A quiet book launch can feel like failure — even when you didn’t expect a bestseller.

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis reframes what disappointing launch sales actually mean. A book launch isn’t a verdict on your work or your ability as an author. It’s a stress test that reveals what already existed underneath — audience, visibility, momentum, and infrastructure.

Low initial sales don’t mean your book has no future. They usually mean something in the system around the book is missing or incomplete. And that distinction matters, because it changes what you do next.

Instead of asking “Why didn’t this work?” this episode offers a more useful question: “What’s missing?” Clarity, connection, and consistency matter far more than a single launch week.

If you’re feeling stuck after a launch — or trying to avoid repeating the same pattern — you can book a free 30-minute Unstuck appointment here:

https://lynnmcginnis.me/contact

January has a way of making us feel behind before the year has even really started.

If you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or questioning your visibility strategy, this episode is a pause button. What feels like a marketing problem is often just a Q4 hangover — not a sign that something is broken.

In this episode, I talk about why January doesn’t require a fresh start, but a Visibility Reset. A reset is a realistic check-in that helps you decide what to resume, what to adjust, and what to stop so your visibility actually fits your life.

I cover why advertising has become unavoidable, why content still matters more than ever, and how recent platform changes have raised the cost of inconsistent visibility. More importantly, we talk about why chasing trends and copying other people’s strategies rarely leads to sustainable momentum.

This episode is for self-published authors who are tired of playing catch-up and want a visibility approach that’s intentional, realistic, and sustainable.

If you’re feeling stuck around visibility — unsure what to focus on, what to revive, or what to stop — I offer a 30-minute Unstuck appointment for self-published authors.

This is not a strategy session. It’s a focused conversation designed to identify where you’re stuck, what’s contributing to it, and whether working together makes sense. If I can help, I’ll tell you. If not, you’ll leave with clarity about what’s actually holding you back.

Book your 30-minute Unstuck appointment here:

https://lynnmcginnis.me/contact

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need a reset too. And if you’re enjoying the show, leaving a review helps more people find it.

Thank you for listening.

For the final episode of 2025, I’m pausing the usual teaching to reflect.

This year was, in equal measure, a very good year and a very hard one. In this episode, I look back on the work that mattered, the lessons that shaped my approach, and the realities of building visibility and authority as an author in a constantly changing landscape.

I talk about the wins and the setbacks, what experimenting with AI, advertising, and long-term content reinforced for me, and why consistency and intention continue to outperform chasing trends. I also share a more personal reflection on loss, progress, and what it means to carry both forward.

This episode isn’t a how-to. It’s a moment to take stock—and to look ahead to 2026 with clarity, steadiness, and purpose.

Thank you for listening, and for being here.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, we explore practical, thoughtful ways readers and writers can support their favorite authors during the final weeks of the year. From gifting Kindle books and writing meaningful reviews to sharing quotes, lifting up fellow writers, and practicing generosity online, these simple actions can make a big impact during the holiday rush. Whether you’re an author looking to encourage your audience or a reader wanting to give back, you’ll find easy, last-minute strategies that strengthen the literary community and help stories reach the people who need them most.

To learn more about author marketing coaching, consulting, and done-for-you services, visit LynnMcGinnis.me. Or follow Lynn on social media - @LynnMcG

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, we’re breaking down six quick, high-impact holiday marketing moves you can use even if December already feels chaotic. From crafting a scroll-stopping hook to sharing standout review lines, book quotes, short personal videos, small ad experiments, and heartfelt holiday messages, you’ll learn simple, doable actions that help you stay visible during the busiest season of the year. These strategies require minimal time but create meaningful connection with readers—and they’re perfect for authors who want to maintain momentum without adding stress.

https://lynnmcg.substack.com/

As the holidays approach, visibility pressure ramps up — but that doesn’t mean you have to. In this episode, we’re talking about how to stay visible without burning out. I’ll share a few simple ways to prep your content ahead of time, what to post when your energy is low, and how a light-week plan can protect your attention while still keeping your presence warm.

Takeaway:

A little prep now gives you freedom to step away later — without guilt, without scrambling.

Let’s Connect:

If this helped you breathe a little easier, I’d love to hear how you’re planning your light week.

If you’re an indie author gearing up for holiday sales, don’t sleep on these three underrated—but powerful—marketing tools.

In this episode, Lynn McGinnis breaks down how to optimize your Amazon Author Central profile, use BookBub to boost visibility (even without paid ads), and why Goodreads is a set-it-and-forget-it SEO powerhouse you shouldn't ignore.

Whether you’re updating old assets or launching your first book, these tools can quietly do the heavy lifting—especially when readers are actively gift shopping.

You’ll learn:

- How to tell if your Amazon Author profile is costing you sales

- The BookBub feature most authors skip—but shouldn't

- Why Goodreads matters for your author platform (even if you're not social)

🎁 Grab the free Holiday Author Marketing Guide: LynnMcG.com

The holiday season can pull authors in every direction — family, work, and the pressure to “do it all.” In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis shares why this time of year isn’t about doing more; it’s about focusing on what matters most.

Her hope is that the 2025 Holiday Author Marketing Guide helps you use the time you have in a more impactful way, so you can keep your momentum without sacrificing the season that matters most.

Grab your free copy of the guide at LynnMcG.com

Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you’re “supposed” to do to market your book? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Lynn shares why momentum doesn’t come from doing everything — it comes from doing one small, strategic thing at a time.

Through real-world examples and insights from her coaching work, she explains how to shift from scattered effort to focused progress — and why clarity, not complexity, is what truly builds visibility.

Learn more and connect:

🌐 Website: https://LynnMcG.com

📬 Email: [email protected]

💡 Free Resource: Book Launch Starter GPT - https://lynnmcginnis.co/freebooklaunchgpt

✉️ Substack: https://lynnmcg.substack.com

Follow Author Marketing Minute for weekly insights on building visibility and relationships that last.

Most authors think marketing means selling more books — but real author marketing is something entirely different.

In this episode, Lynn breaks down the difference between book marketing and author marketing, showing why the first feels exhausting and the second creates real, lasting visibility.

If you’ve ever wondered why your ads, posts, or promotions aren’t working, this short episode will help you see the bigger picture — and rethink what marketing can look like when it’s built on relationships, not transactions.

Learn more and connect:

🌐 Website: https://LynnMcG.com

📬 Email: [email protected]

💡 Free Resource: Book Launch Starter GPT - https://lynnmcginnis.co/freebooklaunchgpt

✉️ Substack: https://lynnmcg.substack.com

Follow Author Marketing Minute for weekly insights on building visibility and relationships that last.