I've read nearly every book written by Gisela Hausmann. This woman is a genius when it comes to marketing. She's a researcher, like me, and I admire that most about her. She gives it to you straight, no fluffy talk. Authors are busy people and don't have time to sit and read a novel-length book about marketing. They need quick tips they can apply immediately to their daily lives, so they can get out in the world and start making things happen in their publishing careers.

Anyone who followed the presidential election, and the days since, cant attest that the media has become an even more powerful tool to gain attention and fame for one's ideas. Just check out YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. These platforms are inundated with paid and unpaid promotions for books. It seems everyone is writing a book these days. And it's easy to get on social media every day and copy and paste a post to promote one's books; however, the truly dedicated authors are finding new paths to reach their target audience.

This easy-to-follow guide is the perfect tool to help authors expand their reach into libraries and other media outlets. I highly recommend it - worth every penny!

I'd heard so many positive things about Gisela Hausmann all of which ended up to be true. She knows her stuff, has had decades worth of experience, including how she was a part of publishing a picture book, showcasing Vienna's beauty.

Gisela didn't rely on Twitter to get the word out because there was no twitter. Social media didn't exist. So, she leaned on her creativity and made it happen. You can't help but respect her spunk.

I've also got spunk but I've been wasting it on useless ideas that have made others money on my dime. Let's be real; authors are drowning, lost in a sea of tweeting and pleading to be heard and taken seriously.

Of course, you've got to write a good book. That's the first of many steps. But where do you go from there?

Hire someone to do a press-release? Did that.

Hire a company to tweet for you? Did that as well.

So many companies claiming to be the answer.

Truth is, unless you've already garnered a wonderful readership, no one cares to follow your tweets, (unless someone well known or beloved is doing the tweeting).

The Funneling Factor has opened my eyes as to what I can do without having to waste another dime on fruitless marketing.

Get creative, understand when the right time to approach journalist is and how these journalists work. If you've got what they need, have a well-written book, then chances are you'll get that opportunity to be heard. Funny, but it seems as though we're back to the old-fashioned, 'knock on the door and let me in' phase.

Every author wants to be featured on TV and in magazines, wants their books to be available in libraries, and wants to have their books read by thousands of people. Though online marketing is a good way to draw attention to books, it's a space that authors have to share with thousands of other authors, which makes "putting the spotlight on your book" harder.

In "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" author and media expert Gisela Hausmann draws upon her years of experience and expertise to show novice (and even experienced) authors how to get themselves and their books featured on TV, pitch the media, get invited to guest blog at famous well-read blogs, and get their self-published books into public libraries. "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" also includes "100 Pitches to Help You Brainstorm" for authors in the genres of: children's books, cookbooks, historic novels, horror, nonfiction, romance, humor/satire, science fiction, self-help, business, health, and sports.

Of special note is the chapter on "Two Dozen Websites Every Author Needs to Know," including library websites, plus a list of "Action Steps" authors can follow to achieve results.

Impressively informed and informative, and thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, "Book Marketing: The Funnel Factor" will prove a practical and invaluable instruction guide and manual, making it unreservedly recommended for self-published or small press author in the process of building an effective and efficient marketing plan for their book.