Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast

Publicity feels like the breakthrough moment every author is chasing—but most big interviews, features, and media hits don’t translate into book sales the way you expect. In many cases, they don’t move the needle at all. In this episode, we unpack what publicity really is—TV, radio, magazines, online media—and why it’s rarely a direct path to sales. The core problem is simple: you’re often putting your book in front of a cold audience with no reason to act right now. Visibility without context, trust, or repetition doesn’t convert. We break down the “glamorous” marketing choices authors make that sound impressive but quietly underperform, and then shift into a more effective strategy. The key is reframing publicity as an asset, not an outcome. When used correctly, media coverage becomes a long-term marketing tool—something you can leverage across your website, media page, Amazon presence, and ongoing promotion. We talk through how to extract value from every feature: pulling quotes, building credibility, reinforcing your positioning, and creating repeat exposure so readers recognize you later and feel more confident buying. Because for books, familiarity isn’t optional—it’s what reduces perceived risk and drives decisions. We also tackle a listener question on marketing books that require deeper trust—topics like grief, caregiving, and spiritual struggle. These readers aren’t casually browsing; they’re actively looking for guidance and reassurance. That means your publicity and marketing need to clearly communicate authority, experience, and proof. We show you how to position those “receipts” so your visibility actually leads somewhere. If you’ve ever landed a great interview and wondered why it didn’t translate into sales—or you’re trying to make your publicity work harder for you—this episode gives you a more strategic framework. Subscribe, share it with an author who’s chasing publicity, and stay tuned—because next, we’ll break down how to actually land the right podcast interviews in the first place. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

95% of books are sold through word of mouth—but most authors are still chasing reach instead of building relationships. That’s a problem, especially in a market where social media visibility is unpredictable and ad costs continue to climb. In this episode, we break down the one marketing engine that consistently works: a small, engaged group of readers who genuinely want to see your book succeed. We walk through a simple but powerful reader funnel—how casual readers become fans, how fans become superfans, and how a select group naturally evolves into a street team that supports your launches, promotions, and long-term visibility. More importantly, we explain what “engagement” actually looks like in practice, how to identify the readers already leaning in, and why you don’t need a massive email list to see meaningful results. If marketing feels overwhelming or never-ending, this framework simplifies the process. It’s designed for authors who want to spend more time writing while still building steady momentum. We also share one of the most effective (and overlooked) tactics for generating more Amazon reviews and Goodreads ratings: a strategically placed back-of-the-book letter that invites readers to stay connected and take the next step. Done right, this creates a natural bridge from reader to subscriber—and eventually, advocate. From there, we get tactical about building a street team without overcomplicating it. You’ll learn how to vet members using a simple form, organize assets in a shared folder, and provide clear, brand-safe guidance so your team amplifies your message the right way. Finally, we address the growing wave of AI-generated books and what it means for discoverability. Algorithms can be influenced—but genuine reader connection cannot be replicated. A trusted group of engaged readers is one of the most reliable ways to stay visible in an increasingly crowded marketplace. If you’re looking for a smarter, more sustainable way to market your book, this episode lays out a framework you can start using immediately. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

“I’d love to come on your show and talk about my new book” is one of the fastest ways to get ignored. In Part 2 of this series, we move from mindset to execution—breaking down exactly how to pitch podcasts in a way that gets attention, earns replies, and leads to bookings. Because podcast hosts aren’t looking for guests who want promotion—they’re looking for conversations their audience will care about. We start with the most common mistakes authors make, especially leading with the book instead of the idea. You’ll learn how to reframe your pitch into something a host or producer can instantly picture as a strong episode—and why clarity, specificity, and focus will outperform a long list of vague topics every time. From there, we cover smarter targeting: Then we get tactical about the pitch itself: We also address a common roadblock: what to do when a podcast doesn’t accept guests. Instead of moving on, we share smarter ways to build visibility and relationships through show engagement, social sharing, and strategic follow-up. If you want to become the kind of guest that podcasts are eager to book—and avoid the mistakes that get most authors ignored—this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap. Subscribe for more no-fluff book marketing strategies, share this with an author who’s pitching right now, and stay tuned for future episodes where we continue breaking down what actually works. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

