Think Local, Sell Everywhere: Book Marketing That Actually Sells Books

Most authors overlook one of the most powerful marketing opportunities they already have: their local market. While everyone else fights for attention online, smart authors are building visibility, reader loyalty, and consistent book sales right in their own backyard — often with far less competition and far better results.In this episode, Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell unpack the local marketing strategies that actually move books. From wine bars hosting “books and bubbly” nights to thriller-and-whiskey pairings, cookbook tastings, boutique retail partnerships, fitness collaborations, farmers markets, seasonal festivals, and school appearances, we break down how authors can create events and partnerships that feel engaging, profitable, and easy for businesses to say yes to.We also talk about why local visibility matters far more than most authors realize. Community exposure can fuel Amazon traffic, strengthen word-of-mouth marketing, create stronger reader trust, and open doors to media, speaking opportunities, and long-term platform growth. The authors seeing the best results are often the ones creating visibility in places their competitors never think to look.You’ll hear practical strategies for pitching businesses that have never stocked books before, setting up simple consignment arrangements, building collaborative events that benefit everyone involved, and turning small local wins into momentum that compounds over time.Plus, we share overlooked “micro marketing” tactics with surprisingly big payoff, including QR-code bookmarks, local networking opportunities, seasonal tie-ins, collaborative giveaways, and smart ways to move readers from in-person discovery into your long-term digital funnel.If online marketing feels crowded and exhausting, this episode will show you why local visibility may be the smartest — and most underused — book marketing strategy available to authors right now.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!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.Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section.Rate the podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating.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.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....