The Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode is the first part of a live podcast focused on the launch of The Godsverse Chronicles series. It covers the journey of relaunching the series, marketing strategies, and lessons learned from the experience.

Key Points:

* The Journey of The Godsverse Chronicles:

* The series has been in development since 2017, evolving through multiple launches and rebrands.

* The podcast discusses the challenges faced in the initial launch, including low sales and poor market reception, which led to a hiatus before relaunching the series on Kickstarter.

* Kickstarter as a Launch Platform:

* Kickstarter played a pivotal role in revitalizing The Godsverse Chronicles. The relaunch on this platform marked a turning point, significantly boosting sales and visibility.

* The success on Kickstarter demonstrated the potential for consistently launching books on the platform, leading to substantial financial gains.

* Rebranding and Strategic Relaunching:

* The series underwent a major rebranding effort, including new covers and titles to better align with market expectations.

* The importance of rethinking and restructuring the series to make it more marketable and appealing to readers was emphasized.

* Marketing Tactics and the Spillover Effect:

* The episode covers the concept of the spillover effect, where marketing efforts on one platform (like Kickstarter) positively impact sales on other platforms (like Amazon).

* Strategies for timing launches, using preorders, and running ads effectively to maximize the spillover effect are discussed.

* Lessons from the Launch:

* The hosts share insights from both successful and challenging aspects of the launch, highlighting the importance of persistence, flexibility, and continuous learning in the publishing industry.

* The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving nature of book marketing and the need to adapt to changing market conditions.

Final Thoughts:

This first part of the live podcast offers valuable insights into the process of launching and relaunching a book series, with a focus on The Godsverse Chronicles. The discussion underscores the importance of strategic planning, effective use of platforms like Kickstarter, and the power of rebranding in achieving success in the competitive world of publishing.

Introduction and Guest Overview:

* The episode features Malorie Cooper, a well-known figure in the publishing community, who has written over 100 books and is an expert in Facebook ads for authors.

* Malorie discusses how Facebook ads significantly boosted her book sales, taking her from selling 300 books a year to 300 books every two or three days.

Key Discussion Points:

* Facebook Ads for Authors:

* Facebook ads were crucial in scaling book sales for Malorie and her business, "The Writing Wives," which helps dozens of authors manage their Facebook ads.

* Malorie emphasizes the importance of understanding that Facebook ads can be effective, but they require consistent effort and adaptation due to frequent changes in Facebook’s algorithms.

* Kickstarter and Book Launch Strategies:

* Malorie and the hosts discuss using Kickstarter to launch books as an alternative to traditional retail platforms like Amazon.

* They highlight the potential of Kickstarter to build a dual career—one through Kickstarter and direct sales, and another through traditional retail platforms.

* Repackaging and Rebranding:

* Malorie talks about the importance of repackaging existing content to maximize its market potential. She mentions creating new covers, editions, and even translating books into other languages as strategies to keep content fresh and appealing.

* The idea of using omnibuses and special editions to test new marketing strategies without the need to re-cover entire series is explored.

* The Reality of Advertising:

* Malorie and the hosts stress that while advertising can be a great equalizer, it’s not a magic bullet. Success requires patience, testing, and a willingness to invest in learning how to run effective ads.

* They also discuss the challenge of managing expectations when it comes to the returns on investment in advertising, especially for single books versus series.

* Read-Through and Series Success:

* A significant focus is placed on the concept of read-through in a book series, which is critical for profitability. They discuss the benchmarks for good read-through rates and how they’ve shifted over time due to market saturation.

* Strategies for improving read-through, such as fixing characters or story elements that might be turning readers away, are also covered.

Final Thoughts:

* The discussion underscores the importance of leveraging multiple platforms and strategies, from Facebook ads to Kickstarter campaigns, to maximize book sales and build a sustainable author career.

* The conversation ends with a reflection on the evolving nature of book marketing and the need for authors to adapt continuously.

This episode provides valuable insights for authors looking to scale their book sales through smart marketing strategies and the effective use of advertising and crowdfunding platforms.

Resources 

* Check out Russell’s series launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDJDMNG

* Grab your own Free Book Launch Checklist (includes how to apply for merchandising)

Writing wives episode:

Live on August 27th: https://www.thewritingwives.com/facebook-ads-advanced

Episode 7 It’s Opposite Day! Russell is launching Amazon so Lee’s going to launch her project, The Millionaire Author Mindset, on Kickstarter. This is the first part of a 2-part episode. Part 2 can be found below.

