A reader picks up your book and thinks,

"This is exactly what I need!"

It all boils down to one crucial element.

Positioning.

In the world of author marketing, positioning is king.

Here's my go-to approach for positioning and identifying my clarity.

1. Define Your Mission

Start by asking: What's the dream outcome for your book? Pin down what success looks like for you.

Struggling with what to post on LinkedIn?

Here are 21 ideas tailored for authors to help you engage your audience:

1. Share an insight from your writing journey.

Everyone's talking about branding but few understand what it truly means.

It's not just about flashy logos or catchy tag-lines.

It's the core identity of your work as an author, your promise to your readers.

Branding creates a unique space for you in the crowded literary market.

Take initiative.

Whether you're eyeing a top-tier agent or a major publisher

(yes, the ones who actually pay you to publish your book), there's something essential you need: a strong "platform."

90% of Authors are missing out on targeted marketing strategies.

They've got the talent and the ideas, but they're dropping the ball in reaching the right people.

Most author platforms are missing a few key things:

A sharp landing page that highlights their best work, clear info on who they're writing for, and smart ways to use their books to snag speaking gigs and other opportunities.

Most authors don't sell more than 300 books. It's a hard truth.

Often due to not having a wide and engaged audience.

Investing heavily into all aspects of a book, but the one that matters just as much as all other aspects.

Marketing.

But I understand that every author has different goals.

From humble beginnings in a barbershop's basement, I grew an apparel printing business.

It later became a million-dollar company in under a decade.

This journey wasn't without its challenges.

I faced numerous failures, lost a significant amount of money, and sacrificed countless weekends and even some friendships along the way.

Your story isn't just about what you write on pages, it's also how you present yourself to the world.

Your author brand is a combination of your personality, your writing style, and the visuals that represent you - from your author photo to your book covers.

Want to get free media coverage for your book?

Here's a step-by-step guide that will make journalists take notice.

Method #1: Pitching

Pitching is an art, my friends. Craft a personalized pitch email that grabs the attention of journalists.

Ever taken a look at a self-published book and just known it's self-published?

You know the drill: from the design to the color scheme, font choices, and the kind of print that screams, "I did this at home."

Not saying the content isn't killer, but if it looks budget, we unconsciously slap a bargain-bin tag on it.

Last week I opened my youtube studio to check if my latest video was doing well.

My eyes got wide and I couldn't believe it!

My Rising Author YouTube Channel just got monetized!

With tons of effort, I mean a TON of effort trying to figure out everything I can about YouTube. I learned so much! I got a lot of feedback, making videos, and experimented with everything.

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.