What do you think?
Rate this book
Write Faster, Write Smarter #8
Ads for Authors Who Hate Math: Write Faster, Write Smarter
Run your ads in 30 minutes a day.
Advertising is scary stuff, especially if you hate spreadsheets. If that's you, take heart! This audiobook will teach you how to run profitable advertising campaigns using a simple aggregate sales model. You don't need complex spreadsheets. You will not spend hours puzzling over read-through, and cost per click.
You'll invest that time learning to find better images, and writing better marketing copy. You'll learn how to refine audiences, and the best part? You'll learn how to fit all this into 30 minute chunks. You'll learn to systematize your ad spend in a sustainable way that frees you up to write.
The audiobook includes a breakdown of the Facebook, Amazon, Reddit, and BookBub advertising platforms with a list of pros and cons, and recommendations on how and where to use each platform. You'll learn to pick the right platform, and then how to grow and prune ads on that platform.
Are you ready to start advertising profitably?
Advertising is scary stuff, especially if you hate spreadsheets. If that's you, take heart! This audiobook will teach you how to run profitable advertising campaigns using a simple aggregate sales model. You don't need complex spreadsheets. You will not spend hours puzzling over read-through, and cost per click.
You'll invest that time learning to find better images, and writing better marketing copy. You'll learn how to refine audiences, and the best part? You'll learn how to fit all this into 30 minute chunks. You'll learn to systematize your ad spend in a sustainable way that frees you up to write.
The audiobook includes a breakdown of the Facebook, Amazon, Reddit, and BookBub advertising platforms with a list of pros and cons, and recommendations on how and where to use each platform. You'll learn to pick the right platform, and then how to grow and prune ads on that platform.
Are you ready to start advertising profitably?
Audible Audio
Published July 29, 2019
127 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Chris Fox
87 books671 followersBy day I am an iPhone developer architecting the app used to scope Stephen Colbert’s ear. By night I am Batman. Ok maybe not. One can dream though, right?
I’ve been writing since I was six years old and started inflicting my work on others at age 18. By age 24 people stopped running away when I approached them with a new story and shortly thereafter I published my first one in the Rifter.
Wait you’re still reading?
Ok, the facts I’m supposed to list in a bio. As of this writing I’m 38 years old and live just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the beautiful town of Mill Valley. If you’re unsure how to find it just follow the smell of self-entitlement. Once you see the teens driving Teslas you’ll know you’re in the right place.
I live in a tiny studio that I can cross in (literally) five steps and don’t own an oven. But you know what? It’s worth it. I love developing iPhone apps and if you want to work in San Francisco you accept that rent for a tiny place costs more than most people’s mortgage.
If you and about 2 million other people start buying my books I promise to move out of Marin to a house in the redwoods up in Guerneville. No pressure. Wait that’s a lie. Pressure.
I’ve been writing since I was six years old and started inflicting my work on others at age 18. By age 24 people stopped running away when I approached them with a new story and shortly thereafter I published my first one in the Rifter.
Wait you’re still reading?
Ok, the facts I’m supposed to list in a bio. As of this writing I’m 38 years old and live just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the beautiful town of Mill Valley. If you’re unsure how to find it just follow the smell of self-entitlement. Once you see the teens driving Teslas you’ll know you’re in the right place.
I live in a tiny studio that I can cross in (literally) five steps and don’t own an oven. But you know what? It’s worth it. I love developing iPhone apps and if you want to work in San Francisco you accept that rent for a tiny place costs more than most people’s mortgage.
If you and about 2 million other people start buying my books I promise to move out of Marin to a house in the redwoods up in Guerneville. No pressure. Wait that’s a lie. Pressure.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 22, 2019
This book is a brief overview of the major ads platforms, FB, Amazon, and Bookbub. While giving the basics of how they work and telling you that income-spend=profit, there is nothing here that you wouldn't find from any blog post about the same topic. While Help My FB Ads Suck and Mastering Amazon Ads might be more technical, they are what authors need in order to have profitable ads. Fox even says so in this book. I read this in about an hour and still thought it was a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2020
Lots of good advice in this book, although I wish it had more specific things but understand the book gives you just enough to figure out some ads while also subtly trying to get you to buy into the extended course. I've already tweaked some of my ads and will hopefully see a nice push in sales.
