How do writers succeed?
By constantly learning!
The publishing industry changes every year. The best ways to market a book do too. These days, even how we write is changing, due to advances in technology.
How is a writer to stay up to date with everything she needs to know?
It can be overwhelming, but podcasts can help. There are some very informative and timely podcasts out there that as a working writer, you should be listening to.
I say “should” not because I’m some hard-nosed writing coach, but because I’ve received so many benefits already from listening to these shows.
The thing about podcasts is that they’re SO easy to include in your life. You can listen to them on your commute, while taking a walk, during your housecleaning chores, or even when you’re relaxing in the bath. (Just don’t submerge the computer or phone!)
While you’re engaging in some other mindless activity, you can be educating and inspiring yourself.
Writers Succeed Podcast 1: The Creative Penn Podcast
Unless you’re living under a rock, you already know about this podcast. I’ve been listening to it on and off for years, but lately I’ve picked up my pace and am enjoying more episodes. Host Joanna Penn is one of the leading voices out there right now discussing artificial intelligence (AI) and what all the advancements in that technology mean for authors.
She takes a very tech-positive approach to the issue, which is refreshing. In a world where change can seem like approaching doom to writers, Ms. Penn turns it around so we can begin to see how we may use these tools to our advantage.
It was due to her influence that I checked out ProWritingAid, and I’m also listening with interest to her thoughts on selling books from your own website. I’m not ready to take that step yet, but it’s nice to know what other authors are doing to make themselves less dependent on other retailers.
Sample episode to try: The Next Strategic Step On Your Author Journey and Author Nation with Joe Solari
2: Novel Marketing Podcast
Run by author and CEO of Author Media Thomas Umstaddt Jr., this is one of my favorite book-marketing podcasts, and my usual go-to when I have time to listen. As the longest-running book-marketing podcast in the world, it focuses mainly on book marketing—which we all know, is often the biggest challenge for authors.
I love Umstaddt’s positive attitude in this podcast—you can tell he’s always smiling when he’s recording these. Plus he is unique in that he offers step-by-step instructions on how to do a variety of marketing tactics for your book and your brand. You can listen to one of his podcasts and then go off and try that thing and see how it works for you.
He does tackle other subjects now and then. Like his latest episode (as of the writing of this post) is titled, “When to Quit.” I gravitate more towards his episodes that hit marketing directly. He’s covered updates in self-publishing, black Friday promotion tips, pricing and promotions, how to get book clubs to choose your book, etc.
Sample episode to try: Why Most Authors Don’t Need Social Media in 2024
Writers Succeed Podcast 3: The Self Publishing Show Podcast
Author Mark Dawson—multiple USA bestseller—started this podcast and still appears on it, though today author James Blatch often hosts the interviews. Mr. Dawson has over 100 titles published and knows his stuff when it comes to putting your work out there in a way that gets you sales. He also offers several courses for writers that you may want to take advantage of.
I found this podcast while seeking out podcasts for writers, and it has remained in my favorites list because the episodes deliver real information I can use. It’s not all about marketing. Mr. Dawson and Mr. Blatch cover a wide array of topics, from setting goals to structuring a nonfiction book to Amazon ads and time management. I appreciate their marketing episodes the most, but you may enjoy some of the others as well.
Sample episode to try: Essential Tips for New Authors
4: Self Publishing Insider Podcast
This show is put out by the indie marketing experts at Draft 2 Digital, the popular online distribution company for self-publishers. Each week, the podcast features an interview that helps authors with all sorts of facets of self-publishing, from writing and craft to marketing and promotion.
I just recently became aware of this podcast via one particular episode, included below. So I’m not sure yet if it has lasting power (in my bookmark list, at least), but I enjoyed that one episode so much I wanted to include it here. Plus, Draft 2 Digital is a big deal in the self-publishing world. You may already use it, so you might as well check out the podcast.
Sample episode to try: 2024 All Star Publishing Predictions
Writers Succeed Podcast 5: Book Marketing Show
Run by Dave Chesson of Kindlepreneur fame, the Book Marketing Show focuses on helping writers to sell more books, though the show does cover other things too like book writing, editing, and formatting. My favorite episodes, though, are the more direct book marketing ones that talk about practical tips you can try yourself.
Honestly, there aren’t as many of those types of episodes as there are on the Novel Marketing podcast, but you can still find some good ones. You can learn about price hacks to boost sales, for example, using Fiverr for book covers, or mistakes authors make on social media.
Whether you listen to the podcast or not, I would suggest checking out Chesson’s thoughts about Amazon keywords. He’s the leading voice on that topic and has some tactics that may help you to better find your ideal readers on Amazon. Explore his courses on this topic and more.
Sample episode to try: How to Get Book Reviews
6: Online Marketing Made Easy
This podcast is for anyone looking to market a product—not just a book. But I’ve found several of the episodes helpful so far. One good example is the sample episode below, which is on email marketing—something all authors should be doing, right?
Run by Amy Porterfield, author and online marketing expert, it’s targeted toward entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses. (And that includes all authors wanting to sell books.) In addition to email marketing, Ms. Porterfield covers topics like finding your niche, crafting digital courses (which many authors do), balancing business and home life, and when to hire a virtual assistant.
Many of these episodes may not apply to authors, but I like having this one on my list as every now and then, I find one that’s super helpful.
Sample episode to try: My Email Marketing Makeover: 3 New Strategies I’m Trying This Year
Writers Succeed Podast 7: The Marketing Book Podcast
The title of this is one that can be misleading. It’s not a show about book marketing. It’s a show about marketing books. You know, those books written about marketing. It features weekly interviews with authors of new marketing and sales books.
Hosted by Douglas Burdett, a marketing strategist, former artillery officer, Madison Avenue ad man, and stand-up comedian—and yes, he is funny, which is part of what makes this podcast fun to listen to—the podcast has been named by LinkedIn and Forbes as one of the top marketing and sales podcast.
As an author, you may feel that such a podcast couldn’t really help you, as it’s about marketing in general, not book marketing specifically. And there are some differences in marketing books and marketing other products. But, there are a lot more things that all marketing has in common.
I’ve found some good tips in some of the episodes, but the reason I really like this podcast is that it immerses you in marketing. I, like many authors, am not a marketer. I don’t have the gift for it! But I want to learn more so that I can give all my books a better chance of finding their readers.
After listening to one of these podcasts, I find myself thinking more like a marketer (as much as my writing brain can manage). That awakens in me the desire to learn more, which I figure can only be helpful! Plus hey—the podcast provides book recommendations!
Sample episode to try: The Sale is In the Tale by John Livesay
8: On Good Author-ity Podcast
This is another one I’ve only recently become aware of, but I’ve enjoyed some episodes so far. Run by New York bestselling author Anna David, this show focuses on helping authors to write and publish books that will “build their authority.” It sort of caters to people who may be involved in other walks of life, but who feel they have a book in them and would like to write and publish it to help cement their expertise in their unique area.
Again, this may not apply directly to authors who are authors first, but it’s clearly a helpful podcast for writers because it hits on so many topics that we need help with. One of the recent episodes, for example, was an interview with Dave Chesson (see #5). In listening to it, I snagged a tip on how to ask for reviews at the back of the book that I’d never heard before. (Check out the sample episode to hear that!)
Other topics recently covered include preparing for a book release, getting your book into stores, using your book to build your brand, book launches, the importance of subtitles, and more.
Sample episode to try: Make Sure You Write the Right Book with Dave Chesson
How about you? Any podcasts you think writers should know about? Please share!
Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.