The Heidi Thorne Show

Authors can get so lazy when preparing their Kindle eBooks. I explain why they are and how being lazy about the eBook version ruins readers' user experience.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/59FRXKJmVls

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

0:23 The awful Kindle eBook that prompted this rant

1:59 Why PDFs don't work on Kindle

4:25 Why you should use Microsoft Word and Kindle Create for your eBook

4:58 Authors are obsessed with their print editions

7:07 Pay attention to your users' experience

Live in-person events, expos, and trade shows seem like a great way to connect with readers and make self published book sales. But since they can be a substantial financial investment, you need to know how to assess if it's right for you. In this podcast, I share my experience from working in the trade show industry, as well as an exhibitor at smaller networking events and expos.

Blog: Selling Your Self Published Book at Events and Expos http://hub.me/amPjI

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/DjIva7AFp5s

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

0:31 2 Types of value you can get from events and expos

0:42 PR value of events and expos

1:04 Sales value of events and expos

2:27 Sales and income tax issues of selling at events and expos

4:37 Event organizers don't know who attends their events

5:19 Why you should attend event first before exhibiting

7:40 Attendees may want to buy, just not at the event

8:20 How do you find events?

Thinking about switching genres or writing in multiple genres? Cool. But have you thought about how that could affect your life and writing career? Here's what you need to know about using pseudonyms (pen names) and marketing for multiple genres.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/A1-_fODCyP4

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

0:12 What is a cross genre author?

0:50 Being a cross-genre author is challenging

3:02 Using pseudonyms for alternative genres

5:55 How writing in multiple genres increases your costs

6:29 Why authors switch genres

Blog: Becoming a Cross-Genre Author: What You Need to Know http://hub.me/amNUu

Authors can get so excited about launching their books that they don't plan for promoting their books in the long term. I offer some thoughts on long-term book marketing for your backlist (I explain what that is, too).

Blog: Beyond the Book Launch: Selling Your Self Published Books' Backlist http://hub.me/amNwq

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/uo3rc9MODfE

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

0:13 Authors don't prepare for after the book launch

0:57 What is your backlist?

1:55 Backlist titles are valuable

2:49 How to think long term for your books

5:06 Advertising your backlist book titles on Amazon, Facebook and Instagram

Social media platforms are doing everything they can to keep people on them. And that's not good news for self published authors' book promotions. I explain what native social media is and how it will change your book marketing tactics.

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

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

0:42 What are native social media posts?

2:22 How native social media trend impacts your marketing

3:27 Why native social media trend is happening

6:41 Why social media is emphasizing live content

7:57 What should self published authors do about native social media trend?

Blog: What are Native Social Media Posts? http://hub.me/amMia

Are you embarrassed by your previous books and just want a do-over on them? Should you rewrite your old books? What happens to the old editions on Amazon? I discuss it all in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/rVrE8me3hVk

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

1:05 How unpublishing your book works on KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

3:17 When you should upload a new book manuscript to KDP

4:17 When is an updated manuscript actually a new edition?

6:01 Why new editions are common with nonfiction

6:49 Do you lose reviews and ratings for the previous edition when you offer a new edition?

8:03 How to create something new from your previous editions

8:52 Is embarrassment driving you to create a new edition?

Blog: Blog: Should You Unpublish and Republish Your Old Self Published Books? http://hub.me/amMpq

Authors can often be tempted to create a separate website for their books. Seems cheap and easy to do until... well, I explain in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/S91mnrSGW6E

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

0:29 Does your book need a separate webpage, website, or Facebook page?

1:57 The real cost of setting up a separate web presence for your book

6:24 What do big name authors do for their books?

7:04 Get your free Amazon author page on Author Central

Blog:

Should You Set Up a Book Page on Your Website? http://hub.me/amkDQ

Should You Buy a Domain Name for Your Book Title? http://hub.me/ajd3k

Swag, which is slang for imprinted promotional products and merchandise, can be very effective for marketing. But when it comes to self published books, it can be a huge money waster. I explain why in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/i6IR1I16KMM

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

0:25 What is swag?

1:38 Why promotional products ads are deceiving

4:17 How would you send swag to your readers?

5:54 You don't make enough to justify buying promotional products for your books

7:51 Why it's illogical to reward readers with promotional products

9:18 My book, SWAG: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business

Read these tips on my blog: https://toughnickel.com/self-employment/Book-Promotions-Using-Swag-What-You-Need-to-Know

Listen to a FREE sample of my audio book, SWAG: How to Choose and Use Promotional Products for Marketing Your Business, on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07FXZ2DDQ/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-123241&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_123241_rh_us

Or get SWAG on Amazon in print or eBook at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J1RP5H6

I've never used a book launch team, and don't recommend them for self published authors. Not only do they dance on the edge of Amazon policy violations and ethics, they could impact your early book sales, too. I rant on why in this episode. Got an opinion? Connect with me on Twitter (@heidithorne).

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/0Cxp93R5mcc

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

0:11 What is a book launch team?

1:33 Why book launch teams may violate Amazon policy

2:41 Book launch teams use the guilt factor

3:44 Book launch teams are not beta readers

4:08 Gaming the system with book launch teams

6:35 Most unethical use of a book launch team

7:22 How book launch teams hurt your book sales

8:25 Problems with sending PDFs to reviewers

10:07 Alternatives to book launch teams

13:54 New audio book, Blogging for Money

If you'd rather read my rant, here ya go: https://toughnickel.com/self-employment/Book-Launch-Teams-Why-I-Dont-Recommend-Them-for-Self-Publishing

And here's the link to listen to a FREE sample of my new audio book on Audible, Blogging for Money: Myths and Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Blog for Profit: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07R43RXQK/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-149948&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_149948_rh_us

You can also get the new audio book on Amazon and iTunes Audio Books.

Something that just drives me nuts on social media is when self published authors post a photo of their proposed book covers for feedback. Why does that bother me so much? You'll understand why from my rant in this episode. And you might think twice about doing it for your next book. I also offer tips on properly getting feedback for your cover.

Blog: Do You Really Want Feedback on Your Self Published Book Cover? http://hub.me/amHDn

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/T5skln9Lvz8

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

0:13 How self published authors drive me nuts on social media

1:19 What authors really want when they post book covers on social media

2:29 Why authors post book covers to reassure themselves

3:32 Why book covers aren't as important as they used to be

5:59 Posting your book cover for feedback is not book promotion

7:32 How to get genuine feedback on your book cover

8:33 Don't ask your friends and family for feedback

9:50 The focus group problem with feedback

10:22 How people really decide to buy your book