Crafting Genuine Connections and Building Thought Leadership on LinkedIn with Owen Sammarone 

In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast by Smith Publicity, this episode’s host Marissa Eigenbrood, Smith Publicity’s President, interviews Owen Sammarone, founder of Unleash the Knowledge—a personal branding and ghostwriting agency. 

Owen shares his journey from a non-reader to an influential content creator with a 200,000-follower community. The discussion centers on how founders, executives, and authors can leverage LinkedIn to build their brands, emphasizing the importance of authentic, value-driven content and genuine human connections. 

Owen also offers practical tips on avoiding automated 'pitch slapping,' using AI judiciously, and nurturing relationships through personalized engagement. As they reflect on their longstanding professional relationship, Marissa and Owen explore actionable strategies to enhance online presence and drive business growth, stressing the significance of maintaining a human touch in the increasingly digital landscape.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:00 Meet Owen Sammarone : Founder of Unleash the Knowledge
04:17 Owen's Journey: From Non-Reader to Book Enthusiast
05:13 Building a Community and Personal Brand
15:00 The Power of Niching Down
18:27 Effective LinkedIn Strategies
24:03 The Value of Giving Without Expectation
25:11 Personalized Outreach Strategies
27:35 The Role of AI in LinkedIn Engagement
29:14 Maximizing LinkedIn's Potential
34:37 Effective Connection Requests
38:33 The Billboard Analogy for LinkedIn Profiles
44:24 Looking Ahead to 2026: Staying Human in a Digital World

Owen Sammarone is the founder and CEO of Unleash The Knowledge, a personal-branding and thought-leadership agency that helps B2B founders, consultants, and executives turn their LinkedIn presence into a powerful, consistent driver of authority. He’s become known in the industry as a go-to “LinkedIn Growth Guy,” offering insights on how to turn content into consistent inbound demand, build authority, and scale influence — whether you’re an author, consultant, or executive looking to expand your impact

 
Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity.  

Visual Storytelling for Authors and Speakers with John DeMato 

In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast, this episode’s host Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity, welcomes visual storytelling strategist and photographer, John DeMato.

They delve into John's background, from his early days in photography to his evolution as a strategist helping professionals enhance their visual presence.  

John shares insights on the importance of having a well-rounded visual library, including core assets, visual evidence, and personal touches, highlighting how these elements contribute to an expert's brand credibility and marketability.  

The discussion also covers strategies for effectively capturing key moments, the necessity of regular updates to visual content, and practical advice on hiring the right photographer. The episode concludes with anecdotes reflecting John's passion for his work and the meaningful connections he forms with his clients.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:32 John's Impressive Bio and Career Highlights
01:49 The Physical Demands of Photography
02:53 How Marissa and John Connected
04:34 John's Journey into Photography
10:02 Building a Visual Storytelling Library
17:07 The Importance of Consistent Visual Content
22:38 Evaluating Your Brand's Visual Assets
23:44 Importance of Event Visuals
24:22 Capturing the Full Event Experience
28:28 Starting Your Visual Storytelling Journey
33:50 Choosing the Right Photographer
36:44 The Value of Authentic Imagery
39:40 A Photographer's Favorite Moments
42:57 Conclusion and Contact Information

John DeMato is a New York–based branded lifestyle photographer who specializes in creating strategic, story-driven images for authors, speakers, and thought leaders. A former TV producer, he brings a marketing mindset to every shoot, helping experts show up confidently and consistently across their platforms. Visit John DeMato for more information.

Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity. 

Crafting Genuine Connections and Building Thought Leadership on LinkedIn with Owen Sammarone 

In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast by Smith Publicity, this episode’s host Marissa Eigenbrood, Smith Publicity’s President, interviews Owen Sammarone, founder of Unleash the Knowledge—a personal branding and ghostwriting agency. 

Owen shares his journey from a non-reader to an influential content creator with a 200,000-follower community. The discussion centers on how founders, executives, and authors can leverage LinkedIn to build their brands, emphasizing the importance of authentic, value-driven content and genuine human connections. 

Owen also offers practical tips on avoiding automated 'pitch slapping,' using AI judiciously, and nurturing relationships through personalized engagement. As they reflect on their longstanding professional relationship, Marissa and Owen explore actionable strategies to enhance online presence and drive business growth, stressing the significance of maintaining a human touch in the increasingly digital landscape.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:00 Meet Owen Sammarone : Founder of Unleash the Knowledge
04:17 Owen's Journey: From Non-Reader to Book Enthusiast
05:13 Building a Community and Personal Brand
15:00 The Power of Niching Down
18:27 Effective LinkedIn Strategies
24:03 The Value of Giving Without Expectation
25:11 Personalized Outreach Strategies
27:35 The Role of AI in LinkedIn Engagement
29:14 Maximizing LinkedIn's Potential
34:37 Effective Connection Requests
38:33 The Billboard Analogy for LinkedIn Profiles
44:24 Looking Ahead to 2026: Staying Human in a Digital World

Owen Sammarone is the founder and CEO of Unleash The Knowledge, a personal-branding and thought-leadership agency that helps B2B founders, consultants, and executives turn their LinkedIn presence into a powerful, consistent driver of authority. He’s become known in the industry as a go-to “LinkedIn Growth Guy,” offering insights on how to turn content into consistent inbound demand, build authority, and scale influence — whether you’re an author, consultant, or executive looking to expand your impact

 
Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity.  

