The Heidi Thorne Show

What is all the fuss about ChatGPT? I've talked about AI tech for the writing and publishing space before. Here are additional developments that could impact authors and publishers, and our understanding and management of creative work. Warning: Star Trek references included!

Some industry optimism about audiobooks and their double-digit growth in recent years was noted in Publishers Weekly's reporting from this year's Digital Book World conference. But as with any industry's growth comes change. Let's talk about some current and anticipated changes for audiobooks, and how they will impact self published authors. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/egtUpH4YfpE Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Optimism and alarm about audiobooks 0:38 ACX and Audible reduce audiobook prices 4:12 Updates on AI tech for audiobooks and distribution 7:33 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 284.

As platforms continue to copycat their competitors, one of the more recent entries in that race is YouTube Shorts. Let's talk about pros and cons, and how authors can use YouTube Shorts. Be aware that YouTube Shorts could change dramatically and quickly as YouTube figures out what it wants to do with this feature. Blog: YouTube Shorts: What Authors Need to Know http://hub.me/apEFr YouTube video: https://youtu.be/SjYJCl96Svg Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 YouTube copycats TikTok and Instagram Reels 0:54 What are YouTube Shorts? 1:26 The good news/bad news about YouTube Shorts 1:48 What I learned by eavesdropping on husband's YouTube Shorts viewing 3:22 YouTube Shorts still feels beta 6:20 YouTube Shorts best feature 8:42 How authors can use YouTube Shorts 9:57 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 283.

The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey asked self published authors what motivates and challenges them. Here's how they responded. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/BJNq_wn32rA Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 The self publishing motivation question 0:38 The ACME model of self publishing motivation 5:28 Top 3 motivations for self publishing in 2022 5:47 What doesn't motivate self published authors? 6:30 Categories of self publishing challenges 10:18 What doesn't challenge authors? 10:33 Top 3 challenges for self publishing in 2022 10:51 Interpreting the survey results 11:42 Get the written 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey report 12:00 How to connect with Heidi Watch more 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey videos! How Much Did Self Published Authors Make in 2022 https://youtu.be/6ZlLbu1R64Q Do Self Published Authors STILL Want Book Deals with Traditional Publishers? https://youtu.be/byK4f4Qi4nQ 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results and Analysis report (Amazon Kindle & Kindle Unlimited) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 282.

Do self published authors still consider getting a book deal with a traditional publisher? I asked them in my 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. The answers of why and when they do, or don't, might surprise you. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/byK4f4Qi4nQ Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 The traditional publishing question I wanted answered 1:10 Do self published authors understand what traditional publishing is? 1:43 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey answers on traditional publishing 2:32 The interesting write-in answers 4:30 Do traditional publishing considerations differ by genre? 5:11 What do these answers tell us? 6:45 How to get the 2022 Self Publishing Survey written report 6:58 How to connect with Heidi 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results & Analysis complete written report https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 281.

The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey results are in! Find out how much self published authors made in 2022, and what they're forecasting for 2023. This is the first of three video reports on the survey. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/6ZlLbu1R64Q Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 About the 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey and participants 2:26 How much did the majority of self published authors make in 2022? 3:38 Most popular self published book income answers for 2022 5:30 Did demographic factors impact book income? 5:46 Do you make more book income with more books published? 7:43 What are authors forecasting in book income for 2023? 10:22 Does having more books increase book income forecasts? 11:50 Why is it so difficult to make a living from self publishing books? 13:12 How to get the complete written survey report 13:22 How to connect with Heidi 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey Results & Analysis complete written report https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRRJ1H3X You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 280.

Just in time for a new year, author pages on Amazon have been redesigned. The redesign is a good move. But authors need to be aware of some changes. Blog: New Amazon Author Pages http://hub.me/apAjf YouTube video: https://youtu.be/dVJ8t5ySNx8 Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:14 Programming note about Self Publishing Survey Results reporting 0:28 Amazon launches redesigned author pages 0:39 How to get an Author Page on Amazon Author Central 1:17 Author Page redesign details 2:13 Most popular book? 3:31 More changes to Amazon Author Pages 3:55 New Book Recommendations feature 4:42 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 279.

