Book Marketing Success Podcast

Celebrate Father’s Day with this song inspired by Ward Clark’s ode to his father (Real Men, Real Impact: The Essential Role of Fathers in Society — https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/06/21/real-men-real-impact-the-essential-role-of-fathers-in-society-n2203567).My Father, My Hero lyricsWho is my biggest hero?That’s easy. My DadMy Dad is a rocka good mana great mana man of iron integrityand enormous personal strengthMy Dad is a rockI strive to live up to himAnd will do so for the rest of my lifeAs he keeps telling meWork comes firstYou never stop being a parentYou are the prime exampleYou are the one they followYou are the one they loveI strive to live up to my DadAnd will do so for the rest of my lifeHe is my prime exampleHe is the one I followHe is the one I loveHe is the one I value mostI strive to live up to my DadAnd will do so for the rest of my lifeHappy Father’s Day!Happy Father’s Day!Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

Perhaps I should call my new program AI Storytelling because AI is the key selling point for almost all programs and courses in today’s world. But, alas, my course isn’t really about AI. It’s about the human touch, the stories we pass on to each other that make people respond.Well, sadly, I didn’t make the case for the value of my Storyteller Secrets course. Obviously, that’s my problem.The reality is that it’s not worth it to me to present a long, complex, and life-changing course if I’m not recompensed. I have many other things I can do. We all make choices.I know the price of $497 is high for many of you in this world of high gas prices and high food costs.So, I thought I’d at least give you the opportunity to buy the first lesson in the course for only $10. Check out here: https://shorturl.at/9LbiShttps://bookmarketing.mysamcart.com/checkout/storytelling-secrets-sample-lesson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

Discover the Secret Storytelling Formula That Turns Words into SalesUnlock The Storyteller Secrets and turn boring unprofitable marketing into messages people remember, trust, love, and buy from. Make your business unforgettable in just a few minutes.The Storyteller Secrets helps anyone selling any book, program, or service to tell stories that help them sell more, promote more, and build trust with strangers as well as followers.Read more: https://bookmarketing.mysamcart.com/telling-storiesA Publishing House Needs StoriesMy first AI pass-through on this sales letter included no stories. That happens so often with AI.But stories are important if you actually want to make sales. Stories convince people. Stories give people confidence in what you have to sell.When I consulted with Unity House, the book publishing division of Unity Church, I was surprised that they weren’t selling more books. They published a small magazine, Daily Word, with 4 million subscribers. They published another magazine with 200,000 subscribers. And, yet, they were selling few than 10,000 copies of most of their books. After reading six of thei books, I discovered why the books weren’t selling. The authors did not tell stories. Without stories, the books had little to no word-of-mouth. Without stories, no one was telling their friends - Hey, you gotta read this book. It’s incredible! The books weren’t being passed along.Without that word-of-mouth, they sold a lot less books than they had expected to sell.Sell Benefits, Not FeaturesI have another client who keeps adding new features to his offer. As a result, he never actually launches his product (a good product, by the way). He has kept adding features for over two years!I keep telling him. Stop adding features. Start selling benefits!. And the best way to sell benefits is to tell stories. Stories provide heart and soul to your sales letters, blog posts, podcasts, videos, courses, and more. Stories invoke trust.And, of course, launch your course. Launch it now. Even if it’s not perfect yet. Give people a chance to buy into your offering. You can always make it better. You can always upgrade it.Summit Presenters and Speakers Need StoriesLast week, I attended a summit. One of the things I’ve noticed about summits is that two or three of the speakers or presenters are good at telling stories and giving examples. The other 10 to 15 primarily talked about abstract ideas and facts with few or no stories.I quickly learned which speakers were storytellers and which people simply presented facts. Guess which speakers I will be following, which speaker’s emails I’ll pay attention to, and which speaker’s offerings I am most likely to sign up for (and pay for!).Double Sales — Tell Me What It Will Do for Me!AppSumo is a wonderful online store that features various apps, software, and services that can help individuals and businesses to do things in better ways. Sadly, to sell these services, AppSumo creates videos that talk about the programs and services they sell, but their videos focus on what the app does, what it does, what it does. Over and over again, all features, few benefits.I swear, if they simply featured more stories on how people are actually using these programs to change their lives or build their businesses, they’d double sales!Sell High-Ticket Courses and Services with StoriesMy friend, Mike Koenigs, has been selling high-ticket items for more than 25 years. He does that by telling success stories — how customers are using his courses and services to get more done in less time, to sell more products and services, to build their success to the highest order.His stories inspire customers to buy his services. His stories move people to act. His stories make a difference. Your stories can also sell. Your stories can also make a difference!Read more: https://bookmarketing.mysamcart.com/telling-storiesBook Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

Enjoy this new country ballad about taking action. What you do matters. It matters a lot.Do something every day for the things and people you love. Every day.You Do lyricsThe biggest problem you hadWas taking actionAlways over analyzingComing up with excusesNever moving forwardThen when you startYou make mistakesYou have frustrationsThings that don’t workThey never workThey never workWhen you see someone who’sNot internet famousNot a rocket scientistNot a bajillionaireActually, kinda normalKinda quirkyKinda not got it all figured outYou feel like,Dang if this dude could do itSurely, I can tooSo you keep learningYou keep testingYou keep showing upYou keep doing and doingAnd remember:Success isn’t just strategyIt’s who you becomeIt’s who you areIt’s who you do and do and doSuccess isn’t just strategyIt’s who you becomeIt’s who you areIt’s who you do and do and doSuccess isn’t just strategyIt’s who you becomeIt’s who you areIt’s who you do and do and doBook Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

