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Welcome to Season 5 of The Book Marketing Action Podcast with Becky Robinson, where we give you information you can immediately implement to increase your influence and market your books more successfully.
In this episode, Becky talks to Caroline J. Sumlin—writer, speaker, and educator with a passion for helping all people reclaim their self-worth and their humanity. Listen as Caroline shares insights into her book’s powerful message and the challenges she faced while marketing as a first-time author. The discussion delves into the journey of marketing a book as a marginalized author, the struggles of balancing personal beliefs with marketing expectations, and how important it is for authors to connect authentically with their audience.
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:50] Caroline shares about herself, her book We’ll All Be Free, and her work in the world.
[04:46] Caroline talks about how some of the beliefs she is trying to counteract in her book have negatively impacted her book marketing journey.
[07:20] Caroline elaborates on the realities of marketing a book as someone with a marginalized identity.
[11:18] Discover what Caroline’s expectations were going into the launch of her book and how those have shifted since its release.
[15:32] (AD) Learn about our Book Marketing Strategy Live Course.
[17:26] Caroline discusses her approach to sharing her personal stories and experiences in online spaces to connect with potential readers.
[20:31] While reflecting on the first year since launching her book, Caroline reveals which marketing strategies have been the most effective and which ones weren’t as effective as she hoped.
[26:13] Caroline shares how using the anniversary of her book’s release as a milestone for continued marketing has helped her stay energized and passionate about her work.
[28:25] As a full-time homeschooling parent, Caroline talks about the struggle of balancing those responsibilities with her career ambitions and book marketing efforts.
[34:10] Caroline shares some final advice for first-time authors who are preparing to market their books.
Action Steps:
- Think about ways that you can bring more attention to marginalized voices in your community. How can you show up intentionally to amplify their work?
- If you have not yet explored Instagram Stories, take a look at what Caroline shares and try to start creating your own. Share your journey in real-time with the people who are most interested in your message.
- Think about the constraints of your life commitments, like being a full-time parent, and make peace with them. Write them down and elaborate on how they impact your book marketing efforts, then send them to becky@weavinginfluence.com.
Resources:
- To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Caroline’s book, purchase a copy of We’ll All Be Free today!
- If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area and would like to partner with Caroline for an event, or if you would just like to reach out to her, email hello@carolinejsumlin.com.
- Follow Caroline on Instagram and Threads.
- To explore more of Caroline’s writing, subscribe to her Substack, or take a deep dive of her website.
Key Quotes:
It’s crazy just how much I’ve had to reckon with the white supremacy culture in the marketing of my book. —Caroline J. Sumlin
Society has placed strategic barriers in the way of most marginalized bodies. —Caroline J. Sumlin
Impact is impact, no matter how big or small. —Caroline J. Sumlin
People who are following us don’t only want the content that we’re creating, but they also want that connection with us and our humanity. —Becky Robinson
I’m reckoning with and I’m surrendering to what’s doable based on my lifestyle. —Caroline J. Sumlin
If I had to pick the one thing that has been the best for me, it’s connecting with my audience. —Caroline J. Sumlin
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Read our latest article based on key takeaways from this episode.
Explore our archives! Listen to Becky’s five favorite episodes:
- Episode 125 with Michael Bungay Stanier
- Episode 121 with Juliet Starrett
- Episode 112 with Clint Pulver
- Episode 108 with AJ Harper
- Episode 106 with Jane Friedman
I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.