Book Marketing Mentors

Hosted by Susan Friedmann

Business Marketing Entrepreneurship

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548

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Jam-packed with smart, easy and simple ideas, this weekly podcast features experts who share proven techniques to add power and zest to supercharge your book marketing plan. Hosted by Susan Friedmann, CSP, international bestselling author, and founder of Aviva Publishing, this new and exciting podcast aims to rev up your marketing efforts with fewer struggles, and more success. Start listening today and discover how to get noticed in a crowded marketplace.

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60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 54832 min

How AI Digital Twins Can Help Authors Engage Readers 24/7 - BM548

What if your readers could ask you questions about your book even when you’re not there? This week’s guest, Miroslav Beck, founder and CEO of Overnight Success Studios and Twin 24/7 AI, is using AI to make that possible. Miroslav helps authors and experts create AI-powered digital twins. These virtual versions of you can answer questions, share your expertise, and interact with readers around the clock. In this episode, we explore how authors can use digital twins to extend the life of their books, deepen reader engagement, and expand their reach without being available 24/7. What You’ll Discover What exactly is an AI digital twin, and what can it do for an author? Could a simple QR code turn your book into an interactive experience? How do you create a digital twin that actually sounds and feels like you? Can you trust your digital twin to stay true to your ideas and expertise? How can AI expand your reach without replacing the human connection? Tune in to discover how AI can help your book keep the conversation going long after the reader turns the final page. ****************************************************************** Here's how to connect with Mira: Book your 30-minute strategy session: chatwithmira.com Social media links: LinkedIn | FaceBook | Instagram Websites: overnightsuccessstudios.com | twin247.ai ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

October 14, 2026Episode 54730 min

How Authors Can Get Sponsorships, Sell Books in Bulk, and Create New Revenue - BM547

What if your book could attract sponsors, open doors to brand partnerships, and create new revenue without a massive audience? In this episode, I talk with Justin Moore, sponsorship coach, author of Sponsor Magnet , and founder of Creator Wizard. Justin reveals how authors can use their books as more than products. They can become powerful partnership tools that attract brands, create bulk sales opportunities, and expand your reach. You’ll discover how to approach sponsors, structure creative partnerships, and position your book in ways most authors never consider. What You’ll Discover... Why sponsors might care more about relevance than audience size How custom book editions can lead to unexpected opportunities What makes a sponsorship pitch stand out How to price partnerships without underselling yourself Why thinking beyond “book sales” can change what’s possible If you’ve been focused only on finding more readers, this episode will show you where else to look. Your next opportunity might not come from another reader. It might come from the right partner. Tune in now to find out more. Here's how to connect with Justin: Book: Sponsor Magnet | $1 Audiobook Website | Newsletter | Podcast on YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | X | LinkedIn ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

October 7, 2026Episode 54634 min

How to Separate Book Marketing Myths from What Actually Works. - BM546

What if some of the book sales statistics authors have been hearing for years are simply wrong? And what if the marketing strategies you’ve been told you “should” use aren’t the ones most likely to sell your book? In this episode of Book Marketing Mentors , Susan Friedmann talks with award-winning author, publishing strategist, and Publish Your Purpose founder Jenn Grace about what authors need to know about selling books today. After surveying hundreds of authors, Jenn is uncovering fresh data about book sales, marketing strategies, and what appears to be working across nonfiction and memoir. You’ll hear why the often-repeated “average author sells only 150 books” statistic deserves another look, why speaking and live events can outperform paid advertising, and why copying another author’s marketing plan can send you in the wrong direction. Jenn also introduces her ASPEN Method, a practical approach to creating a book marketing strategy built around your goals, strengths, resources, and audience. If you’ve ever wondered, “How many books should I be selling?” or “Which book marketing strategies are actually worth my time?” this conversation will give you a fresh way to think about both. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why familiar book sales statistics might be misleading authors What Jenn’s author survey is revealing about how books are being sold today Why speaking engagements and live events can be powerful book sales opportunities Why paid ads aren’t the automatic answer many authors expect How the ASPEN Method helps you create a book marketing plan suited to you Why your goals should determine your marketing strategy How understanding your niche audience changes the way you promote your book Why choosing marketing activities you’re willing to keep doing matters more than chasing every new tactic You don’t need another list of tactics. You need to know which ones are worth pursuing. Listen in and discover a more focused way to market your book. Here's how to connect with Jenn: Please take this important industry survey Website LinkedIn Profile | LinkedIn Company | YouTube | Substack ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

