Valerie Morris welcomes author community strategist, Kerry Dobson, to discuss how authors can extend their book's impact well beyond the initial launch. Kerry shares valuable strategies for building meaningful communities around your book that allow you to fulfill your core mission and create lasting change in readers' lives.

• Beyond the Book Launch: Kerry explains why a book's publication is just the beginning of its journey and how community-building can significantly extend its reach and impact
• Strategic Community Building: The conversation explores the thoughtful process of creating groups based on a book's content, including:
• Taking essential breaks after launch to prevent burnout
• Focusing on just 2-3 implementable key messages from your book
• Positioning yourself as a guide rather than a guru to overcome imposter syndrome
• Creating a realistic timeline that respects your audience's capacity
• The Shift to Authentic Marketing: Both Kerry and Valerie discuss why passive marketing approaches are becoming less effective, while community-based strategies foster emotional connections and loyalty

• Follow Valerie on LinkedIn for updates when this episode goes live
• Learn more about Kerry Dobson and her work with authors. Check out Kerry's private podcast: "The Great Group Revolution"

Gift Guide for Authors:

Whether you’re an author yourself, or have an author in your family that you just love to spoil, I’ve got some fun gift ideas to inspire creativity while also helping you stay productive. Sometimes the right tools can help you really get in the mood to write, and some things are simply purely for the whimsical creativity they can spark. Either way, enjoy some of my favorite gift ideas for authors!

Fanciful Pen Holder

This typewriter pen/pencil holder is super cute, and surprisingly solid. Whenever I see it sitting on my desk it gives me a small smile. Even though I’m writing on my modern day Macbook, I can imagine the clickety clack of the typewriter keys and the crank as you push the slide back for a new row.

Library Card Pockets

These old-school library card pockets with cards are a whimsical small touch. Use them for greeting cards, bookmarks with a handwritten note, or stick them inside your own books at book signings or in-person sales. They add a really fun hint of nostalgia and any bookworm at heart will light up at these!

https://amzn.to/4kSvuob

Wireless Speaker

No matter where I set up to write, my JBL portable speaker helps me set the tone and get in the zone. Music sets the tone for me. I personally love using Spotify’s Daily Lift playlist which is personally made just for me! Another playlist I love is “Butter.” The quality is great, and it’s so durable with this speaker and if I move around to work from different rooms in the house, or even outside of my home office, it’s easy to move around.

https://amzn.to/44JN3lJ

Supportive Office Chair

I love this comfortable office chair. I had chair envy for...