Blogger to Author

Start Writing Your Book: Your First Steps

July 20, 2021 05:00 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MB

When you’re just getting started, making the decision to write a book is the easy part. What the heck do you do next? It’s a big journey to go from “this is something I want to do” to writing an actual book. So, to help you start writing your book, I’ve put together a list of the first steps you should take on your journey to becoming an author. The steps: Find Your Why Figure Out What Your Book is About Find Your Book’s Positioning Find Your Reader Path Write an Outline Write Y...

How to Find a Book Editor

July 13, 2021 05:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MB

You've made the smart choice to hire an editor for your book. Now comes the tricky part: finding the perfect person to edit your book. It can be overwhelming to find the right book editor who will take care of your baby and make it the best book possible. Here, you'll learn how to find a book editor for your manuscript who will help you transform it into a book readers will absolutely love. Inside this episode you’ll find: Why you should hire a book editor A rundown of the different typ...

The 10 Biggest Mistakes I Made with My First Book

June 29, 2021 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MB

I'm going to be completely honest with you: I totally winged it when I wrote my first book, Yoga for Runners. I had an idea of what I wanted to write about and include in my book, but in terms of marketing and launching my book, I made a lot of common self-publishing mistakes. Here, I’ll share the biggest mistakes I made with my first book. I see other first-time authors making these errors a LOT, which keeps their books from being as successful as they could be. So, I want to share my big...

B2A #120: How Do You Know When You’re Done Writing Your Book?

June 15, 2021 05:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MB

Writing a book is hard work. You spend a lot of time typing away at your computer working to create the best book you can. You pour your heart and soul into your new book, working to fill your vision of a book that changes your readers' lives. When you're wrapped up in a book project, it can be so tricky to decide when it's time to stop and publish. When is it time to stop editing and let go? In this episode, I'll tell you the best way to know when your nonfiction book is done. I'll walk y...

NaNoWriMo for Nonfiction Authors

October 31, 2019 11:22 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

Although NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) started out as a way for fiction authors to finish the first draft of a novel in a month, it's also a great way for nonfiction authors to write a book, too. If you've been thinking about writing your book but you haven't been able to actually write it, this is a great time of year to get writing! In this episode, I'm sharing my top resources to help you make your NaNoWriMo a big success. I'll tell you the steps that you should take to get r...

Are You Writing the Right Book for Your Business?

September 19, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MB

One of the major reasons why I have my podcast is to help my listeners avoid making the same mistakes I see so many others make with their self-published books. In this episode, I’m going to focus on one of the biggest mistakes that I think a business owner can make: writing the wrong book for your business. I’ve seen many authors (especially eBook authors) write a book that’s not really the best one to build their business strategically. I don’t want that to be you! So, in this episode, I...

Get More Clients with a Self-Published Book with Christine McAlister

August 29, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MB

Many business owners are tempted to write a book because they see the potential for how that book can help them grow their business. But, sometimes they’re a little unsure exactly what that would look like, or exactly how a book is going to bring in more clients. They’re unsure of the ROI. That’s why I like to bring you stories from authors who have written and published books that really helped them take their businesses to the next level. That’s what I have for you in this episode. I am ...

The 3 Steps You Must Take to Write a Great Nonfiction Book

August 22, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MB

What’s the secret sauce to writing a great nonfiction book? Having a plan for a book that brings about a true transformation in your reader’s life. Readers of nonfiction books aren’t looking for fluff—they’re looking to improve their lives in one way or another. If you can help them make a positive change and get closer to a goal or a way they want to live their life, they’re going to love you (and your book) for it. But how do you create that book plan? Today, I’m letting you in on a secr...

The #1 Thing You Must Know About Your Business-Building Book

August 15, 2019 05:00 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MB

So many writers get inspired for an idea for a book, so they jump in and start writing. I’m all about working off of inspiration, and if you have something to say, by all means, get those words on the page! But, I do think that when it comes to writing a book, it’s smart to do some planning before you get too far into your project. This is particularly true if you’re writing a book that you plan to leverage to grow your business. Before you even start on the outline for your book, you shou...

The Biggest Mistakes Infopreneur Authors Make

August 08, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 13.9 MB

More and more infopreneurs and thought leaders are writing and publishing books. (Yes, bloggers, this includes you, too.) And, they’re doing it for good reason: a book is a great way to expand your authority, credibility, and visibility. It’s also a tool for building a business. In a world where potential clients spend just a few seconds looking at most of your content, a book is a unique opportunity to build a longer, deeper relationship. Unfortunately, many of those authors and authors-t...

