Novel Marketing

Explore the intriguing world of Amazon's algorithm as experts discuss its evolving nature and impact on book discoverability. Learn how your book's category selection can influence its visibility and why early reader engagement is crucial. Discover advanced strategies for utilizing keywords, maintaining consistent metadata, and generating reviews to boost rankings. Uncover how to drive targeted traffic to your Amazon page and optimize your launch for enduring success. Get ready to navigate the secrets that separate bestsellers from the rest!

Many authors are falling into the Shopify trap, losing money despite its initial allure. The podcast reveals why selling directly often backfires, detailing high costs and complicated customer service. Alternatives like WooCommerce and Kickstarter are presented as smarter choices that ultimately save time and money. It discusses the necessity of a solid business plan before venturing into e-commerce. Authors are reminded to focus on their craft over platform woes, with insights on when Shopify might actually work for some.

Are you wasting money, time, and paper by using the wrong printer?Before you buy your next printer, make sure it has the features every author needs. The wrong setup can cost you hundreds of dollars a year or, worse, stop working altogether when your Wi-Fi service fails.In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:The critical printer features authors needHow to cut your paper use (and clutter) in halfHow to make your printer more reliable and easier to useThe subtle trap you must avoid when purchasing a home printerSave money, space, and sanity by getting the right printer. Read the blog version to get links to my recommendations, or listen to the podcast to make your next printer purchase a smart one.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Audiobooks have been the fastest-growing segment in publishing for a decade, and for many readers, an audiobook signals a real, human-written book. In fact, audiobook sales have recently outpaced ebook sales!Now is the time to get your book on audio. But where do you even begin?In this week’s episode, audiobook consultant Bryan Canter gives us an overview of the entire process of how ACX (Audiobook Creative Exchange) works and how to publish your book on audio without blowing your budget.You’ll learnWho should (or shouldn’t) narrate your bookHow much it’s likely to cost (it might be less than you think!)How to get started (and who can help you!)If you know you need an audiobook, listen in or read the blog version to learn the ACX basics, pick the right narrator, and avoid costly mistakes. Your future listeners are waiting. 🎧https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

In this conversation, fantasy author Josiah DeGraaf shares his journey of building a thriving email list before his novel's release. He reveals how to identify your target reader and suggests unique ways to attract subscribers, such as leveraging live events and reader magnets. Josiah also discusses the benefits of using Kickstarter not just for funding, but for cultivating reader relationships and gathering valuable feedback. His strategies led to a successful launch, proving that knowing your audience is key to publishing success!

Join award-winning author Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer as she unpacks the secrets to tripling your writing speed with dictation. She shares insights on overcoming common hesitations, such as tech struggles and mind barriers. Learn about practical dictation techniques that preserve your unique voice, improve your health, and enhance the natural flow of your writing. Discover the best tools for authors, including useful apps and methods for getting started. Sarah's journey highlights the ease and creativity that dictation can bring to your writing process.

Giving away your hard work for free doesn’t seem to make good business sense. So why do authors give away ebooks for free?What if “free” didn’t kill your revenue, but primed it? In this week’s episode, we’ll dig into the permafree strategy with Dale Roberts, author of Secrets of the Permafree Book.You’ll learn:Where permafree works (and where it flops)How to make Amazon price-match a free bookHow to determine whether the permafree strategy is working for youWhich kinds of standalone books might benefit from being permafreeIf you’ve got a strong series and a tight budget, permafree may be the fastest path from obscurity to discovery. Listen in or read the blog version to see if it will work for your book or books.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

So you wrote a good book, but you can’t seem to get reviews. Do you just throw up your hands? Why do reviews and ratings even matter?Well, the more reviews a book has, the better it will sell and the more reviews it will get. Without the social proof of reviews, readers scroll past your book listing, algorithms ignore you, and sales flatline.So, how do you get more book reviews?In this week’s episode, we’ll hear from Joe Walter of Independent Book Review. You’ll learnThree different kinds of reviews that can help your book gain visibilityHow ratings and reviews differ (and the easiest places to get each)Which tools can make the process of gathering reviews more efficientNo reviews = no trust = no sales. Find out how to fix that. Listen in or read the blog version and learn to use book ratings and reviews to increase your author credibility, book visibility, and sales.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Most authors either avoid AI or use it badly. Let’s fix that.Authors who learn to use AI find that they have more time to write better books.In this week’s episode, Joanna Penn and I break down where to start, which tools are actually worth using, and how to get useful output instead of bland tasteless, voiceless, AI slop.You’ll learnHow to prompt ChatGPT like a coworkerThe best tools for images, deep research reports, audio, and marketing tasksWays to use AI that you probably haven’t considered beforeThe most important AI prompting tip you will ever learnListen now or read the blog version to learn how AI can do tasks you hate, sharpen your author voice, and give you more time to do the creative work you wanted to do when you first started writing.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show

Every author needs editorial feedback. But not all feedback is good.If you accept every edit, you risk losing your voice and writing something bland. If you ignore all edits, you risk writing something sloppy that readers won’t buy. So how do you know which edits to take and which to toss?In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:7 “Bewares” to help you sort out good and bad editorial suggestionsWhether AI or human editors are helpful or hurtfulHow to develop good tastes that guide your writing voiceEditing is supposed to sharpen your writing, not smother your voice. Listen in or read the blog version to find out when you should (and shouldn’t) ignore feedback.https://novelmarketingconference.com/ https://novelmarketingconference.com/Support the show