Explore every episode of the podcast Publish & Prosper
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Why Print is the Missing Piece in Your Creator Ecosystem | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:53:25 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt have a conversation exploring why print needs to be part of your creator strategy. We consider the current state of digital content, influenced by algorithms and AI, and how content entrepreneurs can use print books to better establish their brand longevity and legacy (and, of course, to make money). Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [8:34] “How do you make that content last? How do you make it tangible? And how do you use it to reach people in a way that isn't going to immediately disappear?” 🎙️ [33:47] “'I’ve yet to ever receive a book or a piece of printed content or something where I was as quick to toss it as I am 90% of the emails that come into my inbox every day.” 🎙️ [51:21] “I think, honestly, in an age where everybody's attached to devices, the obvious play is to do something different. And that's print.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Choosing Your Direct Sales Strategy | 04 Mar 2026 | 00:54:16 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore three different ways creators can get started selling direct, and the tools you’ll need along the way! Learn about: 💡 Using direct assisted platforms like Books.by to build a website for you 💰 Selling on marketplaces like Etsy for a hybrid sales approach 📚 Connecting Lulu Direct to your site for true direct-to-consumer sales 🧰 Stocking your toolkit with some of our favorite sales and marketing solutions Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [4:47] “So for those of you that are interested in selling direct, but you don't have the time or the experience, or you just want to give it a quick try and you don't want to invest too much in it… These direct assisted platforms, I think, are really great for that.” 🎙️ [23:41] “There's no better way to control the customer experience from beginning to end and grow your business and capture all that data.” 🎙️ [38:23] “If your goal is long term growth and scalability, that should be a factor that you consider while you're deciding on your solutions.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Looking Ahead at Publishing Trends for 2026 | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:43:41 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt peer into their crystal balls for a look into the future (or make some very sound projections grounded in knowledge and experience). We take turns sharing our insights and expectations for what’s to come in the publishing industry in 2026, including: 🔮 Print-on-demand will become as important to the publishing supply chain as other tech solutions over the years 🔮 Authors will explore more ways to build their brand by blending self-publishing and traditional publishing strategies 🔮 Traditional publishers will adopt direct sales practices, both to increase their profit margins and to build relationships with readers But the real question is…was there confetti in Matt’s future? Watch the episode on YouTube to find out! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [5:58] “Print-on-demand models will become as important, I think, to the publishing supply chain as some of the other things that have surfaced over the years.” 🎙️ [29:23] “Anytime you can gain a full percentage point, multiple or even double digit percentage points, like that's an opportunity you want to jump at. So when you look at what direct sales affords you, when that's implemented properly, especially with a print-on-demand model, there's just no arguing with that.” 🎙️ [35:35] “I think if we…let's say six months from now, we talk about the trend of POD for new users coming into the ecosystem. Yeah, I bet it's more than an uptick.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Marketing Your Book Pre-Launch, At-Launch, and Post-Launch | 31 Jan 2024 | 00:54:18 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore the three stages of promoting your book—pre-launch marketing, at-launch marketing, and post-launch marketing. Download your free book marketing checklist to help you stay on track. 💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [22:51] “Marketing is just making friends. If you're doing it right, that's all it is. And whatever your way of making friends is, that should be your way of marketing…if your way of making friends is to go to in-person events or to see people in person, then that's how you should market. You should focus on those types of activities. But if your way of making friends is online, then focus on that.” 🎙️ [38:48] “If you've done all of the pre-launch marketing that you should, the best practices and the things that we talk about, launch day is infinitely easier. But if you don't do any pre-launch marketing, you can imagine how complicated launch day marketing is going to be.” 🎙️ [43:19] “One of my favorite things in the post-launch marketing bucket is the fact that now you can really start leaning into a lot of those opportunities that you were hopefully lining up in your pre-launch marketing, like interviews on podcasts or signings at your local bookstore at schools, depending on what your content is and all of those things.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Are Print Books Dead? | 24 Jan 2024 | 00:37:22 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren discuss some of the most important questions asked by authors and creators - is it worth it to publish my books in print? Are readers still buying print books, or is print dead? 💡Review the Data
💡 Learn More About
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [16:35] “I just assumed people really kind of understood the statistics and metrics around print books and the popularity of it. And the fact is that's not true. A lot of people don't realize that print books are still so popular that they consistently outsell ebooks and audiobooks.” 🎙️ [24:39] “Most people when asked would prefer to buy directly from their creator of choice, whether that is an online course or a book, they would prefer to buy directly from the creator and support the creator and their efforts.” 🎙️ [32:46] “At the end of the day, I think as a creator who is creating content for others to consume, that should be your goal. Maximizing not only the channels to which you get your content to market, but you know, really turning followers into fans and then fans into super fans. And the only way to do that is to offer them more of your content, whether that means more content, or more formats of that same content, or special editions.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Self-Publishing is a Team Sport | 17 Jan 2024 | 00:38:14 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss the publishing, design, and marketing experts that you may want to help you self-publish your book. We take a look at hybrid publishers, different types of editors, and interior versus exterior designers. Plus, hear our thoughts on which services are a must-do and which we think you can DIY to help keep costs low, a few suggestions for tools designed to help you with different publishing steps, and some of our favorite self-editing tips. 💡 Browse our list of publishing pros 💡 Read These Blog Posts 💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [13:43] “When it comes to having a really great cover versus having a well-edited book, if you're going to pay for just one of these services. I've had plenty of examples where my friends will say, ‘hey, I know the cover on this book is like absolute garbage, but the book itself is so good. So just, like, ignore the cover and just go dive right into the book’…No one has ever said to me ‘the writing is trash, but the cover is pretty. So you should read it.’” 🎙️ [29:58] “I'm sure I've said this before, and I know I'll say it again. If you wait until the day you publish your book to start promoting your book, you have already missed the boat entirely.” 🎙️ [31:59] “I just don't think it's worth it to pay, you know, an agency or anybody else to really help you with the marketing of a book…we haven't seen many cases where the amount of money exchanged, especially for newer authors, really comes back as a viable return in the way of getting book sales, I think people really are able to make a good go of it themselves these days.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| What is Print-on-Demand? | 10 Jan 2024 | 00:44:56 | |
