How Do You Get Your Book Marketing Message To Stick Out?

 

 

Press releases. Advertisements. Vlog entries. Social media posts. Web site copy. Emails. Text. Fliers. 

How do you make any of these stand out? 

What can authors or publishers do to make the book s that they market seem needed or desired?

What needs to be said, shown, or done to get another to buy your book? 

Of course, if you know the exact answer for what would sell your book you would already be doing it. Perhaps we need to start by evaluating what it is that you feel you can offer to seduce would-be readers to say yes to your book. 

Step One: What are the best features about your book? Cool cover, a catchy title, and a low price can’t hurt. But what about the quality of the writing, the uniqueness of the subject matter, or your background as it relates to what you write about? Who is your competition and what do they offer to do better than you? 

Step Two: How will you craft a catchy headline or subject line to lure people in – and what message, aside from your front cover image, will draw others in? 

Step Three: Do you make your content relevant to the reader? What do you offer that immediately appeals to that kind of person? 

Step Four: Can you be controversial, dramatic, or even outrageous in what you say – or how you say it? 

Step Five: Are you using lively language with the key words, reference points, or statistics that will grab one’s attention? 

Step Six: Is there something new to emphasize? 

Step Seven: Have you clearly identified what benefits one would get from reading your book? 

Step Eight: Did you dress your book in the third-party credibility wrap? Are there awards, testimonials, or reviews that you can cite to show others think your book is fantastic? 

Step Nine: Do you connect with people in a way that sounds authentic, honest, caring, and that you understand where they are coming from? 

Step Ten: Do you inject humor, emotions, or stop-in-the-tracks predictions, proclamations, or secrets into your content? 

Finally, is there a clear call to action that is defined, asked for, and re-asked for? Have you identified an action-step that you expect readers to take? It all comes down to you making the ask and the push – and then you can hopefully see measurable results.

 

“A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a good novel tells us the truth about its author.”

--GK Chesterton, English Novelist, Essayist, Poet (1874-1936)

 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 7,400,000 page views. With nearly 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

 

 

 

What Can Good Book Promoters Do?

 

Authors, depending on their abilities, may need professional help in a lot of areas in order to get their books ready for publication, marketed, and promoted.  

Many writers will need help with a dozen or more areas, such as: 

·         Creating or updating a web site

·         Making a book available for sale on many retail platforms

·         Creating social media accounts and crafting content to post

·         Ghostwriting blogs for their site

·         Advertising books on Amazon, Google, and Facebook

·         Applying to book awards

·         Finding free or paid book reviewers

·         Seeking out speaking engagement opportunities

·         Putting together a best-seller campaign

·         Reaching out to book clubs

 

Book promoters can do a lot of things. They can: 

·         Advise an author of what needs to be done

·         Coach them on how to do these things

·         Share resources and/or ideas and strategize on how to craft and execute a strong marketing campaign

·         Execute whatever needs to be done to complete a specific promotional task, such as getting an ad created and placed

·         Writing and distributing a press release

·         Connecting with a bookstore to set up a speaking engagement 

Book publicists/promoters tend to focus on the news media, identifying the appropriate news media outlets to approach, crafting targeted pitches building relationships with key journalists and influencers, securing media coverage, and monitoring the media landscape for relevant opportunities to capitalize on.  

A good book promoter brings in outside experiences, knowledge, skills, energy, and a network that can be used to help authors build a brand, obtain more readers and increase book sales. 

Authors, when seeking to hire outside help, need to understand that: 

·         Not all book promoters are good or honest.

·         Each promoter may be good at one or a few things, but not everything.

·         You should be aware of what you need and be clear on what you are looking for.

·         Marketing, like the medical world, is becoming so specialized and focused that you may need two, three, or four different experts to each help you get pieces of what you want or need.

·         No matter what a hired gun does for you, continue to do as much as you can on your own to service other areas that need attention.

·         Whatever is done to promote one book can also help grow your brand to market prior or future books. 

When looking for a book promoter, you will want to find someone who sounds savvy, has a personality that you can get along with, is affordable, seems responsive and reliable and has a decent track record. Avoid those who run off of hype, profusely praise you and your book, and always act like you will be on the best-seller list by tomorrow. You need someone who is cautiously optimistic, grounded in reality but not afraid to reach beyond your means, and who seems to believe in you but does not kiss your butt to the point you find them to be disingenuous. 

Finding a good book promoter is like dating. You may get lucky, even get married, or, you may not get a second date. Just keep trying! 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 7,300,000 page views. With 5,600+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Get Book Readers Without Needing Anyone’s Permission!

 

Many authors each day operate under several negative beliefs:

“No one wants to buy my book.”
“I can’t get any book reviews.”
“Bookstores won’t have me as a speaker.”

Are these declarations based on fact, fiction, or fear?

People might buy your book, they likely do not know it exists.
As for book reviews, you need to submit your book to many media outlets four months before your publication date.
Bookstores will have you speak if you convey that you have an interesting book, a connection to their town, and can show third-party validation, such as testimonials, reviews, awards, and media exposure or a big social media following.

Did you try to market your book?

How well?

How often?

Ok, let’s put all of that aside. What can you do to make people aware of your book without needing anyone’s help or permission? Where are there no gatekeepers or obstacles to reaching targeted readers?

Warning: if you are lazy, cheap, or don’t believe in your book, just quit reading, and for that matter, toss your book to the garbage heap. I refuse to hear that you feel helpless or defeated or that you will let that state of mind dominate you.

Here is what you will need to do to get readership and build word-of-mouth — without having to get the approval of others.

