Author and Facebook marketing expert Mark Dawson is the guest on this episode of The Author Biz.
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When you think of Facebook advertising for authors what’s the first name that pops into your mind?
For many listeners who email me with guest suggestions, that name is Mark Dawson.
Mark was a guest on the show last September when we discussed how he used his email list of 2,300 to launch his books to the top of category best seller lists at Amazon.
One year later that list has grown to over 25,000 readers. His most recent launch landed HEADHUNTERS at the top of category bestseller lists, and it reached #102 for overall Amazon sales on the second day of its release.
(Note: Link goes live on June 3rd, 5:00 EST.)
In this 57 minute episode, we discuss the details of Mark’s launch plan, as well as his laser-like focus on building an email list. Then we get into some of the tactics he uses to grow that list, which includes the effective use of Facebook advertising. Mark walks us through his process for creating Facebook ads with specifics that you can begin using immediately.
Show Notes:
Mark was a guest on Episode 10 of The Author Biz last September when we discussed the different ways he uses his email list to launch books.
Mark believes the biggest driver to the success of his author business has been the laser-like focus on building his email lists.
We discuss why Mark thinks your email list is so important to build readership.
Mark surveyed his readers last year for the first time. The results he got back were extremely useful when it came to marketing and pricing his books. He wrote a two-part series on the survey and the results. You can read Part One and Part Two by following the links.
Mark describes a partnership that he and thriller author Russell Blake are jointly running to build both of their lists. He offers some advice for authors on finding the right partner for joint marketing plans.
Mark shares the specifics of the launch plan he used for his latest book, HEADHUNTERS, the 7th book in his John Milton series. The launch landed the book at #102 on the overall Amazon sales list.
We discuss the value of long-term thinking and how Mark applies it to his business. He explains why adding a reader as an email list subscriber is far more important than simply having them purchase a book and not subscribe.
Mark has grown his list from 2,300 to over 25,000 in the past year.
We discuss the genesis of Mark’s Facebook advertising course, The Self Publishing Formula, where he teaches authors to effectively use Facebook advertising to gain new email list subscribers and to sell more books.
Mark walks us through the process he uses to set up Facebook ads.
Mark explains how to use your existing mailing list to create a custom Facebook targeting group, by using the Facebook power editor.
Mark’s course has just re-opened and it’s a fantastic offer for authors looking for assistance in navigating the new world of Facebook advertising. You can learn more about Mark’s course here.
Links:
The Facebook Ads for Authors course website
Mark’s author website www.markjdawson.com
The Forbes article featuring Mark, Amazon Pays $450,000 A Year To This Self-Published Writer
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Do you have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below.
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Thanks to Mark Dawson for joining us this week.
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Before getting into the business of writing I spent twenty-five years in the technology business as a financial guy, and then as a serial entrepreneur. I know what it takes to start and run a successful business.
Loved this episode. Always a pleasure listening to Dawson, and as usual I got a lot out of it. Loved hearing about his soft launches and his way of making sure reviews are “verified purchases.” This is always a problem when sending ARCs to readers, and I like his solution.
Love the podcast — definitely in my top 3 favorites (out of a great many that I listen to).
Thanks, John. You’re right, it’s hard to beat his launch process. I’ve spoken to other people who use that .99 one day launch process for advance team members. It’s a great idea.
Great interview with a great guest. Mark knows what he’s doing and let’s us see behind the curtain.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving the comment, Douglas, much appreciated. Mark is indeed a great guest, and his willingness to share what’s working for him is useful for the entire author community.
Terrific show! So much great information it can certainly be overwhelming. But, as Mark said, dogged determination. I love these tactic-filled shows you do, especially now that I’m fully embracing being an author-preneur. Such fun and so empowering. I’m halfway through Nick Stephenson’s course, then on to Mark’s! Thanks so much for highlighting such great teachers!
Thanks, Deb. I hope you’ll let us know what you think of Nick’s course.
So far it’s chock full of great stuff.
Just great, Steve. I really appreciated the link in the show notes to Facebook Help for business advertisers. Who knew they spoke my language? Thanks for asking just the right questions to make this huge topic accessible for me.
Thanks Diana – I’m glad we were able to dive a littler deeper into Facebook advertising and answer some of the questions you had. As for FB – It’s amazing how much help they provide to potential advertisers.
Playing catch up, so I’m a little behind. Great show guys. It really made me rethink the importance of FB advertising. Love the Author Biz!
Thanks for chiming in, Adam – I hope all is well with you.