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Publishing & Marketing Resource Center

The Publishing & Marketing Hub

Writing the book is half the job. The other half is getting it published and into the right hands. I’ve published 113+ books and watched what moves the needle, and what’s a waste of time dressed up as strategy.

No pitch. No pressure.

TL;DR: Writing the book is half the job, and this hub covers the other half: getting it published and into the right hands. It’s for authors who have finished a manuscript or are close. The chapters cover choosing a publishing path, covers and blurbs, book marketing that works, platform and SEO, metrics, the book as a business tool, international reach, publishing in Tampa Bay, and books on publishing and selling.

This hub is laid out in chapters, from choosing a publishing path to production, marketing that works, platform, the book as a business tool and reaching readers abroad. When you’re ready to talk about your own book, see my ghostwriting services or start smaller with the Book Discovery Intensive.

The nine chapters of the Publishing and Marketing Hub
Chapter Articles What it answers
Choosing a publishing path 26 Traditional, self-publishing or hybrid, agents, and KDP versus IngramSpark
Book production: covers, blurbs and the details 13 Covers, forewords, blurbs, ISBNs, formatting and front and back matter
Book marketing that works 33 What sells books, reviews, media coverage and common marketing mistakes
Platform: blogging, SEO and audience 13 Blogging, SEO, backlinks, Substack and LinkedIn for authors
Marketing metrics that matter 5 Why bestseller lists are the wrong goal, and vanity versus conversion metrics
The book as a business tool 36 How a book builds authority and what happens after someone reads it
International and global reach 15 Publishing abroad, translation, audiobooks and Goodreads
Publishing in Tampa Bay 5 Local book festivals and places to write
Books on publishing and selling a book 12 Recommended books on selling, persuasion and positioning

1. Choosing a publishing path

↑ Back to chapters

2. Book production: covers, blurbs and the details

↑ Back to chapters

3. Book marketing that works

↑ Back to chapters

4. Platform: blogging, SEO and audience

↑ Back to chapters

5. Marketing metrics that matter

↑ Back to chapters

6. The book as a business tool

↑ Back to chapters

7. International and global reach

↑ Back to chapters

8. Publishing in Tampa Bay

↑ Back to chapters

9. Books on publishing and selling a book

↑ Back to chapters

Thinking about a book of your own? Start with the Ghostwriting Hub. Related: Social Media Hub, Writing in Tampa Bay, Leadership Hub.

Self-Publishing or Traditional?A two-column comparison drawn from the Publishing and Marketing Hub's FAQ. Self-publishing fits a book meant as a business tool and gives the author control and speed. Traditional publishing is the route to bookstore distribution and needs an agent and a traditional deal.Self-Publishing or Traditional?It depends on what the book is forSelf-publishingFits a book that is a business toolGives you controlGives you speedTraditionalFits a book aimed at bookstore distributionNeeds an agentNeeds a traditional deal
Self-Publishing or Traditional?A two-column comparison drawn from the Publishing and Marketing Hub's FAQ. Self-publishing fits a book meant as a business tool and gives the author control and speed. Traditional publishing is the route to bookstore distribution and needs an agent and a traditional deal.Self-Publishing or Traditional?It depends on what the book is forSelf-publishingFits a book that is a business toolGives you controlGives you speedTraditionalFits a book aimed at bookstore distributionNeeds an agentNeeds a traditional deal

The right publishing path depends on what the book is for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I self-publish or go traditional?
It depends on what the book is for. If it’s a business tool, self-publishing gives you control and speed. If you want bookstore distribution and an advance, you need an agent and a traditional deal.
What book marketing works?
Other people talking about the book. Reviews, podcast interviews and readers who recommend it do more than ads for most authors.
How many copies does a typical self-published book sell?
Most sell in the low hundreds over their lifetime. For a business author, that’s fine, because the book’s value is in the clients and speaking it brings in.
Where does Richard Lowe publish his own books?
Through IngramSpark. It reaches bookstores, libraries and online retailers, Amazon included.

Want the book and the plan to go with it?

A book that just sits on Amazon doesn’t do much. A book with positioning, a platform and a reason for the right people to find it changes a business. Let’s talk about both.

No pitch. No pressure.

Categories and tags
CategoriesBook MarketingPublishing
TagsResearchWriting Craft
About the Author
Richard Lowe, professional ghostwriter

Richard Lowe is a professional ghostwriter and author with 113+ books authored and 54+ ghostwritten. Before writing full time he spent 33 years in enterprise technology, including 20 years as Director of Computer Operations and Technical Services at Trader Joe's. He writes nonfiction, fiction and memoir, and works with executives and experts on books that build authority.

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Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of Richard Lowe and are based on personal experience and research. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional legal, financial, accounting, or business advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making important business or legal decisions. Richard Lowe is not a lawyer, accountant, or licensed professional advisor, and this content does not establish any professional relationship.

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