What Metrics Should I Know When Marketing? With the upcoming holiday season (literally days away now!), we wanted to talk about the ways authors can maximize their sales and marketing impact. We talk about some of the tactics and metrics you should know in the Biz Buzz segment this week. Then, Colleen and Peter talk with Sarah Rose about the importance of a brand voice for business owners.  Biz Buzz Segment What Metrics Should I Know When Marketing? Authors, we're supposed to write and write and write. But why is it so hard to write our own marketing?  In this week's Biz Buzz, we talk about some of the tactics and metrics writers should know when they market their book. With the right idea of what to look for in the marketing side, you can tailor your time and effort to maximize your results.  Guest Interview Sarah Rose Sarah Rose joins Colleen and Peter to talk about a little writing. Specifically, Sarah Rose works with businesses to create a nd share a proper brand voice. we also talk a little about the use of AI in writing, how we all have a catchphrase and some about her time working with Bark Box!  Timestamps Biz Buzz: What Metrics Should I Know When Marketing? (3:19) Guest Interview: Sarah Rose (35:33) Sarah Rose Links Website - LinkedIn - Instagram  The Author's Voice Links  Become a Friend of The Show! Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Join The Author's Voice Association Apply to join The Author's Voice Association Read our book! NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Stay In Touch With The Author's Voice Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Get Paid For Your Book Before You Publish  How can you get paid for your book before you even finish writing it? We talk about crowdfunding options in this week's Biz Buzz segment with a special focus on Kickstarter. Then, Peter talks with author assistant Doreen DeJesus-Harper about the publishing industry, marketing, and how it all ties together.  Plus, Doreen, is one of our first members of The Author's Voice Association, if you are looking for an expert in publishing, check out our online directory of Association members.   Biz Buzz Segment Understanding Crowdfunding This week, we take a deep dive into how authors can use crowdfunding sites to raise money for their writing projects. There are a variety of places authors can begin crowdfunding but we talk about one place in particular - Kickstarter. How can you set up a successful campaign? What do you need in place to reach your funding goal? How can readers support authors in a crowdfunding campaign?   Guest Interview Doreen DeJesus-Harper  Doreen joins Peter to talk about the publishing industry as a whole but in particular how the Author Assistant Training Course fits into the industry. Doreen was part of the first course offered by Jan King and we talk about what has changed and what has stayed the same over her time in the industry.  Timestamps Biz Buzz: Understanding Crowdfunding (2:46) Guest Interview: Doreen DeJesus-Harper (31:16) The Author's Voice Links  Become a Friend of The Show! Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Join The Author's Voice Association Apply to join The Author's Voice Association Read our book! NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Stay In Touch With The Author's Voice Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Why Industry Standards Matter What are industry standards? Why do they matter?  Colleen, Peter, and CaZ talk about the importance of standards in any industry but specifically the publishing industry in this week's Biz Buzz segment. Understanding these standards can protect both authors and services providers so everyone is on the same page with a project.   What standards do you use? Let us know!  Timestamps Biz Buzz: Why Industry Standards Matter (4:23) The Author's Voice Links  Become a Friend of The Show! Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Join The Author's Voice Association Apply to join The Author's Voice Association Read our book! NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Stay In Touch With The Author's Voice Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Gearing Up For Holiday Sales Don't look now but the holiday season is almost upon us! In this week's episode, Peter, Colleen, and CaZ take a look at the upcoming holiday season and how authors can best capture momentum during this time. From sales pricing to proper planning and everything in between, we make holiday sales easy for anyone to use.   Timestamps Biz Buzz: Capturing Holiday Sale Success (4:36) The Author's Voice Links  Become a Friend of The Show! Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Read our book! NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Stay In Touch With The Author's Voice Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Reminiscing On 2 Years of the Blank Page to Best Seller Podcast! Join us as the three of us, Peter, Colleen, and CaZ reminisce on two years hosting the Blank Page to Best Seller podcast! We talk about everything from our favorite guests to what it is like hosting a show with multiple people.  Plus, we talk a little about our new way for you support the show - becoming a Friend of the Show! And live, on air, I add a special feature for our supporters, I'll read your name off at the end of every episode if you become a Friend of the Show! Timestamps Biz Buzz: Celebrating 2 Years of the Blank Page to Best Seller Podcast (3:49) The Author's Voice Links  External Links Support the Show - Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Celebrating 2 Amazing Years! Come and celebrate our second anniversary with us today! We look back on our best segments of the last 2 years in this week's episode.  What is your favorite episode of the show? Who was your favorite guest? What is something new you learned through the show? Timestamps Top Biz Buzz segment: Our Favorite Memories Working in Publishing (5:55) from Episode 074 Top YouTube Video: The Allure of Fiction (38:42) from Episode 057 Top Interview Segment: Kathleen Gage (49:56) from Episode 051 The Author's Voice Links  External Links Become a Friend of the Show for only $2/month Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Is My Book Ready to Publish? This week, the three of us answer the question, "Is my book ready to publish?"  While the question sounds straight forward, the answer is a little more complicated than yes or no. Deciding on when to hit publish takes into consideration many different aspects like editing, reviews, and marketing. We look at some of the calculus behind the answer so you can make the best decision for you and your book.  Authors need to walk the line between publishing carelessly and being stuck in the search for perfection.  What is your favorite memory of the show? Do you have a favorite memory of the show? We're coming up on the second anniversary of the Blank Page to Bestseller show and want to know your favorite memory! Let us know down in the comments here or through our social media channels and we'll share some of our favorite memories from you on our 2nd anniversary episode in early September.  Timestamps Biz Buzz: Is My Book Ready to Publish? (4:17) The Author's Voice Links  External Links Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

