Marketing on a Budget for First-Time Authors
Proven Strategies to Build Visibility and Sell More Books
Market Smarter. Reach More Readers.
You don't need deep pockets to build real visibility as an author, and this course proves it.
- Design professional graphics without expensive software
- Build a consistent author brand readers will recognize anywhere
- Turn one blog post into a full month of marketing content
- Get your book in front of readers without spending a fortune
"Marketing is all about telling stories that people want to hear."
~ Guy Kawasaki
Course Overview
You've worked hard to write your book, but now you're staring at a marketing budget that barely exists and wondering how you're supposed to compete with authors who seem to have an unlimited advertising fund.
Most first-time authors assume that visibility requires expensive ad campaigns or a professional marketing firm, and that belief keeps a lot of great books hidden from the readers who'd love them.
The authors who market well aren't necessarily the ones spending the most money. They're the ones who've built a simple, repeatable system that keeps them visible without draining their bank accounts or their time.
This course gives you that exact system and you can build it in 30 minutes.
WHAT YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 30 MINUTES:
Design eye-catching promotional graphics using tools you already own
Repurpose one blog post into a full month of social media posts, newsletters, and videos
Identify at least three free or low-cost tactics and free and low-cost AI tools to get your book in front of new readers
Build a repeatable marketing workflow you'll use every single month, regardless of your budget
If you're still working on defining your vision as an author before you dive into marketing, take a look at Creating a Vision Board for Your Author Life to lay that foundation first.
WHAT MAKES THIS COURSE DIFFERENT:
- Real Author Examples - Strategies drawn from an actual published indie author's experience, not theory.
- Tools You Already Own - No new software or subscriptions required to get started.
- Complete Monthly Workflow - Every lesson builds toward one repeatable system, not disconnected tactics.
- Downloadable Resources Included - Four ready-to-use templates and checklists come with the course.
- Activities in Every Lesson - Hands-on practice in every section so you finish with a real marketing plan.
- Brand New AI Tools Bonus - A 15-minute lesson covering the exact tools today's indie authors are using to market smarter without spending more.
NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER COURSES:
❌ Graphic design guidance using tools you already own
❌ A live community of peers writing alongside you and cheering you on
❌ A Certificate of Completion to mark the milestone of finishing what you started
❌ Brand consistency training built specifically for indie authors
❌ Gamification with level ups and leaderboards that make every small step feel like real progress
curriculum
Below are the key topics you will learn in this course.
Simple Graphic Creation on a Budget
Discover how to create professional promotional images using tools you already own. You'll design and export a real graphic for your book.
One Blog Post, One Month of Marketing
Discover how one blog post can fuel an entire month of marketing content. You'll map it into social posts, newsletter content, and short video ideas.
Your Monthly Marketing System
Discover how all four lessons connect into one repeatable monthly workflow. You'll finish with a completed action plan ready to execute immediately.
Building Your Author Brand Identity
Explore what brand consistency means for an indie author and why it matters. You'll complete a brand guidelines worksheet covering your colors, fonts, and visual style.
Free and Low-Cost Promotional Tactics
Explore budget-friendly ways to get your book in front of readers online and in person. You'll select three tactics from the included checklist to implement within 30 days.
Course Pricing
Why This Course? Why Now?
Every month without a marketing system is another month your book goes undiscovered. Building real visibility as an author doesn't require a big budget or a marketing background, and this course proves it in 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need any design experience to take this course?
No design experience is needed. If you can open PowerPoint and insert an image, you have everything required to create professional promotional graphics by the end of the first lesson.
What tools are needed?
Access to PowerPoint and an internet connection are all that's required. Everything else in the course is free or already built into tools most authors are using, and no new software or subscriptions are needed.
How long does it take to complete?
The entire course can be completed in 30 minutes and it's self-paced, so it fits into whatever schedule you're working with right now.
Is this only for first-time authors?
It's designed with first-time authors in mind, but it's genuinely useful for any indie author who doesn't have a consistent marketing system in place yet, regardless of how many books they've published.
What's included in the course?
The course includes four short practical lessons, a downloadable workbook, and a free resource pack that contains a Free and Low-Cost Marketing Checklist, a Monthly Marketing Calendar Template, a Brand Guidelines One-Sheet, and 30 Social Media Post Ideas for Authors.
What if I get stuck?
Reach out directly at support@bannermanbooks.com and the team will help you work through it.
Small Steps = Big Results
Affordable doesn’t mean ineffective. With the right system, you can market your book consistently and confidently—without overspending.
