Learn how to harness the power of blogging, podcasting, and online video to grow your author business, build a platform, and drive sales with your books. Presented at IndieLab Writer's Digest Conference on 9/29/18. Slide includes additional resources mentioned in the video.

1. Platform for Success
Reach Readers and Drive Sales with Your Content
with Michael La Ronn

2. MICHAEL LA RONN
www.michaellaronn.com
www.authorlevelup.com
michael@authorlevelup.com

4. What You’re Going to Learn Today
01
Discover the story of
your brand
02 03 04

5. What You’re Going to Learn Today
01
Discover the story of
your brand
02
Choose a medium
(blog, audio, video)
03 04

6. What You’re Going to Learn Today
01
Discover the story of
your brand
02
Choose a medium
(blog, audio, video)
03
Build a content
strategy
04

7. What You’re Going to Learn Today
01
Discover the story of
your brand
02
Choose a medium
(blog, audio, video)
03
Build a content
strategy
04
Build an audience
and drive sales

8. Let’s interact!
You will be able to:
1. Ask me questions
2. Volunteer to share your own blog, podcast,
or videos for feedback
3. Review case studies of successful writers

9. Step 1:
Why are you a writer?

11. “Building a platform is about
connecting with your audience on an
emotional level.

12. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
2. What inspired you to be a
writer & how can you share
audio/visually?

13. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01
Annie Bellet
• Speaks to readers
• Showcases interests

14. Step 2:
Blogging, Podcasting, or Video (Oh My!)

16. Blogging

17. How to get started
1. Blogging Tool
Wordpress.com, Wordpress (Self-Hosted), Squarespace, Wix
2. Domain Name
3. Something to write about

18. Blog Content Tips
Titles
Hook/Opening Paragraph
Audio/Visual Support
Call to Action
Social Media Buttons
Comments

19. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02
Cory Doctorow
w w w. c r a p h o u n d . c o m

20. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02
Hugh Howey
w w w. h u g h h o w ey. c o m

21. Podcasting

22. How to get started
1. Microphone
Your smartphone, USB mic, studio mic
2. Audio editing software
3. Hosting

23. InterviewSolo Co-Hosted

24. Long LengthShort Length Medium Length
(Less than 15 min) 15-60 min 60 min+

25. Podcast Content Tips
Titles
Hook/Opening 30 seconds
Introduction
Show Notes
Call to Action
Mention your books

26. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02 03
The Writer’s Journey

27. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02 03
AskAlli Podcast

28. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02 03
The Creative Penn

29. Online Video

30. How to get started
1. A Camera
Your smartphone is all you need
2. A place to shoot
3. Video editing software

32. Video Content Tips
Titles
Thumbnail
First Minute of the Video
Video Description
Call to Action
Sound Quality

33. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02
Jenna Moreci

34. 1. What do you want to
accomplish as a writer?
01 02
Lindsay Cummings

35. Step 3:
What’s your content?

36. Recommendations
1 . D o n ’ t d o c o n te n t ( o n ly ) a b o u t w rit ing !
2 . F in d t h e in te r se ct ion o f yo u r p a s s io n a n d yo u r re a d e r s’
pa s s ion.
3 . S u r vey yo u r re a d e r s.
4 . T hink o u t s ide o f t he box . G o ro g u e.

37. Things to think about
1 . E n te r ta ining , in forma tiona l, o r b ot h ?
2 . Fre q u e ncy ( M ont h ly ? We e k ly ? D a ily ? )
3 . S o c ial m e d ia s t ra te g y – h ow d o e s it fit in ?
4 . W h a t e ls e m ig h t yo u r a u d ie nce e n joy ?
5 . W h a t a re ot h e r a u t h o r s in yo u r g e n re d o in g ?
6 . D o n ’ t wo rr y a b o u t t ra f fic/ aud ie nce s iz e .

38. Step 4:
Build an audience and drive sales

39. “You’re creating content for your most
passionate readers.
Help them support you.

