Build Your Platform
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Author Websites
Podcasting
Blogging
Public Speaking
Branding
Social Media
A Nonfiction Author’s Guide to Substack
Learn how nonfiction authors are using Substack to reach audiences and convert them into paying subscribers seamlessly.
Thomas’s Office Tour & 4th Wall Breach
Get the much anticipated tour of Thomas’s office, complete with a run-down of the books on his shelves that best absorb sound.
When to Ignore Your Editor
Discover 7 issues authors must beware of when getting editorial suggestions from humans or AI and when to ignore or accept the feedback.
How to Get Started with Author School Visits and Make Your Book Playground Famous
Selling books for kids is a challenge. Discover how you can connect with young readers, positively impact schools, and sell more books.
How to Build a Rejection-Proof Platform in 2025
To build an author platform, you need a method that works long term. Discover one method and five steps that will give you a solid author platform to stand on.
Contact Page Dos & Don’ts for Authors
Learn how to create a successful author contact page and form that helps readers and influencers find you and makes spammers leave you alone.
101 Book Marketing Ideas That Will Change Your Life
We’ve compiled a list of book marketing ideas that will connect you to...
The Strategy Behind Reader Super Magnets
Find out how to make your reader magnet super magnetic to attract your perfect target reader.
Author Websites
Author Websites
How to Become an Amazon Affiliate
A step-by-step guide for setting up your Amazon Associate account so you can earn money through affiliate links on your author website.
How to Speed Up Your Author Website
If your author website doesn’t show in Google’s search results, make sure you’ve removed these website speed bumps.
What Every Author Needs to Know About Cyber Security
Every author needs cyber security. Discover which of your vectors are most vulnerable to attack and how you can protect them.
How to Create an Author Press Kit with Susan Neal
If you want to secure media interviews about your book, learn why you need an author press kit, what you should include, and where to place it on your website.
How to Add a Hyperlink in WordPress
There are two ways to add a hyperlink to a WordPress post. I’ll teach you both.
The 5 Best Free WordPress Plugins for Authors
Make your author website easier for readers to find and more fun to visit by using the 5 best free plugins for WordPress websites.
Six Things Readers are Looking for on Your Website
Seven Things Readers are Looking for on Your Website
How to Create a Reader (Lead) Magnet
A reader magnet is a prize your readers get in exchange for giving you their email. They can dramatically improve how fast your email list grows.
Blogging
Blogging
A Viral Recipe for Your Blog
“You don’t need to write a book to change the world with your ideas. A good blog post can reach more people in one month than the typical book reaches in a lifetime.” This my common refrain when I speak at writers conferences.
I had the chance to prove my theory this month. A post on my personal blog about courtship went viral to and sparked a nationwide discussion.
5 New Year’s Resolutions Authors Should Make in 2014
It's January again, which means time for New Year's resolutions. It's easy for resolutions to become bigger-than-life, difficult to keep, and discouraging. While the big dreams are necessary, it's often the little steps that get us there...or keep us away. So for our...
10 Holiday Season Blog Prompts
'Tis the season to be busy. There are parties to attend, presents to buy and/or make, meals to cook, traditions to celebrate, family to visit, and a million and one other things to do that come with the holiday season. But despite being busy, you don't want to let...
How to Get Your Avatar to Show Up Everywhere
Have you ever noticed how some people’s photo’s appear next to their comments and others do not? We’ll teach you how to make that happen.
19 Ways to Boost Traffic to Your Blog [Video]
Ever wonder what the secret to an excellent blog is? Thomas Umstattd shares the 12 secrets of excellent blogs in this video.
9 Tips for Writing Effective Web Copy
What are the nine tips for writing effective web copy we give our clients? Now you can find out.
The Top 10 Posts of 2012
It's been quite a year for Author Media. We've passed over 6,000 fans on...
5 Writing Blogs To Start Following Today
Wondering which writing blogs are worth following? We name five.
