Author Marketing Minute

Lynn McGinnis

Every author’s path is different, and visibility starts with understanding what works for you. On Author Marketing Minute, host Lynn McGinnis, a veteran marketing generalist with a decade of publishing experience, shares quick, practical insights to help self-published authors get seen, stay consistent, and keep moving forward — without the hype or overwhelm.

  1. The A10 Shift: Why Your Amazon Ads Stopped Working

    APR 9

    The A10 Shift: Why Your Amazon Ads Stopped Working

    The A10 Shift: Why Your Amazon Ads Stopped Working If your Amazon sales have dropped and your ads aren't doing what they used to, you're not imagining it — and you probably didn't do anything wrong. Amazon shifted to a new search algorithm called A10, and it changed what the platform rewards. This episode breaks down what that shift means, why authors are feeling it now, and what actually helps under the new rules. In this episode: Why Amazon's A10 algorithm changed the math on paid advertising What A10 is actually looking for — and why internal ads alone no longer move the needle The foundation problem A10 is exposing for authors who built everything inside Amazon Two metadata quick wins worth checking right now (categories and keywords) What relationship-based marketing looks like in practice Resources mentioned: Book an Unstuck Appointment — a 30-minute diagnostic call to identify where your book strategy is breaking down: lynnmcginnis.me/contact

    5 min
  2. 158 Million Americans Are Listening. Are They Listening to You?

    APR 3

    158 Million Americans Are Listening. Are They Listening to You?

    158 million Americans listen to podcasts every month — not as one large audience, but as thousands of smaller, engaged communities built around specific interests. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis walks through why podcast guesting can be a powerful visibility tool for authors, and why it requires more strategy than it did even a few years ago. This episode covers: – How podcast audiences function differently from social media – Why podcast guesting works for reaching new readers – What’s changed in the podcast landscape – Why response rates are lower and ghosting is common – The rise of pay-to-play podcast opportunities – How to think about podcast tiers and where you fit – What you need in place before you start pitching Podcast guesting is one of the visibility strategies Lynn helps authors evaluate inside coaching, consulting, and done-for-you work. The 30-minute Unstuck appointment is the best place to start — it helps Lynn see where you are, where you want to be, and what’s getting in the way. Learn more and schedule here: https://lynnmcginnis.me

    4 min
  3. You Are Statistically Miraculous. Now What?

    MAR 26

    You Are Statistically Miraculous. Now What?

    Finishing and publishing a book puts you in a very small group of people. Most think about writing one. Fewer start. Even fewer follow through. So what you’ve done matters. But once your book is out in the world, the next phase begins — and it’s the one most authors aren’t prepared for. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about what comes after publishing: learning how to market your work in a way that actually connects with readers. This episode covers: – The difference between transactional “buy my book” marketing and relationship-based author marketing – How to start building a platform around your reader – Why marketing feels unfamiliar at first – How to filter out advice that doesn’t apply to your genre or audience – What it means to treat marketing as a skill that develops over time Marketing is a different language. It takes time to learn, but it becomes clearer as you go. If you’re in that early stage and trying to figure out what to focus on next, Lynn offers a 30-minute Unstuck appointment to help you understand where you are and what needs attention. You can learn more and schedule here: https://lynnmcginnis.me

    5 min
  4. When Your Book Seems Invisible on Amazon

    MAR 19

    When Your Book Seems Invisible on Amazon

    A new book can feel invisible on Amazon — especially in the early days. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis explains why that happens and what authors should check before assuming something is wrong. Amazon needs time and interaction data to understand where your book belongs, and early quiet doesn’t automatically mean your book isn’t being found. This episode covers: – Why new books often don’t appear in search right away – How Amazon learns from reader behavior over time – Why searching for your own book can give you misleading results – What to review in your categories, keywords, and description – How small setup decisions influence long-term discoverability If you want additional insight into how books are categorized and what readers are actually searching for, tools like Publisher Rocket can help you see how your book fits into the larger landscape. You can learn more about Publisher Rocket here: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=456 You can read the full Substack post here: https://lynnmcg.substack.com/ Learn more about Lynn and her work with authors at: https://lynnmcginnis.me

    4 min
  5. “How long is this going to take?”

    MAR 12

    “How long is this going to take?”

    It’s one of the most common questions authors ask when they start marketing their books — and it usually comes after a discouraging stretch where nothing seems to be moving. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis talks about the reality behind marketing timelines and why the answer is rarely as simple as authors hope. Sustainable visibility takes longer than most people expect, and the work that creates traction often happens quietly before the results appear. This episode explores: Why most authors underestimate the real timeline for gaining traction How visibility compounds over time instead of arriving in sudden spikes Why sequencing your marketing steps matters more than speed The invisible work that supports long-term momentum Why uneven progress is normal — and not a sign that your strategy is broken Marketing a book isn’t a short sprint. It’s a system that builds over time through consistency, sequencing, and patience. You can read the full Substack post here: https://lynnmcg.substack.com/ Learn more about Lynn and her work with authors at: https://lynnmcginnis.me

    6 min
  6. Walk With Me Through an Unstuck Appointment

    MAR 6

    Walk With Me Through an Unstuck Appointment

    You know something isn't working. You just can't name what it is. That's exactly where an Unstuck Appointment starts — not with tactics, but with one question: Why did you write this book? In this episode, I walk you through what actually happens in those 30 minutes: the first lightbulb, the real diagnosis, and why the problem you show up with is almost never the real problem. If the book is out and something isn't clicking, this episode is for you. Book your Unstuck Appointment: https://lynnmcginnis.co/book-unstuck-call

    4 min
  7. Six Things New Authors Do That Make Me Want to Flip a Table

    FEB 26

    Six Things New Authors Do That Make Me Want to Flip a Table

    New authors are navigating an overwhelming amount of advice. In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis breaks down six common marketing mistakes first-time self-published authors make — many of them fueled by loud, confident misinformation online. From believing the book will sell itself, to ignoring keywords and categories, to rushing publication out of sheer exhaustion, these are the decisions that quietly cost authors momentum before they realize it. This episode covers: – Why publishing a book is not a marketing plan – How metadata impacts discoverability – Why distribution is a strategic decision – What your author presence signals to readers – The cost of skipping professional editing and design – How rushing a launch can change your book’s trajectory You can read the full Substack post here: https://lynnmcg.substack.com/ Learn more about Lynn and her work with authors at: https://LynnMcGinnis.me

    5 min
  8. The Answer Every Author Needs to Hear No, You Don’t Need Social Media to Sell Books

    FEB 19

    The Answer Every Author Needs to Hear No, You Don’t Need Social Media to Sell Books

    Do you need social media to sell books? In this episode of Author Marketing Minute, Lynn McGinnis answers that question directly: no, you don’t. But you do need visibility. Social media is one way to build awareness. It’s not the only way, and for many authors, it isn’t the most sustainable way. This episode explores the difference between rented attention and owned visibility, why algorithms shouldn’t dictate your marketing decisions, and what actually matters when building long-term momentum. If social media feels draining or performative, this episode offers permission to choose differently. Visibility can be built through email, backlist strategy, reader relationships, and systems that continue working even when you’re not actively posting. Marketing isn’t about copying what feels loudest. It’s about choosing what you can sustain long enough for it to work. Learn more about Lynn and her work with authors at https://lynnmcginnis.me

    3 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Every author’s path is different, and visibility starts with understanding what works for you. On Author Marketing Minute, host Lynn McGinnis, a veteran marketing generalist with a decade of publishing experience, shares quick, practical insights to help self-published authors get seen, stay consistent, and keep moving forward — without the hype or overwhelm.

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