Overnight Bestseller, The Power of Thank You, Book Marketing, Top 3 Takeaways from Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, Using AI to Sell More Books, Indie Authors Calendar of Events…
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Overnight Bestseller, The Power of Thank You, Book Marketing, Top 3 Takeaways from Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, Using AI to Sell More Books, Indie Authors Calendar of Events…
Indie Author Insider - August 2023
“I don’t think twelve people knew my name. Now I’m getting love from Bulgaria.” ~ Shawn Warner
Greetings, Indie Author,
Please join me in welcoming new subscribers: Adam Stanecki, Bonnie Lieberman, Claudine Wolk, Chris Modafferi, Joelle Speranza, LP Cowling, M. Giovannoli, Mia, Michael Tomlin, and Philip Traylen. I hope you get to know these fellow writers while learning something new about self-publishing, book marketing, and indie author opportunities.
Special thanks to Bonnie Lieberman for becoming a premium subscriber. Thank you for supporting indie authors, Bonnie. We appreciate you!
I also want to give a shoutout to the publications recommending the Indie Author Insider: Self-Publishing with Dale, The Life Strategies Playbook & Mentoring Program, Susan’s Expressions, Bernie Books, Art Spot, and Letters to My Brother. Thank you for your support. I love how easy Substack makes it to connect, recommend, and engage with fellow writers.
Last but not least, THANK YOU, dear reader, for reading the Indie Author Insider. I hope you find something useful that helps you on your writing journey.
Overnight Bestseller
“I don’t think twelve people knew my name. Now I’m getting love from Bulgaria.” ~ Shawn Warner
Have you heard the story about a TikTok influencer named Red, who happened upon Shawn Warner, a new indie author doing a book signing at a grocery store? Red posted a short video interview with Shawn that went viral. Shawn’s book, Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons-Pierce Manor became the number one bestselling book on Amazon worldwide.
What a dream come true for a first-time indie author!
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The Power of THANK YOU!
I placed my first order with Redmond Electrolytes and received a link to a thank you video.
I have purchased thousands of items online in the past 20+ years. This is the first time I ever received anything more than a thank you in an email. Read the comments on the video. They created instant fans and loyal customers from this one simple act of customer service. All entrepreneurs can learn a lesson from Redmond.
AI for Introverts
I am experimenting with my Bookends Podcast using AI. I wanted to create a podcast for introverts and busy authors. This will help authors who are too shy to do face-to-face interviews, don’t want to be on camera, worried about being put on the spot with unexpected questions, want to share their thoughts without being interrupted (hosts interrupting guests is my biggest podcast pet peeve), want to interview at their convenience, etc.
Six brave authors so far have dived into the world of technology with me. I created a separate feature page for each author, emailed it to Indie Author Insiders, and shared it on social media. Just in case you didn’t see it, here’s the list. Click on their name to check out the interview.
Teresa Keefer - Paranormal Romance Author
Bess Sturgis - Children’s Book Author
Hiram Foster - Mystery, First-Time Author
J.T. Kelly - Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction Author
Jill Ebstein - Personal Growth Author
Leland Gamson - Children’s Book Author
If you want to join the first indie authors to try this new interview format, please email your answer to the author questions below. You can download a PDF copy of the questions at writerkat.com.
After you answer the questions (at your convenience, for an upcoming book launch, book signing, or news you want to share, etc.), email your answers to kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com with the subject Bookends Podcast. I will put it together and send you a link to the podcast before it goes live and is shared on Substack, Spotify, and social media.
You are welcome to skip any questions you don’t want to answer or add any questions and answers you think listeners may be interested in learning about you or your books.
1. Tell us about you! (Name, pen name, location, family, pets, hobbies, etc.)
2. What inspires you to write?
3. What is your favorite genre to read?
4. What is your favorite genre to write?
5. How many books have you written?
6. What is the most recent book you have published?
7. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
8. What is the most challenging part of writing?
9. What is your favorite quote? (It can be yours or from someone else.)
10. What are you working on next?
11. If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?
12. Where is the most exciting or unusual place you promoted your book?
13. What is one thing you wish you had known before publishing your book?
14. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
15. What is one thing you love about being an author?
16. What is one thing you dislike about being an author?
17. What has helped you sell the most books?
18. Where can we find you? (Website, social media, newsletter, blog, book signing, etc.)
19. Is there anything else you want to share?
If you want the interview to be in your voice, please send a voice recording at least 60 seconds long saying anything, perhaps a shoutout to supporters and book lovers! It can be something you previously recorded. The AI program just needs a sample to clone your voice. Otherwise, I will use one of the default voices.
