Book marketing agency
A book marketing agency for experts with something to say.
Last updated: November 2026
A book marketing agency plans and runs the promotion of a book, from positioning to podcast and media outreach. Big Impact Books is a book marketing agency and independent publisher for CEOs, attorneys, professionals, and business owners, combining guided-interview manuscript development with promotion such as podcast placements and media coverage.
The short answer
What does a book marketing agency actually do?
A good book marketing agency turns a finished book into attention from the right people. It decides who the book is really for, shapes the message so those readers recognize themselves in it, and then reaches them through channels they already trust. For business books, those channels are usually podcasts, publications, the author’s own content, and the author’s professional network.
Big Impact Books does this from an unusual position: it is also the publisher. Because the team develops the manuscript with the author through guided weekly interviews, it already knows the stories, frameworks, and client results that will make the strongest interview angles. Promotion is planned from the first chapter instead of bolted on after launch.
Roles
What do professional book marketers and publicists do?
The two roles overlap, but they are not the same. A publicist earns coverage you do not pay for directly: interviews, guest spots, articles, and expert quotes. A book marketer looks at the whole plan, including audience building, email, social media, launch timing, and paid ads once messaging is proven.
Melanie Herschorn, who leads Big Impact Books, brings both perspectives. Her background of more than 20 years includes work as a celebrity publicist and as an award-winning journalist in radio, print, and TV, so she has pitched stories and also decided which pitches were worth running.
Channels
What will a book marketing agency use to promote my book?
Big Impact Books has written about each of the channels below. For business authors, it puts the most weight on podcast placements and media coverage, because those build authority as well as awareness.
- Podcast placements on shows whose listeners match your readers
- Media coverage built on timely angles from your expertise
- Thought-leader content: blog posts, white papers, videos, and articles drawn from the book
- Social media and email newsletters that nurture readers before and after launch
- Guest posts, influencer partnerships, book signings, and launch events
- Targeted ads on Amazon, Facebook, or Google once your audience and messaging are established
Choosing well
How do you choose the best book marketing agency?
The best book marketing agency for you is the one built around your goal. Use the same questions for every agency you talk to, including Big Impact Books:
Does it understand your kind of book?
Nonfiction authority books and genre fiction are promoted very differently.Which channels does it lead with?
Ask how podcasts and outlets are chosen for your topic and who does the outreach.When does promotion start?
Planning that begins before publication gives you an audience on launch day.What happens after launch?
Ask how long promotion continues and how the book stays in conversation.What do you need to provide?
Clarify your time commitment, materials, and approvals up front.
For a broader view, see our book publishing services guide and the steps to take before you hire a publicist.
Always
Discuss your goals with your book marketer first
The most useful conversation you can have with any agency is about what the book is for. Different goals call for different emphasis. This table, written by Big Impact Books, maps common goals to the work that usually serves them.
| Your main goal | What to emphasize | What to ask the agency |
|---|---|---|
| New clients | Podcasts and outlets your buyers already follow | Which shows reach decision-makers in my field? |
| Speaking invitations | Interviews that show you teaching a clear framework | How will my talking points translate to the stage? |
| Media attention | Timely angles tied to news and trends | Who will pitch, and how are angles chosen? |
| Book sales | An engaged audience first, then targeted ads | When does paid advertising make sense for my book? |
Back to the main guide to book marketing services for business authors.
What does a book marketing agency do?
A book marketing agency plans and runs the promotion of a book so the author does not carry it alone. Typical work includes messaging, outreach to podcasts and media, launch planning, and content built from the book. Big Impact Books pairs that promotion with publishing, so the marketing plan takes shape while the manuscript is still being developed.
What is the difference between a book publicist and a book marketer?
A book publicist earns attention you do not pay for directly, such as interviews, articles, and podcast guest spots. A book marketer looks at the wider plan, including audience building, email, social media, and sometimes paid ads. Big Impact Books blends both: its founder has more than 20 years of background that includes celebrity publicity and journalism, and the service covers publishing too.
What will a book marketing agency use to promote my book?
Common tools include podcast guest spots, media pitches, social media, email newsletters, blogging and guest posts, influencer partnerships, book signings and launch events, and, once messaging is proven, targeted ads on Amazon, Facebook, or Google. Big Impact Books has written about each of these and emphasizes podcast placements and media coverage for business authors.
What should I ask a book marketing agency before hiring?
Ask how they choose podcasts and outlets for your topic, who does the outreach, what the timeline looks like before and after launch, what you need to provide, and how progress is reported. Discuss your goals openly: clients, speaking, media, or sales. A good agency shapes the plan around the outcome you care about most.
Is hiring a book marketing agency worth it?
It depends on your goal. If you want a book that builds authority and brings clients, speaking, or media, professional promotion protects the time you put into the book. Sarah Hubbard, founder and author of The Intentional Networker, called her Big Impact Books program “the best investment.” Results still depend on your topic, audience, and follow-through.
Should I market my book myself or hire an agency?
Market it yourself if you have time, an existing audience, and comfort pitching hosts and journalists. Hire help if your schedule is full or you want an experienced publicist’s judgment about media. Big Impact Books offers done-for-you support for busy experts, and its free checklist helps authors who want to start on their own.
Your expertise deserves an audience. Start with the book.
Talk with Big Impact Books about publishing and promoting a book that builds your authority. Not ready yet? Start with the free book planning checklist.