Opening credits and editing by the amazing Jim Wilbourne. 

Join us as we discuss: 

* Why nonfiction can be perfect for Kickstarter

* The nonfiction funnel - book to courses

* How kickstarter allows you to test your ideas 

* How to get over your fear of doing something new

* “Investment comes before growth”

* The question to ask yourself when you are writing nonfiction: Who am I helping?

* Harnessing your inner Aquatic: Lee becomes a mermaid 

* Branding to attract and repel your idea reader/customer 

* An anti-authoritarian bee, a purple psychedelic pig and other customer avatars / psychographics 

* “If you’re talking to everybody, you’re talking to nobody” 

* “Are you speaking to the 99% of people who aren’t going to buy your thing, or the 1% who are?”

* What to put in a Kickstarter stack: $1, $20, $50, $100, $300, $600 pledge tiers

* Ideas for nonfiction tiers and rewards: checklist, ebook, audiobook, paperback, workbooks, physical decks, VIP live calls and hot seats, master classes, masterminds, coaching cohorts, courses 

* The Kickstarter spillover effect 

* Book launch and pre-order strategy in tandem with Kickstarter 

* Russell’s foolproof clipboard strategy 

* What are Kickstarter perks and stretch goals, and why do we care?

* The best time to launch a Kickstarter

* How long should my Kickstarter be? 

*  Lee’s homework: complete the simple "perfect" sales page worksheet and walkthrough from Russell’s course

https://writermba.teachable.com/p/the-kickstarter-accelerator

Let us know what you think of this episode, and what you’d like to see in Lee Savino’s Millionaire Author Mindset kickstarter!  

Resources:

* The Kickstarter Accelerator course:

https://writermba.teachable.com/p/the-kickstarter-accelerator

* The Seven Figure Author course:

millionaire-author-coaching.teachable.com/p/seven-figure-author 

* The author ecosystem: https://authorecosystem.com/overview

Episode 6: Self-liquidating offers: a boring term that makes us sound super smart! Join Lee and Russell as they discuss ways to advertise and push a pre-order using a direct store bundle–the author version of a self-liquidating offer.

Opening credits and editing by the amazing Jim Wilbourne. 

* Self-liquidating offers in courses and nonfiction, and now fiction

* Russell’s pre-order marketing strategy  

* Launch marketing strategy 

* Nick Erik’s 5x5 ad creation strategy

* Nick’s recommended romance audience: Diana Gabaldon, Danielle Steele, Nora Roberts, EL James, Sylvia Day, Contemporary romance   

* How to test ads

* What is the halo/spillover effect and why is it worth millions?

* “He was everything, he was nothing…and now he’s a potato!” 

* The two ways to make a direct store: Shopify or landing page with a store plug in like Optimize Press 

* The benefits of running ads to your own store versus Amazon or other retailers 

Resources: 

* Free Book Launch Checklist (includes how to apply for merchandising)

* Russell’s book launch checklist (the generic one tailored to him): https://BookHip.com/BDJDMNG 

* Solid marketing and ad advice: nicholaserik.com

* Steve Pieper’s direct sales course: app.stevepieper.com 

* Russell’s offers

* www.russellnohelty.com/obsidiansales

* russellnohelty.myflodesk.com/rc0k0kug3u

* www.russellnohelty.com/ichabodcomplete/

* www.russellnohelty.com/series/the-godsverse-chronicles/

Episode 5: Monica Leonelle joins Lee and Russell to discuss big launches. We run down a laundry list of the things Lee Savino and her cowriter did for their biggest launches (which resulted in each book hitting the USA today bestseller list back in 2021-2022). Then we asked Russell: What sounds fun for you? 

Opening credits and editing by the amazing Jim Wilbourne. 

The Book Launch Laundry list: 

* Bookbub pre-order promotions 

* Social media posts, giveaway posts

* Goodreads giveaways

* ARC Team vs Street Team 

* Your own newsletter 

* Newsletter Swaps with author peers

* Merchandising at Kobo, Barnes and Noble

* Newsletter promo sites like Bargainbooksy (Lee used Book-rank.com/Ram’s Promo stacker and clicked “Give me the Max”) 

* Pay per click ads Lee hasn’t had much success with: Amazon ads, tiktok ads, Bookbub ads, Snap chat ads, Google ads, Pinterest ads 

* Facebook ads, including self-liquidating offers like running ads to a direct store

* Not discussed: affiliate marketing and video content marketing on Reels, Tiktok and Youtube shorts  

Ask yourself “What on this list sounds fun to try for my next launch?” 

