Authors' Allies

Rebecca Paciorek
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Biweekly

For the past decade, I've worked closely with authors and noticed that independent authors often struggle to get exposure compared to traditionally published authors. This led me to start the Authors Allies Roundtable, a membership designed to help indie authors build their marketing skills piece by piece. From Facebook vlog to here, Books and Brew is now the Authors' Allies podcast, we'll be sharing tips and tricks for book promotion and interviewing talented authors. Be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media. #books #coffee #indieauthor #author #bookmarketing #authorsallies

  1. 2d ago

    52 Why Every AI Flyer Looks the Same (And How to Fix Yours in 4 Minutes)

    Ever scroll through Facebook and think the same designer made every flyer? There's a good chance that designer was ChatGPT.  In this first-ever slide-show episode (so watch on YouTube if you can), Rebecca draws on 20+ years in magazine and book publishing to point out the signs that a graphic was made with AI. Then she shows you simple ways to make your promo graphics look like you again. This isn't an AI-versus-no-AI debate. It's about not blending in with every other post in the feed. Sign #1: The "barfed-on graphics" overload. Every inch is filled and there's no white space. Sign #2: The "frequent flyer" fonts. Playlist Script, Lemon Tuesday, and similar fonts show up everywhere because AI learns from designs that are already out there. Sign #3: Overused hand-drawn elements. Doodled hearts, circles, and look-alike icons. Sign #4: Brushed-edge banners. The paintbrush-stroke edge on headers and footers. Quick fix if you're short on time: Put a border or background around the AI graphic, and add your logo and name. Medium fix: Use Canva Pro's Magic Layers to split an AI graphic into editable pieces and delete the clutter. Better options: Canva templates (designed by paid artists), inexpensive Etsy templates, and free or member graphics from independent artists on Patreon and Skool. The 4-minute makeover: How Rebecca cropped one usable piece of her AI flyer, set it on a simple holiday background, and added clear text plus her branding. Her best tip for standing out: Use your own photo, keep the text simple, and Keep It Simple, Sister.  Rebecca's AI policy: bluedotdigitalmarketing.com | AuthorsAllies.com Do you have your own tips for making an AI graphic look more like you? Drop them in the comments! Want to learn it and do it with us? Check out the FREE tier of Authors' Allies Roundtable Marketing Membership on Skool.  https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtable I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you. 📲 General Website with blog: Blue Dot Digital Marketing 📘 FREE ebook: 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan: https://payhip.com/b/oiNTX 😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek ⛓🌴 https://linktr.ee/rpaciorek 📧 rebecca@bluedotdigitalmarketing.com Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5 Chapters  00:00 Introduction to AI Graphics and Flyers 01:14 Identifying Telltale Signs of AI Graphics 02:27 The Overload of AI Graphics 07:02 Identifying Common Design Flaws 11:31 Creating Unique Graphics with AI

    52 Why Every AI Flyer Looks the Same (And How to Fix Yours in 4 Minutes)

  2. Sep 17

    7 Book Trends Authors Need NOW

    Author marketing changes fast...but that doesn’t mean you need to chase every new platform, strategy, or shiny object that comes along. 📚✨In this episode of the Authors’ Allies RoundTable Podcast, I’m breaking down 7 author marketing and book sales trends worth paying attention to in 2026, based on current industry research. And before you start making a brand-new marketing to-do list, that is NOT the goal! Instead, I want you to think about three things:What should I maintain? What might I test? And what can I stop doing?In this episode, I talk about:Why your author email list is becoming more valuable, not lessHow book discovery now happens Why you don’t need to become a daily content machine How to experiment with direct book sales Why readers are paying for special editions, bundles, bonuses, and experiencesWhat audiobook growth means for indie authors...and why you should do the math before jumping inWhy the better question isn’t “Do Facebook ads work?” but whether a specific campaign works for your specific goalHow your author backlist can become a bigger marketing and revenue assetYour Authors’ Allies Challenge to MAINTAIN | TEST | STOPWant to learn it and do it with us? Check out the FREE tier of Authors' Allies Roundtable Marketing Membership on Skool. https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtableI often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you. RESOURCES:📲 General Website with blog: https://pages.bluedotdigitalmarketing.com/book-marketing📘 FREE ebook: 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan: https://payhip.com/b/oiNTX😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek ⛓🌴 https://linktr.ee/rpaciorek📧 rebecca@bluedotdigitalmarketing.comWould you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5 00:00 Introduction to 2026 author marketing trends01:56 Email list strategy03:12 Reader discovery channels04:49 Direct sales opportunities06:13 Reader experiences and special editions07:47 Audiobook strategy09:24 Smarter book advertising10:54 Getting more from your backlist13:19 Maintain, test, and stop15:15 Your next marketing step#author #indieauthor #selfpublishing book marketing 2026, book marketing for indie authors, indie author marketing, how to market a book, how to sell more books, author marketing strategies, book marketing trends, self publishing marketing, email marketing for authors, direct sales for authors, author backlist marketing, Authors Allies RoundTable

