Book Marketing Simplified (Jenn Hanson-dePaula)

Trying to stand out in an overcrowded online world can feel like an impossible task. But there is a secret weapon that authors can use in order to get in front of their ideal readers and make it easier for them to find you online. In this episode I talk about Keywords, how to create a list of the best ones for your book, and where to use them most effectively.

Links

The Template Bundle for Authors

If you've ever thought of throwing your hands up in the air and deleting all of your social media accounts, you're not alone. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus go over some pros and cons of using social media as part of your marketing strategy.

Links

How to Market Your Book Without Social Media

Instagram Posting Formula FREE Download

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

You're probably seeing a lot of disturbing information about AI (ChatGPT, Bard, etc.) in the news and on social media. But is there a way for authors to put it to work for us in an ethical way that can help with weekly book marketing tasks?

Links

The Author Circle

Content is what sets you apart from every other author out there. So how can authors actually come up with great content ideas? In this episode Jenn and Marcus discuss how you can get started plus a new resource that will provide over a year's worth of content.

Content Vault for Writers

When it comes to marketing our books, oftentimes we look for the fastest and easiest ways to complete our tasks. But is that what's best for our readers? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss a vital element to our marketing that many authors overlook and how it can hurt our sales.

Read the show notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/49

Newsletters are one of the most important elements to your marketing plan. But how do you actually grow that list? In today's episode I’m going to share three elements that you need to focus on to not just gain new subscribers, but to keep your readers on your list.

Links

Book Marketing Blueprint

Read the transcript and episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/56

A book marketing strategy is an author's game plan - it helps authors know what to do to connect with readers. Without a strategy, it can leave authors struggling and feeling overwhelmed. In this episode Jenn and Marcus map out a strategy that you can use to market your book.

Links

Book Marketing Blueprint

Is it luck? Timing? Maybe. But when you peel back the curtain on authors who consistently sell books and grow an audience, you’ll find they’re playing a different game entirely.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 habits that separate successful authors from the ones still spinning their wheels (and no, it’s not just about being good at Instagram).

You’ll learn:

• Why showing up (even when you don’t feel like it) matters more than you think
• How to actually connect with your ideal readers
• The power of partnerships (and how to start one even if you’re new)
• Why talking less about your book might help you sell more
• And how one small mindset shift could unlock long-term results

Ready to make one small shift that could change everything? Tune in now and walk away with something you can put into action this week.

Episode notes, transcript, and podcast links are at http://jenndepaula.com/podcast/83

Free Download: Book Marketing Blueprint

Authors are bombarded with information, but sometimes it can be difficult to determine what is true and what might be a scam. In this episode, we discuss four red flags that authors should be aware of when it comes to book marketing.

Links

The Author Circle

We are all looking for ways to save time and money with our marketing. But with so many options, it can be hard to figure out which are best. In this episode Jenn and Marcus share their favorite free online tools that make life easier.

Links

Canva

Unsplash

Buffer

Later

Google Docs

Airtable

MailerLite

Mailchimp

"Newsletter Vs Blog Subscribers - What’s the Difference?"

"How Authors Can Start Their Newsletter"

When it comes to successfully marketing your book, there's an important element that you need: information. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss how you can use Instagram to discover exactly what your readers want and how you can put it to work.

• The importance of surveying your audience
• How to easily do this using Instagram
• How to use this information for your marketing plan

LINKS:

https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/

It can be difficult to know how many profiles an author should have on social media. Do you create a new profile for each book? Do you have multiple accounts if you write in different genres? We cover that and more in this episode.

Links

The Author Circle

Social media is always changing and growing, so it can be difficult to keep up with what is still relevant. The question of hashtags has been coming up more and more, so I thought I would address it in this episode. Should you still use hashtags? If so, how? And how many do you use? We will cover all of those in this episode.

Links

Book Marketing Blueprint

A question I'm often asked is, "What's the best social media outlet for authors to be on?" Social media continues to change and grow, so it can be a difficult landscape to navigate. On this episode we will discuss where authors should be online, what they should focus on, and what changes they should be aware of.