Resources: 

* Free Book Launch Checklist (includes how to apply for merchandising)

* Book-rank.com (formerly Ram’s promo stacker)

* Recommended book Promotion sites by Nicholas Erik: https://nicholaserik.com/promo-sites/

* Stats on the revamped USA Today Bestseller list: https://hotsheetpub.com/2023/10/the-revamped-usa-today-bestseller-list-isnt-what-it-used-to-be/

* What’s your Author Ecosystem? (Forest, Tundra, Desert, etc):

* Free book on Author Ecosystems: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/dddd61c9j4

Monica Leonelle’s Book Sales Supercharged series

And the Written Word Media Book Marketing template: https://geni.us/Bookmarketingtemplate

Lee and Russell welcome Michael Hourigan from Written Word Media to discuss paid newsletter promotions such as Freebooksy and Bargainbooksy. 

* The most important marketing tool an author (or anyone) can have

* Easy and proven ways to grow a newsletter 

* How Lee earns a full time income on autopilot 

* WTF is “Promo stacking” and WTF do we care?

* A quick and easy way to get a launch plan (hint: make Michael do it) 

* How to get free help fixing your blurb 

Resources: 

* Free Book Launch Checklist

* Your 1 Page Book Marketing Quick Start Guide by Lee Savino 

* A Guide to Welcome Emails For Authors

* Reader Reach Ads: What to Expect

* Top Book Marketing Strategy for Authors: Promo Stacking

* Limelight Book Promo Emails

* What genre should I promote my book in?

* Contacting Written Word Media for assistance with your book blurb or building your marketing plan

* Writing and Release Rapidly by Elana Johnson

Episode 3: Lee and Russell are joined by Melissa Storm to discuss releasing a NSFW paranormal romance comic book on Kickstarter. They’re two days into this launch and are already fully funded.

Content warnings: dirty jokes. It’s Lee’s fault. Put your headphones in. 

* The basics of Kickstarter projects

* Popular genres on Kickstarter  

* Pros and cons of working with a comic publisher 

* Best practices for collaborating or co-writing with another creator 

* The three stages of a Kickstarter launch

* The challenges of publishing a French and English version simultaneously 

* The optimal length of a Kickstarter campaign

* What to include in a Kickstarter campaign 

* A crash course in different types of comic covers (metal FTW) 

* The stages of making a comic 

* Color printing options with Bookvault 

* Russell’s most important tip for authors who want to turn their books into comics 

Resources: 

* Free Book Launch Checklist

* How to build an email sequence for a book launch -

* 5 biggest mistakes writers make transitioning their book into comics -

* Romance class - russellnohelty.com/sexytimecomicclass

* More about Melissa Storm’s services for authors: https://www.novelpublicity.com/about/

Episode 2: We’re still covering the OG Six Figure Author Experiment: the launch of Russell’s fantasy series, the Godsverse Chronicles. In this episode Russell updates us on his experience uploading four of his novels to book retailers. He and Lee discuss mindset and the fear that bubbles up on your author journey–fear of both failure and success. Fear is the mind killer but there are antidotes that don’t involve riding a giant worm. 

Content warnings: discussion of depression, mental illness and suicidal ideation. 

* The busywork that’s part of an indie author’s life 

* “The Busy Mom” publishing option for authors who have no time

* Boo to Ingram Spark, yay to PublishDrive and Draft to Digital  

* Character-driven writing 

* How dysfunction in the mind is NORMAL 

* How to expand your comfort zone 

* How Russell caused the apocalypse

* A useful approach to success or failure

* “Every decision you make in writing is also a marketing decision” 

* The ideal number of books for a successful series 

* The advice Lee gave to a millionaire author 

* Russell’s dog’s happily ever after  

* The #1 thing you can do to realize instant success 

Your Homework:

* Make a list of things you’re grateful for, especially regarding your books and your writing career so far. 

* Choose a book from your catalog and make a list of things that are holding that book back–the cover, the plot, the writing style, the audience and market you’re targeting

We want to hear from you! Let us know how the homework goes and what was your favorite part of this episode. 