Lulu.com is a print-on-demand self-publishing company. But what exactly is print-on-demand? And why is it such a popular business model? 💡Watch These Videos 💡 Read These Blog Posts
🎙️ [22:12] “Most places that utilize a print on demand process, digital printing of some sort, can provide you, upon request in most cases, a lot of the different things they do that contribute to a much better, and much more sustainable carbon footprint…I think when we talk about us as creators making conscious decisions to do certain things on certain processes, we really should think about that.” 🎙️ [32:38] “There is a reversal of that quality spectrum that's been happening over the last eight to ten years…I would definitely say that the quality of print on demand books is lightyears better now than it was ten to fifteen years ago.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Why We Love Attending Conferences (and Why You Should Too) | 29 Nov 2023 | 00:43:19 | |
In this episode, Matt and Lauren expound on the many reasons we’re passionate about sponsoring and attending in-person events. We talk about why we love meeting new people (even as a pair of introverts), the educational and inspirational benefits, networking and community-building opportunities, and more! Matt’s Famous Vegas Out-of-Office: 💡 Sign up for Ann Handley’s Total Annarchy Newsletter
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️[15:46] “The difference between hearing from a speaker that you could also just listen to their podcast, or read their blog. or whatever, and attending an in-person event is the other attendees there with you.” 🎙️[26:14] “This is an environment where people are intentionally open to fostering connections with new people, which definitely takes some of the pressure off of networking and having those conversations…The type of networking that happens when you're there, in person, at an event is just different than what's going on on the internet.” 🎙️[37:49] “Find other ways to make the trip more beneficial for you as well in terms of an ROI. Maybe there's some people you can set up meetings with while you're there that can help further along some of the objectives you might have for the year, content exchanges, things like that.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| The Robot in the Room: AI for Authors & Content Creators | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:43:57 | |
In this episode Lauren and Matt address the robot in the room – artificial intelligence! We share a few of our favorite ways to use AI and generative AI tools to help streamline content creation. Learn how we use AI as a research and analytics aid, to help with drafting and outlining content, to come up with variations on email subject lines and titles, and more! 💡Curious about any of the AI or resources we referenced in the episode? Check them out:
💡Read Think Outside The Bot: How AI Can Help Content Creators and Using Custom AIs to Grow Your Content Business on the Lulu Blog 💡Watch Ann Handley’s CEX 2023 Keynote on How to Write Like a Robot Can't: Finding Your Writing Voice in an AI World 🎙️ [11:47] “I think the main way, right now, that most people are using it with any sort of success rate and efficiency rate is using it to buy back time in your day.” 🎙️ [15:38] ““Asking ChatGPT ‘can you break this down and explain it in a way that a room full of high school students, or take it deeper and say a room full of fifth graders, would understand,’ you'd be amazed at what you get back.”” 🎙️ [41:39] “For whatever you're doing with it right now, whether that's not using it and being afraid of it, or whether that's starting to experiment with it and getting over your fears, or whether you consider yourself an expert in it right now…this is still the dumbest version of it you'll ever use, because it's changing every single day. So if you're finding value in it today, or you're gonna take some of these things we talked about back to your desk and try to make use of them, imagine if it's even the least bit helpful today, imagine how helpful it can be in your life six months from now, a year from now.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Can You Really Make Money Selling Books? | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:41:39 | |
In this episode, Matt and Lauren tackle the question on every author and creator’s mind – can you actually make money from books? We share our favorite tactics for maximizing your book’s earning potential, including doing your market research, selling direct, making effective use of all your content, and more. Plus, we share some Lulu authors & creators who are doing it right! 💡 Learn more about Katie Cross 💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [11:04] “If you start your marketing efforts for your book the day that the book goes on sale, you're already too late.” 🎙️ [23:27] “The ecommerce landscape is shifting. It's evolving quickly, but it's also shifting to where we're not just talking about website driven sales anymore. We're talking about the integration of ecommerce into social media channels…So as a book creator and seller, you need to be aware of those things and understand, again, what channels are your potential buyers hanging out, you know, your potential readers and new fans, where are they hanging out and you really should get yourself familiarized with the way that you can sell on those channels.” 🎙️ [30:00] “Monetizing your content with a book is great, but also using it as a way to establish yourself as a thought leader or an expert in your industry, using it to foster new connections, network, collaborate with your peers, open up new opportunities for something like a speaking engagement, guest podcast appearances. These are all ways that you're going to hopefully generate revenue and generate more business for yourself, and the book has helped you to do that.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| 4 Reasons Creators Don’t Sell Direct (and Why You Should) | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:37:38 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt tackle some common myths, misconceptions, and hesitations creators often share about selling direct! We debunk concerns like, “I don’t know how to build my own website,” “I don’t have what it takes to run a business,” and “I rely on third-party platforms for discoverability.” Plus, we share why selling direct is the future of book publishing, and why we think it’s worth investing the time now to help your business flourish long-term.
