Dive into the complete episode list for Become a Writer Today . Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Pub. Date
Title
Duration
29 Jan 2020
How Newsletters Make Money for Writers with Hamish McKenzie of Substack
00:25:51
The internet is a noisy place for writers. If you want to build a relationship with readers and earn more from your creative work, consider starting a newsletter. Substack is an example of a popular service that you can try.
I recently interviewed co-founder and COO Hamish McKenzie. In this interview, he explains:
Why newsletters are a great way of earning more money as w writer
Why your first newsletter starts with an ideal reader
How to build a relationship with readers and fans
What it takes to grow a newsletter that people will pay for
And lots more.
I started by asking McKenzie to explain what Substack is and why he set it up in 2017.
Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage With Joanna Nylund
00:18:57
Have you ever faced an insurmountable barrier?
If so, a Finnish idea may help you solve that problem. Sisu is a concept that means strength of will, determination, perseverance. It’s kind of like stoicism.
Finnish author Joanna Nylund delves into this concept in her book Sisu: The Finish Art of Courage, which was published in 2018.
I recently had the chance to catch up with Joanna and in this interview, she explains:
What exactly Sisu is and why it's so useful
How this Finish concept can help become a better entrepreneur, writer or author
Her process for writing the book Sisu: The Finnish Art of Courage
Why she uses so many visual elements in her book
How photography informs her writing and creative work
I started by asking Joanna how she went about explaining a finish concept outside of her native country.
Writing the First Draft: The No-Nonsense Guide for Authors
00:11:03
I once wrote the first draft of a book chapter that smelt so bad, I had to open up the office window while reading it.It's a good thing my first drafts are for me alone, and yours should be too.When you sit down to write a first draft, you may lack confidence or feel uninspired by what you're about to do.When you’re writing a first draft, it's you alone wrestling with your ideas and stories, and if you pin one to the page or if procrastination pins you to the chair, nobody needs to know.Most writers, even successful ones, don't write good first drafts. They're more concerned with getting the words out of their heads and onto the blank page. They know they can fix their writing later on during a subsequent rewrite or during the editing process.You may feel like you're writing with a crayon in your mouth, and that's okay.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
7 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing Your First Book
00:12:00
It’s exciting, isn’t it?Writing your first book and then sending the final version to your editor and later it being available (and SELLING!) on stores like Amazon.The months (or even years) of hard work are over, and now you can watch with pride as your book goes out into the world.Now, you can sit back as your ideas and stories make an impact on readers and earn you a side-income.You can finally call yourself an author.But, what if you’re not there yet? What if you’re still struggling to finish writing your first book?Then, I think you’ll agree with me that writing a book is tough work.Like really tough.But, don’t worry.In this episode, I’m going to be honest with you.I’m going to reveal seven of the most common writing mistakes aspiring authors must avoid (and how you can do it).--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How Meditation Helps Creativity with Dr. Megan Jones of Headspace
00:23:47
Dr. Megan Jones is chief science officer at Headspace, the company behind the popular meditation app of the same name. Meditation offers several benefits for entrepreneurs, leaders and creatives. In this interview, she explains:
How meditation enables creative thinking
How to get started meditating even if you have no time
What happens when you practice for just three weeks
The type of meditation creatives should start with
And lots more.
I started by asking to explain how meditation can help someone become more productive.
How to Build a 7 Figure Business in 12 Months With Ryan Daniel Moran
00:26:46
Ryan Moran is the founder of Capitalism, Freedom Fast Lane and the author of an upcoming book called 12 Months to One Million.
He has also helped over 300 entrepreneurs launch and grow seven figure businesses on places like Amazon by encouraging them to ask and answer three simple questions that guides them through these stages.
In this interview, Moran explains:
The three questions every entrepreneur (and author) should ask themselves before launching a product or selling book
Why he wrote a book even though it's not necessarily the fastest way to build a business
What his writing process looks like
Why he teaches his ideas in different media, from books to podcasts to videos
How he manages his time as an author, entrepreneur and coach
And lots more.
I started by asking Ryan about the background behind his business Capitalism.com and why he decided to write a book in the first place.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
An allegory is basically a story that reveals a hidden meaning or moral. One great example is *The Alchemist* by Paulo Coelho. An allegory is necessarily as long as a novel, but it should leave the reader with an understanding of a key concept or idea.
An allegory is a little like self-help, except in the vein of a story.
I want to talk about four of the most common fears that new writers and people who set out to write a book for the first time often have. To talk about these fears I want to tell you a little bit about my writing journey.You see, when I was in my early twenties I decided I wanted to become a writer and I said I wanted to write a book but there was just one problem, I wasn’t writing anything at all. You see, I believed I wasn’t ready to write and I needed some anointed mentor in a tweed jacket to pull me aside and say “Bryan, now is your time!” and I became jealous of the success of the people around me – the journalist I went to college with and the other students in the creative writing class I was in and I felt sick by my lack of progress. So I joined an advanced creative writing and non-fiction writing workshop in Dublin and on the second evening, the instructor said that every student had to submit a short story or a personal essay.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How To Standout on Social Media and Grow Your Business Using Content Marketing With Timothy Sykes
00:27:12
Timothy Sykes is a blogger, a millionaire day trader, teacher and now philanthropist through his charity Karmagawa.
Sykes teaches students how to trade penny stocks. He has built a business around his controversial approach using blogging, content and social media marketing.
Sykes is also the author of An American Hedge Fund: How I Made $2 Million as a Stock Operator & Created a Hedge Fund.
In this interview, Sykes explains:
How he uses content marketing to build his business and promote his charity
What it takes to stand out on social media today
How he deals with online critics
Why storytelling is every entrepreneur and creative professional's secret weapon
And lots more
Attention writers! What's the best grammar checker of 2019? Find out in my guide and get a discount on your tool of choice.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Knowing When It's Time to Write (And Finding Space to Do It)
00:13:39
In episode, I explain how you can find time and space for working on your non-fiction book.This is an extract from The Art of Writing a Non-Fiction Book. The full audiobook is available now on Amazon and Audible. becomeawritertodaybook.com--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Want to Become More Creative? Take a Nap Every Day
00:07:40
Lots of top writers and creative professionals nap every day. It will help you find more ideas and focus on your writing. In this episode, I explain how to nap effectively and get away with it, based on an interview with Christoper Lindholst CEO of Metronaps.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Now, my list of writing prompts works for me... because Iwrote them. No, that’s not the sound of my over-sized egobanging off the ceiling.I’d like you to create your own list of writing prompts and add to it over time.Whether you’re writing a journal entry, a blog post or a book chapter, keeping a personal library of writing prompts will save you hours of wasted time.Use a notepad.Use a digital app like Evernote. Use the back of your hand if you have to... but build your personal library of writingprompts.Start by taking a great first line from your favourite book, writer or story. You could go on to record snippets of conversations, headlines you like and even ideas you come across in great books. Use what works and discard the rest.If you do this, you won’t have to perch yourself over the blank page and wonder if you’ve got what it takes to become a successful writer.Instead, you’ll be able to say, “Yes, I can write!”Want more? Get your free book of writing pro--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How to Build a Niche Website That Earns Six Figures A Year with Jon Dykstra
00:30:10
During the early 2000s, Canadian-lawyer Jon Dykstra faced a unique challenge. His employer wanted him to attract more clients through blogging and content marketing. So, Dykstra began writing about legal topics that interested clients, based on their search queries.
Today, he regularly earns over $40,000 a month from online publishing.
In this interview, Jon explains:
What is a niche website and why they're so profitable
Why niche sites are ideal business opportunities for writers
Where to get niche website ideas
What Jon would do if he had just one hour a week to work
And lots more
I started by asking Jon how he transitioned from a career as a lawyer to becoming an online publisher, running nine profitable niche sites.
How to Write a Novel in 90 Days With Man Booker Nominated Author Louise Dean
00:27:29
Louise Dean is a British novelist, the author of four published works including Becoming Strangers, This Human Season, The Idea of Love and The Old Romantic.
Becoming Strangers was long-listed for the Man Booker prize while The Old Romanic was an Oprah book of the week. Dean also teaches aspiring novelist how to write fiction and secure book deals via the Novelry.
In this interview, she explains:
The one skill every writer must learn (this applies to fiction and non-fiction)
Why 90 days is the perfect amount of time for first drafts
How she approaches writing and business
What it's like when your works becomes an Oprah book of the week
Her radical approach to fighting writer's block
And much more.
Attention Writers! Would you improve your writing skills? This article explains to top online writing courses available online today and includes details about Louise Dean's course.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Adam Jelic of MiGoals On Creating and Selling a Daily Planner
00:19:44
Over the years, I've tested dozens of digital productivity tools for setting goals and managing to-do lists. Although digital tools are useful, paper-based daily planners are becoming more popular. MiGoals is an example of an Australian company that sells these type of daily planners online.Co-founder Adam Jelic and his team created a series of daily planners and journals to help writers, entrepreneurs and creatives accomplish more each day. A former soccer player, Jelic started his business as a side-hustle in 2010, while working full-time selling photocopiers.Jelic felt motivated by the regarded Australian Football League Player, the late Jim Stynes, who encouraged people to get out of their comfort zone, face their fears, and do things that matter.So Jelic set a goal of leaving his full-time job to work at MiGoals full-time and support his family. But, how did Jelic turn this goal into reality?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How can you unlock creative thinking? What would it take to think like Leonardo da Vinci?
One man with answers to those questions is New York Time best-selling author Michael Gelb.
Michael is the author of over a dozen books about creativity, innovation and leadership, including the best-seller How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci.
His latest book is called The Healing Organization: Awakening the Conscience of Business to Help Save the World.
Prior to its release, I caught up with Michael. In this interview, he explains:
Why every creative and business owner should give something back
How you can think like Leonard da Vinci
Where he gets ideas for his books
How you can unlock creative thinking
How side-pursuits, like Tai-Chi and Qigong inform his creative process
Alex Newton of K-Lytics On Selling More Non-Fiction Books
00:22:13
Alexander Niehues (aka Alex Newton) worked as a senior management consultant in the corporate world for 20 years before quitting his career to work at home in Stuttgart and founding K-lytics.
In this podcast episode, Newton explains:
How to use analytics to sell more books
Why he relies on outsourcing and contractors
What non-fiction authors can do to earn more money
The types of books that sell a lot on Amazon today
And lots more.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Collaborative Writing And Creative Projects With Jared Geller of HitRECORD
00:24:34
What is HitRecord?
HitRecord is a creative platform where writers can collaborate with illustrators, graphic designers other creatives across disciplines on short films, animations, scripts and more.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jared Geller founded the company in 2004. It claims over 900,000 users and employs 40 people in Los Angeles.
I recently interviewed Jared and in this interview, he explains:
How writers can use a platform like HitRecord
Why every creative project needs a leader
What it takes to start a creative project on HitRecord
Why successful creatives collaborate
And lots more.
I started by asking him how creatives can use HitRECORD.
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Turning Your Writing Into a Million Dollar Business With Elaine Pofeldt
00:24:43
What does it take for an author to create a seven figure business? A team of writers. A marketing department? Offices around the world?
The answers may surprise you.
Elaine Pofeldt is an independent journalist who specialises in small business,
entrepreneurship and careers.
She is the author of The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business, a look at how entrepreneurs are hitting seven-figure revenue in businesses where they are the only employees
In this podcast episode, Elaine explains:
How writers and creative entrepreneurs can create a seven-figure business
What her writing routine looks like and why physical exercise is so important
Why outsourcing and collaboration are so important if you want to scale your author business
And lots more
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Unlocking Your Extraordinary Mind with Vishen Lakhiani of Mindvalley
00:31:55
Malaysian-Indian entrepreneur Vishen Lakhiani is writing three books at once and is the founder of Mindvalley (Mindvalley.com), a personal development online education company.
He's also the author of New York Times best-seller The Code of the Extraordinary Mind and is about to publish a new book The Buddha and the Badass.
He explains:
Why he's writing 3, yes 3, books at once
How meditation helps him become more productive and creative
Why typical approaches to setting goals don't work
How he finds time for writing so many books and running a business with over 200 employees
And lots more.
I started by asking Vishen to describe why he set up Mindvalley in 2004.
4 Timeless Productivity Lessons from Albert Einstein
00:06:28
Albert Einstein knew how to work hard, and he also knew when to take time off. He once said, "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."Einstein's curiosity drove him as a child, adult and older man to pursue scientific ideas and projects that are still applicable today, such as his famous Theory of Relativity. His life and approach to work, as detailed by Walter Isaacson, offers many lessons if you want to become more productive. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Let's say goodbye to the myth of the starving artist.
Every writer and creative professional deserves to get paid... and there's no reason why you can't.
In this week's mini-episode, I cover 5 great ways writers can get paid for their hard creative work, list the pros and cons and offer some ways to get started faster.
Diversify Your Income With Magician and Author Joshua Jay
00:25:35
Joshua Jay is an award-winning magician and the author of popular books like several popular books including Magic: The Complete Course. He's also the founder of Vanishing Inc. one the largest magic retailers in the United States.
I recently caught up with Jay, and in this interview, he explains:
How writing and publishing books helped grow his business
The role of suspense and surprise in any creative work
How he balances business and creative projects
Why we should prepare for the next recession today (and how to do it)
Would you like to get out of the starting blocks faster when your alarm clock sounds? If so, you need a morning ritual or routine you adhere to without question. Beethoven, for example, went for an early morning walk each day with a pocket notebook to capture ideas before composing.He did all right.In The Creative Habit, American choreographer Twyla Tharp explained, "It's Pavlovian: Follow the routine, (and) get a creative pay off."So what rituals can you follow to rise up and start the day the right way?Find out in this episode.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Finding Your Motivation and Writing Viral Nonfiction with Jeff Hayden
00:24:08
Would you like to write nonfiction articles that get thousands if not millions of views?
If so, meet Jeff Hayden.
He's a nonfiction writer and author I've admired for some time.
Jeff has written thousands of popular articles for Inc.com over the years. He also recently published The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
In this interview with Jeff, we talk about:
Why goals don't always work (and what you should do instead)
What his research process for articles and books looks like
How he writes viral articles on Inc.com
His method for handling articles that get lots of views... and ones that don't
Writing Children's Books and Storytelling for Brands with Leah Komaiko
00:34:00
What was the first children's book you ever read? Mine was The BFG by Roald Dahl. Thinking of that book could help you tell better stories and even connect with readers today.
That's an approach branding consultant and children's book author Leah Komaiko recommends.
In this interview, Leah explains:
How she got started writing children's books
Why the first children's book you ever read is so important
What effective copywriting looks and sounds like
Why I (and you) should re-read the first children's book you remember...and what it could mean for your creative work
And lots more.
I start by asking Leah to describe how she transitioned from writing children's books to advising Fortune 100 clients about storytelling.
Quote "I discovered, in writing kids' books, that there's a very strong connection between what makes a great kids' book and what makes it a very powerful brand."
Attention writers
Grammarly is one of my favourite proofreading tools. Now, claim a 20% discount with this Grammarly coupon
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Daniel Pink on When You Should Write, Research, Work and Play
00:25:09
Daniel Pink is the New York Times best-selling author of books like When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.
His new book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing was one of my favourites of 2018 and it informs how I now structure my day.
In this podcast episode, Pink explains:
● His research process for writing best-selling non-fiction books like When, Drive and To Sell is Human
● The ideal time for writing, researching, attending to admin and more
● How he approaches his workday and keeps to a writing routine
● The differences between early risers and night owls
Make Your Business Run Like Clockwork and Put Your Profits First With Mike Michalowicz
00:28:06
Do sometimes find you don't have enough time to write because you're spending hours on other parts of your business? Or perhaps you're earning a side-income from writing but you can't seem to take a profit, after expenses?
I struggled with both of these problems. So I spoke to Mike Michalowicz, author of Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine, and Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself. In this interview, he explains:
* How he puts paying himself first as a successful nonfiction author * Why business owners (including writers and authors) must master effective delegation * What his early morning writing routine looks like * Why writing for Mike doesn't always mean sitting at a desk and typing
How to Become Focused and Productive Without Burning Out
00:11:11
Lots of writers and creative professionals worry about keeping focused and productive without burning out. Find out how to strike the right balance in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
A few people online have helped me with my creative career either directly or indirectly.
Joanna Penn is one of those people.
I first started listening to the Creative Penn podcast by Joanna Penn in 2014 just before I started Become a Writer Today.
Since I started listening five years ago, Joanna’s show and books have taught me valuable lessons about creativity, self-publishing and writing books that sell.
I’ve admired Joanna’s work for years and I was finally able to interview Joanna for this Become a Writer Today podcast episode.
In this interview, Joanna explains:
* How she approaches writing a nonfiction book * Why some entrepreneurs rely on ghostwriters for writing a book * What her creative process for fiction and nonfiction looks like (and why they differ) * The question every aspiring author should ask before they write their book
What I Learnt By Writing Over One Million Words in a Journal
00:12:46
This is a follow on episode where I elaborate on my journal writing practice. It's also based on this detailed article I wrote for Better Humans on Medium: https://betterhumans.coach.me/how-to-start-a-journaling-habit-today-99d5f98fe8ccResourceshttps://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/episodes/Why-Journal-Writing-Is-Such-a-Valuable-Practice-e16buc--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
3 Timeless Productivity Lessons from Benjamin Franklin
00:07:30
Author. Printer. Politician. Scientist. Postmaster. Founding father. As one of the leading thinkers and public figures of the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin knew a thing or two about getting things done—and playing the whistle (more on that later).He demonstrated a tremendous stability to balance competing projects, interests and jobs. So how did he accomplish so much during his lifetime, and how can you apply these mental strategies today?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How to Self-Publish a Great Book With Chandler Bolt
00:23:50
I caught up with Chandler Bolt, the author of six self-published books and the founder of Self Publishing School.In this interview, he told me about:* How to self-publish a book * The one thing you must do before you write or self-publish your book* How to avoid the common mistakes new writers (not authors!) make* The simple rule that helps Chandler balance writing with running a successful businessCheck out:Self-publishingschool.comhttps://self-publishingschool.com/how-to-publish-a-book/https://becomeawritertoday.com/self-publishing-chandler-bolt/--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How Journaling Helps Writers Find Better Ideas With Michal Korzonek
00:28:26
Michal Korzonek is the co-founder of Journal Smarter. Living in the UK with his partner and co-founder Silvia Barros, he teaches clients and students how to use journaling for cultivating habits and focusing on their goals.
In this interview, he explains:
How writers and creatives can use journaling to find more ideas
How to cultivate a journaling habit if you don't have one
The tools he uses...and why analogue is sometimes best
How journaling encourages creative and clear thinking
James Clear is the New York Times best-selling author of Atomic Habits. He also coaches readers (and even writers) how to succeed in their personal and professional lives by reaping the rewards of smart daily decisions.
In this podcast episode, he explains:
How to use effective habits to write a book
The value of writing just one page a dayHis process for coming up with book titles like Atomic Habits
How writing two articles a week helped him build a business and write a New York Times best-selling book
The Best Grammar Checker in 2018: Whitesmoke vs Ginger vs Grammarly
00:13:35
What's the best grammar checker you can use in 2018?Or are you looking for the best online proofreading software? As a writer who loves tools, I've tested some of the most popular proofreading tools and best grammar checkers for writers, bloggers and authors.In this post, I'll explain what's the best proofreading software and grammar checker software in 2018 and what you need to know about each one of these tools.I'll also review Ginger and Whitesmoke in detail.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
How to Work With An Editor With Neha Vaidya of PaperTrue
00:27:09
PaperTrue provides copyediting and proofreading services to writers, entrepreneurs and academics. Based in India, the company employs over 100 editors and works with writers, academics, entrepreneurs and executives around the world.
In this interview, CEO Neha Vaidya explains:
Why every writer should work with an editor
How to prepare your story, screenplay or book for an editor
How much editing and proofreading costs
What to expect from your editor
And lots more
I started by asking Neha to explain a little more about how PaperTrue helps writers.
How to Write a Good Recipe Book With Sean McCormack, Head Vet of Tails
00:24:18
You don't have to write a novel or a 60,000-word magnum opus to become an author. Successful recipe books can earn authors a healthy paycheque and build a brand in a way that's just not possible through other forms of media.
Sean McCormack is the head vet for Tails, a pet food company that provides personalised dog food in the United Kingdom and France. He's also the co-author of The Happy Dog CookBook, a recipe book for dogs.
In this interview McCormack explains:
Why he co-wrote a recipe book for dog
The value of writing ideas down in a book as opposed to an interview or video
What it took to produce the first draft in just a few weeks
How he road-tested the recipes inside of The Happy Dog CookBook
How a business can build its brand through publishing a book
And lots more
I start by asking Sean to explain what Tails do and why they decided to publish a cookbook for dogs with Sean.
--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
I've worked at home on and off for several years as a journalist, copywriter and marketer. I've procrastinated and accomplished nothing while working outside of the office. I've also enjoyed some of my most productive days while working at home.I'm not alone.Earlier this year, social media software company Buffer found that more than 90% of employees working outside of the office would prefer to work remotely for the remainder of their careers rather than going back to the office.You might prefer working from home, so you need to take the right steps to avoid distractions and become more productive.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Being able to earn money from your writing is an amazing feeling!
I'm sure we all wish that earning an income as a writer was as simple as writing something, thousands of people seeing it, and then money is deposited into your bank account.
Unfortunately, earning a good living as a writer online today isn't that simple.
When you’re first starting out as a writer, everything is smooth sailing you can focus all of your energy just on writing.
You’re having a great time, but you’re probably not earning as much as you wish you could.
Once that frustration kicks in, you look for ways to turn your passion for the written word into a business.
But once you start to make this transition, one difficult task presents itself in many different ways…
Fear not:
In this podcast episode, I cover 3 strategies that will help you become a more efficient writer.
This is based on my new course The Efficient Writer.
Creating Remarkable Content with Nate Weiner, CEO of Pocket
00:15:58
Like many people, I spend way too much time thumbing through news feeds and clicking on intriguing Twitter headlines. Over the years, I've investigated various ways of reducing how long I spend staring at my feeds so I can focus more on work or unwinding come five o'clock. Today, I regularly use the app Pocket to save interesting articles I come across during the working day to my phone and read them later after I've worked through my to-do list.I wanted to discover more about how to create and write popular non-fiction articles. So I spoke to Nate Weiner, CEO of Pocket. I started by asking Nate why he created Pocket in the first place before getting into what makes for a remarkable article.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
Find a Creative Master from The Power of Creativity
00:19:17
Finding a mentor can help you become more creative and find success with your writing or art. This is a chapter from The Power of Creativity, available now on Audible.thepowerofcreativitybook.com--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/becomeawritertoday/message
NFTS for Writers or Are They a Scam? With Jessica Artemisia
00:31:29
Jessica Artemisia Mathieu is a sci-fi, fantasy author and digital marketing agency owner. She's also the creator of The Sovereigntii, which uses NFTs on blockchain as a new form of storytelling, community, and income.
Jessica is one of the few writers I've talked to so far who's successfully using NFT as part of her writing career. I wanted to find out how she's doing it and how writers can get involved today.
My key takeaway from talking to Jessica is that we're still incredibly early, so if you find some of the language, terminology, and steps to buying NFTs confusing, don't worry, you're not alone.
But now's a good time to learn about the space because NFTs are here to stay for creatives. And it'll be interesting to see how writers and authors use NFTs in future years to connect with their fans and readers.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to create an NFT based on a piece of writing
How NFTs are opening the door for artists worldwide
How Writers and Content Publishers Can Use AI Content Generation with James Scherer
00:30:50
As a writer, you may be concerned that AI writing tools will replace you. The answer is no, at least not just yet.
I've tested multiple tools, and while they're helpful and save time, they won't help if you are writing something complex or requiring creativity or in-depth research.
What they can do is help overcome problems like writer's block. They can help you figure out topics you need to cover in your articles and content. They can also help you develop headlines, meta descriptions, and other elements that you should include to help your content rank. Now, I wanted to catch up with someone who is an expert on the topic, and so in this episode, I talked to James Scherer, the VP of Growth at Codeless.
In the first half of the interview, we talk about James's SEO approach and recommendations for somebody who is starting a site from scratch and his approach to link building.
In the second half of the interview, we get into AI, and James provides some practical tips which will help you get started using AI as part of your writing or content publishing workflow.
In this episode, we discuss:
Is it too late to start content marketing
How to speed up results from content marketing
How to start a content site from scratch
When should you introduce AI tools into your content marketing
Growing and Promoting a Podcast and Should you Script the Episodes? With Jack Rhysider
00:32:01
If you're a regular listener to this podcast, you know I stick to a format where I interview an expert on a particular topic. I talk to them about their background and ask them about their writing process and journey.
I like the interview format, but there are other formats that you can use for podcasts like the one popularized by Serial, where you script out an episode in advance and tell a story within the episode. That takes a lot more work, but it's an excellent format for writers.
I wanted to get in touch with a podcaster who does just that, which led me to talk to Jack Rhysider. He's the host of Darknet Diaries, an award-winning podcast all about the world of hacking and security. Publications like The Guardian and The New York Times have featured the podcast.
Jack has been podcasting for over three years, and he says there is real value in consistency and turning up. He describes some of the growing pains he had at the start of his podcast when he found a competitor talking about the same topic.
Jack talks about how you should go where your community is, and he's built a fantastic community on Discord and Reddit. He finds his community often come to him with story ideas and feedback about the show, and word of mouth has helped him grow the podcast.
Jack also offers some advice about the storytelling process and recommends a book that has helped him.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jack finds someone willing to talk about being hacked
Jack's research process
Using Discord and Reddit to engage with the audience
How to Write Technical Topics in a Fun and Accessible Way with Steve Krug
00:33:25
Steve Krug is the author of the book Don’t Make Me Think. He’s rewritten the book three times, and so far, it’s sold over 600,000 copies.
During the interview, I got into why he decided to rewrite the book several times and how the book helped him build a business around writing technical non-fiction for his audience.
Steve also talks to me about what he’s up to these days and gives some valuable tips for overcoming problems in the creative process like procrastination and writer’s block.
Listening to Steve is reassuring as it shows that writers of all levels have issues with procrastination and motivation.
In this episode, we discuss:
The best approach for setting up a new website today
How Steve came to write his book
What Steve is writing today
Using the Getting Things Done methodology
How procrastination has been an ongoing problem for Steve
How to Find Your Creative State Even When a Project Loses Its Meaning with Sharlene Anders
00:34:21
In this episode, I caught up with Sharlene Anders, better known as Shallalla who is a creativity coach based in Germany.
Shallalla turns the tables during our conversation and asks me questions about my creative work and what I do when I feel like a project doesn’t have any meaning.
Like all authors, I enjoy the process of writing. But when I was writing my parenting book, I would turn on the news and be faced with grim stories about the virus, lockdowns, and other world issues.
It left me feeling depressed, isolated, and lonely because I couldn’t see anybody outside my immediate family circle due to the country being in lockdown. There were times when I wrote the book when I would say to myself, “What’s the point in writing this book about parenting when there’s so much more going on in the world? Am I just wasting my time? Shouldn’t I be doing something with more purpose or something that adds more value to everything I’m reading and listening about?”
Shallalla explained that it’s a pretty common experience that many creatives went through during the lockdown and the past few years. She offers several strategies that creatives can use when they feel like their work doesn’t have any meaning and they feel creatively blocked.
The Collaborative Writing Process with Becky Breed & Lucy Adkins
00:33:34
How can you collaborate with other writers and authors? And what should you know before you decide to write an article, essay, or book with someone else?
This week's interview is all about collaborative writing, and I caught up with two authors from Nebraska, Becky Breed, and Lucy Adkins, to discuss the process. They are collaborative authors who have known each other for over 20 years.
Collaborative writing involves embarking on a creative project, whether big like a book or small like an essay, and writing everything from the first to final draft together. You will both work through the topic, ideas, and edits and decide what the final piece looks like.
This seems a challenging process to me, but many authors have great success with collaborative writing projects.
How to Become a Successful Creative Non-Fiction Writer with Susan Scott
00:31:59
How can you write creative non-fiction? And what makes it stand out?
I am fascinated by creative non-fiction. It is a type of writing where the writer or author injects something of themself from their personal life or a little bit of creativity into the work.
In other words, it's not simply researching a topic and turning it into another dry business book.
Writing creative non-fiction can be a challenge. In addition to selecting an intriguing idea, you need to find the best way to express that idea and tell compelling stories that will captivate the reader's attention.
This week's guest is a specialist in writing creative non-fiction. Her name is Susan Scott.
Susan has written three books over her career and is a New York Times best-selling author.
Why Solitude is So Important for Creatives with Bryan Crosson, Author of The Lonesome Thread.
00:28:16
How important is solitude for the creative process, and how can you balance finding solitude for your creative work with everything else that's going on in your busy life?
In this week's episode, I catch up with Bryan Crosson. He's the author of the Lonesome Thread, and his book is all about creativity, solitude for creatives, and why it's so important.
In his book, Bryan draws on his experiences when he was serving in Afghanistan, and he relates that to creative work and writing. The book particularly resonated with me because I believe in having time and space for writing and creative work each day
These days, I have enough time to write full time, but when I first started Become a Writer Today and taking writing a bit more seriously, I used to get up early in the morning and write for an hour or more before the kids got up.
I particularly liked writing early in the morning because it was quiet, and I didn't have to check email or worry about work meetings or phone calls, or daily life, and that's a theme that Bryan, this week's interviewee, also talks about. In fact, his mantra is if you win the morning, you can win the day.
Now I try to write for an hour or two in the morning before moving on with the rest of the tasks related to the business.
I'm telling you this because even if you have a full-time job, you can still consider how you can find a little bit of time for writing in the morning or writing in the evening after work. And writers who work full time still have to balance writing with all of the other things they have to do to earn a living.
In this episode, we discuss:
Bryan's role as an adviser in Afghanistan
The evolution of his creative journey
Writing a book in lockdown
Bryan's creative process as a sporadic writer
How to deal with boredom as a creative
Meditation and his many other interests and hobbies
How to Use Expert Interviews For Your Book with Market Wizards Author Jack Schwager
00:32:34
How can interviews help you if you are writing a non-fiction book?
I spent a lot of time interviewing guests for this podcast and as a freelance journalist. Interviews can seem like they're pretty straightforward to do. But it can take almost as long to prepare for an interview, particularly if you don't know the topic well.
Even if you're knowledgeable about a topic, it's still helpful to figure out an angle for your interview because it gives a strong structure.
I have learned to use interviews in my non-fiction because they help add a third-party voice. If you're writing a non-fiction book about a particular topic, interviewing an expert in your niche adds credibility.
One series of books that's made a significant impact on me is the Market Wizards series by Jack Schwager. He profiles day traders, investors, and various types of financial entrepreneurs who have made money in the markets.
Now, I don't day trade, but I particularly like these books because they give a good insight into a different type of career. They also reveal commonalities between writers who spend a lot of time alone in a room writing and day traders who can do the same except in front of their terminals or computer screens.
Jack uses interviews to craft a compelling argument throughout the chapters. The Market Wizards series extends over five books, and he's spent 30 years working on this particular series.
So when I caught up with Jack, I had a stack of questions for him.
I hope you enjoy my catch-up with Jack about his Market Wizards series of books. I recommend them even if you're not interested in day trading. They offer excellent advice about risk management and starting your own business, and they are a great read.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jack gets ready to interview day traders, investors, and people who found success in the markets
How Jack had sustained his interest in a topic for over 30 years
How difficult it is to find new angles and ways to talk about the same ideas or topics
How Passionate Creatives Can Earn a Good Living From Their Interests with Adam Davidson
00:31:25
How can you earn a living from your passion for the written word?
When I started as a writer, it seemed exceptionally difficult to earn a good living from the written word. That's probably because I was trying to make a living as a journalist in Ireland, and as a pretty small country, there were few opportunities. But I quickly discovered that my experiences weren't unique. It's pretty tricky to earn a living from the written word. Or at least it was up until a few years ago.
Now there are a variety of platforms and online tools that make it easier for writers to connect with readers and their audience. You can start a blog, you can build a following on Twitter, you can self-publish a book, and then you can create a companion course.
There are a plethora of opportunities for writers today. It depends on where your passion lies, but finding time for all these projects and balancing creative work with earning a living can be challenging.
In this week's podcast, I caught up with Adam Davidson. He's the founder of Planet Money and a former writer for publications like The New Yorker.
He's also the author of the rather excellent book, The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the 21st Century, which I recommend you check out. In the book, Adam profiles eight rules that people who are passionate about something can use and apply to earn a good living from whatever takes their interest, including writers.
In this episode, we discuss:
His next creative project and how it's more of a passion project
The tension between doing something that pays the bills and doing something to build a business
Creating something just for you that you want to release out into the world
Using AI to Write Content That Ranks With Jeff Coyle of MarketMuse
00:27:09
What should writers and content publishers know about using AI as part of their creative workflow?
Over the past year or two, I’ve tested various content marketing tools, software, and so on. One tool that I use extensively is MarketMuse.
About a year ago, the traffic on my main website, Become a Writer Today, dipped by 10 to 20 percent after a Google algorithm update. I was pretty stressed about the whole thing because I had just left my permanent job and relied on the site to pay the bills.
When I dug into the traffic dip, I found a few issues. One was that competitors were reverse-engineering some of my top-performing content. But I had also missed opportunities to publish supporting content that would help and engage readers.
It isn’t easy to figure out all of this yourself, and that’s where AI and content marketing tools like MarketMuse can help.
Using MarketMuse, I analyzed all the top-performing content on my site and figured out what content was outdated and needed an overhaul to ensure a consistent journey for readers.
I could have done some of this manually, but it would have taken me several months. An AI-powered tool like MarketMuse dramatically sped up the process. And as a result, traffic for the site corrected itself within a month or two and then grew.
Whether or not you’re running a content website, consider how you can use AI as part of your writing workflow. Learn how an AI tool can help you write better headlines, SEO meta descriptions, and supporting copy for social media.
And don’t worry, they’re not going to take the creativity out of writing because skills like understanding what readers want, storytelling, and driving engagement are something only writers can do.
In this episode, I meet Jeff Coyle, the co-founder, and chief product officer for MarketMuse.
MarketMuse primarily helps content marketers build topical authority by figuring out gaps in their content, but it’s also great for small content publishers and bloggers who want to take their site to the next level.
In this episode, we discuss:
How MarketMuse came about
How to create an effective content workflow
How MarketMuse can help content writers add more value to clients and land paid work
Why I Stopped Working as Freelance Writer (And You Should Too)
00:19:49
Writers sometimes forget that those who don't practice the craft daily find it exceptionally difficult to communicate in the written word, but if you are listening to this podcast episode, you already understand how to communicate in the written word.
Chances are, you know how to hit writing deadlines. You know how to research articles and how to publish them. So, rather than just doing it for someone else and letting them reap all of the rewards, and you get paid 5 cents or 10 cents per word, why not build something for yourself that can become much more valuable?
These days, here's what my writing day looks like. I usually get up and write an article for one of my content sites about a topic I'm interested in.
When I've written the article, I'll either edit it myself using some software like Grammarly or I'll give it over to another editor on the team who will fix any mistakes for me, then I'll publish it on the site. So I still feel like I'm writing regularly.
Then, I'll typically spend the afternoon assigning articles or researching articles that I want to brief to the freelance writers for the sites I run. This way, I can scale up content production for the site, but I can also continue to learn more about the topics in question because I'm researching them.
The benefit to doing all this is that writing for myself and a site that I own is ultimately more valuable and more profitable than writing for a client or somebody else's site. Freelance writing is fantastic because it can get you experience and your name out there, but when you build something you own, you can earn more and still accomplish your creative goals.
In this episode, we discuss:
Freelance writing vs. creating your own content website
What precisely a niche content website is
How to build and develop content websites
Buying and selling content websites for profit
Resources:
Become a Writer Today Source Links for Further Information:
The Craft of Self-Editing with Tiffany Yates Martin
00:33:39
How can you balance the analytical act of editing with the creative act of writing?
I spend a lot of time thinking about editing and considering the best ways to take a draft and turn it into something publishable.
That's probably because I spend some of the working days editing the work of other writers and because I've worked as a sub-editor for several newspapers over the years.
I learned from editors far more talented than I am about how to take an early draft and turn it into something you can publish in a professional publication.
This week, I caught up with a talented developmental editor. Her name is Tiffany Yates Martin. She runs FoxPrint Editorial and is also the author of Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing.
Tiffany has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, to name a few.
In the interview, I explained to Tiffany how I currently approach editing or self-editing first drafts of manuscripts and narrative nonfiction. She gave me a few practical tips to help me improve next time.
We also discussed how to separate every editor's analytical approach. As an editor, it's your job to figure out what to take out, what to clarify, what to condense, what to improve on, and how to balance all of that with the creative act of writing.
I started to explain how I sometimes consider using a template like Blake Snyder's Beat Sheet or the three-act structure when preparing a manuscript to write. Tiffany offered a different approach that could help me embrace the creative act of writing with the analytical act of editing.
Go Wide With Your Audiobook Says Scott Curry of Findaway Voices
00:36:00
Over the years, I've produced, recorded, and outsourced various audiobooks based on works I've written.
For my first book, I narrated it myself using a microphone at home. Later, I commissioned a narrator, also known as an ACX, and asked them to rework the entire audiobook.
They did a better job than I did.
For subsequent books, I outsourced production by hiring narrators, and I paid between $1,000 and $2,000 for a finished audiobook.
More recently, when I wrote my parenting memoir, I Can't Believe I'm a Dad!, I decided I wanted to narrate this book myself, so I rented a studio nearby.
Each chapter ranged between 1,500 and 2,000 words and took about half an hour to narrate. I'd have to stop and rerecord a sentence for pickups or get the right tone, speed, and pace. The radio producer often asked me to go back and rerecord certain sections.
After several hours of recording, my voice would crack and dry up, which would be it for the day.
The whole process took a lot longer than I thought. But you don't have to go and rent an audio studio for your audiobook; there are multiple services available to help you break down the process. One excellent service to consider is Findaway Voices.
I use Findaway Voices to distribute the audio files I recorded for I Can't Believe I'm a Dad!
It enables authors to go wide with their audiobooks. Even if you don't have an audiobook that you've narrated yourself, you can use their newly launched marketplace to source a narrator who can record your audiobook for you.
This week, I caught up with Scott Curry of Findaway Voices. He's also a self-published author.
In this episode, we discuss:
Using the platform if you're bringing your own audio
Using the marketplace to source a narrator
Scott also describes his writing process and how he thinks about audio production today. I think you'll love his tip about auditioning himself for his audiobook and why he didn't get the job!
Creators! Reach Your True Audience Using NFTs with Julien Genestoux
00:30:22
I've spent a lot of time thinking about the future of content publishing online.
When you run a content website, you must understand a couple of strategies to build an audience.
If you're focused on attracting traffic from Google, you need to figure out search engine optimization. Alternatively, if you're looking for traffic from Facebook, you need to understand social media marketing and paid advertising. And if you want to build a relationship with your audience, you need a way of connecting with them over email.
With some of those methods, you're not always in control of that relationship. And in fact, I know many creators that run content publishing businesses and have seen their sites plummet in traffic and value after a Google algorithm update.
In other words, you're at the mercy of Google for how your website will perform over time. There are similar issues with Facebook, Twitter and Amazon.
As a content creator, you must play within the walled garden of whatever platform you use.
Web 3.0 could change all of that.
One way you can own a relationship directly with your audience, readers, and fans is by creating a non-fungible token or NFT.
This week's guest may help you understand how creators can use NFTs in the future. His name is Julien Genestoux, and he's the founder of Unlock Protocol.
Even if you're not quite ready to create your first NFT or even to purchase an NFT, it's worth figuring out what this technology can do because I guarantee in a few years, we will use NFTs in some way on the online platforms that we take for granted.
Is WordAgents The Right SEO Content Service For You? With David Peterson
00:26:20
Years ago, I worked as a freelance writer producing my content exclusively. These days, I still write articles for the websites I run, but I also employ several writers to create content for me on topics outside my areas of expertise.
To scale a content website, you need to publish more articles and blog posts, and it's impossible to write them all yourself.
When you dive into a niche, you'll quickly find many untapped keywords, topics, and ideas on which you should publish content to scale up your traffic and hopefully increase your revenue.
Your options include hiring freelance writers using a service like Upwork or perhaps advertising on the ProBlogger Jobs board, or outsourcing to a content agency.
One agency that I've used for my content websites is called wordagents.com.
For context, at the time of recording this interview, you could order 1,000 words, about the length of a standard article, for $114 and 10,000 words for $810. The more you order, the greater the discount.
If you're running a website and need content on topics you're not an expert in, I'd encourage you to consider using an agency like WordAgents.
I wanted to understand a little more about how they produce content and help writers understand what it's like working for a company like WordAgents.
So this week, I caught up with David Peterson. He's based in Boston and is the Chief Operating Officer of WordAgents.
In this episode, we discuss:
How WordAgents produce content
How many writers WordAgents employ
What it's like to work for a company like WordAgents
The role of AI in content publishing
The value of a writing portfolio vs. academic qualification
WordAgents' new money-back guarantee if they don't produce your content in 7 days (per 10,000 words)
Evolve Your Creative Writing Process Through Meditation with Albert Flynn DeSilver
00:33:29
Meditation, mindfulness, and creativity, how do they work hand in hand?
I like to meditate twice a day. It's a practice that took 8 or 9 years to develop. I first learned meditation using the app Headspace and took guided meditation courses. Then, I started taking some in-person meditation courses. I even went away on a meditative retreat.
Because I spend so much time working alone, I find meditation helpful for mental health and learning how to focus and gain a bit of perspective.
These days, I also use the meditation app Waking Up, which Sam Harris created. Sam interviews guests and experts about the topic of meditation and the different types of meditative practices that are out there. It's a good way of understanding how you can fit meditative and mindfulness practice into your writing, creativity, and overall life.
This week, I caught up with Albert Flynn DeSilver, an award-winning, internationally published writer, speaker, and workshop leader. He's also a former Poet Laureate and has written several books, including a memoir and a book about writing, creativity, and meditation called Writing as a Path to Awakening.
Albert hosts workshops whereby he teaches attendees how to develop a meditative practice and build a writing habit.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Albert got into writing
His fascinating writing journey to date
Becoming Marin County's first poet laureate
How meditation can help a writer
How he brings meditation and writing together in workshop
How Writers Can Overcome Limiting Money Beliefs With Austin L. Church
00:33:24
What are your limiting mindsets around money and freelancing?
Like many writers, I’ve had some limiting beliefs around money, which have held me back over the years. I guess I was telling myself I don’t deserve to get paid to write.
Later on, when I started getting paid as a copywriter for a British software company, I said things like, “I should be content with what I have because lots of other people I know are worse off."
Even later, in my 30s, I used to say things like, “It’s really hard for writers to make money or to earn a living today because perhaps it’s harder to sell books or people don’t read as much as they used to.”
I still encounter these types of limiting beliefs around money from time to time, so I haven’t unwound them all.
Do any of these strike a chord with you? In that case, I’d encourage you to dig a little deeper into why you think you don’t deserve to earn money for creative work or feel like you should be content with what you already have. Or perhaps even limiting beliefs like, “I’m just not good with money,” because the thing is, you can get paid for creative work and still pay the bills.
This week’s interviewee is Austin Church. He’s a brand consultant, and part of his work is helping freelancers or new freelancers overcome these types of limiting beliefs.
In this episode, we discuss:
The different strategies Austin offers to overcome limiting mindsets
Tips on branding for writers and creatives
Imagining and realizing your brand
Diversifying your personal brand vs. your professional identity
Balancing Creative Writing, Business and Ghost Writing With Jessie Kwak
00:30:46
Balancing writing fiction and nonfiction, can you do it? What about writing across genres? Should you pick one genre or take on multiple genres for your books?
A couple of years ago, I worked with a marketing executive for Become a Writer Today, and he asked me what I liked to write.
I explained that I wrote a series of books about the craft of writing, a couple of books about creativity, and some short stories back in the day.
I'd also recently written a book called I Can't Believe I'm a Dad.
I asked him which of these projects he could help me promote. He said, "the writing books" because they connected to my business.
When I asked about I Can't Believe I'm a Dad, a passion project I wrote that I really wanted people to read, he said, "Bryan, you need to stay in your lane. You need to pick one genre and stick to it."
What he said struck a chord with me. At first, I wondered if he was right.
But here's the thing about writing and creative work — while it's OK to write something that pays the bills, sometimes you need to write something because it's a story you want to tell or a message you want to get out into the world.
So if you're writing something outside of your genre or niche, don't necessarily worry about sales or the result. Write it because you love it and because you enjoy the process.
The divergence between creative and nonfiction work is a theme for this week's podcast episode. I recently caught up with Jessie Kwak. She's a science fiction author. She also writes supernatural thrillers and is a ghostwriter and former copywriter.
In this episode, we discuss:
How copywriting helped Jessie get a break in professional writing
Her career as a ghostwriter
Why Jessie chose to write fiction and nonfiction
How she balances two completely different types of writing
What her typical daily writing routine looks like
The challenges that freelance writers face when they go out on their own for the first time
How to Write a Psychology Book With Psychotherapist Jonathan Coppin
00:27:17
Some nonfiction books are harder to write than others. If you're an expert in a topic, sometimes you can just bang out a couple of thousand words, repeat for a few days, weeks, and months, and publish your nonfiction book. In fact, many successful nonfiction authors have built careers by publishing short nonfiction books that cover a specific topic and then publishing these books frequently.
Now, this writing workflow doesn't work for every genre or niche. What if you're writing something that's more technical and involves more research or drawing on your expertise in a field? What if you're writing a psychology book, for example?
My guest this week is a professional psychotherapist working in London. His new book, Other People: Something You Should Know, is a must-read for anybody interested in learning more about mental health and its triggers.
For this particular book, Jonathan drew on his professional expertise and the years he spent reading the latest literature and academic papers and working with his clients or patients.
In this episode, we discuss:
Jonathan's writing journey, which started in mergers and acquisitions
Building a Successful Indie Career With Mark Leslie Lefebvre
00:32:39
What should you do if you want to write across genres? And how can you sustain a rewarding and lasting creative career? Perhaps writing across genres is the way to do it.
I spend a lot of time thinking about what genre to write in. Like many readers, I like to consume lots of different genres. What you read usually informs what you write, so if you find yourself reading multiple genres, that may explain why you want to write across more than one genre. And it can be rewarding to do so because you learn what readers expect from different genres and enjoy different kinds of stories.
Of course, the key challenge with writing across genres is that readers from genre A may not necessarily follow you to genre B.
From a purely pragmatic and business decision, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to try writing across different genres because you could potentially split your audience, and you’ll have to work a little harder to promote your books. But, from a creative process, writing across genres is a lot more rewarding. Plus, it’s fun too.
So, I’m still interested in tackling new genres and approaching various forms of storytelling, and I always love catching up with authors who have successfully done this.
One of those authors is Mark Leslie Lefebvre. He’s an author, professional speaker, and bookseller, and he’s written everything from paranormal romance to horror to thrillers to nonfiction and so on.
He’s got over a quarter of a century of experience in the bookselling industry.
In this episode, we discuss:
That it’s actually okay to write across genres
You can still earn a living from writing across genres
How to be patient and find your readers
Using email to reach readers and other marketing activities
Collaborating with both fiction and nonfiction authors
Don't Write A Book. Start a Newsletter Instead Says Elle Griffin.
00:31:51
What does it take to succeed on Substack today? And if you're thinking of starting your Substack newsletter, are you too late to the party?
Over the past few years, I've interviewed several popular Substack newsletter owners. I even interviewed the co-founder of Substack, Hamish McKenzie.
Substack has gotten a lot more popular since I first featured it on the Become a Writer Today Show. Now it's used by journalists, writers, fiction writers, novelists, bloggers, and all types of creatives worldwide. In fact, it's so popular that it can seem difficult if you're using Substack for the first time to build a popular newsletter.
This week, I caught up with a Substack fellow, her name is Elle Griffin, and she runs the popular Substack newsletter, The Novelist. It has excellent advice and a great take on book writing and becoming an author versus writing a Substack newsletter. Elle also used her newsletter to serialize a book of fiction that she wrote during the pandemic.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why you should consider a newsletter over a book
How Substack has evolved
The inbuilt discovery in the platform to attract subscribers
How can search engine optimization help you write?
If you’re starting a blog, a content publishing website, or writing online, there are two things that you need to do, spend time actually writing and then figure out how people will find and read your work.
You can do this in many different ways, from social media marketing to paid advertising, using your email list, and using search engine optimization.
Every writer working online today could benefit from search engine optimization simply because you can use relatively affordable and even free tools to figure out what your readers are searching for. Then you can use this information to create and write articles on content that ranks.
This week, I have an exciting guest. His name is Kevin Indig. He runs a popular newsletter that’s all about search engine optimization. He also likes to experiment with the latest SEO tools and has a research and writing process that any writer will recognize.
Successfully Writing In A Narrow Niche With Dr. Guy Windsor
00:32:15
How niche should you go with your books?
This week's interviewee is Dr. Guy Windsor. He's well known as a martial arts instructor who teaches people the art of sword fighting, but he's also a well-known author in this particular genre or niche. In fact, he's published over 30 books on the subject, and he's created courses too.
I first came across Guy Windsor's work in 2015 when he appeared on The Creative Penn Podcast hosted by Joanna Penn, but he's been writing about martial arts and sword fighting and teaching all of the ideas in his books for over 20 years.
So, I was fascinated to catch up with somebody who is, firstly, able to sustain an interest in such a niche or specific topic for so long and, secondly, in somebody who was writing about a topic that would have a really specific market.
In this episode, we discuss:
Combining your real-world interests with your writing interests
Using Amazon as a lead generation tool
How to format and translate your books appropriately
The importance of discipline and motivation in your craft
Combat Chronic Pain To Deliver That Creative Project With Oliver Mol
00:32:07
How can you write if you’re experiencing chronic pain?
Chronic pain is terrible if you’re a writer because it can prevent you from producing your word count for the day.
I know because I’ve experienced migraines on and off over the years. They usually occur when I’m stressed, dehydrated, or tired. When I experience a migraine, I find it exceptionally difficult to look at a computer screen or a phone.
I tried to push through the pain at one point, but this didn’t work for me. So now, when I experience a migraine, I immediately go for a rest, even if that means calling it a day. I have to accept that I need to deal with the migraine and not try and push through it because it’ll just make things worse.
That got me thinking, how can I still move a creative project forward if I’m experiencing chronic pain? My answer is somewhat similar to the solution that this week’s guest found.
His name is Oliver Mol, and he has a truly impactful story about writing with chronic pain, what it did for his creative process, and how he overcame it.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Oliver turned his experience into a piece of narrative nonfiction
What his creative writing process looks like today
Using fractional or atomic writing to get the job done
How To Turn Events From Everyday Life Into Stories With Matthew Dicks
00:33:19
Turning events from everyday life into stories is critical for nonfiction writing. It's also vital if you want to become a columnist, and it's even a practice that can help with your fiction.
Years ago, I had a dream of becoming a columnist. I sent off dozens of job applications. Eventually, I got a response: "Bryan, you could only become a columnist if you're somebody who people know and feel that their writing is worth reading." In other words, I didn't have any name recognition because I was a new writer.
Thankfully, these days, it's much easier to become a columnist. In fact, many traditional newspaper columnists are leaving the conventional print world to build relationships directly with their readers on Substack and other platforms like Ghost.
Nevertheless, you still need anecdotes and stories that you can turn into column entries because a good column is about more than an idea or writing about whatever is on your mind.
And that's the key takeaway from this week's interviewee, Matthew Dicks, a professional storyteller, and columnist for not one but three different publications.
In this episode, we discuss:
How to turn life events into pieces for fiction or nonfiction
Matthews's simple storytelling exercise, Homework for Life
Sell More Copies of Your Book Through Guest Podcasting With Jeremy Slate
00:29:38
Over the years, I've interviewed nearly 200 guests for the Become a Writer Today podcast. These days, I get pitched a lot from potential interviewees.
If you're thinking of pitching another show to appear as a podcast guest, ask yourself if your message or book is relevant to their audience. There's no point appearing on a podcast simply because it's popular.
A good podcast guest also has an actionable piece of advice to share. They'll prepare in advance and have a compelling story their audience can relate to.
Guest podcasting is a fantastic way to sell your book if you get all of this right. Readers often engage with an article for a limited period, say 60 or 90 seconds. On the other hand, a podcast listener usually stays engaged for much longer, perhaps 20 or 30 minutes.
That's a long time to hold somebody's attention.
And if you've listened to a podcast for that long, you're much more likely to buy copies of that person's book, join their email list, or perhaps purchase one of their courses.
This week's interviewee has interviewed many more podcast guests than I have. In fact, he's published over 1,000 podcast episodes since he launched the Create Your Own Life podcast in 2014.
He's also published a new book based on lessons from his interviewees called Unremarkable to Extraordinary.
His name is Jeremy Slate.
In this episode, we discuss:
Using guest podcasting to sell more copies of your book
Get Your Book Out There! How Deadlines Can Help Writers With Mark Pawlosky
00:23:12
Deadlines, should you be afraid of them? How much do you plan your books or even your series of books? In my early twenties, I learned one important lesson - the importance of deadlines.
Deadlines can help you write book chapters, sections of your book, and even your entire book on time. They can also help you work with editors and then ship it so you can start earning book royalties.
If you need help setting deadlines for your book, I recommend that you break it down into smaller milestones. So, rather than saying I'm going to write a book in six months, tell yourself I'm going to write act one in one month, and put that date in your Google Calendar.
More experienced authors will use this approach to map out an entire series, and that's something that this week's guest did.
His name is Mark Pawlosky. He's an experienced journalist who worked for CNBC and the Wall Street Journal.
Why You Should Rewrite Your Old NonFiction Book With Michael Michalowicz
00:28:54
Have you ever considered taking one of your old nonfiction books and rewriting it? It can take months to come up with the first draft, edit it, and turn it into something you're happy to send to an editor. Then when you get feedback, you'll probably spend more time fixing it. That's to say nothing of sending a book to beta readers who may have additional queries and clarifications for you.
So, by the time you've finished the process, you're likely ready to move on.
But what if the time comes when the ideas in the book have changed, and there are new concepts, more information, or perhaps better stories that could help your readers?
Several years ago, I invited Mike Michalowicz on the Become a Writer Today Podcast. His nonfiction business books are fantastic. I particularly got a lot of help from Clockwork and his other book, Profit First.
Clockwork is all about how to accomplish more without necessarily burning yourself out. Profit First is all about how to organize finances in a small business.
Mike spent a lot of time working with the ideas inside of Clockwork, teaching them to students, and delivering them through public speaking. He realized there were ideas that he wanted to retell and share differently. So, he set out to rewrite Clockwork and recently published a new edition.
Mike came back to the show to explain how the rewriting process went.
Writing Speculative Fiction with Gary Bengier, For All Sci Fi Enthusiasts
00:26:47
I'm a big science fiction reader. I also like to watch a lot of science fiction on television. But I have little interest in writing science fiction because it's the type of genre that I like to read when I want to switch off.
The best science fiction or speculative fiction books always have a big idea behind them. They have topics they want to tackle and often explain how these things may change our world for the better or worse.
I love learning from speculative science fiction authors because it's great to hear how they approach big ideas and turn them into a piece of work that readers can enjoy.
That's what this week's guest has done. His name is Gary Bengier, and he is the author of the award-winning speculative fiction or cross-fiction book, Unfettered Journey.
I was fascinated to catch up with Gary because he had another career before he became a science fiction author. He was the CFO for eBay back in the late 1990s. It's fascinating to talk to somebody who had a corporate career but secretly wanted to become a writer and an author.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Gary funded his dream career
Lessons from the corporate world
The importance of measuring your output as a writer
How Writers and Creatives Can Master Productivity with Oliver Burkeman
00:28:42
One of the most impactful books I've read about productivity and time management is the best seller, Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. The book proposes that the average human lifespan is just 4,000 weeks long, which is a blip in the grand scheme of things.
Oliver also writes about how we're just 35 lifetimes separated from the ancient Egyptians.
He uses these types of numbers to put in a framework what it means to try and get more things done and why this is a fool's errand.
I'm a former productivity nerd. I still like testing the latest productivity software and dipping in and out of the occasional book about productivity. I even wrote a column for Forbes several years ago, all about this exact topic.
These days, I think less about productivity and getting more done than I think about the right things or creative projects to work on.
In this book, Oliver proposes many different questions and ways that all types of people — including creatives and writers — can figure out what they want to work on and what they should just let slip.
It's a thought-provoking book if you've ever wondered how you're spending your time or if you've been obsessed with productivity, efficiency, and getting things done.
It's also a fantastically written non-fiction book that resonates with people from all industries.
In this episode, we discuss:
Whether you should commit to a writing or research system
It's good that you want to become a successful writer, but what tips should you know if you're a beginner?
In this episode, I will share 35 tips to help you become a better writer. These are the tips I wish I'd known when I started my writing career before earning a living from writing online.
These tips have helped me; they've helped successful authors and can help you too.
Is a Book Coach The Key To Your Success as a Writer? With Jennie Nash
00:30:48
Do you need a book coach? If so, what should you expect from a book coach, and how can they help you become a successful author?
Writing can be a lonely process. Sometimes you'll come up with an idea for a book and wonder, is it any good? You might ask a friend or a family member, or a colleague. The result can be conflicting feedback, and it can be difficult to know if this type of feedback is worth listening to.
This is where a book coach can help.
This week, I caught up with Jennie Nash. She is a professional book coach. She also teaches other writers and authors how to become book coaches.
In this episode, we discuss:
What to expect from a book coach
How a book coach fits into the writing process
How a book coach facilitates critical analysis
An example of a successful author working with a book coach
Why Newsletters are a Better Tool For Writers Than Social Media, with Anna Codrea-Rado.
00:30:13
Have you created a strategy for your newsletter?
A newsletter is the best way to communicate directly to your readers without relying on Twitter to surface your posts or Google to rank your articles. When you have a newsletter, you don't have to worry about crazy algorithm changes or something happening to posts that you've optimized for search.
I've started several newsletters over the years. Of course, my biggest newsletter is the Become a Writer Today Email List. I'd love it if you could join it. I'll give you a free book of writing prompts if you do. Sign up here.
Once a week, I send weekly updates about the latest writing articles and also writing advice to members of this newsletter. Now that's my strategy; your strategy may differ.
This week I caught up with an expert in newsletter strategy. Her name is Anna Codrea-Rado. She ran one of the most successful Substack newsletters. It's called The Professional Freelancer, which Anna has recently rebranded.
When she's not writing newsletters, Anna advocates for freelance writers in an increasingly challenging industry. She also helps businesses figure out what their newsletter strategy should look like.
I was excited to catch up with Anna because I love hearing about how different creatives and writers use newsletters to communicate directly with their readers.
Anna says, "You need to have a really clear tagline for your newsletter, you need to be really clear on what the problem your newsletter is solving." "Random stuff is not going to cut it."
The Science of Creativity: Insights from Leading Academic Robin Landa
00:28:44
Many people say they need a good idea before they can sit down to write their book. But rather than trying to pick one good idea, generating multiple ideas that you can iterate, test, and work on is much more helpful.
You could test them by writing short stories, blog posts, articles, or even creating other types of content.
Then you can use all of this real-world information to decide if it's something that your ideal audience is interested in and if it's also something that you want to write about at length.
This week, I caught up with a creativity expert. Her name is Robin Landa. She is the author of The New Art of Ideas. She's also a distinguished professor who has written and lectured on creativity for years.
Breaking into the Publishing Industry: Insights from a Literary Agent Jeff Herman
00:27:58
Do you want to break into the publishing industry?
Many authors have questions about how to traditionally publish a book and how to find a literary agent who can help with that process. This week, I caught up with Jeff Herman, who's been working in the industry for 25-plus years.
He runs a literary agency in the United States and has published over 1,000 different books. So, he has a wide variety of experience across different genres or niches.
Writing from the Edge With Dystopian Thriller Author Aaron Gransby
00:27:47
I'm a big fan of dystopian fiction. George Orwell's 1984 is one of my favorite books of all time, much like many readers. So, I wanted to talk to a dystopian fiction author who understands the conventions of their genre to learn more about their writing process and what it takes to write a book like this.
I recently caught up with Aaron Gransby, who is a former journalist. A bit like me. However, he's a lot more experienced in the area. He's currently a magazine publisher, and he's written a new dystopian thriller.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why Aaron chose this type of genre for his book
What the conventions are
How he approached writing his book
Using beta readers for their valuable feedback
And some fantastic takeaways about how to use deadlines
Maximizing Your Writing Income: Using Affiliate Websites to Earn More With Jamie IF
00:32:42
Can affiliate marketing help you earn more money as a writer working online? The answer is yes; affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to grow your income as a writer.
You can create content about the products, services, or tools you use daily. The difference is that you would do this on a niche website about a specific topic or concept rather than about you.
In other words, it's different from writing about something personal or what's happening in your day. That's a mistake that new bloggers often make. They wonder why they're not earning money online because they simply write about their day.
There are a few caveats to affiliate marketing. Firstly, it can be competitive. And secondly, it's usually a good idea only to pick products, services, and tools you use, recommend, and trust yourself.
In other words, you're going to create content about something you rely on and are happy to recommend to others.
This week, I caught up with a niche website expert specializing in affiliate marketing and in-affiliate content. Jamie I.F. of increasing.com runs over ten different websites across many niches.
He publishes monthly income reports on his website about what's working and not working. He earns five figures a month from his portfolio from affiliate marketing, display advertising, and other monetization methods.
How to Serialize Your Book, Novel, or Memoir with Sarah Fay
00:34:26
There's never been a better time to be a writer. We have so many different ways of finding readers and getting our work in front of them. You can self-publish a book, which is fantastic because you don't have to rely on gatekeepers.
But let's face it. Self-publishing takes a little bit of time, and you have to invest in a book cover. You've also got to spend money on advertising now, and so on.
But what if there's a different way? Enter serialization. Famous authors, from Charles Dickens to Agatha Christie, have all serialized their works. The good news is, it's easier than ever to do it today.
Perhaps, the best place to serialize your book is on Substack. I've interviewed several top Substack publication owners over the past few years. But this week's interview is a good one. It's with Sarah Fay, a creative writing professor at Northwestern in the United States. She's also an author at HarperCollins.
In this episode, we discuss:
Sarah's two different Substack publications
Her exact process for serialization
Key things to do before you serialize your book or work
Whatever stage your current writing project is at, serialization is a great way to practice your work in public and connect with your readers.
The Creative Process of Web 3.0 Influencer: Zeneca
00:29:13
If you're writing or creating content online, then Web3 could be the future.
Years ago, many people were sceptical about blogging and didn't see it as a viable way for writers to earn a living. Then it was self-publishing, sometimes considered a bit scammy and not a great way for authors to sell their books directly to their fans.
That's the place Web3 is at today. Many people look at the technologies surrounding Web3 — I'm talking about cryptocurrency, the blockchain, and NFTs — with much scepticism.
In some cases, they are right. However, Web3 could be how content creators work online to build a relationship directly with their followers and fans. And if you're a writer, it could represent the future of how you write or create something that your readers like to collect or want to own.
In this week's interview, I met one of the NFT space's best-known content creators. His name is Zeneca. I asked him how he researches, creates, and writes content in such a new and emerging space.
If you feel like you've missed out, or it's too late to get involved in such a technical space, then fear not because Zeneca has a number of takeaways that will help you get started.
In this episode, we discuss:
how Zeneca got started on Twitter before iterating into different platforms
how technologies within Web3 are constantly adapting and changing
using both Web3 and Web2 tools to build a relationship with an audience
Unlocking Creativity: How Journaling Can Transform Lives Behind Bars
00:29:52
In this week's episode, I interview a creative writing instructor who works in a local county prison to instruct inmates on the practice of journaling.
Tina Welling is a big believer in the therapeutic power of this practice. She's also a big believer in the link between creativity and nature. Those are two themes that she addresses in her recent books. I'm going to cover both in this week's podcast episode.
I was particularly fascinated to catch up with a writing instructor focusing on journaling because journaling is a fantastic practice for anybody, particularly for writers.
It helps you get into the habit of writing regularly.
You don't have to ask permission from anybody to journal.
It enables you to express yourself through the written word.
And it will give you source material that you could use later on.
Best of all, you can't get journaling wrong. After all, when you write an entry, usually — unless you decide to do something with it later — it's for you and you alone.
In this week's episode, Tina Welling explains how she teaches prison inmates how to journal. She also talks about the link between journaling and therapy.
Mastering the Art of Online Writing: Tips from Dickie Bush
00:32:13
What are the skills you need to write successfully online today?
In this week's episode, I caught up with Dickie Bush. Now, you may already know Dickie Bush because he has nearly 330,000 followers on Twitter. He's the co-founder of Typeshare, a fantastic online writing tool. And he also runs Ship 30 for 30, an online writing course I took a year ago.
I was really excited to catch up with Dickie because he's an expert in writing online, specifically on Twitter. One of my key takeaways from talking to Dickie is how he looks at the creative process.
In this episode, we discuss:
how he transitioned from working as a trader at BlackRock
choosing your subject matter
how to supplement your subject with information and data
how he co-formed Typeshare
Dickie is getting ready to launch a new cohort of Ship 30 for 30. I have added the link below so you can sign up.
It really is an excellent course. If you haven't written much online and perhaps lack confidence about publishing your work on Twitter or other platforms, or you want to see how an expert does it and learn about their tactics and strategies, then I would encourage you to take this particular course.
From BookTok to Writing About Blockchain: How to Stay Ahead of the Curve with Creator Nat Eliason
00:31:35
There are endless ways writers and authors can connect with readers. An author website, TikTok, YouTube, personal newsletters, Substack, the list goes on. But how do you identify which is the right discovery platform for you?
This week I was fascinated to catch up with a content creator who has succeeded multiple times across different platforms. He has a popular personal newsletter and writes about Web3 and cryptocurrency. He's also a well-known book talker.
I'm talking about Nat Eliason, who creates content on various discovery platforms.
Now, my key takeaway from talking to Nat is that it's still crucial to connect directly with your readers. And for writers, that hasn't changed.
In this episode, we discuss:
the best way to connect with your readers
how Nat gets subscribers organically within the Substack app
Exploring the Limitless Potential of AI For Fiction Writers With Tim Boucher
00:30:38
ChatGPT is fast becoming the biggest trend of 2023. But what does that mean for writers?
Like many, I've been using ChatGPT intermittently over the past few weeks and months for various parts of the writing process. I don't describe myself as an advanced ChatGPT user, but I use it for some administrative aspects of running a blog and content websites.
For example, I use it to generate iterations of headlines, write SEO meta descriptions, create ideas for FAQs that I put at the bottom of articles, and even develop article outlines.
However, I do not use ChatGPT or AI tools to write an entire article because, let's face it, the results can be mixed. I still like to insert some personality and research into the pieces I might write.
AI tools can be a real time saver. I even used an AI tool to help develop a headline for this week's podcast episode. So, if you're listening to this, you must have found the headline at least slightly engaging.
That said, many writers and creatives from other professions, particularly artists, are worried about how AI will potentially replace them.
In this week's interview, I caught up with the Canadian AI author, Tim Boucher. He describes how he uses multiple AI tools to produce short-form fiction.
One key thing Tim said struck me. He's not using AI to produce his short stories and novels faster or more efficiently. If anything, he's using AI to experiment and explore different creative approaches.
Insider Tips for Making a 6-Figure Living as an Amazon Indie Author With Marc Reklau
00:28:07
This week, I caught up with a highly successful Amazon indie author. His name is Marc Reklau. He's from Germany but lives in Budapest, Hungary.
Marc got into the self-publishing game about ten years ago, when selling books on platforms like Amazon was much easier. He writes about personal development, self-help and covers topics like productivity, happiness, habits, and money.
He also uses Amazon ads prolifically to sell copies of his non-fiction books. Believe it or not, he's had a huge success selling books translated into different languages, specifically Spanish.
I was fascinated to hear about Marc's approach – firstly, to writing his books and, secondly, to promoting them via Amazon ads.
Jake Thomas of Creator Hooks Talks Headlines and Thumbnails
00:26:43
When writing for YouTube, many top channel creators say the headline for a video and the thumbnail are the two most important things creators must consider.
So, what can you do if you need help writing your headline and figuring out a complementary thumbnail? What other channels do you consider if you want to start a YouTube channel that complements your blog, book, or writing?
This week's interviewee is Jake Thomas. He's developed a fantastic product, which I recommend you check out. It's called Creator Hooks and Creator Hooks Pro.
Creator Hooks is a free newsletter where Jake debunks or analyzes top YouTube videos, including their headlines, the thumbnails, and what made them go viral.
Creator Hooks Pro is like a swipe file where you can get in-depth insights into these videos. It's a real time saver for writing headlines and gives me ideas for other videos.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Jake came up with Creator Hooks
The best way to use it
What's working on YouTube today
Even if you're not currently running a YouTube channel, the principles behind headlines, thumbnails, imagery, and so on come straight from the world of copywriting. You can apply them to other types of writing, including — yes, you guessed it — blog posts, newsletters, Twitter threads, social media, and so on.
Unlocking the Power of Email Marketing: Matt Treacey Teaches Authors and Writers to Monetize Their Lists
00:25:54
What should writers, bloggers, and authors know about email marketing automation?
Email marketing automation can be overwhelming. When I started figuring out what to send to readers and subscribers, I ended up with a smorgasbord of forms, segments, and rules to follow and check.
It took me quite some time and a lot of hair-pulling to get it right.
I'm currently using the email marketing software ConvertKit, which is easy to use and was initially built with bloggers and writers in mind.
People with lists of all sizes use ConvertKit to send the right message to their readers, segment their list, and sell their latest books, courses, and offers.
Email marketing automation can still be tricky to get your head around. So, if you're struggling, you may enjoy this week's interview with Matt Treacey. He teaches authors and writers how to monetize their lists more effectively through the power of marketing or email marketing automation.
In this episode, we discuss:
Email marketing automation as a powerful way to build a narrative for authors
Nurturing the relationship with your readers or audience
Matt's helpful strategies and tips for email marketing automation
The Art of Swipe Files And Using AI to Copywrite With Neville Medhora
00:31:37
AI tools like ChatGPT are all the rage these days. While they won't write everything effectively for you, they can be a real time saver if used correctly. So rather than opening up Microsoft Word or Google Docs and wondering how you will write some compelling copy for your customers or clients, you can use a tool like ChatGPT.
It'll generate headlines for you. It could help you turn product features into benefits and give you a good angle or an introduction for your emails, your sales page, or even your blog post about your latest product or service.
Not only that, but these tools take away some of the mystery surrounding copywriting. In other words, they make it easier for everybody to express themselves. And if you're a writer working online, copywriting is a valuable skill because it will help you sell your products, services, books, articles, and, of course, your ideas.
In this week's interview, I caught up with the expert copywriter, Neville Medhora. He runs swipefile.com, a fantastic website if you want to browse new and old copy that has stood the test of time.
He also runs copywritingcourse.com, where you can get your copy workshops from Neville and his team.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Neville got started way back in 1998
How Neville built a successful finance blog
Neville's approach to using AI tools to write copy
The Art of Audience Growth: A Deep Dive with a Content Creation Expert Josh Spector
00:32:52
My guest today is Josh Spector, a writer, podcaster, and consultant. He also runs an engaging newsletter over at fortheinterested.com.
Josh has been publishing the For The Interested Newsletter for almost seven years. It exists to help creative entrepreneurs grow their audience and business.
Around a year ago, Josh launched the podcast I Want to Know. It's a three-question podcast. Guests come on and ask three questions about things they're struggling with, trying to figure out how to grow their audience or business.
Josh also operates as a consultant, offering clarity calls where he takes people through his framework to help them develop their strategy for audience growth.
In Josh's words, "In order to build an audience, you have to provide value."
"You want to help a specific person who's at point A get to point B. And your content, your product, your social posts, your services, whatever you're doing — free or paid — is the bridge that gets them from point A to point B."
In this episode, we discuss:
Providing value for your audience
Getting the total value out of the content you create
Building Your Brand: How to Establish Authority in Your Genre With Anna David
00:30:05
Many people say they have a book inside them, but few actually take the time to write it. Writing a book is a great way to build a personal brand and authority and make a name for yourself. But it takes a lot of work to write a book. So why even do it?
This week, I caught up with Anna David, a New York Times best-selling author of not one but eight different books.
She also runs a company, Legacy Launch Pad Publishing. Her company helps people build authority and, in some cases, reach The New York Times bestseller list.
Anna made the point that whether you're writing a book or working with a ghostwriter, asking yourself a few questions before starting on page one is helpful. For example:
What is my book about?
Who is my book for?
And what does success look like?
That's an exercise I undertook a couple of years ago when I started writing and self-publishing books. Once I understood what the book was about, it immediately gave me some constraints to work within.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
The process of identifying what success looks like for you.
The importance of understanding your ideal reader.
In this week's podcast, we're diving into the thrilling world of Stephen King and exploring some of his most captivating best-selling novels. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering King's work, these books are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
So buckle up and get lost in Stephen King's world of spine-tingling suspense, heart-pounding thrills, and unforgettable characters. Discover why his books have become cultural touchstones and made King a literary legend.
Until next time, keep listening and let your imagination soar!
How to Write Pitches Editors Love With Rebecca L. Weber
00:28:45
Would you like to break into freelance writing? And if so, how do you pitch the editors of big-name publications?
I was a freelance writer and journalist before I set up Become a Writer Today. It was a challenging profession. I studied journalism in college for a few years, and when I graduated, I struggled to find any work at all.
It was only when I specialized in a particular niche that I was able to start finding regular commissions. And even then, I found it quite difficult to pay the bills as a freelance writer.
If you're looking to get into freelance writing, my tip is to spend some time each week or every other week pitching for new clients and finding additional work, even if you have enough work in the queue.
This week's interviewee, Rebecca Weber, has written for several prestigious publications, including CNN, Forbes, and The Guardian. She's an expert at pitching high-profile editors.
In this week's interview, she goes through her five-step process, which you should use to pitch an editor for a publication. I wish I'd known about this five-step process as a freelance journalist. It would have saved me a lot of time and heartache.
How to Break Into Screenwriting With Brock Swinson
00:27:07
Do you want to learn how to become a prolific screenwriter?
I love catching up with screenwriters. I don't write screenplays myself, but it's a fascinating genre because many principles apply to other types of writing.
My guest today is Brock Swinson. He's the interviewer for Creative Screenwriting magazine and the author of Ink by the Barrel, whichillustrates Brock's prolific writing principles.
In the interview, Brock shares his secrets for breaking into the screenwriting industry and how to overcome the most significant challenge most writers face.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
Screenwriting principles
Productivity hacks and the intersection between creativity and productivity
The importance of finding your voice and organizing your ideas
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Books on Creativity
00:17:58
In this episode, I consider some of the best books on creativity. Many aspiring writers and artists feel they don’t have what it takes to express themselves. I felt the same way for years.
The funny thing is that all creatives have felt this at some point during their careers. It’s a common theme found in many of the best books about creativity. Other themes include procrastination, fear of failure, and even a fear of success!
I’ve read dozens of creativity books over the years. This guide profiles the best creativity books for modern writers and artists, so you can start writing, creating, and publishing your best works.
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