Blogger to Author

Fiction and memoir writers, you're going to love this episode! I have Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA back on the podcast to help you make your manuscripts amazing. We talk about how to write great characters, how to find a plot and story people will want to read, and how to choose the right ending for your story. And, she fills us in on what you should do if the first draft of your novel is...not good. You'll learn how important the first page and the first chapter are, and how you can make sure you're getting your reader interested in your book right away.

Then, Gabriela tells us how you can use storytelling theory to write a compelling memoir. She tells us how we need to use the principles of great writing (characters, plot, and so on) also apply to memoir so it's more relatable or aspirational. You'll hear a great framework that you can use to decide which stories from your life that you should put in your memoir...and which ones you should take out.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/73

So you have an idea for a book topic, but you don't know what to put in it. Maybe you have one or two topics you want to discuss in your book, but you have no idea how that's going to fill out a book. Or, maybe you have so many ideas for what you could write about, but you're not sure they should all go in your book. Whatever camp you fall into, what you need is something to help you decide, "Yes, this goes in the book," or "No, this gets left out."

In today's episode, I'm sharing an overview of the framework that I use to help my clients plan their books and create detailed book outlines. First, I'll help you get in the right frame of mind to help make it easier to choose what should go in your book and what shouldn't. Then, I'll give you some guidelines to help you brainstorm the ideas and topics you want to put in your book. At the end, you'll be able to go out and write a list of what you need to include in your book that you'll be able to easily turn into your book's outline!

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/72

Instagram is a bit of an enigma for just about every blogger and entrepreneur I talk to. Most of them really want to grow their Instagram platform, but they're not sure how to do it, especially when their follower numbers have been stagnant for months and constant algorithm changes leave them wondering what's really working.

That's where having a go-to Instagram expert comes in. Jessica Norby is my expert when it comes to Instagram. She spends all day reading and thinking about Instagram so we don't have to. I absolutely love how Jess distills complicated Instagram strategies down to concepts that we all can understand. And, I love that she emphasizes the importance of authentically growing your following on Instagram instead of using spammy or underhanded tactics.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/71

In Episode 70 of the Blogger to Author Podcast, I'm really excited to feature an interview with Lyn Lindbergh of COUCH to ACTIVE. Through this amazing platform, Lyn is helping totally sedentary people build good habits so they can have an active lifestyle. Lyn's first book, the COUCH to ACTIVE Two Year Plan, was a DIY project (she designed the book in Canva) that has helped her exponentially grow her business. But for her upcoming book, COUCH to ACTIVE, she pulled in some extra help. In our interview we talk about Lyn's passion for fitness, how her books have helped her grow her business, and what it's been like to work with a team on her new book after DIY-ing her first.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/70

Bloggers, this one's for you! Whether you're hoping to eventually sell programs, coaching, or services, or if you just want to focus on your blog, a book will help you grow your blog and keep reaching new people!

This episode is a deep dive into seven big ways that your book will help you grow your blog, including your page views, your revenue, and more! If you've been putting off your book because you don't think it's going to have a big impact on your blog and business, I think you'll change your mind after listening to this episode.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/69

We're getting deep into summer...have you made any progress on your book? Summer can be a special time of year with backyard parties and family vacations, but it can also be the PERFECT time of year for you to write your book.

In this episode, I'll tell you exactly why you need to get your book written this summer so it's ready to launch in the fall. It truly is the best time of year to write a book...but to learn the exact reasons why, you'll need to listen to the episode.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/68

Today's episode is directed at those of you who are working to build a business, whether that's a blog as a business, or maybe you identify more as an entrepreneur. Either way, I want to chat with you about your nonfiction book and how it can help you build your business. Specifically, I want to focus on one mindset shift that I think that you should make as a author or prospective author: thinking beyond royalties. I want you to really take the time to consider what your book is going to do for your business or your blog. And, I want you to think about how your book is going to do so much more for your business than just bring in money through book sales.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/67

This episode is a dive into the top five self-publishing tips I think you need to know if you're going to successfully self publish a book. I have compiled these tips based on really my experience from working with my clients and students in the blogger to author course. I've seen a lot of the same problems come up where people get stuck in the same places. I also see the successful people doing the same things as well. So, I just wanted to pass along these five things that I think you should make sure you do to make your book a success.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/66

I get asked about book pricing a lot. And I get it—it’s hard to figure out what you should list your book at to make sure that the price doesn’t drive away potential book buyers and readers. So, in this episode, I’m diving into the question of whether or not book price affects sales.

Over the past few months, I’ve been experimenting with the price of my books on Amazon. I always want to share what I learn from my own books with you listeners, so I’m sharing the results with you here. At the end, I’ll share the one thing that I think you should use to guide your book’s pricing.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/65

You've probably heard the saying, "Done is better than perfect." And, if you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you've probably heard my tips to help you write your book faster. That might leave you asking whether you should rush to write your book just for the sake of having it out there.

No, I don't think you should publish any unpolished manuscript just to get your book out the door. There's one important question that I think you should ask yourself, a question that will guide you to figure out if any aspect of your book needs more work, or if it's good enough. I'll share that question with you, and an example of when done was better than perfect for one of my own books, in this episode.

Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/64

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