September 30, 2026Episode 54528 min

How to Make Your Book Marketing Last After Your Launch - BM545

What happens after the launch excitement fades? You’ve written the book. You’ve announced it. You’ve posted about it. Maybe you’ve done a few interviews. Then comes the harder question. How do you keep people interested without feeling as if you’re promoting your book over and over again? This week on Book Marketing Mentors , I talk with Karlyn Ankrom, founder and lead strategist of Oh Snap! Social, creator of the Fan Firestarter Framework, and the Expert Excellence Engine. Karlyn works with nonfiction authors who know they should be using social media but would rather do almost anything else. Her approach starts with an idea many authors miss. Your finished book isn’t just something to sell. It’s a rich source of ideas, conversations, stories, and opportunities waiting to be used. We explore how to turn what you’ve already written into content people want to engage with, without posting every day or constantly asking people to buy your book. You’ll also hear why chasing followers can distract you from what matters, how platforms such as Substack, LinkedIn, and Instagram can support different goals, and why the people already paying attention to you could be far more valuable than a much larger audience. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why your book launch is where the real marketing starts The overlooked content hiding inside your finished manuscript Why more followers may not be the answer How often you really need to show up to stay visible What makes readers stop scrolling and start paying attention The simple shift that makes social media feel less like promotion and more like connection If social media has started to feel like another exhausting item on your book marketing list, this conversation could change how you think about it. Keeping your book visible doesn’t mean promoting it harder. Tune in to discover how better conversations can create more attention, stronger connections, and new opportunities for your book. Here's how to connect with Karlyn: Post-Publication Presence Webinar: How to Stay Visible Without Burning Out Website LInkedIn | FaceBook | Instagram ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

September 23, 2026Episode 54430 min

How to Create a Strong Author Brand Without Feeling Gimmicky - BM544

What makes some author brands instantly recognizable while others disappear into the crowd? And how do you create a brand people remember without making it feel manufactured, trendy, or gimmicky? This week’s guest is Theresa Wilmot, founder and creative director of Wilmot Designs. With decades of experience in branding, packaging, and publishing, Theresa knows what makes a visual identity work and what quietly undermines it. In this episode, we explore what authors often misunderstand about branding, including the difference between branding a book and branding yourself as an author or business owner. Theresa also shares how color, logos, typography, imagery, and consistency shape the way readers perceive you before they ever read a word. If you’ve ever wondered whether your branding truly reflects who you are, whether it’s time for a refresh, or why your current look isn’t creating the recognition you hoped for, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. What We Explore... Are you branding your book or building a brand around you? What makes an author brand recognizable and memorable? Could trying too hard to stand out actually weaken your brand? What are your colors, logo, and visuals communicating before you speak? Why does consistency matter more than constantly reinventing your look? How do you know when your brand needs a refresh? Could something as personal as your signature become part of your brand? This episode will help you look at your author brand with fresh eyes and ask an important question. Does your brand make it easier for people to recognize, remember, and trust you? Tune in now to find out. *********************************************** Here's how to connect with Theresa: Download your gift: Creative Corrections Website: Wilmot Designs Social Media Links: LinkedIn | Instagram | FaceBook ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

September 16, 2026Episode 54328 min

Why Readers Trust Some Authors and Tune Everyone Else Out - BM543

What makes a reader trust you enough to buy your book, recommend it, or see you as the expert to follow? This week’s guest is Scott Carley, known as the Trust Energizer and creator of the Trust Credit Score . Scott reveals why trust may be one of the most overlooked assets in an author’s marketing strategy and how it influences everything from credibility to book sales. Every reader is sizing you up, often without realizing it. They’re asking silent questions about who you are, what you stand for, and whether your ideas deserve their attention. Scott breaks down the signals readers look for, the mistakes capable authors make without realizing it, and why visibility alone won’t build authority if trust is missing. You’ll also hear how AI is changing the trust equation and what authors can do to make their voice, ideas, and expertise feel unmistakably their own. Key Takeaways What are readers silently asking about you? Discover the questions influencing whether someone trusts your ideas before they ever buy your book. The five trust signals most authors overlook. Scott reveals the signals readers use to decide whether you’re credible, believable, and worth following. Why saying the right things isn’t enough. Learn what readers notice when your words, behavior, and marketing don’t quite match. Could your marketing be costing you trust? Some familiar promotional tactics can create doubt instead of confidence. Find out where authors often go wrong. What happens to trust when AI enters the picture? Explore how authors can use AI without losing the originality, expertise, and human connection readers value. Why expertise can still fail to connect. Discover what happens when you know your subject but aren’t speaking in a way your audience recognizes as meant for them. If you want readers to do more than notice your book, this conversation will show you why earning their trust may be the step that changes everything. Here's how to connect with Scott; Buy Scott's Book: Can I Trust You? Website YouTube LinkedIn Instagram ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

