Your Book Launch Needs a Marketing Plan written by Jarret Redding read more at Duct Tape Marketing
The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Alex Strathdee In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Alex Strathdee, CEO of Shelf Life and author of Before the Bestseller. Alex is an expert in book marketing, having helped over 1,000 authors across 50+ niches get real results. His insights challenge the traditional belief […]
Your Book Launch Needs a Marketing Plan written by Jarret Redding read more at Duct Tape Marketing
The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with Alex Strathdee
In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Alex Strathdee, CEO of Shelf Life and author of Before the Bestseller. Alex is an expert in book marketing, having helped over 1,000 authors across 50+ niches get real results. His insights challenge the traditional belief that publishers will promote your book and reveal the essential strategies every author must use to drive their own success.
During our conversation, Alex shared powerful and practical advice on how to sell books, create a compelling book launch plan, and avoid the most common book marketing mistakes. From free reader seeding to building an author email list, Alex outlines a repeatable book sales strategy that empowers authors to treat their book like a business asset—whether you’re self publishing or working with a traditional publisher.
Alex’s approach to nonfiction book marketing is data-driven, entrepreneurial, and deeply practical. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, the insights from this episode can help you avoid wasted effort—and get real ROI from your book.
Key Takeaways:
- Publishers won’t market your book. Authors must take ownership of their book promotion strategy.
- Think of your book like a product. If it’s good (and light, as Alex says), it needs only wind—your marketing—to take off.
- Pick a sales goal. Whether it’s 1,000 or 20,000 copies, defining a target helps guide every marketing tactic.
- Use free reader seeding. Get your book into the hands of people who can talk about it and create buzz.
- Break down your sales goal into channels. Consider email, podcasts, Amazon ads, or lumpy mail to move copies strategically.
- Your email list is gold. Start small with 100 engaged readers and build from there—this is traffic you own.
- Use VA support for outreach. Outsourcing book promotion tasks helps you scale more efficiently.
- Don’t overlook physical presence. Alex shares how one book sold millions after being spotted in a car wash!
- Design a book funnel. Use your book as a lead magnet for higher-ticket services like courses or coaching.
- Presentation matters. From soft t-shirts to custom editions, packaging your book with care can spark word-of-mouth and long-term publishing success.
Chapters:
- [00:09] Introduction to Alex Strathdee
- [01:03] Do Publishers Promote Books?
- [02:45] Mistakes in Book Marketing
- [06:54] How is AI Affecting Book Marketing?
- [08:30] What is the Goal of your Book?
- [09:39] Seeding Readers with no Audience
- [13:34] Team and Tools to Help You with Your Book
- [16:03] Positioning Yourself to get Lucky
More About Alex Strathdee:
- Check out Alex Strathdee’s Website
- Connect with Alex Strathdee on LinkedIn
- Read Before The Bestseller: Your Proven Path to Book Sales Without Wasting Time & Money by Alex Strathdee
John Jantsch (00:00.951)
Hello and welcome to another episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast. This is John Jantsch. My gue
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