Self Publishing and Book Marketing for Authors, Coaches, Speakers with Profitable Publishing®

Self Publishing and Book Marketing for Authors, Coaches, Speakers with Profitable Publishing®

Welcome to Profitable Publishing™! This podcast is for coaches, consultants, speakers, and service providers who want to package their expertise into a book that builds their brand, attracts their clients, and supports real business growth. This isn’t for authors who just want to get their book out there. This is for business owners who want to position themselves as the go expert in their field and serve their audience on a deeper level. If you help your readers get a result it’s time to leverage your book to do the same for you: open doors to speaking opportunities, attract premium clients, develop lasting partnerships, and make consistent income. This podcast shows you how to turn your expertise into a profitable publishing™ strategy aligned to your book. On this podcast, you’ll learn how to: Align your book with your brand identity, services, and offers Build authority and visibility as a thought leader in your industry Get consistent book sales before, during, and long after you launch Go beyond royalties by turning your book into an income generating offer Use your book to qualify clients, secure paid speaking gigs, sell your book to groups and not just individuals Create a strategic book to attract leads or support clients This isn’t just about selling more books. This podcast is for business owners who know their book can open doors, land speaking opportunities, premium services, partnerships, and consistent income. Profitable Publishing™ is hosted by Ashley D. Shepard is a 5x author, book marketing strategist, and self publishing consultant who supports independent and self published authors with generating revenue before they release. She’s also an Atlanta area wife and mom of two who understand building your author brand in the margins of your day. It’s time to publish and market on your own terms, grow your brand intentionally, and use your book as a true business asset to support clients or generate leads. So if you’re a coach, consultant, author, or service provider, subscribe now and discover how to make your book the most powerful part of your brand. Click play today to start your profitable publishing™ journey today. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sheppublishing Connect on Social Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sheppublishing LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-d-shepard Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sheppublishing Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheppublishing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShepPublishing marekting for authors, book sales strategies, self publishing, publish and market, author branding

Episodes

August 14, 2026 22 mins

If you’ve ever wondered why everyday posts get tons of social media engagement but posts about your book get ignored, then this is the episode for you. This episode breaks down why that happens and how to create content that attracts the right readers, supports your book, and builds authority instead of random engagement. 

TAKEAWAYS

  • Why some posts get more likes 
  • How the platform can affect your post’s path
  • Wh...
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Mark as Played

Most authors assume that selling books on Amazon KDP or in bookstores are the only ways to sell thousands of copies. However, there are quite a few ways to sell your book other places and in large numbers. Ashley focuses on 3 ways to diversify your sales channels, viewing books as business assets, & creating engaging experiences for readers.

The conversation covers the benefits of bulk sales to organizations and leveraging speak...

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Many self published and indie authors focus on preorders in ways that might not be the most effective when it comes to profit. Instead, focusing on connecting with your audience can help you presell your book and reach your readers. In this episode, you’ll learn about how Author Paula Y. Banks of Eion Books and Lit Kids Create used email marketing and the power of social media to sell out of her preorder book bundles. As well...

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It’s common advice to say writing your next book will sell your last book, but that’s not always the case. Focusing on creating a good book that readers can’t put down can sometimes be a better option. Find out 5 ways to know when it’s time to write or publish your next book or if you should revisit your current book. 

Takeaways

  • Why writing the next book to sell your last book is bad advice for you
  • How...
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Mark as Played

Self published and indie authors have a lot of decisions to make in a short amount of time. Take a listen to five common mistakes to avoid on your journey to publishing a book. You’ll learn about the importance of breaking free from traditional publishing rules, starting marketing before the book is finished, and understanding that writing a book doesn't guarantee automatic sales. This episode also highlights the drawbacks of...

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Published your book on Amazon? Don’t let that be the only platform you focus on. Instead of only relying on Amazon or bookstores to sell your book, selling on your website increases your income and gives you closer access to your audience. Selling on your site provides more options for readers to connect with you and for you to include extra incentives for purchasing during the preorder period and beyond. Take a listen a...

