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)
-Winter Wonderland picture link
-Chris' latest book The Newbies Guide To Sell More Books With Less Marketing. (more on SMART Marketing)
In this episode Chris and Becca interview author Shawn Inmon for tips on how he built his Facebook page from 86 fans to over 3000 by being consistent, persistent, and personable. And, spending less than ten dollars a month.
Links & Show Notes:
-Why it is important to make a commitment to post once a day over a long period of time before even thinking about your engagement rates.
-Why a slow, persistent effort is better than buying fans or buying ads for quick growth.
-How using strategic boosted posts to snag new readers can help grow your page.
-How to create a "destination Facebook page."
-Why being yourself is your secret weapon.
-Why social media is hard for some people and easy for others.
Links: Click' em - they're live!
Shawn Inmon's Facebook author page
Link to SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook closed group (you'll have to answer a few questions to get in)
In this episode Chris analyzes how the changes in social media algorithms have impacted the way authors can now sell books and engage fans and what authors will have to do to be successful marketing their own books.
Show Notes & Links:
-Why the presence of algorithms on all major social media channels has changed the way authors can market books online.
-Why it might be time to spend more time developing a Facebook group.
-Why groups and pages need different content.
-Why some genres and age groups need a different approach in social media.
-What our podcast and Facebook groups will be emphasizing in 2018.
Links:
Click here to join the SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook group.
In this episode Chris breaks down the new data from Pew Internet Research in the 2018 Social Media Use Report and what that means for indie authors.
Show Notes and Links:
-Why Facebook's numbers are still the best.
-Why the new numbers are still a challenge for YA and children's writers.
-How much social media is enough?
-Why authors should be cutting back on social media not adding on more.
-What are the criteria for an outpost channel and why you might want to have a couple.
Links:
In this episode Chris discusses five principles that will help you find online classes, books, webinars, and Facebook groups that will help you sell more books and not just waste your time.
Show Notes & Links:
-First things first: know thyself.
-How to find platform-appropriate marketing training
-Why FOMO (fear of missing out) is your mortal enemy
-Why you should always consider value over price.
-When copying what other authors are doing might not be a good idea
-Why you need to know your base knowledge before you buy or enroll
-What is your budget for lifelong learning?
-What is the best strategy for selling more books?
Links (click 'em, they're live)
Episode 31 - Platform-friendly book marketing
My online classes and who they're a good fit for:
Level One Authors:
Free class on building an email list: This class is designed for authors who do not have an email list started yet or are struggling trying to make their small list (less than 200) grow.
Paid Courses and who they're good for:
All these courses have information pages that tell you about the course.
1. How to build a Facebook page that sells more books. If you have published one or more books and do not have a Facebook author page set up, this is a good course for you. Also, if you do have a page set up and you're not using the Shop template to sell books or integrating your email sign-up with your page, it's also a good course for you. Cost: $49
2. How to write online content (social media & ads) that will get you more engagement and more book sales. Best course I've ever put together. It includes updates and info on the latest Facebook algorithm change in January 2018. This course if for high level one authors and above (levels two through four) who have Facebook business pages and are struggling with engagement and sales. It contains 11 videos and numerous tools and learning labs.
Cost: $79.
In this episode, Chris and Becca interview authors Honoree Corder and Ben Hale about their newest book, Market Like A Boss.
Show Notes & Links
-The difference between writing as a hobby and writing as a business.
-Why you need a personal vision of success rather than a general vision of success based on what others have done.
-Marketing success is a long game. It's not instant and it's never "done."
-Why "six-figure author" can be a double challenge for some authors.
-Why watching your books sales can be like watching grass grow.
-Why learning is a huge part of your marketing success.
-When to use a professionals to help in your publishing journey.
-Ben's "good book cover" test.
Links:
-Get your copy of Market Like A Boss here.
-Honoree's Amazon Author page.
-Book Two: Publish Like A Boss
Join the SMART Marketing For Authors Mastermind Facebook group. You'll have to answer three questions to get in, but it's worth it!
In this episode Chris interviews Becca about her writing calendar, a tool that Becca developed to keep her author business and herself on track for success.
Show Notes & Links:
-How Becca set up a simple Excel spreadsheet to keep her writing, publishing, and promoting on task.
-Why "productivity tools" need to take your personality into account.
-Why you need to know your abilities to set up a calendar correctly.
-Why some people are wired to "write fast" and others are not.
-What kinds of tasks should your writing calendar track?
-Why a writing calendar is not set in cement.
