The Heidi Thorne Show

There's a scary thought for self published authors! What would you do if Amazon went away? While that's really unlikely for the foreseeable future, it doesn't hurt to think about it. I offer tips for future-proofing your self published books.

Blog: https://toughnickel.com/self-employment/Self-Published-Authors-What-If-There-Was-No-Amazon

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/BvsGt82vc6w

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

0:13 Why Amazon and KDP are excellent for self publishing

1:31 What if Amazon went away? Lessons from Sears

3:12 How can you protect your book investment in Amazon and KDP?

4:34 ISBN number issues in a non-Amazon future

7:20 Look for non-exclusive agreements and copyright protections on non-KDP platforms

7:59 Selling your books in a non-Amazon world

9:28 2 ways to future-proof your self publishing investments

11:43 Announcing Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Books on Amazon

Link to Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Books on Amazon (note that the discount mentioned in the episode has since expired):

https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-sell-your-self-published-book-on-amazon/?referralCode=CC4046D09C80264BC0BE

In past episodes about the Thorne Self Publishing Survey, we talked about what drives authors to self publish. But what doesn't motivate them to take that route? I have to confess that I can totally relate to their answer. And what doesn't motivate is just as interesting as what does!

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8tpDHhwEF04

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

0:26 Factors that do motivate self published authors

0:46 What doesn't motivate self published authors?

1:07 Authors who don't know why they want to self publish

1:27 Social comparative factors that don't motivate authors

4:28 Why social comparative factors don't motivate authors

7:10 Introducing Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Book on Amazon

 

Link to Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Book on Amazon:

https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-sell-your-self-published-book-on-amazon/?referralCode=CC4046D09C80264BC0BE

Selling self published books is tough. And it's getting tougher. In this episode, I share three mega trends that are affecting how much we make from self publishing.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/dqjmJPg0HO4

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

0:31 3 mega trends impacting self publishing income

0:49 Mega trend #1: Too many books

3:49 Mega trend #2: Competition from other content

5:17 Mega trend #3: Subscriptions

7:00 How Kindle Unlimited pays royalties to authors

8:54 How can you beat these trends?

With self publishing being easier than it's ever been in history, do self published authors still consider pursuing a book deal with a traditional publishing company? I share results from the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. And is there any justification for pursuing a traditional book deal these days?

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/cf0zUOuW_h8

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

0:36 How many self published authors consider traditional book deals?

1:47 Considering traditional book deal before or after self publishing?

2:45 Do authors who haven't self published yet consider traditional book deals?

3:47 What do authors expect from traditional publishing book deals?

7:43 Announcement on Self Publishing to Make Money book

Want more surprising survey results? Get the full report on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG

Also, get a copy of my book, Self Publishing to Make Money: What You Need to Know, on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NXW57RW

The audio edition of my book is on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07PQSZNVL/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-145994&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_145994_rh_us

Did we see an rise in self publishing income from 2016 to 2018? I discuss with results from the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. I also dive into what is impacting self publishing income, and a couple things you can do about it.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Cm2HjUJ2IEI

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

1:15 How book pricing strategies affect book sales income

2:46 What is your backlist of book titles?

3:49 Impact of increasing competition

5:24 How Kindle Unlimited impacts your income

6:45 Your income depends on your author platform

Plus, my latest book, Self Publishing to Make Money: What You Need to Know, is now available in audio book on Audible! Listen to a free sample by clicking here.

Want more stats from the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey? Get the full report on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG

Is there a mysterious X factor that determines whether you'll make book sales as a self published author? I review some common factors that we've discussed in previous episodes, along with additional insight.

Podcast video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WlMZOMXX9Lc

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

0:42 Factors that could impact self published book sales

3:19 This is the X factor that determines your book sales

3:30 How your niche market impacts your book sales

4:43 How to determine size of your niche market

7:44 Don't blame yourself for low book sales

8:44 Competition for your book is huge

9:44 A key factor in making book sales

Full report on the 2018 Self Publishing Survey on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG

Audio book recording is challenging! And one of the toughest things is reading what's actually on the page. I offer some tips for learning how to read your manuscript.

Video podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AHyLln70Ofs

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

0:57 ACX Audible Whispersync technology means no ad libbing!

2:36 Tips for improving your audio book recording and narration skills

Also, check out my audio books on Audible: https://www.audible.com/author/Heidi-Thorne/B005G8AXT4

Authors who are coaches, consultants, and small business owners often self publish to help promote their businesses. But do they make more money from self publishing than authors who are non-business owners? I discuss results from the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey in this episode.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/9DTxNwaFago

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

0:13 How many authors were business owners in 2018 Self Publishing Survey?

2:17 Did business ownership affect these authors' book sales?

3:23 Why do business owners want to self publish books?

5:59 Does a "business card" or "lead generation" book help build a business' sales?

7:17 Should you write and self publish a book for your content marketing?

10:18 New book, "Self Publishing to Make Money: What You Need to Know," made with Kindle Create

Can't wait to hear all the results from the 2018 Self Publishing Survey on the podcast? Get the full report on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG

My new book that I mentioned in the podcast, Self Publishing to Make Money: What You Need to Know, is available on Amazon (print, eBook, and Audible audio book): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NXW57RW

I took the new Kindle Create for Print feature for a test drive. It's still in Beta mode, but I'm impressed so far. While I explain things as best I can in the audio podcast, I'd really suggest that you check out the YouTube video so that you can see the results. Here's the link.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/LzU6x43r04A

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

0:12 Introducing the Kindle Create tool (beta)

1:19 Changes for print proof copies

1:51 How Kindle Create works... and works better than the old Createspace

2:47 The 2 most amazing Kindle Create features

4:17 Formatting your book in Kindle Create

6:18 What doesn't work well yet in Kindle Create beta

And I'd strongly suggest getting my new book, Self Publishing to Make Money: What You Need to Know, to check the results for yourself in real life AND get some great information on self publishing. It's on Amazon in eBook, print, and audio book (Audible) at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NXW57RW

Logically, you would think that if you self publish more books, you should make more money, right? I share results from the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey on author income as it relates to number of books published.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/lQkVoqvi1LA

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

0:25 Self publish more books, make more money?

1:12 Most popular self published income answer for all published book quantities

1:47 Self published income breakdown by number of books published

7:42 Should you self publish more books?

Full results of the 2018 Thorne Self Publishing Survey are on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MH8T9YG