The BookFunnel Podcast

BookFunnel
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Books

The official podcast from the team at BookFunnel, hosted by Jack Shilkaitis, Kelli Tanzi, and Emma Alisyn, featuring guest interviews, self-publishing industry discussions, and tips for using BookFunnel to build an author business.

  1. Living Your Brand with Main Character Energy with Amanda Traylor, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 40

    May 4

    Living Your Brand with Main Character Energy with Amanda Traylor, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 40

    In this episode, Amanda Traylor shares her journey of rebranding as June Patrick, the importance of authentic branding, and practical tips for authors to connect with their audience through in-person events, social media, and unique branding strategies. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage01:52 Amanda Traylor's Journey in Writing and Branding04:35 The Transformation into June Patrick07:20 Reinventing the Author Brand10:08 Embodying the Pen Name12:41 Connecting with Readers through Branding15:33 Navigating Goodreads and Author Reviews18:44 Building a Brand Through Newsletters26:43 Authenticity in Author Branding28:36 Understanding Your Audience35:21 In-Person Engagement and Reader Reactions39:10 Creative Branding Strategies for Authors41:10 Unique Promotional Items and Their Impact44:42 Connecting with Modern Audiences47:28 Finding Your Authentic Brand Voice50:38 Navigating Branding in Different Contexts

    54 min
  2. In-Person Book Sales Mastermind, with Katie Cross, Todd Fahnestock, & Johnny B Truant the BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 39

    Mar 27

    In-Person Book Sales Mastermind, with Katie Cross, Todd Fahnestock, & Johnny B Truant the BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 39

    About Our Guests Johnny B Truanthttps://johnnybtruant.com/ Katie Crosshttps://katiecrossbooks.com/ Todd Fahnestockhttps://toddfahnestock.com/ Summary This episode explores the art and business of selling books in person at events like conventions and fairs. Authors share their experiences, strategies, and insights on how face-to-face sales can boost visibility, build community, and generate revenue. This episode features a lively discussion on in-person book sales, pitching strategies, and overcoming introvert/extrovert challenges at events. Johnny B Truant, Katie Cross, and Todd Fahnestock share practical tips, personal stories, and innovative ideas to boost author success at conventions and markets. Key Topics In-person book selling strategiesEvent selection and audience targetingBundling and pricing tacticsPitching and presentation skillsNetworking and brand building In-person book sales strategiesEffective pitching techniquesOvercoming introvert/extrovert challenges in marketing

    1h 5m
  3. Self-Publishing Aggressively Wide with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 38

    Mar 20

    Self-Publishing Aggressively Wide with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 38

    Learn more about our guest Websitehttps://markleslie.ca/ Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07JXYVJ92?ccs_id=d940ac4f-01c6-4885-b4d3-f011eff9a1cd YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/MarkLeslieLefebvre Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/markleslielefebvre/ LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/marklefebvre/ Substackhttps://angeliquemfawns.substack.com/p/the-unfiltered-truth-about-indie SummaryIn this episode, industry expert Mark Leslie Lefebvre shares insights on going wide as an author, the importance of multiple income streams, and creative strategies for marketing and leveraging intellectual property. Discover practical tips for indie and traditional authors to build sustainable careers.

    49 min
  4. From Indie to Bestseller: Book Marketing Mindset with Lydia Sherrer, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 37

    Mar 13

    From Indie to Bestseller: Book Marketing Mindset with Lydia Sherrer, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 37

    Guest Links Website -https://www.lydiasherrer.com/ Summary In this episode, Lydia Shearer, a USA Today bestselling author, shares her journey in indie and traditional publishing, her strategies for direct sales, newsletter building, and navigating the evolving landscape of book marketing and AI challenges. In this episode, Lydia Sherrer and the team discuss the future of digital reading, author-reader connections, and the impact of AI on publishing. They explore topics like direct sales, platform independence, and innovative author marketing strategies. Key Topics Lydia Shearer's hybrid publishing modelStrategies for direct sales and owning your audienceThe importance of newsletters and building a mailing listChallenges and opportunities with AI and platform changesThe evolution of book distribution and fulfillment The potential and challenges of platform independence for authorsThe impact of AI and generative tools on publishing and author brandingStrategies for connecting with readers beyond traditional platforms Resources BookFunnel - https://bookfunnel.comMark Dawson's Self-Publishing Course - https://selfpublishingformula.comAmmo Facebook Ads Course by Steve Piper - https://stevepiper.comPirate Ship for shipping labels - https://pirateship.comAuthor Nation Conference - https://author-nation.comAdagio Tea - https://adagio.comCanva - https://canva.comPhotoshop - https://adobe.com/products/photoshopJohn Ringo (Author) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ringo

    1h 23m
  5. Learn Publishing from the Master with Kevin J Anderson, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 36

    Feb 16

    Learn Publishing from the Master with Kevin J Anderson, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep. 36

    Masters in Publishing Degreehttps://wordfire.com/publishing-masters-degree/ Dan Shamble Kickstarterhttps://wordfire.ubpages.com/ Summary In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson. They discuss the evolution of indie publishing, the founding of WordFire Press, and the importance of multiple income streams for authors. Kevin shares insights from his experience with Kickstarter campaigns, the creation of a graduate program in publishing, and the hands-on learning approach he employs. The conversation also touches on the economics of publishing, the role of book signings, and the exciting developments surrounding Kevin's Dan Shamble series, including its upcoming adaptation for television. Additionally, they explore the new features of Book Funnel, including personalized ebooks, and the future of author support in the industry. Takeaways Indie publishing has revolutionized the way authors can share their work.Kickstarter provides a new funding model for authors.Having multiple income streams is crucial for a sustainable writing career.Hands-on learning is essential in teaching publishing skills.The bookstore often makes the most profit from book sales.Planning a Kickstarter campaign requires careful consideration and organization.Personalized ebooks can enhance reader engagement and author connection.Understanding the traditional publishing industry is beneficial for indie authors.The Dan Shambles series is being adapted for television, showcasing the potential of indie works.Book Funnel continues to innovate with features that support authors.

