In this episode Chris invites publicity expert Sandra Beckwith to answer a listener's question about the difference between an agent and a publicist and what each does. And do you need either?
Links & Show Notes:
-The job description of a publicist and how they help authors. Also, what they don't do. When would you want one?
-The job description of an agent and how they help authors. Also, when you might want to use one.
-What you can expect to pay and what you'll get.
-What to watch out for.
-Sandra's tip: do you own research!
Links - Click 'em, they're live
More information on Sandra and what she does for authors
Sandra's blog post on why you should hire a publicist
How one author got ripped off and how to avoid it
In this episode Chris interviews Kevin Tumlinson, marketing director at Draft2Digital, about the rising trends in book marketing and what isn't working right now. In addition, Kevin catches us up on the latest news from D2D.
Links & Show Notes
-Draft2Digital's newest staff member--we think you've heard of this guy!
-How D2D can help you get your books in WalMart.
-Meta data and how D2D helps you manage yours to save you time.
-Kevin reveals the latest book marketing strategy that is working, not just trending.
-Why content marketing is a good fit for every author.
-Why buying ads to sell books might be losing their effectiveness.
-Content marketing can mean lower overhead and better returns if done to fit you and your audience.
Kevin's tip: How focusing for 30 days will up your marketing game and help you do more with less.
Links: Click 'em, they're live!
Books2Read info (home of the universal link)
In this episode, Chris interviews book cover design expert Joel Friedlander, founder of the The Book Designer. Joel schools us all in on the essential design and branding elements needed in a successful book cover and talks about the elephant in the room: how much will it cost?
Show Notes & Links:
-How Joel got into cover design.
-Chris' monthly must-read: Learn to spot a good cover with Joel's monthly ebook awards blog feature (see link to the feature below (and maybe submit your cover for a critique).
-Two considerations every great cover needs: create excitement and indicate the genre or category of the book
-There are good options and not-so-good options for covers on a budget.
-Why a cover can make or break the marketing of a book.
-What are some of the good alternatives for covers on a budget?
-What is the difference between template covers and single-sell pre-made covers?
-Why you need to see your cover in a thumbnail before you finalize it.
-Why nonfiction books need accurate sub-titles.
-The one time you don't need a good book cover.
-Don't miss Joel's smarty pants marketing tip!
Links: click 'em, they're live!
Joel's monthly ebook Cover Awards feature
Joel's book cover design template website
Submission form for the monthly ebook awards critique
Joel's website (check out all his services)
In this episode Chris gives listeners two cardinal rules to guide their content creation. Content doesn't have to be complicated--it just needs to be strategic. Learn how to quit wasting time putting our purposeless content and do only the work that sells more books and builds raving fans.
Show Notes & Links:
-Two cardinal rules of content:
1. Your content should be designed to hit on one stage of the sales funnel (discovery, awareness, sales/conversions). It must be goal-driven. It may hit on two, but it needs to be aimed at one.
2. You need to have three different types of content to reach everyone you’re aiming at in that funnel.
-Three types of funnel content you need to produce:
1. Interruptive - content that interrupts what the user is already doing.
2. Opt-in - the content you're already doing. Content that followers or fans have already opted in to. This content needs to follow the 80-20 Content Rule. Needs to provide value.
3. Search- content that is designed to help people find you and your books quickly and take a desired action when they are searching. Keyword-driven.
Links: click 'em, they're live:
-Becca's Better-Faster Academy - check it out!
-Sumo (tools to help you convert people easier). They have a free beginner plan that integrates with WordPress for pop-up forms and more.
-Link to Podcast 102 (How to optimize online bios for discovery)
-Bryan Cohen's copywriting manual, How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis
-Link to Dave Chesson's KDP Rocket
Jump to the podcast page and join the conversation!
In this episode of the Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast, Chris talks about how to get the most out of your online profiles by optimizing to get discovered by new readers.
Show Notes & Links:
-Find out what kind of information readers want in a bio
-Why you need to make sure you change out old links
-Taking advantage of all the features on your Amazon Author Page
-Why you need to be a reader and an author on Goodreads
-The importance of using live links wherever they are available
-How to optimize bios on social media
-What kinds of links to include on your website
Links: click 'em, they're live:
Amazon Author Central--click here
Examples of good author bios from BookBub
The secret to engaging on social media: find your primary channel