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3 Key Marketing Strategies for Self-Publishing Your Book

Behind the “Seens” with Amanda Miller from My Word Publishing

Deciding to become a published author is no small decision – for many it’s a dream come true, for others, it’s a calling and for others it is a way to share their expertise, experience or their point of view with the world.

After committing to your book, the next major decision is how will you publish book? If you are thinking that the traditional publishing route might not be for you then considering the self-publishing option could be a good idea

My guest in this episode is Amanda Miller, is a self-publishing consultant with My Word Publishing. In our brief time together, she runs down several tips and strategies you can use to self-publish your book.

If you’re considering self-publishing your book, then this episode will help you figure out how to do it successfully.

Things to consider when self-publishing

  • Review different publishing models
  • Money, time, and control are major points
  • Key players to involve in the publishing process

Amanda explains why it is so important to understand the different publishing models and the full spectrum of options available to you. You can go the traditional route and submit multiple queries, or you can try the other extreme and keep it really basic by uploading a PDF copy.

The main thing to remember is that you have options and they vary based on your individual needs and tolerance.

Money and time are both major factors to consider when you think about all of the key players involved in the self-publishing space. There are things you can do for yourself that may take time and effort to research, learn and implement. While other things such as hiring an editor and a book designer ideally require more money than time.

“If you want to keep your rights and royalties, you want to make a good book, you want to get it out into the world in a timely manner, self-publishing is a really good option for you.”

Key Strategies

  • Watch out for overwhelm
  • Optimize your sales page
  • Get the foundational marketing done well

Amanda touches on the importance of avoiding overwhelm. Publishing a book through any route can feel overwhelming, but it comes at you even harder when you’re not sure what to publish, where to start or how.

Know what needs to be done when. Things like getting your ISBN before or after the cover design matters. Having a consultant like Amanda to help guide you through self-publishing can really relieve overwhelm and give you peace of mind. 

Another major part of self-publishing to consider and plan for is how you will optimize your sales page. This includes Amazon and the book page on your personal author website

Amanda shares tips and about where and how you want to optimize the blurb on the back of your book and your Amazon sales page.

Making marketing foundational from the beginning of your journey as an author will be a huge benefit once your book is published. 

PRO TIP: Work on two book marketing tasks every week for a year.

Reach out to Amanda with any questions. She is amazing with the execution of strategy and figuring out the marketing to strengthen your brand and improve recognition for your self-published book.

Also, check out Amanda’s upcoming author platform marketing classes on email marketing. 

Connect with Amanda:

Website

Email

Interested in exploring where you are in your branding journey? Let’s chat! If you want to learn more about how to be seen, be found, be heard, please connect with me on the socials or let’s set up a call to chat.

Reset, Restart, Return, Reopen?

How are you springing out into the rest of this year?

Whether it’s because it’s spring, the second quarter, or the fact that the world feels like it’s coming back to life, it feels like we should be planning and taking some next steps, right? 

But if I’ve learned anything over this past year of pandemic, it’s that planning can be a precarious endeavor in these times. So I’ve been very curious about how others are approaching this time of possibility. 

Here are a few interesting and useful approaches, articles, podcasts, essays and prayers that I’ve discovered this month:

Personally, I can only wrap my head around the next 2+ months and basically getting me and my family (we’ve got some milestones happening!) mentally and emotionally into summer. Over this time, though, I’d like (or I’m hoping) to be really intentional about how to make the most of the second half of 2021. 

What about you? How are you approaching this time? 

If you are trying to figure out how to best show up and be seen, let’s chat and make it happen. Head over to my calendar here and let’s schedule some time to chat!

Why and How to Use Storytelling in Your Content

Behind the “Seens” with Jen Liddy

Ever have that sinking feeling of not knowing what to say or write for your social media, website, blog, sales pages, and emails? Or you know you have a message, but you’re not sure how to make it as relatable and relevant as possible? Check out this recent conversation with Content Creation Specialist, Jen Liddy aka the “Content Whisperer” for inspiration and strategies for elevating your content with storytelling.

How her path from English teacher to fitness studio co-owner to coach has landed her into the sweet spot of being a content creation specialist.

How do we define content: “Everything is content. Content is everything.”

What is the difference between a linear thinker and spiraly thinker and how does it impact your content? 

Why storytelling is critical to help your audience understand your message. 

How to handle vulnerability in your storytelling and content. 

Why paying attention is critical to good storytelling. 

How to forward engineer or reverse engineer storytelling. 

How to capture your ideas for good stories. 

How you can use nuggets of the story – instead of worrying about the whole story.

How you focus on the details of your story to be much more relatable. 

Really really knowing your audience will help stories be more relevant.

Other inspiring people in this content space:
Marissa Corcoran
Anne Handley

Find “one n” Jen and get her “Content Framework” guide on her website here!

Want to connect with Jen?
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
Linkedin

If you want to learn more about how to be seen, be found, be heard, please connect with me on the socials or let’s set up a call to chat.

How a First-Time Author Prepares for Book Launch

Behind the Seens with David C. Wells, Jr.

CFA and Founder of Family Capital Strategies, David C. Wells, Jr. recently launched his first book, When Anything is Possible: Wealth and the Art of Strategic Living. I had the honor of working with David on helping him get ready for his book launch in January. Check out our video conversation where we walk through David’s journey from writing his book to launch and beyond.

What you’ll learn:

How David’s expertise (and love of reading) guided him to decision to write his book. 

How David decided independent publishing was the right path for him.

How we crafted his “author” platform from his existing website(s).

How we “layered-in” book content and promotion into his already robust content plan.

It’s not likely to over-promote your book launch. 

Why it’s really OK (and rewarding) to work on outreach for reviews and promotion help – especially if you do it in an authentic way. 

How traditional PR and publicity supports a book launch and helps build future business.

Yes, it takes a team to make your book launch as successful as it can be!

Want to connect with David?
Order When Anything is Possible
Website
Fifteen on Friday (Newsletter)
Twitter
Linkedin

If you want to learn more about how to be seen, be found, be heard, please connect with me on the socials or let’s set up a call to chat.

Are You Ready To Show Up?

Resources to Help You Show Up More Fully Online

So many good things are happening this month that can help you better show up online or onstage or in your writing. Below are several free (or nearly free) events hosted by some of my favorite people who are tops in their fields. 

Check these out…

Shine. Visibility Challenge with Nika Stewart: Feb. 15-19
Though it kicked off yesterday, it’s not too late to join Nika Stewart for her 5 Day Visibility Challenge – where she helps people with social media post ideas and holds them accountable – and she makes it fun!

Books, Business & Beyond – Clubhouse Chat: Feb 18 at 12:30pm ET
Join me and my bookselling sister Holland Saltsman for a conversation about new books, authors we love, and anything we fancy. Join us – you never know who you might meet there. 

The Art of the Big Talk with Tricia Brouk: Feb. 18-19
Do you dream of taking to the stage and getting your message out to a wider audience? Director and producer Tricia Brouk is hosting a two-day virtual event to show you how with The Art of the Big Talk. Sign up now and use the code TBFRIEND for $10 off. **I’ll also be chatting with Tricia on Facebook LIVE today at 3:15 PM ET**

Author Lab with Jenn Grace of Publish Your Purpose Press: Feb. 21-27
Are you an aspiring author looking for some direction for your book or writing project? Join publishing guru Jenn Grace for her seven days of live training in her Author Lab starting next week. 

If you are trying to figure out how to best show up and be seen, let’s chat and make it happen. Head over to my calendar here and let’s schedule some time to chat!