BTB158: From SEO to AIO for Authors: What Every Author Should Know About AI, Book Discovery, and the Future of Marketing with Thomas Umstattd Jr., Book Marketing Expert and Host of the Novel Marketing Podcast

We’re back with Thomas Umstattd Jr., author, award-winning speaker, and  host of the world’s longest running book marketing show, Novel Marketing Podcast. Thomas has helped thousands of writers think like marketers, creating tools and strategies that help authors turn their books into lasting assets. As the founder of the Patron Toolbox, he continues to teach authors how to build platforms that grow with them, grounded in real data, not guesswork. In this episode, Thomas joins us to talk about the future of book discovery through AI Optimization. We dive into how authors can make their books visible to AI models, why websites and Goodreads pages matter more than ever, what role media coverage and backlinks play in visibility, and how authors can ethically adapt to the rise of generative engines. Thomas also shares the importance of long-term marketing, practical tools for auditing your online presence, and timeless advice for reaching readers in a changing digital world. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay relevant in an AI-driven landscape, this episode is your roadmap. Check out the Patron Toolbox here: https://www.authormedia.com/patron-toolbox/ Check out his podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/novel-marketing/id721122555 Learn more about Thomas, his book Courtship in Crisis, and the Novel Marketing podcast at: https://www.thomasumstattd.com/ — Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show. — Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here: https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/ Head to our new website for more content and updates.: www.getshelflife.com If you"re interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com