Creatively Speaking | Weller Smith Design LeAnna Weller Smith

In this episode of Creatively Speaking: Beyond the Binding, we sit down with Author Branding Expert & Consultant, Andrea Guevara. As an expert in author brand strategy, Andrea shares invaluable tips for crafting a compelling author identity that connects with your audience.

Our conversation will help listeners discover the essence of branding beyond mere aesthetics and grasp the importance of your unique vision and voice in building lasting reader relationships. Additionally, Andrea explores practical techniques for establishing a distinct brand amidst the challenges authors face in marketing their work.

Listeners will learn how to tailor their brand to their unique career goals, whether it's boosting book sales or securing speaking engagements, while staying adaptable in the literary market. Overall, Andrea emphasizes the significance of authentic communication with your readers to distinguish your books in a crowded market.

Other topics of conversation in this episode include current trends and effective tools authors use, such as SEO and platforms like TikTok, to enhance their visibility. This episode will serve as a handy guide for aspiring authors hoping to set themselves apart. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Key Takeaways


Remain authentic by emphasizing your unique vision and voice to forge genuine connections with your audience, fostering lasting relationships beyond surface-level aesthetics.
Stay flexible in navigating the challenges of the publishing world, adjusting your brand strategy to align with evolving career aspirations and the dynamic literary market.
Prioritize authentic communication with your readers to set your books apart and cultivate a loyal fanbase, ensuring your messages resonate deeply with your audience.
Utilize effective digital tools like SEO and emerging platforms such as TikTok to bolster your online presence and expand your reach, leveraging the power of technology to enhance visibility.
Recognize that your personal brand is a journey, evolving with each new chapter you write. Embrace growth and change, and consistently seek out new strategies and trends to stay ahead in the competitive landscape of authorship.


Connect with Andrea:
Website: https://andreaguevara.com and https://andreaguevara.com/author-branding
Instagram: @theandreaguevara
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theandreaguevara

Interested in self-publishing work of your own?
Visit www.wellersmithdesign.com to learn more, or fill out our intake form here.

#AuthorBranding #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #PublishingTips #PersonalBranding #AuthorStrategy #PodcastForAuthors #ReadersConnection

In this episode of Creatively Speaking: Beyond the Binding, we are joined by Leslie Jonath from Connected Dots Media. During our discussion, Leslie shares her journey in the world of book publishing, from traditional methods to crowdfunding and custom publishing. The main focus of our conversation surrounds Leslie’s successful Kickstarter campaign for 'Feed Your People' and how her experience can inspire your own creative projects. Leslie highlights the importance of community in bringing a book to life, exploring its various roles and the network it creates. She also offers insights on using Kickstarter to build a community and maintain engagement beyond the book's release. Lastly, Leslie provides practical advice on running a successful crowdfunding campaign, emphasizing the importance of planning, engaging the audience, and staying customer-focused. Whether you're a creative or an author, this conversation provides valuable guidance for leveraging the power of community to accomplish your goals.

Key Takeaways:


First and foremost, community support is invaluable in fostering creative endeavors.


If you’re considering utilizing a crowdfunding platform to fund your project, consider the pros and cons of Kickstarter, while also exploring other avenues such as community building, events, and spending the time and money needed to procure valuable marketing assets for your project.


Success in crowdfunding campaigns hinges on key factors such as understanding the audience, creating quality assets, setting strategic goals, meticulous preparation, and fostering post-campaign connections.


Remain customer-centric and adaptable in the book creation process as you navigate challenges and integrate community feedback into your work.


Develop your own definition for success as your work to achieve your crowdfunding goals. This metric will be invaluable as you pursue community building, allowing you to set realistic expectations and leverage platforms like Kickstarter more effectively.



You can find Leslie Jonath at www.connecteddotsmedia.com. You can also follow her @lesliej or @connecteddotsmedia on Instagram.

#Crowdfunding #KickstarterCampagin #Self-Publishing #CommunityBuilding #ProjectFundingInterested in self-publishing work of your own? Great news! You can follow this link to schedule a free call with WSD to learn more about the process or visit www.wellersmithdesign.com!

In this episode of Beyond the Binding, we sit down with Chef Judd Servidio, author of the Salt & Vanilla cookbook and accomplished personal chef. Chef Judd's culinary journey is a rich blend of humble beginnings and prestigious accomplishments. Starting from flipping burgers at McDonald's to curating personalized menus for esteemed clients like John Paul and Eloise DeGioria, Chef Judd's career is marked by innovation and skill. In this episode, he discusses his philosophy of never repeating a meal and the meticulous process behind recording recipes in his cookbooks. He also delves into the journey of self-publishing his cookbook, detailing the challenges and rewards of the process, from initial attempts to collaborating with industry professionals. Despite not relying on viral social media presence, Chef Judd discusses successful marketing strategies and where his work can be found, including his website and major retailers. This conversation offers a glimpse into Chef Judd's creativity and determination that shines through in every dish he serves. Whether you're listening in because you, like Chef Judd, have a passion for the culinary arts or because you're considering self-publishing a work of your own, this episode will be a treat!

