BTA Fridays™: Why Goals (and Execution) Matter More Than Your Vision Board

Let me ask you something real quick: How many vision boards have you made in the last five years?

Now follow-up question: How many of those pretty pictures actually turned into sold books, booked speaking gigs, or readers who actually know your name?

Yeah. That's what I thought.

Look, I'm not here to trash vision boards. They're cute. They're motivational. They look great on your office wall. But here's the cold, hard truth we tackled on this week's BTA Fridays™ episode: Vision is not strategy. Intention is not a plan. And if you're wondering why your book marketing services aren't translating into sales, it might be because you've been manifesting when you should have been executing.

Let's break it down.

The Problem with "Manifesting" Your Author Career

I see it all the time. Authors come to me with big dreams, bestseller lists, book tours, movie deals. And when I ask about their book launch marketing plan, they tell me they've been "putting it out into the universe."

Fam. The universe doesn't have a marketing budget.

Here's the thing: a vision board is a motivational tool, not a business strategy. It can help you clarify what you want, sure. But clarity without action is just... daydreaming. And daydreaming doesn't pay royalties.

The authors who are actually moving units and building sustainable careers? They're not just dreaming: they're doing. They have systems. They have schedules. They have intentional, repeatable actions that move the needle every single week.

That's the difference between hoping for success and engineering it.

What Execution Actually Looks Like for Indie Authors

So what does execution mean when we're talking about how to build an author marketing strategy?

It means showing up consistently with a plan: not just posting "link in bio" and praying someone clicks.

Here's what intentional execution looks like in practice:

1. Break Your Goals into Weekly Actions

Your goal might be "sell 500 books this quarter." Cool. But what are you doing this week to make that happen? Are you pitching to book clubs? Reaching out to local libraries? Sending emails to your list? If you can't name three specific actions you're taking in the next seven days, your goal is just a wish.

2. Stop Screaming "Buy My Book" into the Void

This one hurts, I know. But nobody: and I mean nobody: wants to be sold to 24/7. The algorithm knows it. Your audience knows it. And honestly? Deep down, you know it too.

Instead of "buy my book," try communicating meaning. Share what your book is about: the themes, the transformation, the emotional journey. Talk about why you wrote it. Connect with readers on a human level before you ever ask for a sale.

That's how you break the algorithm. Not by gaming it, but by being so genuinely valuable that people want to engage with you.

3. Pick ONE Discovery Bucket and Master It

Here's where authors get overwhelmed: there are a million places to promote your book. Bookstores, libraries, online retailers, literary organizations, podcasts, book boxes, subscription services...

You cannot do all of them at once. You will burn out. Trust me.

Instead, pick one discovery bucket and go deep. If you write books that center Black experiences, explore resources like AALBC (African American Literature Book Club) or MahoganyBooks. If you're in romance, find the romance-specific reviewers and book clubs. If you want to know how to get your book into bookstores, start with one indie bookstore in your area and build a relationship.

Master one channel. Then expand.

The Real Secret to a Book Launch Marketing Plan That Works

Let me tell you a secret that traditional publishing gatekeepers don't want you to know: the best marketing plans aren't complicated. They're consistent.

A solid book launch marketing plan doesn't require a six-figure budget or a PR firm. It requires:

• Clarity on who your ideal reader is (not "everyone who reads")
• A timeline with specific milestones (cover reveal, pre-order launch, release week, post-launch push)
• A communication strategy that prioritizes connection over conversion
• Repeatable systems you can sustain without losing your mind

That last one is key. If your marketing plan requires you to post five times a day, record three videos a week, AND write a newsletter AND pitch ten podcasts... you're going to crash. Hard.

Build something sustainable. Something you can actually do week after week, even when life gets chaotic. Because it will. It always does.

Why Book Marketing Services Aren't a Magic Fix (But They Can Help)

Now, I run a publishing services company, so I'm obviously a fan of getting professional support. But let me be real with you: no book marketing services will save you if you don't have your foundation in place.

If you don't know your target reader, a marketer can't find them for you. If you don't have a clear message, a publicist can't pitch you effectively. If you haven't done the internal work of understanding what makes your book special, no amount of money will manufacture that clarity.

Book marketing services are amplifiers. They take what you've built and help you reach more people. But they can't build it for you.

That's why I'm so passionate about education. When you understand the fundamentals: like these essential self-publishing tips: you can make smarter decisions about where to invest your time and money. You become the CEO of your brand, not just a passenger hoping someone else will drive.

Watch the Full Episode

We went DEEP on this topic in the latest BTA Fridays™ – Breaking the Algorithm episode. If you're tired of spinning your wheels and ready to build a marketing strategy that actually moves books, this one's for you.

📺 Watch now: https://youtu.be/99Tr_eaEnLk

Your Execution Challenge This Week

I'm not going to let you leave here without homework. Here's your challenge:

Pick ONE goal for your author career this month. Just one. Then break it down into four weekly actions: one for each week. Write them down. Put them in your calendar. And actually do them.

That's it. No vision board required. Just execution.

Then come back and tell me how it went. I want to hear your wins, your struggles, all of it. We're building this community together, and your story matters.

Let's Stay Connected, Fam!

Here's your laundry list of ways to plug in with Bright Headed Publishing:

🎙️ Want to be a guest on The Author's Mic™? Apply here

📚 Grab our free guide on building your author platform (because execution starts with education!)

📖 Support indie authors by checking out our products and books

🤝 Join the Indie Resource Share (IRS) : our community for indie authors who want to grow together, not alone

🔐 TrustBridge™ is coming : our new author verification and support system soft launches soon. Stay tuned!

📩 Questions? Ideas? Just want to chat? Contact us : I read everything.

Now go execute. Your readers are waiting. 🚀