I have a confession: I’ve been holding out on you.
For years, I’ve been teaching one-on-one sessions about author marketing, social media, and website design. Authors would book two-hour Zoom sessions with me, we’d dive deep into whatever platform or strategy they needed help with, and they’d leave with a clear action plan.
The feedback was always great. People finally felt like marketing made sense. They had steps they could actually take instead of just feeling overwhelmed by vague advice like “build your platform” or “just be authentic.”
But here’s the problem I kept running into: Not everyone can afford $200 for a two-hour session.
And honestly? Not everyone needs that level of personalized attention. Many authors just need clear, step-by-step guidance they can follow at their own pace, on their own schedule.
So I’m doing something different.
Introducing Self-Paced Marketing Courses for Authors
I’ve spent the past few months converting all my most popular one-on-one training sessions into self-paced courses. Same practical information, same no-nonsense approach, but now you can:
- Learn on your schedule (5 AM writers, I see you)
- Go at your own pace (no pressure to keep up with a cohort)
- Revisit lessons anytime you need a refresher
- Pay a fraction of what the one-on-one sessions cost
Each course focuses on a specific skill or platform—website basics, Facebook for authors, Instagram strategy, TikTok for the terrified, YouTube essentials, Pinterest tactics, or Substack setup. You choose exactly what you need, when you need it.
Start Here: Your Free Introduction
Before you dive into any specific platform, I want to make sure you understand the foundations. That’s why I’ve created Marketing for the Absolute Beginner—a completely free course that covers the essential concepts every author needs before touching social media.
In this free course, you’ll learn:
- The 3 Marketing Foundations Every Author Needs – Before you stress about Instagram or TikTok, you need these basics in place. I’ll show you exactly what they are and why they matter.
- How to Identify Where YOUR Readers Actually Hang Out – Not every author needs to be on every platform. I’ll help you figure out where your specific readers spend their time.
- The Biggest Marketing Mistakes New Authors Make – I’ve seen these mistakes cost authors months of wasted effort. Learn what they are so you can avoid them.
- Simple First Steps You Can Take This Week – No theory without action. You’ll leave with specific tasks you can implement immediately.
Time investment: About 2 hours total Your investment: FREE (no credit card required) What you get: A clear roadmap for everything that comes next
Why I’m Doing This
Look, I could have kept doing the one-on-one sessions. They were profitable and personally rewarding. But I kept thinking about all the authors who needed help but couldn’t afford those sessions or couldn’t make the scheduled Zoom times work.
I’m currently in graduate school studying social media (yes, at my age—never stop learning!), and I’m constantly applying what I learn to help authors specifically. This course platform lets me reach more people while charging less, which honestly feels right.
Plus, I’m an author too. I have 13 published books. I run my own author business. I manage multiple social platforms. I host a podcast. I write newsletter content. I do all the things I’m teaching you to do.
I’m not a marketing guru who’s never published a book. I’m an author who figured out how to market effectively without burning out or spending a fortune—and I want to share what actually works.
What’s Coming Next
I’m rolling out courses one at a time, and as I launch each one, I’m offering it at 50% off the regular price for early adopters.
Currently in development:
- Complete Author Branding Course (based on my book “Author, How to Brand You and Your Books”)
- Facebook for Authors
- Instagram for Authors
- TikTok for Writers (yes, even if you’re terrified)
- YouTube Essentials for Authors
- Pinterest Strategy for Book Marketing
- Substack for Authors
- Website Essentials for Authors
When you take the free course, you’ll be first to know when each new course launches and when those early bird prices go live.
Who These Courses Are For
These courses are perfect if you:
- Are a self-published or hybrid author handling your own marketing
- Feel overwhelmed by conflicting marketing advice
- Want practical strategies, not just theory
- Need step-by-step guidance without tech jargon
- Are ready to invest time in building your author career (but don’t have unlimited hours)
- Want to learn at your own pace without expensive coaching
- Are tired of courses that assume you’re already tech-savvy
If that sounds like you, I promise you’ll find these courses helpful, manageable, and—dare I say it—maybe even a little bit empowering.
Let’s Do This
Marketing your books doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or soul-crushing. It just needs to be strategic and consistent.
Start with the free course and see if my teaching style works for you. No risk, no credit card, no strings attached.
[Get Instant Access to the Free Course →]
And if you have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hi, drop me a note through the contact form. I actually read and respond to every message.
Here’s to getting your books in front of the readers who’ll love them.
— Jolene
P.S.
Yes, I’ll be blogging regularly here with practical marketing tips, platform updates, and honest reflections on what’s working (and what’s not) in author marketing today. Subscribe so you don’t miss anything useful.