Links

Book Marketing Blueprint

Co-founders of Mixtus Media, Jenn Hanson-dePaula and Marcus dePaula are launching the Book Marketing Simplifed podcast to help authors save time with their marketing so they can spend more valuable time writing.

If you feel overwhelmed with book marketing and social media, I'm going to break down the three things that you need to focus on to actually make your marketing work. These three points will significantly simplify the process, help you see bigger results, and leave you more time to do what you want to do - write!

Whether you're just starting out or you're well into the process of marketing your book, Jenn and Marcus recommend the first action that authors should take to keep your marketing on track.

Knowing how to communicate and connect with your ideal reader is the cornerstone to your social media and online marketing. Jenn and Marcus discuss how an ideal reader profile provides vital information for authors and simplifies the process.

Now that we know who your ideal reader is, Jenn and Marcus discuss how to figure out which social media outlets you need to spend your time on to connect with them.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jenn and Marcus are fired up and have a hot take on the latest "quick fix" that focuses on collecting more followers instead of authentically connecting with people on social media.

Jenn answers a common question she has received from authors over the years about how they can best build their social media engagement.

Jenn has an easy hashtag tip that she guarantees will boost Instagram engagement for authors who take a few minutes to do it.

Jenn has a nightmare scenario with a client who has put all of his eggs in his "social media basket" which jeopardized the connection with his audience. There's one thing you can do to make sure you don't find yourself in this situation.

The idea of authors giving their book away for free to help grow their audience has been a hot topic for years. Jenn and Marcus discuss both sides of the argument and share alternatives to giving your book away for free.

Book clubs are a fantastic way to get readers talking about your book and grow your audience. But how do you actually get your book in front of them? Jenn and Marcus discuss an approach that you can easily apply to your marketing strategy.

Things happen in our lives every day that might throw our plans out the window - like a global pandemic that puts us all in a tailspin. But how can authors continue to market or even launch their book during uncertain times like this? Jenn and Marcus discuss strategies and tips that you can put into practice right away.

A question Jenn receives a lot in her DMs is if it's possible to revive your book sales years after the launch. Absolutely! In this episode we will outline a strategy to help you breathe new life back into your previously released books.

Giving away books and other prizes used to be a go-to strategy for growing on social media. But is it still relevant? And does it actually work? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss if this is a reliable strategy and how you can best use giveaways for your book promotions.

Links

How Authors Can Grow on Instagram Before the Book Is Written

How Authors Can Connect with BookTok and Bookstagram Influencers

How Authors Can Grow On Instagram Without Reels

Instagram Posting Formula FREE Download

If you're toying with the idea of hiring someone to do your social media for you, there are some important things for you to first consider. Many times we think that just handing off our social media for someone else to manage will give us the results that we want. But that isn't always the case. Here are some things that you should do FIRST before hiring someone to manage your social media accounts.

Links

Try The Author Circle for a month to get questions answered by fellow authors and access exclusive member guides and monthly office hours with Jenn.

Social media is, hands down, the best way to connect with others and grow your audience - but that doesn't mean that everyone likes using it. In this episode, we share strategies to help you grow your audience and actually enjoy the process.

One of the biggest misconceptions that many authors have is that it’s going to cost them hundreds or even thousands of dollars to market their book. That’s simply not the case. It is absolutely possible to successfully market your book for very little money - even for free! In today's episode we outline several ideas that you can apply to your marketing plan.

It's easy to blame an unknown algorithm when our numbers go down or our engagement fizzles out. But simply blaming it on something you have no control over won't help - in fact, it's probably hurting your engagement and growth all the more. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss the triage process you can apply on Instagram to make things work for you. 

If you find yourself fearful of starting a social media presence for any number of reasons, this episode is for you. When we have hesitations that hold us back from trying something new, we often find that they were blown out of proportion or misunderstood. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss three of those hesitations and how you can crush that fear and move on confidently.

