The Writing at the Red House Podcast

Kathi Lipp

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

  1. -5 J

    From Zero Subscribers to Your First 100: The No-Ick Guide to Building Your Newsletter

    Every agent and publisher will tell you the same thing: your email subscribers are gold. But what if you're starting from absolute zero? What if not even your mom has signed up yet? In this practical episode, Kathi Lipp and Roger Lipp break down the essentials of building an email list that actually serves your readers—and your writing career. Whether you're trying to figure out which tool to use or wondering what kind of freebie to offer, this conversation will help you take your first confident steps. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why your email list is your "owned audience" while social media is just rented space The one sentence you need to complete before launching your newsletter Why chunky lead magnets are out and simple, authentic freebies are in How to choose the right email tool when you're just getting started Low-tech and high-tech ways to collect email addresses What belongs on your landing page to convert visitors into subscribers Why your first 100 subscribers are the hardest—and what to do about it Key Takeaways Your newsletter is a relationship, not a broadcast. Think of each subscriber as a one-on-one conversation rather than a crowd you're shouting at. People are thirsty for authentic connection. Match your lead magnet to your newsletter. Whatever you offer to get someone on your list should feel like a natural preview of what they'll receive each week. No bait and switch. Start simple. You don't need fancy tools to begin. A Google spreadsheet and a sign-up sheet at your next speaking event can get you started while you figure out what your newsletter is really for. Put your sign-up everywhere. Your website, social media, podcast—anywhere you already show up, make it obvious how people can join your list. If you've been putting off starting your email list because it feels too complicated or too techie, this episode will give you the permission and the practical steps to just begin.

    19 min
  2. 10 NOV.

    AI Without the Ick: Real‑Time Title Workshop with Tenille Register and Roger Lipp

    In this hands-on episode, Kathi Lipp invites listeners into a live title lab—no hype, just practical help. With guest creators Tenneil Register and Roger Lipp, Kathi models how to use AI as a brainstorming partner (not a writer) to craft clear, connected, curiosity-building titles for blogs, series, pitches, and books. Listeners will hear: A simple prompt that keeps your unique voice while getting better title ideas fast. The 3 Cs filter (clarity, connection, curiosity) applied in real time. How to iterate: cherry-picking words, combining phrases, and refining subtitles. Faith-adjacent, audience-first language that invites readers in—without the hype. Kathi's practical "title frames" and the all-important ear test. Tenneil shares a live case study from her "Christmas through the decades" content, and Kathi workshop-tests options for her next decluttering book (for readers low on money, energy, emotional bandwidth, or time). Plus, Roger shows how AI can speed up production without losing the human touch. If you want faster, stronger titles that truly serve your reader, press play and follow along with the prompt in the show notes. Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Title Editor Prompt Copy and customize this prompt to generate titles in your unique voice: Act as a title editor for [insert your working title]. Keep [your name]'s voice [describe your voice - e.g., warm, practical, faith-adjacent, edgy, academic]. [Special instructions - e.g., no hype, avoid clichés, keep it under 6 words] We need: - An audience felt need - An outcome promise Non-negotiables: [anything that MUST be included] Banned word list: [words to avoid, if any] Give me titles only, no explanations.Example from the episode: "Act as a title editor for 'What I Learned About Christmas Through the Decades.' Keep Tenneil's voice warm, practical, faith-adjacent. No hype. We need an audience felt need and an outcome promise. Titles only, no explanations." The 5 Title Frames for Manual Tweaking Use these elements to strengthen your titles—with or without AI: Specific Noun over general nounExample: "paper piles" vs. "clutter" | "decision fatigue" vs. "overwhelmed" Power VerbExamples: cut, tame, build, reclaim, map, create, unwrap Concrete FrameExamples: in 15 minutes, 40 days, this weekend, for caregivers, when you're low on energy ContrastExample: from messy to managed, what we lost and what we found The Ear TestSay it out loud repeatedly. If it's hard to say or sounds awkward, keep refining. The 3 Cs Filter Rate every title option on these three criteria: Clarity – Is it instantly understandable? Connection – Does it speak to a felt need? Curiosity – Does it make you lean in? Pro tip: For books, prioritize clarity. For articles and blog posts, lean into curiosity. Bonus Tips from the Episode AI is a collaborator, not the creator. You guide, iterate, and cherry-pick. Don't settle for the first batch—keep refining by telling AI what you like and don't like. Words you don't use for the title can become subtitles, chapter titles, or marketing copy. If working with a traditional publisher, confirm title choices align with their publication standards.

    38 min
5
sur 5
69 notes

À propos

Welcome to The Writing at the Red House Podcast where we gather at the table to break bread and tell tales with some of our favorite writers and speakers. Our heart is to equip and encourage men and women to be the communicators God has created them to be.

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