Links:
-Link to Becca's new book, Vangie Vale And The Strangled Strudel
-Link to Chris' Content Formula class
-Link to Becca's sample writing calendar you can download and use
-Link to SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook group
In this episode, Chris and Becca have an informal discussion about the three options for authors on Facebook for promoting books and engaging with readers: personal profiles, author business pages, and groups. Pros and cons of each in light of the new algorithm changes.
Show Notes & Links:
-The three types of Facebook pages authors use to promote their books and build fan engagement.
-Tips on how to use each in light of the new Facebook algorithm
-Why using your personal platform to promote your books is not a good idea.
-Get maximum engagement on social media by using to 80-20 Content Rule.
-How tracking your Facebook Insights will help you write more engaging content.
-Why it's important to educate readers to mark your Facebook page as a "See First" page in their newsfeeds.
Links:
-Link to episode 75--Chris' take on the new Facebook algorithm.
-Link to Chris' video on how to set up the Shop Template on your author business page.
-Link for more information about The Content Formula online class. JANUARY 23 IS THE LAST DAY OF THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
-Facebook's helpful cheat sheet on the differences between profiles, pages, and groups.
In this episode Chris gives her take on the latest Facebook algorithm changes and how they may affect authors. Keep calm and carry on.
Show Notes & Links
-Why social media is still the best place to engage with your fans.
-Why you should not start using your Facebook personal profile to promote your books.
-The three things you need to do now to keep up with the changes.
-How to track your page on Facebook Insights (pdf-see links below)
-How to train your followers to list your page as a "See First" page and why you need to do that (link to Vimeo video below)
-Above all, keep calm, carry on, and know what's happening on your own page.
Links:
In this episode, Chris presents part two on the keys to book marketing success in 2018. This week we find out the secret to online content that engages and sells: The Content Formula.
Show Notes & Links:
-Why audience research is your friend.
-The three kinds of audience research you need to be doing.
-Good audience research is free, but it costs your time.
-How to scout what other authors are doing well.
-The four pieces to the secret of engaging content that sells: The Content Formula.
-How you can find your Content Nexus.
-Make it simple: use "buckets" to organize your content.
Links:
-Research source links: Pew Internet Research, Buffer blog, EMarketer, Marketo blog.
-Free survey tools: Survey Monkey, TypeForm, Google Forms
- Becca's new cozy mystery book: Vangie Vale And The Strangled Strudel
-Free sample lesson from Chris' new class, The Content Formula. This particular lesson is on Finding Your Content Nexus.
In this episode, Chris talks about the new algorithm announcement from Facebook and what it really means for authors.
Show Notes & Links:
-Why won't Facebook tell use exactly what is acceptable and what is not?
-Is this really a new version of the "algorithm"?
-What percentage of authors will probably be affected by the new algorithm tweak?
-Can authors still run a poll on their Facebook page?
-How might this affect third party sites that offer contest and sweepstakes applications?
-Why it's important to remember that the emphasis in the new tweak is on the baiting part and not on the likes, clicks, comments, and shares.
Links (click 'em, they're live-no baiting here)
Facebook's history of fighting click baiting (May 2017)
Facebook's promotion guidelines (see letter E)
Mari Smith Facebook Live on the new changes
Enroll in Chris' free online class: How to Succeed With Facebook Ads in 2018
In this episode Chris talks with Draft2Digital (D2D) marketing Director Kevin Tumlinson on what is on the horizon for book marketing strategies in 2018. They also discuss D2D's recent decision to add Amazon as a distributor.
Show Notes & Links:
-Sign up here for Chris' free 8-video course on How to Succeed With Facebook Ads in 2018.
-Why content marketing is the next big thing in book marketing and what that means for authors.
-Why building your own personal brand is your key to long-term success.
-Why personalization is going to be key in book marketing in 2018.
-Why "batch & blast" marketing techniques are not working to sell books.
-The nuts and bolts of how Draft2Digital works with authors and what kinds of services they offer.
-How you can automatically update your front and back matter with D2D's publishing options.
-Why Amazon? Why now?
-How D2D's Author Resources can help authors find help producing and marketing their books.
Important Links:
Click here to see Becca's new cozy culinary mystery book coming out in early January.
Draft2Digital's Author Resources page
Draft2Digital's blog for authors
Get more info on Draft2Digital and the services they provide here
Draft2Digital's Announcement Adding Amazon
How to leave a review on iTunes from our friend Stephen Campbell
In this episode Chris and Anne Janzer talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with the failure of Pronoun.
Show Notes & Links:
-If you were using Pronoun to distribute your books, what does the aftermath look like for you? What are your options?
-Why the loss of Pronoun reveals a bigger challenge for all indie authors.
-Why using goals-objectives-strategies-tactics (GOST) to drive your marketing plan will help you navigate changes in the market.