💡 Learn how Lulu Direct can help your business grow.
💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [8:14] “At the end of the day, that's what you are. You're a small business owner. And so finding ways to push through and treat this as a business, it's something you have to do. If this is what you're going to do long-term, if you're in this for the long haul and you're trying to build a sustainable business from your writing or content creation efforts, you have to do this.” 🎙️ [34:04] “The work that you put in now to do things like access your customer data by selling direct and being able to remarket to them because you have all that information, that will help you later. That work that you're doing now is going to help you continue to grow your business in hopefully years to come.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Is Self-Publishing the Best Path for Today’s Creators? | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:44:53 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing, and make a case for why self-publishing is the best path for today’s creators. Whether you're looking to grow your brand, make money, share your story, or establish yourself as an expert, there’s a publishing path for you. Discover the benefits of self-publishing, including complete creative control, faster time to market, and the opportunity to build a loyal fanbase. Plus, we take a look at how self-publishing could be your ticket to maximizing profits and achieving your brand goals.
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [18:20] “If that's something that's important to you, if growing your brand and owning your content is important to you, self-publishing is absolutely the correct path for you because you want to own the rights to your own content.” 🎙️ [21:52] “When you take on the responsibility of owning your content and selling it directly to your fans in your community through using self-publishing and direct sales tactics, you're the one collecting [customer] data. You know exactly how many people have bought your book or books, you have their names, their email addresses, and any other piece of information that comes through on that transaction on your platform, and you can use that data to remarket...When it comes to building a community and a brand and building up a dedicated audience of loyal fans, it starts with owning that data, and you can't do that if you're traditionally published.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Publishing for Growth: How a Book Can Level Up Your Brand | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:45:57 | |
In this episode, Matt and Lauren discuss how publishing a book can help you establish yourself as an expert or thought leader in your industry. Your book can serve as a business card or lead magnet, as the foundation for a community of fans, and as a networking key to unlock doors to speaking engagements, guest appearances, collaborations, and more. Plus, a book will generate passive revenue for your business, supplement your existing products, courses, or services, and help you connect directly with your audience. 💡Watch These Videos 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| 2025 Plot Twists in Publishing (That Everyone Saw Coming) | 26 Nov 2025 | 00:46:32 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren look back on this year in publishing. We review some of our predictions from 2024 and how those trends impacted the industry in 2025, including:
Listen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [18:20] “[Selling direct] has become so common and so easy that I think that not only will it continue, but I think you're really gonna start seeing a lot of major players adopting it now going into 2026.” 🎙️ [27:15] “I don't think we're gonna be living in a world much longer where it's an us versus them mentality, indie publishing versus traditional publishing.” 🎙️ [40:25] “I think that this year people really kind of had the reality check of, oh shit, we can't do it this way. I cannot put all of my eggs in this basket if I'm not the one holding the basket.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Introducing Publish & Prosper | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:20:10 | |
Meet Matt Briel and Lauren Vassallo, hosts of Publish & Prosper, a new podcast where publishing, ecommerce, and marketing collide! Join us for a quick introductory episode where we talk about who we are, our experience in the self-publishing industry, and what you can expect from future Publish & Prosper episodes. 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Profit On-Demand: From Podcaster to Published Author | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:49:45 | |
In this episode, Lauren interviews everyone’s new favorite author…Matt Briel! Lauren & Matt talk through the experience of writing, editing, and publishing a book. Hear firsthand how Matt developed a writing practice that worked for him, what it was like working with a professional editor and beta readers, and where he found the motivation and inspiration to get his book published. Check out Matt’s new book Profit On-Demand: The Creator’s Guide to Building a Profitable Business with Print-on-Demand. Watch the video episode, streaming now on YouTube. 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [8:55] “When it comes to nonfiction book publishing you are inherently going to become even more of an expert in whatever it is you're talking about. Because you have to actually do research and process the thing that you're working on and become articulate about how to explain these things.” 🎙️ [24:01] “Making progress, I think, tangible progress that you feel good about really helps you stay locked in.” 🎙️ [41:50] “But you know, a lot of it is you're making these changes because if you have trust in your editor and you have a good editor, then I mean, that's the point. You should take those suggestions and make them.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| How Print-On-Demand is Fueling the Resurgence of Magazines | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:43:38 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore one of our current favorite industry trends: the resurgence of print magazines! We talk through the many ways creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses are using print-on-demand, and:
Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Learn How to Create a Magazine with Lulu 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [8:32] “Magazines as traditionally or historically referenced, you would think of things like US Weekly, Time, People, Cosmopolitan, and some of the others. But what's happening in resurgence right now are more of the niche publications, things that focused on very specific topics - crafts, trades, collectibles, tech things.” 🎙️ [24:48] “It positions them as thought leaders in that space, as experts. And then secondarily acts as a lead magnet for them. So that when those businesses find themselves in the market, or have a need for what that brand offers, the first thing they're gonna think about is that brand. Because they're used to getting that content in the mail from them and looking at it as a very trusted resource.” 🎙️ [38:08] “Magazines, catalogs, things like that, they're not new, but the accessibility of them is. The idea that the average person could just print a magazine right now, that's still something that a lot of people haven't really had access to ever. 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Building a Landing Page for Your Book | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:49:01 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt simplify your website down to a single landing page with one goal in mind: selling your book. We talk through reasons why you may choose to build a landing page instead of a full website, what you need to consider before building out your page, and how to use different tools and platforms to build your custom page. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the episode on YouTube. Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [14:40] “That's the beauty of a landing page, too. Oftentimes a website is really aimed at, kind of everybody, you know, you're just trying to attract everybody, to a degree. But landing pages, you can really sort of dig in at a per audience or per vertical level.” 🎙️ [45:34] “The main goal of selling direct is that you want access to your customer data. So the whole reason that you would, in theory, want to be doing this is so that you can be collecting your customer data, so that you can continue to build a relationship with them.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| How Podcasting Changed Our Game (and How it Can Change Yours Too) | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:49:07 | |
Celebrate two years of Publishing & Prospering with us! In this episode, Matt & Lauren reflect on two years of podcasting, sharing what we’ve learned since the beginning, how podcasting has changed the way we create, share, and understand content, and where we see Publish & Prosper going next. Whether you’re curious about how a podcast could impact your brand or just want to sneak a behind-the-scenes look at Publish & Prosper, this is for you! Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube. Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to Our Top 5 Episodes
💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Crafting a Content Strategy That Actually Works | 22 Oct 2025 | 01:05:24 | |
In this episode, Lauren is joined by Lulu’s Senior Marketing Manager, Paul Hobday, for an inside look at content strategy with two content marketing nerds. We dive into: 🫱🏻🫲🏽 Understanding your different content channels and how they support each other 💡 How to build an effective content strategy (and why it’s essential that you do) 🧰 Making good use of the tools and resources at your disposal to design the best possible plan And more! Listen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube.
💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [3:17] “People who are naturally creative are more creative when there's constraints, because it forces you to work within a constraint. It really forces you to focus on your message or what you're trying to convey or whatever. So I like to think of strategy as self-imposed, but very thoughtful constraints.” 🎙️ [19:13] “It's easy to fall into the habit if you don't have a strategy in place of just posting whatever's top of mind.” 🎙️ [36:12] “The biggest thing your strategy should do is help relieve you of the stress so that you can actually enjoy creating the content, and enjoy getting to know your audience or capturing new email subscribers or whatever it is your goal is.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Tales from the Scrypt: Self-Publishing Horror Stories (and How to Survive Them) | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:50:15 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren share three chilling scenarios bound to keep you up at night and our tips for surviving your worst book publishing nightmares! Hear the horrifying tales of: 👻 The Proof Possessed by Problems 🔪 The Beta Reader Butcher Listen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube…if you dare. Dive Deeper 🕸️ Monstrous Cover Art Mockup
👻 Proof Possessed by Problems
🔪 The Beta Reader Butcher
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ “This episode is for you if you've ever woken up in a cold sweat from nightmares about a truly horrible cover design.” [3:23] 🎙️ The Monstrous Cover Art Mockup → You get your cover art back from your designer and you absolutely hate it. Now you have to figure out how to share that feedback with your designer, and how to better make your dream cover a reality. [16:18] 🎙️ The Proof Possessed by Problems → You order a print proof and it comes back riddled with cover or interior errors. Now you need to figure out where it all went wrong, and what you need to do in order to fix it. [30:19] 🎙️ The Beta Reader Butcher → You asked a few friends to beta read your book and they tore it to shreds. Now you need to figure out how to process that critical feedback…and maybe how to save your friendship. 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| 5 Customer Service Tips for Ecommerce Success | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:52:03 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their strategies for providing top tier support for your customers. Whether you’re taking preventative measures, planning a proactive approach, or providing solutions to unexpected problems, we’re here to help you help your customers. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [2:42] “I think these things will help anybody who is operating their own digital storefront and finds themselves in a situation where they are selling something to somebody else online.” 🎙️ [21:21] “We've gotten so Amazon lately where we just expect everything overnight and not even they can fulfill that half the time anymore. So putting a very human element to your product, the production time that it takes, that really helps temper people's expectations.” 🎙️ [35:07] “I think oftentimes as creators, solopreneurs, small business owners, we think we have to be everywhere at all times, not only for creating content, but also for supporting people. And that's just not true. It's not true. And it's not sustainable.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Matt & Lauren Agree to Disagree | 01 Oct 2025 | 00:44:20 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate and discuss a variety of writing, publishing, editing, and marketing prompts. Hear their insights, opinions, and ideas on topics like:
