As indie authors, we wear all the hats. We’re the writers, editors, publishers, publicists, and sales team — sometimes all before lunch. But somewhere along the way, we start treating marketing, promotion, PR, branding, and sales like they’re all the same thing.

They’re not.

Here’s the breakdown — circus style.

📢 Marketing = “Circus This Saturday!”

Marketing is awareness. It’s how people find out your book even exists.

Author Move:
Make sure your book is visible online with a strong cover, clear title, solid metadata, and consistent platform presence.

🐘 Promotion = Walking the Elephant Through Town

Promotion gets attention. It’s the spectacle that makes people stop and watch.

Author Move:
Do a giveaway, launch party, pop-up, or live event. Make some noise.

📰 PR = The Newspaper Writes About the Elephant

You didn’t pay for it. You didn’t ask. But someone noticed.

Author Move:
Land a podcast feature, guest blog, radio spot, or Bookstagram post. People are interested in you, not just your book.

🎤 Branding = How the Town Feels About the Circus

Branding is the emotional connection. It’s your vibe.

Author Move:
Define your voice, values, and the reader experience. Make sure your messaging is consistent across everything — website, social, book blurbs, and interviews.

💸 Sales = “Tickets Are $10 — Wanna Come?”

This is where you ask for the buy.

Author Move:
Be direct. Include links. Offer value — signed copies, free shipping, or bundle deals.

If your strategy is just shouting “Buy my book!” into the void — you’re missing the whole show. It takes every act in the circus to build momentum.

That’s how I built Weight For It and You Sound White — not by chasing likes, but by building real connection and community.

📦 Get signed copies + free shipping:
👉 linktr.ee/BrightHeadedPublishing

🎧 Want to get involved?

• Readers: Join the Indie Reader Society for bold stories and real conversation.
• Authors, poets, creatives: Be featured on Author’s Mic or inside the Indie Reader Society.

✨ Don’t build your whole strategy on hope and hashtags. Let’s build something real.