What Are Little Free Libraries? Have you ever wondered what those little colorful boxes are in your neighborhood? Or in the park? Or by the front of a school? Little Free Libraries are are places for people to drop off and pick up free book for their neighbors to read!  We talk all about the Little Free Libraries and what they might mean for readers and authors alike in this week's episode! Timestamps Biz Buzz: What Are Little Free Libraries (1:54) The Author's Voice Links  External Links Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Biz Buzz Memories of Our First Clients The three of us, Peter, Colleen, and CaZ look back at some of our first clients and how e each got into the industry. We cover each of our starts, how we have maneuvered through an ever-changing industry, and how the three of us came to meet.  Guest Interview Janet Kassalen  A look back at a previous episode, we talk with Janet Kassalen one of the first authors Peter worked with and someone whom we speak briefly about in this week's episode. You can listen in and find more information about Janet in the previous episode where she was featured. Listen to Janet's first episode here: How to Become the Next Great Podcaster Timestamps Biz Buzz: Memories of Our First Clients (2:32) Guest Interview: Janet Kassalen (36:44) The Author's Voice Links  Previous Episode Links Our Favorite Reading Memories - Recalling the memories of our love for reading How to Become the Next Great Podcaster - Original Interview with Janet Kassalen External Links Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Your Book Is NOT Your Business Card Biz Buzz Beta Readers v. Street Teams v. Arc Readers What are Beta readers? What about ARC readers? Or a street team? These are all different variations on a theme: how writers can leverage their fans to help their book succeed. But these terms are often misused and have some blurred lines as to their actual usage. So we clarify each of these terms in this week's episode and discuss how these groups interact with and often time lead into each other.  Conversations With Colleen Your Book Is Not A Business Card A few years ago Colleen heard someone talking about how your book is business card - something that everyone has and that you can hand out to others at events. While that might be true, using your book as a business card doesn't do anything to help grow your book sales. Colleen shares some PR tips in this week's segment.   Timestamps Biz Buzz: Beta Readers v. Street Teams v ARC Readers (2:53) Conversations with Colleen: Your Book Is Not Your Business Card (32:43) The Author's Voice Links  External Links Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

A Bit of Reading Fun What are some of your favorite reading memories? Did you stay up late reading way past your bedtime? Did you take a vacation with a backpack overflowing with books? Or maybe you visited to local library every summer afternoon. We each share our favorite reading memory in a fun discussion for this week's show. Let us know what your favorite memory of reading is in the comments!  Biz Buzz  Our Favorite Reading Memories One thing almost every person who works in the publishing industry has in common is a deep love for books and has at least one (but usually many, many more) memory of reading when they were younger. This week Peter, Colleen, and CaZ recall some of our favorite memories of books and reading.  We ask you then, what is your favorite memory of books or reading?  Timestamps Biz Buzz: Our Favorite Reading Memories (2:10)  The Author's Voice Links  External Links Summer Sizzle Sale: Blank Page to Bestseller Course NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

