Dale L. Roberts – The Complete Guide to Publishing Wide Across Multiple Platforms
Dale L. Roberts is an award-winning author and self-publishing educator with over a decade of experience in the indie publishing industry. He's the author of "Wide Publishing for Authors," a comprehensive guide that helps authors break free from Amazon-only publishing and expand their reach across multiple platforms. Dale is known for his conversational writing style and practical, actionable advice that comes from real-world experience managing his own wide publishing business. Through his website SelfPublishingWithDale.com, he provides resources, tutorials, and direct support to help authors navigate the complex world of multi-platform publishing while maximizing their royalties and reader reach.In this episode:What wide publishing means and why it mattersKDP Select benefits: free promos and countdown dealsHidden algorithm advantages of KDP Select enrollmentThe 90-day test strategy for new authorsWhy expanded distribution on KDP costs you moneyIngramSpark vs. Draft2Digital for print distributionPublishDrive's monthly subscription model (100% net profits)BookVault's superior print quality and special featuresLaterPress: keeping 100% of royalties minus processing feesThe ISBN dilemma: free vs. owned ISBNsHow to publish wide with free ISBNs (and avoid duplicate listings)Deselecting expanded distribution to go direct to IngramThe overlap problem: avoiding platform conflictsRoyalty rate comparisons across platformsThe 70% royalty asterisk: delivery fees explainedDale's two-hour upload workflow for multiple platformsDirect sales advantages: email lists and better marginsPayHip + BookVault integration for print salesTools for direct sales: Shopify, WooCommerce, GumroadWhy "build it and they'll come" doesn't workMarketing strategies for driving traffic to your direct storeOffset printing vs. print-on-demand qualityResources mentioned:Wide Publishing for Authors: A Guide to Expanding Your Book’s Reach and Finding More Readers (Self-Publishing with Dale): https://www.amazon.com/Wide-Publishing-Authors-Expanding-Self-Publishing/dp/1639250603Amazon KDP: https://kdp.amazon.com/KDP Select: https://kdp.amazon.com/help/topic/G200798990Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/IngramSpark: https://www.ingramspark.com/PublishDrive: https://publishdrive.com/BookVault: https://bookvault.app/Laterpress: https://www.laterpress.com/Payhip: https://payhip.com/Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/Story Origin: https://storyoriginapp.com/Connect with Dale L. Roberts:Website: https://selfpublishingwithdale.com/Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcTeddy’s Website: https://teddyagsmith.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/
--------
44:24
--------
44:24
Rodney Miles – What First-Time Authors Need to Know Before Self-Publishing
Rodney Miles is the author of the Book Dude's Guide to Self-Publishing series and a self-publishing consultant who has worked on over 300 book projects. With a lifelong love of books that started with his mother reading at red lights, Rodney transitioned from business ownership to professional writing after the Florida real estate market collapsed. Starting at just a penny per word on platforms like Elance (now Upwork), he quickly progressed to ghostwriting, editing, and managing writing departments. Over 14-15 years, he has mastered every aspect of self-publishing, from ebooks and paperbacks to hardcovers. Now specializing in custom publishing projects, Rodney believes that everyone has a story worth telling and should contribute to what he calls "the great library" of human knowledge.In this episode:The evolution of publishing from traditional gatekeepers to self-publishingUnderstanding the "ignorance gap" that first-time authors faceDifferent types of publishers: traditional, hybrid, service, and self-publishingWarning signs when evaluating publishing dealsThe reality of book marketing and platform buildingWhy distribution alone doesn't guarantee salesThe "slow boat" vs. "lightning strike" paths to author successHow demand for reading is increasing faster than book supplyStrategies to increase your chances of publicity breakthroughsThe difference between marketing (reliable) and publicity (unpredictable)Custom project approaches tailored to author goals, budgets, and timelinesWhy everyone should write their story for future generationsResources mentioned:The Modern Author (Book 1 in The Book Dude's Guide series)Publishizer.com - Platform for crowdfunding and publisher connectionsShort-form book proposals as an alternative to traditional 50-page proposalsConnect with Rodney Miles:Website: www.rodneymiles.comConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/
--------
37:31
--------
37:31
Alexa Nazzaro - Effective Book Launch Strategies That Actually Work
Alexa 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 across various genres, offering everything from editing and formatting to comprehensive launch strategies. While running her publishing services company, Alexa also works on her own fiction writing, giving her unique insight into both sides of the author journey—as both a service provider and a working writer.In this episode:Effective book launch strategies from planning to executionThe 90-day pre-launch marketing timelineBuilding and mobilizing a street teamGetting advanced reviews through NetGalleyOptimizing Amazon categories and keywordsRunning successful bestseller campaignsAuthor networks and newsletter swapsPost-launch review generation tacticsStaggered format releases (ebook, paperback, audiobook)Special considerations for children's booksFull-service publishing vs. DIY approachesResources mentioned:NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/Kirkus and Forward Reviews: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/Independent Book Publishers Association: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Story Origin: https://storyoriginapp.com/Podmatch: https://podmatch.com/Book Recommendations:"Gasping for Air, Choking on Shame" by Dana S. Diaz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6WBCWNG?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"Summer's Blood" by Adele Royce: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4VZYCPX?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"The Creative Habit" by Twyla Tharp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743235274?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143129252?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tlConnect with Alexa Nazzaro:Axel Author Group Website: https://aaxelauthorgroup.com/Connect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/
