Boo! 👻 Welcome back to the TOO MUCH SOCIAL podcast! 👻 In this Halloween mini-series - 😱 SCREAM-SHOT (yes, I went there) - we’re exorcising the biggest fears that haunt writers and authors when it comes to book marketing and audience growth 🎃 In today’s episode I speak to Lauren Currie about how writers and authors can defeat the double threat of visibility and vulnerability that you often experience when you have to build your audience or promote your books. I am super-excited to bring you this episode with Lauren as, not only is she the founder of Upfront - an organisation dedicated to changing confidence, visibility, and power for 10 million women - but just a few weeks ago, she also launched her first book out into the world 🥳 Taylor Meets The Trick is a picture book, designed to be read and understood by primary school age children, that is also a powerful tool for parents and teachers who want to start the conversation about the patriarchy and gender equality but who don’t know how, or are struggling to find the right language. I remember when Lauren first introduced me to the idea of calling the patriarchy, The Trick and it transformed the way I talk about gender stereotyping with my children so if that sounds like something you, or your family, or maybe your child’s school might benefit from you can purchase your copy of Taylor Meets The Trick by clicking the button below: In the episode, we talk about: * where the all-too-common fear of visibility comes from * Lauren’s own feelings of vulnerability as she steps into a new identity as an author * specific strategies Lauren has used to increase the visibility of her book that may make some of us shudder, but that we can all learn from * her choices to be radically transparent about the process and the money, despite fears of judgement or ridicule, inspired by Amie McNee, and more! Huge thanks to Lauren and I hope you enjoy listening to the episode as much as I enjoyed recording it! Please let us know in the comments if there is something that lands particularly close to home for you, or a strategy you now feel braver about trying for yourself. We can’t wait to hear from you! Listen wherever you get your podcasts and, if you like what you hear, I’d love you to share it with your network, or leave a review so other people can find me 🙏🏻 If you’d like to learn more about the work Lauren does, you can find out more On Instagram where you can find her posts about how she set up her HYPE SQUAD, and what the finances behind her book launch look like. On the UPFRONT website. And, of course you can buy your copy of Taylor Meets The Trick. In our conversation, Lauren also references Amie McNee’s ‘radical transparency’ that inspired Lauren to be so open and vulnerable with her own experiences of publishing a book. Here is a three month update from Amie McNee: and a six month update. Both are well worth your time and I thank Amie for her incredible generosity in taking these risks: Don’t miss the first two episodes of 😱SCREAM-SHOT😱 In episode 1, Slay the Time Vampire before it drains the joy (and life) out of your book marketing 🧛🏻♀️, Amanda Appiagyei shares her take on ‘productivity’ and how we can spend less time doing the things we don’t want to do, in order to make more time for the things we do want to do. And, in episode 2, Going from ghosted to hosted on podcasts 👻, I interview podcaster, presenter and writer, Hannah Loy about preparing for, pitching to, and guesting on, podcasts so you can worry less about being ghosted 👻, or turning into a mumbling, stumbling zombie the second the host hits record 🧟♀️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts and, if you like what you hear, I’d love you to share it with your network, or leave a review so other people can find me 🙏🏻 This podcast is my way of supporting writers and authors during some of the busiest times of the year for many of us: the school holidays! But, if you’re fed up of shouting into the void, and would like to make more effective use of Instagram for your book marketing and audience building all of the time, TOO MUCH INSTAGRAM is my membership where I keep Instagram as simple and streamlined as it can possibly be. Members receive monthly libraries of proven post ideas to use, access to weekly check-ins for advice, regular tutorials to keep improving your skills, and more! Join today by upgrading your subscription! Browse the archive here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit nicolawashington.substack.com/subscribe
