Publish & Prosper

In this episode Matt & Lauren recap some of the hottest topics and trends in the publishing industry from 2024, and make a few predictions for 2025.    Thanks for a great year of publishing and prospering with us!  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Written Word Media | 2024 Indie Author Survey Results: Insights into Self Publishing for Authors 💡 Louis Grenier | $16k in 5 Days Boo...

In this episode Lauren & Matt explore the journey to successful audience growth by finding your content niche, defining your ideal reader, and identifying your target audience. We also discuss the value of learning from other creators, ways to inject new life into your marketing efforts, and the correct way to pronounce niche, among other things .  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren tackle some of the most common misconceptions about self-publishing. We debunk myths like:  ❌ You won’t make any money self-publishing ❌ You have to spend a lot of money to self-publish ❌ There’s no credibility in self-publishing And most importantly: fake M&Ms are just as good as real M&Ms.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to The...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss the New York Times Best Seller lists. Learn how the lists are decided, what disqualifies a book from being a potential NYT Best-Seller, and why self-published authors rarely make the cut.   Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 The New York Times | About the Best Sellers 💡 Novlr | The New York Times Bestseller Lists Explained 💡 Wikipedia | The...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren have a conversation about Taylor Swift’s upcoming book, talking through her decision to self-publish it, and what that says about the future of traditional publishing.  Disclaimer: This episode was Matt’s idea, not Lauren’s. Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Target Press Release 💡 Related Episodes Ep #2 | Is Self-Publishing the Best Path for Today&a...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt review the important metrics you need to be tracking to boost your book sales, grow your brand, and connect with a loyal audience. We take a look at social media, email, website, and customer data and share valuable tools and tips to help you make the most of the data you collect.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Check Out These Resources Shopify |...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share tips for maximizing your return on investment when you attend a conference. We have our top picks for note-taking, strategies for putting your ideas into action, and using your conference experience to establish yourself as a thought leader.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Otter. AI 💡 Ecamm Live 💡 Ann Handley’s Total Annarchy Newsletter 💡...

It’s officially been one year of Publish & Prosper! Join Lauren & Matt for a special Ask Us Anything episode, where we take listener questions about publishing, marketing, Lulu products, and - of course - Disney.  We answer questions like:  Do you start building your audience first and then write your book, or do you start writing your book first and then build your audience?  What trends...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren review the best ways to repurpose content for social media. They talk through reusing your existing social content, reposting other people’s social content, and repurposing your book material as social content.  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes Episode #12 | Social Media Marketing for Authors & Creators Episode #25 | Aut...

Custom and special edition books are more popular than ever - and more accessible than ever. In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore how indie authors can create custom editions of their self-published books. We look at popular customizations like sprayed edges, embellished covers, specialty bindings, and more!  Watch this episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper 💡 Read How to Convince Readers to Buy...

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...