Authors should start connecting with their audience as soon as possible on social media. But when should you start marketing your book? In this episode, we break down the three phases of marketing that will show you exactly when you should start marketing your book.

1. The Attraction Phase
2. The Promotional Phase
3. The Follow-Up Phase

Analytics aren't what most authors want to talk about, but they do play an important roll in your marketing. With all of the numbers and data services that are out there, figuring out what all the metrics actually mean can be confusing. In this episode, we show you exactly which numbers to watch and what you can ignore.

If you've ever wondered how some Instagram accounts grow a massive audience of engaged readers, this episode is for you! We are pulling back the veil and letting you in on how we grew our Instagram following to over 20,000 authentic and engaged connections. And we have a free gift to help you on your Instagram journey.

In episode 16 we discussed when an author should start marketing their book. But can you actually start to grow your audience before the book is written? Absolutely! In this episode we talk about how you can do that and give you practical action steps to get the ball rolling.

We've received several comments and messages from authors saying that they were intimidated by social media or didn't want to spend extra time growing an audience on the various platforms. Are there actually ways to market your book without social media? 

• Adjust your expectations (also remember publishers are expecting you to have a social presence) 
• Think about where your ideal readers are 
• Start local and grow from there 
• Think of different ways to reach a wider audience (traditional media, affiliations, speaking at events, etc.)

One of the major struggles I see authors face is trying to amass a large following on social media in order to sell their book. So often we are more focused on growing, growing, and growing that we overlook those we are already connected with. It’s a lot easier and more effective to sell to those who are already interested. 

• Focus On Who You’re Already Connected With 
• Identify Local Organizations and Groups
• Do a Goodreads Giveaway

Gaining a following on Instagram isn't the same as it used to be five years ago - or even one year ago. There are two big changes that authors should be aware of to see the growth and connections that they need.

If you've played with the idea of incorporating reels into your Instagram strategy but don't know where to start, we've got you covered! In this episode Jenn and Marcus will discuss the three easy steps that you can take to be successful with reels. 

• Start simple, get fancy later.
• Research hashtags and see what others are doing to get ideas/inspiration.
• Play - have fun and save drafts.

Download one month of Instagram Post ideas at https://www.mixtusmedia.com/blog/one-month-of-instagram-posts-for-authors

You know that you want to start using reels, but what do you actually share? What can you include in your reels? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus share how you can come up with ideas for your reels. 

• It's all about WHAT you say. HOW you say it is icing on the cake. CONTENT is the most important.
• Identify what you want/need to talk about and make a list.
• Go through reels to spark ideas of how you might creatively present them in reels.

LINKS: https://www.mixtusmedia.com/blog/my-secret-to-creating-successful-social-media-posts

When it comes to creating reels, most of the focus is put on the actual video. While the video is important, there are two additional items authors need to include to make sure readers take action. Jenn and Marcus discuss these two items and how you can incorporate them into your plan.

LINKS

10 Reel Ideas for Authors: https://www.mixtusmedia.com/10reelideas

If you find yourself asking, "What's the difference? Don't Reels and Stories do basically the same thing?" you're not alone - many authors have asked the same question. In this episode, we will break down the specific uses for each and how to best use Reels and Stories in your Instagram strategy. 

LINKS

10 Reel Ideas: https://www.mixtusmedia.com/10reelideas

Jenn and Marcus discuss two specific practices that might seem crazy at first, but will actually help authors reach more of their readers.

In order to sell your book, you need an audience. Many authors that I talk to feel like if they just had more followers on social media, that would be the answer to all of their problems. But it's actually deeper than that. In today's episode, we talk about five things that are holding authors back from growing an audience and how to fix it. 

• Not having clear goals in mind 
• Not having the right mindset 
• Thinking Instagram is about promotion 
• Not focusing on engagement 
• Not having a strategy 

Newsletters are one of the most important marketing tools for authors. But how do you actually promote and sell a book through newsletters? In this episode we will walk you through three key ways to successfully market your book through your newsletter.

