How Authors Can Sell More Books Without Burning Out

EPISODE NINETY FOUR

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of “do more to sell more,” this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

The truth? You don’t need to be everywhere or do everything to grow your platform and actually sell books. In fact, trying to do all the things is probably why you're feeling burned out and seeing inconsistent results.

In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to sell more books without sacrificing your writing time, your energy, or your sanity. You’ll learn the three key pillars that consistently successful authors focus on. And spoiler alert: none of them involve chasing trends or showing up on five social platforms at once.

Whether you're launching your first book or you're deep into your backlist with flatlined sales, this episode will help you shift your marketing mindset and give you a clear, doable strategy to connect with readers in a way that feels authentic (and actually works).

We’ll talk about:

• How to stop treating marketing like a one-size-fits-all checklist

• Why knowing your reader on a deeper level changes everything

• What it really means to create a visibility plan that works for you

• How to build trust and connection beyond social media

• And why less marketing (done right) leads to more book sales

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start marketing smarter, not harder, this episode is your starting point.

Ready to get serious about your book marketing? 

Build your author platform without the stress by downloading my FREE No-stress Guide: https://jenndepaula.com/author-platform-guide

Download my FREE Book Marketing Blueprint to start building a foundation that actually works: https://jenndepaula.com/book-marketing-blueprint

Want the complete system for building a thriving author platform? Learn more about The Author Circle membership: https://jenndepaula.com/the-author-circle

Transcript

If you're spending more time trying to figure out how to market your book than actually writing it, I’m here to tell you there’s a better way. And here's the thing that 90% of authors don't realize: you don't need to be everywhere, doing everything, all the time to sell more books.

In fact, that scattered approach is exactly why you're feeling burned out and seeing inconsistent growth and sales. Today, I'm going to show you what successful authors do differently, and how a simple shift in your approach can help you build a thriving author platform without sacrificing your writing time.

And if you want to get a jumpstart on your overall marketing plan, I’ve got you covered. Download my free Book Marketing Blueprint to help you set up a successful marketing plan. Click the link below or in my show notes.

Let's start with what's really happening. You wrote a book because you had something important to say. You poured your heart into those pages, and now... you're spending your days posting random content on Instagram, hoping something will stick. You're trying TikTok videos, jumping on trends that have nothing to do with your book, and wondering why you're not connecting with readers.

Sound familiar?

The real problem isn't that you're bad at marketing, it's that you're treating book marketing like it's one-size-fits-all. But here's what I know after working with thousands of authors: your marketing should be as unique as you and your book.

Marketing your book doesn't have to feel overwhelming or inauthentic. In fact, when you get it right, marketing becomes an extension of your writing it's simply another way to connect with the people who need your message.

The authors who sell books consistently aren't doing MORE marketing—they're doing SMARTER marketing. They've figured out three key things that change everything:

First, they know exactly WHO their readers are and WHERE to find them. Second, they have a simple system that works on repeat. And third, they focus on connection.

So what does smarter marketing actually look like? Let me break it down into the three pillars that successful authors use:

Pillar One: Know Your Reader Inside and Out

This goes way beyond demographics. You need to understand their emotions, their struggles, what keeps them up at night. When you truly know your reader, your content stops being generic and starts being magnetic. You're not trying to appeal to everyone—you're speaking directly to the person who needs your book most.

Pillar Two: Create Your Visibility Plan

This is where most authors get stuck. They think they need to be on every platform, but that's actually counterproductive. Instead, you need to identify the ONE platform where your ideal readers spend time, where you enjoy being, and then master that space.

Are you a visual storyteller who loves sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses? Instagram might be your sweet spot. Do you shine in conversations and love helping people? Being a guest on podcasts could be your goldmine. The key is playing to your strengths, not fighting against them.

And if you’re struggling to figure out where you should be online, download my free No Stress Guide to Building Your Author Platform. It will show you exactly where you need to be. I’ll share the link below and in my show notes.

Pillar Three: Think Beyond Social Media

Here's something most authors miss: social media is just the starting point. The real magic happens when you go deeper with long-form content that showcases your expertise and personality. Think blog posts where you can really dive into topics your readers care about, YouTube videos that let them see the real you, starting your own podcast, or even hosting in-person events in your community.

This long-form approach does something social media can't, it builds genuine trust and connection. When someone reads your full blog post or watches a 20-minute video, they're investing time in you. They're getting to know your voice, your perspective, your expertise. And that deeper connection is what transforms casual followers into newsletter subscribers and ultimately into book buyers.

When you have all three pillars working together, something beautiful happens. Your marketing starts feeling authentic because it IS authentic. You're not performing—you're connecting.

Now, if you're thinking, "This all sounds great, but how do I actually implement it?" That's exactly why I created The Author Circle.

The Author Circle is my membership designed specifically for authors who want to build a thriving platform without feeling overwhelmed. It's not another "post more content" program. Instead, it gives you a system that works whether you write fiction or nonfiction, whether you're just starting out or you've been published for years.

Here's what makes it different: You get The Visibility Plan—your step-by-step roadmap that takes you from "I have no idea what I'm doing" to "I know exactly how to reach my readers." You'll learn how to craft your book hook and reader magnet, discover your one powerful connection rule, and build your personalized audience growth plan based on where YOUR readers actually hang out.

But it doesn't stop there. You'll also learn how to expand your author platform beyond social media with strategies for getting featured on podcasts, collaborating with other creators, and using email marketing to turn casual readers into superfans.

And because I know you're busy writing your next book, everything comes with done-for-you templates, guides, and resources. Templates that convert, social media captions that don't make you cringe, podcast pitch scripts - it's all there, ready to customize for your brand.

The best part? You don't have to figure this out alone. Inside The Author Circle, you'll find the most supportive community of authors who get it. They understand the creative struggle, they celebrate your wins, and they're there when you need encouragement. Plus, you get monthly live calls with me where you can bring your specific questions and get personalized guidance.

Look, I know there are a lot of marketing courses and programs out there. But most of them treat authors like any other business owner, and that's just not accurate. Your relationship with your readers is different. It's deeper. It's more personal. And your marketing should reflect that.

The Author Circle opens only twice a year, and spots are limited because I want to make sure every member gets the attention they deserve. If this resonates with you—if you're tired of scattered tactics and ready for a system that actually works—I encourage you to join the waitlist.

You can find the link in the description below. When you join the waitlist, you'll be the first to know when enrollment opens, plus you'll get exclusive bonuses that aren't available anywhere else.

Remember, you didn't become an author to spend all your time marketing. You became an author to write, to connect, to make an impact. The Author Circle helps you do all of that, without the burnout.

What questions do you have about building your author platform? Drop them in the comments below, and I'll make sure to address them in future videos. And if this was helpful, hit that like button and subscribe for more author marketing strategies that actually work.

Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next video!