In this episode of Book Marketing Mentors, Peter Murphy Lewis, a fractional chief marketing officer and founder of Strategic Pete, shares how to market your book before it is even finished. Peter shares how treating your book like a business, leveraging some tools like creative briefs, clear goals, and LinkedIn posts, will help keep you focused on connecting with the right audience. He talks about the exact steps he uses to test ideas, gather meaningful feedback, and set authors up for real success.
If you’re ready for straightforward, actionable advice to get your book noticed, this episode is for you.
There is a written companion to this episode in our article on how to market a book.
Key Takeaways:
(01:41) The importance of a creative brief: Treating each project, like a book, as its own “company” ensures clear goals, audience alignment, and actionable outcomes.
(03:22) Life Clarity Mapping: Peter outlines how writing a personal mission statement and measurable goals can transform not just projects but one’s entire approach to work and life.
(06:18) Overcoming fear through preparation: Inspired by Tim Ferris’s “Fear Setting,” Peter uses preemptive marketing strategies to reduce risk and enhance confidence before launching his book.
(11:08) Using LinkedIn as a marketing tool: By posting bite-sized content, Peter validates ideas and garners feedback, helping refine his book while building an engaged audience.
(15:40) The power of qualitative feedback: Peter explains why he values authentic comments and impact stories over sheer numbers, focusing on building deep connections.
(18:06) Niching down: Peter emphasizes the importance of narrowing one’s audience to amplify engagement and ensure meaningful impact.
(19:01) Actionable advice for new authors: Peter encourages starting small, using tools like LinkedIn and YouTube, and scaling efforts gradually to maximize reach and relevance.
RAPID-FIRE Q&A
Why do you advocate for a creative brief when writing a book?
A creative brief acts as a roadmap, keeping projects on track by defining clear goals, success metrics, and audience focus from the start.
What’s your advice for marketing a book before it’s published?
Break your content into digestible pieces, share them on platforms like LinkedIn, and refine your message based on audience feedback.
How do you measure success in marketing?
Rather than relying on vanity metrics, Peter seeks qualitative feedback—stories of transformation and meaningful impact from his audience.
What’s your golden nugget for personal growth?
Community is everything. Surround yourself with mentors and give back freely to learn, grow, and build connections that matter.
What’s next for Peter Murphy Lewis?
Peter is finalizing his upcoming book, which teaches leaders how to mentor and empower remote teams, while also preparing for a second season of his TV show on the American dream.
Final Thoughts:
Peter Murphy Lewis’s approach combines vulnerability with actionable strategies, making him a unique voice in both the marketing and creative worlds. His focus on preparation, community, and authenticity serves as a reminder that success is not just about results but about creating meaningful connections along the way.
Connect with Peter:
Learn more about Peter’s work and upcoming projects at StrategicPete.com or connect with him directly on LinkedIn.
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