All Things Book Marketing

The Smith Publicity 'All Things Book Marketing' podcast explores all facets of book publicity and book marketing, with great expert guests sharing vital information for both authors and publishers.

All Things Book Marketing is a business podcast hosted by Smith Publicity, with 154 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Smith Publicity hosts All Things Book Marketing, a business show with 154 episodes published.

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  Episode #51

  Building a Speaking Career: Positioning, Platforms, and Speaker Assets with Marjana Novkovic

  Jul 29, 202636 min

  How do authors and thought leaders go from writing a book to getting booked on stages? Mirjana Novkovic shares what it actually takes to build a speaking career from the ground up. In Smith Publicity's latest All Things Book Marketing episode, Sandy Smith talks with speaking-industry consultant and founder of Speaker Story Bank, Mirjana Novkovic, about how authors and experts can start — or level up — as professional speakers. In this episode, you'll learn: How to define a speaking topic that solves a real problem and establishes instant credibility Why articulating your audience's transformation matters more than listing your credentials How to keep your branding simple and focused, with your website and especially LinkedIn doing the heavy lifting around one clear signature keynote The three essential speaker assets every author needs: a highlights/sizzle reel, a 10-minute content sample, and a polished full 45-minute keynote The three paths to landing speaking gigs — self-marketing, speaker bureaus, and management — and how relationship-building and timely, "ripped from the headlines" outreach factor in How booking timelines have shifted post-COVID, from just weeks to as long as a year 0:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 03:25 Speaker Foundations and Credibility 09:21 Branding, Website, and LinkedIn 18:17 Keynote Video Assets and Reels 25:22 Three Paths to Gigs 26:14 How Speaker Bureaus Work 28:10 Stay Top of Mind 29:27 Ripped From the Headlines 31:37 Booking Timing Trends 34:18 Where to Find Mirjana Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity . Follow us on socials: Sandy Smith on LinkedIn Mirjana Novkovic on LinkedIn Smith Publicity on LinkedIn Smith Publicity on Instagram

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  Episode #50

  The Thought Leadership Playbook: Peter Winick on Building Real Authority

  Jul 23, 202650 min

  What actually makes someone a thought leader? And how do you build one deliberately? In this episode of Smith Publicity's All Things Book Marketing podcast, host Marissa Eigenbrood talks with Peter Winick, Founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage, about his new book, The Thought Leadership Handbook: How the Experts Elevate Their Big Ideas—and How You Can Too, co-authored with both Bill Sherman and Naren Aryal and published with Amplify Publishing Group. In this episode, you'll learn: ➥ Why "thought leader" should never be self-declared, and what actually earns that title ➥ How Peter and Bill used AI to mine insights from over 600 podcast transcripts to help write the book ➥ The four elements of building a platform: content, community, product, and the "you are the X guy" positioning ➥ Peter's Impact Equation: simplicity × audience relevance × velocity × audience share, and why one weak link zeroes out the whole thing ➥ Why consistency and trust, not constant reinvention, are what keep audiences coming back 0:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 0:33 Peter's New Book: The Thought Leadership Handbook 1:40 Peter Winick's Background and Expertise 3:09 What Drew Peter to Thought Leadership 6:37 What Really Defines a Thought Leader 10:10 How AI Is Shaping Thought Leadership 11:22 The Origin Story of the Book (Mining 600+ Podcast Transcripts) 15:47 Where AI Helps vs. Where It Hurts Your Voice 16:38 The Four Elements of Thought Leadership: Overview 17:07 Element 1: The Core Idea 18:48 Element 2: The Content Library 19:57 Element 3: The Market Offering 21:29 Element 4: The Platform ("You Are the X Guy") 23:26 Building Trust Through Consistency 24:12 The Impact Equation Explained 28:00 The Five Thought Leader Avatars: Overview 29:38 Avatar 1: The Growth-Minded CEO 31:44 Avatar 2: The Impact & Legacy Executive 33:05 Avatar 3: The Solopreneur 34:02 Avatar 4: The In-House Expert 37:15 Avatar 5: The Hall of Fame Thinker 38:07 When Should You Actually Write the Book? 40:49 Why the Book Is the Beginning, Not the End Game 42:20 Pushing Back on the "Seasonal Book" Mentality 43:15 Playing the Long Game Beyond Publication Day 44:29 The Postpartum of Authorship 45:02 Why "Bestseller" Claims Mean Nothing 47:26 A Little Fun: Where They Disagree 48:00 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Peter Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity . Follow us on socials: Marissa Eigenbrood on Linkedin Peter Winick on LinkedIn Bill Sherman on LinkedIn Naren Aryal on LinkedIn Smith Publicity on LinkedIn Smith Publicity on Instagram

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  All Things Book Marketing

  How Strong Are Author Brand Visuals? John DeMato Shares Why They Matter More Than Ever

