Where publishing, ecommerce, and marketing collide. Brought to you by Lulu.com.
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Matt Briel Podcasts
Welcome to The Publishing Performance Show, the quintessential podcast for both budding and veteran self-published authors! Join your host, Teddy, as he sits down with with successful indie authors and top experts in the publishing world, who generously share their unique journeys, creative inspirations, and future aspirations in their writing careers and the wider industry. Immerse yourself in a trove of valuable insights and actionable advice on writing, essential tools, and practical tips ...
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Matt Briel of Lulu.com – How to Create and Sell Spiral Bound Books with Print on Demand
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39:15Matt Briel is the Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Lulu.com, a self-publishing platform that has been a leader in print-on-demand technology since 2002. Founded by tech entrepreneur Bob Young, Lulu specializes in direct sales solutions and offers unique publishing options that major distributors don't provide—most notably spiral bound (coil…
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Alexa Nazzaro - Effective Book Launch Strategies That Actually Work
37:29
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37:29Alexa Nazzaro is the founder of Axel Author Group, a publishing services company with the memorable tagline "we won't let you publish crap." With a background in writing and business communications, Alexa transitioned into author services after helping a client with an ebook project. Her passion for the creative process led her to support authors a…
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Crafting a Content Strategy That Actually Works
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1:05:24In this episode, Lauren is joined by Lulu’s Senior Marketing Manager, Paul Hobday, for an inside look at content strategy with two content marketing nerds. We dive into: 🫱🏻🫲🏽 Understanding your different content channels and how they support each other 💡 How to build an effective content strategy (and why it’s essential that you do) 🧰 Making good …
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Tom Wilde of ProWritingAid – Understanding Passive Voice and Why You're Overusing It
39:58
39:58
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39:58Tom Wilde is the Head of Partnerships at ProWritingAid, a comprehensive writing toolkit designed for storytellers and creative writers. With a background as an English teacher, Tom brings educational expertise to helping writers understand craft elements like passive voice, sentence structure, and readability. ProWritingAid has evolved from a gramm…
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Tales from the Scrypt: Self-Publishing Horror Stories (and How to Survive Them)
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50:15In this episode, Matt & Lauren share three chilling scenarios bound to keep you up at night and our tips for surviving your worst book publishing nightmares! Hear the horrifying tales of: 🕸️ The Monstrous Cover Art Mockup 👻 The Proof Possessed by Problems 🔪 The Beta Reader Butcher Listen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube…if you dare. Dive D…
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Nick Thacker – Quit Your Day Job: How to Become a Full-Time Author in 12 Months
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52:16Nick Thacker is a bestselling author of over 45 books across multiple genres, including the 16-book Harvey Bennett thriller series. What makes Nick's story unique is that he never wanted to be a writer—he hated writing in school and only started his first book as a Christmas gift for his father. After working in marketing and web design, Nick appli…
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Ellen Erikson – How to Publish Classic Books Legally: The Complete Public Domain Guide
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31:26Ellen Erikson is a publisher with over 30 books in her catalog, including both self-authored titles and public domain editions. She specializes in helping authors understand how to legally republish classic works by adding value through professional formatting, contemporary cover design, and thoughtful annotations. Ellen teaches other publishers ho…
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5 Customer Service Tips for Ecommerce Success
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52:03One of the biggest benefits of selling direct is having complete control over your fans’ customer experience, but even the best entrepreneurs out there sometimes find themselves facing a tricky customer service issue. In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their strategies for providing top tier support for your customers. Whether you’re taking preve…
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Oriana Leckert – How to Fund Your Book with Kickstarter: From First Campaign to Six Figures
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41:33By Teddy Smith
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Audrey Hughey - The 90-Day Planning Revolution: Why Most Author Goals Fail Before They Start
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46:49
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46:49Audrey Hughey is a planner creator, author, and productivity expert who specializes in helping writers stay organized and achieve their publishing goals. After struggling to balance writing with raising toddlers, attending school, and freelance work, she created comprehensive author planners that have become essential tools for thousands of writers…
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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? A…
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Christina Graves - The Psychological Thriller That Launched Thrill Forge
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40:02Christina Graves is a writer, artist, and horror film addict living in the Deep South, where scary stories and history wander hand in hand. She writes horror and thriller stories that explore the darker side of human nature. Her debut novel, a psychological thriller entitled "Still, Dark Places," is available everywhere books are sold and launched …
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Cathy Lewis - The 26-Year Publicity Veteran: Why Amazon Killed the Old Book Marketing Playbook
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35:52Cathy Lewis is the president of C.S. Lewis Publicists, a boutique publicity firm that has been specializing in nonfiction book promotion for 26 years. With seven years of prior experience in traditional publishing, Cathy brings deep industry knowledge to helping authors navigate the dramatically changed media landscape. Her firm has worked with bes…
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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. Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources OverDrive | Libraries Break Digital Lending Records i…
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Gillian Harvey - The 11,000-Review Author: How French Living Created Bestselling Women's Fiction
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35:54
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35:54Gillian Harvey is a successful author of women's fiction with nine published books, including the bestselling "The Year in the French Farmhouse" and "The Bordeaux Book Club." Living in France for many years before recently returning to the UK, she brings authentic French culture and experiences to her novels. Her latest book "The Little Provence Bo…
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Dave Cohen - The BBC Comedy Writer's Guide: How to Make Any Novel Funnier
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48:16Dave Cohen is a veteran comedy writer, performer, and author with an impressive career spanning BBC sitcoms, radio comedy, and children's television. His writing credits include iconic shows like "My Family," "Not Going Out," "Have I Got News For You," and "Spitting Image." Dave is perhaps best known for writing nearly 100 comedy songs for the BAFT…
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Inside the Inbox: How to Plan an Email Campaign Series
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58:15Tune 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 yo…
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Mark Leslie Lefebvre - Wide for the Win: How Amazon's 70% Royalty Isn't Really 70%
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51:35
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51:35Mark Leslie Lefebvre is a multi-faceted author, publishing industry consultant, and book industry veteran who has significantly shaped the indie publishing landscape. As one of the key architects behind Kobo Writing Life, the self-publishing platform for Kobo (Amazon's primary competitor), Mark helped create what many consider the most user-friendl…
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Mike Hourigan - Why Most Book Promotions Fail
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34:46Mike Hourigan is a book marketing expert and representative from Written Word Media, one of the most trusted names in book promotion services. Written Word Media operates several highly effective promotional platforms including Free Booksy, Bargain Booksy, and Red Feather Romance, helping thousands of authors reach new readers and boost sales. With…
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In the Limelight: Lynette Greenfield Shares Her Passion for Publishing
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59:13
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59:13In 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. Dive Deeper 💡 Meet Lynette & Learn More About Limelight Write Publish Repeat Lynette Greenf…
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James Blatch - The Self Publishing Formula: How a Former BBC Reporter Built an Indie Empire
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53:13James Blatch is a former BBC Defence Reporter and BBFC Film Examiner who has successfully transitioned from journalism to becoming a bestselling author of military aviation thrillers. His extensive reporting career included high-profile assignments aboard HMS Invincible during Operation Desert Fox, coverage from Kuwait's Ali Al Salem allied air bas…
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Victoria Gerkin - The Audiobook Empire: How Podium Entertainment Publishes 2,600 Books Annually
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44:42Victoria Gerkin is the Publisher at Podium Entertainment, a leading audiobook publishing company that specializes in transforming independent authors' works into professional audio productions. With over 22 years of experience in traditional publishing, including roles at Penguin Random House, Little Random, and A.A. Knopf, Victoria brings deep ind…
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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’…
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Dakota Krout - The LitRPG Method: How Gaming Logic Creates Bestselling Fantasy Fiction
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48:38