    7 Book Trends Authors Need NOW

  3. Sep 3

    50: How to Verify Your Publishing Offers (Before It's Too Late)

    Stop falling for author scams. Learn how to verify publishing offers and protect your manuscript from predatory marketing pitches.That email in your inbox might sound flattering, but scammers are increasingly targeting writers with sophisticated tactics. Whether it is a fake book club invitation or a suspicious publishing opportunity, you need a system to assess legitimacy before handing over money or rights. This episode provides a clear framework to help you distinguish between genuine industry professionals and common author scams.We break down how to investigate an offer, check if a contact is legitimate, and avoid the red flags associated with paid review schemes and impersonators. If you are an indie author preparing to release your first book, this guide helps you feel confident in your investments. Discernment is key to building a sustainable career without falling victim to predatory practices.Subscribe for weekly publishing insights and advice on navigating the indie industry safely. Which red flags have you spotted in your own inbox?📚 In This Episode, We Talk About:The flattering AI marketing pitchFake book club invitationsPaid reader and review scamsFamous author impersonatorsFake publisher and editor offersWe’ll also talk about the important difference between hiring legitimate professionals as an indie author and paying someone who claims to be offering you a traditional publishing opportunity. The Pause & Verify System Be sure to jump over to my substack for the rest of the scams.https://substack.com/home/post/p-213842904 This episode isn't about being afraid to invest in your author career.There are fantastic editors, designers, formatters, marketers, publicists, coaches, and other professionals who genuinely want authors to succeed. The goal is discernment.If you know another author who needs to hear this episode, please share it with them, especially someone who is new to publishing or preparing to release their first book.Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5 I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you. Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: QRVU36WGHPBTGRSTWant to learn it and do it with us? Check out the FREE tier of Authors' Allies Roundtable Marketing Membership on Skool. https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtableRESOURCES:📲 General Website with blog: https://pages.bluedotdigitalmarketing.com/book-marketing📘 FREE ebook: 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan: https://payhip.com/b/oiNTX😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek ⛓🌴 https://linktr.ee/rpaciorek📧 rebecca@bluedotdigitalmarketing.com0:00 The Rising Threat of Sophisticated Author Scams2:34 The Truth Behind Flattering AI Marketing Pitches4:49 The Hidden Costs of Fake Book Club Invitations7:52 Protecting Your Identity From Author Impersonators12:09 A Simple System to Verify Any Publishing Offer

    50: How to Verify Your Publishing Offers (Before It's Too Late)

  4. Aug 20

    49 Getting More Amazon Sales

    If your book is sitting on Amazon wondering why nobody is buying it, this episode is for you. Amazon optimization can sound technical and intimidating, but it really comes down to two things: discoverability and conversion.In this episode of the Authors Allies Roundtable Podcast, Rebecca breaks down both engines and shows you what to look at on your own Amazon book page.In This Episode, You'll Learn:The two engines behind Amazon book salesDiscoverability answers: Can the right reader find your book?Conversion answers: Once they find it, does your book page convince them to buy?Why keywords aren't tricks or loopholesHow to think about Amazon categoriesThe Categories + Keywords Sweet SpotYour goal is to make your book accurate, relevant, and highly targetable.🛍️ What makes a book page convert: Each element should help answer three questions in the reader's mindJoin the Authors’ Allies RoundTable, where indie authors brainstorm, collaborate, and make book marketing fun. Authors’ Allies⁠ RoundTable⁠ can be found on ⁠our ⁠website⁠ or on our free group on ⁠Skool. ⁠⁠ Ebook: Did you download your copy of 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan ebook yet? You can ⁠get that⁠ ⁠HERE.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠📧 Email us: info@authorsallies.com ⁠⁠ Follow us on the⁠⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks.😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5 I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you.