40. Types of Sales
1 . B o o k S a le s
2 . M a iling L is t S a le s ( I n d ire ct)
3 . A f filiate S a le s
4 . C row d fund ing S a le s / D o n a tion s

45. Recap of our session today
01
Discover the story of
your brand
02
Choose a medium
(blog, audio, video)
03
Build a content
strategy
04
Build an audience
and drive sales

46. Big Takeaways
1 . C re ate a n e m ot ional c o n ne c tion w it h yo u r re a d e r s.
2 . L et yo u r p e r s o nality d ete rm ine yo u r m e d iu m .
3 . I t ’ s e a s y to g et s t a r te d .
4 . H e lp yo u r s u p p o r te r s s u p p o r t yo u .
5 . H ave f u n !

48. Thank you!
Slides and additional resources mentioned
in this presentation are available at:
www.authorlevelup.com/indielab

49. Resources for Finding Your “Why”
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek TED Talk
Creating Your Author Brand by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Be a Writing Machine by Michael La Ronn
* T h i s r e s o u r c e g u i d e c o n t a i n s a f f i l i a t e l i n k s , a n d I r e c e i v e a s m a l l c o m m i s s i o n a t n o c o s t t o y o u i f y o u
p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h t h e m . Y o u a r e u n d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o b u y t h r o u g h t h e s e l i n k s , b u t t h a n k y o u i f y o u d o !

50. Resources for Blogging
Great Blog: Become a Blogger with Leslie Samuel
Great Blog for Copywriting: Copyblogger
Website Host I Use: Bluehost
WordPress Theme I Use: Elegant Themes (Divi 3.0)
Mailing List Provider I Use: Getresponse
* T h i s r e s o u r c e g u i d e c o n t a i n s a f f i l i a t e l i n k s , a n d I r e c e i v e a s m a l l c o m m i s s i o n a t n o c o s t t o y o u i f y o u
p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h t h e m . Y o u a r e u n d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o b u y t h r o u g h t h e s e l i n k s , b u t t h a n k y o u i f y o u d o !

51. Resources for Podcasting
Podcast/Social Media Hybrid: Anchor
Free Audio Editing Software: Audacity
Podcast Host I Use: Libsyn
Desktop Microphone I Use: Blue Yeti USB Mic
* T h i s r e s o u r c e g u i d e c o n t a i n s a f f i l i a t e l i n k s , a n d I r e c e i v e a s m a l l c o m m i s s i o n a t n o c o s t t o y o u i f y o u
p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h t h e m . Y o u a r e u n d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o b u y t h r o u g h t h e s e l i n k s , b u t t h a n k y o u i f y o u d o !

52. Resources for Online Video
YouTube Channel #1: Video Creators (Tim Schmoyer)
YouTube Channel #2: Roberto Blake
Free Audio Editing Software: Windows Movie Maker or iMovie
Video Editing Software I Recommend: Screenflow
* T h i s r e s o u r c e g u i d e c o n t a i n s a f f i l i a t e l i n k s , a n d I r e c e i v e a s m a l l c o m m i s s i o n a t n o c o s t t o y o u i f y o u
p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h t h e m . Y o u a r e u n d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o b u y t h r o u g h t h e s e l i n k s , b u t t h a n k y o u i f y o u d o !

53. Resources from the Alliance of Independent Authors
Self-Publishing Advice Blog
AskAlli Self-Publishing Podcast
Self-Publishing Conference (Digital Conference)
Alli’s Self-Publishing Guidebooks
Join Alli Today!
* T h i s r e s o u r c e g u i d e c o n t a i n s a f f i l i a t e l i n k s , a n d I r e c e i v e a s m a l l c o m m i s s i o n a t n o c o s t t o y o u i f y o u
p u r c h a s e t h r o u g h t h e m . Y o u a r e u n d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o b u y t h r o u g h t h e s e l i n k s , b u t t h a n k y o u i f y o u d o !