-How to do you own "House Hunter Analysis" to find your best fit for book distribution companies.
-The four components of a House Hunter Analysis to find your best option that fits your business goals for publishing :
-How to use "satisficing" to make your business decisions and win.
Links:
Link to Anne's Amazon author page
Link to Barry Schwartz's book The Paradox of Choice
Link to sign up for Chris' free Facebook Ads email class
Link to the December special for Chris' three book marketing books
In this episode Chris and Becca talk about five paradigm shifts authors need to make to succeed in their author business in 2018. It's just around the corner so let's get going!
Show Notes & Links:
-Why authors need to concentrate on writing better books in 2018.
-The ying and yang of FOMO (the fear of missing out). Can it actually be a good thing?
-How do you decide who to trust to give you marketing advice?
-Why you need to use changes in the market to your advantage.
-What is it that you complain about the most? Can you control that?
-You are unique--your journey is unique--there is no one ring to rule them all. Be confident!
Links:
Click to sign up for Chris' free 8-week class on how to succeed with Facebook ads in 2018.
SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook group. Join now--you'll have to answer a few questions to prove you're not a bot.
We're coming soon to Spotify. If you're there, we'll see you there soon.
In this week's episode we interview Honoree Corder and Ben Hale, co-authors of a new series of books designed to help authors make writing their full-time career and successful business.
Links & Show Notes:
-Why becoming a writing professional is like baking a batch of cookies.
-What the heck is a writing hobbyist?
-Why authors need business goals.
-Why you need to identify triggers that will help keep you on track to new habits of success.
-What is the difference in motivation between a writing hobbyist and a writing professional?
-Why you need to invite criticism of your books to succeed.
-How making a small change can develop a new habit.
Links:
Click here to get your copy of Write Like A Boss on Amazon
Honoree Corder's author website
Honoree's Prosperity for Writers Mastermind Facebook Group
This week Chris and Becca talk about five book marketing trends that are set to expire in 2018. Food for thought--we want to get you up to speed on which book marketing trends are working and which are not.
Links & Notes:
1. Click to link to Chris' free email marketing class.
2. Join our SMART Marketing For Authors Facebook group. Don't forget to answer the three questions so we can know you aren't a bot.
3. Sign up for Chris' FREE 8-week online course on how to be successful with Facebook ads in 2018. One video a week. Unsubscribe at any time.
In this episode Chris and guest co-host Kate Tilton discuss how to produce and promote your own audio books.
Show Notes & Links:
-How ACX University helps authors navigate the audio book process.
-Some of the initial questions authors need to ask before considering audio books.
-Pros and cons of releasing an audio book at the same time as your ebook.
-What is the process of finding a narrator for your book?
-What kind of investment should you expect to make when producing an ebook?
-What is the difference between royalty shares and charging perhour of finished product?
-Tips for launching an ebook.
-How to find audio book reviewers.
Links (just click 'em)
-Kate's post on 25 ways to market your audio book
-Joel Friedlander interview with Kate and Hannah
-Info on Chris' online course, How To Set Up A Facebook Page That Sells More Books
In this episode Chris and Becca interview successful author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn about the business of being an author. Joanna shares her successful strategies for growing her author business.
Show Notes & Links:
-Hear Joanna's story and how she pulled the plug on a successful corporate career to pursue building her own author business.
-What is the definition of an entrepreneur?
-Why being an entrepreneur isn't for everyone.
- The difference between a marketing strategy and a distribution strategy.
-What does it mean to distribute your books "wide" and what are the advantages? Who might not want to go wide.
-Why is pricing your book an important element of selling globally?
-Joanna shares her Bookbub Featured Deal short cut.
-Why it's important to know the global market and what readers in other countries prefer.
-Why strategy has to do with what you don't know just as much as what you do know.
Joanna talks about her new book, The Healthy Writer, written with Dr. Euan Lawson.
Links (just click 'em)
Joanna's new book, The Healthy Writer
Link to Joanna's website, The Creative Penn
Link to Joanna's J.F. Penn fiction author page
Link to The Creative Penn podcast
In this episode Chris and Becca interview longtime friend and book marketing expert Sandra Beckwith, founder of Build Book Buzz. Sandra has a new tool for authors to help put together a user-friendly comprehensive book marketing plan.
Links & Show Notes:
-Why you need to look at the marketability of your book before you start putting together a marketing plan.
-Why knowing who your book's audience is will make marketing your book easier.
-How using Google Maps is like putting a marketing plan together.
-The difference between strategies and tactics and how that knowledge will make your marketing plan more successful.