    49 Getting More Amazon Sales

  5. Aug 6

    48 Make Your Book Marketing Work Harder: The Content Loop for Authors

    Your Content Doesn't End... It Loops. You hit publish... and then what? If your content disappears into the internet after a day or two, you're leaving valuable visibility, discoverability, and reader engagement on the table. In this final episode of the three-part Content Repurposing series, Rebecca introduces her **Content Loop Framework**, a simple mindset shift that transforms content from a one-time event into a long-term marketing asset. Instead of constantly asking, *"What should I post today?"*, you'll learn how to build a system where every blog post, podcast episode, newsletter, or book chapter continues working long after it's published. In This Episode You'll Learn: * Why content shouldn't have a finish line... it should have a lifecycle. * The four stages of the Content Loop. * How your blog, podcast, email list, social media, and AI search all work together. The difference between creating content and building a content system. * A simple six-step repurposing workflow you can repeat over and over. * The "minimum viable workflow" that takes only about 10 extra minutes after publishing. Your Takeaway Challenge Choose **one piece of content you've already published** and brainstorm five new assets you can create from it. Some ideas are: * A quote graphic * A short video * An email excerpt * A social media post * A Story announcement One piece of content can fuel an entire week's (or month's!) worth of marketing. Resources 📚 Free eBook: 10 Steps to Creating Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan 💜 Join the Free Authors Allies Community on Skool Connect with fellow female indie authors, access free resources, and discover optional coaching and premium trainings. https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtable ### Enjoying the Podcast? If this episode helped you rethink your content strategy, please: * Subscribe to the Authors Allies Podcast * Leave a review * Share this episode with another author who could use a simpler, smarter way to market their books Every share helps another author discover that book marketing doesn't have to feel overwhelming. 📚✨ 📧 Email us: info@authorsallies.com ⁠⁠  Follow us on the⁠⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks. 😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek  Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5  I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you.

  6. Jul 23

    47. The Content Marketing Framework Most Authors Quit Before Reaching

    Episode Summary This is the practical follow-up to Episode 46, where we made the case for why content repurposing is one of the most powerful growth strategies available to indie authors. In this episode, Rebecca pulls back the curtain on a real repurposing system — walking through exactly how one live teaching class inside the Authors' Allies Roundtable became a slide deck, a blog post, a newsletter, a Substack post, social content across multiple platforms, short-form videos, and this very podcast episode.If you haven't listened to Episode 46 yet, start there — it lays the groundwork for the concepts referenced here, including generative engine optimization and the four strategic returns of a repurposing practice. And stay tuned: this is a three-part series, with Part 3 introducing the full Content Loop framework. What You'll Learn The three phases of a real-world content repurposing systemHow a single live class turned into an entire content ecosystemSpecific tools used at each phase (Google NotebookLM, Claude, Substack's Share Assets, HighLevel scheduling)Why the highest-value repurposing opportunities often show up after most authors have already stoppedYour simple action step to start your own repurposing practice todayGoogle NotebookLM — synthesizing source material into structured slidesClaude — organizing raw transcripts and notes into structured blog draftsSubstack — publishing, built-in email newsletter distribution, Share Assets featureHighLevel — scheduling social posts with built-in future reposts 📧 Email us: info@authorsallies.com ⁠⁠  Follow us on the⁠⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks. 😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek  Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5  Want to learn it and do it with us? Check out the FREE tier of Authors' Allies Roundtable Marketing Membership on Skool.  https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtable Your Action Step Go back to Phase One. Identify the core asset you already have — a class, a chapter, a blog post, anything long-form that's just sitting there waiting. Name it. That's your only job before the next episode. Coming Up in Part 3-The Content Loop framework, the shift to systems thinking that makes repurposing sustainable long-term, and the simplest possible starting point if you're not ready to build the whole system yet. I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you.