    57 min
  6. Discovering the AuthorTube Community with Shanon Huston, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 35

    Feb 6

    Discovering the AuthorTube Community with Shanon Huston, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 35

    Learn more about Shanon Huston YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBY1ZdiOkr2qBrn0y7aOhBw Websitehttps://www.sdhuston.com Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/stores/S.D.-Huston/author/B098MKK9CK?ccs_id=78c4bcbc-3ee6-4d6e-ba29-b353d47ac682 Summary In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes Shanon Huston, a romantasy author and YouTuber. They discuss the importance of building an author brand on YouTube, the differences between BookTube and AuthorTube, and strategies for engaging with readers through live streams and writing sprints. Shanon shares her experiences with the AuthorTube Writing Conference and emphasizes the need for authenticity and community in the author journey. The conversation provides valuable insights for authors looking to navigate the digital landscape and connect with their audience. Takeaways You need to be intentional about your motivations for starting a YouTube channel.BookTube is more reader-focused, while AuthorTube caters to writers.Engaging with your audience through live streams can build a strong community.Authenticity is key; be transparent about your journey as an author.Writing sprints can attract both writers and readers to your channel.It's beneficial to immerse yourself in the community before starting your own channel.YouTube can be a revenue stream, but consistency is crucial.Understanding YouTube's algorithm can help in gaining visibility.Connecting with readers through live events fosters a deeper relationship.The AuthorTube Writing Conference is a valuable resource for authors.

    46 min
  7. Zero to Four Figures as an Indie Author with Paul Ausin Ardoin, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 34

    Feb 2

    Zero to Four Figures as an Indie Author with Paul Ausin Ardoin, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 34

    Learn More About this Episode's Guest https://www.paulaustinardoin.com/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07CKQ4LX8?ingress=0&visitId=c2b5df87-13b5-4e68-aa5f-07ad57524e41&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&ccs_id=c9a9314b-d543-4fb7-9ac8-1a165123ee19 Summary In this episode of the Book Funnel podcast, the team welcomes USA Today bestselling author Paul Austin Ardoin. They discuss Ardoin's journey as an indie author, the importance of meeting reader expectations, and the balance between plotting and pantsing in writing. Ardoin shares insights from his book 'Zero to Four Figures,' emphasizing the significance of branding, cover design, and building a reader base. The conversation also touches on the craft of storytelling and the necessity of outlining, while encouraging authors to trust their unique writing processes. Takeaways Indie authors can find real-world advice on writing and publishing.Finishing a novel is a significant milestone for aspiring authors.Achieving a profit of $1,000 a month is a realistic goal for indie authors.Mistakes are valuable learning experiences in the writing journey.Branding and cover design are crucial for attracting readers.Meeting reader expectations is essential for book success.Authors should align their genre with their target audience.Outlining can help structure complex plots, especially for pantsers.Building a reader base is vital for long-term success.Writing should be an enjoyable process, not a chore. Chapters 00:00 Intro00:44 Introduction to Paul Austin Ardoin01:44 Paul's Journey as an Author04:15 From Zero to Four Figures: Achieving Profit07:49 Learning from Mistakes in Book Marketing09:53 The Importance of Titles and Branding13:04 Cover Design and Genre Expectations15:25 Navigating Genre Mashups17:53 Understanding Reader Expectations20:32 The Importance of Writing in Series22:39 Building a Reader Base Before Marketing25:18 Effective Strategies for New Authors30:07 The Importance of Consistent Communication34:05 Marketing Strategies for Introverted Authors35:13 Crafting a Compelling Story40:34 Outlining for Pantsers54:09 Balancing Plotting and Pantsing01:01:17 Outro

    1h 2m
  8. The Future of Digital Audiobook Narration with Phil Marshall of Spoken, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 33

    Jan 23

    The Future of Digital Audiobook Narration with Phil Marshall of Spoken, The BookFunnel Podcast Ep 33

    Learn more about Spokenhttps://spoken.press/ DisclaimerThe opinions of the hosts and guest are their own and not necessarily those of BookFunnel. Summary In this episode of the Book Funnel Podcast, the team welcomes Phil Marshall, founder of Spoken, to discuss the evolution of audiobook production through digital narration. They explore the challenges authors face in creating audiobooks, the innovations in multi-voice narration, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI technology. Phil shares insights on how Spoken is making audiobooks more accessible and customizable for authors, while also addressing the importance of voice actors in the industry. The conversation also touches on community resources for authors and the future of AI in storytelling. Takeaways Spoken aims to make audiobooks accessible and vivid.Multi-voice narration enhances the storytelling experience.Authors can create custom voices for their characters.Ethical considerations are crucial in AI narration.Audio is becoming a primary way to consume stories.The cost of audiobook production is decreasing.Authors can update their audiobooks easily post-publication.Community support is available through Discord.Voice actors still play a vital role in narration.The future of AI in storytelling is promising.

    51 min
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5
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About

The official podcast from the team at BookFunnel, hosted by Jack Shilkaitis, Kelli Tanzi, and Emma Alisyn, featuring guest interviews, self-publishing industry discussions, and tips for using BookFunnel to build an author business.

Information

  • Creator
    BookFunnel
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 BookFunnel
  • Show Website
    The BookFunnel Podcast

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