Most authors want podcast interviews to sell books—and that’s exactly why so many pitches get ignored. In this first episode of a two-part series, we break down the simple shift that changes everything: pitch value first. Your book is the credential—it proves you belong—but it’s not the content. What matters is what the audience walks away with after they listen. We unpack what podcast hosts and producers are actually screening for, why vague or book-centered pitches fail, and how to avoid the “drinking from a fire hose” approach that overwhelms your marketing. You’ll learn how being a genuine listener gives you a built-in edge, and how to turn a broad book topic into a clear, compelling hook that makes a host say yes. We also walk through practical positioning: Then we zoom out to the bigger picture. Podcast interviews aren’t about instant spikes—they’re about long-tail visibility, searchability, credibility, and reusable marketing assets you can leverage across your website, newsletter, and social platforms. We wrap with a listener question on using a trade paperback release as a true relaunch opportunity—so you can turn new formats, new pricing, and renewed attention into real momentum. If you’ve been pitching podcasts and hearing nothing back—or you’re about to start—this episode will recalibrate your entire approach. Subscribe, share with an author friend, and stay tuned for Part 2, where we break down how to find the right shows and pitch them effectively. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

Books aren’t “news” on their own anymore—and repeating “buy my book” is one of the fastest ways to burn out (and lose your audience’s attention). In this episode, we break down a smarter, more sustainable approach: borrowed buzz—anchoring your marketing to moments people are already paying attention to. Think holidays, awareness months, seasonal shifts, and even quirky observances that give you a natural, timely reason to talk about your book again and again—without sounding repetitive or pushy. We unpack why this works, including the psychology behind seasonal buying behavior and emotional relevance, and how aligning your message with what’s already on your audience’s radar can dramatically improve engagement and conversion. Then we get tactical: We also focus on execution—where most authors fall short. You’ll learn how to align your social content, email marketing, and pitch angles around a single theme, where to incorporate seasonal messaging on your Amazon page (and where not to), and how to use AI to brainstorm ideas without losing strategy or control. Finally, we cover the biggest mistakes—like forcing irrelevant tie-ins or starting too late—and how to avoid them. If you want your marketing to feel more strategic, more consistent, and a lot less exhausting, this is the playbook. If you want your marketing to feel more fun, more strategic, and a lot less exhausting, hit play. Subscribe, share this with an author friend, and leave a review wherever you listen to the show. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

Goodreads recently rolled out changes that have authors and readers debating everything from review bombing to pre-publication ratings. In this episode, we break down what actually changed, what it means for authors, and how to respond without getting pulled into online panic. We start with review bombing—coordinated waves of ratings from people who often haven’t read the book—and how this behavior has distorted the launch window for many titles. Then we explain Goodreads’ new safeguards around pre-publication ratings. Readers can no longer rate a book simply because it appears on their Want to Read shelf. Instead, they must mark the book as Read or Currently Reading and disclose how they accessed the copy, such as through an ARC or giveaway. It doesn’t eliminate manipulation, but it adds transparency and makes abuse easier to identify. One of the most talked-about additions is Goodreads’ official Did Not Finish (DNF) shelf. Readers have been creating their own versions for years, but formalizing it changes the dynamic. We discuss why this feature may actually reduce reactionary one-star ratings and how thoughtful readers use DNF shelves to track timing, taste, and expectations. For authors, those signals can offer useful insight into positioning, blurbs, and category alignment. We also look at how Goodreads and Amazon function very differently. Goodreads behaves more like a community for dedicated readers—more conversational, more visible, and often more responsive when issues arise. Amazon, on the other hand, remains a massive retail engine where reporting problems can feel like shouting into the void. Understanding that difference helps authors use each platform more strategically. Finally, we tackle a listener question about category mismatches and the temptation to chase bestseller badges. Short-term tricks may create momentary spikes, but long-term visibility comes from clear positioning, honest metadata, and reaching the readers who actually want your book. If the latest Goodreads changes have you wondering what matters and what doesn’t, this episode will help you focus on the controllables—and avoid the noise. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and l 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save:Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