Write a Book to Build Your Coaching Business (On-Air Coaching Call with Tess Hanke)

August 01, 2019 05:00 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MB

I know many of you are working hard to build a coaching business. Your clients are getting great results, and you’re ready to reach a wider audience with your message. And, you want to help more people improve their lives or businesses through a mass-market product like a book. You can see how a book will help you build authority and visibility, but when you think about what you should actually put in your book, you get stuck. You’re not alone! In this episode, I’m excited to feature an in...

How Do You Know If Your Nonfiction Book Is "Good"?

July 25, 2019 05:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MB

Are you worried that your nonfiction book isn't any good? You’re not alone! One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “How do I know if my book is any good?” I know that there’s a lot of fear that your book will be judged and that people won’t like it, especially if you’re self-publishing. But, luckily there are ways to make sure that readers really will like the book you’re putting out into the world. In this episode, I'll tell you what to look for to make sure your book really...

Common Misconceptions About Self-Publishing with Alexa Bigwarfe

July 18, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

Self-publishing can be a bit of an enigma when you’re just getting started as an author. In recent years, self-publishing has exploded in popularity, and a lot of preconceived notions about self-publishing have come along with that surge in popularity. You may have heard that your favorite expert self-published a book and you assume that if you just follow the same steps, you’ll have the same level of success. Or, Google or social media might lead you to some bad advice, which can negatively...

Writing the Best Cookbook for Your Food Blog or Business (On-Air Coaching Call with Emily Dingmann)

July 11, 2019 05:00 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MB

I know many of you listening are bloggers and content creators who are looking for a way to stand out in a crowded niche. I know firsthand how frustrating it is to spend hours every week producing amazing content for your audience but not seeing any real growth. That’s exactly where I was with my fitness blog before I self-published my first book. Today I’m excited to share an interview and on-air coaching call with Emily Dingmann. Emily is a nutritionist and food blogger who does amazing ...

What Should You Title Your Nonfiction Book?

June 20, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

You’ve worked really hard to write an amazing book that’s going to completely wow your readers. Then, a really big question sneaks up on you…what are you going to call your book? How do you choose the right title that will instantly make readers want to buy your book and read it? Unfortunately, I see a lot of authors make some big mistakes when it comes to choosing a book title. They come up with a title that they think is amazing, but that title is actually more appealing to the author th...

The One Tool You Need to Find a Profitable Nonfiction Book Topic

June 13, 2019 05:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

My number one goal for the podcast is to make it easier for you to create an amazing, successful self-published book that helps you build your authority, credibility, and business. But, in order to write that book, you need to make sure it’s a book that people actually want to read. One way to do that is to talk with your audience and learn what they need help with. However, if you want your book to appeal to a wider audience, you’ll need to do a different kind of market research. If you h...

Research You Should Do Before Starting Your Nonfiction Book

June 06, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MB

When it comes to writing and planning a book, many self-published authors skip an important step: doing the research that’s needed to make their book successful. But, spending a few hours doing a little basic research can really pay off—both figuratively and literally. Authors of high-quality books take the time to do their research and do it right. I know you want your book to be great, too. So, I want to help you learn more about the research you should be doing for your nonfiction book. ...

What Should You Put in Your Nonfiction Book? (On-Air Coaching Call with Suzi Fevens)

May 30, 2019 13:25 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MB

I’m really excited for this episode because it’s my very first on-air coaching call I’m hosting on the Blogger to Author Podcast. I know that a lot of you have specific questions about your books, especially if you’re trying to plan out your book from scratch. Many of you have downloaded my free “5-Step Guide to Creating Your First Book” or my free “Health & Wellness Book Planner,” but you’re still feeling stuck. So, I’m putting together these on-air coaching calls with prospective authors w...

How Long Should My Nonfiction Book Be?

May 23, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MB

You’ve got a great idea for a book. Maybe you’ve even started to outline or write your book. Then the fear starts to creep in. Just how much do you need to write to finish your book? How do you know when you’re “done” or if you need to write more? One of the most frequently asked questions I get is “How long should my book be?” I understand how frustrating it is to not know exactly how much you need to write. And, I get that you want to finish your book sooner than later, and you don’t wan...

Write Your Nonfiction Book Faster with Collaborative Writing

May 16, 2019 05:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MB

Most nonfiction authors think that they need to go it alone. They see their book manuscripts as their babies, and they would never even think of hiring a nanny to help out. But, when you’re trying to run and grow a business, you don’t always have the time to write your book. You need some childcare for your baby book. You need someone to help with your book project so you can stay focused on your business. For busy business owners, collaborative writing may be the solution. With collaborat...

6 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block for Nonfiction Authors

May 09, 2019 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

Writer’s block strikes fear into even the most seasoned writer. Nothing saps your confidence like sitting in front of a blank screen or piece of paper for what seems like eons, failing to come up with any words to fill it. And, unfortunately, writer’s block is incredibly common. Even professional writers have off days when they struggle to come up with the words they need. In this episode, I’m sharing six strategies that you can use to overcome writer’s block. These are strategies that hav...

5 Tips to Speed Up Your Writing

May 02, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

One of the biggest problems that I hear writers struggle with is not having time to write. This is particularly true for those of you who are also business owners and who are busy running your businesses, creating content, staying active on social media, and a dozen other things. When you’re trying to write a book but you’re crunched for time, it helps to be able to get more written in the time you do have. So, to help you get more words onto the page when you sit down to write, I’m sharin...

How to Make Your Nonfiction Book Stand Out

April 25, 2019 05:00 - 19 minutes - 17.7 MB

I’m going to be honest with you for a minute. The publishing space is getting pretty crowded, especially in popular niches like business or health and wellness or even cookbooks. That means that your book is competing for attention with many other books out there. How do you get the attention of potential book buyers? How can you make your nonfiction book stand out from the crowd and make it onto readers’ bookshelves? There are three big places where you can make your nonfiction book stand...

How to Start Writing Your Book Again After a Break

April 18, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB

Sometimes, you need to take a break from your book. Maybe life got crazy and you simply didn’t have time to write. (It happens—don’t beat yourself up if you’ve needed to shift gears away from your book.) Or, maybe you just didn’t feel like writing for a while. Sometimes we get burnt out or overwhelmed or we just need a break from things. Again, it happens. But, if you want to become an author, you have to finish your book. You have to start writing again. So, how do you start writing again...

Finding Success as a Self-Published Author with Lyn Lindbergh

April 11, 2019 11:45 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MB

How successful can your self-published book really be? And, what do you actually need to do to create and market your book to reach that level of success? From the outside, it can be difficult to know what to expect from your self-published book. Will it be a total flop, or will you consistently sell copies? Will bookstores want to sell your book? Will your book have an impact on your business? From time to time, I like to bring you interviews with real, successful self-published authors. ...

Will Readers Buy Your Book?

April 04, 2019 05:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MB

It’s a fear that I think every author-to-be has at one point: you work your tail off to write and publish a book…and no one buys it. It’s terrifying to think that you could put so much effort into creating a book that readers don’t want to read. And, if you’re hiring editors, designers, or other professionals to help with the production of your book, zero book sales could result in a big financial loss for you. So, how do you tell if readers will buy your book? How can you help relieve you...

How to Self-Publish a Cookbook: The Basics

March 21, 2019 16:21 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MB

So, you’ve decided you want to publish a cookbook. Now what do you do? The idea of having to write and produce an entire cookbook can be overwhelming, especially when you look at the project as a whole. But, when you break things down and just focus on the next step in front of you, it’s much more manageable. That’s why today I’ll be walking you through the steps you’ll need to take to publish your cookbook. If you’re still trying to decide whether you want to create a cookbook, I encourag...

Should You Self-Publish Your Cookbook?

March 14, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

I’ve been working with and hearing from a lot of food bloggers lately, food bloggers who are interested in publish a cookbook. But, they’re often unsure about whether they actually want to go through with it. I totally get it—producing a cookbook can take a lot of time, and it can be difficult to know whether your effort is going to pay off in the end. In today’s episode, I’ll walk you through some of the frequently-asked questions I get from food bloggers who are trying to decide whether ...

When to Walk Away from the Nonfiction Book You’re Writing

March 07, 2019 06:00 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MB

If you’re like me, you’ve started a big project only to get busy or distracted and the project sits and sits until you’ve totally forgotten about it. But, if that project is important enough, you’ll eventually come back to it and finish what you’ve started. This happened to me with my second book: I wrote maybe a third or a half of the content, then I moved 800 miles across the country and had a baby. That book manuscript sat on my hard drive for almost a year before I finally picked it back...

Mindset Shifts Authors Need to Make

February 07, 2019 06:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MB

In some ways, mindset is everything. Having the wrong mindset and looking at your work and career the wrong way can really hold you back. If you keep looping back to the same negative thoughts or limiting beliefs, you can limit your success. Conversely, if you look at your book and your writing through the right lens, it will help you become much more successful. In this episode, I’ll primarily be speaking to nonfiction authors, but I think fiction authors can and will get a lot out of the...

What Helps Authors Finish Books?

