The BookFunnel Podcast

In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis hands over the reins to Damon Courtney and special guest Kevin J. Anderson, a bestselling author and indie publisher. They discuss Kevin's journey through traditional and self-publishing, the establishment of WordFire Press, and the importance of building a direct relationship with readers. Kevin shares insights on the power of crowdfunding through Kickstarter, his successful campaigns, and the value of short fiction in engaging audiences. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of publishing and the strategies authors can use to thrive in it. In this conversation, Kevin J. Anderson reflects on his writing journey, sharing insights into his early works and the evolution of his career. He discusses the power of Kickstarter as a platform for authors, emphasizing the importance of understanding audience engagement and the lessons learned from his successful campaigns. Anderson also delves into the revival of his Terran Cognita trilogy, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of bringing his vision to life through crowdfunding. The conversation concludes with a focus on crafting the perfect edition of his work, showcasing the creative control that comes with independent publishing.[More about Kevin J Anderson]Wordfire Press: https://wordfirepress.com/Kickstarter Creator Page: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/t...Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...— — — — —Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinarshttps://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnelJoin the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group: / 14n8xw8jpc  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!

In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, host Jack Shilkaitis and co-hosts Emma Alisyn and Kelli Tanzi welcome guests Jason and Leah Bond. The conversation covers various aspects of the writing and self-publishing journey, including creative processes, tips for engaging with readers, and the unique approach of in-person direct sales at events. The Bonds share their experiences and insights on how to effectively market books and connect with audiences, emphasizing the importance of conversation over pressure in sales. In this conversation, the speakers discuss strategies for authors to effectively market their books at conventions. They emphasize the importance of creating an inviting display, planning for events, overcoming imposter syndrome, setting sales goals, and building rapport with attendees. The insights shared are based on personal experiences and aim to help authors navigate the challenges of selling their work in person. In this segment, the conversation delves into the art of converting cold traffic into warm connections at conventions, emphasizing the importance of rapport and personal interaction in sales. The speakers share insights on crafting effective elevator pitches, the power of consent in conversations, and the significance of tailoring messages to different audiences. They also discuss the emotional connection readers seek in stories and how authors can overcome objections to in-person sales by adopting a growth mindset. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the intricacies of building a writing routine, the importance of kindness towards oneself in the writing process, and the dynamics of networking at conventions. They delve into the startup costs for authors, strategies for capturing audience engagement, and the significance of authenticity in character development, particularly in military sci-fi. The discussion emphasizes the need for authors to connect with their audience and the value of maintaining a healthy balance between work and relaxation. In this conversation, the participants discuss the significance of panels at conventions, the journey of martial arts, and the intersection of writing and combat. They explore themes of confidence, exposure, and realism in fight scenes, emphasizing the importance of training and strategy in both martial arts and writing. The discussion also touches on the challenges of portraying female warriors realistically in fiction and the value of connecting with audiences through panels and conventions.  [More about Jason Bond]  Website https://www.jason-bond.com/  Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jason-Andrew-Bond/author/B005IYCGIC  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!

