Who doesn't want to imagine a million dollar business that is created from the concepts you've created in your nonfiction book?
Have you ever wondered why building multiple income streams is important as an author? (Income streams = other ways to earn money in addition to your book sales.) Do you want to know more about different options for income streams for authors? Join us for an impactful session with Honorée Corder.
By the end of this webinar, you'll have the answers to those questions and you'll understand:
why repurpose your book’s content into a new stream of income is important
different options to do this
how to get started right away (1. Identify a stream, 2. steps to take that 3. Make money right away.)
Honorée will provide two easy examples to get you started!
Bonus: Real time income stream strategy session. See the brainstorming in action to help you make decisions for your own business! Register now!
Honorée Corder is an author, publishing consultant, TEDx speaker, Founder of Indie Author University and co-founder of the Empire Builders MasterClass. She's published more than 50 books, and helped hundreds of professionals and entrepreneurs successfully craft, write, publish, launch, market, and monetize their books.
Metadata, especially keywords, can be overlooked and undervalued when it comes to publishing. Authors can be overwhelmed with all the steps they have to take to publish and can sail through picking the keywords without fully understanding the value of them.
Keywords are especially important when your book is listed on Amazon. Ranking for the right keywords can help set you up for future marketing projects (like Amazon Ads).
This session will cover:
The value of keywords (why they are important).
How choosing the right keywords is important to your ranking, marketing and promotions.
Explore the finer points of developing fictional characters readers will love. Whether you are world-building, fighting crime, or writing romance, your main characters drive the plot. Make sure they compel your readers to follow them throughout the story and perhaps into a series.
In this short workshop, you’ll come away with a better understanding of how conflict, dialogue, and secondary characters enrich characterization and allow you to move beyond the traditional ‘character backstory’ to a cast of characters that will remain with readers long after the book has ended.
This session will cover:
How to add tension by making your character face tough personal choices.
How to reveal important information about your character.
How to give your character a distinctive voice.
Plus Bonuses:
– List of key questions to ask as you develop your lead character
Come join Linda Needham in a hands-on, interactive brainstorming workshop and learn how to turn your idea from a what-if spark into a dynamic, bestselling novel.
Work through the brainstorming process with Linda in real time and bring a book idea if you're joining us for this workshop!
In this in-depth, hands-on brainstorming workshop, you'll discover:
The meaning of your idea and its what-if properties.
How to develop the theme and premise, your cast of main characters, their conflict, and a killer logline/elevator pitch.
All the story elements you ‘ll need to begin writing your blockbuster novel!
Presented by Women in Publishing Summit sponsor, BookFunnel
Building Your Book Funnel with BookFunnel!
Have you already published your first book? Have you created your book funnel for those so-important first readers?
If not, let Damon Courtney, CEO of BookFunnel, walk you through it. We'll go over how to get started with a really simple marketing set up that you really should have in place before that first book. With a few simple steps you can be ready to grab those new readers and turn them into superfans.
And, don't worry if you've already published a book (or more!), you should still work on getting your marketing in place. There's no time like the present to get started!
BookFunnel is an eBook and Audiobook Delivery Service for Indie Authors and Small Publishers. Learn more and get a discount on BookFunnel plans at https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bookfunnel
Time seems to be one of the biggest issues. Or lack there of. Prioritization can be really helpful. Alexa Bigwarfe talks about the stresses and time crunches on authors, and how we can make sure we're choosing the BEST for US places to spend our time and energy.
Are you struggling to find a balance between writing your book and effectively marketing it? In this episode, we talk about a strategy that will help you optimize your time and efforts, leading to heightened productivity and effectiveness in achieving your writing and marketing goals.
Time is the one resource we cannot create more of. We all have the same amount of it. So how do I fit in all the things? How do you fit in the things? How do you decide where to spend your time so that you can move forward? – Alexa Bigwarfe
In this episode, you will be able to:
Learn practical approaches taming time management difficulties authors often encounter.
Ascertain how to balance the duality of writing and marketing roles effectively.
Realize how a professionally designed website can levitate your book promotion efforts.
Gather efficient strategies for task prioritization that propels progress in publishing.