I use Wondercraft AI to produce the podcast. You can check it out for free using my referral link at writerkat.net. I get additional minutes for everyone who signs up to use their program.
I offer this podcast service at no charge for indie authors. The Pro subscription level I’m using costs $109 monthly, plus a few hours to put it together and share it with about 10,000 people in my online network. As Leland Gamson so graciously said, it’s a labor of love. If you want to chip in and help support indie authors, subscribe to the Indie Author Insider or use my Amazon affiliate link. Those pennies add up and help subsidize the programs. Thank you!
Guerrilla Book Marketing
Guerrilla Marketing is low-cost or no-cost ways to promote your product or service. I have been a certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach for 15 years and have used many of the 100+ Guerrilla marketing strategies in my businesses over the years. I am applying some of these teachings to my indie author biz and sharing them with Indie Author Insiders!
I’ll start with social media.
I dove in when Twitter first came onto the internet marketing scene. I even taught other entrepreneurs how to use Twitter. Then I got into Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and many others. I chased social media squirrels. Before I knew it, my focus got scattered, and progress waned.
Now, I’m reeling it back in and focusing on a few platforms instead of so many that I feel overwhelmed and get stuck in analysis paralysis. If you’ve been there, you know how debilitating it can be to business success.
On Twitter, now rebranded as X, I participate in a #writerslift to spread the word about my books and blog. To jump into this active writers’ community on Twitter (X), simply type #writerslift in the search bar. When you find someone with a following of engaged writers on their post, follow these four steps:
Follow them on Twitter (X).
Press the heart on their #writerslift post.
Share your link in the comments of their #writerslift post along with a short message and thanks.
Retweet the post so it shows up on your Twitter (X) page.
This Guerrilla Marketing strategy is part fusion marketing and part reciprocity. It’s where you team up with other business owners to market each other’s service or product, and when you give, it is natural for the receiving person to want to return the favor.
If you are on Twitter (X) and want to increase awareness and/or traffic to your website, give #writerslift a try and let me know how it goes!
Other popular hashtags for writers on Twitter (X): #WritingCommunity #BookTwitter #writersoftwitter #AuthorsOfTwitter #BookRecommendations #ShamelessSelfpromoSunday (or the day you are posting, i.e., #ShamelessSelfPromoSaturday).
Not a Twitter (X) fan? Try Instagram!
As of July 6, 2023, Instagram launched a Twitter-like feed called Threads. I will write more about it after seeing how it works, but for now, if you like Instagram, check it out. So much for not chasing shiny objects. Thanks, Zuck!
https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/threads-instagram-text-feature
Spruce Up Your Amazon KDP Book Page with A+ Content
I always wondered how authors got those fancy photos on their book pages. Now I know, with Amazon’s A+ Content. Have you tried it? I want to publish a book so that I can!
Book Brush created a video to show us how to create A+ Content on Amazon KDP. Check it out.
Make Money From Your Poems and Get Published
This is my first year as the Contest Director for the Poetry Society of Indiana (PSI). This is their 45th year of having the poetry contest. I won first place in one of the categories a few years ago, and I can tell you how exciting it is to receive a check for $100 for spending a few minutes writing a poem. I also won a third-place prize of $25 and the publication of my poems in their anthology. We have several categories and judges. If you are a poet, I highly recommend checking this contest out and spreading the word to your poetic friends!
Top Three Takeaways from the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference
ONE thing I learned from the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference was worth the price of admission! In the last decade that I have published on Amazon, first through Createspace and now KDP, I never knew you could put more than one keyword or phrase in the seven boxes!
Writing Coach Eddie Jones said you can use a comma after words or phrases in each box to fill up the available space. I don’t know how I missed this information all these years. I hope it is news that also helps you!
The keywords listed above are from my latest SCARS anthology. On the first field where I just put “poetry,” I could have “poetry, poetry for healing, poetry for adults, poetry for men, poetry for women, poems,” and so on in every box. This is game-changing information.