Dressing the Part With Kate Breen: The Power of Personal Style in Thought Leadership

In this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing with Smith Publicity,' CEO Sandy Smith interviews Kate Breen, the owner of Get Dressed Go, a top personal styling service in Washington, DC.

Kate shares her experience styling executives, speakers, and professionals whose work demands an exceptional visual presence on stage and on camera.

Discussing the importance of thoughtful clothing choices, Kate highlights common wardrobe mistakes and provides actionable advice on how to dress authentically and powerfully for professional events.

Kate's process for working with clients involves deep dives into personal history, brand goals, and practical styling sessions that ensure clients look and feel their best.

This episode offers valuable insights for authors, thought leaders, and speakers seeking to elevate their brand through their visual presence.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:30 Meeting Kate Breen: First Impressions
02:36 The Importance of Visual Presence
04:00 Dressing for Your Brand
08:01 Common Mistakes in Professional Attire
17:13 The Power of Authentic Style
19:22 Commanding Attention Through Style
23:18 Introduction to Working with Clients
23:48 The Importance of Understanding Personal Style
25:21 Gathering Client Information and Assets
26:22 Creating a Personalized Style Plan
27:49 Shopping and Outfit Coordination
29:44 The Role of Authenticity in Style
31:53 Empowering Clients Through Style
36:25 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

About Kate Breen
Kate Breen is the owner of GetDressedGo, Washington, D.C.’s top-ranking private personal styling business. She has built a reputation for helping executives, speakers, and high-performing professionals look and feel their best in every setting. Through focused, productive styling sessions, Kate delivers immediate results for all aspects of her clients’ lives—from high-stakes presentations and keynote stages to charity events and casual weekends.

About Smith Publicity
Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity.  

In this episode, host and Smith Publicity Vice President Corinne Moulder chats with Sally Ekus, a senior literary agent at JVNLA, about the evolution and specialization of the culinary publishing market.

Sally shares her journey growing up in the world of cookbook publishing, her expertise in representing culinary authors, and the shifts in the industry toward niche, hyper-targeted cookbooks.

They also discuss the importance of leveraging backlists for ongoing success, the impact of platforms like Substack on the publishing industry, and the future trends in culinary and nonfiction publishing. The episode provides valuable insights for authors, publicists, and anyone interested in the culinary literary space.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:14 Sally Ekus' Background and Career Journey
01:57 The Evolution of Culinary Publishing
04:37 The Shift Towards Niche and Specialized Cookbooks
07:18 Successful Examples of Hyper-Targeted Cookbooks
13:14 The Importance of Backlist Promotion
23:16 Sally Ekus' Role and Future Plans
28:18 The Impact of Substack and Newsletter Platforms
33:06 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Sally Ekus is a Senior Literary Agent at JVNLA where she spearheads The Ekus Group, a boutique culinary division representing a wide range of culinary, health, wellness, and lifestyle talent. On the non-culinary side, Sally represents books about caregiving and parenting, and is expanding into select other non-fiction genres. From concept to contract, she has brokered over 300 book deals with top publishers including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and numerous indie publishers. Sally hosts an online community called How to be a Cookbook Author and writes the bestselling Substack Newsletter, Not So Secret Agent.

For more information about book publicity, visit Smith Publicity.

In this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing,' host Smith Publicity's Corinne Moulder talks with Lee Wind, Chief Content Officer for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). 

Lee discusses his award-winning program 'We Are Stronger Than Censorship,' which counteracts book challenges by donating books to promote freedom to read. He shares insights on creating impactful book marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of allyship and his experiences as an author focusing on queer history and social justice.

Lee also introduces his upcoming picture book, Like That, Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally. For more information, visit wearestrongerthancensorship.org and leewind.org.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:19 Lee Wind's Background and Achievements
01:52 We Are Stronger Than Censorship: The Motivation
03:22 Challenges and Strategies in Book Banning
05:32 Program Partnerships and Community Involvement
07:23 Impact and Future Goals of the Program
20:38 The Importance of Allyship
21:51 Lee Wind's New Book: Like That, Eleanor
29:02 Book Marketing Tips and Strategies
38:43 Conclusion and Call to Action


For more information visit Smith Publicity, connect with Corinne Moulder and Lee Wind.

