All Things Book Marketing

In this episode of "Smith Publicity's All Things Book Marketing," host Sandy Smith, CEO of Smith Publicity, welcomes Annie Oswald, the former Vice President of Publishing at Franklin Covey, now a motivational speaker and publishing consultant.Annie and Sandy discuss insights on the power of international rights and their significance for authors and publishing professionals. Throughout the conversation, Annie discusses:the critical role of international rights in expanding an author's reach and credibility,the various elements that authors need to consider when exploring foreign rights for their work, including market-specific strategies,the importance of reputable foreign rights agents, and the nuances of translation.the growing demand for English-language books in India, the rising interest in Spanish-language books in the U.S., and the powerful impact of audio books.She emphasizes the importance of thorough research, building a strong social media presence, and the potential opportunities that foreign rights can unlock, such as speaking engagements and global training programs.Listeners will gain practical tips on navigating the international book market, safeguarding their rights, and boosting their global presence. Annie’s extensive knowledge and passion for the publishing industry make this episode a must-listen for authors and publishing professionals looking to expand their horizons and achieve greater success.Tune in to discover how to turn your book into a global phenomenon!ABOUT OUR GUEST: Annie Oswald recently retired (May 2024) from FranklinCovey where she served as the Vice President of Publishing. She retired to pursue her passions as a motivational speaker and publishing consultant. Her role at FranklinCovey included everything frombook proposal writing and presenting to major publishing houses, rights management, and sales and marketing. Currently, she is working with Sean Covey on The 7 Habits of Teens Graphic Novel. Annie graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Communication. Annie has accepted numerous invitations as a keynote speaker for various groups around the world. Annie and her husband reside in Lehi, Utah, and are the proud parents of four daughters.ABOUT SMITH PUBLICITY: Since 1997, Smith Publicity has been a global leader in creative publicity and public relations, helping authors and experts expand their influence and build authority beyond the pages of a book. Their clients include New York Times bestsellers, debut authors, CEOs, speakers, academics, and subject matter experts. Smith Publicity secures media appearances that boost visibility, build credibility, and fuel business and platform growth. Recognized in PR News’ “Agency Elite Top 100” and as top publicists by Qwoted, Smith Publicity’s team continually innovates with clients and their teams to build strategies that amplify their ideas for lasting impact. Recognized in PR News’ “Agency Elite Top 100” and as top publicists by Qwoted, the team speaks at events worldwide like Frankfurt and London Book Fairs, continually innovating to amplify their clients' voices and impact.

Nurturing Creativity and Marketing Mindsets for AuthorsIn this episode of the All Things Book Marketing Podcast, host Corinne Moulder, Vice President of Smith Publicity, discusses book marketing strategies and author coaching with expert Jennifer Graybeal, a Certified Creativity Coach. Jennifer shares insights from her 10 years of experience in coaching, workshops, and editing, having helped over a thousand authors.  The conversation covers: the value of industry conferences such as NINC and AuthorNation,exciting new trends in book marketing and social media to build visibility,the importance of effective marketing strategies versus tactics, andguidance on nurturing creativity, emphasizing self-care, community support, and understanding individual needs.  About our Guest: Jen Graybeal (she/her) is dedicated to empowering authors through encouraging feedback, collaborative problem solving and gently-applied tough love. In ten years of coaching, workshops, and editing projects, she has helped over a thousand authors create stories they are proud of and businesses that align with their individual vision of success. Jen is a Certified Creativity Coach with a degree in English, an ever-expanding TBR pile, and a furball assistant that is usually on her lap. Visit her website for client testimonials at www.jengraybeal.com or follow her on Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky, and TikTok: @JenTheEditor.About Smith Publicity: Since 1997, Smith Publicity has been a global leader in creative publicity and public relations, helping authors and experts expand their influence and build authority beyond the pages of a book. Their clients include New York Times bestsellers, debut authors, CEOs, speakers, academics, and subject matter experts. Smith Publicity secures media appearances that boost visibility, build credibility, and fuel business and platform growth. Recognized in PR News’ “Agency Elite Top 100” and as top publicists by Qwoted, Smith Publicity’s team continually innovates with clients and their teams to build strategies that amplify their ideas for lasting impact. Recognized in PR News’ “Agency Elite Top 100” and as top publicists by Qwoted, the team speaks at events worldwide like Frankfurt and London Book Fairs, continually innovating to amplify their clients' voices and impact. Sign up for their newsletter.