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Most authors wait until their book is in their hands before thinking about book marketing. It's not just asking readers to buy it once it's done. Listen closely to see how to start your marketing before you even start writing.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • The pros of starting to market process before publishing
  • How market research makes a better book
  • Why waiting until the book is done to market is backwards

CHAPTERS

  • 00:00 The Imp...
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Successful authors treat their book like a business asset. If your goal is to sell a lot of copies or use it to build authority, you should think of your book as an extension of your brand. These 5 books show you how to apply sales, marketing, and strategies in business for your books. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Five books to read to treat your book like a business
  • How using business principles increases your success as an auth...
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A well written book can actually help you land more clients and qualify leads before they even get on a call with you. When your book is positioned properly, clients come to your sales calls knowing you’re a good fit for them because your book has already done the heavily lifting for them. Your book can also support your existing clients to feel more supported. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • How a well written book can short...
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Mark as Played

Hosting a book preorder can be tricky, but doing it on your website is even more challenging. But Author Vanity Scott was able to generate $600 on her first preorder with the right support through coaching. Learn how she overcame overthinking and boosted her confidence during our time working together. 

TAKEAWAYS

  • Strategies behind how Vanity made $600 in her first preorder
  • How hiring a qualified coach helped Vanity increase h...
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Mark as Played

When self publishing a book, your first thought may be to collect as much advice as possible and ask the internet in groups all of your questions. You collect information across YouTube University. But searching for random self publishing advice that's not specific to you, your book, or your goals can work against you. This episode explores the value of working with a coach or consultant who understands you and is qualified to give...

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Most authors focus on the wrong things to achieve their author goals. Don’t just focus on numbers like books sold or page read. To achieve your author goals, focus on these three main areas that help you create a book that it eventually sells itself. 

TAKEAWAYS

  • The wrong things you’re probably focusing on as an author
  • Three key goals that help you decide everything else
  • How to get people to read, recommend, and rev...
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If you’re wondering if your book is “good enough” especially in self publishing, take a listen to this episode. Here, we explore how traditional publishing influences you’re going the indie or self publishing route. It’s important to be confident in your book and the value it brings to the reader. We also address imposter syndrome, self-doubt and how hiring the right support can help. 

WHAT YOU&rsq...

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Choosing a publishing company to hire is a big decision that affects your royalties, how your audience accesses your book, or whether you can make changes down the line. You’ll hear 5 publishing red flags that are widely used in the publishing industry that affect independent and self published authors. Find out how authors can protect their rights, ownership, and interests. We’ll also explore key aspects like having a ...

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Not sure if self publishing vs traditional publishing is right for you? This episode explores the pros and cons of the two most popular choices to becoming a published author such as creative control, royalties, level of marketing support, and ownership. Plus you’ll learn two additional publishing strategies you might not have considered. Choose the best publishing route for your first or next book with what you learn from th...

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Imagine using your books to pay for themselves. That’s the power of a profitable preorder. Publishing, marketing, and launching a book can all be big tasks by themselves. Using the Preorder Profits™ Plan streamlines the marketing and book launch process while also paying while you complete your book. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • 5 reasons why you should host a preorder
  • How preorders affect your overall book launch 
  • What elem...
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Mark as Played

Marketing for authors means finding your reader before you write, publish, and market your book. Before you write your book, it’s important to know who you’re going to sell it to. Understanding your audience and knowing your book is not for everyone is key. In order to get people to buy your book you need to focus on identifying, serving, and engaging your ideal reader, as well as building confidence in selling to them....

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The best way to sell your book is to tell people about it before you publish. Author marketing doesn’t start when your book is out. This is especially true when you’re building a brand or business. In this episode, you’ll learn about the best times to start your marketing, how preorders play an important role in the process, and how your capacity affects the whole marketing process. Waiting until your book is full...

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Mark as Played

Instead of assuming Amazon KDP is the only option for your preorder, find out about the drawbacks of using the platform for your initial sales and learn about another option that’s a better choice for most independently published authors. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

  • The biggest mistake when hosting a preorder
  • Which platform gives the most access to learn about readers
  • Which platform I don’t recommend for preorders
  • Why most ...
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Mark as Played

Your goal as an author is to write a book readers can’t put down so they turn into clients. In this episode, you’ll learn a strategy of how to write a business book people will read. Use touchpoints to keep reader attention, support learning, and gather reader details for business insights.

TAKEAWAYS

  • Include interactive touchpoints in your book increases engagement and comprehension.
  • Touch points help with lead generat...
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Mark as Played

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