Building Influence and Community: The Future (and Power) of Author Newsletters 

In this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing,' the host Corinne Moulder, Smith Publicity's Vice President of Business Development, interviews Kathleen Schmidt, founder of Kathleen Schmidt Public Relations.

They discuss Kathleen's extensive experience in book publishing as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter. Kathleen shares the inspiration behind her popular newsletter 'Publishing Confidential,'  on Substack.

 She offers advice on creating engaging content, building a newsletter audience, and the evolving role of digital platforms in the publishing industry. Kathleen also touches on future plans, including branded events and a potential podcast.

The conversation provides valuable insights for authors, experts, and publicists looking to navigate the ever-changing landscape of book publicity.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Hype
01:35 Kathleen's Journey to Publishing Confidential
03:32 Growing a Newsletter Audience
07:24 Balancing Personal and Professional Content
10:20 The Role of Newsletters in Modern Publishing
15:40 Tips for Publicists and Newsletter Writers
24:31 Starting and Sustaining a Newsletter
34:13 Future Plans and Conclusion

For more insights about book publicity and book marketing, visit Smith Publicity and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming podcast episodes.

Authors: Crafting Your Media Presence, Interview Tips and Advice

In this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing,' host Corinne Moulder, Smith Publicity's Vice President of Business Development, welcomes back Emmy award-winning television producer, bestselling author, and media training expert Paula Rizzo.

Paula shares her journey from TV production to becoming a media trainer, emphasizing the importance of preparation, content creation, and confidence for authors and experts. She discusses common misconceptions about media training, the value of storytelling, the essentials of video creation, and effective strategies to handle interviews.

Listeners will gain insights on becoming media-ready, leveraging their book as an extension of their brand, and preparing for media appearances. Paula also introduces her course, 'Media Ready Author,' aimed at helping authors successfully navigate the media landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:22 Paula Rizzo's Background and Journey
02:18 The Importance of Media Training
04:53 Becoming Your Own Producer
07:08 Creating and Leveraging Content
11:35 Tips for Effective Video Content
16:05 Preparing for Media Appearances
17:29 Television Interview Preparation
18:18 The Power of Storytelling in Podcasts
20:39 Essential Equipment for Podcasts
23:16 Handling Controversial Questions
28:32 Long-Term Media Strategy for Authors
31:09 Media Ready Author Course Overview

For more insights about book publicity and book marketing, visit Smith Publicity and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on upcoming podcast episodes.

In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast, Sandy Smith from Smith Publicity converses with collegues and industry powerhouses Janet Shapiro, Vice President of Publicity, and Senior Publicist, Sophia Moriarty.

They delve into innovative strategies for gaining attention in the book promotion world, emphasizing the crucial role of authors in collaboration with their publicists.

Key topics include the shift towards direct media connections with experts, the importance of maintaining active engagement on platforms like LinkedIn, the evolving landscape of publicity, and the power of niche media for book sales and personal branding.

The discussion highlights the value of patience and consistent effort in building long-term media relationships and leveraging social media for effective book marketing.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:13 New Strategies in Publicity
02:04 Collaborative Approach with Authors
03:08 Direct Media Connections
06:07 Effective Use of LinkedIn
09:36 Building Long-Term Media Relationships
17:16 Social Media Strategies for Authors
23:51 Establishing Client Relationships
24:07 Success Stories and Client Wins
25:00 The Importance of Persistence
26:23 Leveraging Niche Publications
30:02 Networking and Podcasting
31:26 Exploring Newsletters and Substack
34:24 The Value of Social Media Engagement
35:46 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this segment of Smith Publicity's 'All Things Book Marketing,' CEO Sandy Smith invites Garrett Perkins, CRO of Givington’s, to discuss effective strategies for authors to maximize their book marketing efforts.

 With over 10 years of experience in the publishing and e-commerce industries, Garrett shares insights on leveraging books to build credibility, generate bulk book sales, and increase speaking fees.

He explains the importance of partnering with certified retailers like Givington’s to ensure book sales are tracked properly for royalties and future publishing opportunities. Additionally, Garrett emphasizes the significance of starting marketing efforts early, building a direct-to-consumer content engine, and creating ancillary products like workbooks and animated book trailers.

Authors are encouraged to think beyond the book and utilize various digital tools to engage their audience and enhance their brand.

00:00 Introduction to Smith Publicity
00:18 Meet Garrett Perkins: CRO of Givington’s
02:42 The Importance of Speaking Engagements for Authors
04:02 Creative Retail Sales Strategies
10:19 Certified Retail Sales and Their Importance
13:56 Planning Your Book Marketing Early
23:05 Building a Direct-to-Consumer Content Engine
27:56 Innovative Book Marketing Strategies
28:40 Case Study: John Mark Comer's Dual Book Release
29:50 The Power of Animated Book Trailers
31:37 Tailoring Marketing Strategies for Authors
33:41 Building a Comprehensive Book Ecosystem
39:36 Realistic Expectations for Book Sales
42:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information