In this episode of All Things Book Marketing, Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity, welcomes Kevin Anderson, CEO of Kevin Anderson & Associates, for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of ghostwriting and book publishing.Kevin shares how his unexpected entry into ghostwriting shaped his career and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration process between ghostwriters and authors. He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to book writing, where the marketing strategy is considered from the very beginning to maximize impact.Kevin also delves into the rise of hybrid publishing, offering authors more control over their publishing goals, and highlights how books serve as investments in thought leadership, elevating an author’s credibility beyond book sales.With advice on choosing the right ghostwriter and navigating the publishing journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights for nonfiction authors, publishing professionals, and anyone looking to understand the dynamics of book writing and marketing. Tune in to learn from Kevin’s experience and expertise in shaping bestselling books and thought leadership brands.

In this episode of All Things Book Marketing, Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity, chats with ghostwriter and business strategist Emily Crookston about how to maximize a book’s impact as a powerful marketing tool.Emily offers authors insightful strategies to seamlessly integrate their business goals into the book-writing process, starting well before the final manuscript is complete.With her unique perspective, Emily emphasizes that a book isn’t just a standalone project—it’s a crucial element in building a brand, generating leads, and supporting overall business objectives.Listeners will gain valuable advice on the importance of marketing during the writing phase, not just after publication.Emily explains how engaging potential readers early through tactics like LinkedIn polls for title feedback can build buzz and ensure that the book resonates with its target audience.Marissa and Emily also discuss the importance of maintaining post-publication momentum, ensuring long-term return on investment (ROI) for authors who use their books to grow their business and gain credibility. From overcoming mindset challenges like procrastination to choosing the right title, and the benefits of collaboration with ghostwriters or marketing professionals, this episode is packed with actionable tips for nonfiction authors and publishing professionals.Whether you’re preparing to write a book or looking to amplify your book’s reach, this conversation provides essential takeaways to ensure your book works as a lasting asset for your business.

In the latest episode of the Smith Publicity podcast, Sandy Smith, CEO of Smith Publicity, sits down with publishing veteran and expert Debra Englander. Debra's vast experience in working with business and non-fiction authors discusses:Navigating working with publishers,Importance of building an author brand/platformWhat publishers are looking for in decising which authors to sign on--platform vs good content–what is more impactfulSetting realistic goals for your bookWorking with a business book publicistLeveraging pre-order book sales strategiesWhether you’re an aspiring author or a seasoned nonfiction or business book author, this episode is packed with invaluable tips to help you succeed in today’s competitive market, and make the most of working with a business book publicists. Don’t miss out on Debra’s expertise on how to turn your book into a long-term asset and enhance your author brand.