LINKS

Newsletter Starter Kit for Authors

When we recently asked followers on Instagram what they were struggling with, the overwhelming response was a lack of motivation. I get it - when you aren't seeing results from your efforts on Instagram it can feel like a drag. In this episode, Marcus and Jenn discuss three key strategies to boost your motivation while spending less time on Instagram to growing an engaged audience.

Subscribe to our newsletter at mixtusmedia.com to hear about our new workshops.

When it comes to authors using graphics, photos, and music in our social media posts, videos, blogs, podcasts, and websites, there are some legalities you need to be aware of. Make sure you and your online presence are protected and using the right resources. In this episode, Marcus and Jenn discuss the copyright and licensing issues authors need to be aware of to stay out of trouble.

LINKS

• “More Information on Fair Use” on Copyright.gov
• CreativeCommons.org
• Canva.com
• Adobe Spark
• Unsplash.com
• Pixabay.com
• Audiojungle.net
• Soundstripe.com
• The music we use on the podcast is by Adrian Walther, licensed through Soundstripe.

Should authors be on Instagram, TikTok or both? Jenn and Marcus discuss both outlets, Jenn shares her experience, and provides guidance so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

• The difference between the two
• My experience with Instagram and TikTok
• What authors should consider

Links

Author Workshop: Turn Followers Into Book Buyers

“How Authors Can Connect with Bookstagram and BookTok Influencers”

10 Instagram Reel Ideas for Authors

Download TikTok videos without the watermark:

• SnapTik
• SaveTok for iOS/macOS and Android

One of the biggest struggles authors face on social media is knowing how to actually find their readers. Jenn and Marcus discuss two ways that you can do just that on any social media platform.

Read the episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/46

You've heard us say many times that a newsletter is the most important tool in your marketing toolbox. But where do you start? What do you put in your newsletter? How do you grow? In this episode, Jenn & Marcus break it down for you. 

• Set up your funnel 
• Have an incentive 
• Get a newsletter management service (like MailerLite) 
• Be consistent 

Links

A Simplified Approach to Newsletters for Authors

What Authors Should Write About in a Newsletter

25 Newsletter Incentive Ideas for Authors

Your book has a long life ahead of it - well beyond the release date. In fact, the majority of your sales will come well after the release. So why are authors struggling to keep sales alive? Jenn and Marcus dive into this and share some easy to apply tips to keep sales flowing well beyond your book's release.

• Adjust your mindset about the launch.
• Use your content to continue to drive book sales after the release.
• Promote your book using systems that won't cost a dime.

Links

Instagram Accelerator Process

Sometimes we think that if we stop, even for a second, all of the plates we are spinning will fall down. But the truth is, every single one of us needs to take a break. In this episode Jenn shares her own experience with stepping away for a bit. 

One of the best ways to set ourselves up for success is to create a plan with clear goals. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss how authors can create a doable plan to see success. No matter if you're listening to this at the end of the year or in the middle of July, this episode will help you!

• Assess the previous year
• Understand the difference between dreams and goals
• Make a list of all of your goals for the new year
• Plan in three-month blocks using the SMART method

Links

The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Social Media resources

Newsletter resources

Book Marketing resources

Instagram Accelerator Process

Group Coaching

Are you basing your entire marketing strategy on other people's connections? Whether that be influencers, media, friends, or organizations - depending on others to sell your book is not sustainable. In this episode Jenn and Marcus talk about what authors need to focus on to continue book sales, build a solid marketing foundation, and see better results. 

• The side effects of only relying on others for your marketing
• Why this strategy won't help you sell more books
• What authors should do instead 

Links

Streamlined Book Marketing Guide

Instagram Accelerator Process

Coaching

As an author, it can be difficult to navigate where you should be online to grow your audience and see the best results. In this episode, Jenn and Marcus talk about how authors can find the best place to connect with their ideal readers, see greater results, and actually enjoy the process.

