The Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast

Chris Syme and Becca Syme
  • 4.8 (56)
  • EDUCATION
The Smarty Pants Book Marketing Podcast Podcast

The podcast that helps authors make sense of all the social media marketing options out there and gives practical tips on how to sell more books and build loyal fans with social media. Based on award-winning marketer Chris Syme's 20+ years in marketing and bestselling indie author Becca Syme's self-publishing journey, the show features successful self-published authors and book marketing experts weekly.

  1. 07/24/2019

    Episode 136 - An Ending You'll Never Forget

    In this episode, Chris and Becca talk about their favorite podcast episodes, what's next, and a very surprising announcement at the end.  Show Notes & Links -Chris and Becca talk about their favorite podcasts, their favorite guests, and encourage new listeners to go back to the beginning and listen to all the episodes. Kinda like binge watching Stranger Things. -Becca talks about her new venture to help authors: The Better-Faster Academy and The Quitcast on YouTube. -Why you should always start off a new venture with a bang. -Why Chris thought the podcast would never get off the ground. -Becca's favorite podcast episodes and guests. -Chris' new venture. -Where the podcast is going from here. Links: -The Quitcast on YouTube -Becca's Better-Faster Academy -Chris' new venture: Women Finishing Well How to contact Chris: -email: chris@cksyme.com -bookmarketing website: cksyme.com -Facebook page: cksyme -Sign up for her free weekly book marketing tips newsletter

    17 min

  2. 07/17/2019

    Episode 135 - Welcome to the Marketing Rebellion

    In this short ten-minute episode Chris talks about the new book by marketing wise guy Mark Schaeffer titled, Marketing Rebellion - the most human company wins. Schaeffer talks about the importance of adjusting to the new culture of buying: connecting with real humans. The book is filled with stories and data and cutting edge marketing advice. (This is not an affiliate show--I just love this book) Links & Show Notes: 1. Why consumers aren't responding to ads like they used to. 2. The value of long-term strategic marketing over short-term tactics-based marketing. 3. Why career authors need to think of themselves as brands and business owners. 4. The four principles that guide personal brand success: Accurately define your place. Define a space to tell your story. Create effective content (this is called content marketing). Build an actionable audience.  5. Why all this is important to you. Links: Link to Mark Schaeffer's book, Marketing Rebellion

    12 min

  3. 06/25/2019

    Episode 134 - How Good Copywriting Sells More Books

    In this episode Chris interviews author and copywriting expert Brian Meeks. Brian, best known for expertise on Amazon ads, has a new book on how to write winning copy that will sell more books. The episode starts with an update on Amazon’s new lockscreen ads. Show Notes & Links: -Are the new lockscreen ads (Amazon) the old product display ads? -Why the goal in copywriting is not the same as in writing a book. -The difference between structure in ad copy and prose writing. -Why using a summary of your book as a description to sell your book is a bad choice. -Why authors hate copywriting and Brian’s solution. -What is a hook and why every piece of copywriting needs one. -Should you put your social proof (Amazon bestseller, USA Today bestseller) in your book description? Links: click ’em, they’re live: Check out Brian’s new book, Mastering Amazon Descriptions, here Brian’s Facebook group page on Mastering Amazon Descriptions here Becca Syme’s new podcast, The Quitcast Becca’s new book, Dear Writer, You Need To Quit

    53 min

  4. 06/17/2019

    Episode 133 - the Best Book Promotions Tool Out There

    In this episode Chris interviews Ricardo Fayet, one of the founders of Reedsy, about their new Book Promotions Services data base. This searchable data base helps authors find specific promotions that fit their platform level, their budget, and their goals. Show Notes & Links: -What in the heck is Reedsy? -Sorting through the Book Promotions Services data base by criteria. -How was the Reedsy list curated? -Is a BookBub Featured Deal really worth the investment? -What are the best alternatives to a BookBub Featured Deal? -Why a lack of budget shouldn't stop you from applying for a BookBub Featured Deal. -What is the value of running free promotions? -Ricardo's smarty pants tips: why authors don't need to be doing everything. Links - Click 'em they're live: Reedsy.com website Reedsy Book Promotions Tool 2019 Link to Becca's new nonfiction book (a sneak peek)