Resources: 

* Free Book Launch Checklist

* The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers by Matt Bird: https://amzn.to/4cuqC5P

* Jim Butcher’s Livejournal: https://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/969.html

* An excellent resource for shifting your mindset and relieving anxiety: The Rapid Resolution Technique by Jon Connelly:

https://www.rapidresolutiontherapy.com/

* Author ecosystems: https://authorecosystem.com/overview/

Gratitude Studies

Wong Y J, et al. Does Gratitude Writing Improve the Mental Health of Psychotherapy Clients? 

Bartlett M, Condon P, et al. Gratitude: prompting behaviors that build relationships 

Yu H. Gao X, et al. Decomposing Gratitude: Representation and Integration of Cognitive Antecedents of Gratitude in the Brain 

Lúzie Fofonka Cunha, et al. Positive Psychology and Gratitude Interventions: A Randomized Clinical Trial 

Philip Watkins: Thieves of Thankfulness: Traits that inhibit gratitude

Philip Watkins: Grateful recounting enhances subjective well-being: The importance of grateful processing

P. Kini, et al. The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity

For more, check out the excellent video “An Antidote to Dissatisfaction” by Kurzgesagt

Episode 1: Join us for our first Six Figure Author Experiment: launching Russell’s fantasy series, the Godsverse Chronicles. The series is written and complete, with covers and audio done and ready to go. Russell had great success launching this series on Kickstarter and now it’s time to publish them wide on book retailers. Lee and Russell discuss pre-order strategy with Monica Leonelle, including: 

* The best way to juice the algorithm for success over on Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, Kobo and other book retailers 

* How to maximize your launch week on Amazon by publishing audio, paperback, hardback and ebook formats together to get an algorithmic boost

*  What ‘merchandising’ on wide retailers is and why it can give your book the best chance of success

* How PublishDrive, Draft to Digital and Findaway Voices by Spotify can save you time and sanity 

* Pricing strategies including whether to launch full price or at a discount

Resources:

* Free Book Launch Checklist

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you’re launching now and what was your favorite part of this episode. 

Welcome to the Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast. Hosts Russell Nohelty and Lee Savino dive into a colorful mix of personal anecdotes, book marketing strategies, and insights on making book launches successful. This episode is packed with practical advice and lively discussions.

Key Highlights:

* The Art of Personal Style:

* Russell kicked off the episode by showcasing his new Keith Haring jacket and Russell from "Up" hat, sharing a fun story about his Disneyland trip and how he ended up buying the jacket despite discouragement from his family.

* Comic Projects and Marketing Ideas:

* The hosts discussed their plans for a spicy comic, including potential cosplay marketing strategies. Although Russell vetoed the idea due to the comic's content, they highlighted the importance of creative marketing approaches.

* Launch Strategies and Insights:

* Lee shared her experiences with launching her series, including insights from Alana Johnson on rapid releasing and the different levels of book launches (soft, medium, and hard). They discussed the benefits of focusing on books later in the series for harder launches.

* Optimal Series Length:

* The hosts explored the concept of the perfect series length, referencing Alana Johnson’s strategy of making book seven a must-read by seeding important plot points in earlier books. They discussed the sales dip after book six and how to overcome it.

* Redemption Arcs and Villain Development:

* Lee shared how she and her co-author plan redemption arcs for their villains, turning them into heroes in later books. This strategy keeps readers engaged and eager for future releases.

* Analyzing Launch Numbers:

* Lee revealed the launch numbers for her Bad Boy Alphas series, emphasizing the importance of pre-orders and strategic advertising to achieve USA Today bestseller status. She discussed the varying success of different books in the series.

* Direct Sales and Ad Strategies:

* Russell and Lee talked about their experiences with direct sales and the importance of ad spend. Lee mentioned her cautious approach with her new ad manager and the ongoing tests with discrete covers and branding.

* Handling Technical Issues:

* The hosts shared their frustrations with technical issues on platforms like IngramSpark and Amazon. They provided tips on managing these challenges, such as uploading to multiple platforms and seeking human support when necessary.

* Overcoming Setbacks and Maintaining Perspective:

* The episode emphasized the importance of resilience and perspective in the face of setbacks. The hosts encouraged authors to celebrate small wins and learn from every experience, no matter the outcome.

FINAL THOUGHT: In this vibrant episode, Russell and Lee mixed personal flair with valuable marketing insights, illustrating the importance of creativity and perseverance in book launches. Their candid discussions about challenges and successes offer a realistic yet encouraging perspective for authors navigating the complex world of book publishing.