Borrowed Buzz: The Smarter Way to Stay Visible Year-Round

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast
Borrowed Buzz: The Smarter Way to Stay Visible Year-Round
Mar 27, 2026 Season 6 Episode 13
Penny C. Sansevieri & Amy Cornell Author Marketing Experts

Books aren’t “news” on their own anymore—and repeating “buy my book” is one of the fastest ways to burn out (and lose your audience’s attention).

In this episode, we break down a smarter, more sustainable approach: borrowed buzz—anchoring your marketing to moments people are already paying attention to. Think holidays, awareness months, seasonal shifts, and even quirky observances that give you a natural, timely reason to talk about your book again and again—without sounding repetitive or pushy.

We unpack why this works, including the psychology behind seasonal buying behavior and emotional relevance, and how aligning your message with what’s already on your audience’s radar can dramatically improve engagement and conversion.

Then we get tactical:

  • How far in advance to plan for major holidays vs. quick-hit promotions
  • When to pitch podcasts, media, and local outlets for maximum traction
  • How to build simple, repeatable campaigns around awareness months and niche observances
  • Real examples you can adapt immediately—from big cultural moments to offbeat hooks like Maple Syrup Saturday

We also focus on execution—where most authors fall short. You’ll learn how to align your social content, email marketing, and pitch angles around a single theme, where to incorporate seasonal messaging on your Amazon page (and where not to), and how to use AI to brainstorm ideas without losing strategy or control.

Finally, we cover the biggest mistakes—like forcing irrelevant tie-ins or starting too late—and how to avoid them.

If you want your marketing to feel more strategic, more consistent, and a lot less exhausting, this is the playbook.


If you want your marketing to feel more fun, more strategic, and a lot less exhausting, hit play. Subscribe, share this with an author friend, and leave a review wherever you listen to the show.

Send us your feedback!

Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll!

📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas! 

Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number!

Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches.

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

  1. Be sure you're following the show: by clicking the + Follow button on the top right of our show page. If you're already following you'll see a downward arrow.
  2. Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section.
  3. Rate the podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating.
  4. Write your review: Under the star rating there will be the most recent review and just below that click "Write a Review" and compose your review in the text box that appears.
  5. Save: Once you've written your review, click "Save" to submit it. 

Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: info@amarketingexpert....

Episode Artwork Borrowed Buzz: The Smarter Way to Stay Visible Year-Round 37:38 Episode Artwork Latest Goodreads Changes and Why They Matter for Authors 36:59 Episode Artwork How to Hire a Book Marketing Team Without Getting Burned 48:21 Episode Artwork How To Get And Keep Amazon Book Reviews Without Getting Banned 36:28 Episode Artwork The Blueprint that Sells Books 36:45 Episode Artwork The 7-Day Amazon Ads Reset: What to Fix, What to Ignore, When to Scale 40:08 Episode Artwork How to Land Book Reviews Without Burnout, Begging, or Bribes 44:33 Episode Artwork Why Readers Break Up With Books (and How to Make Yours a Long-Term Relationship) 33:48 Episode Artwork Consistency That Sells: How Clear Branding Converts Browsers Into Buyers 35:49 Episode Artwork Finding the Right Book Positioning And Why It Changes Everything 29:24 Episode Artwork Turning Amazon Pages Into Conversion Engines With A+ Content 46:00 Episode Artwork Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: Categories, Covers, And Clear Hooks 29:05 Episode Artwork What Actually Predicts Book Sales And How To Focus Your Effort 50:30 Episode Artwork New Year, New Launch, New Podcast Format = Smarter Author Wins 12:46 Episode Artwork Our Favorite Episodes of the Year (Plus a Few New Takeaways) 24:54 Episode Artwork Top Lessons From Our Most-Downloaded Episodes 35:32 Episode Artwork Stop Guessing, Start Selling: Positioning Your Book for Real Traction 41:40 Episode Artwork Book Marketing Without Burnout: Do Less, Reach More Readers 46:06 Episode Artwork The New Media Strategy Every Author Needs Now 25:20 Episode Artwork The Marketing Shift You Can't Afford to Ignore 1:08:19 Episode Artwork Amazon’s A10 Shift: The Real Reasons Your Book Isn’t Selling (and How to Fix It Fast) 37:18 Episode Artwork How To Slay Book Marketing Nightmares Before They Scare Off Readers 31:13 Episode Artwork Make Your Book Unforgettable: Creative Ways to Wow Reviewers 40:04 Episode Artwork The Data-Driven Author: The Real Secret Behind Author Success 39:19 Episode Artwork Smart Pre-Order Strategies for Authors Who Have Little or No Following 42:36