Links (Just click 'em)
Link to get Sandra's free Book Marketing Plan
Link to Build Book Buzz website
Link to the Build Book Buzz Facebook group
In this episode we interview rock star nonfiction author and coach Honoree Corder on how to collaborate on projects with other authors. Learn what it takes to work with another author.
-What does the collaboration process look like?
-How do you find another author to collaborate with?
-How do you actually share duties on a project?
-How you should share duties on a project?
-Make sure you tick off all the legal boxes in your partnership.
-Why your biggest asset is being easy to work with
Prosperity For Writers - Chris' favorite book by Honoree
Honoree's new book with Ben Hale, Write Like A Boss - get your copy today!
The Prosperous Writers Series boxed set by Honoree Corder and Brian Meeks
Please consider leaving a review of the podcast on iTunes so more authors can find us. Click on this link and then click on "view in iTunes." Next, click on ratings & Reviews and leave your review. Thanks! Or, if you're an Android or Windown person, you can leave a review on Stitcher.
In this week's episode we interview one of our favorite indie authors, Zara Keane. She knows her book marketing. You won't want to miss.
Show Notes & Links
-Zara shares her tips for success with Amazon Marketing Service ads.
-How to build a successful review team. Learn how to vet your reviewers for a higher success rate.
-How and why Zara cut back on her social media marketing.
-Tips on handling email marketing for multiple genre writers.
-Why you should get friendly with failure.
Links (Just click 'em):
Link to Zara's reader review form (hat tip to J A Huss)
Link to the JA Huss Perfect Year book marketing series on YouTube
Link to Chris' author-recommended Facebook class
In this episode we welcome Tom Tate, AWeber's Product Marketing Manager to give us tips on how to land your emails in your subscribers' inboxes. This episode is a Learning Lab--note taking will be valuable.
Show Notes & Links
-Why email providers screen your emails
-How email companies decide what is spam
-Why you content makes a difference--is yours valuable?
-Why getting target readers on your list is better than amassing large numbers of general readers
-How to educate your subscribers to make sure your emails land in the inbox.
-Tips on how to escape the dreaded spam tag
-Are you familiar with the CAN-SPAM Act?
-Tips on engaging subscribers in a conversation to boost engagement
-Why you need to include an unsubscribe link in every email
Clickable Links
-Information on Chris' new Facebook class
-Link to info on the CAN-SPAM Act
In this episode Chris interviews multiple genre author Sue Quinn about how to write for love and money. Also, they explore the process of shutting down a very popular Facebook and when to know when a group has outlived its purpose.
Show Notes & Links
In this episode you'll hear:
Clickable Links:
Sue's self-publishing blog for authors
Chris' Facebook page class is still available. Learn how to set up your author business page for maximum sales and engagement. See what authors are saying about the class here.
In this episode, Chris and Dave Chesson dig into Amazon keywords--what are they, why do you need to know how to use them, and everything in between. You'll want to take notes on this one. A learning lab episode.
Show Notes & Links:
-Hear Dave's story and how he got into self-publishing.
-What the heck is a keyword anyway and why you need to know.
-Where you should be using Amazon keywords.
-How to research the best keywords for your book or Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) ads.
-What is KDP Rocket and how it can save you tons of time in keyword research and help you find out if your book will make any money.
-The three criteria Amazon uses when deciding where and when to deliver your AMS ad.
-How long does it take an AMS ad to start delivering?
Links You'll Need:
Click here to find out more about Chris' new Facebook course.
-Here's the link to find out more about KDP Rocket.
-Click here to get into Dave's free AMS Ads online course--highly recommend.
In this episode Chris give you her best ten tips for setting up your Facebook page to sell more books.
Show Notes & Links
**Special announcement: Becca's Write Better Faster class is open again. If you didn't get in last time, be sure and grab your seat early. Click here for more info.
-We review the "Golden Rule of Selling On Social Media" and why you can't overlook it.
-Why Facebook is the best social media channel for selling your books.
-Learn the time commitment for getting maximum engagement on the three top social media channels.
-Why you need to know what the self life is of a post on every social media channel.
-How does Facebook rank in effectiveness to sell against the other social media channels?
-Smarty Pants Book Marketing news this week.
Links:
Link to episode 57 and 58 for review
The Sales Funnel graphic and AOL Platforms research
Ways to use pinned posts to sell more books
Canva tutorials on how to put together images that attract attention
Copywriting resources I recommend:
Info & sign-up for Chris' new online course, How to Set Up a Facebook Page That Sells More Books
The Newbie's Guide to Sell More Books With Less Marketing
Be sure and go to the podcast page at cksyme.com/episode59 and let us know what your biggest book marketing challenge is and what topics you'd like us to cover in future how-to shows.