Writing Off Social: The Podcast | Build Your Platform and Grow Your Email List Without Social Media

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to build a paid community around my writing… but where would I even start?” you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Angie Baughman, who has walked that road step by messy step. She’s pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to launch and run a membership that actually serves people — from pricing and platforms to beta groups and burnout. And she’s brutally honest about th...

Is your writing a ministry, a business—or both? Today we sit down with Kent Sanders, ghostwriter, coach, and host of The Profitable Writer Podcast, to explore what it really looks like to merge calling with career. Kent shares how he built a profitable ghostwriting business without relying on social media, why generosity flows best from abundance, and the simple, old-school strategies that still work to grow your audience today. Wh...

God calls us to peace, but most of the writers we know struggle to find time to write, balance writing with other responsibilities, and manage writing and marketing time. If that sounds familiar, take a breath. What if productivity isn’t about doing more but finally knowing what to say yes to? What if the clarity you’ve been craving has been within reach all along? And what if the very thing holding you back is simpler than you thi...

If you’re a writer, chances are you’ve felt the tension between timeless craft and ever-changing technology. On one hand, your voice and perspective are irreplaceable. On the other hand, new technology is reshaping the way books are written, marketed, and read.

Is AI a threat to creativity or a partner that can free you to do your best work? What role can social media play in this new landscape? And how can you, as an auth...

Are you a writer thinking about leaving social media, but not sure how to do it? Today, we’ll show you the exact steps we took to quit for good while keeping our readers with us. For show notes, go to https://writingoffsocial.com/72

Enrollment for our January cohort of Writing Off Social: The Course is now open. Early bird pricing is available, and we are limiting our spaces to only 4 this time around to give you all the time and at...

We're back from our break with a brand-new podcast season. Today, we’re sharing the key decisions we’ve made based on the wonderful feedback you provided through our 2025 Listener Survey last spring. We’ll tell you what we’re letting go of, what you asked for that we can’t provide, and what’s coming next for Writing Off Social. Listen in! For show notes, go to https://writingoffsocial.com/71

Enrollment for our January coho...

It's our SEASON 5 FINALE! And we are thrilled to speak with Susan Neal about her latest book, "How to Sell 1,000 Books a Month: Strategies to Improve Sales." Listen as Susan offers insights on building a strong foundation for book marketing, creating effective lead magnets, the importance of email automation, and the benefits of attending writers' conferences. Our discussion also covers the value of endorsements...

This week, we are speaking with author and cofounder of The Author Conservatory, Kara Swanson. Listen as Kara shares her insights on building and managing a Street Team as an effective book-selling strategy, emphasizing the importance of training, clear communication, and establishing relationships with team members. Kara also discusses strategies for engaging readers, setting expectations, and nurturing a supportive community. It&...

As Christian creatives, navigating the space between ministry and business can be confusing. We want to honor God with our work—but is it okay to charge for it, too? In today’s episode, we’re exploring the intersection of calling, creativity, and income—and how we can faithfully pursue the work we feel led to do, without guilt or hesitation. This week, we've invited our friends and fellow writers, Angie Baughman, Teresa Whitin...

Do you want an effective marketing strategy that not only targets readers actively looking for books but also provides you with immediate visibility and results? This week, we are speaking with Alana Terry, an award-winning Christian suspense novelist and USA Today bestseller. She is also the co-founder of the Successful Writer Marketplace and a well-known ads coach for authors. Listen as Alana shares her experience with paid adver...

Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Debbie Gonzales, an award-winning children's author, career educator, and the founder of Pin Lit Marketing, where she specializes in boosting book visibility and engagement through Pinterest. Debbie's slow and steady system highlights the significance of evergreen content, strategic keyword usage, and a structured approach to building an audience and selling books. This intervie...

Your website is like your digital home base—especially once you’ve left social media. However, your author website can be much more than just an online business card! If done well, your website can foster that all-important “like-know-trust” factor with your readers and become your book-selling headquarters. Today we tell you how! For show notes go to https://writingoffsocial.com/65

Enrollment for our January cohort of Writing ...

Today, we chat with award-winning author and podcast host CJ Milacci about all things Kickstarter. She explains how Kickstarter builds community and connects authors with readers, and she also shares how it can not only fund your launch but also help pay for things like special editions and purchasing books for in-person events. CJ's insights and experience are incredibly valuable, especially for authors seeking alternative wa...

Today, we are talking with SEO expert Jana Carlson to explore the importance of search engine optimization for Christian writers. Jana explains how SEO can be a powerful tool for audience growth without the self-promotional aspects often accompanying traditional marketing strategies. Jana makes SEO sound accessible and, dare we say, FUN? Jana also answers the looming question we've been asking in the age of AI: Is SEO dead?  L...

Do you ever wonder how other creators manage it all? How they balance work, family, and everything in between? Today, we're giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our own systems and strategies. Listen in as we dive deep into our personal productivity philosophies and share the exact tools that have helped us reclaim our time and create a more balanced and sustainable work life.  

For show notes, including how to sha...

Today we are thrilled to speak with USA Today best-selling author Camy Tang, about her journey as a writer and her innovative marketing strategies. Listen as Camy shares her experiences with blogging, Patreon, and Kickstarter, emphasizing the importance of understanding your audience and leveraging your strengths to connect with your readers. Grab your pen and paper and take notes on this one, you guys, because she is a treasure tr...

Today, we welcome Erin Loechner, an author and former social media influencer who left behind over a million followers to embrace a low-tech lifestyle. We discuss the challenges and benefits of stepping away from social media, especially for writers and parents. Erin shares her journey, insights on publishing without social media, and strategies for building connections and marketing books in a digital world. Listen as Erin emphasi...

Welcome to Season 5! After two years of working with writers, the number one question we get at Writing Off Social is, "What even is social media?" So, today, we will define social media and then offer you two questions to ask yourself when assessing whether or not a platform is social media and two questions to ask yourself to determine if you should be using it at all. We will also be revealing our theme for Season 5 of...

This season, we’ve lavished you with options for growing and nurturing your email list. But if you’re anything like us, you want to try them ALL. If you’re having shiny object syndrome, today’s episode will help you gain some clarity.  Listen in as we review the email growth strategies we discussed this season and offer nine clarifying questions to ask yourself to determine which strategies will work best for you. And just for fun,...