A signature book title is one that when people see it, they immediately know what it is and associate the author with it. But do authors really need to strive to create one for their books? I share examples and tips. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/g1N_xKyVA2o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Authors want to be memorable 0:57 What is a signature book title? 2:01 How do you create a signature book title? 3:13 Having a signature book title without even trying 3:41 Pivoting from a signature book title 4:20 Does a signature book title need to be a best seller? 5:14 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 278.

A familiar request came from an author via email. “Which of these logos do you like best?” I responded that I wouldn't go with any of them. My opinion on the choices had nothing to do with the actual art. Here's why I responded this way. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EyVojXPhBjo Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view/hear segment on YouTube): 0:14 A familiar question about logos 0:40 Celebrity authors don't need logos 1:40 A brand is not a logo 2:28 Author brand failures 4:25 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 277.

I took the new Amazon Attribution Tags system for a test drive to see if it really does help authors track mystery sales sources on Amazon generated off Amazon, such as social media ads. Here's how it went, including screenshots of my results. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PC6zYs9_WKs Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 New book, new book marketing tests 1:05 My Amazon Attribution Tag campaigns 3:35 Amazon Attribution Tags used for organic social media posts 4:30 My Amazon Sponsored Product ad campaigns 6:12 Screenshots and discussion of my results from the Amazon Attribution Tag test run 17:40 Final thoughts on Attribution Tags and social media ads 20:16 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 276.

I posted a video on TikTok and Instagram asking if you received a used book as a gift, would you think the giver was cheap, or that they found a treasure for you. Here's how my tribe responded. Blog: Used Books as Gifts: Trash or Treasure? http://hub.me/apwgj YouTube video: https://youtu.be/yri2mX0ZMq8 Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 I asked my TikTok and Instagram tribe about used book gifts... 0:29 It's a treasure if... 1:06 It's all about the intention 2:07 Depends on condition 3:40 Used books as gifts? Yes or no? 4:22 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 275.

December 2022 marks the end of my 14th year on Twitter. In light of the culture changes and chaos from its recent acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk, will it also be the end of me using Twitter? Let's talk about that since I'm sure many of you are also considering your future on Twitter. Blog: Will I Quit Twitter? http://hub.me/apvkl YouTube video: https://youtu.be/fH7C2sRHy9o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Celebrating 14 years on Twitter. Will it be my last? 0:52 What Twitter used to be 2:31 Who changed? Me? Or Twitter? 6:10 Ghost hunting on Twitter 10:30 The Elon Exodus 13:17 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 274.

I have just wrapped production on a new audiobook that's a departure from my usual content. In doing this latest book, I ran across some updates to ACX, Audible, and audiobook trends that I'll discuss here. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VH9OKzb7r1o Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube); 0:15 My new audiobook, Cradle to Crochet: Thoughts on the Crocheting Life 0:45 ACX updates 3:00 Audiobook listening trends 6:00 Spotify Audiobooks vs. Apple 7:40 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 273.

I just published another book on Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP, that was an experiment in a couple of ways. It was a departure from my usual genre. And it was a test for the latest 2022 version of Kindle Create, KDP's free book formatting software. Here's what I learned. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/CDzHrUXgB48 Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 New book formatted using Kindle Create 2:14 Improvements in hyphenation 5:03 Widows and orphan control improving, but needs more work 6:44 Still no print preview in Kindle Create 7:05 Can I recommend Kindle Create? 7:44 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 272. New Book, Cradle to Crochet: Thoughts on the Crocheting Life is available in Kindle eBook, print, and audiobook on Amazon and Audible. 

Finally! Amazon has introduced a way for authors to measure sales generated by non-Amazon channels like organic social media posts and paid ads. It's called Amazon Attribution. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bXN690DGXgY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Amazon introduces Amazon Attribution Tags 1:00 What is Amazon Attribution? 1:20 Who is eligible to use Amazon Attribution? 1:33 Amazon Attribution terminology explained 5:12 How quickly can you see analytical data? 5:58 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 271.

I see authors and low content book creators forging ahead full steam to write or design their books before they decide on the niche markets their books will serve and what those markets could want and need. This is totally backwards if you're hoping to make sales. I explain why. Blog: You're Doing Niche Marketing Wrong for Your Books http://hub.me/aprOT YouTube video: https://youtu.be/xcSFJpTiq9Q Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Putting the niche marketing cart before the horse 1:32 Why doing niche marketing wrong will cost you money 2:44 Niche down, but not too far 4:56 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 270.

