboration is the Future of Author Marketing
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another minisode, we hope you love these! They're super quick short tips we'll drop weekly. The future of marketing is here - and...
Minisode: A Quick Tip to Improve Your Author Newsletter
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another first minisode, we hope you love these! They're super quick short tips we'll drop weekly. This week we talk about a quick...
Creative Ways to Use BookBub
27 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of BookBub? If not you'll love this show! We're digging into this site and taking you beyond their uber-popular daily deals t...
Minisode: Some Quick Goodreads Tips
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another minisode, we hope you love these! They're super quick short tips we'll drop weekly. This one is on Goodreads! We hope you...