LINKS

Social media demographics to inform your brand’s strategy in 2021 by Sprout Social

Instagram Stories Vs Reels and How to Best Use Them

Streamlined Book Marketing Guide

Instagram Accelerator Process 

Have you ever wondered, "What's the difference between subscribing to a blog and subscribing to a newsletter?" We know this can be confusing for some authors, so Jenn and Marcus differentiate between the two and give an overview of the pieces required to get your newsletter rolling.

Putting yourself and your book out into the world can be scary - especially for introverts. But to see book sales and to grow your platform, it's a must. In this episode Jenn and Marcus discuss some tools that authors can use to market their book - even if you're an introvert! 

• Adjust your mindset - be positive!
• Talk to one person you know will want to hear from you - your ideal reader. 
• Take it one step at a time.

Must authors have tons of social media followers to be considered by book publishers? What are publishers specifically looking for? I've been bombarded with these questions for the past few weeks, so I figured we should talk about it! In this episode we will discuss what you need on the marketing and social media side of things to get the attention of a publisher.

Links

Book Marketing Blueprint

Getting reviews for you book can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But there is a way! In this episode I share three tips that you can put to work to get reviews rolling in.

Links

The Author Circle

Read the episode notes and transcript at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/54

Authors have several different publishing routes to consider to get their book out into the world. And that can be a difficult decision to make - especially when you don't know what to expect. In this episode, Jenn discusses four questions you should consider when deciding to traditionally or self publish your book.

Read the show notes and transcript, and access all of our book marketing resources at http://mixtusmedia.com.

Whether you are a new or established author, once the book is done and released, getting people to buy your book is often a challenge. Effective book marketing starts with visibility.

Links

Stand Out Social Media for Authors

Chances are that you've experienced less engagement on Instagram lately. You're not alone! In this episode Jenn and Marcus discuss ways that authors can boost their engagement and see better results.

• Create more conversations in Stories.
• Use more keywords and specific hashtags.
• Double down on what IS working for you.

Links

We’ve already heard how having an email marketing strategy is essential part of converting social media followers into book buyers. But how do we actually get our ideal readers to subscribe?

Links

“How Authors Can Promote a Book Through Newsletters”

“How to Grow an Author Newsletter”

“Three Things Authors Need to Start Their Newsletter”

“Newsletter Vs Blog Subscribers - What’s the Difference?”

“How Authors Can Start Their Newsletter”

“Are You Making One of These 3 Book Marketing Mistakes?”

“A Simplified Approach to Newsletters for Authors”

Newsletter Starter Kit

Another frequent question I get from new authors leading up to their new book release is: “What should my expectations be?” Having a long-term marketing plan, paired with reasonable expectations, can keep us from getting discouraged and keep our sales rolling in well beyond the launch.

Not sure where to start with creating your long-term marketing plan?

Download our free author resources, including:

• The Book Marketing Blueprint
• What Authors Can Post Before They Publish
• The Ultimate Newsletter Checklist
• 50 Content Ideas for Writers

You can also try The Author Circle for a month to get questions answered by fellow authors and access exclusive member guides and monthly office hours with Jenn.

If you feel like you're constantly posting on social media but you aren't seeing any sales, you aren't alone in the struggle! There are some key changes you can make to begin to see a difference.

1. The outlet is not always the answer. (Simply being on TikTok isn't going to help you sell more books.)
2. Your content - what it is that you're posting - is the key.
3. You need a plan that is always leading them to the next step.
4. Repeat old posts for new followers and for those who may have missed them.

Join The Author Circle

Feeling overwhelmed by all the marketing platforms out there?

You’re not alone. Many authors burn out trying to be everywhere at once—but the ones who thrive know exactly where to focus their efforts.

In this episode, we’ll break down how to choose the right platforms for your book marketing based on what actually works for you.