On October 12, 2022, I celebrated 13 years of having a YouTube channel. A whole lot has changed, and keeps changing on YouTube, mostly for the better, even though using it effectively is still a challenge. I'll be talking about some newer features that can impact authors and small businesses, as well as sharing insights from my YouTube journey. Blog: YouTube Handles, YouTube Shorts, and My YouTube Journey http://hub.me/aprow YouTube video: https://youtu.be/TfMtiBEtVjs Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Celebrating my YouTube anniversary 0:40 YouTube ain't social media, but looks like it wants to be 1:06 YouTube Handles 3:03 YouTube Hashtags 4:28 YouTube Chapters 5:27 YouTube Shorts 7:41 YouTube Subtitles 8:33 YouTube Studio and Analytics 9:24 My YouTube journey 14:17 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 269.

I love my author community! On a recent video I did about KDP print on demand quality and quality control, one of my favorite author people, Shanon, whose pen name is @S.D. Huston, commented about how she learned to cope with limitations on book design for print on demand. So this is a followup on that discussion, focusing on some specific design issues for book spines. Blog: Does Your Book Have Spine Problems? http://hub.me/apqpA YouTube video: https://youtu.be/s0bZEvi__9k Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Shanon shared her book spine design story (visit @S.D. Huston channel) 0:45 How spine design impacts your book title 2:22 Book spine line alignment issues 3:58 How to avoid book spine design problems & examples 6:14 Getting book design help 8:47 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 268.

I see a lot of confusion and questions on author forums about trademarks, copyrights, and book titles. While I'm not a lawyer, and this does not constitute legal advice of any type, I will provide some definitions and discussion of these terms, particularly as they relate to authors and self publishing. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/oouZeakqP3E Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube): 0:15 Author confusion on trademarks, copyrights & book titles 0:36 What is a trademark? 2:42 Trademarked words 4:47 Book titles can't be copyrighted, but... 5:58 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 267.

Got called out on one of my videos where I ranted on authors being overly sensitive about what they perceive as KDP print on demand quality issues. Out of respect for that author's concerns, let me address each of them here, though some points might still might echo my position on the earlier video. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/L11jIaPCkGY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Got called out on YouTube 0:43 What was the complaint? 1:41 Quality vs. quality control for KDP print on demand 6:03 Why might a proof look different than the final? 8:06 How to get better print outcomes for your book 8:34 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 266.

In September 2022, Spotify launched audiobooks on their music and podcast platform. How does this affect the audiobook market? Will it impact self published audiobook authors, especially those on Amazon's ACX and Audible? YouTube video: https://youtu.be/-U-Q-_lpO5A Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:13 Spotify adds audiobooks to their music & podcast platform 0:36 How to Spotify audiobooks work? 1:53 Will Spotify audiobooks impact existing audiobook markets? 3:43 ACX and Spotify's audiobook pricing & royalties explained (or exposed) 6:36 Exclusivity issues with ACX and Spotify's Findaway Voices 8:08 Should self published authors switch to Findaway Voices? 11:14 How to connect with Heidi Udemy course, How to Self Publish an Audio Book: https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-self-publish-an-audio-book/?referralCode=75A2310A555CB12AFE4C You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 265.

All authors, whether traditionally or self published, suffer from a “shall I stay or shall I go” moment at some point. Probably more now as book and content markets become more competitive. Here are some things to consider as you consider continuing your self publishing career. Also, update on my 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. Take the survey! Anonymous, 10 click-to-answer questions, takes 2-3 minutes. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V7SQFCJ YouTube video: https://youtu.be/RnNmarIRC3Y Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Barrett Laurie's video on quitting 1:11 2022 Self Publishing Survey update 2:22 Loving the process or the outcome 3:42 The Never Work a Day in Your Life Fallacy 4:29 The You Can Do It, Too Fallacy 5:28 The If Fallacy 6:17 Being realistic 7:59 Stick or quit? 8:37 How to connect with Heidi Mentioned in this episode: Barrett Laurie's Vlog on "Time to Quit" https://youtu.be/XCgArKE249Y Barrett Laurie's Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/BarrettLaurie You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 264.

Two authors were complaining about sudden downturns in their book sales. What is happening and why? Could it happen for your book? Can you do anything about it? Blog: Why are Your Book Sales Down? http://hub.me/apmhU YouTube video: https://youtu.be/aNOxB9hPX6Y Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Two authors, same downturn in book sales 0:51 What is happening? 2:34 Could a sudden downturn in book sales happen to you? 3:47 Is there anything you can do? 6:19 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 263.

In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed in the United States which provided a variety of economy boosting measures and incentives, many of them focused on dealing with climate change. Scheduled for September 2022, The Merge of the Ethereum blockchain will be a game changer in the blockchain and NFT space. In this episode, I discuss issues relating to climate change and self publishing. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/cpCYWwOcK0A Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Climate change and can we change it? 1:13 The Merge of Ethereum and Impact on NFTs 3:58 eBooks and audio books as sustainable publishing options 4:27 Print book sustainability issues 5:49 Skip the swag 6:43 The triple bottom line 7:19 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 262.

People who have a relationship with a creator are more likely to become paying and continuing subscribers. But that's not a given. I discuss why people don't want to pay for subscription content on Patreon, YouTube, etc. Blog: Why People Don't Want to Pay for Subscription Content http://hub.me/apkyS YouTube video: https://youtu.be/rZ2P3z9s1xc Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Replying to comment on inflation impact on subscription content 0:53 How many creators can you support? 2:05 It's not about the money 4:07 YouTube Creators woes 6:30 Is Patreon the answer? 7:44 Are we all just buskers now? 10:00 Blame it on TV 12:04 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 261.

In response to inflation, if consumers realize their money is dripping away month after month for subscriptions, they may have an epiphany moment and start scrutinizing those costs. I discuss the stats that show this is happening, and how this impacts content creators and authors. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/RSMqqRM3Du4 Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Our retirement reset on subscriptions 0:39 "I'm spending how much on subscriptions?" 2:23 How this impacts authors and content creators 3:28 What should authors and content creators do? 4:16 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 260.

An AI writing assistant functions like a robot ghostwriter. You tell the program what you want to write about, along with any stylistic elements and tone you'd prefer. As an author, I'm sure your head is spinning right now with a lot of questions and concerns about how robot ghostwriters like this will impact you and the writing industry. Blog: AI Writing Assistants: What You Need to Know About Robot Ghostwriters http://hub.me/apiPG YouTube video: https://youtu.be/fWQZarTfT6s Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 AI writing assistants have arrived 1:03 What does an AI writing assistant do? 2:22 How does an AI writing assistant know how and what to write? 3:50 What about copyrights... and monkey business? 9:10 Will AI writing assistants put human ghostwriters out of business? 10:13 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 259.

Are Amazon ads worth doing for traditionally published authors? I'm not so sure. Let me explain why, based on my experience from running Amazon ads for my self published books since 2016. So there's no confusion, just for this episode, when I talk about authors, I'm specifically referring to traditionally published authors. However, some self published authors may also find this information helpful. Blog: Amazon Ad Tips for Traditionally Published Authors http://hub.me/aphSx YouTube video: https://youtu.be/f8SY3amhSpg Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Amazon opens up ads to traditionally published authors 0:58 The new traditional publishing paradigm 2:10 Amazon ads are not a sure-fire marketing tactic 5:22 Key ad metrics to watch (ACoS and Sales Conversion) 7:22 Why did Amazon open up ads for traditionally published authors? 8:38 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 258.

One of the reasons self published authors sign up for KDP Select on Kindle Direct Publishing is to do Free Kindle eBook Promotions. I'm not a big fan of free eBook giveaways, whether on Amazon KDP or other platforms. Here's why. Blog: Do Kindle Free eBook Promotions Boost Book Sales? http://hub.me/apgQm YouTube video: https://youtu.be/h5Y1E83Ju_Y Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Not a fan of Kindle Free eBook Promotions 0:35 Why would you buy a book you got for free? 1:50 Reader magnet potential and problems 2:58 Do lots of free downloads equal a successful free eBook campaign? 4:30 Can free downloads be correlated to book sales? 6:35 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 257.

I've decided to do another round of my Thorne Self Publishing Survey to see how self published authors are doing in terms of income, motivations, and challenges in 2022. All self published authors (and authors who do both self and traditional publishing) are invited to participate in the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V7SQFCJ It's anonymous, 10 quick click-to-answer questions, and takes about 2 minutes. I did the first survey in 2016, and planned to do it every two years. The last survey was in 2018. 2020 was supposed to be the next survey. But 2020 was, well, 2020. So I skipped doing it that year, and postponed it to 2022. I discuss more about the goals and plans for the survey, as well as what's been updated for the 2022 survey. Thank you for your participation! YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VmWJ4aMjOTU Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey has launched 1:22 About the 2022 survey 2:26 Updates for the 2022 survey 4:13 2022 survey timeline and deadlines 5:31 How to connect with Heidi and get survey updates SurveyMonkey survey link (feel free to share, too!) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V7SQFCJ If you would like to help support the cost of conducting this year's survey, I have set up a GoFundMe campaign at https://gofund.me/f7e57695

I'm a bit put off by Mark Cuban's brag of spending no money on marketing for his new venture, relying totally on word of mouth. Authors may look at this successful billionaire, thinking they can spend no money or resources on marketing, too. Let me explain why this may not work. Blog: Does Word of Mouth Marketing Work for Books? http://hub.me/apf4i YouTube video: https://youtu.be/YAZjYd22bJY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Mark Cuban's word of mouth marketing brag 1:21 Mark Cuban is a PR machine. You are not. 3:12 "I don't monetize my friends." 4:52 Word of mouth marketing definition 5:28 Are referral marketing and leads groups word of mouth marketing? 7:09 Is word of mouth marketing the same as PR? 7:34 Is social media word of mouth marketing? 8:18 Does word of mouth marketing work for authors? 9:54 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 255.

Pretty regularly, I come across a post from an author on social media where they're crying about their low book sales. After reviewing many of these posts, I'd like to share some general observations about what ails these authors, their books, and their book sales. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/4MGWnxTayEY Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Let the crying begin 0:37 Sneaky self promos 1:24 Pity pleas 2:38 Keyword stuffing 4:05 Unrealistic advertising expectations 5:20 It's not the book 6:28 No author platform, no sales 8:32 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 254.

Common videos on TikTok and Instagram are those showing creators packaging up arts, crafts, or book orders for their customers. Then there are the follow-up videos in which those customers unbox these orders, delighting in all the extra goodies and packaging they receive with their orders. I just cringe when I see these videos. Let's discuss why over-delivering will under-cut your creative income, and why it's a behavior you need to stop immediately. YouTube video: Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 The boxing and unboxing videos on TikTok and Instagram 1:47 Why do creators feel the need to offer more than they should? 3:40 Why over-delivering is so bad for creative businesses 5:18 Saying "No, thank you" to thank you notes 6:39 Do the math 7:43 "But it's branding" 9:30 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 253.

Authors may have concerns about protecting their writing work, but want to build fans for their work, prior to publishing. Lots to unpack here! Blog: Protecting Your Book Idea While Building Fans Before Publishing http://hub.me/apd4Z YouTube video: https://youtu.be/MrzYr1tyB8M Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Author concern about protecting work 1:07 Traditional or self publishing decision 2:22 How do you build an author platform before publishing? 4:29 Your book idea cannot be protected... and why that's okay 6:07 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 252.

Some customers will be disappointed with what they purchase, regardless of what you offer. Admit it, you're not happy with everything you buy. I don't fret that somehow my books or content are bad if they are returned for refund. Here's why you shouldn't worry about it either. Blog: Why You Shouldn't Worry About Returns and Refunds of Your Self Published Book http://hub.me/apcgR YouTube video: https://youtu.be/dmMSzcIi05k Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 The horrible review I got on Udemy 1:20 Business as usual... and getting worse 2:55 "Library-ing" 4:00 How many of your books have actually been returned? 5:56 The realities of returns and refunds 6:44 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 251.

The audiobook market is still on an upward trajectory, with another year of double digit gains. But the audiobook industry is in somewhat of a practical and existential crisis with Google Play now offering self publishing of audiobooks using text-to-speech (TTS) robot voices. Let's talk about what auto-narration is, how it will impact audiobooks, and what that means for authors who are self publishing audiobooks. P.S. Did you know that AI narration was used in the Top Gun 2 sequel movie? You'll want to hear about this! YouTube video: https://youtu.be/ovC-0yhL6BQ Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:17 Growth and challenges for the future of audiobooks 0:56 What are Google Play auto-narration audiobooks? 3:42 The LOL problem 4:34 ISBN and GGKEY numbers for Google Play auto-narration audiobooks 4:59 Exciting and scary future for robot auto-narrating of audiobooks 6:00 How the Top Gun 2 movie used AI narration 7:11 How to connect with Heidi Udemy course: How to Self Publish an Audio Book https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-self-publish-an-audio-book/?referralCode=75A2310A555CB12AFE4C You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 250.  

Do you always have to get professional photos for your author headshots? Can you use selfies? Are there any rules for using photos in books? I share what you need to know about author headshot photos for your books. Blog: Author Headshot Photos: What You Need to Know http://hub.me/apako YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Kq0U_aO-ig4 Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Author questions about headshot photos for books 0:42 Legal concerns of working with photographers 3:30 Tips for working with professional photographers 6:08 Selfies as headshots? 10:43 Tips for using selfies for your books 12:18 How to connect with Heidi To connect with editor and author, Shayla Raquel, visit her website at https://www.shaylaraquel.com/ You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 249.

I'm known for saying that book covers aren't as important as authors think. But what if the book cover is the real value of the book, and not the writing in it? I discuss the emerging and disturbing "books as decor" trend and what it means for authors. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/o7ez2za_lJo Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Maybe book covers do matter? 0:44 Books for "shelf esteem" 2:55 What are book stylists? 4:05 What would you think if your book was a prop? 5:51 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 246.

If you self publish journal books on KDP, listen up! Kindle Direct Publishing has made some BIG changes to low content and journal publishing. I share the changes and what that means for you. Blog: What are Low Content Books? http://hub.me/amYE6 YouTube video: https://youtu.be/iFArTGMCGas Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Heads up, journal publishers! 0:48 New definition of low content on KDP 3:04 Low content product categories 4:28 No ISBN or your ISBN? 7:30 No Look Inside preview for low content books 11:00 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 247.

As you're shopping on Amazon, you may have run across product pages that include additional photos and content to help promote the product. I don't know about you, but I was puzzled about how it all worked… and kind of jealous since I'd love to have that capability for my books. This additional content is referred to as A+ Content on Amazon. It's now available for authors who self publish on KDP, Kindle Direct Publishing. I'm testing the waters. Here's what I've discovered about it. Blog: Amazon A+ Content for Self Published Authors on KDP http://hub.me/ap8JE YouTube video: https://youtu.be/3hyhM5iUl1s Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 KDP rolls out A+ Content for authors 0:47 What is A+ Content on Amazon? 2:37 How can authors create A+ Content? 4:41 Crossing language barriers 6:40 Is A+ Content effective for selling books? 7:30 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 246.

Keywords are important for marketing your self published books on Amazon. But choosing the right keywords is not guarantee your books will sell. I explain why. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/AixJm9hbhhc Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Author frustrations with keywords on Amazon 1:05 SEO ain't what it used to be... but it's still important 4:42 Think like your readers 7:19 Readers should go to Amazon to buy your book, not to search 8:48 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 245. Udemy course: How to Sell Your Self Published Book on Amazon

Can the format of your book affect what markets respond to your self published book? I discuss. Blog: Book Marketing Challenges of Self Published Books in Multiple Formats http://hub.me/ap7mp YouTube video: https://youtu.be/TZnFsUELjDw Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Author concerns about marketing multiple book formats 0:55 An eBook is a real book 1:44 eBook readers are not the same as print readers 2:46 Understanding markets for formats 3:39 eBooks as giveaways to promote print book sales? 5:50 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 244.

What are those weird ISBN numbers anyway? What purpose do they serve? Do you really need them? I explain what you need to know about ISBN numbers. Blog: What is an ISBN Number? http://hub.me/alMTo Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:24 What is an ISBN number? 1:20 How did ISBN numbers get started? 2:00 Where do ISBN numbers come from? 2:29 What's the difference between a 10-digit and a 13-digit ISBN number? 3:04 Is an ISBN a barcode? 3:26 Do you really need an ISBN number for self publishing? 5:53 Should you use the free ISBN offered by KDP? 7:55 What if you move your self published book distribution? 10:49 Is Amazon's ASIN number the same as an ISBN? 11:54 Does having your own ISBN number help you make book sales? 13:00 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 243.

I have to confess that I struggle constantly with the concept of goals. Yes, I've worked with coaches. I've read extensively in business and leadership literature on the topic. Tried all the tips and tricks. Yet, I just find myself consistently resisting officially setting goals. One of the often suggested panaceas for people like me is S.M.A.R.T. goals. While the structure is sound theoretically, it often has its flaws in practice. Let's see how authors get goals wrong. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/iSGbRsBzfg8 Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 My goal setting confession 0:51 What are S.M.A.R.T. goals? 1:50 Specific 2:23 Measurable 3:55 Achievable 5:22 Relevant 8:00 Time-bound 8:50 Why S.M.A.R.T.R.R. goals are smarter 10:11 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 242.

Having many years in and around trade shows and fairs, I'll share some things I learned, and how it all applies, or doesn't, to self published authors' book marketing. Blog: Are Book Fairs and Trade Shows Worth Doing for Self Publishing? http://hub.me/ap460 YouTube video: https://youtu.be/phDx1tcu980 Timestamp show notes (click on time stamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 Self published authors with big goals, maybe too big 1:25 The "Go Big" problem 3:29 Dirty little secrets about trade show and fair attendee numbers 7:54 You won't make a lot of sales at the show 10:35 Do trade shows and book fairs make sense for self publishing? 12:14 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 241.

An obviously new author in an author group on social asked if opting into KDP Select would affect book sales. Well, yes, it can. Here's how. YouTube video: https://youtu.be/weJS_lqkVeo Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:32 What is KDP Select? 3:01 Kindle Free Book Promotion issues 4:06 Kindle Countdown Deals issues 4:59 How does Kindle Unlimited affect book sales? 9:05 Why do I keep my books in KDP Select? 10:03 How to connect with Heidi Udemy course, How to Sell Your Self Published Book on Amazon https://www.udemy.com/course/how-to-sell-your-self-published-book-on-amazon/?referralCode=CC4046D09C80264BC0BE You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 240.

Book marketing fails happen! As authors and creators, how do we get these things wrong? Have we really gotten them wrong? How to you drill down to find your real audience? I discuss and share examples. Blog: Self-Published Book Marketing Bloopers http://hub.me/ap3Id YouTube video: https://youtu.be/CxiawovJ_FM Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Creative and book marketing fails happen! 1:03 My big book marketing blooper 3:43 YOUR ideal reader vs. THE ideal reader 5:41 Niche, but not too niche 6:39 Some books don't sell... and that's okay 7:50 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 239.

Find out what a video book trailer is, as well as best practices for them. And I share whether they're worth doing for self published books. Blog: Best Practices When Using Book Trailers for Book Marketing http://hub.me/ak8Mm YouTube video: https://youtu.be/oPnXtLSUHaI Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:59 What is a video book trailer? 2:54 Best practices for video book trailers 5:33 Do video book trailers really help sell more books? 7:24 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 238.

Wide distribution, sometimes referred to as expanded distribution, is a goal for many self published authors. But is it really possible... or even useful? Blog: Do You Really Want Mass Distribution for Your Self Published Book? http://hub.me/amJuq YouTube video: https://youtu.be/hURrelmwLQs Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 The fantasy and fallacy of seeking wide distribution 1:43 What do you mean by wide distribution? 7:13 What's your wide distribution number? 8:23 How to get real with your book distribution expectations 10:45 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 237.

Self published authors often ask for PR or social media help, not knowing what they're asking for or what they really need. As a former trade newspaper editor and trade show marketing manager, I share what you need to know about public relations for self published books. Blog: * Hiring PR Help for Your Self Published Book http://hub.me/ap1Bj * How to Write a Press Release for a Small Business http://hub.me/akPx8 YouTube video: https://youtu.be/Y36MxnIt3p4 Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:16 The cry for PR help 1:32 What is PR? 3:46 What can you expect from working with a PR rep? 5:49 Can you do your own PR? 7:34 How to write a press release 9:47 Why social media help for PR doesn't help 11:29 How do you find PR help? 13:05 How to connect with Heidi You can also listen to The Heidi Thorne Show on your favorite podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Amazon TuneIn Radio. This is Episode 236.

Publishing companies, publishers, and self publishing platforms all kind of sound similar. But they couldn't be more different! I explain the differences in these publishing organizations. Blog: Publishing Companies versus Publishers http://hub.me/ap0FT YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bpA92vnjkbk Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube): 0:15 Why authors have questions about publishing companies 1:18 What are publishing companies? 5:05 Are publishing companies just scams? 6:00 What are publishers? 6:58 What are hybrid publishers? 8:27 What are self publishing platforms? 10:00 How to connect with Heidi