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48:38Dakota Krout is a pioneering LitRPG author and visionary founder of Mountaindale Press, one of the leading publishing houses specializing in LitRPG, GameLit, and cultivation fiction. With a unique background combining computer science expertise and military communications experience, Dakota brings systematic, logical thinking to both his world-buil…
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Shelby Leigh - TikTok Marketing Meets #BookTok: A Viral Success Formula
36:04
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36:04Shelby Leigh is a breakthrough mental health poetry author who has masterfully leveraged social media to transform her writing career from self-published obscurity to traditional publishing success. With over 103,000 Instagram followers and viral TikTok content that reaches millions, Shelby has become a case study in how modern authors can use digi…
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Maximizing Your First Impression in the Attention Economy
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53:02
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53:02You 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,…
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Stuart Grant - How to Build an Author Site That Actually Sells Books
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45:45
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45:45Stuart Grant is the founder of Digital Authors Toolkit, a specialized digital agency that has revolutionized how authors establish their online presence. With over a decade of deep experience in the publishing industry and more than 300 author websites in his portfolio, Stuart has become the go-to expert for writers who want to transform their digi…
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Kevin J. Anderson - 24 Million Books Sold: The Bestseller's Guide to Traditional and Indie Success
54:12
54:12
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54:12Kevin J. Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author and literary powerhouse with over 24 million books in print worldwide. Best known for his groundbreaking work expanding the Dune universe alongside Brian Herbert and his extensive contributions to the Star Wars expanded universe with 54 novels, comics, and young adult series, Kevin has helped…
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Maintaining Momentum After Your Book Launch
53:34
53:34
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53:34In 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 …
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Craig Martelle - The 20 Books to 50K Method
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49:07Craig Martelle is a powerhouse in the indie publishing world with nearly 200 published works, including over 110 full-length novels. A retired Marine and former lawyer turned bestselling author, Craig is the visionary founder of the 20 Books to 50K community—one of the largest and most supportive author networks in the world. His journey from milit…
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Isabelle Knight - The PR Secrets That Made JK Rowling Famous (And How You Can Use Them)
45:53
45:53
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45:53Isabelle Knight is a celebrity publicist turned author branding expert who has worked with literary icons including JK Rowling and major organizations like the BBC. As founder of Build Your Author Brand, she brings insider knowledge from the world of high-profile publicity to help everyday authors develop powerful personal brands, connect with thei…
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Understanding Your Audience with Reader Personas
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49:40Reader 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 l…
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Dave Chesson - How to Beat Amazon's Algorithm with Strategic Keywords
44:27
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44:27Dave Chesson is the founder of Kindlepreneur and creator of Publisher Rocket, one of the most trusted keyword research tools in the publishing industry. With years of experience helping authors crack Amazon's discovery algorithm, Dave has become the go-to expert for book marketing and keyword optimization. His platform Kindlepreneur has helped thou…
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Calendars Are Still Cool (We Can Prove It)
49:51
49:51
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49:51In 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. Don…
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The Email Marketing Podcast with Laurie & Lauren
45:21
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45:21In 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. Don’t miss Content Entrepreneur…
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Kathleen Sweeney - 300+ 3D Book Mockups: Why Visual Marketing Beats Text Every Time
24:16
24:16
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24:16Kathleen Sweeney is the COO of Book Brush, a comprehensive design platform specifically created for authors since 2018. Book Brush specializes in helping authors create professional marketing graphics, book covers, 3D book mockups, video trailers, and social media content without requiring design expertise. The platform offers over 300 3D book vers…
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Dan Miller - Why AI Content Can't Be Copyrighted (And What Authors Need to Know)
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41:28Dan Miller is the founder of The Copy Detectives, a specialized service that helps authors navigate copyright permissions and AI content disclosure requirements. With extensive experience in copyright law and clearance processes, Dan assists authors in understanding when they need permission to use quotes, images, and other content in their books. …