BONUS KEYWORD TIP: I asked AI in Google Docs (Bard) for keywords related to a poetry anthology about mental health, and it gave me a list in seconds. Then I asked about keywords commonly searched in books about mental health. I got another long list, including some words I wouldn’t have thought of, like “coping mechanisms, support groups, and hotlines.”
I didn’t have to leave my document for this request. There is a tiny magic wand that follows along in the left margin as you type, ready to assist. It’s a self-publishing author’s best friend. It could save hours of researching keywords to help sell your books.
Tip #2 came from the SEO instructor, Grant Patterson, who does search engine optimization all day, every day. Grant said that Google algorithms prioritize headings and subheadings in a website or newsletter because it’s more accessible to the blind and others using reading devices.
Bold text is not differentiated. So instead of using bold or a bigger font for sub-headings, use the H1-H6 for headings and the Subtitle for sub-headings. In Google Docs, it is under Format/Paragraph Styles:
Tip #3 came from James “Jim” Watkins. He held a session on The Marketing Power of the Email Newsletter. His teachings inspired the “Three Takeaways” idea in this newsletter. He said readers like numbers, listicles, and checklists.
I’ve known about the power of numbers in headlines since my John C. Maxwell Leadership training days. John loves to write books with numbers in the title, like The 5 Levels of Leadership, 12 Daily Practices to Guarantee Tomorrow’s Success, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, etc. It works for him. He has sold over 30 million books!
It was good to be reminded. Thanks, Jim!
Jim Watkins has been in the writing and publishing business for 40 years. He has a wealth of writing and marketing information on his website. He said he is starting an AMA (Ask Me Anything) coaching program for writers. How exciting! To learn more about Jim and his author resources, visit his website at JamesWatkins.com.
I have a notebook full of writing tips and self-publishing takeaways from the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference. I will type them up and share them with Indie Author Insider premium subscribers.
I also had fun hanging out with fellow indie author Brian K. Morris. He said he also had a notebook full of info, so be sure to stalk his socials! :) You can find Brian on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, X, and YouTube.
Indie Author Calendar of Events
Look for indie authors at these upcoming book signings & events (Times are EST unless noted)
AUGUST
Saturday, August 19, 2 p.m., Dr. Lori Goss-Reaves at a WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERAN event at Indiana Wesleyan University. Every veteran in attendance will be gifted the hardback book, “A Time to Honor.” This commemorative book shares stories of Vietnam Veterans from all branches and all 50 states. Lori will speak briefly about her book, Kiss Lori For Me, which she wrote to honor her dad. All veterans will have the opportunity to share their stories.
SEPTEMBER
Friday, September 15 - Saturday, September 16, Brian K. Morris at CIL-CON at Village Square Mall, 51 Village Square Mall Drive, Effingham, Illinois.
Thursday, September 21 - Sunday, September 24, 2023, 2nd Annual Hoosier Indie Authors Book Fair. Join Andie LaComb, Bess Sturgis, Beth Powers, Brian K. Morris, Charles Kelley, Gretta Rose West, Kathy Gerstorff, L.B. McGrimm, Leland P. Gamson, Lynda Cox, M.A. Koontz, Paul Barile, and Teresa Keefer, at the 2nd Annual Hoosier Indie Authors Book Fair, Beaner Linn Park, 718 S Broadway, Gas City, Indiana.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 28, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Sunday, 29, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Beth Powers at FantastiCon, Grand Wayne Convention Center, 120 W. Jefferson Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 4, Brian K. Morris at Indie Author Book Expo, Iowa State Fairgrounds, Elwell Family Center, 3000 E Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.
Wednesday, November 8 - Sunday, November 12, 74th Annual Christmas Gift & Hobby Show. Look for Charles Kelley, Leland P. Gamson, and Teresa Keefer.
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 9, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Sunday, December 10, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., L.B. McGrimm at Shipshewana on the Road, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, Indiana. 46383
Do you have a book signing or event you want added to our Calendar of Events? Email info to: kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.
Special thanks to founding Indie Author Association Members: Bess Sturgis and John Sherman.
Thank you for supporting indie authors. We appreciate you!
Thank you for reading Indie Author Insider #40 (August 2023). I hope you found it helpful. You are invited to share info about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.