And, of course, a few tangents too. Listen now, or watch the full episode on our YouTube channel! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [9:16] “You cannot control that part of the customer experience if you're selling on a third party website, but you can if you're selling direct. And I think that's really neat.” 🎙️ [19:30] “It's such an important part of launching a book. I think, and the people that we've talked to that have made that part of their launch process, you know, their marketing plan, they tend to have really good success with it.” 🎙️ [36:59] “I think no matter what you write, whether it's fiction or nonfiction or how to manuals for lawnmowers, your goal shouldn't be transactions. It should be relationships.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Developing Publishing Technology with Lulu’s CTO Christoph Kepper | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:44:31 | |
In this episode, Lauren sits down with Lulu’s Chief Technology Officer Christoph Kepper! Christoph shares his insights into what makes Lulu a publishing technology powerhouse, and his vision of an accessible, sustainable future for publishing. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [13:19] “I always say ideas are cheap, you know? Because having a good idea is not a problem. Executing and getting it to that stage where it's really working well takes so much more effort.” 🎙️ [17:03] “It's not the latest technology that Ingram uses. And I thought there were a few things that we could do better. And so we did them at Lulu." 🎙️ [35:32] “That's where also the notion of Lulu being a tech company is valid, because we are much less of a publishing company than traditional publishing companies or publishing companies at all. We are just providing some infrastructure for authors, for publishers, for whoever wants to use our services.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| How to Get Your Book Into Libraries | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:49:53 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt want indie authors to see their books on library shelves! Whether you dream of your hardcover on display in your local public library or hope to find your ebook in digital catalogs nationwide, we’re here to help make it happen. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [14:00] “The discoverability that we often talk about is lacking on so many other distribution or retail options is still very much active in libraries in both digital and physical libraries.” 🎙️ [27:09] “You need to be where librarians are going to be. Besides the library.” 🎙️ [45:30] “You’re fostering relationships in your local community, which can only ever be a good thing for your brand and your career.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Inside the Inbox: How to Plan an Email Campaign Series | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:58:15 | |
Tune in for another episode of The Email Marketing Podcast with Laurie & Lauren! In this episode, Laurie & Lauren walk through the steps to prepare for an important email marketing campaign series like holiday sales or a new book launch. We review:
Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts 💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [10:23] “If you're not clear with what your campaign is trying to achieve, your click through or your call to action is going to most likely be a little bit confusing for the recipient. Because if I'm just like, throwing a bunch of stuff in an email, the recipient is not going to know where to focus.” 🎙️ [36:09] “It is really important for email to provide that value so that people continue to open your emails.” 🎙️ [55:03] “Because email is always going to be one of your number one channels for success for a big launch. So take advantage of it.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| In the Limelight: Lynette Greenfield Shares Her Passion for Publishing | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:59:13 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren sit down with our friend Lynette Greenfield, author and founder of Limelight Publishing. Learn how Lynette turned her prolific writing career and passion for helping aspiring authors into a successful hybrid publishing company. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Meet Lynette & Learn More About Limelight 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts 💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [11:41] “Every time something stresses me out, I always automatically think to myself, it's okay, I've got writing.” 🎙️ [37:17] “I want to be transparent, I want to be honest. I don't ever want to say, I mean, this is the most incredible book. It's gonna sell, it's gonna – I won't do that. But at the same time, everybody's stories are amazing. Everybody's books are incredible.” 🎙️ [48:16] “That's what I want Limelight to be. I want it to be a place that people can go. It's not just about publishing. There are so many reasons why you can publish a book.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Live From Content Entrepreneur Expo! | 03 Sep 2025 | 00:55:48 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt chat with old and new friends live from the show floor at Content Entrepreneur Expo! Tune in to hear from five industry experts about content creation and strategy, content entrepreneurship, book publishing, and most importantly, the great niche vs. niche debate.
💡 Watch this episode on YouTube! 💡 Meet These Awesome Content Entrepreneurs 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Maximizing Your First Impression in the Attention Economy | 27 Aug 2025 | 00:53:02 | |
You only get one shot to make a first impression when inviting new guests into your brand–don’t scare them away before they even make it to the front door! In this episode, Lauren & Matt share essential tips for capturing attention quickly, maximizing your ‘curb appeal,’ and making your first look count. We talk through nailing your elevator pitch, sprucing up your social media real estate, designing an inviting website, and delivering a warm welcome email. Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [5:31] “We live in an attention economy. Everybody's vying for the same attention span that you are, and attention spans are short right now. It's uber important that your first impression hits.” 🎙️ [18:43] “Those posts that you're posting on social media that you're hoping the algorithm puts it on their for you page or on their feed, or a friend of theirs shares it and it shows up or whatever… That is your elevator pitch to get people to come check out your profile. So if you're putting all your work into crafting those posts and you're ignoring the profile part of it, you're losing people.” 🎙️ [27:38] “Websites are often now thought of as either A. SEO fuel or B. a place to sell your books, right? So a lot of people don't necessarily think of them as their first impression, their front door to their brand. But you should. You should still build your homepage, build your front page, as if that's the first impression somebody's going to get of you, or your brand, or your books.” 🎙️ [41:20] “There are three things you want from a fan, reader, follower, customer. You want their attention. You want their trust. You want their money. The first two are the ones you have to work the hardest for.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Maintaining Momentum After Your Book Launch | 20 Aug 2025 | 00:53:34 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren share tips for making the most of your post-launch marketing and extending the sales cycle of your book. We talk through how to maintain the momentum of your brand growth, professional growth, and book sales by:
Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Understanding Your Audience with Reader Personas | 13 Aug 2025 | 00:49:40 | |
Reader personas are a powerful tool for understanding your target audience! In this episode, Lauren & Matt explain the value of niching down into your target audience, how to create your ideal reader personas, and applying those to inform every step of your publishing journey. Whether you’re still drafting your first book or looking to inject new life into the end of a sales cycle, you have to understand who your readers are. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read This Blog Post 💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [10:22] “A reader persona, for all intents and purposes, is nothing different or short of what we would call a customer persona or a buyer persona in marketing and sales, right? Understanding who your ideal candidate is, who's the person that you're talking to within what would be a broader target audience.” 🎙️ [30:25] “I think that when you know who you're writing to and you know how to actually authentically connect with them, it does kind of subconsciously build that rapport already.” 🎙️ [44:43] “I think that's the key with post-launch, and persona updates as well, is that you really have to be able to get that data and that information. You can't go back and update a persona if you're not getting that real time information. The only way you're getting that real time information is through selling those titles direct, or having some other direct way to come in contact with the buyers of your book.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Calendars Are Still Cool (We Can Prove It) | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:49:51 | |
In 2024, Lulu printed almost 57,000 calendars for creators and customers worldwide. In this episode, Matt & Lauren examine why wall calendars are so popular, the ROI on calendars, and different ways calendars can support your brand efforts. We also share calendar ideas for different types of creators, and our tips for making an awesome project. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Create Your Own Calendar Now! 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read How to Make a Custom Calendar for Your Wall 💡 Watch These Videos 💡 Check Out These Creators Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [6:17] “Of all the things that you could create on Lulu, or other sites that involve printed materials like books and pamphlets and calendars and things. Calendars are probably the easiest thing to create.” 🎙️ [36:13] “I don't think there's any genre or area or vertical out there where we couldn't find helpful content that they could use for a calendar.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| The Email Marketing Podcast with Laurie & Lauren | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:45:21 | |
In this episode Lauren is joined by Laurie Shipley, Lulu’s Email Marketing Manager, to explore the value of email marketing…beyond just newsletters! Laurie shares insights into growing and segmenting your email lists, using automated emails to increase revenue, and creating personal connections with your subscribers. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes 💡 Read These Blog Posts 💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [5:08] “So one thing that you want to do…is really to figure out like what's the goal of your email marketing? Ideally, you've got something to sell because, you know, you can have a newsletter all day long that you share your thoughts or give some tips, but you're never gonna really maximize your email marketing resources if you leave it to that.” 🎙️ [20:48] “I think some people are a little bit hesitant to send these types of emails. But someone subscribed, they want to hear from you, they're interested in your product. I mean, email marketing works.” 🎙️ [40:34] “That's part of the reason why I love email… It's very revenue driven for most companies, but it's also in my mind, extremely creative. And there's so many ways you can go about it. And it produces results, so it keeps you energized. And once you start doing it, you're like, I'm seeing the results of the work that I'm doing here.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Printing Money: How to Turn Subscription Content into Books | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:44:55 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren review the power of print-on-demand books for subscription-based creators. Whether your content is behind a paywall, time-boxed, frequently updated, or even just spread out over multiple channels, print books can be a great way to support your fans, reach new subscribers, and further establish your expertise and authority. Learn why we think POD print books are a great value add for your subscribers, different ways to monetize your printed content, and how to easily sell and distribute your new products. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Learn more about Lulu’s Order Import Tool 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [10:36] “For people who create content that is educational in nature, something somebody might want to use for reference later on, giving them a source that is easily reviewable, something that they can have on their desk or a bookshelf where they can just turn around and grab it… It's just much easier to access.” 🎙️ [24:47] “It's just a different way to show off your content. It's a different gateway to entry for people.” 🎙️ [38:07] “But I think as a content creator, as anybody listening that considers themselves a content creator or does a subscription service, there's just so many ways that you could create some sort of printed content that you can offer your readers, listeners, subscribers, whatever you want to call them, that really adds value to the chain and brings in some passive revenue for you.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Scaling for Success with Automated Book Fulfillment Solutions | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:48:35 | |
Manual fulfillment works…until it doesn’t. In this episode, Matt & Lauren break down the risks and realities of manually packing and shipping orders, signs it’s time to update your existing solutions, and the backend automations that can help you successfully scale with your growing sales. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [9:00] “You also want to be prepared for those one-off situations, I can handle this as is right now, but if there's any unexpected spike or roadblock that's going to throw off the whole system, you need to have a plan in place for how to manage that and how to handle that.” 🎙️ [31:20] “Small problems become big problems if you let them.” 🎙️ [44:01] “Being able to open up over 150 new markets, you know, overnight with virtually no money up front and just a little bit of your time? Like, that is – there's no faster way to scale a business like that.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Scaling Up: What to Know About Bulk Book Printing | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:40:35 | |