Jack, Kelli, and Emma spend time with friend of the pod, Katie Cross! This wide ranging conversation dives into the business of direct sales, building a community of readers, crowdfunding, and Katie's writing process. [Katie Cross's Bookstore] https://katiecrossbooks.com/  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!  [Chapters] 00:00 Introduction to Direct Sales for Authors 00:41 Meet the Hosts and Guest 01:27 Katie Cross's Background and Journey 02:15 Accountability and Creative Projects 10:22 Tips from the Trenches: Self-Publishing Advice 22:47 Deep Dive into Direct Sales 34:15 Affiliate Program Challenges 34:51 Engaging with Readers: Coffee with Katie 35:55 Incentive Programs and Direct Sales 37:35 The Pressure of Direct Sales 41:46 Tracking Reader Behavior 43:45 Strategies for Direct Sales 54:33 Self-Narration Journey 01:05:05 Pricing and Sales Strategies 01:10:44 Launching Books 11 and 12: Ad Strategies and Long-Term Goals 01:12:28 Kickstarter Adventures: Diversifying Income Streams 01:15:50 The Network Series: Special Editions and Future Plans 01:18:02 Balancing Multiple Revenue Streams: KU, Direct Sales, and Kickstarter 01:24:07 The Writing Journey: From Nursing to Full-Time Author 01:28:57 The Katie Cross Method: Writing, Outlining, and Productivity 01:43:34 Upcoming Releases and Future Plans 01:44:55 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, hosts Jack Shilkaitis, Kelli Tanzi, and Emma Alisyn welcome guest Kay Wagner, an award-winning author. The conversation covers various aspects of writing, including current projects, character development, and the importance of improvisation in enhancing creativity. The hosts share their personal writing experiences and strategies, emphasizing the balance between writing to market and allowing creative freedom. Kay discusses her new series and the benefits of taking improv classes to loosen up creativity. The episode is filled with practical tips for writers and insights into the writing process. In this conversation, Kae Wagner and Jack Shilkaitis explore various themes related to authorship, including the benefits of improv for writers, strategies for monetizing writing beyond book sales, and the transition from nonfiction to fiction. They discuss the importance of understanding books as assets, creating community around fiction themes, and navigating vulnerability as an author. The conversation also touches on the significance of building a personal brand as an author and the need for connection with readers. In this conversation, Kae Wagner discusses the importance of crafting stories with a cinematic approach, the significance of visibility assessments for authors, and strategies for engaging with readers, especially for introverts. The discussion also covers guerrilla marketing tactics and the mindset shift required for authors to promote their work effectively. Kae emphasizes the value of personal connections and the need for authors to be bold promoters of their books. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of writing, including the importance of setting goals, utilizing tools like AutoCrit for story analysis, and the formula for mastery in writing. They delve into the Frankie Girl series, exploring character development, family dynamics, and the writing process. The conversation also touches on innovative marketing strategies for authors and the significance of community in the writing journey.More about our guest, Kae Wagner:  [Bold Authors Network] https://kaewagner.simplero.com/page/592727-bold-authors-network [The Frankie Girl Series] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTFRVFC7?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1738960429&sr=8-1  [From Emma's Tip] Scribe Shadow: https://app.askpoeai.com/  [From Kelli's Tip] 4 the Words: https://4thewords.com/  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!  [Chapters] 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Meet the Hosts and Guest Author 02:14 Current Writing Projects and Updates 08:24 Tips from the Trenches: Writing and Self-Publishing 26:19 Monetizing Your Writing Beyond Books 53:00 Damon the Swifty and Author Visibility 54:00 The Power of Personal Engagement 56:14 Visibility Assessment Explained 58:55 Guerrilla Marketing for Authors 01:12:10 The Three V's of Bold Promotion 01:19:17 The Story Behind Frankie Girl 01:32:59 Marketing Strategies and Final Thoughts 01:37:27 Writing Challenges and Strategies 01:37:50 Introducing the Podcast and Guest 01:38:26 Host and Guest Introductions 01:39:46 Current Writing Projects 01:45:48 Tips from the Trenches 02:03:43 Monetizing Your Writing Beyond Books 53:20 Pushing Authors to Increase Visibility 56:14 Creating a Visibility Assessment 58:58 Guerrilla Marketing for Introverted Authors 01:01:19 Engaging with Readers Personally 01:12:10 The Three V's of Bold Authors Network 01:19:17 The Story Behind Frankie Girl Series 01:29:57 Innovative Marketing Strategies 01:34:57 Final Thoughts and Community Invitation  

