What I have learned through experience is that I need to keep — need, not want — the main thing. And the main thing for me, the thing that in the morning I swing my legs out of bed and I run towards, is creating. It’s art. It’s storytelling. — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor and wrestler

Discover the Secret Storytelling Formula That Turns Words into Sales

Unlock The Storyteller Secrets and turn boring unprofitable marketing into messages people remember, trust, love, and buy from. Make your business unforgettable in just a few minutes.

The Storyteller Secrets helps anyone selling any book, program, or service to tell stories that help them sell more, promote more, and build trust with strangers as well as followers.

Read more: https://bookmarketing.mysamcart.com/telling-stories

A Publishing House Needs Stories

My first AI pass-through on this sales letter included no stories. That happens so often with AI.

But stories are important if you actually want to make sales. Stories convince people. Stories give people confidence in what you have to sell.

When I consulted with Unity House, the book publishing division of Unity Church, I was surprised that they weren’t selling more books. They published a small magazine, Daily Word, with 4 million subscribers. They published another magazine with 200,000 subscribers. And, yet, they were selling few than 10,000 copies of most of their books. After reading six of thei books, I discovered why the books weren’t selling.

The authors did not tell stories. Without stories, the books had little to no word-of-mouth. Without stories, no one was telling their friends – Hey, you gotta read this book. It’s incredible! The books weren’t being passed along.

Without that word-of-mouth, they sold a lot less books than they had expected to sell.

Sell Benefits, Not Features

I have another client who keeps adding new features to his offer. As a result, he never actually launches his product (a good product, by the way). He has kept adding features for over two years!

I keep telling him. Stop adding features. Start selling benefits!. And the best way to sell benefits is to tell stories. Stories provide heart and soul to your sales letters, blog posts, podcasts, videos, courses, and more. Stories invoke trust.

And, of course, launch your course. Launch it now. Even if it’s not perfect yet. Give people a chance to buy into your offering. You can always make it better. You can always upgrade it.

Summit Presenters and Speakers Need Stories

Last week, I attended a summit. One of the things I’ve noticed about summits is that two or three of the speakers or presenters are good at telling stories and giving examples. The other 10 to 15 primarily talked about abstract ideas and facts with few or no stories.

I quickly learned which speakers were storytellers and which people simply presented facts. Guess which speakers I will be following, which speaker’s emails I’ll pay attention to, and which speaker’s offerings I am most likely to sign up for (and pay for!).

Double Sales — Tell Me What It Will Do for Me!

AppSumo is a wonderful online store that features various apps, software, and services that can help individuals and businesses to do things in better ways. Sadly, to sell these services, AppSumo creates videos that talk about the programs and services they sell, but their videos focus on what the app does, what it does, what it does. Over and over again, all features, few benefits.

I swear, if they simply featured more stories on how people are actually using these programs to change their lives or build their businesses, they’d double sales!

Sell High-Ticket Courses and Services with Stories

My friend, Mike Koenigs, has been selling high-ticket items for more than 25 years. He does that by telling success stories — how customers are using his courses and services to get more done in less time, to sell more products and services, to build their success to the highest order.

His stories inspire customers to buy his services. His stories move people to act. His stories make a difference. Your stories can also sell. Your stories can also make a difference!

Read more: https://bookmarketing.mysamcart.com/telling-stories

Remember: When things feel overwhelming, just do one task at a time, one step at a time. Just breath, and keep plugging away.

Listen to this song to encourage you to keep going, even when it gets tough. One day at a time.

Just Breathe lyrics

One minute at a time
One hour at a time
One day at a time
Once in a lifetime

When things feel overwhelming
Remember
One thought at a time
One step at a time
One task at a time
Just breathe, just breathe

Life is a series of moments
Both big and small
That add up to something beautiful
Appreciate the journey
Celebrate the highs
Learns from the lows
Each step is a blessing

Every day, you have two choices
To focus on what’s wrong
Or to embrace what’s right

Choose gratitude
Choose kindness
Choose joy
Choose truth
Choose to see beauty
In little things
And big things

Make every moment count
Life will become even more incredible
More incredible than you imagine

Make every moment count
Life will become even more incredible
More incredible than you imagine

You, too, can be a bestselling book author attracting the attention of a lot of influencers, a lot of readers, a lot of business owners, and a lot of people who want to change their lives. Use this song as a motivational tool to inspire you writing a bestselling book and selling it like hotcakes!

