Most authors build their websites on WordPress, partly because of its powerful and enormous plugin repository. A plugin is like an app for your website. Each of WordPress’s nearly 60,000 plugins can add specific functionality to your website. But how do you know which ones you need and which to avoid?
In this week’s episode, you’ll learnThree categories of WordPress pluginsHow to tell if a free plugin is good (or not!)Which plugins your author website needsWhich plugins you should avoidIf you’ve been overwhelmed by the number of plugins available or haven’t yet added any to your website, listen in to find out where to start and which ones you need. Read more at the blog version of this episode. Support the Show.

Five Plugins Every Author Website Needs in 2024

The longest-running book marketing podcast in the world. This is the show for writers who want to build their platform, sell more books, and change the world with writing worth talking about. Whether you self publish or are with a traditional house, this podcast will make book promotion fun and easy. Thomas Umstattd Jr. interviews publishers, indie authors, and bestselling traditional authors about how to get published and sell more books.

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Author Media has a list of over 10,000 subscribers, and around half of them open our emails, which means our open rates hover around 50%. That’s a high open rate!
It’s partly because new subscribers join our email list through webinars I present for writers and authors. By the end of each webinar, attendees know enough to want to open emails from Author Media and me. Plus, the comments, questions, and polls associated with the webinar allow me to get to know my audience better.
If you want to get to know your “Timothy” and grow your email list by adding subscribers who want to open your emails, it might be time for you to host a webinar.
But how do you deliver webinars readers want to attend?
In this week’s episode, you’ll learn 12 tips for hosting educational and entertaining webinars people want to attend.
You’ll learnHow to capture and retain your attendees’ attentionHow much time to spend on your presentation or Q&A;What to do after the webinar to continue to the attendeesListen in or check out the blog version to find out how you can build an email list full of your “Timothys” and grow an engaged tribe through hosting an author webinar. Support the Show.

Speak, Engage, and Inspire: Secrets of Entertaining & Educational Webinars that Sell

An Uber driver's most valuable asset is his car. A photographer's camera is critical. An Uber driver with a broken car can't make money, and a photographer with a cheap camera will slowly starve.
What is the critical tool for an author? What tool will help you earn money and keep you from starving?
Your laptop!
You write, edit, and promote your book on your laptop. A reliable, compatible computer is key to your success. Put another way, an old, unreliable computer is a terrible liability.
Investing in a good laptop is not just a smart move, it's a potential tax-deductible business expense for professional authors.
But how do you know what kind of laptop is best for you?
In this week's episode, you'll find out:What kind of speed and storage an author's laptop needsWhat to avoid when buying a laptopWhat you don't need in a laptopListen in or check out the blog version of this episode to find out what kind of computer will best help you in your writing career. Support the Show.

2024 Laptop Buying Guide for Authors

When readers browse Amazon, they have already decided to purchase a book. The only question is: Which book will they choose? What if there was a way to reach readers at this pivotal moment and persuade them to pick your book from the list they're considering?
There is! It is called Amazon Advertising, and it has become one of the most popular forms of book promotion for indie authors.
However, many authors feel intimidated by the idea of running Amazon ads.
In this week's episode, you'll hear from Alana Terry, a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 books and Amazon ads expert.
You'll discoverWhy Amazon ads might be a good place to startSix steps to quickly create your first adHow to determine whether your ads are workingAnd much more If you've wanted to sell more books on Amazon but have felt overwhelmed by the process of running ads, listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to find out the quickest way to get started. Support the Show.

How to Sell More Books With Amazon Ads

The tools we use for writing have evolved over the centuries, from quill and inkpot to the printing press, to the word processor to AI. Recent developments in AI tools for writers have sparked everything from laughable images to controversy and fear.
Is AI evil? Is it safe?
In this week’s episode, we’ll discuss what you need to know about AI in our current day. You’ll learnHow (and how early) it developedWhat threats it poses to writersWhat advantages it offersHow to wield it for good in the worldListen in or check out the blog version of this episode to learn what to watch for and how AI can increase your writing output and improve your craft. Support the Show.

AI for Authors in 2024 - The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Almost every traditionally published book goes up for preorder before it comes out. However, the advice surrounding preorders can be confusing for indie authors. Some indies say preorders are critical. Others say having a preorder for your book can hurt sales.
Who is right?
Should you set up a preorder for your book? Are preorders a good idea or a bad idea?
Preorders can help or hurt, depending on what kind of author you are.
In this week’s episode, you’ll learn:What kind of author is helped by a preorderWhy preorders are so important for some authorsHow to make the most of your preorder windowListen in or check out the blog version of this episode to learn the benefits and drawbacks of making your book available for preorder before its launch date. Support the Show.

Five Plugins Every Author Website Needs in 2024

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