Indie-Publish Like a Pro — Podcast with the Wealthy Speaker Jane Atkinson
The saying used to be that “those who can’t get published, self-publish.” With business leaders, like Seth Godin, and fiction titles, like The Shack, proving that self-publishing (aka indie-publishing) can be done well and profitably, that old saying no longer proves true. So what have you got to lose?
With print-on-demand, anyone can publish a book these days. The trick is doing it in a way that boosts your credibility. On this episode of The Wealthy Speaker Show, speaking coach and podcast host Jane Atkinson and I talk about indie-publishing and using your book as a tool to market yourself and earn more as a speaker.
- The advantages of indie-publishing. 3:05
- People do judge a book by its cover. 7:10
- The most important piece of the puzzle. 9:55
- Write about what you know and love. 15:50
- People judge you by your book, so make it great! 20:20
- Secrets & writing hacks. 26:10
- Murdering your darling. 33:40
- When to hire a ghost writer. 36:50
Listen in! And if you have a question about indie-publishing, leave a comment below.
Are you ready to write your book? Get started today with these 7 Simple, Proven Steps.
How to Write & Publish Your First Book
Do you have a book in you? Popular polls indicate that 81% of people say they want to write a book … someday. If you are one of those people, you are clearly in good company! And if you’re a speaker, coach, expert, or leader, a book is a powerful way to build your brand and share your message. But how do you get started? And what do you do when the first draft is complete?
In this podcast interview on The Simply Marketing Show, host and marketing expert Alison Teare and I discuss some of the most common questions new authors have about writing and publishing.
- Do you need a publisher?
- How do you make a start?
- How do you make money from your book?
- Is Amazon the best place to publish?
- Where to write?
- How much to write?
- Ways to write when you’re not a natural writer?
- The difference between traditional publishing and self (indie) publishing
Listen in and add your own question in the comments below.
Are you ready to write your book? Get started today with these 7 Simple, Proven Steps.
Are You Ready to Write Your Book?
Jane Atkinson is a pro at helping speakers launch their careers. In this interview for Jane’s Wealthy Speaker Podcast, she and I talk about the different ways you can use a book to build credibility and expand your reach. Listen in… and then start writing!
How to Get Over the Fear of Writing and Publishing
“The brave are simply those with the clearest vision of what is before them—glory and danger alike—and, notwithstanding, go out to meet it.”
—Leopold (Hugh Jackman), Kate and Leopold
It takes a certain amount of bravery to be a professional writer or book author. It isn’t the act of writing itself that feels dangerous. You can write in your journal all day and end up feeling refreshed and lighter for having been so honest with yourself. The security of knowing no one will ever read those words liberates your fingers to fly.
Danger isn’t inherent with the penning, but the publishing.
“How do you get over the fear of putting yourself out there?” I’ve lost count of the times clients and fellow writers have asked me this question. Continue reading
Learning to Love the Editing Process
Some people fear public speaking more than death. I guess that makes me the outlier.
I’m a high school Spanish teacher by day. On the weekends and during the summer, I speak at conferences and events. I 
work with teachers to challenge how they think about education and to encourage them to incorporate technology in their classrooms.
I love seeing teachers get excited about new practices that they can use with their students. It means the ideas from my sessions are spreading farther than I could take them myself. The reach of my conference sessions is limited, though. I wanted to spread the ideas that motivate me to as many teachers as possible. So, I sought advice from a fellow teacher and presenter. His suggestion: write a book. Continue reading
Navigating the Changing Publishing Landscape
Not since the invention of movable type has the publishing industry experienced a revolution as dramatic as the one brought about by modern technology and the internet.
When my first book came out at the tail end of the 20th century, it was through a traditional publisher, with a contract secured by a traditional literary agent. Promotion was done through traditional media outlets. Fast forward to current times where tradition has been turned completely on its head. If you are just starting out on the road to publication, here are a few tips to help you navigate the changing landscape. Continue reading
How Ants Can Help You Win at Writing
How does an ant move a mountain?
When I read Dan Miller’s workbook, Write to the Bank, I thought he was grossly exaggerating when he said writing was 5% of the job. The first draft of my first book was almost finished. It had been no quick feat. Surely the bulk of the work would be done when it was complete.
While Dan was emphasizing the importance of promotion, I discovered writing and publishing a book involve many steps. For me, that included a lot of learning.
Learning by Doing Continue reading
Do You Know Your Audience?
You may have a powerful message to share, but your book isn’t for everyone.
The first question you should ask when writing anything is Who is the audience? Defining your audience before you write the first word will help you craft a message that hits the mark.
A Journey to Publication
Thanks to Molly Blaisdell for this guest post and candid story about writing, rejection and publication. After a many queries, reviews, revisions and a persistent belief in a good idea, her new YA book, Plumb Crazy, released June 4.
It’s not belief in an idea that leads to publication. A solid idea is necessary first step, but you will need to take many more steps to see a book published. It took me years to see my book Plumb Crazy come to publication. I hope that my journey will help you on yours.
I absolutely love reading, and I know that readers want heartfelt books. I’m always haunting bookstores, blogs and websites in search of my next great read. I wanted to write a book that would be picked up again and again. I hoped to create an old friend to journey with readers through their lives. I know that a good book has an irresistible core idea. I put much effort into this core idea. Continue reading
Self-Publishing is a Marathon
Self-publishing is a marathon, not a sprint.
A former editing client recently sent me an email that I want to share with you. I worked on his book last summer, and it went to press in September 2012. Since that time, Dave Burgess, the author of Teach Like a Pirate, has experienced some impressive success as a self-published author. He offers some nice kudos for my work (Thanks, Dave!), but the truth is, writing and producing a top-quality book is only the first step in the self-publishing marathon. He has continued strong and steady in the race and is now enjoying the rewards. Continue reading