With print-on-demand, you can print just one copy of your book… But you can also print 100. Or 500. Or 1,000. Or 3,159. You do you. In this episode, Lauren & Matt talk bulk book orders; when you need them, how they work with print-on-demand, and all the logistics (and discounts!) you should know about. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read about Simplify Selling Books with Lulu’s Order Import Tool 💡 Watch The Life of a Book Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [10:35] “If you are not selling your books through Lulu, but you want to use us to order 500 copies of your print book without having your book for sale in the bookstore or using our Lulu Direct plugin, you can do that. We have plenty of customers that use Lulu exclusively as their just book printer.” 🎙️ [25:47] “The number one top priority is to make sure that you are planning ahead.” 🎙️ [37:37] “That's the beauty of ecommerce technology and print-on-demand technology having caught up to where they're at right now at this intersection of time.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Book Launch Blueprint: How Justin Moore Sold Over 1,000 Books in 90 Days | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:48:52 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren break down one of Tilt Publishing's most successful book launches of the year. Meet Justin Moore, author of Sponsor Magnet and founder of Creator Wizard, and hear how he’s used proven strategies to successfully (and profitably) release his book. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Meet Justin Moore 💡 Listen to These Episodes
🎙️ [1:56] “We wanted to use him as our first creator spotlight because Justin really has, I think, embodied all of the things that we've talked about in the last 78 episodes and just done it really, really well.” 🎙️ [6:30] “I just kept doing this, looking to different and new content formats to educate people. Really, it was all about kind of the North Star of impact and reaching people with the things that I believe.” 🎙️ [33:55] “He wanted to go as wide as possible. He wanted people to be able to find his book anywhere, but he still pushes all of his promotion to his website. Because there's a difference – and I think that's a really important distinction that we should all understand – there's a difference between going wide with your book sales and having your book available everywhere and going wide with your promotional efforts.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| How to Use Generative AI to Sell More Books | 02 Jul 2025 | 00:55:44 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore different ways generative AI tools like ChatGPT can help you sell more books (without creating any public-facing copy or content). We share so many tips for using AI, including ways to:
Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch This Video Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [3:59] “We're talking about how to use it as a brainstorming tool, as an admin tool, as a market research tool. Basically ways to help you automate your operational tasks or at least support your operational tasks so that you can focus more of your efforts and energy on the actual content creation or the creative elements of your job.” 🎙️ [28:13] “One of the ways that we fight for attention is by being authentic and genuine. And I know that seems outrageous for me to say in an episode where we're talking about how to use AI. But that's my point. Use AI to help you…so then you can turn around and create authentic content.” 🎙️ [45:02] “Having that extra person on your staff, i.e. ChatGPT, that can analyze your data and help you make smart business decisions, is a huge game changer for people that figure out how to make that work.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Lauren Finally Gets to Talk About Fanfiction | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:50:50 | |
In this episode, Lauren finally gets to explain the intricacies and impact of fanfiction to Matt. Listen now for a slightly chaotic dive into fanfiction origins, the evolution of fanfiction as we know it today, the legal gray area of transformative works, and how fanfiction has impacted modern publishing. Watch this episode on YouTube. Dive Deeper 💡 About the OTW | Organization for Transformative Works 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read This Blog Post 🎙️[The Only Sound Bite That Matters] 🎙️ Lauren: It is absolutely an undeniable fact that fanfiction is having a direct influence and impact on modern publishing. 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Making the Most of Partnerships to Grow Your Audience | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:51:53 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore how indie authors and content entrepreneurs can use partnerships and collaborations to grow their audience, establish authority, and build long-term relationships that outlast any algorithm. We break down strategies for how to identify the right partners, pitch yourself, and make the most of a mutually beneficial collaboration. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch This Webinar Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [2:22] “I think it's even more critical right now that people understand the importance of them, but also how to do it. Because right now everything is white noise.” 🎙️ [10:10] “That level of authority and recognition, I think, is really important and that's a great benefit of collaborating with other creators and authors.” 🎙️️ [27:31] “Nothing can ruin a potential friendship or partnership a relationship faster than not delivering on something that the other deems important.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| 7 Steps to Publishing Your Book | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:56:52 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren review how to publish your book in 7 steps! Check out these resources to help with each one:
💡 Step 2: Write & Organize Your Book → [9:46]
💡 Step 3: Edit & Revise Your Book → [18:33]
💡 Step 4: Format Your Book → [27:40]
💡 Step 5: Design Your Book Cover → [34:28]
💡 Step 6: Proof & Prepare Your Book → [47:17]
💡 Step 7: Finalize & Publish Your Book → [50:00]
Watch this episode on YouTube! 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Paul's Pod: Your Guide to Taking Your Writing Habit to the Next Level | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:57:07 | |
In this episode Lauren is joined by Lulu’s Senior Marketing Manager, blog writer, and master of copy, Paul Hobday. Paul responds to episode #53, How to Create A Writing Habit That Actually Sticks, and offers practical advice for aspiring writers ready to level up their writing habit into a purposeful writing practice. Watch this episode on YouTube!
Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers 💡 Listen to This Episode 💡 Read These Blog Posts
🎙️ [6:05] “The way you structured the conversation that you had about habits was around planning, goal setting, timing, repetition. And while those are all things that you should be thinking about, the actual writing habit should start becoming thoughtless. And it just becomes a thing you do so that you can then have a bigger goal.” 🎙️ [18:37] “But my point with that is: editing is writing… Taking the words that you've already written and making them words that you actually want someone to read is still writing. And I think there's a lot of important value in that.” 🎙️ [39:06] “It's all about like, knowing yourself well enough to know what you need to control in order to create the environment that you need to get your writing done.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Audiobooks 101 for Indie Authors & Creators | 28 May 2025 | 00:56:00 | |
In this episode Matt & Lauren debate the value and staying power of audiobooks, especially for indie authors. We take a look at market trends for audiobooks worldwide, different ways for authors and creators to produce and distribute their own audiobooks, and the pros and cons of creating audiobook versions of your books. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Data on Audiobooks
💡 Audiobook Distribution Platforms 💡 Audiobook Tools & News
💡Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read This Blog Post 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Build Your Own Book: Design Choices for Print Books | 21 May 2025 | 00:52:30 | |
In this episode Lauren & Matt explore the design options available for print books. We review the distinctions between trim sizes, binding types, paper types, ink quality, and cover finish, and popular choices for different product types. Watch the episode on YouTube for visual examples! Dive Deeper Watch The Life of a Book 💡 Explore These Resources 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [3:24] “The hope is that maybe after this episode, you'll be a much more educated person when it comes to the fundamentals of print and print books and print on demand.” 🎙️ [31:58] “Understanding those things, what value they might add to your end user, you know, in your project versus just satisfying your need to see something super crazy and frilly and whatever, that's really important before choosing what you ultimately go to market with.” 🎙️ [42:22] “So again, it all comes down to functionality and keeping in mind how you want your readers and buyers to use these things.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| International Book Rights for Indie Authors | 14 May 2025 | 00:49:00 | |
In this episode, Matt & Lauren talk through what you need to know about licensing your book rights with foreign publishers. We debate the merit of reaching out to new markets, what that process looks like, and how to use an agency like DropCap to secure international rights deals. Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [29:00] “They've really simplified, and I think made this accessible, to such a large group of people that otherwise, as we've just been talking about, would have some pretty daunting barriers to entry.” 🎙️ [38:43] “The end result is that you are essentially allowing, granting permission to foreign publishers and distributors the ability to publish and sell your book in different languages or versions in countries outside of your home country.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Building Your Book Business Using Lulu’s Print APIs | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:54:01 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss how entrepreneurs are using Lulu’s suite of APIs to build brand-first book businesses. We break down how savvy creators can use API integrations to automate, personalize, and scale their printing and fulfillment, and why you may want to do the same. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube! 💡 Explore These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [2:58] “Right now, it's easier than ever to take something like our suite of APIs that are open to, you know, open source and create some really cool front end for like, personalized books. And then we just handle all of the fulfillment. It makes everything super easy.” 🎙️ [14:37] “We give you all the tools you need. You have to go build your sandcastle in the sandbox by yourself.” 🎙️ [37:24] “The APIs’ best and built for three things: automation, personalization, and scalability.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| How Does Selling Direct Actually Work? | 07 May 2025 | 00:44:55 | |
We’ve mentioned, once or twice, the value of selling direct. But how does it actually work? In this episode, Lauren & Matt walk through the direct sales cycle and answer some common questions, including:
Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Check Out These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
🎙️ [30:59] “To me, there's only two reasons to sell direct. It's one, to maximize your profits. You're literally cutting out all th 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| We Love Content Entrepreneur Events So Much, We Bought One! | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:51:44 | |
In 2023, Lulu bought Content Entrepreneur Expo, an event for content creators and content entrepreneurs. In this episode, Matt & Lauren share an inside look into why we got involved in CEX, what we’ve learned about events after owning one, and why we think content creators, entrepreneurs, and authors should join us in Cleveland this August! Watch this episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper 💡 Learn More About The Tilt 💡 Check Out Content Marketing Institute 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [3:50] “I would say from the moment we got there…I think we just kind of knew like, oh, this is something really different and really cool. And this is where we need to be.” 🎙️ [11:12] “There's an identity of a creator. There's an identity of an entrepreneur. There's an identity of an author. In my head, they're all three the same. Or should be. And I think that's what we've been trying to do, now that we've come into this space, is show that there is…if there was a venn diagram of those three identities, there is overlap right in the middle. And I think that's content entrepreneur.” 🎙️ [49:13] “We want people who are leaving the event somewhat sad, but also somewhat excited to come back next year. Like sad that it's over, but can't wait for next year.” 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Maximizing Your Chances of Discoverability in Generative AI Search | 23 Apr 2025 | 00:50:54 | |
In this episode, Lauren & Matt dig into what discoverability looks like in a world where generative AI is changing how readers find books online. We look at what generative AI looks at when choosing what to cite or recommend, and share practical tips to help authors & creators appear in AI search results and, more importantly, to build lasting audience connections. Watch this episode on YouTube! 💡 Check Out These Resources
💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts 💡 Watch These Videos Sound Bites From This Episode 🎙️ [8:00] “Hopefully we'll be able to help you understand a little bit better how these search results, these zero click search results, are being generated, how you can try and make sure that you're in there.” 🎙️ [17:39] “One thing that people should understand is that it still hallucinates pretty regularly… They can't all be right. They can’t all be accurate. And they can't all have good intentions.” 🎙️ [40:09] “If I’ve said it three times in this episode 💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||
| Turning Your Blog Into A Book | 16 Apr 2025 | 00:53:46 | |
Whether you’re a food blogger, travel blogger, business blogger, lifestyle blogger, finance blogger, or any kind of blogger, you all have one thing in common: your content would make a great book. In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore the value of publishing your blog as a physical book. We also review the key steps to getting from blog to book, including how to choose the right content to include, outlining and formatting your manuscript, and what tools can help you along the way. Watch this episode on YouTube!
💡 Content, Inc. Episode 61: Tilt to Blog to Book to Speaking 💡 Listen to These Episodes
💡 Read These Blog Posts
💡 Watch These Videos
💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more. | |||