Antionette Blake, Blogger, Author, and Podcast Host shares how she used podcasting to sell more books and gives authors five steps to help them get started.
If you are a newly self-published author such as myself, who just released “Basic Blogging Tips for Beginners” then you have realized that after the excitement of actually seeing your book in print wears off, the hard part of promoting and selling it begins.
Yes, people can order a copy of your book directly online from the publishing company or from Amazon, but it’s not the same as sitting at a table in a bookstore, signing copies and taking selfies with your readers.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic I had an opportunity to be part of “Black Women, Words and Wisdom” Authors Showcase at Barnes and Noble, where I sold 27 copies of my book and it was exciting. That event led to being invited to be a speaker at a new author book writing workshop created by fellow author, Geneva Miller and then another request to be part of an author’s Roundtable in DC before everything was shut down!
Now I am home, self-isolated with 100 copies of my book sitting in a box on the floor…what to do now???
Well as the host of two podcasts, “Blog Your Way to a Business Profit” and “The Delaware Blogger Podcast”, I decided to use these audio platforms as a way to promote my services for a 60-Minute Mini Podcasting Coaching session as well as for book sales and guess what – it’s working!!!
Not only have I been able to promote and sell copies of “Basic Blogging Tips for Beginners” but also sell it as part of a Book Bundle for $26 which includes the “Podcasting Your Purpose Webbook”
The Power of Podcasting – Audio for Authors
As an author you have written words that evoke emotions and by creating a podcast you have an opportunity to share your words in a way that will expand your audience base. Not everyone likes or even wants to sit still long enough to read a book, however, listening to a podcast can be done while multi-tasking.
More than 75% of all Americans have heard of a podcast and they are listening more regularly especially during the pandemic. Everyone from teachers to politicians are starting a podcast and so should you!
Podcasting is powerful especially for authors because just like your written words you can make others laugh or cry; you can inform and educate, tell stories and touch hearts all with your voice.
Audio is so much more intimate, especially when you’re authentic and honest. Think about this: the largest sexual organ in the human body is between their ears – the brain. So, when someone pops in their earbuds or cover their ears with head phones they are bonding with you in a very intimate way.
Marketing via a podcast gives you a larger platform with a broader audience which is also an opportunity for you to become a subject matter expert and it may create more interest and an incentive to purchase your book. Why not take this opportunity to share what you have written by repurposing the content in your book and turning it into a podcast series?
You can also create virtual book clubs or teach others how to write or publish a book; you can invite other authors to come onto your show to share their content and tips as well.
5 Reasons to Start a Podcast
- It’s convenient and easy to consume – audio is more accessible for users, people don ‘t have to take extra time away from what they are doing to focus exclusively on your content. They can listen to your podcast while they are exercising or driving, your podcast won’t take them away from those activities. With WiFi and AI being easily accessible people can consume content at their leisure and binge like Netflix.
- It increases your reach and grows your audience – when you publish your podcast on platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, or Soundcloud you expose your content to hundreds, thousands, and millions of listeners for FREE. This organic exposure helps you increase your reach and grow your audience.
- It’s inexpensive and quick to produce – recording a podcast episode is less time-consuming than writing. To create a podcast episode, all you have to do is record yourself speaking which you normally do every day – no “writer’s block”.
- Provides a platform to interview other authors – podcasting allows you to interview other authors to share their content which becomes a win-win for you both as you broaden your brand and expand your exposure online.
- Builds Trust with your readers – audio content is very intimate and personal so when someone hears you speak; they hear your personality and your authenticity. They can detect the excitement in your voice and feel your passion for what you have written. This makes them like and trust you more and when people like and trust you, they are more likely to buy from you.
With this pandemic, many entrepreneurs such as myself are finding ways to stay connected with our target market audience, loyal listeners, and followers so think about starting a podcast so that you can do the same.
Antionette Blake is the CEO of A. Blake Enterprises. If you’re interested in her 60-Minute Mini Coaching Session to help you get started, you can reach her at info@ablakeenterprises.com and find and follow her on social media platforms at https://linktr.ee/delblogger
