Publishing a book is an exciting time. But with so many options (traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing) and so much conflicting advice, it’s easy to feel confused about which path is right for you.

In this special episode (and our first-ever interview!) I’m joined by bestselling author and publishing strategist Elizabeth Lyons. With decades of experience helping authors publish with clarity and confidence, Elizabeth is pulling back the curtain on the red flags every author should look out for.

We dive into:

• The real differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing
• The most common (and costly) publishing mistakes authors make
• Why self-publishing is more empowering than you think

If you're navigating your publishing journey or trying to decide which route to take, this conversation will help you move forward with clarity.

Tune in and get the insight every author deserves before they publish.

“Which Publishing Approach is Best for YOU?” by Elizabeth Lyons at publishaprofitablebook.com

“7 Critical Questions to Ask Hybrid Publishers” by Elizabeth Lyons at publishaprofitablebook.com

If you feel like you’re constantly marketing but still not seeing book sales, you might be pouring your energy into the wrong strategies.

In this episode, Jenn & Marcus discuss how you can stop spinning your wheels and start focusing on what actually moves the needle for you and your book.

You’ll learn:

• Common marketing tactics that waste time and money (and how to avoid them).
• Which analytics and metrics matter the most when assessing marketing efforts.
• A simple framework to map out your reader’s journey through your marketing funnel.
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Grab the free Pick Your Platform guide to clarify where you should show up online:

https://jenndepaula.com/platform

Ready to create a book marketing plan that works for you?

Check out the Book Marketing Starter Kit:

https://jenndepaula.com/book-marketing-starter-kit

There’s nothing more discouraging than pouring your heart into a book… only to watch sales stall or never take off at all. But before you assume your book is the problem, let’s take a closer look.

Because chances are, it’s not your writing. It’s your marketing.

In this episode, Marcus and I walk you through a 5-step Book Sales Audit to help you pinpoint exactly where things may be going wrong.

You'll learn what to look for, what to tweak, and how to breathe new life into your sales.

Whether your sales have stalled or you just want to make sure you’re set up for long-term success, this episode will give you clear, actionable strategies to move forward with confidence.

Step 1: Cover Check

Is your cover genre-appropriate and professional? If it doesn’t look like a bestseller, people won’t buy.

Step 2: Book Description & Hook

Does your blurb sell the story, or is it just a summary? Strong copywriting increases conversions.

Step 3: Pricing Strategy

Are you priced competitively? Sometimes a simple pricing tweak can make a huge difference.

Step 4: Audience Targeting

Do you know who your ideal reader is? What they are looking for? What they respond to?

Step 5: Visibility & Discoverability

Are your keywords, categories, and descriptions optimized for searchability?

• Sales fluctuate and that’s perfectly normal. If your sales go down a bit, it’s a great time to reassess and make some changes or adjustments.
• How often are you posting or promoting? Staying at the front of your readers mind is key. Check to see when you last talked about your book on social media, with your newsletter, in your marketing.
• Stick with it and give it time. Marketing your book is a long game. It’s not something that happens overnight. Stick with it and have a long term vision - don’t just focus around the release date.

Is it luck? Timing? Maybe. But when you peel back the curtain on authors who consistently sell books and grow an audience, you’ll find they’re playing a different game entirely.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the 5 habits that separate successful authors from the ones still spinning their wheels (and no, it’s not just about being good at Instagram).

You’ll learn:

• Why showing up (even when you don’t feel like it) matters more than you think
• How to actually connect with your ideal readers
• The power of partnerships (and how to start one even if you’re new)
• Why talking less about your book might help you sell more
• And how one small mindset shift could unlock long-term results

Ready to make one small shift that could change everything? Tune in now and walk away with something you can put into action this week.

Episode notes, transcript, and podcast links are at http://jenndepaula.com/podcast/83

Free Download: Book Marketing Blueprint

Feeling overwhelmed by all the marketing platforms out there?

You’re not alone. Many authors burn out trying to be everywhere at once—but the ones who thrive know exactly where to focus their efforts.

In this episode, we’ll break down how to choose the right platforms for your book marketing based on what actually works for you.

You'll learn how to:

• Cut through the noise and focus on what truly moves the needle
• Choose platforms that fit your strengths (and ditch the ones that drain you)
• Align your marketing strategy with your long-term goals

If you’ve been wondering where you should be marketing your book - both online and offline - this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

Tune in now and download Pick Your Platform to map out your ideal marketing strategy!

Finding the time and energy to create social media posts for marketing while you're writing your book can be one of the biggest challenges authors face. Jenn has a couple quick tips to help you maintain those connections with your readers online without taking too much time away from your writing.

LINKS

Stand Out Social Media for Authors

A lot of online advice about book marketing includes hiring a Public Relations specialist. But what do PR agencies and publicists do, and at what stage of an author's career is it a good idea to hire one?

LINKS

Mary O'Donohue, Strategic Media Coach and Author

The Author Circle

If you're toying with the idea of hiring someone to do your social media for you, there are some important things for you to first consider. Many times we think that just handing off our social media for someone else to manage will give us the results that we want. But that isn't always the case. Here are some things that you should do FIRST before hiring someone to manage your social media accounts.

Try The Author Circle for a month to get questions answered by fellow authors and access exclusive member guides and monthly office hours with Jenn.

Another frequent question I get from new authors leading up to their new book release is: “What should my expectations be?” Having a long-term marketing plan, paired with reasonable expectations, can keep us from getting discouraged and keep our sales rolling in well beyond the launch.

Download our free author resources, including:

• The Book Marketing Blueprint
• What Authors Can Post Before They Publish
• The Ultimate Newsletter Checklist
• 50 Content Ideas for Writers

You can also try The Author Circle for a month to get questions answered by fellow authors and access exclusive member guides and monthly office hours with Jenn.

I can teach you all of the book marketing strategies and show you everything that you need to do to sell your books, but if you are struggling with this particular mindset, you won't see the success that you're looking for.

LINKS

The Author Circle