January 24, 2019 12:57 - 38 minutes - 52.2 MB

When you’re writing a nonfiction book, it’s very common to get started…and then get stuck. And, let’s be honest: if it were easy to write a book, everyone who’s ever said, “I want to write a book someday” would already be an author. With that said, it’s also not impossible to write and finish a book. People publish books and become authors every day. But, what makes the people who successfully finish different? Having finished writing many books, both for myself and for my clients, I’ve le...

Printing Options for Self-Publishers with LeAnna Weller Smith

January 17, 2019 06:00 - 47 minutes - 65.8 MB

Deciding to self-publish your book and get it into print is just the first step in a long journey. You’ll spend time writing and editing your manuscript, and when you’re done, you’ll get it typeset or designed so it looks great for your readers. Then comes the process of actually getting your book printed. In theory, it should be relatively easy, but it can be really hard to choose where you want to print your book with so many options available. If the process of printing your self-publis...

Use Your Content Calendar to Write a Book

January 10, 2019 11:46 - 14 minutes - 20.1 MB

As a business owner, you're incredibly busy. You're working to keep up with clients, create new content to attract new followers, stay engaged on social media, and more. It's no wonder that so many of my audience members struggle to get their books written because they're so busy. If you've been trying to write your book for a while but you're feeling stuck, I think this strategy will help. In this episode of the Blogger to Author Podcast, you'll learn how you can use your content calendar...

3 Things You Should Do Now to Self-Publish Your Nonfiction Book in 2019

December 14, 2018 12:48 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MB

Is writing and self-publishing a nonfiction book on your list of goals for 2019? If you really want to make sure you follow through and achieve that goal, it's time to start planning NOW. There are three big things you should be doing now to make sure your dream of self-publishing a nonfiction book in 2019 becomes a reality. Listen to the episode to learn what those three things are, and to learn about some great free resources I have to help you get there. Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com/90

Where Should Self-Publishers Spend Money on Services?

December 06, 2018 06:00 - 16 minutes - 22.8 MB

In this episode, I'm talking about where current and future self-published authors should be spending their money on services like hiring a designer or an editor. I've been getting a lot of questions lately about what tasks authors should hire out and what they should DIY. I know a lot of you don't have a budget to necessarily pay someone to do every single part of the process, but maybe you recognize that there are some places where you might benefit from actually paying somebody to help yo...

How to Promote Your Black Friday Book Sale

November 15, 2018 13:01 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MB

Black Friday is coming up quickly, which means that if you want to offer a deal and sell more books, you need to have a marketing plan in place. But, with so many deals popping up in social media feeds and email inboxes, it can be tough to make sure people see your deal…and take advantage of it. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the basics of planning out your Black Friday (or Cyber Monday) book promotion. At the end of the episode, you’ll have a better idea of what you’ll need to do to...

What Makes a Nonfiction Book Successful?

November 08, 2018 13:43 - 15 minutes - 20.7 MB

What does it take to make a self-published nonfiction book a success? Writing and producing a book takes a lot of time. And, if you're going to hire someone to help you with your book, you need to know whether it's worth investing the money, too. To help you make that decision, I'm sharing what has helped my most successful clients make their books profitable. From writing to marketing, you'll hear what has worked for other self-published nonfiction authors. Show notes: bloggertoauthor.com...

Black Friday Book Sale Ideas (Beyond a Simple Discount)

November 01, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MB

This episode is being released on November 1st, when holiday shopping season is upon us. That begs the question: how can you make sure your book makes it into gift bags and stockings this year? Many authors will offer sales on their books on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. And, although price cut can definitely entice shoppers to buy your book, sometimes you need to sweeten the deal even more to actually make the sale. Today’s episode will walk you through some ideas for how you can get a Bl...

Become a Thought Leader in Your Niche with a Book

October 25, 2018 11:31 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MB

There’s a reason why self-publishing is so big right now, especially for entrepreneurs—a book can give you instant authority and credibility. Your book instantly sets you above other people in your niche who don’t have books. It shows that you’re serious about what you do and your business. And, it shows people that you are a thought leader in your space. In this episode, I want to dig deep into the idea of thought leadership and how your book will help you become a thought leader in your ...

Traditionally-Published to Self-Published Author with Bonnie Taub-Dix

October 18, 2018 05:00 - 29 minutes - 41 MB

I often get asked about the differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing. In particular, many entrepreneurs and bloggers want to know which direction they should take. They know that there are pros and cons of both traditional publishing and self-publishing, but they're not sure what the right choice is for them and their businesses. In this episode, I'm featuring an interview with Bonnie Taub-Dix. Bonnie has a unique perspective because she initially published her book w...