Comprehend the pivotal role of dedication and unwavering perseverance in navigating the publishing industry.
The Biggest Challenge for Authors
In a recent networking session, participants identified time as the biggest challenge in their author businesses. The never-ending tasks of writing, marketing, and building a platform make it difficult to find time for everything. In order for people to value your book, they have to know that it exists. You have to be doing things. You have to be making the time to go on podcasts, to go to book fairs or book events or places where you can speak as an author, to go to school visits if you've got a children's book, to go to craft fairs or trade markets or farmers markets…You have to be doing things so that people know what you are doing. Prioritize your goals and decide whether you want to focus solely on writing or also engage in marketing and audience growth activities. Map out specific time slots for each task and considering seeking help from professionals to save time.
Key Takeaways
Check out Pubsite: Pubsite is a DIY website platform designed specifically for authors to market their books. Visit womeninpublishingsummit.com/pubsite to get a free two-week trial and save $5 per month for a whole year on your monthly hosting. This platform makes it easy to create sales pages, event pages, blog pages, and more for your book. It also includes templates and tools to help you market your book effectively.
Build your author website: Having a website is essential for authors to promote their books. Use a platform like Pubsite to create a hub where readers can find information about your book, sign up for your email list, and learn more about you as an author. A website is a central place to share content, post updates, and connect with readers. Make sure to include a clear call to action on your website, such as joining your email list or purchasing your book.
Grow your email list: Email marketing is a powerful tool for authors to connect with readers and promote their books. Make it a priority to grow your email list by offering a free resource or bonus content in exchange for email sign-ups. Use platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to manage your email
Memorable Moments:
00:15:45 – The role of publishers in book marketing, Alexa discusses the potential help authors may receive from publishers in terms of marketing and launch support, but emphasizes that authors are ultimately responsible for selling their books.
00:16:08 – The importance of focusing on one book, Alexa advises authors to focus on one book at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and making slow progress. She suggests dedicating time specifically for writing and setting a deadline for completing the book.
00:21:19 – Separating writing and marketing phases, Alexa suggests separating the writing and marketing phases of book production. Authors can focus entirely on writing for a set period of time and then dedicate another period to marketing and audience growth. This approach allows for better focus and reduces the risk of distractions.
00:30:53 – Balancing Learning and Implementation, It's easy to get stuck in the cycle of constantly learning without taking action. To make progress, authors need to strike a balance between learning new skills and implementing them.
00:39:53 – Setting Goals and Deadlines, Having clear goals and deadlines is crucial for efficient time management. Set realistic milestones and create a timeline that allows for flexibility, ensuring you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
00:43:11 – Prioritizing and Saying No, Focus on activities that directly contribute to your goals and say no to those that don't align. Avoid the fear of missing out and make decisions based on what will help you progress towards your desired outcomes.
In this open discussion webinar, learn from the experts at BookBaby about book cover design, book marketing on social media, and how the self-publishing process works with BookBaby.
BookBaby is a Bronze Sponsor of the Women in Publishing Summit. They provide a full service suite for self-publishing assist as well as many a la carte options. They've generously offered their free guide, Find Your Way To Self-Publishing Success In Just 5 Easy Steps, as well as $100 off Professional Printed Book Cover Design with code WIPS23100. (Cannot be combined with any other offer.) Expires 9/30/2023 Get it HERE. https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/bookbaby
Developing Deep Point of View (POV) presents many challenges—which character, how many, and an opportunity to tell the story from a unique perspective.
Deep point of view fully immerses the reader in the character's lives. It's a step above and beyond just showing their perspective. The first person POV example is the narrator's voice summarizing and concluding for the reader what’s going on, but the reader is still at a distance. Deep POV gives the reader the information the character used to reach their conclusion. It's a much deeper look into their actions.
If you're writing a fiction book that you need some insight on, join us for this workshop with DiAnn Mills!
Why Deep Point of View matters for the reader experience.
Discovering the various points of view.
Developing Deep Point of View according to character and genre.
Inspired by Falguni Jain's experience working with writers who were not using MS Word to its fullest potential, this workshop covers the tips and tricks that transform a document into a working manuscript, ready for collaboration and editing.
If you're writing your book in Word and need some training on the functions, join us for this workshop!
