Publish & Prosper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore Lulu’s open source Print API. Don’t know what an API is? We’ve got you covered. We also talk through the value of personalized products and creative ways to use Lulu’s Print API to power your custom book business. 

Dive Deeper

💡 Learn more about Lulu’s Print API

💡 Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #31 | Your 7-Step Guide to Building an Online Boo...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren are joined by Sarah Franklin, Lulu’s Public Relations Manager and expert book publicist! Hear about book publicity simplified as Sarah answers questions like: 

→  What’s the value in hiring a publicist vs. doing your own publicity?

→  What exactly is a publicist’s role in book marketing? 

→  How do you make the most of earned publicity once you have it? 

And more! Listen now or watch Episode #60 on Yo...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt deep dive into book metadata and how it can better position your book in the market. Maximize your discoverability and reach with tips on choosing bookstore categories and BISAC codes, tools for keyword research, and best practices for making the most of your metadata.  

Dive Deeper

💡 Complete BISAC Subject Headings List

💡 Bublish's AI Author Toolkit

💡 Publisher Rocket 

💡 Listen...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore different ways print-on-demand technology can support your business. We share ideas for creating books for internal use, brand awareness and loyalty projects, and new product lines to consider. 

Dive Deeper

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Episode #22 | Using Customer Data to Grow Your Business
• Episode #33 | Books You Can Create Using Your Existing Content
• Episode #54 | Can Books Add V...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt make a case for why every indie author should try using a preorder campaign to support their prelaunch marketing efforts and boost their book sales. We talk through how preorder campaigns can help you reach your target audience, different kinds of campaigns, and ways to collect your preorders. 


Dive Deeper

💡 To Be Fair…

💡 BookBub | How Authors Use Preorders to Promote New Books in 20...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren answer questions about moving your books from Amazon to other ecommerce solutions, including global distribution and direct sales. Learn how to maximize your book’s availability, forge stronger connections with loyal readers, and grow your revenue when you go wide. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Wide for the Win Facebook Group

💡 Kindlepreneur Survey | The Truth On Selling Books Direct: Insights from...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt share tips for aspiring public speakers. We talk through presenting your best pitch to event organizers, targeting your ideal audience with your session title and description, and representing yourself with your speaker bio. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Learn About CEX 2025

💡 Joe Pulizzi on LinkedIn

💡 Mic Drop Workshop

💡 Jeff Sieh

💡 Andrew Davis

💡 Mike Pacchione

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• ...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren tell you why publishing a book can do more for your business than just adding a new revenue stream.. Learn how books can establish your expert reputation, connect you with new audiences, and strengthen relationships with your existing fans.


Dive Deeper

💡 The Tilt Newsletter

💡 The Business Book ROI Study

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #22 | Using Customer Data to Grow Your Business
• E...

Is this the year you’re finally going to publish that book? Or maybe you just want to write more than you did last year. In this episode Lauren & Matt share tips for building a writing habit in a way that works best for you… and set a few lofty goals of their own. 

Let us know what your writing goals are for this year! Email us at podcast@lulu.com. 

Dive Deeper

💡 Lulu Blog |  Writing & Editing, Software Reviews

💡 Au...

In this episode Matt & Lauren recap some of the hottest topics and trends in the publishing industry from 2024, and make a few predictions for 2025.   

Thanks for a great year of publishing and prospering with us! 


Dive Deeper

💡 Written Word Media | 2024 Indie Author Survey Results: Insights into Self Publishing for Authors

💡 Louis Grenier | $16k in 5 Days Book Launch Breakdown

💡 Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. M...

In this episode Lauren & Matt explore the journey to successful audience growth by finding your content niche, defining your ideal reader, and identifying your target audience. We also discuss the value of learning from other creators, ways to inject new life into your marketing efforts, and the correct way to pronounce niche, among other things. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Check Out SparkToro

💡 Read Written Word Media’s 2024 ...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren tackle some of the most common misconceptions about self-publishing. We debunk myths like: 

❌ You won’t make any money self-publishing
❌ You have to spend a lot of money to self-publish
❌ There’s no credibility in self-publishing

And most importantly: fake M&Ms are just as good as real M&Ms. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Editorial Freelancers Association Editorial Rates Chart

💡 Listen...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss the New York Times Best Seller lists. Learn how the lists are decided, what disqualifies a book from being a potential NYT Best-Seller, and why self-published authors rarely make the cut.  


Dive Deeper

💡 The New York Times | About the Best Sellers
💡 Novlr | The New York Times Bestseller Lists Explained
💡 Wikipedia | The New York Times Best-Seller List
💡 Jane F...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren have a conversation about Taylor Swift’s upcoming book, talking through her decision to self-publish it, and what that says about the future of traditional publishing. 

Disclaimer: This episode was Matt’s idea, not Lauren’s.


Dive Deeper

💡 Target Press Release

💡 Related Episodes

• Ep #2 | Is Self-Publishing the Best Path for Today's Creators?
• Ep #16 | The Indie Author's Guid...

In this episode, Lauren & Matt review the important metrics you need to be tracking to boost your book sales, grow your brand, and connect with a loyal audience. We take a look at social media, email, website, and customer data and share valuable tools and tips to help you make the most of the data you collect. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Check Out These Resources

• Shopify | Ecommerce Analytics Tools for Online Store Owners
• S...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share tips for maximizing your return on investment when you attend a conference. We have our top picks for note-taking, strategies for putting your ideas into action, and using your conference experience to establish yourself as a thought leader. 


Dive Deeper

💡 Otter.AI

💡 Ecamm Live

💡 Ann Handley’s Total Annarchy Newsletter

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Episode #23 | How t...

It’s officially been one year of Publish & Prosper! Join Lauren & Matt for a special Ask Us Anything episode, where we take listener questions about publishing, marketing, Lulu products, and - of course - Disney. 

We answer questions like: 

• Do you start building your audience first and then write your book, or do you start writing your book first and then build your audience? 
• What trends have you seen from Lulu creators o...

In this episode, Matt & Lauren review the best ways to repurpose content for social media. They talk through reusing your existing social content, reposting other people’s social content, and repurposing your book material as social content. 

Jump in to hear about Matt’s recent appearance at Momentum and upcoming plans for Author Nation - or skip ahead to 13:50 to get right to the social media content strategies.

Dive ...

Custom and special edition books are more popular than ever - and more accessible than ever. In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore how indie authors can create custom editions of their self-published books. We look at popular customizations like sprayed edges, embellished covers, specialty bindings, and more! 

Love watching your podcasts? Publish & Prosper is now on video! Check us out on YouTube.

Join us at Author Nation, N...