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Printing Money: How to Turn Subscription Content into Books
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44:55In 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 autho…
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Kevin Tumlinson - How to Hire a $7.50/Hour Author VA That Actually Understands Your Author Business
46:18
46:18
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46:18Kevin Tumlinson is a bestselling author and Chief Brand Officer for Author Anchor, a service that connects authors with trained virtual assistants from the Philippines. With extensive experience managing multiple business ventures while maintaining his writing career, Kevin understands the challenges authors face in balancing creative work with bus…
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Matty Dalrymple - The Podcast Strategy That Builds Authors' Careers (Not Just Book Sales)
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40:24Matty Dalrymple is a bestselling author with two thriller series: the Ann Kinnear Suspense novels and the Lizzy Ballard thrillers. She's also the host of The Indy Author Podcast, which has been running since 2016 with nearly 270 episodes. As a writing consultant and speaker, Matty helps authors navigate both the craft and business sides of publishi…
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Scaling Up: What to Know About Bulk Book Printing
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40:35With 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. Don’t miss Content Entrepreneur Expo, THE even…
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Hassan Osman - Why Your Book Should Be a Business Card on Steroids (Not a Money Maker)
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45:05Hassan Osman is an Amazon bestselling author and the founder of Sidegig Hacks and Writer on the Side. While maintaining a demanding corporate career, Hassan has published over 20 books with 9 Amazon bestsellers reaching over 120,000 readers, plus 17 courses with 430,000+ unique students. His expertise lies in creating short, focused books (10,000-1…
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Book Launch Blueprint: How Justin Moore Sold Over 1,000 Books in 90 Days
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48:52In 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. Justin will be at Content Entrepreneur Expo this August… will you? Don’t …
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Michael La Ronn - How to Write 100+ Books While Working Full-Time (The Ultimate Productivity System)
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35:09Michael La Ronn is a bestselling author who has published over 100 books while maintaining a full-time corporate job and family life. After a near-death experience in 2012, he transformed from aspiring writer to prolific author, developing systematic approaches to productivity that he shares in his non-fiction books and YouTube channel. Michael wri…
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Chris Benetti - The Book Funnel System That Generated 10X ROI in 6 Months
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43:51
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43:51Chris Benetti is the founder of Smart Author Media and a book funnel marketing expert who has sold over 55,000 books for his clients. Specializing in self-liquidating book funnels and Facebook advertising, Chris helps authors turn their books into profitable lead generation tools that feed into higher-ticket offers and services. His agency focuses …
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How to Use Generative AI to Sell More Books
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55:44In 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…
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Michael Stockham - How to Write Legal Thrillers When You Actually Know the Law
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34:47Michael Stockham is a trial attorney and bestselling author who has successfully built a self-publishing business around his legal thriller series. Starting with a creative writing background before becoming what he calls an "accidental lawyer," Michael brings authentic courtroom detail to his novels through his 25+ years of trial experience. His d…
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Tony Lee - The "Write Backwards" Method That Creates Unputdownable Crime Thrillers
1:00:27
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1:00:27Tony Lee is a New York Times bestselling author who has successfully reinvented himself multiple times throughout his career. Originally starting as a computer games reviewer at 16, he transitioned through street performing in Covent Garden, writing for Radio 4, newspapers, comics, film and TV, before the pandemic forced him to pivot into self-publ…
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Lauren Finally Gets to Talk About Fanfiction
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50:50In 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. Don’t miss Content Entrepreneur Expo, THE e…
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William Gasner - Why Micro-Influencers Beat Celebrities for Book Marketing (And Cost 90% Less)
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45:49William Gasner is the founder and CMO of Stack Influence, an influencer marketing platform that specializes in connecting brands with micro and nano-influencers. With extensive experience in e-commerce and digital marketing, William has helped thousands of brands scale their marketing efforts through authentic influencer partnerships. Stack Influen…
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