--------
37:29
--------
37:29
Matt Briel of Lulu.com – How to Create and Sell Spiral Bound Books with Print on Demand
Matt 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 bound) books. With global print networks across the US, UK, France, Australia, and other markets, Lulu enables authors to sell books directly through Shopify integrations while maintaining the flexibility to offer multiple formats and trim sizes. Matt brings extensive knowledge of alternative publishing formats and direct-to-consumer strategies for self-published authors.In this episode:What Lulu is and how it differs from KDP and other print-on-demand platformsWhy Amazon and Ingram don't distribute spiral bound booksThe production process: why coil bound books print faster than perfect boundBest book categories for spiral binding: cookbooks, workbooks, planners, journalsPricing breakdown: coil bound costs between paperback and hardcoverCase study: Author selling 300 spiral bound planners per monthCase study: Cricut pattern guide selling 900 units monthly (21,000 total in 2 years)Why niche audiences respond well to utilitarian coil bound contentHow to sell spiral bound books on Amazon (merchant seller fulfillment)Offering multiple formats: hardcover, paperback, and spiral bound variationsLow content and no content books: free downloadable planner interiorsGlobal printing networks that reduce shipping costs and customs issuesLulu's 250,000 spiral bound books printed this year (growing annually)Free resources and interior file templates on LuluResources Mentioned:Lulu.com print-on-demand platformLulu Shopify plugin for direct salesGlobal print network facilities (US, UK, France, Australia)Free downloadable interior files and templatesLulu cover creator toolWooCommerce and Wix integrationsBook recommendations:"Salem's Lot" by Stephen King"Write, Publish, Repeat" by Lynette GreenfieldConnect with Lulu:Website: https://www.lulu.com/Lulu.com Customer Service: https://help.lulu.com/en/support/tickets/newDirect Sales Plugins Available Through LuluShopify plugins: https://www.lulu.com/sell/sell-on-your-site/shopifyWix integration: https://www.lulu.com/sell/sell-on-your-site/wixWooCommerce integration: https://www.lulu.com/sell/sell-on-your-site/woocommerceConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/
--------
39:15
--------
39:15
Tom Wilde of ProWritingAid – Understanding Passive Voice and Why You're Overusing It
Tom 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 grammar checker into a full editorial assistant that works with writers across multiple platforms, offering 25 different reports that analyze everything from sticky sentences to character development. The tool integrates with popular writing software like Scrivener, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word, providing both real-time checking and deep manuscript analysis.In this episode:What ProWritingAid is and how it's evolved beyond basic grammar checkingHow the tool integrates with Scrivener, Google Docs, Word, and other writing platformsThe difference between real-time checking and deep report analysisPrivacy guarantees: your text is never stored or used for AI trainingThe sticky sentences report: identifying when 40% of your words are just paddingHow the all repeats report finds overused words and phrases you can't seeReadability analysis at the paragraph level to prevent reader drop-offAI-powered features: Rephrase, Critique, and SparksHow the Critique report analyzes characterization, dialogue, plot, and structureUsing ChatGPT's API responsibly without storing or sharing user textAI Sparks for writer's block: inspiration without replacing your voiceChanging perspective, tense, or adding sensory detail with AI assistanceGenre-specific writing goals and benchmarks for different fiction categoriesWriters Week events throughout the year for different genresResources mentioned:ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com/Writers Week events: https://prowritingaid.com/art/1163/learn-with-prowritingaid-this-month.aspxIntegration with Scrivener, Word, Google Docs: https://prowritingaid.com/integrationsYouTube channel tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIgBook recommendations:Go As A River by Shelley Reed: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Go-River/Shelley-Read/9781954118232Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: https://www.amazon.com/Fingersmith-Sarah-Waters/dp/1573229725Connect with Tom:Website: https://prowritingaid.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prowritingaidX.com: https://twitter.com/prowritingaidInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prowritingaid.insta/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prowritingaidYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClh8Sjuq-j17zxjfvvxmcIgConnect with Teddy Smith:@teddyagsmithWebsite: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtcFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/Pinterest - https://nz.pinterest.com/publishingperformance/Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinstaYoutube -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHV6ltaUB4SULkU6JEMhFSwLinkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/ Support the showDiscover More with Our Curated Starter Packs: https://teddyagsmith.com/starter-packs/
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 to elevate your self-publishing prowess. Whether you’re just beginning your literary voyage or seeking to refine your craft, this show brims with wisdom and inspiration to help you thrive in the self-publishing realm.Each episode promises listeners at least one actionable tip for their self-published books and a must-read recommendation from our esteemed guests.Tune in for an inspiring, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable exploration of the indie author experience!
South Africa