The Sell More Books Show: Book Marketing, Digital Publishing and Kindle News, Tools and Advice

 

While Jim spent all day recording videos for a college course, Bryan and guest co-host Shelley Hitz from TrainingAuthors.com stepped in to deliver this week's news. There was a big focus this episode on forging a personal connection with your readers whether it be through encouraging fans to email you, using social media or contacting librarians to get your books in the stacks. Other topics included using Microsoft Word to create book covers, Google Alerts, the news analysts are missing about the publishing industry, getting featured on BookBub and the myth that authors have missed the indie publishing boat. We also debuted a new feature: The Question of the Week. How do you connect personally with your readers? Let us know via email or through the comments on our website. 

Direct download: thesmbs12.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30am EST

We discussed several internal obstacles to becoming a successful indie author this week, including a lack of focus and a belief in the myth that you need to become an overnight success. Jim also talked about his new book and Bryan shared some results from his Facebook events. Other topics included mailing lists, the image creation tool Canva, the shame people feel when reading certain genres, diversity in publishing and self-publishing numbers in the U.K. 
 
What You'll Learn: 
  • The pros and cons of using contests to build your email lists 
  • How to promote future content to gain email subscribers
  • How to use Canva to develop your author platform
  • The frequency with which you should email your subscribers 
  • Why Kindles make it easier to sell certain genres
  • How indie publishing is providing new opportunities for minority authors 
  • Seven habits to avoid to become a successful indie author
  • How much the self-publishing industry is growing in the U.K.
  • Why the need to sell books quickly is a myth
Direct download: show11smbs11_fini.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:29am EST

We reached the double digits this week as we focused on ways authors and publishing platforms are making it easier to reach readers. The Audible and Apple were two examples of companies who have succeeded in removing barriers from entry to reading. Other subjects this week included Flipboard, Craigslist, Amazon categories, indie author fangirls, hard work and the success of author HM Ward. 

Direct download: SMBS_Episode_10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:35pm EST

We got very classy this week with our guest co-host, thriller and non-fiction author Joanna Penn. The three of us chatted about karma, selling direct and the full-time writing success of hundreds of indie authors. Other topics included box sets, walking podcasts, author crowdfunding, contests, the Amazon-Hachette conflict and apps for authors. Big thanks to Joanna for teaching us how to say Hachette correctly!

What You'll Learn: 

  • How a new service lets you trade promotion for karma
  • How a little organization goes a long way with box sets
  • What some authors are doing to directly connect with readers
  • How you can give away part of your royalties for funding
  • What Joanna, Jim and Bryan think about Kirkus Reviews
  • What happens when the Passive Guy gets active
  • How romance writers are directly reaching their audience
  • The kind of money some non-superstar indie authors are making

Links: 

Direct download: show9.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am EST

1