The Marketing Lesson That Took Me Years to Learn
There’s a moment I see over and over again.
An author hits “publish.” They’ve got the badge.
A few podcast invites.
Maybe a morning show segment. And for a brief second — the world claps.
Then silence.
The links go cold. The inbox stops buzzing. And they’re left staring at their screen, thinking.
“I thought this was supposed to work.”
You might be in that place right now. Or maybe you’re gearing up for your launch, hoping this time something shifts. That finally people will see you. Respect the work. Understand what you’ve been trying to say.
And you’re probably thinking: “Maybe I just need more exposure. A publicist. Some PR. A viral moment.”
But I’ve got to tell you something I wish more people would say out loud:
PR won’t save your book. And it definitely won’t save your business.
Exposure ≠ Resonance
We’ve confused visibility with value. We think getting featured is the win.
But the truth is:
Being seen is not the same as being remembered.
And being remembered doesn’t happen because you were loud — it happens because you were clear.
I’ve worked with authors who had all the accolades — Big lists. Fancy blurbs. Huge audiences. And still… no traction.
Because when someone lands on your site or profile and can’t immediately tell who you are, what you do, and why it matters to them — they bounce.
Not because you’re not good enough.
Because you didn’t make it easy to connect.
And connection — not attention — is what builds momentum.
Here's What I’ve Learned (That Changed Everything)
When I first started helping authors, I thought marketing was about promotion. Build a site. Write the copy.
Post about the launch.
But over time, I learned something deeper — and I need to share it with you.
Marketing is not about hype. It’s about emotion.
It’s about how you make someone feel when they land on your work.
It’s the moment of, “Wait… I’ve been looking for this.” It’s resonance.
Familiarity.
Relief.
And that only happens when your message is clear.
I had to learn to stop selling programs and start selling possibilities.
To stop listing features and start painting futures.
To speak in a way that helped people see themselves inside the story.
That’s what great marketing does.
It reflects your reader back to themselves — and gives them a way forward.
I’ve come to realize that everything around us is marketing.
Every app, every ad, every person asking for attention — is trying to sell you something.
So, I stopped chasing Flash and started mastering clarity.
And the more I dig into how to help authors market themselves with meaning, the better I get at my craft. The more I tell the truth of my journey, the more people show up for what I have to offer.
Because people don’t just want your expertise, they want your process. Your point of view.
Your humanity.
The same is true for you.
What I Want You To Do This Week
If you’ve read this far, I know you’re in it for more than the attention. You want to create something that actually matters.
Something that sticks. That spreads for the right reasons.
So here’s what I want you to do this week.
1. Audit your online presence. Ruthlessly.
Look at your website, your LinkedIn, your bio, your last few posts.
Can someone immediately tell what you offer and why it matters?
Not what your book is about — but what it unlocks for the person on the other side?
If the answer is murky, start there.
2. Document your process in your way.
People connect with process, not polish.
Share a behind-the-scenes story. A belief you’ve changed. A lesson that keeps showing up.
You don’t need to be “marketing.” You need to be honest.
Because that’s what cuts through, not perfection — but truth, told with clarity.
3. Make the next thing you post helpful — not promotional.
Forget trying to be impressive. Just try to be helpful.
Write something that speaks to where your reader is right now. A tension they’re carrying. A question they haven’t voiced.
Give them something to hold onto. That’s the kind of content that earns trust — and trust is the real currency.
Final Thought
I’m not against PR. I actually love and respect the craft so much, It's not easy to get authors featured and in media!
My friend Kelly Teemer-Altemara, has done beautiful things for ready authors. Check out her new website that we just finished up and launched it speaks volumes about her work!
But I am against using PR to hide from the real work.
Because when you try to shortcut the journey, you miss the whole point.
You don’t need more exposure. You need more alignment. You need more resonance.
When your message is clear, when your offer is grounded, when your voice feels like yours — you don’t need to chase attention.
You attract it.
So before you go looking for someone to promote you, ask yourself if you’ve built something worth promoting.
Here's the latest Episode from the Rising Author Experience with Ana del Valle Where we talked about Writing a Novel with the use of AI.
She showed me how she uses AI to help write with her, not for her! I think you would like this approach and what she is helping writers do!
Whenever You're Ready, Here Are 3 Ways I Can Help You:
Offer clarity – Get clear on your message so people know exactly what you do.
An author website that attracts leads – A site that turns visitors into opportunities.
Content strategy that builds your brand – Show up consistently and grow your authority.
If you’re ready to elevate your author brand and presence, message me.
Practice Patience & Gratitude
Hussein