“Make you a bestseller.” It’s the loudest promise in book marketing—and often the least meaningful. In this episode, we break down how to distinguish real strategy from fear-based selling, AI-polished outreach, and high-pressure tactics designed to close a sale rather than build a career. From alarming emails about “missing metadata” to vague guarantees and unusual payment demands, we explain what’s legitimate, what’s inflated, and what’s simply noise. Then we shift to what actually compounds. We walk through the foundational elements of sustainable book marketing: an optimized Amazon retail page, intentional category and keyword strategy, a reader-focused website, an email list you control, and targeted outreach to reviewers, influencers, and podcasters who genuinely reach your audience. You’ll hear why one-off promotional blasts rarely build traction, how to evaluate podcast quality beyond download numbers, and what meaningful preparation looks like before any pitch goes out. We also unpack the proposal details that matter: specific deliverables, realistic timelines, strategic positioning, and measurable outcomes rooted in discoverability—not guaranteed sales. A professional team should explain the “why” behind every tactic and connect today’s work to results you can still benefit from months later. Finally, we talk author readiness. What should you own yourself? How should you think about ROI without chasing instant payoff? And if your budget is limited, where does your money work hardest? If you want to avoid scams, invest wisely, and choose partners who assess your book instead of selling you fear, this episode gives you a clear, practical framework. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave a quick review so more writers can find us. Have a topic you want covered next? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 and tell us what you need. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Amazon reviews are the currency of credibility—and one misstep can cost you both visibility and account standing. In this episode, we break down exactly how to earn more reviews, keep the ones you get, and build a system that works long term—without crossing Amazon’s invisible lines. We start with what actually moves the needle. Why the first five reviews matter more than most authors realize. Why trust increases dramatically at twenty. And why books with fifty-plus reviews consistently convert at higher rates. But here’s the nuance: momentum matters more than a one-day spike. A steady cadence of authentic feedback outperforms a suspicious surge—both in reader perception and algorithmic trust. Then we get specific. You’ll learn: We also address the shortcuts. Paid review schemes, manipulation tactics, and “review clubs” may look tempting—but they rarely survive scrutiny and can jeopardize your account. Instead, we outline a reader-first system built on newsletter growth, ARC strategy, consistent outreach, and ethical momentum. The goal isn’t a quick spike. It’s compounding social proof that strengthens every future release. If you want reviews that stick—and a strategy that protects your publishing career—this episode gives you the playbook. If you found this helpful, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave an honest rating wherever you listen. What review strategy has worked for you? We want to hear it. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