You As a Bestselling Author

Gets attached to your name, to your name,
You are no longer just another coach,
You are no longer just another consultant,
You are no longer just another expert,
Or just another business owner
Trying to get attention
Yes, you as a bestselling author

You become a credible person
The person people trust right away
The person they listen to again and again
That means you have more authority
That means you get better leads
That means you have higher perceived value
That means you have an easier time
Turning attention into revenue

This is not about writing a book
Just to say you wrote one
This is about using a book
Use a book as a business asset
Use a book as a credibility builder
Use a book as a trust shortcut
Use a book as a lead magnet
Use a book as a client-converting tool

Yes, you as a bestselling author
Yes, you too can be a bestselling author
Yes, you too can be a bestselling author
Get in on the action now!
Yes, you too can be a bestselling author

Learn more how you can write, publish, and market a bestselling book in 90 days or less. Check it out at https://protopublished.com.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this song full of Irish blessings. Enjoy and pass it on.

Irish Blessings Lyrics

May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and home
May good and faithful friends be yours
Wherever you may roam
May peace and plenty bless your world
With joy that long endures
May all life’s passing seasons
Bring the best to you and yours

May the dreams you hold dearest
Be those which come true
And the kindness you spread
Keep returning to you
May your heart be light and happy
May your smile be big and wide
And may your pockets always have
A coin or two inside

May you never steal, lie, or cheat
But if you must steal, steal away my sorrows
If you must lie, lie with me
All the nights of my life
And if you must cheat, cheat death
Because I could never live a day without you

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day
Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day
May the luck of the Irish
Shine bright on your way

May your pockets be heavy
And your heart be light
May good luck pursue you
Each morning and night
May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door

May you never steal, lie, or cheat
But if you must steal, steal away my sorrows
If you must lie, lie with me
All the nights of my life
And if you must cheat, cheat death
Because I could never live a day without you

Every book, every author, deserves sponsors for what they offer to their unique and wonderful audiences.

In this podcast, John Kremer and Roberta Vigilance, author of How to Secure Sponsors Successfully, talk about how authors should go about getting sponsors for their books and events.

Check out the transcript on Substack if you’d rather read this podcast than listen in. Thanks for joining us! https://bookmarketing.substack.com/p/getting-sponsors-for-book-authors

Each year in North America, companies spend $3.85 billion on sports sponsorships and $2.1 billion on arts and social sponsorships.

Short and simple: I think every book and every author should have sponsors for their work. Here are a eleven reasons why sponsorship can boost the sales of a book and/or author.

1. Enhance credibility and legitimacy

Credibility goes both ways. A sponsor enhances your credibility and legitimacy as an author and, if you are well-known and respected in your field of expertise, sponsors gain enhanced credibility from your book as well.

For several editions of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books, I sold around 30 sponsorships for $1,200 each. Each sponsor wrote a one or two-page informative article for the book that included a credit at the end that sold their product or services. These sponsors were guaranteed a printing of 10,000 copies for each edition. The sponsors received great value: exposure in 10,000 copies for their business, a case of books to give away to their clients, an implied endorsement from me (since I only let in sponsors I respected), and additional exposure via my website. In return, the sponsors essentially paid for printing the 10,000 copies of the new editions. That means I broke even on the book before I sold even one copy.

2. Get media attention

In addition to buying 100,000 copies of the photographic essay, The Meaning of Life, to give to people who test-drove a new model, Mazda placed 10-page excerpt ads in thirteen Time Inc. magazines, sponsored a CBS television show, and sponsored a photo exhibit display in a dozen upscale shopping malls. Since this promotion resulted in more test-drives and car sales, Mazda was happy with the results. Little, Brown was also happy. Besides selling 100,000 premium copies to Mazda, the book went on to become a national bestseller.

3. Promote a launch party

When Beth Ann Herman wrote her first novel, Power City, she deliberately embellished the descriptions of the Maserati owned by the novel’s main character. Why? In the back of her mind, she was hoping to convince Maserati to cross-promote her book with their cars. And, indeed, she was able to do just that. When her book was published, the book-signing party was held at the Maserati dealership in Beverly Hills. The dealership spent a lot of money to promote the party and her book.

4. Get support for a book tour

Janet Dailey’s novel, Tangled Vines, featured a story of true love set in Napa Valley. When Dailey went on tour to promote the book, Vichon Vineyards came along to introduce a new wine at the bookstores she visited.