Jack, Emma, and Kelli talk with Bekah Brinkmeier about writing, ghostwriting, getting beta readers and good feedback, and her process for writing. The team ends up adopting one of her key habits to write more. They wrap up with a discussion on AutoCrit and how it empowers authors.Learn more about AutoCrit and their tools to help you plan, write, and edit your work. https://www.autocrit.com/  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!  Chapters  00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:40 Meet the Hosts and Guest 01:20 AuthorNation and Networking 03:00 New BookFunnel Features 05:16 Writing Updates from the Hosts 07:41 Tips from the Trenches 08:15 Beware of Vanity Publishers 11:45 Discovering Your Writing Routine 17:03 Micro Rituals for Writers 22:25 Introduction to Autocrit 35:44 Balancing Beta Reader Questions 36:28 Key Questions for Beta Readers 37:59 Importance of Reader Feedback 38:29 Marketing Insights from Beta Readers 42:41 Autocrit Tools for Authors 57:11 Using Dictation for Writing 01:11:01 Character Name Cleanup Tips 01:11:32 iPhone Vocabulary Insertion 01:12:26 Micro Rituals for Writers 01:13:33 Pomodoro Technique Explained 01:15:08 Passion Projects and Creativity 01:16:46 Balancing Client Work and Personal Projects 01:19:31 Ghostwriting Origin Story 01:24:51 Challenges and Rewards of Ghostwriting 01:31:37 Advice for Aspiring Ghostwriters 01:42:59 Autocrit Features and Offers

Jack, Emma, and Kelli sit down with Adam Stemple of WrittenWell.com to discuss the craft of writing, editing, the author's journey, and industry tips.  Save on WrittenWell.com with discount code:  BOOKFUNNELPOD  Get access to WrittenWell's Courses, Genre Guides, and Community for $14.49/mo or $120/year. Sign up at https://writtenwell.com/  Adam Stemple: [Adam's Books] https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001HCXTO4 [Adam's Website] https://www.adamstemple.com/  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!  00:00 Introduction and Podcast Welcome 00:45 Meet the Guests: Adam Stempel 01:27 Writing to Market: A Big Topic 01:57 Reader Magnet Drama 03:36 Editing vs. Writing: The Brain Switch 08:03 Self-Publishing Tips from the Trenches 13:07 Plotting and Outlining Tips 17:42 Genre Trends and Writing to Market 29:35 Advice for Slow Writers 36:27 Balancing Art and Business in Writing 51:30 Embracing Genre Constraints 52:08 Editing and Identifying Tropes 55:12 Targeted Editing Passes 55:55 Character Depth and Sensory Details 59:10 Writing Realistic Fight Scenes 01:10:42 AI in Writing: Pros and Cons 01:19:50 Adam's Origin Story 01:30:23 Writing and Publishing Tips 01:35:37 Conclusion and Shoutouts

