Authors: Just Put The Ball In Play!

 

Taking up a new sport like pickleball has reinvigorated me. Not only does it get me moving and socializing, it stirs my competitive spirit and above all, reminds me of the best strategy to employ for the game — and in life: Just put the ball in play!

Though it feels good to make a great shot, most points are won because someone made an unforced error. For instance, rather than just get the ball onto the court, I tried to sneak in an angling serve and instead it went out. In another case, upon returning someone’s serve, I tried to put a spin on it when all that I needed to do was hit it back. Keep it in play. In other words, don’t try to force a great shot; in most cases, you just need to keep it in play so the opponent can screw up.

Well, book marketing is the same way. You just need to put your book out there — consistently and persistently. You don’t need to necessarily focus on doing something great — but to merely do many things decently -- and often.

For instance, authors seeking perfect marketing get psyched out and delay their efforts. They are contemplating but not committing. Don’t wait for some ideal situation to miraculously appear — just get out there now. You cannot wait for the stars to align.

Play the percentages and go after low-hanging fruit, rather than looking for some big moment to put you on the map that may not happen. Again, put the ball in play.

In pickleball, one must lean on their teammate to keep the ball in play. You have a teammate, as an author, too— a hired publicist, a marketing consultant, and friends and family. who are willing and able to do you a favor.

It is ok to think big and at times go for something seemingly a long shot, but most of the time, simply execute on the basic things that need to get done and always keep the ball in play to give herself a chance to win. 

 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, 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 four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

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).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, 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