Olivia McCoy and Karen McNally Upson discussed the benefits of print on demand technology for authors, dispelling stigmas associated with self-publishing. Karen offers essential insights into the  importance of aligning distribution strategies with reader behavior to maximize book sales.Key PointsThe benefits of print on demand for authors, highlighting how it reduces the need for authors to carry books and prevents excess inventory costs. Traditional publishing houses are increasingly adopting this approach.The impact of timing - production delays and distribution challenges in the book industry.The importance of publishers focusing on acquiring and producing great books while leaving distribution to specialized companies like Ingram. The efficiency and global reach of Ingram's print on demand service (Ingramspark) are highlighted..How different genres have varying reader preferences for book formats, such as ebooks or physical copies, and importance of aligning distribution strategies with reader behavior to maximize book sales.A case study contrasting two publishing pathways: custom publishing under an author's imprint and hybrid publishing. The success stories of two authors with similar topics but different brand evolutions demonstrate the effectiveness of tailored distribution strategies.Setting authors up for success by aligning their distribution strategies with their brand development and readership. The discussion highlights the significance of choosing the right publishing pathway based on individual goals and brand maturity.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Most promotional efforts will center around publication month, but that doesn't mean your job is done when the first of the next month rolls around! Brand expert Deb Gabor joins us to discuss what it takes to grow and manage a successful brand and key things she's done post-publication with her book.“Leading Expert" doesn't come close to describing Deb Gabor's passion for brands. More accurate? Brand Guru. Brand Impresario. Brand Evangelist. She's written the book on branding (three times!) with bestsellers Branding is Sex, Irrational Loyalty, and Person-ality. She's the founder and CEO of Sol Marketing, a strategy-led marketing firm obsessed with solving major business and branding problems for clients in every industry. Companies throughout the world use Deb’s Brand Values Pyramid, Ideal Customer Archetype, and “Brand Swagger Questions” to align their teams and articulate their brands to audiences.Deb also lends her brand authority with frequent contributions and commentary to major news outlets such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, FORTUNE, Inc., MediaPost, New York Times, NPR, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Business and marketing organizations regularly call on Deb as a keynote speaker and workshop leader, relying on her as an inspiration for executives to embrace the power of branding to create Marketing That Sells. Learn more at debgabor.com and solmarketing.com and follow Deb on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

You've gotten through writing, editing, design, production, distribution, and publication. Your book is now published and available and... now what? Written Word Media's Emma Boyer joins us in this episode of All Things Book Marketing to discuss timing, strategy, and recommendations for post-publication promotions.  Emma Boyer is the VP of Digital Operations at Written Word Media, a book promotion company that uses specialized and proprietary data-driven marketing techniques to empower authors and publishers to reach their audiences, and has been working in various capacities in the book publishing industry — from PR to marketing to consulting — for over 15 years. She holds an MA from Carnegie Mellon University and is very interested in the potential at the intersection of the tech and publishing worlds and is passionate about helping authors find audiences and audiences find books. Learn more at www.writtenwordmedia.com.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

For authors navigating complex publishing pathways, a literary agent serves as a guide and advocate,cutting through the noise and opening up the doors to new opportunities on your behalf. Not only isworking with a literary agent essential for any kind of traditional deal, but they can also help authors with translating publishing contracts from hybrid and indie houses as well and can curate long-lastingrelationships with editors and publishers alike. But first, before working with an agent, you have to query them. What does that entail? And once you’ve signed on, what are the best practices for creating a positive working relationship? We’re glad you asked!Donya Dickerson, Literary Agent at Aevitas, and John Willig, Literary Advisor and Content Coach atLiterary Services Inc., joined Host Corinne Moulder, Smith Publicity’s VP of Business Development, todiscuss how to query and work collaboratively with literary agents.

Literary Agent and author Lucinda Halpern discusses tips for querying and other ways to get connected to and signed by an agent in this episode of All Things Book Marketing! Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent and the founder of Lucinda Literary, based in New York. She has worked with all major publishers, including Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Hachette, and Scholastic, and currently represents New York Times and internationally best-selling authors in the categories of personal growth, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction. Her classes and coaching programs have been taught to hundreds of writers worldwide, and became the inspiration for her new book Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author (Hay House; February 6th, 2024). Learn more at lucindaliterary.com or download Lucinda’s free author training. Follow Lucinda Halpern on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X @lucindaliterary and @luncindahalpern and learn more about her work at LucindaLiterary.com.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Audio content is in with readers and that means that audiobooks are now expected from authors, not just recommended. David Wolf, Founder and CEO of Audivita, answers some commonly asked questions including the who, what, when, where, and why of audiobooks in this episode of Smith Publicity's All Things Book Marketing. David Wolf spent years serving as a music composer and producer of audio content for radio, TV, film, podcasts, audiobooks and multimedia. His previous company, Crywolf Productions, Inc. (1985-1999) and its recording studios provided music, sound design and production services for advertising and also studios such as Amblin, Discovery Channel, NBC Universal and Disney and for many well-known brands such as Southwest Airlines, Miller Brewing, Embassy Suites, Procter & Gamble, Texas Instruments, Brock Hotel Corporation and many more. David founded Audivita Studios in 2016 to apply his experience and the talents, skills  and expertise of his creative team to help companies, publishers, entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders grow their brands and businesses with podcasts and audiobooks. In 2024, Wolf is on a course to expand the core production business into related industry verticals with the creation of Media Capital Ventures, leveraging his experience in business building and operating experience in production and media. Concurrently, he co-founded 1125 Studios with Christian Bruun to develop and produce original series podcasts, film and television series. MCV has recently added Stock Day Media to its portfolio of companies to leverage the production team at Audivita Studios specifically for the OTC markets. Learn more at audivita.com and follow them on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn @audivitastudios.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Audio content is BOOMING and it's no longer a question of IF you should have a podcast to promote your expertise, but HOW should you run a podcast to promote your expertise. Luckily, we have expert Traci DeForge to help us! Traci DeForge, founder of Produce Your Podcast, is recognized as an international podcast expert, sought after speaker and media contributor. Traci is the host of the Growth Accelerator Podcast, and co-host of Ask Brien Radio Show on KHTS AM & FM, Los Angeles, CA. She's been featured on all three major networks along with CNN, CTV, and American Express Open, RadioINK, and is a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council. Learn more at www.produceyourpodcast.com and follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Smith Publicity President, Marissa Eigenbrood, and Marketing Manager, Olivia McCoy, sit down to discuss the highlights and takeaways of 2024's US Book Show hosted in NYC by Publishers Weekly and the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA).About the 2024 U.S. Book Show: Publishers Weekly and the Association of American Literary Agents presented an in-person educational conference for agents, editors, marketers and book publishing professionals for continuing education, discussion of emerging trends, and networking to foster relationships within the publishing community. This year's conference addressed emerging technologies and the AI landscape, diversity, publisher consolidation and growth opportunities as well as diving into bread-and-butter issues that can affect daily effectiveness and careers. Learn more about the hosts at publishersweekly.com and aalitagents.org. Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Jack Murtha joins us today to review brand strategy for companies, authors, and experts and how these different brands can collaborate and inform promotional efforts including marketing and publicity.Jack Murtha is a co-founder of Map Change, a thought leadership agency specializing in healthcare and technology. His work has propelled the world's most innovative companies and leaders to new heights, earning millions in new business, securing exits, and steering policy change. He's also a co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book "Dead Wrong: Diagnosing and Treating Healthcare's Misinformation Illness." Learn more at mapchangenow.com and follow Jack on LinkedIn.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

We sat down with Bookshop.org's Director of Bookstore Partnerships to discuss the indie bookstore landscape in recent years and how authors and readers can further engage with their local indies.Steph Opitz (she/her) is the Director of Bookstore Partnerships at Bookshop.org. Formerly, she was the founding director of Wordplay at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and a visiting instructor at the University of Minnesota. She serves on committees for the National Book Foundation, the Authors Guild, PEN America, and LitNet. She has curated literary events and festivals around the country—as the literary director of the Texas Book Festival, the fiction co-chair of the Brooklyn Book Festival, and on the programs team for the PEN World Voices Festival— and was the books reviewer for Marie Claire magazine. Learn more at bookshop.org.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