The team sits down with Mal Cooper and gets into the details on successful marketing for self-published authors using Facebook ads. Mal's course on Facebook ads is well-known by the indie author community and she dispenses a lot of great advice with us in this episode. More about Malorie Cooper Facebook Ads & Marketing: https://storytellerlab.net Mal's Books: https://aeon14.com  Sign-up for Upcoming BookFunnel Webinars https://calendly.com/jack_bookfunnel  Join the Discussion in the BookFunnel Authors Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14N8Xw8JPc/  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment on this video or at support@bookfunnel.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question!  00:00 Introduction and Personal Theories 00:28 Meet the Hosts and Special Guest 01:27 Vegas Adventures and Client Stories 03:08 Author Interactions and Personality Types 06:38 Tips from the Trenches: Writing and Marketing 13:19 Mal Cooper's Writing Journey and Productivity 19:02 The Importance of Facebook Ads for Authors 29:22 Investing in Your Book Business 29:55 Understanding Readthrough and Audience Targeting 31:48 Reordering Your Series for Better Conversions 33:06 Box Sets vs. Individual Books in Ads 35:54 Maximizing Your Book's Potential 43:47 Common Reasons Facebook Ads Fail 52:51 Effective Targeting Strategies for Facebook Ads 59:40 Exploring Target Audiences for Authors 59:42 Leveraging TV Shows and Video Games 01:00:25 Ancillary Interests and Niche Targeting 01:00:53 Challenges with Demographic Targeting 01:01:57 Effective Ad Strategies for Authors 01:03:15 Understanding Facebook Ad Mechanics 01:10:03 Optimizing Ad Spend and Conversion 01:11:17 The Power of Reader Magnets 01:18:15 Future Trends in Advertising 01:22:13 Mal's Journey and Writing Philosophy 01:28:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The team recaps the first ever Author Nation conference for self-published authors, which took over for the 20Books Vegas conference. Check out our library of webinars and sign-up for upcoming live events at BookFunnel.com/videos Questions? We can help! Contact support@bookfunnel.com by email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question.  00:00 Introduction and Initial Thoughts on AuthorNation 00:25 Welcome to the Book Funnel Podcast 00:44 Recapping AuthorNation: First Impressions 02:01 Meeting the Team in Person 02:58 Transition from 20Books to AuthorNation 05:43 Conference Layout and Networking 07:28 Future Improvements for AuthorNation 10:39 Industry Day Highlights 22:35 In-Person Direct Sales and Strategies 26:17 BookFunnel's Future Plans 27:22 Exciting Ideas for Authors and Readers 28:14 The Year of the Reader 29:31 Fun Times in Vegas 31:04 Gourmet Dining Experiences 36:33 Meeting Industry Heroes 40:33 Kevin Smith's Motivational Talk 43:14 Story Wars: A Creative Battle 45:09 Final Thoughts and Tips

In this episode of the BookFunnel Podcast we sit down for a chat with Kate Hall to discuss TikTok for authors. Kate has courses for authors on a variety of topics, including using TikTok as a marketing tool. We get into the nitty gritty here, so make sure you watch the full episode as there are lots of little gems along the way!  This episode was recorded on 11/7/24.  More info about Kate Hall (Website & Courses) https://www.alynedigital.com (TikTok) http://tiktok.com/@thebooktokgoddess (Instagram) http://instagram.com/katehallbiz (YouTube Channel) https://www.youtube.com/@KateHallBiz (Facebook Group) https://www.facebook.com/groups/katehallpublishing  Check out our library of webinars and sign-up for upcoming live events at BookFunnel.com/videos  Questions? We can help! Leave a comment or contact support@bookfunnel.com by email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question.  00:00 Introduction to Rejection and Instinctual Fears 00:25 Welcome to the Book Funnel Podcast 00:51 Kate Hall's Journey with TikTok 05:36 Tips from the Trenches: Author Strategies 17:09 Main Topic: TikTok for Authors 36:50 Going Viral on TikTok 37:27 The Power of Emotional Hooks 38:47 Cross-Platform Strategies 40:38 Creating Effective TikTok Slideshows 46:51 Batching Content for Efficiency 58:42 Writing to Market vs. Writing to Trend 01:00:55 Universal Fantasy and Its Impact 01:07:44 Avoiding TikTok's Content Pitfalls 01:16:16 Navigating Canva's Bulk Create Feature 01:18:48 Managing Multiple TikTok Accounts 01:20:14 Device Recommendations for TikTok 01:25:57 Avoiding TikTok Bans and Misconceptions 01:34:42 Effective TikTok Marketing Strategies 01:45:04 Optimizing Your TikTok Algorithm 01:53:17 Final Thoughts and Course Information

Join Jack, Kelli, and Emma as they discuss how to get more Amazon reviews with Patsy Collins. Learn more about Patsy Collins: (Website) https://patsycollins.uk (Amazon Author Page) https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patsy-Collins/author/B004O08LRQ?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1730514596&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true (Little Mallow Cosy Mysteries) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR7TVKF8?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=ast_author_bsi Check out our library of webinars and sign-up for upcoming live events at BookFunnel.com/videos Questions? We can help! Contact support@bookfunnel.com by email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can with an answer to your question.