The Professional Writer Podcast

55 – Guest Post Guidelines: What to Include

Crafting guest post guidelines for your blog requires a lot of thought and decision-making. But guidelines are well worth your time investment. In episode 55 (part 2 in my mini-series on guest blogging), you’ll get a free printable swipe file of my guest post guidelines that you can adapt for your own use.

54 – 6 Surefire Ways to Guarantee Your Guest Blogging Pitch Gets Instantly Rejected

I receive bizarre guest post pitches every week. I instantly delete them without opening them. Episode 54 is a guidebook for what NOT to do when pitching your guest blogging services. Follow along with the transcript while listening – I reprint several actual, unretouched pitches I’ve received, complete with hilarious spelling and punctuation errors!

53 – Editing With a ‘Reader First’ Mindset, with Samantha Hanni

When you’re writing a book, it’s just you, banging out beautiful words. When you finish the draft, your next step is to invite others to help prepare your manuscript for publication.

In part 2 of my conversation with freelance editor, Samantha Hanni, we discuss three ways authors can bring the ‘reader first’ mindset into the editing process: (1) stay humble about your message, (2) stay humble about your edits, and (3) communicate with your editor.

52 – Shaping a ‘Reader First’ Mindset, With Samantha Hanni

Approach writing as if you’re hosting a dinner party. Invite readers to the table with the understanding that they bring life experiences with them that’ll impact the way they’ll receive your words. “Set the table” for your readers by putting them FIRST.

In Episode 52, Samantha Hanni and I unpack three questions that’ll help you shape a reader-first mindset: (1) What are my publishing goals? (2) Who is my reader? (3) How do I want my reader to be different after reading my book?

51 – Preparing for an eBook Launch, with Dianne Andre

Should I seek a traditional, royalty publishing house or should I self-publish?

It’s a question nearly every author asks themselves.

For Dianne Andre, the answer was “self-publish ebooks.” In Episode 51, Dianne and I discuss why she chose indie publishing, and she unveils four book launch tactics she tried during her recent book launch.

A bonus infographic is included: 7 Steps to Plan an Ebook Launch.

50 – A Dozen Ways to Turn Your Social Media Followers into Email Subscribers – Without Buying Ads

12 hot tips for turning social media followers into email subscribers. PLUS, discover why inviting people to subscribe must become a routine part of your social media schedule, and learn what not to do, under any circumstances.

49 – 5 Reasons You Should Focus on Email Marketing Instead of Social Media

How would you react if every social network suddenly removed all your followers or closed down your account? Would you feel confident that you still have a way of amplifying your voice and connecting with your fans?

In Episode 49 (part 2 in a 3-part series), you’ll discover 5 important differences between social media and email marketing, and I’ll show you why focusing more energy on email marketing will set your business up for good things to happen.

48 – Two Ways People Can Subscribe to Your Blog, Vlog, or Podcast

How do I get more people to read my blog? I’ll walk you through two surefire methods that’ll make it easy for people to receive an alert whenever you publish fresh content. Plus, I include a bonus tip just for podcasters.

47 – Audiobook Recommendations and Listening Tips, With Katherine Scott Jones

Are you an audiobook skeptic? If so, my interview with Katherine Scott Jones will change your mind! And if you already love audiobooks, check out Katherine’s 17 recommendations for new listens in the Narrative Non-Fiction, Memoir, and Fiction genres.

46 – Trim the Intro: Pointed Tips for Bloggers, Vloggers, and Podcasters

Avoid TL;DR! In this short episode, I’ll help you simplify your introductions to podcast and vlog episodes, e-newsletters, and blog posts.