Publish & Prosper
Where publishing, ecommerce, and marketing collide. Brought to you by Lulu.com.
Episodes
43 episodes
Should Self-Published Authors Use Beta Readers and Sensitivity Readers?
In this episode, Matt & Lauren help you maximize your book’s potential with early readers like beta readers, sensitivity readers, and industry reviewers. We take a look at how and when to engage with them, how they can help your book, an...
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Episode 42
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49:57
How to Drive Book Sales Without Offering Discounts
In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore creative ways to boost book sales! Learn how limited editions, bundles, personalized products, and more can incentivize new and returning shoppers to buy directly from you - without resorting ...
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Episode 41
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48:13
Getting Your Bookstore Ready for the Holidays
In this episode, Matt & Lauren tackle the upcoming holiday season. They’ll discuss best practices for getting your books ready, optimizing your site or bookstore, speaking to gift givers instead of your target audience, and re...
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Episode 40
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51:36
Pain Point Solutions for Your Ecommerce Store
In this episode, Lauren & Matt tackle some common pain points entrepreneurs and ecommerce store owners struggle with. We’ll talk through solutions and tips for collecting sales tax, setting up shipping and managing shipping issues, and p...
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Episode 39
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45:27
From Manuscript to Market: 5+ Tools to Help You Draft, Publish, and Sell Your Book
Self-publishing might be a DIY publishing model, but there are plenty of tools and resources to help you get your book from manuscript to market. In this episode, Matt & Lauren discuss a debatable number of tools to help you draft, edit,...
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Episode 38
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44:42
How to Get Your Book Into Indie Bookstores
In this episode, Lauren & Matt review strategies for getting your self-published book into indie bookstores, including participating in consignment programs, pitching yourself for author events, and making your book available through ret...
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Episode 37
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41:29
The Indie Author’s Guide to Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
In this episode, Matt and Lauren take listeners on a journey through self-publishing and traditional publishing. We’ll look at where those paths overlap, where they diverge, and what to expect on your publishing adventure. D...
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Episode 36
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50:55
Designing the Right Go-to-Market Strategy for Your Book
In this episode, Lauren & Matt dive into what makes a successful go-to-market strategy for your book. Learn how to pick the right launch date and products, choose the best sales and distribution platforms, and craft effective pre-launch ...
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Episode 35
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46:30
Hooking New Readers With a Compelling Book Description
In this episode, Lauren attempts to convince Matt (and the listeners) of the power of a well-written book description. Listen in to learn how to craft a compelling book description that will help you hook new readers.Have a questi...
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Episode 34
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54:34
Books You Can Create Using Your Existing Content
In this episode, Lauren & Matt share ideas for repurposing your existing content. Hint: it's by turning that content into a book. We share ideas for both nonfiction and fiction book projects, including options that require little to no n...
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Episode 33
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44:20
5 Things to Know Before You Start Publishing
In this episode, Matt & Lauren review five things you’ll need to know before you start on your publishing journey! We share insights about knowing your content, knowing your goals, knowing your limits, knowing your audience, and knowing ...
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Episode 32
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43:41
Your 7-Step Guide to Building an Online Bookstore
In this episode Lauren & Matt talk through the 7 essential steps to building your own online bookstore. From choosing the right platform to launching your site, we’ll cover everything you need to know to sell your self-published books di...
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Episode 31
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52:34
Finding Your Place in Author & Reader Communities
In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate the distinctions between author and reader communities, discuss the value of participating in either, and share some suggestions for how to bridge the gap between them. Dive Deeper
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Episode 30
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45:44
3 Steps to Prep for an Author Event (and What to Do When You’re There)
In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their insights from attending dozens of author events to set you up for success. Hear tips for preparing sales strategies and inventory, promoting the event to your fans, and maximizing your presence ...
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Episode 29
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48:44
In the Studio with Author Nation’s Joe Solari
In this episode, Lauren is joined by Joe Solari, Managing Director of Author Nation, for our first-ever Publish & Prosper interview!Get excited for the Author Nation event coming to Las Vegas this November, take an inside l...
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Episode 28
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35:17
Determining the Right Retail Price for Your Book
There’s a fine line to balance when you’re setting the retail price for your book! Too high, and you might discourage potential new readers. Too low, and readers might question the value of your content - or worse, you wind up losing money o...
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Episode 27
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40:55
Do Book Reviews Help You Sell More Books?
As authors, writers, and creative types, it’s easy to get caught up in the perceived importance of customer reviews. But do those reviews actually help you sell more books? In this episode, Lauren & Matt debate the value of book reviews ...
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Episode 26
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44:20
Author Branding 101: Building a Brand Beyond Your Books
In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore author brands. Listen now to discover the power of your author identity, why it is so important, and how to create and maintain a brand for your long-term marketing and sales success.Div...
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Episode 25
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47:02
How to Turn Your Casual Fans into Super Fans
Super fans! We know them, we love them, we want them for our own. But how do you turn your casual fans into loyal, dedicated super fans? In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss strategies like diversifying your products, demonstrating the...
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Episode 24
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44:26
How to Survive (and Thrive) at Conferences and Events
In this episode, Matt & Lauren share their favorite survival tips for attending author and creator conferences! From packing essential supplies to putting your health first, hear our team’s must-haves and must-dos for anyone trying to ma...
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Episode 23
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41:54
Using Customer Data to Grow Your Business
In this episode, Matt & Lauren discuss the most valuable tool in any creator’s arsenal: customer data. Whether you’re tracking book sales and behavioral data, collecting customer information through direct sales, or reviewing your key so...
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Episode 22
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44:28
Cover to Cover: Getting Your Book Design Right
In this episode, Lauren & Matt take a look at best practices for book design. We’ll review key design elements that often get overlooked on book covers, what to include inside your book, and whether or not we think it’s worth the cost to...
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Episode 21
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49:49
Do You Need to Hire Professional Editors for Your Book?
In this episode Matt & Lauren take a look at the different types of editing your manuscript might need, debate which ones they think are most valuable, and share a few of their tips for making sure your book editing is done right. <...
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Episode 20
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46:32
Crowdfunding Your Self-Published Book With Kickstarter
In this episode Lauren & Matt discuss the whys and hows of using Kickstarter to crowdfund your book. Learn why we think Kickstarter is a great option for self-published authors, what you need to know to get your campaign started, and how...
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Episode 19
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38:58
How Writers Can Harness the Power of AI
In this episode, Matt & Lauren take another look at generative AI and how it can be a powerful tool to help authors and content creators. Hear some of our favorite tips for using ChatGPT as a sounding board, a hammer against writer’s blo...
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Episode 18
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44:05