  Mar 25, 202645 min

  How Strong Are Your Author Brand Visuals? John DeMato shares why they matter more tham ever in today’s crowded, attention economy. Words alone aren’t enough to make your expertise stand out. In Smith Publicity's latest All Things Book Marketing episode, Marissa Eigenbrood talks with visual storytelling strategist and photographer John DeMato about how compelling imagery can elevate an author or speaker brand. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why visual storytelling is essential in an era overflowing with content and AI-generated noise. How to build a “Visual Storytelling Library,” including core assets, visual evidence, and personal details that bring your brand to life. How authentic photography helps you connect instantly with your audience and establish credibility. Why updating your visual assets regularly keeps your brand fresh, dynamic, and aligned with your message. 0:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:50 How We Connected 04:08 John’s Origin Story 05:27 From TV to Photography 07:03 Serving Speakers and Authors 11:11 Visual Storytelling Library 12:19 Core Assets That Convert 13:02 Visual Evidence in Action 13:58 Book Boudoir and Details 17:53 Why Stock Photos Fail 20:05 How Often to Refresh Photos 22:01 Core Assets Lifespan 22:38 Refresh Your Core Assets 23:11 Show the Rooms You Work 23:56 Capture the Full Event 27:21 Build a Living Image Library 28:28 Visuals for Every Stage 31:07 Budgeting Your Photo Priorities 33:50 Hiring the Right Photographer 36:30 Avoid Over Retouching 39:40 Favorite Client Story 42:57 Where to Find John Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity .

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  All Things Book Marketing

  Crafting Genuine Connections and Building Thought Leadership on LinkedIn with Owen Sammarone

  Feb 5, 202648 min

  Crafting Genuine Connections and Building Thought Leadership on LinkedIn with Owen Sammarone In this episode of the All Things Book Marketing podcast by Smith Publicity, this episode’s host Marissa Eigenbrood, Smith Publicity’s President, interviews Owen Sammarone, founder of Unleash the Knowledge—a personal branding and ghostwriting agency. Owen shares his journey from a non-reader to an influential content creator with a 200,000-follower community. The discussion centers on how founders, executives, and authors can leverage LinkedIn to build their brands, emphasizing the importance of authentic, value-driven content and genuine human connections. Owen also offers practical tips on avoiding automated 'pitch slapping,' using AI judiciously, and nurturing relationships through personalized engagement. As they reflect on their longstanding professional relationship, Marissa and Owen explore actionable strategies to enhance online presence and drive business growth, stressing the significance of maintaining a human touch in the increasingly digital landscape. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:00 Meet Owen Sammarone : Founder of Unleash the Knowledge 04:17 Owen's Journey: From Non-Reader to Book Enthusiast 05:13 Building a Community and Personal Brand 15:00 The Power of Niching Down 18:27 Effective LinkedIn Strategies 24:03 The Value of Giving Without Expectation 25:11 Personalized Outreach Strategies 27:35 The Role of AI in LinkedIn Engagement 29:14 Maximizing LinkedIn's Potential 34:37 Effective Connection Requests 38:33 The Billboard Analogy for LinkedIn Profiles 44:24 Looking Ahead to 2026: Staying Human in a Digital World Owen Sammaron e is the founder and CEO of Unleash The Knowledge , a personal-branding and thought-leadership agency that helps B2B founders, consultants, and executives turn their LinkedIn presence into a powerful, consistent driver of authority. He’s become known in the industry as a go-to “LinkedIn Growth Guy,” offering insights on how to turn content into consistent inbound demand, build authority, and scale influence — whether you’re an author, consultant, or executive looking to expand your impact Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity .

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  All Things Book Marketing

  Dressing the Part With Kate Breen: The Power of Personal Style in Thought Leadership

  Dec 4, 202543 min

  Dressing the Part With Kate Breen: The Power of Personal Style in Thought Leadership In this episode of 'All Things Book Marketing with Smith Publicity,' CEO Sandy Smith interviews Kate Breen, the owner of Get Dressed Go, a top personal styling service in Washington, DC. Kate shares her experience styling executives, speakers, and professionals whose work demands an exceptional visual presence on stage and on camera. Discussing the importance of thoughtful clothing choices, Kate highlights common wardrobe mistakes and provides actionable advice on how to dress authentically and powerfully for professional events. Kate's process for working with clients involves deep dives into personal history, brand goals, and practical styling sessions that ensure clients look and feel their best. This episode offers valuable insights for authors, thought leaders, and speakers seeking to elevate their brand through their visual presence. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:30 Meeting Kate Breen: First Impressions 02:36 The Importance of Visual Presence 04:00 Dressing for Your Brand 08:01 Common Mistakes in Professional Attire 17:13 The Power of Authentic Style 19:22 Commanding Attention Through Style 23:18 Introduction to Working with Clients 23:48 The Importance of Understanding Personal Style 25:21 Gathering Client Information and Assets 26:22 Creating a Personalized Style Plan 27:49 Shopping and Outfit Coordination 29:44 The Role of Authenticity in Style 31:53 Empowering Clients Through Style 36:25 Final Thoughts and Contact Information About Kate Breen Kate Breen is the owner of GetDressedGo , Washington, D.C.’s top-ranking private personal styling business. She has built a reputation for helping executives, speakers, and high-performing professionals look and feel their best in every setting. Through focused, productive styling sessions, Kate delivers immediate results for all aspects of her clients’ lives—from high-stakes presentations and keynote stages to charity events and casual weekends. About Smith Publicity Smith Publicity is an international book publicity firm specializing in non-fiction, business, lifestyle and thought-leadership projects. Since 1997, they have helped authors and experts amplify their voices, reach the right audiences, and make a meaningful impact through media placements, strategic campaigns, and expert guidance. For more information visit Smith Publicity .

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