The Book Marketing Action Podcast

In this episode, Becky welcomes back Stephanie Chandler—founder and CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association and Nonfiction Writers Conference—for a deep dive into publishing paths for nonfiction authors. Stephanie shares candid advice on navigating traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing, including how to vet hybrid publishers, how to protect your creative work, and what platform-building really looks like today. If you're trying to decide how to publish your next nonfiction book, this episode is a must-listen.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Stephanie and her work in the world. What Stephanie has learned about selecting the ideal book publishing path. What Stephanie asks authors and listens for when helping them select the right path for their book.About the timeline of hybrid publishing and what can slow it down. What an author should look for when they’re selecting a partner to publish their book.How Stephanie’s organization vets manuscripts and what they look for in the manuscripts that are selected for publication.Guidance for nonfiction authors who want to set their work apart from the noise of all the books that are currently being published.About the various projects, initiatives, and opportunities that the Nonfiction Authors Association has to offer. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.The Book Marketing Action Podcast is featured as one of the 20 best podcasts for authors on writing, publishing, and book marketing in this article from BookBub Partners.

In today’s episode, Becky is joined by Larissa Banting—accredited publicist, CEO of El Bee PR, and author—for a powerhouse conversation on personal branding, earned media, and strategic PR for authors. Larissa shares actionable insights on how to define your niche, pitch your personal stories, and build media momentum long before your book launches. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your story featured or how to find the right audience for your message, this episode is filled with tips you can implement right away.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Larissa, her work in the world, and her company, El Bee PR.Some of the key elements of a personal brand that actually move the needle when an author is trying to promote their book.The branding strategies Larissa believes solo entrepreneurs and authors should borrow from more high-profile clients and brands. Practical ways that authors can begin to show up as the expert on their topic before they launch their books.Finding media gold in a personal story, what it means, and why it is so powerful. How an author can figure out which of their personal stories are worth pitching to media outlets.Six ideas to get you started on finding media gold in your personal story.One thing Larissa wishes more authors knew about the power of PR and building a strong personal brand. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky is joined by Dawn Mann Sanders—author, Bible teacher, and associate minister—to discuss the power of relationships on the author journey. Dawn shares the unexpected turns in her publishing and audiobook experience, how strategic and authentic connections helped her launch her book, and what she’s learned along the way about marketing, podcasting, and trusting the process. If you’re navigating your own book launch, this conversation will leave you inspired to take action and build community around your message.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Dawn, her work in the world, and her book, When Your World Ends: God's Creative Process for Rebuilding a Life.About the upcoming audiobook for When Your World Ends. What surprised Dawn about the journey of being a first-time author.What went better than Dawn expected while marketing her book. Some of the challenges Dawn faced while marketing her book. What it was like for Dawn to narrate her own audiobook. How Dawn has continued to engage her audience after launching her book. What inspired Dawn to start her own podcast. Dawn’s favorite part of the author journey so far. Dawn’s advice for first-time authors. Some of Dawn’s best tips for relationship building. About the power of strategic connections. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky is joined by Michelle Garrett—public relations consultant, writer, author, and speaker. Michelle shares the candid truth about her self-publishing journey—from unmet expectations to the determination it took to launch her book. If you're navigating the ups and downs of self-publishing, Michelle’s experience offers invaluable insights into what to ask, how to find the right partner, and why strategy—and resilience—matter.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Michelle and her work in the world. Michelle’s expectations going into the self-publishing process and how they compared to the reality she experienced.Michelle’s process for selecting her support team when self-publishing her book. Some of the challenges and disappointments Michelle faced while working with her support team and where she felt she needed more guidance. The questions Michelle didn’t ask when she was selecting a support team, and what she would ask now. The frustration Michelle experienced when she did not receive a timeline or deadlines from her support team. The importance of adhering to goals and milestones.The most important qualities and characteristics that authors should look for when they’re hiring an individual or an agency to assist them on the self-publishing journey. How Michelle’s experience affected her confidence and momentum for bringing her book into the world, and how she moved forward from the disappointments she faced.Michelle's guidance on what to consider when selecting the right partner for your project.Some of the unique challenges self-published authors face when it comes to gaining publicity. PR strategies and tactics that work well for self-published authors. The importance of being the “Chief Marketing Officer” for your book. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky interviews Kourtney Jason—president and co-founder of Pacific & Court—who delves into the intricacies of book PR campaigns. Kourtney highlights successful client stories, emphasizing strategies like targeted outreach, beginning PR efforts early, and managing expectations realistically within the book marketing landscape. She underscores the importance of identifying a specific audience and building a strong author brand to achieve effective book publicity.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Kourtney, her background as the leader of Pacific & Court, and her experience as an author. How authoring five books influenced Kourtney’s passion for the work she does and how she supports other authors. Kourtney’s approach for facing rejection and how she’s handled it on her own journey as well. How Kourtney helps authors define and reach the audience that will be most receptive to their unique books. Why quantity can be more important than quality when it comes to acquiring media for first-time authors.How soon an author should start thinking about how they want to establish their brand and thought leadership.The long-term impact Kourtney has seen for clients who start building their brand early on. Some of the common mistakes and assumptions authors make when setting goals for publicity, as well as guidance on how to reframe those goals. What Kourtney considers to be the biggest trends in book publicity right now and how authors can adapt. What Kourtney’s favorite social media platform is. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky is joined by Jane Friedman—book publishing industry expert, author, and returning guest—who delves into the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, explaining how authors have taken responsibility for the marketing of their books and the impact of AI on discoverability. Jane provides listeners with her seasoned perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing authors and offers actionable insights for navigating the modern publishing landscape effectively.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Jane and her work in the world.What surprised Jane the most as she worked on the second edition of her book, The Business of Being a Writer.What Jane decided to remove completely from the first edition of the book as she revised it. Insights on how the role of authors is evolving in today’s publishing ecosystem and how marketing is evolving as well. The value of having an email list that you own. Some of the trends Jane is seeing in book marketing right now that authors should keep an eye out for, particularly related to AI developments.About Jane’s own book marketing journey. Common misconceptions that authors have about the publishing industry.Jane’s greatest wish for the new edition of her book.Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky is joined by author and poet Marla Taviano, who shares how her authentic online presence—one that embraces imperfection and interaction—has resonated with her followers. She explains her creative process, how she builds strong and genuine connections with her audience, and the significance of sharing her personal journey while uplifting other voices in her space.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Marla, her writing, her books, and her other work in the world. The challenges of selling books as well as other, more meaningful measures of success. About Marla’s goal of being on 50 podcasts before she turns 50 on Halloween (this one is number 18).Some of the specific strategies that have helped Marla grow her following on Instagram and spread her important messages. The content that has worked well for Marla, like poetry art, and the creative process behind that. How Marla keeps her Substack subscribers engaged and how important it has been in growing her brand.What happened to Marla’s previous blog posts and whether or not she would like to revisit them one day.Words of wisdom and inspiration from Marla’s poems. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In the first episode of Season 6, Becky is joined by Alison Fragale—bestselling author, research psychologist, award-winning professor, and international keynote speaker—who talks about the remarkable journey of launching her debut book, Likeable Badass. Alison discusses key strategies and initiatives behind her launch, the experience of working with a “Big Five” publisher, and how being proactive and consistent played pivotal roles in her success.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Alison, her background, and her work in the world. What it’s like working with a “Big Five” publisher and how Alison achieved that.  Some of the perks that come with working with a “Big Five” publisher and some of the misconceptions people have about it. Alison’s understanding of what it means to be “killing it” with her release so far, as well as Becky’s perspective. Some of the most impactful approaches Alison has implemented on the path to selling nearly 50,000 books and seeing her speaking fees rise. The most fun part of the journey for Alison.What Alison learned about mobilizing her network through the process of launching her book. How Alison grew her audience on LinkedIn and how having that engaged audience early on helped when it came time to market her book. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

