In my strategy calls, many authors ask me, 'Hussein, where do I start with my marketing?'

It's a common thing, especially for non-fiction authors.

They've been so into writing and editing that thinking about marketing feels totally alien.

Here's what I say: Start by figuring out what you really want from your book.

Master LinkedIn, master your fate as a business author.

I've heard that a thousand times; it's worth repeating.

It all starts with your profile: make it pop with a great photo, banner and a catchy tagline.

If you think your book is for everyone, your book is for no one.

There’s a common misconception among new authors that writing a book is about appealing to as many readers as possible.

But success doesn't come from casting the widest net – it comes from finding YOUR reader, the one that truly resonates with your message and story.

Stop waiting for people to BUY your book!

There's only one book that will change your life.

It is the book that you write.

Clarity comes through writing; momentum comes from commitment.

My book has helped me create opportunities.

Coming from a refugee tent in the desert, I see the world differently.

Your follow-ups are not working.

Most authors need to follow up with whom they seek to work with or when an opportunity presents itself.

That's a missed opportunity.

My follow-ups weren't working before, so I started using this method.

You don't achieve widespread recognition and book sales simply by writing a great book.

You gain readership and success when you actively engage in strategic marketing, building a strong author brand, and connecting directly with your audience.

This takes consistent actions and years of patience.

The all-too-common scenario of delayed dreams:

An aspiring author walks into a coffee shop, orders a cappuccino, and sits with their laptop open.

They spend half an hour brainstorming ideas, typing out concepts, toiling with words, and deleting them again.

This goes on for weeks, for months. The intention is there, but the book still needs to be written.

Shift happens to authors.

And when it does, it's not always easy to adapt.

When you set out to write a book, you didn't realize so much would come up.

You then start to have expectations of what the book is supposed to do when it launches.

That's when the anxiety starts to rise.

People don't just want to buy your book.

They are looking for a remedy for their problem.

Your book presents a story, wisdom, research, and experiences, serving as packaging for its core message.

Typically, the core is a transformation you experience.

This transformation provides insights to remedy your reader's problem.

When I see authors diverging from their core message, I recognize a lack of brand consistency.

Because the best authors in the industry maintain a focused and coherent brand.

They meticulously craft and align their works to reinforce their unique brand and message.

Here are four most common things I see brand-focused authors doing:

Conquering our author's fears doesn't work.

Once I started to learn how to approach the stories in my mind that like to play out negatively, I was able to unlock a barrier.

Reframing what some of those fears were trying to tell me has made all the difference.

Clarity starts to define the journey, and that brings the confidence to keep pushing forward with style and grace.

What if you’re the hope someone is looking for?

Someone is reading your book right now.

Someone’s life is changing because of you right now.

Someone is praying for you right now.

Someone is quietly cheering you on.

Harsh truth about being an author.

Being an author is incredibly challenging, primarily because it's often a solo act.

It’s not just about the act of writing but also about overcoming the mental hurdles that accompany it.

Is the author's fame really equivalent to his sales?

I ordered a bunch of books for the festival to give away, but they didn't arrive in time.

I was left with just one hardcover book.

The question was: how could I make this one book special enough to spark curiosity and conversations?

You can have all the talent in the world, but without marketing, you're simply another writer hoping to be noticed.

The most successful authors are those who take a proactive approach to their personal brand and marketing strategy.

Sure, writing is an art - but selling books?

A clear sign of a savvy author:

You believe in the importance of reaching and engaging your audience.

When I see avoidance of social media, I recognize a missed opportunity.

A common mistake I notice among authors is the attempt to appeal to everyone.

Posting content that’s too broad.

Or constantly reposting other content that is irrelevant to who follows them.

And no one really pays attention.

But there's a better approach: