The Heidi Thorne Show
Self publishing news and insight. Hosted by Dr. Heidi Thorne, MBA/DBA
Episodes
As platforms continue to copycat their competitors, one of the more recent entries in that race is YouTube Shorts. Let’s talk about pros and cons, and how authors can use YouTube Shorts. Be aware that YouTube Shorts could change dramatically and quickly as YouTube figures out what it wants to do with this feature.
Blog: YouTube Shorts: What Authors Need to Know http://hub.me/apEFr
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/SjYJCl96Svg
Timesta...
The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey asked self published authors what motivates and challenges them. Here's how they responded.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/BJNq_wn32rA
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube):
0:15 The self publishing motivation question
0:38 The ACME model of self publishing motivation
5:28 Top 3 motivations for self publishing in 2022
5:47 What doesn't motivate...
Do self published authors still consider getting a book deal with a traditional publisher? I asked them in my 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey. The answers of why and when they do, or don't, might surprise you.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/byK4f4Qi4nQ
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube):
0:15 The traditional publishing question I wanted answered
1:10 Do self published authors unde...
The 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey results are in! Find out how much self published authors made in 2022, and what they're forecasting for 2023. This is the first of three video reports on the survey.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/6ZlLbu1R64Q
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view/listen to segment on YouTube):
0:15 About the 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey and participants
2:26 How much did the majority of s...
Just in time for a new year, author pages on Amazon have been redesigned. The redesign is a good move. But authors need to be aware of some changes.
Blog: New Amazon Author Pages http://hub.me/apAjf
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/dVJ8t5ySNx8
Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube):
0:14 Programming note about Self Publishing Survey Results reporting
0:28 Amazon launches redesigned author page...
A signature book title is one that when people see it, they immediately know what it is and associate the author with it. But do authors really need to strive to create one for their books? I share examples and tips.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/g1N_xKyVA2o
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube):
0:15 Authors want to be memorable
0:57 What is a signature book title?
2:01 How do you crea...
A familiar request came from an author via email. “Which of these logos do you like best?” I responded that I wouldn’t go with any of them. My opinion on the choices had nothing to do with the actual art. Here's why I responded this way.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/EyVojXPhBjo
Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view/hear segment on YouTube):
0:14 A familiar question about logos
0:40 Celebrity authors don't need lo...
I took the new Amazon Attribution Tags system for a test drive to see if it really does help authors track mystery sales sources on Amazon generated off Amazon, such as social media ads. Here's how it went, including screenshots of my results.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/PC6zYs9_WKs
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:15 New book, new book marketing tests
1:05 My Amazon Attribution Tag ca...
I posted a video on TikTok and Instagram asking if you received a used book as a gift, would you think the giver was cheap, or that they found a treasure for you. Here’s how my tribe responded.
Blog: Used Books as Gifts: Trash or Treasure? http://hub.me/apwgj
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/yri2mX0ZMq8
Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:15 I asked my TikTok and Instagram tribe about used book gifts...
December 2022 marks the end of my 14th year on Twitter. In light of the culture changes and chaos from its recent acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk, will it also be the end of me using Twitter? Let’s talk about that since I’m sure many of you are also considering your future on Twitter.
Blog: Will I Quit Twitter? http://hub.me/apvkl
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/fH7C2sRHy9o
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segm...
I have just wrapped production on a new audiobook that’s a departure from my usual content. In doing this latest book, I ran across some updates to ACX, Audible, and audiobook trends that I’ll discuss here.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/VH9OKzb7r1o
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube);
0:15 My new audiobook, Cradle to Crochet: Thoughts on the Crocheting Life
0:45 ACX updates
3:00 Audiobook listenin...
I just published another book on Kindle Direct Publishing, KDP, that was an experiment in a couple of ways. It was a departure from my usual genre. And it was a test for the latest 2022 version of Kindle Create, KDP’s free book formatting software. Here's what I learned.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/CDzHrUXgB48
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:15 New book formatted using Kindle Create
Finally! Amazon has introduced a way for authors to measure sales generated by non-Amazon channels like organic social media posts and paid ads. It's called Amazon Attribution.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/bXN690DGXgY
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:15 Amazon introduces Amazon Attribution Tags
1:00 What is Amazon Attribution?
1:20 Who is eligible to use Amazon Attribution?
1:33 Amazon ...
I see authors and low content book creators forging ahead full steam to write or design their books before they decide on the niche markets their books will serve and what those markets could want and need. This is totally backwards if you’re hoping to make sales. I explain why.
Blog: You're Doing Niche Marketing Wrong for Your Books http://hub.me/aprOT
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/xcSFJpTiq9Q
Timestamp show notes (click on ...
On October 12, 2022, I celebrated 13 years of having a YouTube channel. A whole lot has changed, and keeps changing on YouTube, mostly for the better, even though using it effectively is still a challenge. I’ll be talking about some newer features that can impact authors and small businesses, as well as sharing insights from my YouTube journey.
Blog: YouTube Handles, YouTube Shorts, and My YouTube Journey http://hub.me/aprow
I love my author community! On a recent video I did about KDP print on demand quality and quality control, one of my favorite author people, Shanon, whose pen name is @S.D. Huston, commented about how she learned to cope with limitations on book design for print on demand. So this is a followup on that discussion, focusing on some specific design issues for book spines.
Blog: Does Your Book Have Spine Problems? http://hub.me/ap...
I see a lot of confusion and questions on author forums about trademarks, copyrights, and book titles. While I’m not a lawyer, and this does not constitute legal advice of any type, I will provide some definitions and discussion of these terms, particularly as they relate to authors and self publishing.
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/oouZeakqP3E
Timestamp show notes (click on timestamp to view or listen to segment on YouTube):
Got called out on one of my videos where I ranted on authors being overly sensitive about what they perceive as KDP print on demand quality issues. Out of respect for that author’s concerns, let me address each of them here, though some points might still might echo my position on the earlier video.
Blog: KDP Print On Demand Quality versus Quality Control http://hub.me/apoIs
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/L11jIaPCkGY
Timestamp sho...
In September 2022, Spotify launched audiobooks on their music and podcast platform. How does this affect the audiobook market? Will it impact self published audiobook authors, especially those on Amazon’s ACX and Audible?
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/-U-Q-_lpO5A
Timestamp show notes (click timestamp to view segment on YouTube):
0:13 Spotify adds audiobooks to their music & podcast platform
0:36 How to Spotify audiobooks work...
All authors, whether traditionally or self published, suffer from a “shall I stay or shall I go” moment at some point. Probably more now as book and content markets become more competitive. Here are some things to consider as you consider continuing your self publishing career. Also, update on my 2022 Thorne Self Publishing Survey.
Take the survey! Anonymous, 10 click-to-answer questions, takes 2-3 minutes. https://www.surveymonkey...
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