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The Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast

Award-winning marketer Chris Syme and bestselling indie author Becca Syme give self-published authors the latest social media tips and strategies that sell more books and build loyal fans. Join them as they interview top book marketing experts, showcase successful indie authors, and offer tips from their own successes on this weekly show.
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Now displaying: April, 2018
Apr 29, 2018

In this episode we visit with the founder of Written Word Media Ricci Wolman and discuss all things book promotions: when to do them, why to do them, how to do them, and more.

Show Notes & Links

-Meet Ricci Wolman, the founder of Written Word Media. 

-How Written Word's two main programs, BargainBooksy and FreeBooksy, are different and when you might want to use each.

-What kind of return do authors get from a free book promotion? Is making money the only reason to run a promotion?

-What is the difference between running just a one-off promotion for a book and stacking promotions together?

-Why a discount promotion is like the hammer in a toolbox and why you need the whole toolbox for a successful book business. 

-Why it's important to plan ahead for all your book promotions.

Links: Click 'em, they're live!

Click here for Written Word Media's main site and blog - lots of information on book marketing here.

Learn about Red Feather Romance promotions for steamy contemporary romance books

Follow Written Word Media on Facebook

There's still time to enroll in Chris' Content Formula Class to take your online content to the next level. See some author testimonials here.

 

Apr 16, 2018

In this episode Chris interviews brain science geek and author Anne Janzer about how to find a sustainable book marketing plan so you can do that one thing you really want to do...write.

Show Note & Links:

1. Three questions you need to answer before you decide on a book marketing strategy.

2. Why sometimes you just have to try something to see if it works and then move on.

3. Why it's okay not to finish an online course, quit reading a book, or not continue a marketing strategy you've invested in.

4. Tips on what to do if your marketing isn't working.

5. Why discovery strategies (finding new readers for your books) are neglected by most authors, but the key to long-term success.

6. What are the dangers of trying to live from book marketing promotion to book marketing promotion with no long-term plan?

7. Why you need to believe your hard work will pay off in the long run.

Links (click 'em, they're live):

Connect with Anne via her website here: annejanzer.com

Find out more about Anne's new online course, Revise Your Writing.

See Anne's books here.

 

Apr 9, 2018

In this episode, Chris and Becca interview book marketing expert Kate Tilton on how to reach the elusive teen market. Generation Z readers are those born after 1993. 

Show Notes & Links:

  1. Why Generation Z would buy Pepsi even when they believe Coke tastes better.
  2. Why teens need to believe in the brands (authors) they follow.
  3. Reasons why Generation Z flocks to YouTube (the Four Essential Freedoms from YouTube).
  4. Why Instagram photos need to be visually engaging first, message second.
  5. Why the social part of social media is most important to teens.
  6. Three tips to capture teen loyalty.
  7. Tips on marketing to the YA crossover audience (adults that read YA).
  8. How to overcome the content challenge of Instagram.
  9. How Booktubers influence the YA market.
  10. The fastest way to turn off a teen audience: try to talk like a teen.

Links (click 'em, they're live):

Connect With Kate:

Instagram: k8tilton

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/K8Tilton/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/K8Tilton

Website: https://katetilton.com/author-services/

SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook Group (you’ll have to answer 3 questions to get in)

Apr 2, 2018

In this episode Chris explains the five points of guaranteed long-term book marketing success--the SMART acronym.

Show Notes & Links

-Five concepts that will guarantee your book marketing is successful in the long run. If you build it, they will come.

-Why the SMART marketing acronym is more than just a slick slogan.

-Why sustainable marketing is key--what it is and is not.

-Is your marketing manageable or is it overtaking your life?

-Nobody writes a book for everybody. Your marketing needs to be audience-specific.

-Relevant is not about having all the latest bells and whistles. It's about building a strong author-reader connection.

-Why tactics come after the strategy--they are not the strategy.

-Always weigh the why before you use a tactic.

-Facebook and Instagram are not strategies--they are tactics. Don't shoot at a target blindfolded. Tactics-last, strategy-first.

Links (click 'em, they're live)

Join the SMART Marketing for Authors Facebook group (you'll have to answer a few questions to get in)

-Winter Wonderland picture link

-Chris' latest book The Newbies Guide To Sell More Books With Less Marketing. (more on SMART Marketing)

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