"Hussein, I just want to be an author and writer, without the extra marketing hassle."

Do you have a plan for a 3-5 book series over the next few years? What's your strategy for your audience and writing schedule?

Think about your sales goals to turn professional in writing.

Perfection is the enemy of progress.

The line between 'I'm an author' and 'I wish I were an author' is only drawn by your own resistance.

Writing a book is a journey. It's not a weekend trip, but a long-haul flight with multiple layovers.

The gap between wanting to write a book and actually doing it can seem massive.

Incredible really.

Like standing on one side of the Grand Canyon and looking to the other side, all while wondering how you are possibly going to get there.

Someday is not a day of the week.

Instead of waiting for the perfect moment to begin, or feeling overwhelmed by the daunting process, take one small step today.

You don't need an entire manuscript; a single sentence can be the start of a best-seller.

"Hussein, practice patience when things get hard; practice gratitude when things get better!" - Pops.

You get to determine how the past year was and how the new year is going to be.

Perspective comes from seeing everything working for you and not against you.

The writing journey starts with one word.

The publishing journey starts with one step.

The marketing journey begins with one strategy.

Today marks another exciting Author Launch Day, and I'm thrilled to support my friend Kevin Casey's new book, "Unselling."

Over the past two years, I've seen Kevin pour immense energy, resources, and thoughtfulness into this book, shaping it into a masterpiece. His dedication to crafting "Unselling" is truly inspiring.

Don't make the same mistake I did. I know the secrets now and understand it better.

When I was writing my first book, I sometimes used to daydream about hitting the New York Times Best Seller list.

Sometimes we don't need new; we need to make what we already have better

I used the Van to sell merch for my original business. Something fun to go to different events and pop up.

Want PR for your book?

This is like a secret weapon of mine.

Works at least 70% of the time to get a response from just about anyone.

Here's the template, I hope it works wonders for you.

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.