The market doesn’t reward originality alone. It rewards clarity. Readers make buying decisions in seconds—and those seconds depend on signals: cover cues, category alignment, keyword precision, and a description that instantly communicates who the book is for. In this episode, we break down why following a proven framework isn’t creative compromise—it’s strategic positioning. A formula is not a box. It’s a blueprint. For fiction, that means honoring genre expectations and recognizable tropes so readers immediately understand the emotional experience you’re promising. For nonfiction, it means knowing exactly where your reader is on their journey—beginner, stuck mid-process, or advanced—and framing your title, subtitle, and opening lines accordingly. We also unpack: You’ll walk away with tactical action steps: You’re not copying creativity. You’re copying clarity—so your creativity can shine. If this episode reframes how you think about positioning, share it with an author who insists their book is “different.” Then subscribe and leave a review telling us what shift made you rethink your book page. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Most authors don’t have an ad problem. They have a patience problem. If you’ve ever stared at your Amazon dashboard 48 hours after launch and declared your campaign a disaster, this episode is for you. We’re breaking down the 7-Day Amazon Ads Sanity Check — a structured, data-driven framework that keeps you from sabotaging campaigns before the algorithm has time to work. You’ll learn what the learning phase actually means, which numbers matter in week one, and why obsessing over ACOS too early can send you in the wrong direction. We walk through: We also tackle one of the biggest myths in indie publishing: that ads can rescue a misaligned book. They can’t. Ads amplify what already exists. If your positioning is weak, ads simply expose it faster. Instead of daily bid tinkering that resets learning, we outline a calm weekly review process, smart bid adjustments, portfolio caps that protect your budget, and the small one-percent improvements to your retail page that compound over time. If you’re ready to replace dashboard doom-scrolling with disciplined strategy — and finally let your ads work 24/7 without emotional interference — this episode gives you the framework. Subscribe for more author-first marketing strategies, share this with a writer who needs ad clarity, and leave a review telling us one takeaway you’ll apply this week. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Getting book reviews shouldn’t feel exhausting, awkward, or ethically murky. Yet many authors are stuck chasing influencers, sending endless cold emails, or quietly wondering why all that effort isn’t translating into real momentum. In this episode, we break down a smarter, sustainable system for landing reviews that actually matter—the kind that build trust with readers, strengthen your Amazon presence, and keep working long after the outreach is done. We start by resetting expectations around response rates and silence (because “no reply” isn’t failure). Then we show you where the real wins happen: micro and mid-tier reviewers, genre-aligned blogs, and community-driven creators who consistently outperform flashy, high-follower accounts. You’ll learn why long-tail review coverage is one of the most overlooked visibility tools authors have—and how stacking multiple mid-level yeses creates the social proof needed to move the needle. From there, we get practical. We walk through the anatomy of a sub-200-word pitch that leads with fit, not favors; the small personalization signals that prove you’ve done your homework; and the mindset shift that changes everything: your dream doesn’t obligate someone else’s labor. That respect shows up in better responses—and better relationships. We also cover smart follow-up strategies that add value instead of pressure, how to tailor your outreach for blogs, podcasts, and social platforms, and how to know when it’s time to outsource reviewer outreach so you can focus on writing instead of inbox triage. If you want a steady cadence of credible reviews, stronger keyword visibility, and a review strategy built on trust—not desperation—this episode gives you the framework to do it right. Subscribe, share this with an author friend, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want us to tackle next. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Want more readers who buy, finish, and recommend your books? It starts with one thing most authors underestimate: keeping the promise your brand makes. In this episode, we break down the real driver of sustainable author growth—reader trust—and why clear genre signals, accurate positioning, and consistent delivery outperform hype every time. We begin with expectation alignment: how your cover, subtitle, and book description create an instant promise in a shopper’s mind. When the vibe is off—or the opening pages don’t match the pitch—clicks disappear and reviews quietly signal the disconnect with phrases like “not what I expected.” We show you how to read those reviews as marketing intelligence, spotting language patterns that reveal whether your tone, pacing, tropes, and emotional promise are landing as intended. From there, we tackle consistency: unified series branding, predictable communication, and an author website that speaks clearly to your ideal reader, not just your aesthetic preferences. We also call out overhyped copy and vague clichés—why words like “unputdownable” often dilute your positioning, and how to replace them with specific, sensory hooks that only fit your book. You’ll learn how to create a simple Reader Expectation Statement—an internal compass that guides your covers, copy, and content decisions. We also use Amazon ads as a practical gut check: when relevant targets don’t click, the issue is often misaligned packaging, not bad keywords. The fix is usually small and strategic—tightening your first three blurb lines, adjusting your cover to match top comps, or refining subtitle language—rather than a full rebrand. Throughout, the focus stays on retention. Repeat readers are easier to reach, faster to convert, and the true engine behind word-of-mouth growth. When you treat readers like partners—showing up with clarity, respect, and consistency—you build a brand they trust and return to. If you’re ready to trade noise for loyalty, and quick hacks for durable growth, this conversation gives you a clear path forward. If this helped, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave a quick re 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

