Marketing as an indie author can sometimes feel like yelling into the void—except the void is expensive, cluttered, and somehow allergic to your genre. But in a recent Speaker Series session, we had the pleasure of hosting indie author Linda Tiffin, who reminded us all that reader engagement doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.
With eleven books under her belt—many of which are wrapped in her signature pink branding—Linda shared how she turned resourcefulness and a warm smile into a thriving author platform. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to breathe new life into your outreach, Linda’s advice is packed with practical, personable, and downright clever tips for marketing yourself without maxing out your credit card.
✨ Say Hello to the Power of the Humble Business Card
It might be old school, but Linda swears by the trusty business card. She uses it like a literary breadcrumb trail—leaving cards at restaurants, bulletin boards, and even car dealerships.
🔹 Pro tip: Brand your card with your genre in mind (Linda’s are pink with hearts, signaling romance)
🔹 Use the back: Showcase the first few books in your series so readers know where to start
🔹 Add a photo: Linda once had someone find her at a conference because of the picture on her card
And yes, she once sold four books from a Cracker Barrel parking lot thanks to a curious waitress and a shared distaste for “smut.”
💌 The Newsletter: Start Small, Grow Steady
Linda began her newsletter journey with just two subscribers—one of them her sister—and now has nearly 300 readers who actively engage with her content.
Here’s what makes her newsletter stand out:
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📷 Photos first: Think beach reads on the beach, horses for horse-farm research
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📅 Quarterly cadence keeps her sane and readers informed
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🧵 Relatable tidbits from her life that connect her readers to the person behind the pen
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✍️ Tips for new writers and shoutouts to fellow authors (who often return the favor!)
Her most brilliant move? Crowdsourcing Christmas traditions from her newsletter list for her holiday book The Christmas Classified. It got readers involved and guaranteed at least 28 sales.
📚 In-Person Events: Low-Cost, High-Impact
If you think you need to go digital to succeed, Linda might kindly tap you on the shoulder and say, “Not necessarily.”
Craft shows, vendor fairs, library talks—these are Linda’s marketing playgrounds.
💡 Her table setup essentials:
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Branded table runner (pink, naturally)
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Sign-up sheet for her newsletter
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Book signage with prices clearly labeled
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A name tag and her signature pink wardrobe for easy recognition
And of course, she doesn’t show up empty-handed…
🎁 Giveaways That Keep on Giving
Linda’s creative giveaways aren’t just cute—they’re strategic:
🎄 Ice skate bookmarks for her Christmas book
🌴 Beach balls for summer reading (and a distraction for curious kids!)
🖊️ Branded pens and mini-journals to get newsletter signups
🧻 Kleenex packs—because everyone needs one eventually, and they fit in a purse
She even donates raffle baskets at events—like a beach-read-themed bag complete with a sunhat and signed book—to draw attention and earn goodwill (and sometimes new readers).
🎤 Speaking of Speaking…
Linda’s speaking gigs range from writer groups to church book clubs to library appearances. She always brings:
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A sign-up sheet
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Her books (clearly priced)
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Her warm, conversational style
And when she’s done? She writes a handwritten thank-you note to the organizer—a small gesture with big impact.
📱 The Digital Frontier (Work in Progress)
While Linda will be the first to admit social media and websites aren’t her forte, she’s learning—and even runs her newsletter as a PDF attachment to save on costs.
Her biggest online success? Getting featured in another author’s blog—proof that community and cross-promotion are worth more than a thousand boosted posts.
📝 Final Tip from Linda: Use a Size 12 Font
Readers do check before buying. If they can’t read the text, they’ll put the book down—no matter how gripping your blurb is. And yes, she learned that at a grocery store checkout line (where she also handed out two business cards, naturally).
Ready to Take a Page from Linda’s Book?
If you’re marketing on a tiny budget—or no budget at all—Linda Tiffin’s approach is proof that creativity, consistency, and kindness can go a long way. She’s also stretching her marketing dollars by running Freebooksy promos on her first-in-series this Spring and Summer.
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