This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.
Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.
The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)
What Can YOU Do to Improve the Self-Publishing Industry?
Freelance writer, blogger and self-published author, Molly Greene, recently gave me the opportunity to weigh in on the topic of self-improvement — or more exactly, self-publishing improvement.
Here is the question she posed:
“What can self-published authors do as individuals that will ultimately improve the process or reputation of the industry in a way that benefits us all? Specifically, what skill or action can we acquire or do – aside from honing our writing skills – that will help enhance this business for everyone?”
You can find my two cents, as well as the responses of some well known self-publishing authorities, in Molly’s article here: How Self-Published Authors Can Improve Our Industry.
What do you think?
How would you respond to Molly’s question?
I’d love to hear your thoughts or find out what you are currently doing to change the self-publishing industry for the better! Make sure you add your insights in the comments below so we can help each other create positive change for self-published authors and the writing industry as a whole.
Now on to the best-of-the-best with this week’s list of featured articles!
Featured Articles
How To Influence People: The Most Overlooked Secret from Jeff Goins at Goins Writer
Sometimes the answer is so simple, you could just kick yourself.
101 Ways to Blog as a Book Author from John Kremer at Book Marketing Bestsellers
If you’re ever at a loss for content for your author website, just take a gander at this list of 101 ideas to gain inspiration.
8 Reasons You Need a Business Plan for Your Book from Nina Amir at Write Nonfiction Now
Why do you need a business plan for your book? According to Nina: “The reason why is simple: A business plan helps you produce a marketable book—one that sells.” I’m in!
Goodreads for Authors with Patrick Brown from Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn
An information rich podcast interview with Patrick Brown, Director of Author Marketing and Community Manager at Goodreads.
How To Find the Best Blogs – Guest Post Mastery from Gary Korisko at Become a Blogger
Ready to start guest blogging? Learn how to successfully launch your guest post campaign by targeting the right blogs.
Book Marketing Project: Create a Mailing List Freebie and Write Your Welcome Email from Toni (the geek) at Duolit
September’s Book Marketing Project at Duolit is just the thing to get your email opt-ins climbing–just make sure you actually do the work! 🙂
How to Publish an Ebook: Resources for Authors from Jane Friedman at Jane Friedman
Extraordinary helpful list of resources for authors on ebook publishing and services.
Networking Tips for Shy Authors from Chris Robley at The BookBaby Blog
Chris rounds up a list of resources to help us shy writers navigate the social scene with a little less pain and awkwardness.
Increase Website Traffic: The Ultimate Blueprint for More Website Traffic from Ana Hoffman at Traffic Generation Cafe
Another super-comprehensive post by Ana to walk us through several ways–content leverage, relationship marketing, social marketing, SEO and more–to seriously increase our website traffic.
43 Creative Ways to Breathe Life Back into Your Blog from Uttoran Sen at Boost Blog Traffic
Add this list to John’s list of 101 ways to blog as a book author and there’s really no excuses left for a boring blog!
Why Are We Still Having Dilemmas About Self-Publishing? It’s Done from Michael J. Holley at Michael J. Holley, Writer
In his post, Michael points out that “The industry seems caught up in a loop at the moment while the actual market is changing around it.” He also claims that for a new writer, there is no better option than self-publishing. What do you think?
12 Most Useful Things to Know About Social Media and Defamation from Sara Hawkins at 12 Most
Sara is a lawyer and the creator of a blog law series for bloggers and entrepreneurs. In her article, she discusses how what we say on social media matters and provides some guidelines to keep ourselves protected and informed.
10 Ways to Build Authority as An Online Writer from Demian Farnworth at Coppyblogger
Learn how to gain influence and increase your authority with these proven practices.
Just For Fun
And just for fun today, here are two (valid?) quotes on the business of writing…
Hope you enjoyed the round up today, and remember to add your thoughts on what can be done to improve the image, development and growth of the self-publishing industry. Let’s get a positive discussion going!
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Top original photo by tat
Thanks for including a link to my article about business plans for books! If anyone wants to write one in 8 weeks, or learn how to write one, they can check out my Author Training 101 course: http://bit.ly/liveat101fall. Or they can read The Author’s Training Manual when it is released in Feb. 2014! Thanks again. You rock!
My pleasure, Nina! There is always loads of great info on your site, so I’m happy to share a link with my readers! Thanks for stopping by!
A million thanks for the mention here, Kim, and I’m sending even more gratitude your way for being part of the post. Your knowledge and insight are a huge benefit to us all. Thank you again for your generous help and support.
Absolutely my pleasure, Molly! I’m thrilled that you asked for my opinion and included my thoughts with such a fantastic group of experts. Your blog is a monster resource for writers, so I am more than happy to share you with my readers! 🙂
Thanks Kimberly once again for the amaze-balls resources 🙂 I particularly enjoyed the post by John Kremer on 101 ways to blog as an author. I have tried blogging more times than I care to admit, but after about a month or three, I get lost for words (topics), feel boring, and never know what angle to have as an aspiring novelist for a blog.
But his ideas where ones that I can see myself spinning into at least a year’s worth of posts if I commit to posting about 2 to 4 times a week versus the pressure of daily.
Ack! Daily posts, C.J.! No wonder you’re burning out! 🙁
John’s post is a goldmine of ideas, but remember, it’s quality over quantity every time when it comes to your content. And your goal isn’t to pound out article after article. It’s to create magic in one post, and then promote the bejeebers out of it. Why keep creating content when nobody is looking?
Map out a plan to get the most mileage out of every post you write.
Thanks for this comment, C.J. – you’ve got me all fired up, now I think I’ll have to write a post about it! 🙂
Truly helpful information and links.
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Good wishes.
Thanks! Glad you found the post useful!