You'll learn how to:

• Cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves the needle
• Choose platforms that fit your strengths (and ditch the ones that drain you)
• Align your marketing strategy with your long-term goals

If you’ve been wondering where you should be marketing your book - both online and offline - this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

Tune in now and download Pick Your Platform to map out your ideal marketing strategy!

Amazon isn't the only place where reviews can have an impact on book sales. So where can authors get more authentic reader reviews and how can we put them to work in our marketing efforts?

Getting reviews on Amazon can feel like pulling teeth. But they are very important to your overall marketing. In this episode, Jenn & Marcus discuss ways that you can boost your review and keep them coming in.

- Create a plan for getting reviews at launch

- Continue to ask readers regularly for reviews

- Add review prompts in your book

- Do a Goodreads Giveaway

If you’re sick of chasing social media trends, not seeing the growth or engagement that you want online, this episode is for you! We are going to walk you through a proven strategy that helps authors accomplish their goals on social media.

Links

Stand Out Social Media for Authors

Twitter has taken a big dive over the past few weeks. I've seen many authors post that they aren't sure what they are going to do now that Twitter's survival is in question. In this episode I'm going to walk you through a few key factors authors can consider.

Links

Reel and TikTok Templates

The Author Circle

Watch the video and read the transcript at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/60

When it comes to social media, there isn't one outlet that is best for every author. There are actually a few details to consider. In this episode we are going to discuss what you need to consider to make sure you're where you need to be online.

Links

Instagram Ideas Bundle

Read the transcript and episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/55

TikTok has made a massive impact on the world of social media - and nearly every outlet has tried to mimic TikTok's features. So as users, what can we learn from from TikTok? In this episode, Jenn and Marcus discuss what TikTok is doing really well and how we can apply it to our marketing strategies.

Links

The Author Circle

A majority of the conversations I have with authors about book marketing start off with, "I hate marketing!" I get it - it's not what you got into writing for. But, what if I were to tell you that marketing just might not be what you think it is? In this episode I share four very important details that authors need to know about marketing.

A lot of online advice about book marketing includes hiring a Public Relations specialist. But what do PR agencies and publicists do, and at what stage of an author's career is it a good idea to hire one?

LINKS

Mary O'Donohue, Strategic Media Coach and Author

The Author Circle

Finding the time and energy to create social media posts for marketing while you're writing your book can be one of the biggest challenges authors face. Jenn has a couple quick tips to help you maintain those connections with your readers online without taking too much time away from your writing.

LINKS

Stand Out Social Media for Authors

Hashtags have changed a lot over the years - from how we use them to how many we actually use in our posts. So what is the best way to use hashtags? How many do we use? In this episode, I'll share with you a hashtag formula that you can put to work today.

If you've ever found yourself saying, "I wish I would have known this before I published my book," you're not alone! In this episode we discuss some important things you should consider as you start your publishing journey.

Links

Hilary Rushford’s 3 podcast episode book publishing story

The Author Circle

Once authors have addressed the visibility problem we covered in part one of this discussion on why our book isn't selling, the next big factor is how to convert that engagement into a sale.

Links

Stand Out Social Media for Authors

I can teach you all of the book marketing strategies and show you everything that you need to do to sell your books, but if you are struggling with this particular mindset, you won't see the success that you're looking for.

LINKS

The Author Circle

When an author has a very tight budget (or no budget at all) the idea of paying for ads might be scary. Do they work? Should a new author use ads? In this episode, Jenn discusses ads, what you should consider before buying ads, and a few tips to get things rolling.

Read the episode notes at http://mixtusmedia.com/podcast/51

Newsletters are an important element to an author's marketing strategy, but what's actually involved? How does an author get started? In this episode Jenn walks you through the three major elements authors need to get their newsletter started.

Links

The Author Circle

One of the biggest questions I get about marketing a book is where do I even start? I can be difficult to figure out what to do, how to do it, and what to focus your limited time on. In this episode we will talk about:

• the first two steps to start marketing your book
• knowing your unique strategy
• get your marketing foundation set

Links

Book Marketing Starter Kit