The Data-Driven Author: The Real Secret Behind Author Success

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast

Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast
The Data-Driven Author: The Real Secret Behind Author Success
Oct 17, 2025 Season 4 Episode 42
Penny C. Sansevieri and Amy Cornell Author Marketing Experts

Hate refreshing your Amazon rank only to feel stuck? We walk through a saner, smarter way to measure progress—one that puts you back in control of your author career. Instead of chasing daily sales blips, we focus on the data you can influence: podcast bookings, media hits, website traffic spikes, newsletter clicks, and the kind of social engagement that signals real interest. Along the way, we share how to build a simple marketing journal that captures what you did, when you did it, and what happened next, so you can repeat what works and ditch what doesn’t.

We also get honest about the myths that drain energy. Amazon rankings are noisy; follower counts can be hollow; daily review checks erode morale. The better path is tracking visibility and engagement that compounds: comments and shares over likes, replies and click‑throughs over opens alone, and local wins that build trust fast. We dive into practical ways to use Google Analytics to spot post‑placement traffic, test subject lines that drive action, and turn lead magnets and bonus content into measurable signals. Plus, Goodreads strategies and why targeted communities often outperform broad blasts.

If you’ve ever asked, “Am I doing the right things?” this conversation offers a roadmap. Sales will come—on their schedule—not because of one big splash, but because your visibility stacked up over time. 


Want to shape future topics or get tailored advice? Text the word podcast to 888-402-8940 to subscribe and send your questions. If this helped, follow the show, share it with an author friend, and leave an honest review—we’re pushing for 100 and cheering you on.

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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 Episode Artwork Trophy Hunting for Authors: The World of Book Awards 17:29 Episode Artwork Navigating Kindle Unlimited's Page Read Decline 30:06 Episode Artwork Hook, Line, and Bestseller: The Art of the Elevator Pitch 33:41 Episode Artwork The Hollywood Blueprint: Creating a Film-Ready Book 33:05 Episode Artwork The Great Author Central Lockout: Amazon's Latest Frustration 24:09 Episode Artwork Your Newsletter Is Worth More Than Your Social Media Followers 48:16 Episode Artwork Goodreads Evolution: Amazon's Game-Changing Integration 38:53 Episode Artwork Broke the Marketing Bank But No Sales? Here's Why! 5:53 Episode Artwork The Amazon Sledgehammer: How One Author Lost Everything Over Metadata 32:10 Episode Artwork Your Book Isn't Enough: How to Develop a Platform Media Responds To 35:41 Episode Artwork Selling Cats to Dog People: Your Amazon Ad Comedy of Errors 34:29 Episode Artwork Christmas in July: Why Authors Need to Prep Now for Holiday Sales 17:36 Episode Artwork Beyond Boredom: Your Book Could Be Every Parent's Summer Solution 21:32 Episode Artwork From Beach Reads to Bestsellers: Marketing Your Book in Summer 21:51 Episode Artwork The Author's Identity Crisis: Why Brand Marketing Matters More Than You Think 25:37 Episode Artwork The Pay-to-Play Dilemma: Paying for book reviews & coverage 34:59 Episode Artwork Unlocking ChatGPT’s Creative Power for Authors 31:27 Episode Artwork What Most Authors Get Wrong About Debut Success 38:55 Episode Artwork Amazon's New Algorithm Changes: What Authors Need to Know 36:20 Episode Artwork The Power of Reddit: Reach Millions Through Ask Me Anything Events 34:26 Episode Artwork Creating Memorable Author Book Signing Events That Sell Books 51:22 Episode Artwork Too Good to Be True? The Bookstore Scam That's Breaking Hearts 23:00 Episode Artwork Dust It Off: The Author's Guide to Book Resurrection 38:08