David’s seven steps prepare the potential author for nurturing, promoting, and profiting from a book. For example, before starting a book, authors should think of a lucrative, niche topic that will cater to a specific audience—and study one-star reviews on Amazon to understand what readers want. During the writing process, keep your potential audience engaged by building followers on social media, writing a newsletter, and gathering subscribers. Then she lays out steps for exploiting social media platforms like Mastodon and BeReal, writing press releases, and securing media appearances. Finally, profit from your book, which has by now built you up as an authority, by securing paid speaker gigs, keynote speeches, and directing clients to hire your business or buy your products.
In an age when traditional book publishing with agents and editors are increasingly passe, self-publishing and promotion are more accessible than ever, yet it’s ever more incumbent upon authors to put in the work beyond just writing. David’s how-to is frank—even unromantic—in its breakdown of what it takes to sell your own how-to. Despite some repetition of basic ideas, David delivers practical advice on navigating modern methods of self-promotion that can enhance your publicity and profits.
Takeaway: This hands-on guide urges authors to promote, profit, and become authorities.
Comparable Titles: Brooke Warner’s Green-Light Your Book, Barb Drozdowich’s The Author's Guide to Book Promotions.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A