Dreams Need Deadlines: The Path to Real Book Marketing Results

by Penny Sansevieri | Sep 9, 2025 | Book Marketing Basics

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Authors are natural idea generators. Creative energy flows into everything from character arcs to cover designs. But when it comes to marketing, that same energy can lead authors astray. In our latest podcast episode, we explored a critical and often overlooked distinction: the difference between productive goal-setting and the seductive trap of unproductive brainstorming.

If you’ve ever found yourself lost in endless to-do lists or theoretical “what-ifs” about your book’s success, keep reading—because this post will help you shift from spinning your wheels to making real progress with a book marketing plan that works.

The Brainstorming Trap: Why It Feels Productive But Isn’t

Let’s be honest: brainstorming feels good. It’s creative, exciting, and full of possibility. But for many authors, it becomes a clever form of procrastination. Instead of moving the needle on their book marketing efforts, they stay busy generating ideas—ideas that never materialize into action.

This behavior isn’t laziness. It’s psychology. Brainstorming is safer than implementation. There’s no rejection in brainstorming. No failure. But also—no progress. When brainstorming becomes the default mode, it creates the illusion of productivity without the actual impact.

Vague Goals Are the Enemy of Progress

Another issue we unpacked in the episode is the prevalence of vague, lofty goals. Phrases like “I want to be a bestseller” or “I want my book made into a movie” are incredibly common. And while there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, these kinds of goals don’t lead to action because they lack specificity.

Let’s break it down: roughly 4,500 books are published every single day. About 30 of those will be adapted into films per year. That’s not to discourage you—it’s a wake-up call. Big dreams are valid, but they need to be broken into small, actionable parts. That’s where a true book marketing plan begins.

The Power of Micro-Goals

So what’s the solution? Micro-goals.

Micro-goals are the bite-sized building blocks of a smart book marketing plan. They’re clear, achievable, and stacked in a way that builds momentum over time. For example, if your ultimate dream is to become a highly paid speaker, you can’t just declare it and wait for a TEDx invite. You need to:

Perfect your book and messaging
Secure small local speaking gigs
Build a media list and pitch yourself
Create a professional speaker one-sheet
Gather testimonials and video clips
Gradually scale your platform

Each of these tasks is a micro-goal. And each one brings you a step closer to the big dream, with tangible progress and measurable wins.

Why Micro-Goals Work

There are four powerful benefits to using micro-goals:

Clarity: They turn vague aspirations into an actual roadmap.
Momentum: Each completed goal gives you a small win, keeping motivation high.
Efficiency: You’ll know exactly where you need outside support or training.
Focus: Micro-goals protect you from shiny-object syndrome by grounding your actions in purpose.

This approach is what separates successful authors from overwhelmed ones. And it’s one of the core elements of any effective book marketing plan.

A Simple Tool to Put It Into Action

One tool we often recommend to our clients is the Monthly Book Marketing Planner. But here’s the trick: don’t just use one. Print out three to six months’ worth and plot your micro-goals across them. This allows you to visually track your trajectory, stay grounded in your strategy, and resist the chaos of one-off opportunities that can derail your plan.

Think of it like building a staircase to your dream instead of trying to pole-vault over a chasm.

How to Handle Distractions and Opportunities

What about those marketing offers that hit your inbox every week? Social media collabs, podcast interview pitches, discount ad packages—they can be tempting, but they’re also distracting if not vetted strategically.

Here’s our recommendation: create an “Opportunities” folder. Anytime something piques your interest, drop it in there. Then, set aside 30 minutes once a week to evaluate these offers in the context of your current goals. If it doesn’t align, archive it or save it for later. This prevents reactive decisions that eat away at your time and budget.

Real Progress Happens in the Doing

At the end of the day, your book deserves more than an idea graveyard. A focused, intentional book marketing plan is what turns dreams into reality. You might not hit every moonshot goal—but by pursuing them with clarity and action, your book will absolutely go further than it would through brainstorming alone.

So print out those planners. Define your micro-goals. Track your progress. And step out of the idea maze and into forward motion.

Because your book—and your readers—are waiting.