Follow the Leader was a kid’s game from my past. Wikipedia explains how it worked: Players first chose a leader or “head of the line,” and the remaining players (the followers) all lined up behind the leader. Then, as the leader moved around, all the players mimicked the leader’s actions.
These days, I follow the leaders in book marketing. These are experts in the self-publishing industry who offer authors a wealth of information.
I became interested in book marketing after I joined of St Louis Publishers Assoc. (SLPA) 2004 and quickly realized that authors needed help with book design and marketing their books. I wanted to learn more about publishing and improve my ability to help authors. Attending SLPA’s monthly meetings and hearing authors describe their successes and failures have been excellent sources of knowledge.
Follow the leader with podcasts.
I started listening to podcasts while I walked. They expand my knowledge and teach me keep me up to date on what’s happening in the world of publishing and book marketing.
Just search Apple podcasts (or wherever you download podcasts) for self-publishing or book marketing, and you’ll find a plethora of choices. Here are some of my favorite shows:
Sell More Books Show with Bryan Cohen and Claire Taylor
Book Marketing Tips & Author Success with Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell.
Inside Independent Publishing with IBPA
Mark Dawson’s The Self Publishing Show, co-hosted with James Blatch
As they say: Listen and subscribe today!
Follow the leader with blog posts and email newsletters.
Smart, savvy book-marketing leaders send out regular email newsletters. There’s always something new to learn from these experts. Check out their websites. Several of these experts also have excellent Facebook pages.
Author Imprints (David Wogahn)
Build Book Buzz (Sandra Beckwith)
The Book Shepherd (Judith Briles)
Kindlepreneur (Dave Chesson)
Follow the leader with webinars and conferences.
Many of the above leaders host regular webinars, sometimes, with a special guest or offer. Also, I highly recommend IBPA’s Publishing University, “where hundreds of independent publishers and industry partners gather to exchange knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and more.”
Why should you follow these leaders?
- Leaders’ podcasts and articles will keep you informed, entertained, and educated.
- Leaders are up-to date on industry trends.
- Leaders are great resources. They know the ropes, sell many books, and build loyal audiences.
- Leaders share their experiences. You can learn much from their successes, as well as their mistakes. They’ve been there!
I follow the leader(s). How about you?
Thanks for reading.