A brand that doesn’t line up is a silent sales killer. We dig into why readers make snap judgments in under a second, how confusion and inconsistency create friction, and the small, practical moves that turn browsers into buyers. Think of branding as a trust filter: the clearer your patterns, the faster the “yes.” We start with the highest leverage fix—your bio. Using a simple four-line framework, we show how to match voice to genre, humanize your profile, and direct readers to a next step. From there, we tackle a deceptively powerful change: one clear, current photo everywhere. In a world of spammy accounts and AI noise, visual consistency signals “this is real,” boosting recognition and engagement across Amazon, your site, newsletters, and social. Then we sharpen your book description so it stops burying the lead. Open with the promise and stakes, align tone to category, and mirror the best version across your retail page and website. We move into visual cohesion with a lightweight (and easy to implement) brand kit. You’ll hear why evergreen banners can save you work, how to align promo assets to the book’s typography, and what makes a series instantly recognizable at thumbnail size. Finally, we unlock Amazon Author Central’s underused fields—From the Author, From the Inside Flap, and more—to deepen connection and feed the algorithm with relevant, brand-aligned copy. Overwhelmed? Use our 1% rule: make one improvement per week. Update the bio, unify the photo, polish the hook, build the brand kit. These small, steady steps compound into trust, discoverability, and sales. If this helped, subscribe, share with an author friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us the first 1% change you’ll make, and text “podcast” to 888-402-8940 with your questions and ideas. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Feeling like every promo is uphill? We unpack why marketing stalls when a book is presented to the wrong readers — and how smart positioning turns traffic into sales. Penny and Amy break down the signals that shape buying decisions in under five seconds: category choices, keywords that actually guide Amazon, cover conventions that telegraph sub-genre, and hooks that speak to what readers want right now. We share real-world shifts that changed outcomes fast, including a romance that soared after moving from an overly spicy label to a truer contemporary slot and a mystery that found its people by swapping “cozy” for “amateur sleuth.” You’ll hear how to diagnose a mismatch when ads get clicks but no buys, why “too unique” covers quietly repel your ideal audience, and how to use reviews as free market research to refine your description and promise. This conversation is a roadmap for authors who want to sell more without burning everything down. You’ll learn to niche with confidence, align title and subtitle with retail reality, refresh descriptions with language readers already use, and adopt the 1% rule: small, targeted improvements that compound. If you’ve been trying to reach everyone, it’s time to reach the right ones. Ready to fix the foundation and stop wasting ad spend? Listen now, then text podcast to 888-402-8940 to share your positioning challenge, subscribe for upcoming deep dives, and leave a review to help more authors find this show. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Want a simple, concrete way to sell more books on Amazon? We’re taking you inside A+ Content—the image modules beneath your description—and showing how smart visuals, tight copy, and brand consistency can raise conversions, reduce returns, and make your page feel like a pro built it. Together we map the shopper’s journey down the page: how the cover earns the scroll, how A+ tiles anchor expectations, and how crisp visuals plus one-line hooks close the gap between browsing and buying. We share real numbers from Amazon (yes, A+ content can help you sell more books!). You’ll learn the most common mistakes, the right way to quote reviews, and why fewer, stronger modules beat filling every slot. We also cover the nuts and bolts of access—KDP’s Marketing tab for indie authors, and how to coordinate with your publisher if they control the page. For series authors, we explain how to showcase world-building and covers without turning your tiles into a tech spec sheet. Finally, we tackle a listener question: should you use an author photo or a brand logo on your Amazon Author Page? We weigh trust signals, genre expectations, and when a logo makes sense for pen names or corporate-facing nonfiction. If you’re ready to turn your Amazon detail page into a conversion engine, this walkthrough gives you the blueprint. Subscribe, share with an author friend, and leave a quick review telling us the one A+ change you’ll make this week. And here is the article on the KDP changes we mentioned at the start of the call: https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/717526/Amazons-2026-eBook-Download-Update-A-Reader-First-Change-that-Publishers-Should-Understand.htm 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