This three-part bonus season of The Book Marketing Action Podcast covers all of Becky Robinson’s Write to Publish 2024 sessions on achieving book marketing success. In this episode, Becky outlines some of the most impactful tactics for effective book marketing, including network mobilization, Amazon review campaigns, public relations, and events. She also brings the episode to a close by sharing a meaningful story about how creating long-term impact is like planting trees and seeing them grow far beyond what you can imagine. During the episode, Becky shares:  A review of the four Reach commitments and the Reach Framework, which were the focus of part two of this bonus season.The more advanced tactics that can be used to market your book, including:Network mobilization (determining your VIPs, launch team, and your “in hopes that” group) Amazon review campaigns and Amazon adsPublic relations, PR success factors, the impact of podcast appearances, and some DIY approaches to obtaining media wins Events, including virtual launch parties and webinars Audience questions to wrap up all that was covered during her three sessions on achieving book marketing success.A touching story and inspiration for anyone who wants to create a lasting impact in the world. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

This three-part bonus season of The Book Marketing Action Podcast covers all of Becky Robinson’s Write to Publish 2024 sessions on achieving book marketing success. In this episode, Becky outlines the four Reach Commitments that are necessary for expanding your audience and creating a lasting impact: value, consistency, longevity, and generosity. She also dives into the fundamentals of how to get started on the journey to creating reach.  During the episode, you’ll learn about:  Becky’s definition of reachThe four Reach Commitments: ValueConsistencyLongevityGenerosity The Reach Framework:Start with a websiteGet people to sign up for your email list from your website or a lead magnetCreate content of value in a variety of formats (content marketing)Share that content to grow your presence on social media How to grow an email list, repurpose content, and more The power of bringing online connections offline Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

