Case Study: How I Supported John Rhodes, Author of The Battle of Britain Series, Grow His Online Presence and Book Sales Over 5 Years
Supporting authors over the long term is one of my favorite parts of my work. For over five years, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with John Rhodes, author of The Battle of Britain Series, to grow his social media presence, book visibility, and paid advertising performance.
Long-Term Services Provided to Authors
Over the years, I implemented a comprehensive marketing strategy tailored to John’s evolving goals. Key services included:
Paid Social Media Advertising on Meta
Targeted campaigns contributed to an average click-through rate (CTR) of 10%, helping his books reach more readers effectively.Follower Growth on Meta Platforms
Consistent posting and engagement strategies grew his social media following to over 3,000 followers, building a loyal reader base.Regular Organic Content Posting
I managed John’s social platforms with scheduled updates, promotions, and blog or podcast posts, keeping his audience engaged over the years.Paid Amazon Ads
I maintained ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) under 100%, ensuring his book campaigns were cost-effective while driving sales.
Book Highlight: Dangers and Difficulties (Breaking Point Series, Book 5)
John Rhodes’ Dangers and Difficulties is a gripping World War II novel in his Breaking Point series. Through consistent marketing and promotion, readers discovered his books, and engagement grew steadily over time.
Book summary:
1944. The Allies prepare for the largest military operation of World War II: the invasion of Normandy. Two German armies stand ready to hurl them back into the sea. As D-Day approaches, the balance of power in Europe teeters on a knife’s edge.
After undergoing grueling special forces training in preparation for the mission, celebrated RAF pilot Johnnie Shaux arrives in Normandy—not in the sky, but on one of the first landing crafts, dispatched to call in air support for the embattled Allied soldiers as they storm the beaches. Meanwhile, tactical military analyst Eleanor Shaux follows the events from Eisenhower’s headquarters back in England, vividly aware of von Moltke’s dictum: “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.”
As the battered and bruised Allies fight their way toward Germany, Hitler unleashes his new tools of destruction—the V1 “buzzbomb” and the V2 rocket. While Johnnie joins the RAF’s risky efforts to paralyze Hitler’s weapons, the Allies launch the ill-fated airborne Operation Market Garden—against Eleanor’s advice—deep in enemy-held territory.
As 1944 draws to a close, the Nazis engage the Allied armies in a final desperate attempt to push them back in the Battle of the Bulge. And above the battlefield, Johnnie must contend with a game-changing, deadly threat: the world’s first operational jet fighter.
In the fifth book of the award-winning Breaking Point series, John Rhodes continues the story of fighter pilot Johnnie Shaux and military strategist Eleanor Shaux with another thrilling wartime military adventure.
Buy on Amazon: Dangers and Difficulties
Author Testimonial
John Rhodes shared his experience working with me over the years:
“I have worked with Ashley Durrer for over five years and she is an outstanding social media expert.
Like many writers, I need a high-quality social media presence, but I lack the expertise to do it myself. By working with her, I can concentrate on my writing knowing that my brand is in good professional hands, and my readers and followers can get smooth access to my posts, promotions, blogs, and podcasts.
Ashley combines social media knowledge and expertise with outstanding customer service. I highly recommend her.”
Tips for Authors Looking to Boost Their Online Presence
Marketing your books effectively requires knowledge, time, and strategy. If you’re a fellow author, here are some steps that can help you:
Consider your goals first: Are you looking to grow followers, increase engagement, build awareness, or drive book sales? Paid ads can help with follower growth, engagement, and awareness, but direct book sales often come from platforms like Amazon, Bookshop.org, or your own website storefront.
Website storefronts: Selling books directly from your website can be effective but may require a heavier lift. I recommend consulting experienced web designers such as Xuni.com, who offer robust, fully monitored solutions to create mobile- and SEO-friendly sites.
Follow industry experts: I highly recommend checking out authors Mark Dawson and Kevin Tumlinson, both of whom run successful businesses helping authors with marketing. Their content and pro-tips are invaluable for writers looking to grow their audience and sales.
Invest in social media marketing: Consistent posting, engagement, and targeted ads help you reach your ideal readers.
Consider long-term strategy: Building a strong online presence takes time—commitment over months or years pays off, just as it did with John Rhodes.
Why Long-Term Marketing Works for Authors
Authors often struggle to balance writing with marketing. By working with me over multiple years, John has been able to:
Focus on writing while I manage his marketing campaigns
Consistently grow his social media following
Maintain effective paid advertising campaigns
Keep readers engaged through ongoing organic content
Follow his website for any new developments.
Learn More About John Rhodes and His Books
Explore John Rhodes’ Battle of Britain series and learn more about his work: John Rhodes Books
Take Action: Boost Your Book Marketing Today
If you’re an author ready to grow your online presence, increase your followers, or drive book sales, you don’t have to do it alone. Here’s how to get started:
Schedule a consultation with me: Let’s create a tailored social media, Amazon, and advertising plan that fits your goals.
Invest in your website: Platforms like Xuni.com can help you build a mobile- and SEO-friendly site with a storefront for direct sales.
Leverage paid advertising: Targeted Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads and Amazon ads can help your books reach the right readers quickly.
Follow proven experts: Learn from authors like Mark Dawson and Kevin Tumlinson for ongoing marketing tips and strategies.
Don’t wait—your readers are out there! Take the first step today and start building a strong, professional online presence that supports your writing career.