You can run ads, post daily, and grind all week—and still watch your book stall. The missing piece isn’t more hustle. It’s positioning. We pull back the curtain on the quiet issues that throttle sales! We start with the most common and costly mistake: treating categories like identity badges rather than traffic lanes. Amazon’s ecosystem pattern-matches behavior, so a miscategorized book gets shown to the wrong readers, earns letdown reviews, and falls into a negative feedback loop. From cozy mysteries that aren’t actually cozy to memoirs that read like prescriptive nonfiction, we show how small misalignments ripple into poor conversion and expensive clicks. Then we reframe the hook as the reason to care, not a plot dump. If a reader can’t repeat your promise in one sentence, they won’t buy it and they won’t recommend it. We share practical ways to surface stakes, transformation, and genre signals at the top of your retail page. We also tackle covers: why “unique” can backfire, how milliseconds decide “for me or not for me,” and what it means to fit your shelf without blending into noise. Finally, we rebuild the description around a scannable promise and reader outcomes, and we tighten keywords to match how real readers search. Walk away with a priority checklist: verify category and subgenre, pressure-test your cover against top sellers, craft a repeatable one-sentence hook, rewrite your description to promise value, and align keywords with market language. We’ve also added a quick alignment test in the show notes to help you spot gaps. If you’re ready to turn attention into sales and let the right readers find you, this conversation gives you the exact steps to get there. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 to share your questions or ideas. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Six years in, we’re starting the year by cutting through the noise and zeroing in on what truly predicts book sales. We unpack a practical framework that helps you diagnose why a launch spikes and stalls, why great reviews don’t always translate to revenue, and how small, targeted changes deliver outsized gains. If you’ve ever felt busy but not better off, this conversation will give you focus, language, and a step-by-step path to momentum. We walk through five core signals: reader response, visibility and impressions, conversions, retention and backlist behavior, and consistent author activity. You’ll learn how review language outperforms star counts, why keywords and categories must be chosen for buyer psychology rather than author preference, and how to hit a healthy 5–10% product-page conversion rate. We share practical fixes—leading with social proof, tightening hooks, clarifying payoff, aligning covers with genre codes—and explain why a 1–2% conversion lift can transform ad ROI. We also address the hidden costs of high click-through rates without purchases and how platforms penalize poor relevance. For multi-book authors, we dig into retention: series branding that reads at a glance, back-of-book letters that tell readers what to do next, and content that nurtures your list between releases. Throughout, we make the case for consistent, strategic repetition over random hustle, showing how fewer tactics executed well outperform constant, scattershot activity. The result is a calmer plan that compounds: fewer vanity metrics, more signals that correlate with real sales. If this episode helps you refocus your marketing, share it with an author friend, subscribe for the January series, and leave a quick review. Want to send us ideas or questions? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 and chat with us directly. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

