Novel Marketing
Thomas Umstattd Jr.
Recent Episodes
An Uber driver's most valuable asset is his car. A photographer's camera is critical. An Uber driver with a broken car can't make money, and a photographer with a cheap camera will slowly starve.
What is the critical tool for an author? What tool will help you earn money and keep you from starving?
Your laptop!
You write, edit, and promote your book on your laptop. A reliable, compatible computer is key to your success. Put another way, an old, unreliable computer is a terrible liability.
Investing in a good laptop is not just a smart move, it's a potential tax-deductible business expense for professional authors.
But how do you know what kind of laptop is best for you?
In this week's episode, you'll find out:
- What kind of speed and storage an author's laptop needs
- What to avoid when buying a laptop
- What you don't need in a laptop
Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to find out what kind of computer will best help you in your writing career.
When readers browse Amazon, they have already decided to purchase a book. The only question is: Which book will they choose? What if there was a way to reach readers at this pivotal moment and persuade them to pick your book from the list they're considering?
There is! It is called Amazon Advertising, and it has become one of the most popular forms of book promotion for indie authors.
However, many authors feel intimidated by the idea of running Amazon ads.
In this week's episode, you'll hear from Alana Terry, a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 books and Amazon ads expert.
You'll discover
- Why Amazon ads might be a good place to start
- Six steps to quickly create your first ad
- How to determine whether your ads are working
- And much more
If you've wanted to sell more books on Amazon but have felt overwhelmed by the process of running ads, listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to find out the quickest way to get started.
The tools we use for writing have evolved over the centuries, from quill and inkpot to the printing press, to the word processor to AI. Recent developments in AI tools for writers have sparked everything from laughable images to controversy and fear.
Is AI evil? Is it safe?
In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss what you need to know about AI in our current day. You’ll learn
- How (and how early) it developed
- What threats it poses to writers
- What advantages it offers
- How to wield it for good in the world
Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to learn what to watch for and how AI can increase your writing output and improve your craft.
Almost every traditionally published book goes up for preorder before it comes out. However, the advice surrounding preorders can be confusing for indie authors. Some indies say preorders are critical. Others say having a preorder for your book can hurt sales.
Who is right?
Should you set up a preorder for your book? Are preorders a good idea or a bad idea?
Preorders can help or hurt, depending on what kind of author you are.
In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:
- What kind of author is helped by a preorder
- Why preorders are so important for some authors
- How to make the most of your preorder window
Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to learn the benefits and drawbacks of making your book available for preorder before its launch date.
You’ve heard me talk about the Five Ps of Marketing, and in this week’s episode, we tackle the third P: Place. In other words, where should you sell your book?
Many authors struggle to find the right place to sell their books. Whether you're an indie or traditional author, you must discover the best places to sell.
So, how can you unlock the power of place for your book?
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why the location where you sell your book is important and powerful
- Three case studies on authors who have maximized sales in the right places
- Online and offline places where you can sell your book
Selling your book in the right place is important for connecting with the right readers and making sales. Listen in or check out the blog post to find out how place impacts your book sales.