It’s one of the most common questions authors ask when they start marketing their books — and it usually comes after a discouraging stretch where nothing seems to be moving.

In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about the reality behind marketing timelines and why the answer is rarely as simple as authors hope. Sustainable visibility takes longer than most people expect, and the work that creates traction often happens quietly before the results appear.

This episode explores:

Why most authors underestimate the real timeline for gaining traction

How visibility compounds over time instead of arriving in sudden spikes

Why sequencing your marketing steps matters more than speed

The invisible work that supports long-term momentum

Why uneven progress is normal — and not a sign that your strategy is broken

Marketing a book isn’t a short sprint. It’s a system that builds over time through consistency, sequencing, and patience.

You can read the full Substack post here:

https://lynnmcg.substack.com/

Learn more about Lynn and her work with authors at:

https://lynnmcginnis.me