Publish & Prosper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their strategies for providing top tier support for your customers. Whether you’re taking preventative measures, planning a proactive approach, or providing solutions to unexpected problems, we’re here to help you help your customers.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources Preparing Your Site for Holiday Book Sales Joanna Pe...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate and discuss a variety of writing, publishing, editing, and marketing prompts. Hear their insights, opinions, and ideas on topics like:  Exclusively Selling Direct vs. Going Wide with Your Book Sales Which Social Media Platform Would You Use to Promote a Book?  What Would You Use to Entice New Email Subscribers?  And, of course, a few tangents too. Listen n...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt want indie authors to see their books on library shelves! Whether you dream of your hardcover on display in your local public library or hope to find your ebook in digital catalogs nationwide, we’re here to help make it happen.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources OverDrive | Libraries Break Digital Lending Records in 2024 Libra...

Tune in for another episode of The Email Marketing Podcast with Laurie & Lauren! In this episode, Laurie & Lauren walk through the steps to prepare for an important email marketing campaign series like holiday sales or a new book launch. We review:  Why you should plan ahead for an email campaign Your pre-campaign planning timeline How to monitor your campaign once it’s live Wrapping up yo...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren sit down with our friend Lynette Greenfield, author and founder of Limelight Publishing. Learn how Lynette turned her prolific writing career and passion for helping aspiring authors into a successful hybrid publishing company.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Meet Lynette & Learn More About Limelight Write Publish Repeat Lynette Greenfield Aut...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt chat with old and new friends live from the show floor at Content Entrepreneur Expo! Tune in to hear from five industry experts about content creation and strategy, content entrepreneurship, book publishing, and most importantly, the great niche vs. niche debate.  3:42 → Austin L. Church on Writing a Book (and What He’ll Do Differently Next Time) 18:15 → Lou Mong...

You only get one shot to make a first impression when inviting new guests into your brand–don’t scare them away before they even make it to the front door!  In this episode, Lauren & Matt share essential tips for capturing attention quickly, maximizing your ‘curb appeal,’ and making your first look count. We talk through nailing your elevator pitch, sprucing up your social media real estate, d...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share tips for making the most of your post-launch marketing and extending the sales cycle of your book. We talk through how to maintain the momentum of your brand growth, professional growth, and book sales by:  Exploring new ways to approach earned promo opportunities Reinforcing your relationship with your existing readers or new audiences Investing in yoursel...

Reader personas are a powerful tool for understanding your target audience! In this episode, Lauren & Matt explain the value of niching down into your target audience, how to create your ideal reader personas, and applying those to inform every step of your publishing journey. Whether you’re still drafting your first book or looking to inject new life into the end of a sales cycle, you have to...

In 2024, Lulu printed almost 57,000 calendars for creators and customers worldwide. In this episode, Matt & Lauren examine why wall calendars are so popular, the ROI on calendars, and different ways calendars can support your brand efforts. We also share calendar ideas for different types of creators, and our tips for making an awesome project.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 C...

In this episode Lauren is joined by Laurie Shipley, Lulu’s Email Marketing Manager, to explore the value of email marketing…beyond just newsletters! Laurie shares insights into growing and segmenting your email lists, using automated emails to increase revenue, and creating personal connections with your subscribers.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources BookFunne...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren review the power of print-on-demand books for subscription-based creators. Whether your content is behind a paywall, time-boxed, frequently updated, or even just spread out over multiple channels, print books can be a great way to support your fans, reach new subscribers, and further establish your expertise and authority.  Learn why we think POD print books are...

With print-on-demand, you can print just one copy of your book… But you can also print 100. Or 500. Or 1,000. Or 3,159. You do you. In this episode, Lauren & Matt talk bulk book orders; when you need them, how they work with print-on-demand, and all the logistics (and discounts!) you should know about. Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources Learn more about Lulu...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren break down one of Tilt Publishing's most successful book launches of the year. Meet Justin Moore, author of Sponsor Magnet and founder of Creator Wizard, and hear how he’s used proven strategies to successfully (and profitably) release his book. Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Meet Justin Moore Creator Wizard Sponsor Magnet Partner Assets Page...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore different ways generative AI tools like ChatGPT can help you sell more books ( without creating any public-facing copy or content). We share so many tips for using AI, including ways to:  Help you brainstorm, refine, and execute marketing strategies. Facilitate your market research to better position and promote your book.  Identify and target your ideal...

In this episode, Lauren finally gets to explain the intricacies and impact of fanfiction to Matt. Listen now for a slightly chaotic dive into fanfiction origins, the evolution of fanfiction as we know it today, the legal gray area of  transformative works, and how fanfiction has impacted modern publishing.  Watch this episode on YouTube . Dive Deeper 💡 About the OTW | Organization for Transformat...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore how indie authors and content entrepreneurs can use partnerships and collaborations to grow their audience, establish authority, and build long-term relationships that outlast any algorithm. We break down strategies for how to identify the right partners, pitch yourself, and make the most of a mutually beneficial collaboration.  Watch this episode on YouT...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren review how to publish your book in 7 steps! Check out these resources to help with each one:  💡 Step 1: Brainstorm Your Book Idea → [6:06] Listen to: Ep #32 | 5 Things to Know Before You Start Publishing Read: Turning Your Content Into a Book 💡 Step 2: Write & Organize Your Book → [9:46] Listen to: Ep #38 | 5+ Tools to Help You Draft, Publish, and Sell Your...

In this episode Lauren is joined by Lulu’s Senior Marketing Manager, blog writer, and master of copy, Paul Hobday. Paul responds to episode #53,  How to Create A Writing Habit That Actually Sticks , and offers practical advice for aspiring writers ready to level up their writing habit into a purposeful writing practice.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper Audible Expands Catalog with AI N...

In this episode Matt & Lauren debate the value and staying power of audiobooks, especially for indie authors. We take a look at market trends for audiobooks worldwide, different ways for authors and creators to produce and distribute their own audiobooks, and the pros and cons of creating audiobook versions of your books.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Data on Audiobooks  Audi...

In this episode Lauren & Matt explore the design options available for print books. We review the distinctions between trim sizes, binding types, paper types, ink quality, and cover finish, and popular choices for different product types.  Watch the episode on YouTube for visual examples!  Dive Deeper Watch The Life of a Book   💡 Explore These Resources Pricing Calculator Resources Page 💡 Li...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren talk through what you need to know about licensing your book rights with foreign publishers. We debate the merit of reaching out to new markets, what that process looks like, and how to use an agency like DropCap to secure international rights deals.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources DropCap Marketplace DropCap Blog Jericho W...

We’ve mentioned, once or twice, the value of selling direct. But how does it actually work? In this episode, Lauren & Matt walk through the direct sales cycle and answer some common questions, including:  How do transactions work?  Who handles customer issues?  What am I supposed to do with my customer data? Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Check Out These Resources Joanna Penn’s...

In 2023, Lulu bought Content Entrepreneur Expo, an event for content creators and content entrepreneurs. In this episode, Matt & Lauren share an inside look into why we got involved in CEX, what we’ve learned about events after owning one, and why we think content creators, entrepreneurs, and authors should join us in Cleveland this August!  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Learn...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt dig into what discoverability looks like in a world where generative AI is changing how readers find books online. We look at what generative AI looks at when choosing what to cite or recommend, and share practical tips to help authors & creators appear in AI search results and, more importantly, to build lasting audience connections. Watch this episode on Yo...