September 9, 2026Episode 54228 min

How to Market Your Book on a Budget and Still Get Noticed - BM542

Are you spending more money marketing your book than you’re making from it? This week’s guest, Kevin M. Hall, author of Book Marketing on a Budget: Simple Steps for New Authors , shares practical ways to increase visibility, connect with readers, and create opportunities without spending a fortune. Kevin proves some of the most effective book marketing strategies are often the simplest ones. Key Takeaways Could one tiny change help you sell more books? Discover overlooked marketing opportunities you may already have at your fingertips. What happens when you stop marketing and start connecting? Learn why genuine conversations can open doors no marketing plan could predict. How many opportunities are you missing because you never asked? See how a simple question can turn an assumed “no” into a surprising “yes.” Who in your own community could help spread the word? Explore how libraries, organizations, fellow authors, and local connections can expand your reach. Why do some authors gain traction while others disappear? Find out why consistent visibility matters more than constantly chasing the next marketing tactic. Tune in and discover how to make your book marketing dollars stretch further while building visibility in ways that feel natural, practical, and sustainable. Here's how to connect with Kevin: Website FaceBook LinkedIn Instagram ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

September 2, 2026Episode 54130 min

How to Use AI to Write Your Book Without Losing Your Authentic Voice - BM541

Want to use AI to write and market your book more effectively without losing your voice? This week, bestselling author and AI expert Karin Volo shares practical ways authors can use AI throughout the book-writing process. You’ll learn how to use AI to brainstorm stronger ideas, organize your thoughts, speed up research, improve your prompts, and refine your writing without handing over control of your book. Karin also explains how to train AI to better understand your voice, what information you should always verify, and where human judgment and editing still matter most. Key Takeaways: Use AI without losing your voice. Learn where AI can help and where you need to stay firmly in control. Write better prompts. Discover how clearer instructions lead to more useful and authentic results. Research faster. Use AI to uncover sources, ideas, and information while knowing what to verify. Organize your ideas. Learn how AI can help turn scattered thoughts into a clearer structure. Edit more effectively. Understand where AI can assist and why human editing is still essential. Experiment with confidence. Learn how to explore AI tools without feeling overwhelmed by the technology. Tune in now to learn practical ways to use AI to make writing, researching, and refining your book easier. Here's how to connect with Karin: Website LinkedIn Free gifts Get Karin's book AI Dystopia or Utopia: The Choice Point For Humanity Is Now ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

August 26, 2026Episode 54027 min

The AI Book Revolution: How Authors Can Reach More Readers and Earn More - BM540

What if a book could do more than simply be read? This week, I’m talking with Ahmed Kamel , technology entrepreneur, AI innovator, CEO of Sinai AI , and co-founder of YOUXEL Technology. Ahmed shares how AI is beginning to change the reading experience itself, creating new ways for readers to interact with books and new opportunities for authors to extend the value of their work. You’ll learn how AI-powered books can offer features such as translation, audio, summaries, customized navigation, and interactive learning tools. We also explore what these changes could mean for accessibility, reader engagement, royalties, and the way authors understand their audiences. Ahmed also explains how authors and publishers can protect their rights while taking advantage of emerging AI technology. Key Takeaways: Create a more interactive reading experience. Learn how AI can add audio, translation, summaries, and other features to a book. Reach more readers. Discover how multilingual and adaptive formats can make books more accessible. Create additional revenue opportunities. Explore ways authors may earn beyond the initial book sale. Understand reader behavior. Learn how engagement data can reveal what readers are using and responding to. Protect your rights. Understand why copyright and clear AI agreements matter as publishing evolves. Tune in now to learn how AI could expand what your book can do, who it can reach, and how it can continue creating value long after the initial sale. Here's how to connect with Ahmed Website LinkedIn Request access to Sinai.ai ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************

August 19, 2026Episode 53928 min

Why You’re Afraid to Market Your Book, Even When You Know How - BM539

Could the real reason you’re avoiding book marketing have nothing to do with marketing? You know you need to talk about your book, yet every time you think about promoting it, reaching out, or asking for the sale, something inside you pulls back. This week’s guest is Judy Kane , author of Your Four Truths: How Beliefs Impact Your Life and an expert in uncovering the subconscious beliefs that shape our choices. Judy explains how fear of visibility, rejection, criticism, and selling can quietly hold authors back, even when they believe deeply in their books. You’ll discover how to recognize the stories driving your resistance, fact-check assumptions that may no longer be true, and use visualization to create a more confident response to marketing. We also explore how early beliefs about money, self-worth, and success can affect your willingness to sell, charge for your work, and receive the opportunities your book creates. What You’ll Discover: Why marketing can feel more threatening than it is How to challenge the stories holding you back Why reconnecting with your purpose changes marketing How visualization can build confidence How money beliefs influence selling Tune in to uncover the hidden beliefs that may be holding your book back and discover how to move forward with greater confidence. Here's how to connect with Judy: Website LinkedIn Buy a copy of her book: Your4Truths: How Beliefs Impact Your Life Book your 15 minute free consultation ************************************************************************* What Should I Do When Book Marketing Feels Overwhelming? You poured your heart into writing your book because you wanted to make a difference. It deserves to be discovered. If marketing feels confusing, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels, the Author Influencer Circle will help you build authority, attract opportunities, and market your book with clarity and confidence. Learn more about the Author Influencer Circle and discover how your book can open doors to speaking, clients, partnerships, and meaningful income. *************************************************************************