- There is literally a podcast for everything out there.
That's your cue.
- Yeah.
- There is literally a podcast for every niche these days.
So, that means there's going to be a podcast or 100,
that covers the topic of your book.
The good news is, that a smartly crafted pitch,
could lead to a handful of podcast interviews.
But, can you expect book sales,
as a result of these interviews?
What do you think Jackson?
- I like it.
- If you're wondering whether podcasts sell books,
this video is for you.
(upbeat music)
Hey, there, I'm Julie, The Book Broad from Book Launchers.
We're your professional self publishing team,
helping you write, publish and promote a non-fiction book,
that will impact your reader,
grow your business and make you money.
Our superpower is caring more about you and your book.
And what we do differently, is we work incredibly hard,
to get your book into readers hands when it's done.
And the best part, you keep all rights and royalties,
and have full control over your book.
So, as part of our service, to get books into readers hands,
we do a lot of things,
like pitch book reviewers, pitch media,
pursue bookstore and library distribution,
organize in person events,
pitch authors for speaking engagements,
and secure podcast interviews for our authors.
Do you like podcasts?
- Yeah. - Yeah
So, when Derek Silski, one of my YouTube bestie,
asked whether book sales grow,
after interview spots on podcasts?
I had a lot to say,
and I thought this would be a great subject for video.
So, thank you so much, Derek.
So, do podcasts, sell books?
Well, some do.
Some can help you move a lot of books.
I've definitely bought books after hearing about them
- I'm done mine.
- Okay, good. You're done your shoot.
(sighs)All right. Good stuff Jackson.
All right, so, do podcasts, sell books?
Well, some do.
Some can help you move a lot of books.
I've definitely bought books,
after hearing about them on a podcast.
I've actually hired my internet lawyer,
after hearing him on an interview with Pat Flynn.
We've had people sign on to work with us at Book launchers,
after podcast interviews.
Will you see results from podcasts?
Well, the problem is that many, many, many podcasts,
don't move the needle on book sales at all.
And it's not always related to audience size.
It's often more related to audience engagement,
(cheering in the background) - and passion
for the topics covered.
Rarely will a podcast move big volumes of your book.
But, if you have some time to do this,
I still think podcasts interviews are well worth doing.
Here's why? First, it's marketing for your book,
your brand and your business,
that you can do at home,
in your pajamas without hair or makeup.
Okay, some podcasters do zoom videos,
but generally you can be oh natural.
Number two, you get a great opportunity to reach people,
that you would have otherwise never reached.
Whether they buy your book or not.
It's an opportunity to give back what you've learned,
share your story and help others.
I truly believe it's an honor and a privilege to share,
the lessons that we've learned in our lives.
Number three, podcasts have a long shelf life.
Often people discover a podcast,
love it and then listen to the entire backlist.
I recently had someone reach out to me on Facebook,
and they'd heard me on a real estate podcast interview,
I'd done more than three years ago.
And they just bought my book and read it,
and wanted to reach out,
and say how much they appreciated the book.
I got a book sale from that podcast,
but I would have never known,
where it came from without that person reaching out.
Number four, there are one off podcasts,
where the audience is crazy engaged,
and they'll buy anything the host recommends.
So, if the host genuinely loves your book,
and their audience trusts them,
you will see a sales lift.
I personally purchased many books,
after I've heard the author on certain podcasts,
especially James Altucher's podcast.
I find his interviews, make me have to have the book.
The point is the right interview can make you money.
The challenge is you won't know which podcast,
is going to have that kind of results in advance.
So, you can't be that picky.
I have a few pointers below on choosing podcasts,
to help you with your book marketing now.
Number five, this is more important,
for some authors than others.
But it gives you an opportunity to practice talking,
about your book in a way that delivers value,
and at the same time markets your book.
If you ask for feedback after the show,
or ask what the best tip was that you shared,
you can now start to learn,
what people in the media and people with audiences like.
The amazing thing about podcasts interviews,
is that, you will uncover other opportunities.
You'll find speaking opportunities,
consulting gigs, new clients, new friends, and more leads.
If you can be a great guest,
create cool and memorable talking points,
and get a clear call to action,
for listeners to connect with you,
then you will have the opportunity to sell books,
and potentially build a valuable,
and profitable relationship over time.
Unfortunately, there's not a single way,
to determine what podcasts will be good for you,
or when they'll be worth doing, without a doubt.
What I have learned,
is that it's less about the size of the audience,
than it is about the fit of the audience with you,
and the quality of the interviewer.
So, my advice is to listen to a few podcasts first,
and get a sense whether the interviewer,
showcases the person they're interviewing in a great way.
There are some terrible interviewers out there.
I did about 65 podcast interviews,
in a 12 to 18 month period,
for my second book launch.
And I would say 20% of those interviewers were bad.
They were literally just reading off a list of questions.
There was no engagement.
But many interviewers are so passionate,
and they made you feel at ease,
and really did a great job of promoting you.
And you can even feel their connection to the audience.
Those are the kind of interviews I would look for.
So, listen to the podcasts first.
If you like the interviews,
then ask yourself if your ideal reader,
is likely to be a fan of this podcast.
To me, that's the winning combo.
You can research podcast numbers a little,
but honestly, the stats aren't great,
and small podcasts with super engaged audiences,
that are perfect for your book niche,
can do as much for you as a huge podcast,
with a diverse listener base.
So, over, oh my goodness gracious.
Jackson, do you wanna come over,
and finish the video with me?
- Ma, I already had a video shoot.
- You did already have a video shoot,
but we gotta finish the video.
So, overall, yes.
Can you say yes. (Jackson laughs)
So, overall, yes,
podcast interviews are worth it as an author,
and they will sell some books.
As the solo promotional strategy for your book though,
I think you're gonna struggle to move a lot of copies.
But good book marketing is really about,
creating that feeling that you're everywhere,
and having compelling hook,
that makes the right people go,
OMG, I must get that book.
All that said, I would expect James Altucher's podcast,
and Tim Ferris's podcast probably sell a ton of books.
But I am curious, have you been interviewed on a podcast,
that sold a lot of books for you?
What did you do to make that happen?
Let's chat about it in the comments below.
And when you comment on the day a video is released,
you'll be entered to win some sweet
hashtag no boring books swag,
like our mug or our beautiful journal.
This video is brought to you by the Coronavirus.
(laughs)
They thought it would be a good idea,
to have all kids stay out of school.
(laughs)
And sometimes when you Comment,
I create a video to answer your question in more detail,
like I did for Derek with this video.
So, thank you so much bestie.
If you wanna be a bestie, subscribe to the channel,
and turn the notifications on,
so, we can hang out,
when videos come out, every Tuesday and Friday,
except in the summer, when we take a break
to spend more time with our children(laughs).
I've really enjoyed our time together.
So, should we keep hanging out?
Do you wanna babysit?
(laughs)
This video on Leveraging Media Appearances,
is a great way to leverage your podcast interviews.
So, it's the perfect video to watch after watching this one.
Or if you wanna do something that does sell books,
you can pitch your book to airport bookstores,
like Robert Workman has.
You can watch that right here.
I'll wait for you, over at one of these two videos,
so, go ahead and click one of them please.
Don't keep me waiting any longer. Okay?
(sighs)
(upbeat music)