How to clean up a document
How to use Track Changes and Comments to communicate with collaborators
Basic MS Word functions to make your document presentable
Many aspiring authors struggle to find the right marketing strategies that resonate with their target audience and result in increased visibility and sales. Without a clear plan and effective resources, the process of marketing can be time-consuming and discouraging.
We're talking about children's books! Not only the importance of Social Emotional Learning and teaching that to children, but also self-publishing vs. trad for children's book authors, and tips from author Sheryl Bass.
Self-publishing has really leveled the playing field for regular folks to get out there if they've got a story in them that they want told. – Sheryl Bass
About Sheryl Bass:
Sheryl Bass holds a master’s degree in Social Work and has studied child development. She uses these insights to inform her picture book writing. Sheryl also holds a master’s degree in Journalism and is currently working in public relations. Her goal in creating Be-Kind Publishing is to produce lighthearted rhyming stories with gentle themes of teamwork and friendship. Sheryl resides just outside of Chicago, IL with her husband and two terriers.
In this episode, we covered:
SEL or social emotional learning and why it is important to teach it to children
Pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing from a self-published author perspective
Tips for children's book authors
The Importance of SEL in Children's Books
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a crucial aspect of children's development that helps them understand and manage their emotions, cultivate healthy relationships, and develop empathy. Addressing SEL in children's books allows the young readers to learn valuable life skills that will serve them well in their personal and professional lives as they grow older. The incorporation of SEL themes in children's literature like teamwork, accountability, and empathy fosters emotional literacy and develops essential communication skills. In the conversation with Sheryl Bass, she explains her background in social work and journalism, which led her to passionately believe in the importance of social emotional learning being included in children's books. Her stories focus on themes such as teamwork and friendship through whimsical narratives that captivate young readers. Such books aim to provide a solid foundation for children to develop critical emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
Key Takeaways
Join SCBWI and Children's Book Insider for resources, conferences, webinars, and contests.
Consider using April Cox's Write Publish Sell program for guidance in self-publishing.
Look into Bobby Hindman's editing services for rhyme and meter in children's picture books.
Use Facebook groups for finding editors and other resources.
Visit Laura Bonchi Bontje for developmental editing to find holes in your story.
Utilize vendors recommended by April Cox for finding an illustrator.
Consider self-publishing for creative control over your book.
Purchase an ISBN code for your book.
Upload your manuscript into the Library of Congress.
Use focus groups for feedback on illustrations and character design.
Memorable Moments:
00:06:23 – Self-Publishing and Working with Editors, Cheryl shares her experience with self-publishing and working with editors, including the invaluable guidance of April Cox and the importance of finding editors through Facebook groups. She emphasizes the importance of creative control and finding the right illustrator.
00:11:56 – Finding Editors and the Importance of Developmental Edits, Cheryl discusses the importance of finding the right editor for a developmental edit, which can help find holes in a story and improve its overall structure. She emphasizes the importance of finding editors through Facebook groups and other resources.
00:14:46 – Marketing Children's Books, Sheryl Bass gives insights on marketing children's books. She recommends hiring a PR professional specializing in books and authors. She shares tips on promoting books, identifying relevant awards, book reviewers and podcasts, and using ads on Amazon and Facebook. She also shares her experience using Pubby Co, a resource to review other authors' books and get reviews of your own.
00:23:25 – Traditional Marketing for Children's Books, Alexa and Sheryl discuss the challenges of marketing children's books and how it differs from other genres. They agree that traditional marketing involves going out and getting in front of the community, such as school events, fairs, and author events. They suggest that authors consider hiring a PR expert who has the media contacts to help them get on the news and reach parents and teachers.
00:24:56 – Libraries as a Resource, Sheryl shares that she purchased a database from Eric, who wrote a book on how to get your book into libraries. She plans to send a letter about her book to librarians throughout the US, which can be a great resource for selling books. Alexa suggests that going into schools, doing readings, and creating bookmarks with graphics from your book can also help promote it.
00:26:13 – Creating a Sequel, Sheryl shares that she is working on a sequel to her first book and how it can help sell more copies of the first book. Once readers are invested in the characters and their adventures, they are more likely to buy