July 23, 2021
I do indeed hate math.
I'm not good at it. In fact, Algebra II was my biggest (and only) hurdle in high school. So running ads wasn't exactly something I was excited about, considering you've gotta keep on top of data, do analysis, A-B testing, the works.
Chris is able to easily explain ways to handle ads, analyze them and make it all work without getting too much into data analsys.
I'm not good at it. In fact, Algebra II was my biggest (and only) hurdle in high school. So running ads wasn't exactly something I was excited about, considering you've gotta keep on top of data, do analysis, A-B testing, the works.
Chris is able to easily explain ways to handle ads, analyze them and make it all work without getting too much into data analsys.
October 17, 2020
I have no idea how to rate this book, because I haven't put it into practice yet, but... I really appreciated the quick introduction to ads and the non-complicated approach. *Especially* as an indie author who doesn't have a lot of time to dedicate to the business side of things if I want to also keep writing. I thought it was a solid introduction and I'm excited to try out the recommendations.
July 7, 2019
If you're new to online ads or have used them, but with less than stellar results, this book is an excellent guide that walks you through how to create online ads and use them to help you sell your books and get fans connected to you. I recommend reading the book once and then read it again and work through the exercises. With the advice from this book you can help people find your writing and make money.
December 4, 2019
Foundational information for those getting started, and a few reminders for those who have been around it a bit. If you're getting lost in all the available information and just want the basics, this is a good place to start.
December 21, 2021
I hate math so so much. XD Thank you Chris for this math-lite guide to author advertising. <3
Read
May 3, 2019Barely took a full page of notes :-( This was for someone at the beginning of their career. There wasn't much strategy. There was no math. Other than how to do a P&L.
August 9, 2019
Love this book and author’s style
As a new novelist, with two novels currently on the shelf, this book has been a great help. Math was never my strongest skill, so I appreciated the author keeping it simple. I have followed his advice and have already seen results.
As a new novelist, with two novels currently on the shelf, this book has been a great help. Math was never my strongest skill, so I appreciated the author keeping it simple. I have followed his advice and have already seen results.
March 29, 2021
Great in some places, confusing and unorganized In others
At the beginning of this book I was very excited. I love how Chris talks about organizing your time. The fact that he approaches this I could business was helpful. Then everything else kind of fell flat. There were times when the headers said they were going to talk about 1 thing and then talked about something totally different. For example 1 header in the overview for a Facebook ads said "when" to use them, but the content was about a video he created. There was also know pros and cons list laid out for book bob like there were with the other Ad platforms. There was also literally no discussion about how Facebook's add platform affects what reader see on Instagram.
At the beginning of this book I was very excited. I love how Chris talks about organizing your time. The fact that he approaches this I could business was helpful. Then everything else kind of fell flat. There were times when the headers said they were going to talk about 1 thing and then talked about something totally different. For example 1 header in the overview for a Facebook ads said "when" to use them, but the content was about a video he created. There was also know pros and cons list laid out for book bob like there were with the other Ad platforms. There was also literally no discussion about how Facebook's add platform affects what reader see on Instagram.
May 18, 2019
Not fully formed
I’ve read a lot of books on ads over the last year (many of them referenced in this book), and generally love Chris’ non-fiction series, but this book felt half-baked. Tons of high-level information, but light on substance. If you’re brand new to self-publishing this is probably going to be a godsend but for those of us who’ve been around the block, there’s not much to glean from this book. I had much higher hopes than the book delivered!
I’ve read a lot of books on ads over the last year (many of them referenced in this book), and generally love Chris’ non-fiction series, but this book felt half-baked. Tons of high-level information, but light on substance. If you’re brand new to self-publishing this is probably going to be a godsend but for those of us who’ve been around the block, there’s not much to glean from this book. I had much higher hopes than the book delivered!
June 6, 2019
In depth and informative
Ever since I started doing ads as an author I’ve been looking for a resource that could help guide me through the step by step process. I finally found that in this book and I can already see a difference only a few days after using what I learned inside. Highly recommended.
Ever since I started doing ads as an author I’ve been looking for a resource that could help guide me through the step by step process. I finally found that in this book and I can already see a difference only a few days after using what I learned inside. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2020
The basics, well explained.