In celebration of Indie Author Month, we interviewed Amy Edelman, Founder of IndieReader, on what it means to be an indie author, the struggles they face, and the benefits they reap. Tune in for publishing insights, tips, tricks, and advice!Amy is a twice traditionally published and twice self published author whose day job for two decades was working in PR and marketing. She founded IndieReader in 2009 to help give hybrid, small press and self published authors a more level playing field and was one of the first companies to offer professional book reviews. The IR Discovery Awards were launched a year later. Today IR offers many services designed to help raise the profile and discoverability of non-traditionally published authors. Learn more at IndieReader.com and follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Speaking is becoming more and more of a priority for many authors looking to grow their professional brand, so we've invited Josh White, the Managing Director of Epic Keynotes, to explain how to begin developing your speaker brand, where your book fits in, and goals to consider.Joshua White launched Epic Keynotes to help companies and speakers leverage the full potential of speaking engagements. Epic's business model does not quantify bookings as the measure of success; instead, Epic focuses on generating the maximum impact possible for its clients. To that end, Epic works not just with thought leaders but with leaders of thought, those rare individuals who can impart something so profound that it will stay with audiences for the rest of their lives.Over the past decade, Joshua has been at the forefront of the professional speaking industry, working with some of the world's most renowned keynote speakers and corporate clients and charting a new direction for the sector. With Epic Keynotes, he helped pioneer a new approach to booking keynote speakers, from a transactional bureau to a consultant for both corporate clients and the keynote speakers themselves. Learn more at www.epickeynotes.com and follow both Josh and Epic Keynotes on LinkedIn.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Podcast popularity is continuing to skyrocket, allowing more and more thought leaders and authors to showcase their expertise to niche audiences and listeners. On this episode of All Things Book Marketing, Founder and Chief Evangelist Officer at Interview Valet Tom Schwab provides insights into how to give an expert interview including how to arrange your background, the equipment you'll need, and tips to talk like a pro.Tom Schwab believes the best things in life come from conversations. It’s these powerful, sometimes awkward conversations that propel us from where we are personally and professionally to where we dream of being.As an engineer, a Navy Veteran, and Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator, Tom thinks differently. Tough Minded, Skeptical, sometimes even Cantankerous, but always technically competent, always thinking – “What if”, is how the head of the Nuclear Navy described it.As a small business owner and entrepreneur, he understands the unique challenges of business owners. This led him to be an early pioneer of using inbound marketing for eCommerce and targeted podcast interviews for marketing that connects.Tom is the author of two books: Podcast Guest Profits: Grow Your Business with a Targeted Interview Strategy, called the bible of podcast guesting and One Conversation Away: A manifesto for a rich life and a profitable business. You can learn more at interviewvalet.com/bookmarketing.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, & LinkedIn.

Peter Winick, Founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage and host of the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast, breaks down the hot topic of thought leadership with definitions, descriptions, and examples.Peter Winick is the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage. For the past two decades he has helped individuals and organizations build and grow revenue streams through designing and growing their thought leadership platforms as well as acting as a guide and advisor for increasing business to business sales of thought leadership products. His clients come from a diverse set of backgrounds and specialties. They include New York Times bestselling business book authors, members of the Speakers’ Hall of Fame, recipients of the Thinkers50 award, CEOs of public and privately held companies, and academics at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Wharton, Dartmouth, and London School of Business. Peter has built his career and Thought Leadership Leverage to serve the needs of these individuals and others like them. Specifically he uses his entrepreneurial experience and spirit along with a passion for using relationships to leverage growth to help: CEOs, business owners, and internal practice leaders looking to grow revenue, revitalize marketing, and improve customer experience through applying the principles of thought leadership; Other business leaders and experts seeking to build out their ideas into a platform so they can launch content and products to create a lasting impact in various companies around the globe; and, “Traditional” thought leaders who want to build or grow their practice, increase their effectiveness in content creation and marketing as well as extend their reach into existing and new clients. Peter uses a combination of art, science, logic, focus, passion, and creativity to transform a thought leader’s great ideas into a platform and practice so they can effectively reach business leaders and executives to serve them the tools they and their organizations need. You can learn more at thoughtleadershipleverage.com and follow Peter on X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.Discover more about Smith Publicity at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, & LinkedIn.

Book Publicist Chris Baker walks us through the basics of expert commentary as a thought leader with insights into how to frame yourself and pitch to the media.Follow Chris on LinkedIn and learn more about his band, The Duskwhales, at www.theduskwhales.com.Discover more about Smith Publicity and how we can potentially help you market your book at www.smithpublicity.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & LinkedIn.