Johnnie Walker Black Label sponsored Jennifer Egan, author of The Invisible Circus, as she did readings in alternative art galleries, cafes, and bookstores in six major cities.

5. Cross-promote a sweepstakes

Princess Cruises sponsored a travel sweepstakes to promote James Michener’s novel Mexico. Michener, who had lectured on previous Princess cruises, agreed to do so again. In addition, he gave press interviews while on board the ship.

6. Get featured in ads

You don’t always have to find a sponsor. Sometimes they discover your author or book and choose to feature them. In an unsolicited, unpaid cross-promotion, Calvin Klein featured a model holding a copy of Postcards by E. Annie Proulx in an underwear ad that appeared in GQ magazine. Great publicity for any book!

7. Get retail displays

Warner worked with Crystal Light to promote James Patterson’s Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas. Warner got book placement on Crystal Light supermarket displays, while the tea got play in newspaper ads for the book. Each side paid for its own ads, but each agreed to give the other placement. As Warner noted, “We’re reinforcing his name and hitting the women’s audience that his other books don’t tend to get.”

8. Share marketing costs

For No Boundaries, a book of nature photography from Creative Publishing, Ford Motor Company paid for a number of plugs, from a long distance shot of an SUV climbing a mountain to a slogan as the book’s title. As part of its sponsorship, Ford shouldered a share of both production and marketing costs and donated a vehicle for a contest.

9. Share production costs

For Artisan’s The Ford Century, a history of Ford and its effect on culture and business with a foreword by Paul Newman, Ford paid $150,000 in marketing costs and joined in developing the content and paying for production costs. As the book packager Tehabi noted, “Ford was really supportive of the fact that we didn’t want to dance around controversial issues. We don’t hide issues that might have been hidden in a promotional book.”

Collins used corporate sponsors to help underwrite the costs of producing their Day in the Life series. Sponsors included Kodak, Canon, American Express, and Apple as well as many hotels and airlines, plus some nonprofit associations and governmental agencies. Every sponsor was given credit in the front of each book.

10. Attract new audiences

Sponsors can often help you reach out to audiences you wouldn’t normally attract. One keep demographic that sponsors can often open up to authors is the people who don’t shop at bookstores or use libraries. That audience makes up more than 50% of people living in the United States. That’s a big audience.

11. Boost social media exposure

Most sponsors have large social media followings. When they sponsor you or your book, one of their commitments should be to promote your book to their social media followers. In turn, of course, you should promote your sponsors via your social media.

One reader wrote personally to me asking that I name the company that would like to sponsor her. Well, it doesn’t work that way. To get a sponsor, you have to work to create relationships with people working at a few targeted companies that want to reach the audience you are reaching with your book.

Sponsorships don’t just pop up out of the ether. They come about because you, as the author or publisher, work to create relationships with companies and groups that can benefit from your audience.

If you want to get you or your book noticed, be alert to opportunities to connect with the editors of major magazines. Here, for example, are a few recent calls for connection offered by the editor of Woman’s World magazine, the top woman’s magazine in the United States.

Loved Ones You Missed

In the November 24, 2025 issue, the editor asked readers to send her a photo of a loved one they miss, along with a note why they miss them. She encouraged readers to share their missing loved ones to help with grief and sadness over the holidays. Email Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief at liz@womansworld.com.

You might be too late to take advantage of the above tip, but Liz might still be interested in seeing your photos and notes, especially if you have a good story to tell.

Books That Matter

In the January 12, 2026, issues, she wrote about the Free Library she set up outside her home. And then noted how many readers of Woman’s World share the magazine by giving it to neighbors and sharing it at the beauty shop, etc. She wrote about stories:

Why does sharing stories matter? Because stories connect us. They remind us we’re not alone. They offer hope, spark ideas, make us laugh, and help us feel understood.

A story can travel across a kitchen table, across generations, across town. When we share what has touched us, we create tiny ripples of connection in a world that’s hungry for them.

Then she wrote: I invite you to write to me about a book you received that really mattered — and why. I’ll share some of my favorites in the magazine. Email Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief at liz@womansworld.com.

Now, you can’t obviously nominate your own book. That wouldn’t be appropriate.

But you can ask a friend to nominate your book. And you can talk them through what they might like to write about your book — and why it matters to them.

If you offer to help your friend submit your book, she will be far more likely to actually do it because of your help.

This procedure, of course, applies to any similar situation where there is a call to nominate your favorite author or book — whether the call is from a magazine, TV show, podcaster, blogger, social media group, etc. Always ask a friend. And offer to help them make the submission.