    28 min

  5. 06/08/2019

    Episode 132 - Taking Your Readers From Strangers to Super Fans

    This reprise of our interview with David Gaughran on his blockbuster book Strangers to Super Fans is part of our Summer Blast From the Past. This show was one of the most downloaded podcasts we've done in three years. You won't want to miss! In this episode, Chris interviews author David Gaughran about his new book, Strangers To Superfans. In the show Chris calls this "possibly the best book marketing book ever," a must-read for authors at every level. Links & Show Notes -Why it's important for authors to understand the "reader's journey" and how that knowledge informs the marketing process. -Why the "Discovery" piece of the journey is the "easiest problem to solve and also the easiest to screw-up." -Why authors need to understand the role that data plays in making marketing decisions. -Why most authors look at marketing their backlist backwards and how to fix it. -Why a smaller, more engaged mailing list is better than a huge disinterested one. -Why you need to pay attention to the production details of your book first: quality of writing, cover, blurb, keywords. Links - Click 'em, they're live Link to David Gaughran's new book, Strangers to Superfans.  Link to sign up for his regular newsletter and receive a free copy of his book, Amazon Decoded.

    41 min

  6. 06/03/2019

    Episode 131 - How to Collaborate With Other Authors

    In this episode we interview nonfiction author and coach Honoree Corder on how to collaborate on projects with other authors. Learn what it takes to work with another author. Show Notes And Links -What does the collaboration process look like? -How do you find another author to collaborate with? -How do you actually share duties on a project? -How you should share duties on a project? -Make sure you tick off all the legal boxes in your partnership. -Why your biggest asset is being easy to work with Links (Just click 'em) Prosperity For Writers - Chris' favorite book by Honoree Honoree's new book with Ben Hale, Write Like A Boss - get your copy today! Honoree's Amazon author page The Prosperous Writers Series boxed set by Honoree Corder and Brian Meeks

    38 min

  7. 05/25/2019

    Midyear Marketing Checklist - How Ya Doin'?

    In this episode Chris revisits her marketing challenge for 2019 to see how you're doing. Time for a midyear check-up.  Links & Show Notes: -Why it's time for a marketing disruption and what that means. -Why readers' desires are going to dictate the direction of marketing. -Why books don't sell: is it your marketing or is it the book's quality? -Why your idea of success needs to determine your marketing strategies. -The two applications of disruptive marketing we're going to cover in the series: writing to market and giving your current books a facelift. -What we need to keep going forward (don't throw out the baby with the bath water): 1. SMART marketing principles 2. The sales funnel or reader's journey 3. Content strategy that engages readers Links: click 'em, they're live: Link to Chris' book, The Author's Guide to Sell More Books With Less Marketing.

    26 min

  8. 05/17/2019

    Episode 129 - How to Handle an Online Crisis

    In this second part of Crisis Management For Authors, Chris and Becca discuss response strategies to online events and when you should and should not weigh-in publicly. Links & Show Notes: -How to separate fact from fiction when determining your response. -Why you need to remove your emotions from the picture before deciding on any action plan. -How to know when you’re over your head and need help. -How you can help a fellow author in a crisis without blasting on social media. -More on the life of an online swam. -Why weighing in on social media can make a crisis worse. Links – Click ’em, they’re live Link to listen to part one of the two-part series here Check out Chris' book Crisis Management For Authors

    38 min
See All (135)

4.8
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

The podcast that helps authors make sense of all the social media marketing options out there and gives practical tips on how to sell more books and build loyal fans with social media. Based on award-winning marketer Chris Syme's 20+ years in marketing and bestselling indie author Becca Syme's self-publishing journey, the show features successful self-published authors and book marketing experts weekly.

Information

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada