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Amy Yamada Reveals How AI Can Transform Your Writing and Connect Deeply with Audiences
22 janv. 2024
00:26:26
In this episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast, my guest is Amy Yamada, a former marketing director and AI expert.
During the interview, Amy shares her innovative approach to using AI to develop authentic messaging and form deep connections with audiences.
Amy and her use of ChatGPT to help content creators scale their businesses is a one-of-a-kind approach. No one else is teaching what she does. Amy's method allows busy content creators to generate more content while preserving their authentic voice and speaking directly to their audience.
Here are my top 3 takeaways from our discussion:
1. Authenticity is Key: Amy uses an innovative approach called the "heart speech model" to infuse her voice into AI-generated content, ensuring that her communication is not only efficient but also authentic and resonates with her audience.
2. Utilizing AI for Relationship Building: Amy highlights how entrepreneurs, including writers, can leverage AI for various forms of communication, such as marketing emails, social media posts, and even difficult conversations with clients or team members while maintaining their authentic voice.
3. Future of AI in Content Creation: Amy shared insights on the growing role of AI in content creation and how it's important to balance efficiency with maintaining a human touch in the content we generate. We also discussed the potential of AI in serving as a research assistant and helping with content organization.
If you're interested in learning more about Amy's unique approach to using AI in writing, check out the full podcast episode. Don't miss out on these valuable insights!
How to Become a Content Strategist With Amanda Hand
08 janv. 2024
00:25:24
In our latest episode of the Become A Writer Today podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Hand, an experienced content strategist and SEO team lead. We delved into the world of content strategy and discovered some valuable insights into this fascinating field.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
Client Goals and Data: Content strategy goes beyond writing and editing. As a content strategist, understanding client goals and aligning them with data is crucial. Become a data nerd, master tools like Google Analytics, and marry creativity with data-driven strategy.
User Behavior Analysis: Dive deep into user data to understand what drives decision-making and meet users' needs. Learn to follow the user's journey from the first website visit to the final conversion goal. This understanding will help shape effective content strategies.
Continual Learning and Skill Development: Embrace the ever-evolving nature of the content strategy field. Take advantage of free courses, such as Google Analytics, to acquire new skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Adaptability and curiosity are essential in this exciting industry.
If you want to learn more about content strategy and how to transition from content writing to strategy, this episode is a must-listen.
In today's episode, we delve into the world of Irish literature and explore the works of some of the best Irish authors you must read.
From the celebrated CS Lewis, who straddled the line between British and Irish, to the incomparable James Joyce and his masterpiece "Ulysses," we'll take you through a journey of influential writers who have shaped modern literature.
Join us as we uncover the rich literary heritage of Ireland and provide insights into these renowned authors.
So, whether you're searching for your next book club read or simply looking to expand your literary horizons, this episode is for you.
Stay tuned as we explore the works of Oscar Wilde, Maeve Binchy, Bram Stoker, Roddy Doyle, John Banville, Brendan Behan, and Samuel Beckett. Let's dive into the fascinating world of Irish literature.
I am thrilled to share that in the latest episode of the "Become a Writer Today" podcast, I've profiled 15 of the best horror authors, both alive and dead. If you're a fan of horror or looking to explore the genre, this episode is a must-listen!
Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:
1️⃣ Stephen King: Known as the master of horror, Stephen King's entry point into the genre is his debut novel "Carrie." Don't miss his other iconic works like "Pet Sematary," "The Shining," and "The Stand."
2️⃣ Bram Stoker: If you're into vampires, you can't miss Bram Stoker's original masterpiece, "Dracula." Explore his other chilling works like "Dracula's Guest" and "The Jewel of the 7 Stars."
3️⃣ Anne Rice: Alongside Stephen King and Clive Barker, Anne Rice is a favorite horror author. Start with her captivating "Interview with a Vampire" and delve into the mesmerizing Vampire Chronicles series.
Tune in to the episode for more spine-chilling authors and their notable works! Don't forget to leave a review on iTunes and share the podcast with fellow horror enthusiasts. Happy reading, and may your nights be filled with terrifying tales! 🧛♂️💀📚
In this week's episode of the "Become a Writer Today" podcast, we're diving into the world of copywriting books that every aspiring writer must read! 📖✍️ Join me, Bryan Collins, as I share some invaluable insights and recommendations on the best copywriting resources out there.
Key takeaways from this episode:
🔸 Dive into "The Robert Collier Letter Book," a classic written in the 1930s that offers timeless advice on writing high-performing copy, including real examples that have stood the test of time.
🔸 Explore the autobiographical gem, "Confessions of an Advertising Man" by David Ogilvy, and gain a deeper understanding of the mindset and psychology behind successful copywriting.
🔸 Uncover the power of long-form sales page writing with "The Ultimate Sales Letter" by Dan Kennedy, which provides detailed guidance and examples on constructing persuasive and effective sales pages.
Tune in to the full episode on the "Become a Writer Today" podcast to discover more captivating copywriting books that will enhance your writing journey! 🎧✨
Behind the Headlines with Isaac Saul of Tangle: Running and Monetizing a Media Newsletter
06 nov. 2023
00:29:02
I had the opportunity to go behind the headlines with Isaac Saul, the creator of Tangle, on my latest episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into Isaac's journey of running and monetizing a media newsletter while striving for balanced reporting in today's politically divided climate.
Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:
Building Trust through Balanced Reporting: Isaac's upbringing in a politically divided community inspired him to create a publication that both liberals and conservatives trust. With Tangle, he offers accurate, thorough, and balanced information by summarizing controversial political stories using neutral language and including arguments from both sides. This approach has earned them a diverse readership and positioned Tangle as a trusted source for fair news.
The Power of Organic Growth and Mailing Lists: Tangle's success began with a daily newsletter on Substack. Their mailing list grew organically, and they tapped into the power of surveys to identify their readers' demographics and preferences. By understanding their audience and building relationships with them, Tangle attracted a loyal readership. They aim to expand further, especially among younger audiences, by branching out to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
Strategy, Research, and a Growing Team: Behind Tangle's impactful content lies a strategic process. Isaac and his team carefully select and research the main story, finding arguments from various perspectives. Extensive research, including reading news articles, listening to podcasts, and watching political commentators, helps them curate fresh and diverse takes. The team's hard work has paid off, growing Tangle from a one-person operation to a full-time team with four employees and an extended network of part-time editors and interns.
I recently had the pleasure of discussing 27 must-read classic literature books on the Become a Writer Today podcast. These books have stood the test of time and offer timeless wisdom and insights into the human condition.
Whether you're a seasoned reader or just starting your literary journey, these classics are an essential addition to your bookshelf.
🔹 Classic Literature: Dive into the world of the classics and explore timeless themes and masterful storytelling. From epic adventures to thought-provoking social commentaries, these books offer a rich and diverse reading experience.
🔹 Coming of Age Tales: Many of the classic literature books discussed on the podcast explore the coming-of-age journey. These stories allow us to reflect on our own growth, self-discovery, and challenges as we navigate life's complexities.
🔹 Understanding Society: Classic literature gives us a window into different cultures and historical periods, offering a deeper understanding of society and human nature. Through these books, we can explore themes of love, power, identity, and social injustice.
So, whether you're seeking to expand your literary horizons or simply looking for a captivating read, make sure to check out these must-read classic literature books. They are a treasure trove of inspiration and storytelling that will leave a lasting impact on your reading journey.
Skyrocket Your Email List Using Copywriting Game With Eddie Shleyner
09 oct. 2023
00:23:16
My guest today is Eddie Shleyner. He is the Founder of VeryGoodCopy, a popular newsletter I subscribe to. He's also the former Copy Chief at G2.com, an excellent resource for finding software and other services.
How Doug Evans is Using Reels to Get 1000s of Book Reviews
25 sept. 2023
00:23:19
Could Instagram or TikTok help you generate reviews and sell copies of your new book?
One author who offers a resounding yes to that question is Doug Evans. He's behind The Sprout Book: Tap into the Power of the Planet's Most Nutritious Food. The Sprout Book is hugely popular and was an Amazon Best Seller.
Doug has grown social media accounts on TikTok and Instagram, with many of his posts going viral and attracting thousands or hundreds of thousands of likes. Doug used his social media accounts to generate reviews for The Sprout Book and sell more copies.
I wanted to catch up with Doug to determine what types of content authors should create on social media and how they can get started if they procrastinate.
From Passion to Paycheck: The Journey of Writing Blogger Hiten Vyas
21 août 2023
00:28:37
My guest today is Hiten Vyas. He is the founder of Writing Tips Oasis, a fantastic resource for writers.
Writing Tips Oasis started in 2014 to help writers across India ride on the wave of digital publishing that was about to take over the country. The site used to be called e-Books India and published regular articles that helped writers improve their writing and learn how to market and sell their ebooks and books.
However, by the very nature of the Internet, the materials quickly reached writers, authors, freelancers, and independent publishers from across the world—the brand e-Books India needed to be more expansive, so Hiten rebranded.
Writing Tips Oasis provides tips, advice, and guidance for published authors, freelance writers, business writers, journalists, and poets.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
Hiten's entrepreneurial journey
How to generate a sustainable income from writing
The free novel writing course available on Writing Tips Oasis
Welcome to another episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast. Today we have an exciting lineup for all you aspiring writers out there. In this episode, we'll dive into the world of motivational books.
We'll explore eleven must-read titles that will inspire and ignite your personal and professional creativity.
Get ready to discover some old classics that have stood the test of time and some contemporary gems that will challenge your mindset. From Dale Carnegie's timeless masterpiece to James Clear's revolutionary "Atomic Habits," we've covered everything.
So please sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of motivation and inspiration.
But before we start, I'd like to remind you to leave a review for our show on iTunes and share it with your fellow writers. Your support helps us reach more people who can benefit from our content. Also, remember to check out our companion YouTube channel for even more writing advice.
So, without further ado, let's jump into the captivating world of motivational books and become the best writers we can be!
Create Time, Reduce Errors and Scale Your Profits, with With David Jenyns
17 juil. 2023
00:27:16
In this episode of the Become a Writer Today podcast, my guest is an entrepreneur and author, David Jenyns, who specializes in helping business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives like you scale their businesses through the power of systems.
David introduces his book SYSTEMology, which outlines seven stages of implementing systems and processes in a business, from defining to optimizing.
He emphasizes the importance of mapping out client flows and using automation to improve efficiency.
David also shares his experience in writing and promoting his own book, as well as the benefits of delegating tasks and hiring part-time help or offshoring for solopreneurs with a tight budget.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
The importance of lead generation and onboarding
The need for business owners to delegate tasks
Building a business that doesn't solely rely on the owner's skills
The Ultimate Guide to the Best Books on Creativity
10 juil. 2023
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.
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 Break Into Screenwriting With Brock Swinson
26 juin 2023
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
How to Write Pitches Editors Love With Rebecca L. Weber
19 juin 2023
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.
Building Your Brand: How to Establish Authority in Your Genre With Anna David
12 juin 2023
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.
The Art of Audience Growth: A Deep Dive with a Content Creation Expert Josh Spector
05 juin 2023
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
Unlocking the Power of Email Marketing: Matt Treacey Teaches Authors and Writers to Monetize Their Lists
29 mai 2023
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
22 mai 2023
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
Insider Tips for Making a 6-Figure Living as an Amazon Indie Author With Marc Reklau
15 mai 2023
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
08 mai 2023
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.
How to Serialize Your Book, Novel, or Memoir with Sarah Fay
01 mai 2023
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
24 avr. 2023
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
Exploring the Limitless Potential of AI For Fiction Writers With Tim Boucher
17 avr. 2023
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.
From BookTok to Writing About Blockchain: How to Stay Ahead of the Curve with Creator Nat Eliason
10 avr. 2023
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
Unlocking Creativity: How Journaling Can Transform Lives Behind Bars
03 avr. 2023
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
27 mars 2023
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.
Maximizing Your Writing Income: Using Affiliate Websites to Earn More With Jamie IF
13 mars 2023
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.
The Science of Creativity: Insights from Leading Academic Robin Landa
06 mars 2023
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.
Writing from the Edge With Dystopian Thriller Author Aaron Gransby
27 févr. 2023
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
Breaking into the Publishing Industry: Insights from a Literary Agent Jeff Herman
20 févr. 2023
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.
Why Newsletters are a Better Tool For Writers Than Social Media, with Anna Codrea-Rado.
06 févr. 2023
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."
How Writers and Creatives Can Master Productivity with Oliver Burkeman
30 janv. 2023
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
Writing Speculative Fiction with Gary Bengier, For All Sci Fi Enthusiasts
23 janv. 2023
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
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
09 janv. 2023
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
Balancing Creative Writing, Business and Ghost Writing With Jessie Kwak
19 déc. 2022
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
Get Your Book Out There! How Deadlines Can Help Writers With Mark Pawlosky
12 déc. 2022
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.
Sell More Copies of Your Book Through Guest Podcasting With Jeremy Slate
05 déc. 2022
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
How To Turn Events From Everyday Life Into Stories With Matthew Dicks
28 nov. 2022
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
Combat Chronic Pain To Deliver That Creative Project With Oliver Mol
21 nov. 2022
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
Successfully Writing In A Narrow Niche With Dr. Guy Windsor
14 nov. 2022
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
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.
Don't Write A Book. Start a Newsletter Instead Says Elle Griffin.
31 oct. 2022
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
Building a Successful Indie Career With Mark Leslie Lefebvre
24 oct. 2022
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
Why You Should Rewrite Your Old NonFiction Book With Michael Michalowicz
17 oct. 2022
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.
How to Write a Psychology Book With Psychotherapist Jonathan Coppin
10 oct. 2022
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
Why I Stopped Working as Freelance Writer (And You Should Too)
03 oct. 2022
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
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