Gives a lot of information on how to operate the various platforms, which I've found to be pretty user friendly. Was hoping for more on how to choose images, and where to go to look for what's working. This seems to be the thing people who do well with this hold back on. If they tell you how to do it, you're going to be there competing with them.
Gives a lot of information on how to operate the various platforms, which I've found to be pretty user friendly. Was hoping for more on how to choose images, and where to go to look for what's working. This seems to be the thing people who do well with this hold back on. If they tell you how to do it, you're going to be there competing with them.
August 3, 2024
Es una manera fácil para entrar en el mundo de los anuncios y de las posibilidades así como algunas nomenclaturas básicas que entender y comprender cuando nos lanzamos a la aventura de los anuncios. Aún así, este libro no te ayudará con las dudas más grandes o específicas. También a día de hoy hay cosas que han cambiado, así que si buscas un libro actual y profesional, mejor buscar otra cosa.
May 16, 2019
It’s like discussing a favorite topic with an old friend
Sets a good foundation, then builds for the next step then the next. Breaks down the keys to advertising but doesn’t over simply. Advertising isn’t easy. This book makes learning the fundamentals palatable. With a little tough love and humor and a lot of heart.
Sets a good foundation, then builds for the next step then the next. Breaks down the keys to advertising but doesn’t over simply. Advertising isn’t easy. This book makes learning the fundamentals palatable. With a little tough love and humor and a lot of heart.
May 18, 2019
Great ad info
This ads thing is annoying for someone who just wants to write and made a D in business math and ran for the exit. But Chris's book really helped me get through the data and understand what I need to know. Definite must-read for authors doing their own ads.
This ads thing is annoying for someone who just wants to write and made a D in business math and ran for the exit. But Chris's book really helped me get through the data and understand what I need to know. Definite must-read for authors doing their own ads.
June 25, 2019
Despite being short, this had some great, practical tips I haven't seen anywhere else and that I'll be auctioning this week. Chris Fox always makes his advice realistic and clear, and this book is no exception.
December 15, 2019
Lots of information about different ways and sites to use for advertisement. I feel like he really breaks it down for you and doesn't make it boring either. I usually struggle with these books because I just get bored with them after a while.
January 17, 2020
Chris has done it again! This book cuts through the hundred layers of marketing and gets right down to the meat of it. I can't wait to apply the lessons I learned here to my future book marketing attempts!
January 20, 2022
Another great book by Chris Fox! Now to do the homework, which I know is the only way it will sink in. Very easy to read and has manageable exercises that do take time, but are invaluable. His series of books are very helpful.
November 14, 2022
Ads for Authors Who Hate Math, again, might be a resource I don't yet need, but it was very enlightening on how to build effective ads, and how they work on various platforms, particularly Facebook and Amazon. Definitely any indie authors who are struggling with advertising should read this.
May 9, 2019
Excellent source
I love the simplicity and the tone of this book. It was incredibly helpful in reminding me of the basics and inspiring me to try a few new platforms. Well done.
I love the simplicity and the tone of this book. It was incredibly helpful in reminding me of the basics and inspiring me to try a few new platforms. Well done.
July 15, 2019
Good refresher course for those already knee deep in ads, and a decent overview for those just dipping their toes in. I enjoy Chris and his content always helps to motivate and keep me going.
July 15, 2019
Inspiring and helpful! I'm taking his advice and plan to read ahead on the additional recommended reading.
August 8, 2019
Another great one in the Series! This one is a bit on a short side, true, but still very practical and well written.
May 28, 2020
Some really good stuff here and with a different outlook than so many books on the subject.
July 13, 2020
Easy quick read
This was an easy and quick read that gave an intro to book ads across multiple websites including facebook, amazon, bookbub, and Reddit.
This was an easy and quick read that gave an intro to book ads across multiple websites including facebook, amazon, bookbub, and Reddit.
November 24, 2020
Good stuff
I'm just getting into ads and this book is probably the clearest explanation I've yet to come across. Great exercises, too!
I'm just getting into ads and this book is probably the clearest explanation I've yet to come across. Great exercises, too!
January 10, 2023
Very helpful
This book not only taught me about advertising, but gave me hope that I could do it. Time to get to work!
This book not only taught me about advertising, but gave me hope that I could do it. Time to get to work!
August 1, 2024
Another excellent marketing book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews