The Heidi Thorne Show

In 2020, Amazon Marketing Services (AMS) introduced a new Sponsored Brand advertising product. Does it work for self published authors? I discuss my experience and experiments with Amazon Sponsored Brand ads.

Blog: Using Amazon Marketing Services to Advertise Your Kindle eBooks: What I've Learned http://hub.me/alEwV

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/I_qPwtz2zYw

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:36 What are Sponsored Brand ads on Amazon?

2:06 My experience using Sponsored Brand ads for books

4:38 How and why AMS sponsored ads have changed

6:28 Should authors still use AMS ads?

7:03 How to connect with Heidi

Let’s explore why authors may feel compelled to rewrite self-published fiction works and whether it’s advisable to do so.

Blog: Should You Rewrite Your Self-Published Fiction Book? http://hub.me/aop6F

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/FwxuecRyqDc

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:37 Why do authors feel compelled to rewrite their fiction books?

1:34 Perfecting the past

2:56 Genre trends

4:04 Cultural and societal trends

5:21 Historical novel issues

7:10 Fiction rewriting approaches

8:40 How to connect with Heidi To listen to the audio podcast of The Heidi Thorne Show, visit https://heidithorne.podbean.com OR subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 194.

I'm amazed at the creativity of so many crafters, needleworkers, and artists. Some of these talented individuals have taken to offering their how-to information to others, sometimes for money, sometimes for free on social media. If you're one of these crafters interested in sharing and selling your project ideas, and you want to do a self published craft book, there's a lot you need to consider. I discuss.

Blog: The Challenges of Self Publishing a Craft Book http://hub.me/alnxA

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/urS7VWGUTFo

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:51​ Instructions for instructions

2:20​ Using pictures in craft books

4:11​ Use black & white or color images in craft books?

7:10​ What about craft eBooks?

9:09​ A BIG no-no for craft books

10:37​ More legal issues with craft books

11:58​ Challenges of craft books for kids

12:55​ Amazon or Etsy for selling your craft books?

14:32​ Heidi's new eBay profile (thornecomm) for crafting books

15:15​ How to connect with Heidi

Heidi's eBay link: https://www.ebay.com/usr/thornecomm​

One of my author friends asked if book advertising was different for fiction and nonfiction. The answer is yes and no. I explain the similarities and differences.

Blog: Is Book Advertising Different for Fiction and Nonfiction? http://hub.me/aongF

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/eXdXW8vYHDM

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):​

0:39​ Who is your ideal reader?

1:25​ Advertising channels for self published books

3:38​ Non-ad promotional posts on social media

4:48​ The biggest difference in fiction and nonfiction advertising

5:56​ How to connect with Heidi

To avoid being misunderstood, authors wishing to reach audiences who don't speak their own native language, should consider hiring an editor for localization. However, the investment in this effort needs to be weighed against potential sales.

Blog: What is Localization for Book Editing? http://hub.me/alL4E

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Kl3mlrEyHsQ

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:16​ Awkward communications caused by using incorrect language for the audience

1:11​ What is a localization edit?

2:46​ Localization and cultural awareness

3:50​ But it's all English, right?

5:14​ Localization challenges with Kindle eBooks

7:29​ Editing and proofreading tips for localized edits

9:05​ How to connect with Heidi

It's amazing how many authors still say that they want to write and publish a book to change the world. I explain why a book is a slow and difficult way to bring about change.

Blog: Can Your Book Really Change the World? http://hub.me/amKeF

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Kcn-CK8Btuo

Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:17​ What books have changed the world?

1:00​ Why it's difficult for books to change the world

3:44​ Why do authors think their books will bring about change?

4:53​ How will authors measure impact their books?

6:20​ Should you write and publish books in hopes of changing the world?

6:53​ How to connect with Heidi

How do you know when your book is finished and ready to enter the publishing and production phase? Sometimes authors just don't know when to quit writing their books. I explain why that happens and how to get it off your To Do list to done.

Blog: How to Decide When Your Book is Done http://hub.me/alf1Q

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/hU5zqRlnU08

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:16​ Authors with perfection paralysis

1:31​ Approval-seeking authors

2:27​ The goal problem

2:50​ The ego problem

3:29​ The sense of loss

4:15​ Tips for deciding when your book is done

7:52​ How to connect with Heidi

Link to Daylily Coloring Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YQCQRMQ

Anthology books are collections of writings that showcase the work of multiple authors. But are they useful for building one's writing resume? I discuss the pros and cons.

Blog:

Anthology Books: What are They and How Can Writers Use Them? http://hub.me/afVXv​

Anthology Books: How Valuable are They for Authors? http://hub.me/amATZ

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/tp-FBk45O7E

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:17​ Does participating in an anthology lead to bigger and better things?

0:43​ What is an anthology book?

3:51​ Why would writers want to be in an anthology book?

7:08​ The association effect of anthologies

9:11​ Who are you marketing when you're in an anthology?

10:55​ Does participating in an anthology help you get book deals?

12:36​ Tips for successfully participating in an anthology

15:57​ Games you shouldn't play with anthologies

18:25​ One type of anthology that could work for you

19:12​ How to connect with Heidi

Hardcover, perfect bound paperback, saddle stitched, or spiral bound? Which one is right for your self published books? I share the construction details, pros and cons of these book binding types, so you can decide.

Blog: Types of Book Binding http://hub.me/aj8lw

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/vXLv_UISHKA

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:17​ Book binding examples

0:35​ Hardcover books

4:22​ Perfect bound trade paperback books

7:51​ Saddle stitched books

9:43​ Spiral bound books

13:05​ How to connect with Heidi

The mere mention of a new book by a celebrity author can send fans running to get a copy. Self published authors don't usually have that pull. But does that mean you should just promote your book as an entity separate from you? I discuss promoting the author and the book.

Blog: Book Marketing Ideas: Should You Promote the Book or the Author More? http://hub.me/agzDH

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/e8Z-BFoXSVs

Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):

0:15​ What celebrity authors have that you don't

1:14​ Promoting the author

2:21​ Promoting the book

3:20​ You need to promote the author AND the book

3:31​ The 3 Fs of Business Competitive Advantage

6:14​ How to connect with Heidi

Book: Business Competitive Advantage by Heidi Thorne (Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SY5BB4