1. Pay for it: advertise, paid book reviews, pay-for-play media outlets, and influencers.

2. Give it away for free. Make the ebook free on amazon and on your site. Post it on sites that do giveaways. Hand out printed copies of your book.

3. Social media posts. You can create as much content as you want to and the quality of it is in your hands. You can be quite aggressive with being active on one or more platforms and you can find and reach out to your targeted readers. If you can’t do this (skill), or don’t want to (mental), or lack the time (priority), then pay someone to do it for you.

4. Build your network up and offer to those whom you know to read your book and for them to offer the free book to those they know.

5. Try guerrilla marketing tactics. Hand out postcards with QR codes about your book outside of where readers congregate, such as bookstores, book fairs, and libraries. Partner with another author to give out each other’s books. Cut a deal with local merchants to sell your book at a discount and let them merely pay the cost of printing your book and they can keep the profits. Connect with groups who can give your book away and that helps them get attention for whatever it is that they do or sell. Partner with a non-profit to give your book away or to sell as a fundraiser.

Once you realize that there are plenty of things that you can do, say, or pay for in order to get readers and attention for your book, the more empowered you will feel.

Yes, you may invest thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours into this, but you will not be at the mercy of others or have high barriers to hurdle.

You can position yourself for a chance to break through and to finally gain an honest opportunity to gain readers.

So, what shall it be? Whine and moan about rejection? Remain immobile by fear? Or take ownership of your book marketing and invest some money and time to give your book what it deserves: a fair chance.

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 7,300,000 page views. With 5,600+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Interview With Author Cleanne Johnson

 

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

Love My Colors is inspired by about 50 to 60 percent of my own life. It draws from my experiences with bullying, feeling like I didn't belong, struggling with my identity, and learning to love myself after years of questioning my worth. There were times when I hid parts of who I was because I thought fitting in was safer than standing out. While some parts of the story are fictional, the emotions behind them are very real. Writing this book became a way to transform painful experiences into a message of hope. I wanted readers, especially anyone who has ever felt invisible, rejected, or not enough, to know that they don't have to change who they are to be accepted. My hope is that Love My Colors reminds people that healing begins the moment we stop hiding and start embracing the unique person we were always meant to be. 

2. What exactly is it about—and who is it written for?

Love My Colors is a story about identity, belonging, courage, and self-acceptance. It encourages readers to celebrate what makes them unique instead of hiding it. Although younger readers will connect with the story, its message resonates with anyone who has ever struggled with confidence, bullying, fitting in, or learning to love themselves. It's truly a book for children, families, educators, and adults who need a reminder that their differences are their greatest strengths. 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

More than anything, I hope readers walk away believing they are enough exactly as they are. I want them to understand that they don't have to change themselves to earn acceptance. If even one young adult decides to stop hiding who they are, or one adult remembers the confidence they once lost, then this book has accomplished its purpose. 

4. How did you decide on your book's title and cover design?

The title Love My Colors represents far more than color itself. It symbolizes identity, individuality, culture, personality, dreams, and everything that makes each of us unique. The cover was designed to reflect joy, confidence, diversity, and hope. I wanted readers to feel welcomed before they even opened the first page. 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers—other than "run!"?

Write the story only you can tell. Don't spend your time trying to sound like someone else or chasing trends. The most powerful stories come from authenticity. There will always be rejection, criticism, and moments of self-doubt, but keep writing anyway. Someone out there needs the story you're afraid to tell. 

6. What trends in the book world do you see—and where do you think publishing is heading?

Readers today want authenticity. They're looking for books that make them feel seen, understood, and inspired. Independent publishing continues to grow, giving authors more opportunities to reach readers directly while traditional publishing still offers valuable resources and broad distribution. I believe the future belongs to authors who build genuine relationships with their audiences through books, podcasts, social media, speaking engagements, and community. 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?

Absolutely. Many of the emotions in Love My Colors come from experiences I've lived through personally. Like many people, I've known what it feels like to question my worth and wonder if I belonged. Those experiences gave me the empathy and perspective to write honestly. They also shaped my work as an author and podcast host, where I continually hear stories of resilience that reinforce the importance of self-love and acceptance. 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

My writing is heartfelt, honest, hopeful, and emotionally driven. I aim to write in a way that's accessible while still leaving readers with something meaningful to reflect on. Rather than trying to imitate one particular author, I focus on telling authentic stories that combine emotional depth with encouragement. Readers who enjoy uplifting books with strong messages about courage, resilience, and self-discovery will likely connect with my work. 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

One of the biggest challenges was being vulnerable enough to revisit painful emotions while transforming them into a message of hope. Writing requires honesty, and sometimes that means confronting memories you'd rather leave behind. I wanted to make sure the story acknowledged difficult experiences without allowing them to define the ending. Ultimately, Love My Colors became a story about healing rather than hurt. 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

Because Love My Colors is more than a book, it's an invitation to embrace yourself without apology. In a world that often tells people to fit in, this story encourages readers to stand confidently in who they are. It's a conversation starter for families, classrooms, and communities, and a reminder that our differences are not weaknesses, they are the very things that make us beautiful. 

About The Author: Cleanne Johnson is an award-winning author, speaker, podcast host, and advocate for self-love and resilience. Through her books and the Beauty of Colors podcast, she encourages readers to embrace healing, discover their worth, and find the courage to live authentically. Her writing is inspired by real-life experiences and explores themes of identity, overcoming adversity, and personal transformation. Whether writing heartfelt nonfiction or compelling fiction, Cleanne's mission is to create stories that remind readers they are stronger than their past and worthy of the life they dream of. For more information, please see:  https://www.cleannejohnson.com 

Do You Need Book Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 7,300,000 page views. With 5,600+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum