Publish & Prosper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren help you maximize your book’s potential with early readers like beta readers, sensitivity readers, and industry reviewers. We take a look at how and when to engage with them, how they can help your book, and what to offer them in return. Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Check These Resources The Editorial Freelancers Association Member Directory   L...

In this episode,  Lauren & Matt explore creative ways to boost book sales! Learn how limited editions, bundles, personalized products, and more can incentivize new and returning shoppers to buy directly from you - without resorting to discounts.  Watch this episode on YouTube !   Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts What Are Product Variants & Why Do Authors Need Them? How to Turn Casual F...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren tackle the upcoming holiday season. They’ll discuss best practices for getting your books ready, optimizing your site or bookstore, speaking to gift givers instead of your target audience, and reviewing your social media for book promo opportunities.   Dive Deeper 💡 Check These Resources Make Books Make Bank PDF Download McKinsey on US Holiday Shopping 2023 Forb...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt tackle some common pain points entrepreneurs and ecommerce store owners struggle with. We’ll talk through solutions and tips for collecting sales tax, setting up shipping and managing shipping issues, and providing proactive customer service for your shoppers.  Dive Deeper 💡 Sales Tax Lulu Knowledge Base | How Do I Configure My Lulu Direct Products to Collect th...

Self-publishing might be a DIY publishing model, but there are plenty of tools and resources to help you get your book from manuscript to market. In this episode, Matt & Lauren discuss a debatable number of tools to help you draft, edit, format, design, market, and ship your book.  Dive Deeper 💡 Learn More About Fictionary Vellum Atticus Bublish Lulu’s Order Import Tool Written Word Media Boo...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt review strategies for getting your self-published book into indie bookstores, including participating in consignment programs, pitching yourself for author events, and making your book available through retail distribution.  Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts Selling Your Book on Consignment With Indie Bookstores 5 Visual Indicators Your Book Is Self-Published...

In this episode, Matt and Lauren take listeners on a journey through self-publishing and traditional publishing. We’ll look at where those paths overlap, where they diverge, and what to expect on your publishing adventure.  Dive Deeper 💡 Jane Friedman’s The Key Book Publishing Paths 💡 Listen to These Episodes:  Episode #2 → Is Self-Publishing the Best Path for Today's Creators? Episode #8 →...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt dive into what makes a successful go-to-market strategy for your book. Learn how to pick the right launch date and products, choose the best sales and distribution platforms, and craft effective pre-launch and post-launch sales strategies.  Have a question about self-publishing, selling direct, Lulu, or any of the weird tangents Matt & Lauren like to meander...

In this episode, Lauren attempts to convince Matt (and the listeners) of the power of a well-written book description. Listen in to learn how to craft a compelling book description that will help you hook new readers. Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to Episode #13 | Earning Free Publicity for Your Book 💡 Read These Blog Posts How to Write a Book Description That Sells How to Earn Media Attention: Essential...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt share ideas for repurposing your existing content. Hint: it's by turning that content into a book. We share ideas for both nonfiction and fiction book projects, including options that require little to no new writing.    Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts 6 Ways To Publish a Book Without Writing a Book From Blog To Book: How To Turn Your Content Into a Pub...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren review five things you’ll need to know before you start on your publishing journey! We share insights about knowing your content, knowing your goals, knowing your limits, knowing your audience, and knowing your publisher.   Also featuring a meandering detour into graphic novels and an ongoing discussion about crying (now or later).  Dive Deeper 💡 Check Out Jane...

In this episode Lauren & Matt talk through the 7 essential steps to building your own online bookstore. From choosing the right platform to launching your site, we’ll cover everything you need to know to sell your self-published books directly to your readers. Dive Deeper 💡 Step 1:  Shopify Learn More About Selling Your Book With Shopify and Lulu Direct WooCommerce Learn More About Selling Yo...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate the distinctions between author and reader communities, discuss the value of participating in either, and share some suggestions for how to bridge the gap between them.  Dive Deeper 💡 Check Out These Online Communities Meet the Nonfiction Authors Association Learn More About Novelists, Inc. Explore Inkers Con Listen to the State of the Nation podcast epis...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their insights from attending dozens of author events to set you up for success. Hear tips for preparing sales strategies and inventory, promoting the event to your fans, and maximizing your presence at the event.  Dive Deeper 💡 Learn More About These Events CEX Author Nation NINC 💡 Read These Blog Posts How to Pitch Your Book for Earned Promotion What is...

In this episode, Lauren is joined by Joe Solari, Managing Director of Author Nation, for our first-ever Publish & Prosper interview! Get excited for the Author Nation event coming to Las Vegas this November, take an inside look at CEX 2024, and hear Joe’s thoughts on the future of indie publishing.  Dive Deeper 💡 Learn more about Author Nation 💡 Listen to Author Nation’s State of the Nation...

There’s a fine line to balance when you’re setting the retail price for your book! Too high, and you might discourage potential new readers. Too low, and readers might question the value of your content - or worse, you wind up losing money on every sale.  In this episode Matt & Lauren discuss how to determine the optimal list price for your book and what factors to consider. Dive Deeper 💡 Lul...

As authors, writers, and creative types, it’s easy to get caught up in the perceived importance of customer reviews. But do those reviews actually help you sell more books? In this episode, Lauren & Matt debate the value of book reviews for increasing your sales, boosting your book’s discoverability, and providing social proof for new readers.  Dive Deeper 💡 Barnes & Noble Press Blog on T...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore author brands. Listen now to discover the power of your author identity, why it is so important, and how to create and maintain a brand for your long-term marketing and sales success. Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts What Is an Author Brand and Why Does It Matter? Complete Book Marketing Plan for Creators and Authors 💡 Watch Lulu University’s Author...

Super fans! We know them, we love them, we want them for our own. But how do you turn your casual fans into loyal, dedicated super fans? In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss strategies like diversifying your products, demonstrating the value of your content, and creating a community for your fans. Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts 5 Ways You Can Sell Your Book To Find Readers and Fans The...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share their favorite survival tips for attending author and creator conferences! From packing essential supplies to putting your health first, hear our team’s must-haves and must-dos for anyone trying to maximize their time at a conference.  Dive Deeper 💡 Read more about Why Creator Events Are a Must for Creators & Entrepreneurs 💡 Watch Sessions from CEX 20...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren discuss the most valuable tool in any creator’s arsenal: customer data. Whether you’re tracking book sales and behavioral data, collecting customer information through direct sales, or reviewing your key social media and email marketing metrics, understanding your customer data is essential for long-term brand success.  Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts Unlock...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt take a look at best practices for book design. We’ll review key design elements that often get overlooked on book covers, what to include inside your book, and whether or not we think it’s worth the cost to pay for book cover and interior design.  Dive Deeper 💡 Download Lulu’s Free Guides & Templates 💡 Check Out the Professional Designers on Our Hire A Pro...

In this episode Matt & Lauren take a look at the different types of editing your manuscript might need, debate which ones they think are most valuable, and share a few of their tips for making sure your book editing is done right.  Dive Deeper 💡 Find Freelance Editors and Hybrid Publishers on Lulu’s Hire A Pro Page 💡 Browse Fiverr for Freelance Editors 💡 Check out the Editorial Freelancers...

In this episode Lauren & Matt discuss the whys and hows of using Kickstarter to crowdfund your book. Learn why we think Kickstarter is a great option for self-published authors, what you need to know to get your campaign started, and how successful authors are crushing it with crowdfunding.  Dive Deeper 💡 Learn More About Kickstarter 💡 Check Out Some of Our Favorite Kickstarter Campaigns Joh...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren take another look at generative AI and how it can be a powerful tool to help authors and content creators. Hear some of our favorite tips for using ChatGPT as a sounding board, a hammer against writer’s block, and an expert ally on your writing journey.  Dive Deeper 💡 Read These Blog Posts Think Outside The Bot: How AI Can Help Content Creators Using Custom AIs...