3 Marketing Mistakes Authors Make (and How to Fix Them with Boss Mode!)

Are your book marketing efforts falling flat? It’s frustrating to have awesome plans, but then life gets in the way, right? You get tired, distracted, or just plain overwhelmed. It happens to the best of us! Let’s look at three common mistakes authors make with their marketing and ads, and most importantly, how you can fix them. One way to fix them is with something we call “Boss Mode,” to create consistency without the burnout.

The “Boss Mode” Mindset: Consistency Without Burnout

So, what exactly is “Boss Mode”? Think of it as planning your marketing activities way in advance, like a month or even a whole quarter. It’s all about being proactive, scheduling everything ahead of time, so you can take breaks and still keep things moving.

I know, it sounds too good to be true, right? But trust me, it works! I used to get so burned out trying to juggle writing, marketing, and everything else. I was doing everything for my clients but nothing for myself! It felt impossible to keep up.

That’s when I realized I needed to apply the same strategies I use for my clients to my own business. That’s where “Boss Mode” comes in!

Here’s how we organize our marketing plans:

1. Make a List: Start by listing all the marketing activities you want to do in a month or quarter.
2. Break it Down: Divide those activities into smaller, easier steps. For example, instead of “create social media content,” think “52 reels” or “4 YouTube videos.”
3. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule: Schedule everything in advance. This way, even if life throws you a curveball, your marketing keeps running smoothly. For example, you can schedule your author newsletter in advance. You can find tools for managing it at the Finding Your Indie Resources page.

Mistake #1: Lack of Planning (and How to Create a Solid Marketing Plan)

Okay, let’s be real. How many of us just wing it when it comes to marketing? I get it! I’m a “pantser” at heart, meaning I like to fly by the seat of my pants. But even pantsers need a plan!

Think about it like this: even if you’re writing a book without a detailed outline, you still know the genre, the word count, and your release date. Marketing is the same way. You need to have some goals in place to make it a business.

Here’s what planning does for you:

• Content Creation: Plan out images, graphics, excerpts, and ad copy way ahead.
• Scheduling: Schedule newsletters and other marketing materials.
• Stress Reduction: Reduces stress and overwhelm.

Actionable Steps for Planning:

• Define Your Goals: What do you want to achieve with your marketing efforts (e.g., increase book sales, grow your email list)?
• Identify Your Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach with your books?
• Choose Your Marketing Channels: Where will you focus your marketing efforts (e.g., social media, email, ads)?
• Create a Content Calendar: Plan out your marketing activities in advance, including the dates and times you will post content.

Mistake #2: Overspending on Ads (and How to Budget Effectively)

Ever feel like you’re just throwing money at ads and hoping something sticks? It’s a common trap! Overspending without a strategy is a recipe for disaster.

It’s super important to set a budget and stick to it. I’ve had clients tell me, “Just spend whatever!” But that’s not a good idea. You need to know your limits so you don’t break the bank or get your ad account shut down.

Strategies to Avoid Overspending:

• Set a Realistic Budget: Determine how much you can afford to spend on ads.
• Track Your Spending: Monitor your ad spend closely and make adjustments as needed.
• Test Your Ads: Before investing heavily in a particular ad, test it out to see how it performs.
• Use Retargeting: Target your ads to people who have already shown an interest in your books.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Timing (and How to Optimize Your Marketing Schedule)

Timing is everything! Imagine sending seven newsletters in one week and then nothing for a month. Your subscribers would be overwhelmed and probably unsubscribe!

That’s why pre-planning is so important. When you know exactly what’s coming up, you can space things out and build anticipation.

Tips for Optimizing Your Marketing Schedule:

• Plan Your Releases in Advance: Know when your books will be released so you can plan your marketing accordingly.
• Build Anticipation: Start promoting your books several weeks or months before they are released.
• Space Out Your Marketing Activities: Don’t overwhelm your audience with too much information at once.
• Consider Seasonal Trends: Tailor your marketing to take advantage of seasonal trends and events.

“Boss Mode” in Action: Solving the 3 Mistakes

So, how does “Boss Mode” fix these problems?

• Planning: “Boss Mode” gives you a system for planning your marketing activities in advance.
• Overspending: “Boss Mode” helps you budget effectively by planning out your expenses ahead of time.
• Timing: “Boss Mode” lets you optimize your marketing schedule and avoid overwhelming your audience.

Typically, “Boss Mode” planning starts about two weeks before the next quarter begins. During that time, you hyper-focus on marketing and ads instead of writing. This helps to make sure everything is set.

Here’s what we teach in “Boss Mode”:

• How to figure out and prioritize your marketing goals.
• How to make a marketing budget that’s realistic.
• How to schedule your marketing activities for the biggest impact.
• How to prevent burnout and stay consistent.

The Comfort of Completion: “It’s Done!”

The best part of “Boss Mode” is the peace of mind it brings. Knowing that your marketing is planned and scheduled is such a relief! Even if something unexpected happens, you know things are still taken care of.

You can adjust the “Boss Mode” schedule to fit your needs. Some people do it monthly, some bi-monthly, and others quarterly. It all depends on what you’re working on. And it’s not just for books! You can schedule blog posts, products, podcasts, and even live events in advance!

Call to Action

Got questions? Ask them in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you.

Also, come join our Finding Your Indie Facebook Group! It’s a great place to connect with other authors and get support.

And if you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, check out the Finding Your Indie Courses! You can get your road map for success ahead of time, with a one-time fee for lifetime access.

I’m excited to see what you accomplish!