We are so excited to share our new podcast format! In this short episode we break down what to expect in the new year! Based on your feedback and input, we're changing up our podcast to serve YOU even better! Ready to stop guessing your next marketing move and start stacking real wins? We’re sharing a flexible monthly roadmap that pairs structure with freedom, so you can either follow along from January to December or drop into the exact topics you need right now. Each theme stands on its own yet builds momentum toward the moments that matter most—like hitting holiday sales without the last-minute scramble. We break down how seasonal timing naturally supports author goals: fresh starts in January for planning and positioning, spring cleanups for visibility, midyear platform tune-ups, and fall strategies for peak buying behavior. Along the way, we commit to clarity you can trust. You’ll also get updated takes on evergreen essentials—think Amazon optimization, category strategy, keywords, pricing psychology, and retail page conversion—because what worked five years ago likely won’t move the needle today. Our approach is reader-first and action-driven. Whether you’re drafting, revising, or heading into launch, the focus is on consumer experience: how readers discover your book, feel confident in it, and decide to buy. We’re doubling down on 30-minute episodes packed with practical steps you can apply the same day, so learning turns into measurable progress. And because your input sharpens our aim, we’re keeping the listener survey open to steer topics that deliver the highest impact for your brand and your genre. If you’re ready for a smarter year—clear priorities, timely updates, and no fluff—this roadmap is your guide. Hit follow, share this with an author friend who needs structure without rigidity, and leave a quick review to tell us the next topic you want prioritized. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

Last week, we counted down your favorite episodes based on downloads. This week? It’s our turn. In this end-of-year episode, Penny and Amy each revisit one standout episode they couldn’t stop thinking about — not just because listeners loved them, but because they perfectly captured what authors struggled with (and grew through) all year. This isn’t a nostalgia episode. It’s a clarity episode. Both picks reflect the themes we’ve seen again and again in consultations, campaigns, and real author careers: realistic expectations, better positioning, clearer messaging, and the foundational work that separates steady progress from constant frustration. And yes — full episode links are in the show notes, because we fully support holiday re-listens while politely avoiding family conversations. 🎙 Amy’s Pick: What Most Authors Get Wrong About Debut Success This episode struck a nerve because it told the truth about debut books — without crushing optimism. We revisit: New bonus takeaways include: 90-Day Reality WindowIt’s a reality check — but somehow still feels like a hug. 🎙 Penny’s Pick: Hook, Line, Bestseller: The Art of the Elevator Pitch If there’s one skill authors underestimate, it’s this one. In this segment, we revisit why a strong elevator pitch isn’t just for media or conferences — it’s a universal tool that impacts: We break down why great pitches are specific, not vague, and why clarity always outperforms cleverness. New bonus takeaways include: 5-Second Scan RuleSend 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

If you’ve ever wondered why a promising book page fails to convert—or how to host an event without feeling awkward behind a lonely table—this year-end roundup brings the clarity you need. We unpack the top three episodes listeners couldn’t stop sharing: protecting yourself from impersonation scams, fixing “gray box syndrome” on retail pages, and building author events that create real momentum and halo sales. We start with the rising wave of scams targeting writers: spoofed Gmail accounts, stolen signatures, even cloned websites. We explain how to spot red flags, verify identities, and report abuse with full headers so platforms will act. This isn’t fear-mongering; it’s author safety. With simple checks and a clear process, you protect your wallet, your name, and your readers’ trust. From safety to sales, we dig into first impressions on Amazon. Readers make decisions in seconds, and your product page is the packaging they judge. We break down the must-haves. When you remove friction and present like a brand, you win more clicks and conversions without bigger ad spend. Then we reframe book signings as experiences, not chores. The best events align with your strengths and your audience: short talks, demos, Q&A, or mini-workshops hosted by venues that benefit from new traffic. We share how to pitch mutual value to indie bookstores and local shops, create easy promotions they can share, capture emails, and leave signed stock. The ripple effect is real—staff hand-sell your title, customers return, and sales rise for weeks. Throughout, we call out the subtle ways authors sabotage their own success: chasing shortcuts, comparing to outliers, and declaring defeat too soon. The antidote is control—own your page, own your pitch, own your cadence. If you want practical, steady steps that compound over time, this conversation is your blueprint. If this helped, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave a quick review. Got ideas or questions? Text support podcast at 888-402-8940 and complete the survey in the show notes—email us you did, and we’ll send some swag. 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:+ Follow↓Locate Ratings & Reviews:Rate the podcast:Write your review:Save: Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...