I translated my friend Steve O’Keefe’s recent poem, Magic Lever, into a folk song. I hope you like it. And I especially hope that Steve likes it.Poems make great songs. Any poet can write songs like these.Magic Lever PoemEveryone’s lookin’ for a magic leverLookin’ for a button to pressLookin’ for a phrase to utterTo get us out of this messEveryone wants a silver bulletOr a magical sword that slaysOr else they want a magic potionTo take the mess away.I’m lookin’ for a new solutionSomething bigger than ever beforeOne spin that changes the worldA whisper that becomes a roarI’m lookin’ for a magic leverSomething no one’s ever seen beforeI’m listenin’ for a secret signalThe whisper that becomes a roarI’m lookin’ for a magic leverSomething no one’s ever seen beforeI’m listenin’ for a secret signalThe whisper that becomes a roarBook Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Thanks for reading Book Marketing Success! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

The Author’s Guide to Strategic SponsorshipsThe principles of sponsorship apply directly to book authors planning launches, tours, or large-scale promotional projects. Drawing from the strategies used by major events and industry experts, here are the top 10 reasons book authors should seek sponsors.1. Get Substantial Financial SupportSponsorship provides authors with direct funding to cover essential costs that might otherwise be unaffordable. This cash sponsorship can be used to fund a book tour, rent larger event spaces, or hire high-profile speakers and entertainers for a launch party. Financial sponsors provide these funds in exchange for promotional benefits and visibility, allowing an author to scale their projects without paying entirely out of pocket.2. Enhance Credibility and LegitimacyPartnering with well-known or respected brands can legitimize an author’s work in the eyes of the public. When a reputable company aligns its identity with your book or event, it signals to potential readers and attendees that the project is high-quality and worth their time.3. Access In-Kind Goods and ServicesAuthors can reduce their overhead by securing in-kind (trade) sponsorships. Instead of cash, sponsors might provide the venue for a reading, catering for a launch event, or high-value technology and equipment. These partnerships allow authors to offer a premium experience to their readers while shaving off significant event expenses.4. Reach New and Targeted AudiencesSponsors often provide an author with a platform for discovery by introducing the book to their existing customer base. By identifying sponsors who share a similar target demographic, an author can tap into new networks of readers that they might not reach through traditional marketing alone.5. Increase Media CoverageSecuring a media sponsor—such as a newspaper, magazine, or radio station—can lead to free advertising and live reporting on an author’s activities. This kind of sponsorship is specifically designed to boost awareness and attendance, potentially resulting in skyrocketing engagement and website visits.6. Improve Attendee ExperienceSponsorship allows an author to provide exclusive perks that enhance the reader’s experience. This can include anything from providing free merchandise and goodie bags to hosting interactive activations that make a book launch more memorable and immersive.7. Capture LeadsSponsored events are excellent environments for capturing attendee data and generating leads for future book sales. Authors can use sponsorship to gain deeper insights into their audience’s demographics and interests, which is a valuable asset for long-term marketing strategies.8. Network and Build Long-Term PartnershipsA single sponsorship deal can be the first step toward a multi-event collaboration or a strategic partnership. Building long-term relationships with brands provides authors with a stable foundation of support for future book releases and career growth.9. Boost Social Media ExposureMany sponsors look for opportunities to improve their own digital performance, which results in increased social media mentions for the author. Partnering with influencer sponsors can further amplify this effect through social media takeovers or shout-outs to a captivated audience.10. Increase Revenue and SalesBy using sponsors to attract more people to an event, authors naturally generate more revenue through increased book sales. Sponsorships allow authors to keep ticket prices lower for their fans while still ensuring the project is a profitable business rather than just a donation.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Coming next week, I’ll showcase an interview with Roberta Vigilance about getting sponsors for your podcasts, books, and events. You can find out more about Roberta, her books, and her courses at https://robertavigilance.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

In the last episode, I showcased a country song based on John Donne’s famous poem. Some people asked if I sang the song. No, I did not.The lyrics of the sonnet are by John Donne with a few modern tweaks made by me. The music and singing are done by AI.I used a program called MurekaAI. If you decide to explore this AI program, please use my affiliate link: https://www.mureka.ai/?utm_source=rewardful&via=7aa6dd.Why? Because it helps me pay for doing this newsletter and podcast. That simple. So, if you like your trial with MurekaAI and decide to sign up for a paid account, use the affiliate link above. Thanks1Now, I’d like your feedback on the above version of Death, Be Not Proud. And I would appreciate knowing how you like this version versus the one from the last episode (featured below): Death, Be Not Proud by John DonneDeath, be not proud, though some have called theeMighty and dreadful, for you are not so;For those whom you think you overthrowDie not, poor Death, nor yet can you kill me.From rest and sleep, which but your pictures be,Much pleasure; then from you much more must flow,And soon our best men with you do go,Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.You are slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,And also with poison, war, and sickness dwell,Poppy or charms can make us sleep as wellBetter than your stroke; why swell you then?One short sleep past, we wake eternallyDeath shall be no more; Death, you shall die.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe

This country song is adapted from Guy Kawasaki’s newsletter Remarkable People. Start small. Make a tiny win this week. Then another. Then another. Until you are making big changes that can impact how you write and market your books.One Tiny Win LyricsPick one tiny win this week.Not ten. Not five. Just one!Here are a few tiny winsA 10-second habit.An anchor activity you already do.A celebration that makes you smile.A friend who keeps you accountable.Start small. Stay consistent.Let the wins compound.Here’s to a year built on tiny habits,Here’s to a year built on smart design,And here’s to the grit to keep goingone small step at a time!Start small. Stay consistent.Let the tiny wins compound.Start small. Stay consistent.Make change stick.Start small. Stay consistent.Make change stick.Book Marketing Success is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bookmarketing.substack.com/subscribe