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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: January, 2019
Jan 27, 2019

In this episode Chris interviews Ricardo Fayet, one of the founders of Reedsy, about their new Book Promotions Services data base. This searchable data base helps authors find specific promotions that fit their platform level, their budget, and their goals.

Show Notes & Links:

-What in the heck is Reedsy?

-Sorting through the Book Promotions Services data base by criteria.

-How was the Reedsy list curated?

-Is a BookBub Featured Deal really worth the investment?

-What are the best alternatives to a BookBub Featured Deal?

-Why a lack of budget shouldn't stop you from applying for a BookBub Featured Deal.

-What is the value of running free promotions?

-Ricardo's smarty pants tips: why authors don't need to be doing everything.

Links - Click 'em they're live:

Reedsy.com website

Reedsy Book Promotions Tool 2019

Link to Becca's new nonfiction book (a sneak peek)

Link to find out more about Chris' online course, The Content Formula: a Blueprint for Fan Engagement

 

Jan 20, 2019

In this episode Chris lays the foundation for the "less is more" marketing system. This week, Chris shows you the first part of that SMART marketing equation: The Big Three + platform-specific promotions by defining the three goals and three platforms you need to establish.

Show Notes & Links:

- "Less is more marketing" requires more attention to detail, laser-focused strategy, and requires you to let go of FOMO and the splatter method of marketing.

-You need The Big Three Platforms:

1. A professional website - what does a professional website look like?

2. An interactive email strategy-the ultimate email resource

3. A primary social media channel for engagement-the urge to engage on every social media channel is your biggest waste of time

Each of those three must have strategies to meet the Big Three Goals:

1. Discovery - find new readers.

2. Sales - lead readers to opportunities to buy your books.

3. Develop loyalty - strategies to turn your readers into raving word-of-mouth marketers.

Links: click 'em, they're live:

- Link to last week's podcast that describes author platform levels

-Link to podcast with Tammi Labreceque on email marketing

-Link to Joanna Penn's tutorial on how to set up a website

-Link to get my latest book, The Author's Guide To Sell More Books With Less Marketing

 

 

 

Jan 14, 2019

In this episode, Chris talks about three fundamentals you need to master to plot a successful marketing plan. The beginning of a series on selling more books with less marketing in 2019.

Show Notes & Links:

The three fundamentals you need to master to give your marketing plan the best chance of success.

1. Platform: why a good book is no longer enough.

2. You need a Marketing Manifesto. No, we're not going to take over the world, just set our own course for success with three important commitments.

3. Learn how to sell.

-Most authors don't know the fundamentals of selling: how to reach readers in the various stages of the sales funnel, how to calculate important metrics like sell-through, or how to write copy that converts to sales.

-You can learn how to sell effectively without being sleazy or pushy.

Links: click 'em, they're live:

Link to podcast 101: How to be a newsletter Ninja with Tammi Labrecque

Link to Chris' updated book, The Author's Guide to Sell More Books With Less Marketing (e-book only)

 

Jan 7, 2019

In this episode of the podcast, Chris reviews the 2018 Word of Mouth Marketing Report from Convince and Convert Consulting and how it can help authors sell more books.

Show Notes & Links

- 66% of people start a purchase decision with an online search.

- How many people search retail sites like Amazon for books?

-Why book reviews are so important and why your ARC team needs to know the procedure for books they do not like.

- Social Proof and why young readers will buy based on a second hand recommendation.

-Why social media is only the vehicle to connection, not the magic bullet.

-People value word of mouth from friends and family 41% more than social media.

-Why we follow authentic people on social media: shout out to Kevin Tumlinson and Kirsten Oliphant

Links: click 'em, they're live

Click here to see the report from Convince & Convert (the link to the report is at the bottom of this blog post)

Click here to get a copy of the revised version of The Author's Guide To Sell More Books With Less Marketing

Click here to listen to episode 110 on word of mouth marketing

 

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