    47. The Content Marketing Framework Most Authors Quit Before Reaching

  7. Jul 9

    46: Authors are Making this $ Mistake

    Publishing your content is not the finish line — it's the starting line. In this episode, Rebecca Paciorek breaks down one of the most quietly costly mistakes indie authors make: the one-and-done trap. If you've ever hit publish, shared something once, and then found yourself staring at a blank page the very next week wondering what to create next, this episode is for you. You'll learn the real difference between reposting and repurposing, why a strategic repurposing practice is one of the most powerful growth tools available to authors, and how a concept called Generative Engine Optimization is reshaping the way readers discover books and authors online — and why you need to be paying attention to it even if you don't use AI in your own writing process. KEY TIMESTAMPS --- 04:00 — The one-and-done trap: what it looks like and why it's draining your creative energy 06:30 — Why resharing your content is not being repetitive 08:00 — Reposting vs. repurposing: what's the actual difference? 12:00 — The four strategic returns on content repurposing 17:30 — Introducing GEO: Generative Engine Optimization and why authors need to know about it 21:00 — Why repurposing builds your GEO presence almost automatically RESOURCES MENTIONED - Authors' Allies Roundtable on Skool — free community for female indie authors: https://www.skool.com/authors-allies-roundtable - Free ebook: 10 Steps to Creating Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan: https://payhip.com/b/oiNTX 📧 Email us: info@authorsallies.com ⁠⁠  Follow us on the⁠⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks. 😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek  Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5  I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you.

    46: Authors are Making this $ Mistake

  8. Jun 25

    45. Author Platforms Aren't Enough in 2026

    If the old launch playbook has been losing its magic lately, you're not imagining it. The days of exhausting yourself with a high-pressure, one-week launch blitz only to watch your book vanish into the algorithmic void, are over. In this episode, Rebecca breaks down the shift every author needs to make in 2026: from building a "platform" to architecting a self-sustaining "ecosystem." She walks through the five pillars driving sustainable author careers right now — direct-to-reader revenue, newsletters as the new homepage, micro-communities, AI as a co-pilot (not a ghostwriter), and video-first discovery — plus the hybrid launch model that's replacing the one-week blitz for good. If you've been chasing trends and watching the returns shrink, this episode gives you a framework for building something that's actually yours. Why chasing the algorithm is a race to the bottom The real difference between an author "platform" and an author "ecosystem" The hybrid launch model and the simple three-tier author funnel One question to help you take your first step today Mentioned Substack Article: Media kits, AI, etc. Time Stamps: 1:41 — From platform to ecosystem: the mindset shift 3:42 — Defining the reframe: platform vs. ecosystem 4:50 — Pillar 1: Direct-to-Reader Revenue 6:55 — Pillar 2: Your Newsletter Is the New Homepage 8:30 — Pillar 3: Micro-Communities Over Broad Reach 10:40 — Pillar 4: AI as Co-Pilot, Not Ghostwriter 12:30 — Pillar 5: Video-First Discovery & the Repurposing Formula 13:45 — The Hybrid Launch & the Three-Tier Funnel 14:50 — Closing thought: building assets, not chasing attention 15:42 — Your homework + where to connect Ask yourself: "What is the first step I will take to begin building my own author ecosystem?" Pick one: Test one direct-to-reader offerStrengthen your newsletter with one clear, irresistible freebieTake one old piece of content and repurpose it into 5 clips, 2 emails, and 3 social postsJoin the Authors’ Allies RoundTable, where indie authors brainstorm, collaborate, and make book marketing fun. Authors’ Allies⁠ RoundTable⁠ can be found on ⁠our ⁠website⁠ or on our free group on ⁠Skool.  ⁠⁠  Ebook: Did you download your copy of 10 Steps to Your Ultimate Book Marketing Plan ebook yet? You can ⁠get that⁠ ⁠HERE.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ 📧 Email us: info@authorsallies.com ⁠⁠  Follow us on the⁠⁠ social media platform of your choice for more tips and tricks. 😀📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDotCommunications/  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_dot_digital/  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapaciorek  Would you like to apply to be a guest on the show? Go here to fill out the application. https://forms.gle/p7aNuDbLd49t1EPz5  I often recommend products and services that I use or that have been recommended to me by people we trust. I only suggest items that I have personally used and love. In many cases an affiliate link accompanies these recommendations, (including Amazon -except for my products which are mine and not affiliate links) which provides me with a referral commission should you click through and make a purchase. This is always at no additional cost to you.

    45. Author Platforms Aren't Enough in 2026
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About

For the past decade, I've worked closely with authors and noticed that independent authors often struggle to get exposure compared to traditionally published authors. This led me to start the Authors Allies Roundtable, a membership designed to help indie authors build their marketing skills piece by piece. From Facebook vlog to here, Books and Brew is now the Authors' Allies podcast, we'll be sharing tips and tricks for book promotion and interviewing talented authors. Be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media. #books #coffee #indieauthor #author #bookmarketing #authorsallies

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Paciorek
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rebecca Paciorek
  • Show Website
    Authors' Allies