The Importance of Your Author Brand This week's show is all about your author brand and Colleen is main character of this week's show. Colleen begins with her third segment in the Building Your Author Brand series. Miss out on the first two episodes? Check out the links below!  Then, in our Guest Interview segment Colleen talks with designer AK Westerman. AK is a book cover artist and she talks with Colleen about her love of art, the way she works with authors, and much more. Conversations with Colleen Building Your Author Brand Part 3 Colleen continues her series on how authors can build a better brand. This week, Colleen talks about the importance of building your own email list. She talks about how you can begin collecting your reader's emails for future communication. Plus, she talks about some of the features within the many email marketing platform that you should consider when selecting which one to use.  Guest Interview AK Westerman This week, Colleen talks with designer and artist AK Westerman. AK works with authors on creating their book cover. From the initial stages, AK works alongside authors to create a stellar book cover that is the perfect match for their story.    Timestamps Conversations with Colleen: Building Your Author Brand Part 3 (2:13) Guest Interview: AK Westerman (9:34) The Author's Voice Links  Episode Links Building Your Author Brand Part 1 Building Your Author Brand Part 2  AK Westerman Links Website - Instagram - Facebook External Links NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Biz Buzz Segment A Case Study In Publishing - And How To Spot a Fraud Recently, news came out about missed royalty payments from Unbound (now known as Boundless). With the news of the missed payments, there came some great informative articles which took a look at Unbound. On this week's episode, we lay the groundwork for the Unbound (now known as Boundless) saga. In the second part of the segment, we talk about how authors can be on the lookout for potential bad actors and scams.  Check out the links down below for more about the articles we discuss and some of the links mentioned in the show.  Timestamps Biz Buzz: A Case Study In Publishing - And How To Spot a Fraud (3:21) The Author's Voice Links  Episode Links Writer Beware Article Publisher's Weekly Article Reddit Post About The Bookseller Article The Bookseller Article External Links NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Biz Buzz Segment Questions From Around the Industry Each of us answers a question we've heard asked from around the publishing industry. From trusted places to publish to the best type of format for your book and how you can tie it all together with your business.  What questions do you have in the publishing industry? Timestamps Biz Buzz: Questions From Around the Industry (2:28) The Author's Voice Links  Episode Links Interview with Vaugh Fahie Is an E-book E-Enough? Popularity of Print Books Finding the Right Providers External Links NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Biz Buzz Segment Selling Your Book Online How do authors sell their book online? From Amazon to their own website to book box and more, there are many avenues authors can take to reach readers online. Amazon has recently reworked their royalty rates for print books priced below a certain price and we began by covering that change. We also talk about how authors can sell both hard copies and ebook copies of their book on their own website. Finally, we talk about some of the newer ways that authors can reach new readers such as places like Kickstarter or book boxes. Timestamps Biz Buzz: Selling Your Book Online (1:51) The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

How do you sell your book? This week we discuss two separate avenues for book sales - bookstores and audiobooks.  Biz Buzz Segment Bookstores and Authors Peter and CaZ talk about how authors can work with bookstores to sell their book. With a particular focus on brick and mortar stores, and indie bookstores specifically, authors can work with their local bookstores to promote their book. There is no right way to work with bookstores but there are a few ways we share about how you can make it easier to see you book on shelves or collaborate to have a book signing.  Guest Interview w/ Vaughn Fahie The Importance of Audiobooks Colleen and Peter talk with Vaughn Fahie about all things audiobooks! Vaughn believes everyone has their own unique Voice Print and shares why authors, especially non-fiction authors, should work to have their book in audiobook format.  Timestamp Biz Buzz: Bookstores and Authors (3:53) Guest Interview w/ Vaugh Fahie (32:50) Links From the Show The Bookshop Review: What Bookstores Mean to America Vaugh Fahie: Facebook - Website  The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

This week we talk about bookstores and libraries. The Biz Buzz segment covers how authors and libraries can work together. Then Peter takes a look at the book, The Bookshop by Evan Friss for this month's book review segment.  Biz Buzz Segment Libraries and Authors How can libraries ad authors work together? Libraries are great places for readers to discover new books, fall in love with stories, research new topics, and much more. How can authors work with their local library for events, programming, or just to have their book in circulation? We talk about all of that and more in this week's Biz Buzz segment. Book Review Segment The Bookshop and Kobo Reviews  This month's book review with Peter is a bit of a two-part review. First, he reviews this month's book - The Bookshop: A History of The American Bookstore by Evan Friss. This book covers everything from colonial bookstores like the one run by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin to the big department store bookshelves, from small independent stores to international giants like Amazon. This story, from the perspective of the booksellers themselves is a great way to look at the importance of bookstores in American communities.   Then, Peter reviews the Kobo app. More an more indie authors are looking at ways to share their books outside of just Amazon and Kobo provides that ability. What is similar to Kindle, what is different? Peter takes a look at the ins-and-outs of the Kobo app.  Timestamp Biz Buzz: Libraries and Authors (2:40) Book Review Segment: The Bookshop (25:24) Links From the Show YouTube Video: What Bookstores Mean to America  The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

This week's theme on the show is Reader Magnets. What are they and why are they important for authors to create in their marketing plan?  Biz Buzz Segment The Best Reader Magnets Reader magnets are ways that authors can attract new readers. Colleen begins the segment with a look into the different kinds and versions of reader magnets. Then the three of us talk more in-depth about the reader magnets and why each type of these might be beneficial to certain types of authors.   Conversations with Colleen Segment How to Capture More Readers In Part 2 of the Creating Your Author Brand series, Colleen shares the importance of reader magnets. What are reader magnets? How can authors use them? What are the difference between fiction and non-fiction reader magnets?  There is no one sized fits all definition of reader magnets but Colleen takes a look at the variety of reader magnets and how they can be used by authors to find, connect with, and capture more readers for their books.  Timestamp Biz Buzz: The BEST Reader Magnets (3:05) Conversations with Colleen: How to Capture More Readers (31:18) Links From the Show YouTube Video: Conversations with Colleen: How to Capture More Readers Conversations with Colleen part 1: What Goes In Your Brand? The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

In this week's episode we talk popularity. They say that life is not a popularity contest but it certainly is in the publishing world! This week we talk about the popularity of print books and share what makes some characters so popular.   Biz Buzz Segment The Popularity of Print Books There is nothing quite like cracking open a fresh book . Whether it's a hard back treasure or an easy reading trae paperback, print books are still all the rage. Even with the increased popularity of ebooks and audiobooks, print books have maintained their popularity with readers and publishers alike. What makes this format so popular?  Tales and Threads Segment What Makes Your Characters Loveable? Why do readers fall in love with your book? It's your characters!  This month, CaZ talks about the importance of having characters your readers will love. What makes a lovable character? What are some popular characters beloved by their fans? And most importantly, how can you take those traits and add them to your characters?  Timestamp Biz Buzz: The Popularity of Print Books (3:28) Tales and Threads: What makes your characters lovable? (25:52) Watch on YouTube What Makes Your Characters LOVEABLE?  The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org

Biz Buzz Segment Was your book used to train AI?  Peter, Colleen, and CaZ talk about the recent news, originally from The Atlantic, which published a database of books Meta used to train their AI. This news came about from a lawsuit filed against Meta alleging they trained their AI using Library Genesis (LibGen) which is a collection of books, journals, articles, etc. which is normally paywalled but are available for free.  We also talk about a great organization where we heard about this first, The Author's Guild. This is an organization which provides resources, news, and collective action for authors and writers.  Check out all the links mentioned in the show below and be sure to follow The Author's Guild to stay up-to-date with news that affects authors.   Timestamp Biz Buzz: Was Your Book Used to Train AI? (3:38) Episode Links Meta's Massive AI Training Book Heist: What Authors Need to Know - The Author's Guild Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI - The Atlantic  Library Genesis - Wikipedia  Ethics for Artificial Intelligence Books  - Five Books  Previous Episodes on AI  An Intro to AI Can I, or Should I, Use AI As An Author  AI, Marketing, and The Constant Change In Tech AI and the NaNoWriMo Controversy (An Upate) The Author's Voice Links  NOW ON SALE! - The Write Way: Conversations with Publishing Pros Follow us The Author's Voice on social: Facebook - Instagram - LinkedIn - Threads Watch all of our Biz Buzz segments and more on YouTube Learn more about The Author's Voice on our website: theauthorsvoice.org