Karen Jackson, Marketer in Nashville, TN, USA

Overview

Hello, I’m Karen, a trusted marketing executive with a passion for helping authors and content creators build impactful brand strategies and marketing campaigns that truly connect with readers. With 20+ years of experience across music, entertainment, and book publishing, I know how to make some noise and get your book the attention it deserves.

My career spans three dynamic industries—music, entertainment, and book publishing—each shaping my expertise in audience engagement and brand storytelling.

But my true passion? Marketing books.

Why? Because I don’t just work the book—I partner with the author. I dive into their vision, craft a strategy that fits their goals, and together, we shoot for the moon. Seeing an author’s message connect with readers and watching their book take off is what truly excites me. It’s not just about selling copies—it’s about building a brand, growing an audience, and making an impact. And I’m all in.

While working at HarperCollins I crafted campaigns for New York Times bestsellers and celebrity authors like Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump), Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty), Jen Hatmaker, Bob Goff, Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child), and Donald Miller. After a stint leading marketing, publicity, and sales at University of California Press, I had an epiphany—I didn’t want to oversee a department, I wanted to market books.

So, in January 2025, I took the leap into freelancing, working with traditionally published and self-published authors to create standout marketing campaigns that grow their audience and boost book sales.

I’m experienced in creating and implementing 360-degree marketing plans, while handle everything from influencer marketing to book website creation and optimization. I manage advertising across multiple platforms, oversee design, metadata, and content creation, and drive platform growth. I also excel in video scripting, organizing book tours, building book club partnerships, and leveraging bookstagrammers for targeted marketing—and that’s just the beginning! If it’s part of a comprehensive marketing strategy, I’ve got it covered!

What Sets Me Apart?

1. Proven Success – Decades of experience working with global brands and bestselling authors.

2. Tailored Strategies – Every book is unique, and so is my approach. I craft custom marketing plans that align with your goals.

3. Passion-Driven Expertise – I don’t just market books; I champion authors and amplify their voices.

Your story deserves to be heard. If your project aligns with my skills I'd like to do a free 15-min call to better understand your marketing needs.

Standard Fees: *additional pricing can be obtained when we meet.

1-Hour Consultation = $ 150

Amazon Optimization Plan = $ 1,000

Marketing Plan Development (without Execution) = $ 1,200

Let’s create a marketing strategy that makes your book stand out, grows your audience, and drives real results!

Services

Marketing Strategy

Email Marketing

Advertising

Metadata & Blurb Optimization

Non-Fiction

Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Christian Non-Fiction Entertainment Inspirational Political Science & Current Affairs Self-Help & Self-Improvement True Crime

Certifications

Master of Business Administration from Auburn University
BA in Psychology from Fisk University

Work experience

Marketing Consultant & Freelancer

Self-employed

Jan, 2025 — Present

I unleash your book's potential so you can focus on what you do best—sharing your story. I know how frustrating it can be to dive into the world of marketing, so I create tailored strategies that elevate your story and increase your book’s visibility.

Senior Director of Marketing

HarperCollins Publishing

Jan, 2017 — Mar, 2022 (about 5 years)

I led collaborative, high-impact marketing campaigns for New York Times best-selling authors and celebrity influencers. My focus on consumer engagement, social media, and digital strategies helped to drive significant sales and industry recognition. I played a pivotal role in developing ancillary products and brand extensions, strengthening author awareness. A standout achievement was leading a 15-city book tour for Grateful American by Gary Sinise, which resulted in $2.3M in revenue and a 10-week run on the NYT Bestseller List. I also developed exclusive marketing events that generated substantial revenue and engagement for major titles. This role is where I found my passion for book marketing and honed my expertise in strategic campaign execution, author branding, and audience-driven marketing, ensuring that books not only reach their audience but create a lasting impact in the marketplace.

Director of Marketing & Sales

The University of California Press

Jan, 2022 — Nov, 2024 (almost 3 years)

As Director of Marketing & Sales, I had the pleasure of leading direct-to-consumer marketing programs and crafting sales, marketing, and communication strategies that didn’t just boost brand visibility—they drove real sales growth. As the fearless leader of a marketing, sales, and publicity dream team, I worked with my team to tackle digital and social media marketing, optimizing online retail programs, and implemented Amazon best practices with A+ content into our marketing efforts to ensure books weren’t just listed but actually discovered and bought. My expertise in strategic marketing, digital engagement, and team leadership, proved to be the right mix of strategy, creativity, and maybe a little luck, marketing magic really does happen. Let’s make it happen for you!