Find What Makes Your Book Special

October 11, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MB

These days, more and more people are self-publishing books. That means more competition for readers and more noise for you to break through. How do you get your self-published to stand out? By finding what makes your book unique and special. In many ways, your book is like your business. To stand out and find people willing to buy your book (or invest in your business), you need to tell them how your book is different. How is your book THE book to solve their problem or help them make a t...

3 Ways to Expand and Improve Your Nonfiction Book Manuscript

October 04, 2018 05:00 - 17 minutes - 23.7 MB

"How do I know if my book is any good?" That's one of the top five questions I get asked over and over again. It's a tough question to answer, and my answer is always nuanced and dependent upon that author's audience and ideal reader. Really, it comes down to whether your book helps solve a problem for your reader, or if it helps them improve their life. Luckily, there are a few simple ways that you can improve your manuscript. So today, I'm giving you a little bit of insight into my tho...

How to Get Brand Sponsors for Your Self-Published Cookbook with Maggie Michalczyk

September 27, 2018 05:00 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MB

Many food bloggers (and other fans of food) dream about becoming a cookbook author someday. They flip through cookbooks in the bookstore and fantasize about what it would be like to see their name on the cover and see their food photography on those glossy pages. But, many of them wait around for a publisher to come calling. They either wind up waiting many years for their dream to come true, or they never realize that dream at all. I'm excited to feature an interview with registered dieti...

Why Every Blogger Should Consider Self-Publishing a Book

September 20, 2018 05:00 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MB

Bloggers are uniquely suited to become authors. Most bloggers today are actively working to build an audience of engaged followers who will want to buy their book. They don't have to create an audience of book readers from scratch. They've done the hard work of finding the people who need their message, which makes the process of selling books infinitely easier. Bloggers are also used to the writing process. They consistently create new content month after month. They have the skills that ...

Feeling Down About Your Self-Published Book? Don't!

September 13, 2018 05:00 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MB

As self publishing becomes more and more popular, self-published authors are more and more likely to run into...well, let's call them haters. They look down on self-published books, and they tell self-published authors that their book is never going to go anywhere. There are even a few traditionally-published authors out there who think they're better than self publishers. I'm here today to tell you to ignore all of the haters. Your self-published book can be just as important as any tradi...

Get Your Already-Published Book Ready for the Holidays

September 06, 2018 05:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

I know that many of you who listen to the podcast are already authors. You've written, published, and launched your books, and you love hearing tips to help you sell more copies of your book now that the momentum of your launch has worn off. Whether you published your book six months or six years ago (or even longer), this episode is for you. Traditionally you think about retail stores getting ready for holiday shoppers. But, authors should take the time to get their books ready for holida...

How to Get More Health and Wellness Clients with a Book

August 30, 2018 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MB

As you can tell by the title, "How to Get More Health and Wellness Clients with a Book," this episode is specifically aimed at those of you who are professionals in the health, wellness, and fitness industry. I've spent many years first being passionate about, then working in, this industry, and three of my four books are fitness books. Most of my clients are also in health and wellness, which means I have a LOT of experience with health and wellness books. I also interact with many, many pr...

How to Sell More eBooks on Amazon with Dave Chesson

August 23, 2018 05:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MB

eCommerce giant Amazon has been a game changer for self-published authors. But, getting your book seen by the shoppers who want it can be a little tricky. With hundreds of millions of shoppers on Amazon each month, all you need to do is load your eBook into KDP and the money will start rolling in, right? If only it was that easy... In this episode, I'm featuring an interview with Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur. Dave is a Kindle publishing expert, the host of the Book Marketing Show Podcast,...

How to Self Publish Your Book in Time for the Holidays

August 16, 2018 05:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Smart authors take full advantage of the holiday shopping season. They know that their book would make a perfect gift, and they want to make sure that it's on shoppers' lists. But, if your book isn't ready in time for the holidays, well...you're not going to see that nice holiday bump in your book sales and royalty payouts, either. If you want to publish you book in time to take advantage of the holiday shopping season, you need to be getting started NOW. In this episode, I'll walk you thr...

How to Uplevel Your Business with a Self-Published Book with Dana Malstaff

August 09, 2018 05:00 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MB

I've mentioned before that more and more authors with big audiences are choosing to self publish. I'm really honored to feature an interview with one of those people in this episode of the Blogger to Author podcast. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Dana Malstaff of Boss Mom. Dana self published her book Boss Mom: The Ultimate Guide to Raising a Business & Nurturing Your Family Like a Pro in 2015, and that book helped her launch her business into the stratosphere. In our interview...

Episodes

Guests