This three-part bonus season of The Book Marketing Action Podcast covers all of Becky Robinson’s Write to Publish 2024 sessions on achieving book marketing success. In this episode, Becky demystifies the book marketing process by grouping it into four distinct phases: building, working, launching, and advancing. By providing detailed guidance around each phase, Becky sparks new ideas for authors as they work to build a substantial audience, effectively manage the pre-launch period for their books, and maintain momentum post-launch. During the episode, you’ll learn about:  The Building Phase (more than six months before launch).The Working Phase (less than six months before launch).The Launching Phase (the month of launch).The Advancing Phase (the month after launch and beyond).Becky’s favorite book marketing reframes. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In the final episode of Season 5, Becky is joined by Jenny Lisk—founder of the Widowed Parent Institute and award-winning author—who talks about her purposeful approach to sharing her story and insights with a broader audience, underscoring her commitment to filling the resource gaps she encountered as a widowed parent. She describes the challenge of determining which personal experiences to share publicly and the fine line between sharing her own story as a grieving parent while also respecting the stories of her grieving children. Additionally, the episode highlights Jenny's strategic use of podcasting to build community, illustrating how her podcast has become a significant platform for dialogue on grief and parenting.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Jenny and her work in the world. What it was like for Jenny to write in real time about the heart-wrenching journey of having a terminally ill husband.How and when Jenny decided to share her experiences and her story more widely. The resource that was most useful for Jenny as she crafted her memoir.Why it has been so important for Jenny to open up about her journey as a widowed parent.What Jenny has seen and experienced as a result of making the intentional choice to share her journey in online spaces. How Jenny decides which experiences or stories to share in real-time vs. which ones to share later or keep private. Jenny’s experience interviewing her daughter on her podcast. Jenny’s decision to start a podcast and what inspired it.How long Jenny did her podcast before she launched her first book. How starting a podcast helped Jenny find her voice and navigate being a widowed parent.Some of the most impactful ways Jenny repurposes her content. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In today’s episode, Becky delves into the world of digital book ownership with Joshua Stone, CEO of Book.io—a platform that allows readers to buy ebooks and audiobooks and sell them on a global secondary market, with publishers and authors earning royalties on the sales. The conversation centers around the limitations of current ebook licensing models, championed by platforms like Amazon, which prevent true ownership of digital content. Joshua sheds light on how Book.io is disrupting this monopoly, offering a solution that restores the rights of authors and the autonomy of readers.During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Joshua and his work in the world.Why digital book ownership is such a messy endeavor for authors.What the current ebook and audiobook market is like for both readers and authors.What Book.io is and how authors and publishers are using it as a new way to experience digital book ownership.How Book.io is non-exclusive, allowing authors to publish their digital books in traditional formats as well. The digital exchange of ebooks and audiobooks on Book.io and the benefits of passing digital books from owner to owner. How Book.io works for first-time authors who might be struggling to find an audience for their work.The value of borderless knowledge sharing.Whether or not Joshua thinks it’s possible to truly break up the digital book monopoly.How new technology options within Book.io can help authors combat the worries they have about AI. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In the final part of this two-part series, Becky is again interviewed by Franchesca Conner—a PR specialist at Weaving Influence. They take a deep dive into the nuances of marketing print-on-demand (POD) books, highlighting benefits, challenges, and strategies surrounding pre-order campaigns. With the rise of self-publishing and hybrid-publishing models, many authors face unique hurdles in timing and planning their book launches. Becky emphasizes the importance of pre-orders in establishing a book’s credibility, building anticipation for launch, securing retailer links, and facilitating planned marketing efforts. Becky also reveals some of the key reasons why an author of a POD book might choose not to make it available for pre-order, focusing primarily on first-week book sales and post-launch marketing efforts. During the episode, you’ll learn:  What is different about marketing POD books. About IngramSpark—a book distribution platform where authors can set up their POD books for pre-order.How setting up a POD book for pre-order can benefit book awareness, sales, and marketing initiatives. Why an author would want to focus more on the first week of sales for a POD book vs. pre-orders. Whether or not it’s a good idea for an author with no pre-order period for their book to switch up their categories on Amazon. How hybrid publishers typically approach pre-order campaigns for POD books and the limitations authors might face in that scenario. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.

In part one of this two-part series, host Becky Robinson is interviewed by Franchesca Conner—a PR specialist at Weaving Influence. They explore the vital topic of pre-order campaigns for traditionally published authors, discussing when and how authors should start engaging their audience, the significance of one-to-one outreach efforts, and strategies for creating pre-order incentives. Stay tuned for part two of this series, which will focus on pre-order campaigns for self-published and hybrid-published authors!During the episode, you’ll learn:  About Franchesca and her role at Weaving Influence.Some of the key differences between pre-order campaigns for traditionally published authors and pre-order campaigns for self-published authors. The recommended timeframe for setting up pre-orders for traditionally published authors. Why it’s important for authors to drive sales for their book in order to honor the investment of their traditional publisher. Which platforms are typically favored for setting up print books for pre-order and what challenges authors might encounter when using those platforms. If a publisher will usually recommend retailers for an author.How authors can enhance their pre-order campaigns through one-to-one outreach efforts.Some of the key strategies for authors to promote pre-orders of their books. Ways that authors can create pre-order incentives and if some strategies are more successful than others. Don’t forget to check out our show notes, which include action steps and resources.Sign up for the bi-weekly newsletter to connect with Becky Robinson and gain access to ongoing learning and conversation.