Key Takeaways 


The path to your dream job may not be straightforward, but you can still land in the role of a lifetime if you follow your passions!


When challenging yourself in the kitchen by trying something new, remember to embrace the challenge and lean towards simplicity when it comes to what you’re putting on the plate.


Self-publishing is an arduous process, but one that is ultimately worth doing. If you decide to pursue this route, prepare yourself for the complexities of making printing decisions, completing distribution research, and strategizing the logistics of product warehousing. Or, consider hiring a team like WSD to assist you! 😊


When it comes to marketing your product, consider grassroots efforts such as visiting local bookstores to ask if they’ll consider stocking your book.


When those around you offer you their support, take them up on it! The path to completing a self-published book is one that is best taken with others to lean on so remember to show gratitude for those who help you along the way.



You can find Chef Judd at www.saltvanilla.com. There, you can purchase your own copy of the Salt and Vanilla Cookbook and other fun swag! You can also follow him @juddservidio on Instagram.

#personalchef #selfpublishing #cookbookpublishing #selfpublishedcookbook #cookbookdesigner #wsdrocks #custompublishing #selfpublishedauthor

In this episode, we sit down with Susie Mordoh, a multi-passionate entrepreneur.

As an author and event planner-turned-wellness coach, Susie’s unique perspective has much to offer listeners. As we learn the history of Susie’s Feel the Love positive affirmation deck, Susie offers the audience invaluable tips on self-publishing and Amazon fulfillment.

As you weigh the pros and cons of Amazon fulfillment versus other avenues, this episode will offer you plenty to consider.

For those who have already decided to use Amazon fulfillment services, Susie shares helpful tips on all the intricacies involved in that process, including setting up your Seller Account, how shipping labels are created, and what the difference is between Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) versus Amazon-fulfilled orders.

If you want to learn more about Amazon fulfillment options, this episode is a must-listen for aspiring authors and product creators.

There’s even a healthy dose of affirmation, positivity, and friendship vibes thrown in for good measure!

Key Takeaways
• Embrace diversification by leveraging different sales channels in order to reach a broader audience.

• As you take your passion project from idea to delivery, place equal emphasis on both ideation and logistics management.

• Familiarize yourself with e-commerce essentials, including setting up seller accounts, navigating fulfillment options, and optimizing platform presence.

• Remember to appreciate the creative aspect of the process!

You can find Susie at www.susiemordoh.com.
There, you can find her Feel the Love card deck (in both pink and blue versions!) and her LOVE IS book.

Her products are also listed on Amazon.

You can follow Susie @susiemordoh on Instagram.

#SelfPublishing #ProductFulfillment #AmazonFulfillment #FulfilledByMerchant #SelfPublishedAuthor #WSDRocks #WomenOwnedBusiness

Season 3 of Creatively Speaking, Beyond the Binding, goes beyond the confines of writing and publishing your book and explores the often overlooked intricacies of an author's journey. From funding your project, crafting your author brand and getting your book on Amazon to navigating book marketing and sales. This season explores the vast field of pre and post-publishing considerations.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the journey of Stephanie Melchion, creator of TheCozyCook.com who successfully transitioned from an online content creator into a best-selling cookbook author. Stephanie shares the ins and outs of her experience, from leveraging her family's support to taking the bold step of self-publishing her cookbook. 

Stephanie's journey is not just about the cookbook creation process, it's also about sales and marketing it effectively. From utilizing Instagram to feature the progress of her cookbook to involving her audience in the creation process, Stephanie has made sure her audience felt like they were also part of the journey. This episode provides an insightful discussion on the power of personal touch in cookbooks, and how it helps in capturing readers. From sharing heartwarming stories to maintaining the essence of her blog in the cookbook, Stephanie has truly mastered the art of creating and marketing a cookbook. Tune in to this episode for an inspiring conversation and to discover how you too can turn your cookbook dreams into reality.

Key Takeaways:

1. Expand your influence and reach by becoming a published author. 

2. Consider self-publishing for complete control over content and revenue. 

3. Incorporate personal touches into your work to make it unique and relatable. 

4. Use innovative marketing strategies like social media polls, blog updates, and promotions.

5. Diversify your income streams as a culinary content creator with a high-quality cookbook.



You can Find Stephanie here:

TheCozyCook.com



#FoodBlogging #CookbookCreation #SelfPublishing #CookbookMarketing