Have You Been Scammed?

In the February 2, 2026 issue, Liz wrote about family members being scammed. She wants to shine a light on scams. So she asked: If you’re willing to share your story, please write to scams@womansworld.com. One of our journalists may reach out to learn more, with the goal of helping other women recognize the warning signs so they can protect themselves an their loved ones.

The following books are part of the How to Write a Book in 10 Days or Less series.

With a blank book, you don’t have to write any words since a blank book has few if any words. A blank book can be used by the reader as a diary, a journal, a notebook, an address book, or a gag humor book. Use it as a conversation starter.

You can create a blank book in an hour or two once you have a great idea—or a target audience you want to reach. This book teaches you the ins and outs of creating low-content books to be published via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) as well as via traditional print tech.

How to Create a Blank Book pdf $15.00: https://payhip.com/b/m1tzk

How to Create a Blank Book Kindle $15.00: https://amzn.to/4pbfUX4

How to Create a Blank Book audiobook $14.99: https://amzn.to/3Y9gw4o

How to Create a Blank Book paperback $20.00: https://amzn.to/4b1iefA

One of the easiest books to write to simply to collect articles you have written based on other people’s books, other people’s articles, other people’s social media, etc. Of course, you need to have written such articles if you want to collect them into a book like this. If you write one article each week for a year, you’ll have enough content.

What sort of articles can you write? In the book I showcase many examples taken from my book, Book Marketing 264: Promotional Ideas I’ve Learned from Other People.

How to Write a Friends Book pdf $15.00: https://payhip.com/b/e7ysI

How to Write a Friends Book Kindle ebook $9.99: https://amzn.to/4jeeERu

How to Write a Friends Book paperback $14.95: https://amzn.to/49oQTTn

How to Write a Friends Book hardcover $30.00: https://amzn.to/45hWet9

How to Write a Friends Book audio $7.99: https://amzn.to/3Y9gw4o

I have created a series of books written and designed in 501 Words or Less^TM. Each book features only 501 words or less with illustrations to complete the books and flesh them out to 32 or more pages.

These short books can be written in less than a day. Indeed, you can write such a book in a few hours. The combining of 501 words or less with images will take you a few more days but can generally be completed in two or three days. In this book, I’ll describe how I created three books in this series, each in a different way, so you can see a few of the paths you can use to create these short powerful books.

How to Write a Pithy Book $15.00: https://payhip.com/b/Nt2ba

How to Write a Pithy Book Kindle ebook $9.99: https://amzn.to/3LaYKuB

How to Write a Pithy Book paperback $20.00: https://amzn.to/49q5wFZ

How to Write a Pithy Book audiobook $9.99: https://amzn.to/4b3ZtIt

It may seem that creating a social media ad book is an easy-peasy simpleton activity. And it could be that, but it won’t sell very well and it won’t reflect well on you as an expert and authority. Note: The primary purpose of a social media ad book is to demonstrate your expertise and authority.

Create a social media ad book that focuses on your expertise. The fantastic thing about any social media ads are that they are generally highly targeted to your interests. You can train Facebook to show you the ads and posts that you really want to see.

How to Write a Social Media Ads Book pdf $15.00: https://payhip.com/b/YyEGT

How to Write a Social Media Ads Book Kindle ebook $9.97: https://amzn.to/3L6jDqD

How to Write a Social Media Ads Book paperback $20.00: https://amzn.to/4pSiv9u

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The following song was developed from an excerpt of a poem in my I Tell You Poetry collection (to be published soon).

No one is moved by what they see,
People are moved by what they do.
Do the thing you fear,
Move with what you love.

Lyrics for Move with What You Love

I saw a sky full of stars, so bright and clear
But I knew I had to step out, leave my comfort near
The world was quiet, no one was around
Yet I felt the courage to make that first sound

I heard a whisper, soft and low
It said, “Just try, let it go”
I thought about the things I love
And all the gifts from above

No one is moved by what they see,
People are moved by what they do.
Do the thing you fear,
Move with what you love

I started small, with baby steps
Each one a victory, just another rep
Now I’m running free, with a smile on my face
My heart full of joy, my spirit in place

No one is moved by what they see,
People are moved by what they do.
Do the thing you fear,
Move with what you love

No one is moved by what they see,
People are moved by what they do.
Do the thing you fear,
Move with what you love

Move with what you love
Move with what you love