The #1 Marketing Problem I Hear From Authors

Writing a book is huge endeavor--even if an author finds the actual writing part easy!

But marketing a book?

For many authors, this is the hardest part.

Over the years I've worked with hundreds of authors in various capacities and there is ONE phrase that I hear over and over again.

"I don't know what I don't know."

It makes sense that I hear this so often. Marketing is ever-changing, and it seems like each week there is a new best practice to follow.

Some days there are things I feel like I don't know!

Here's the reality: most authors who utter the words, "I don't know what I don't know," just throw up their hands and skip marketing altogether.

This leads to...

• Disappointment
• Discouragement
• Frustration

...because they watch their sales flatline.

As a book marketer (and as an avid reader) this makes me sad. I know how much time, energy, and love authors put into their books, and when people aren't buying them it hurts.

So if you've ever used the phrase, "I don't know what I don't know," here's what you can do to change it.

Set time to learn

Whether it's 30 minutes or two hours a week, block off time on your calendar that is 100% dedicated to learning something about marketing.

What could this be?

• Find articles or blogs talking about best practices for the social media platform you want to use (I try and share a lot of these on my own blog)
• Watch tutorial videos for different advertising platforms (this free Amazon Ads course is pretty great)
• Watch how-to videos for setting up an email newsletter (I personally recommend Mailerlite to my clients who are new to email)
• Look at what other authors in your genre are sharing on social media, in their email newsletters, etc. to get ideas for your own promotion.

Find the pace that works for you and your schedule! Grab a notebook or open a blank document on your computer and take notes so you can highlight important and relevant discoveries.

Set time to implement

Once you gain a deeper understanding of best practices and how to use different marketing platforms (social media, email, advertising, etc.), you need to dive in headfirst and start implementing.

Block off time on your calendar once every week or every two weeks to...

• Record videos for social media
• Write and schedule social media posts
• Create a lead magnet and set up a form so readers can download it
• Write and schedule 1-2 email newsletters
• Send texts/emails/messages to relevant contacts who can help promote the book
• Set up an advertising campaign
• Send a handful of pitches to relevant podcasts or book reviewers

You do not need to do everything all at once--especially if marketing is new to you.

I encourage you to take small steps. If you can only manage to spend 1 hour a week devoted to marketing, maybe it will take you 3 or 4 weeks to create a lead magnet and the form readers can fill out to download it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Small steps are better than no steps.

Bring in an expert for guidance

For many authors, marketing is a foreign language, and they need a helping hand to sort through the confusion.

There's nothing wrong with finding temporary or permanent help!

If you don't know what you don't know about marketing (and it's too confusing to navigate on your own), an expert can help you:

• Interpret different marketing terms or platforms in a way that makes more sense to you
• Create a clear plan for your to follow, so you don't waste time pursuing the wrong strategies
• Develop content and give you templates and tools to use to make future content easier to create
• Set up email automations and lead magnet downloads, or set up advertising campaigns
• Build confidence in your ability to be a marketer and get your book better visibility

Ultimately, an expert can help you "skip the line" by providing research and best practices tailored to you, take work off of your plate to free up your time to do things you actually enjoy, and offer you overall clarity in the marketing process.

If you choose to take this path, always do your due diligence!

Whenever you're ready, here's how I can help you:

1. One Hour Consultation: In this 60-min session we can work through problem areas or questions on target audience, Amazon metadata, social media strategy, email list building strategy and more. If you're looking for a quick diagnosis, professional audit, engaging brainstorm, and/or a tailored action plan for your book marketing, book a consultation here.
2. Done-For-You Amazon Optimization Package: This package is designed to help authors who publish through Amazon KDP optimize their book listing and page, including keyword/category research, description audit/rewrite, A+ content creation, and more. Aside from aiding in discoverability for your book, this package takes all of the work off your plate. To see a detailed breakdown of what's included and get access to the package, click here.
3. 60-Day Book Marketing Bootcamp: In this live bootcamp I dive deep into the important marketing strategies you need to know to get your book in front of more readers. Each week has a lesson focused on a different marketing topic, plus over the course of the bootcamp you'll actively build your book marketing toolbox and get access to weekly live Q&As so you can get your publishing and marketing questions answered by an expert. The next bootcamp start September 30! Learn more and register here.

Keep rocking,

Aryn Van Dyke

Founder, Book Rockstar