Director of Marketing

Motown Records / Capitol Music Group

Jan, 2006 — Aug, 2016 (over 10 years)

I specialize in strategic marketing, audience engagement, and brand development, helping artists and brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. With a proven track record in executing high-impact marketing plans, promotional tours, advertising campaigns, and digital strategies, I bring creativity and strategy together to drive real results. From overseeing video production, creative development, and publicity efforts to launching innovative campaigns, I have led high-performing teams that elevate brand visibility and maximize audience engagement. I’m dedicated to creating impactful, results-driven campaigns that make a lasting impression.

Projects

Grateful American by Gary Sinise

I led and developed a 360-degree marketing campaign for Grateful American, overseeing every aspect of the launch. This included advertising strategy, metadata optimization, and the creation of digital and social media campaigns. I also managed a dedicated launch team and spearheaded a military-inspired influencer campaign to amplify the book’s reach. Additionally, I developed specialized marketing initiatives for the audiobook, highlighting Gary’s personal narration to create a deeper connection with listeners. As part of the campaign, we also implemented a strategic eBook discounting promotion, further driving sales and audience engagement.

A key highlight was executing a strategic 10-city book tour, which combined a retail-driven campaign—featuring book signings at Costco, Barnes & Noble, and select independent retailers—with live concerts on military bases, where Gary performed alongside The Lt. Dan Band.

Grateful American released February 2019 after developing the campaign for 12 months. The campaign delivered major results: 56,000 units sold in the first week, and a #5 debut on the New York Times bestseller list, where is spent 10 weeks on the list.

Working with Gary was an unforgettable experience, and this campaign remains one of the most rewarding of my career.

Jesus Politics by Phil Robertson

I was the lead marketer and created and executed a 360-degree marketing campaign that combined strategic retail planning, influencer outreach, and high-impact promotions to drive engagement and sales. I oversaw cover design development, metadata optimization, advertising, and a targeted pre-order campaign, ensuring the book’s message reached the right audience.

A key component of this campaign was a multi-channel retail strategy, working closely with key accounts to secure strong placement in bookstores.

One of the most successful elements of this campaign was the pre-order promotion, which became a fan favorite. To generate excitement, we offered a chance to win one of Phil’s personal Bibles, resulting in over 10,000 sign-ups—a testament to the deep connection between Phil and his audience.

This book had strong first-week sales. This campaign was a standout, blending grassroots marketing, strategic retail execution, and social and digital marketing to bring Phil’s message to the masses.

EveryBody Always By Bob Goff

I was the lead marketer on this 360-degree campaign, which included a unique merchandise component designed to drive engagement and word-of-mouth marketing. I oversaw everything from cover design concept and pre-order incentives to advertising and metadata optimization, ensuring a cohesive and impactful launch.

A major highlight of this campaign was managing a multi-city church tour, where Bob introduced the book’s core message through engaging talks and intimate meet-and-greets in each city. Additionally, I led a 200-person book launch team and executed a strategic influencer campaign to maximize reach and visibility.

I also developed the retail strategy, working closely with key accounts to ensure strong in-store and online placement, optimizing discoverability and sales potential.

One of the strongest elements of this campaign was the thoughtfully designed merchandise—each piece carried meaningful significance, reinforcing the book’s message and organically encouraging readers to share and promote it.

Everybody Always resonated deeply with audiences, accumulating over 10,000 Amazon reviews and marking Bob’s second time debuting on the New York Times bestseller list and stayed for 19 weeks. The book launched with 22,000 units sold in its first week, solidifying its impact and success.

Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker

II led and executed the full 360-degree marketing campaign, overseeing every detail from strategy to execution. This comprehensive campaign included cover design, advertising, metadata optimization, and the development of key marketing assets to ensure maximum visibility and impact.

I managed the launch team, developed a book club and influencer campaign, and organized a 8-city book tour to expand reach and engagement. Additionally, I worked directly with the sales team to craft a strategic retail plan while leading email marketing and digital strategy to drive awareness and sales. A standout component of this campaign was managing the creation and execution of the Barnes & Noble Collector’s Edition, a special box set that included the book and journal, offering an exclusive experience for readers.

Of Mess and Moxie debuted at #2 on the New York Times Best Seller list in the Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous category upon its release in August 2017, with first-week sales reaching 38,000 copies.

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

One of my earliest and most memorable campaigns was for Donald Miller’s Building a StoryBrand—the original book that launched the now widely adopted StoryBrand framework. For this campaign, I took the lead on metadata strategy, optimizing A+ content, keywords, and advertising to maximize discoverability and sales. Book messaging and social media efforts were a close partnership between myself and the StoryBrand team, ensuring a seamless and impactful rollout.

As the internal marketing lead, working with Donald and the StoryBrand team was a dream campaign for anyone passionate about books, message clarity, and marketing. The original Building a Story Brand received 10K strong Amazon reviews and sold 18,000 copies in the first week, and the messaging concept took off, setting the stage for its widespread success.