Branding
Branding
Author Taglines With Brandilyn Collins
Author Brandilyn Collins gives tips on how to find your perfect author tagline and discusses whether you need one at all.
How to Create an Online Author Press Kit
Find out why authors need a press kit and what to include in yours.
Six Things Readers are Looking for on Your Website
Seven Things Readers are Looking for on Your Website
How to Write to Market With Chris Fox
In this episode, we talk about how to write to market with Chris Fox an incredibly successful indie author of both fiction and nonfiction.
042 – How to Create A Breakthrough Author Brand Step 2: Look at Your Readers
Branding is one of the most confusing topics under the umbrella of marketing. In this episode, we look at the second step of creating a breakthrough author brand.
041 – How to Create A Breakthrough Author Brand Step 1 – Look in the Mirror
Branding is one of the most confusing topics under the umbrella of marketing. In this article, you’ll learn the first step to creating your author brand.
008 – Where to Start Marketing Your First Novel
Learn how to start marketing a book effectively and avoid the overwhelm with practical tips and strategies.
Why Author Email Addresses Make a Difference
Do you know what makes me cringe?
Getting an email from a professional that isn’t professional. It doesn’t take much to get a professional email address.
Podcasting
Podcasting
How to Run a Podcast Tour (With Guest Mary DeMuth)
Uncover the power of a podcast tour in reaching new audiences. Learn from veteran author Mary DeMuth about effective podcast strategies.
90% of Top USA Today Bestselling Authors Have a Podcast Presence
Literary Agent Steve Laube recently released a blog post showing that 100% of ECPA Bestselling authors had a podcast presence as either hosts or guests. 60% were both hosts and guests! We were curious to see how many authors on the USA Today Bestseller List had a...
How to Sound Great As a Podcast Guest
Are you scheduled to come on a podcast as a guest? If you want to be invited back, or appear on any other podcast interviews for that matter, you need to have good audio. Many authors make the mistake of using their laptop's microphone and speakers. This will...
New Podcast: Creative Funding Show
We are launching a new podcast! The Creative Funding Show is a podcast where Author Media CEO, Thomas Umstattd interview Authors, YouTubers, and Podcasters who are funding their creativity using platforms like Patreon and Kickstarter. You will also...
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Public Speaking
Public Speaking
How to Get Your First Speaking Gigs
One of the best ways to sell books is to speak in person at live events. Here are three steps to booking your first speaking gigs.
MySpeakingEvents Now on Kickstarter
At Author Media we work with a lot of professional speakers. Their websites all need an event calendar to help build enthusiasm for upcoming events. The problem is, all the WordPress event calendars either were either way too complicated or did not work.... or both....
Why Authors Need To Think Local Like George Bailey
In the age of the internet, it’s easy to want to compete globally. Just don’t forget the power of local.
Increase Speaking Gigs With BookTour.com
Imagine a website that would email thousands of people in your town to let them know where you are speaking next. Now imagine that this is free. Your imagination has become a reality. Read on for details.
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Bookstagramming on Instagram With Nadine Brandes
Bookstagraming on Instagram With Nadine Brandes
How to Pick a Social Network as an Author (Infographic)
How to Pick Which Social Network Is Best For You
How To Split Test Your Book Title Ideas With Facebook Ads
Learn how to use reliable scientific data to help you choose the best title, cover, or blurb for your book.
How to Use Facebook To Promote Your Book
Tips for authors on how to use Facebook for marketing your book and which tactics no longer work at all.
How to Throw a Facebook Party for Your Book Interview With Nadine Brandes
Show Outline: Update 2024: Thomas no longer recommends using Facebook for...
052 – To Book Trailer, or Not Book Trailer … that is the question
Discover what you’ll need to create an effective book trailer and find out how it will affect your sales.
025 – 25th Episode Q&A Extravaganza
In this episode we answer questions from listeners like you. For 24 episodes,...
022 – 12 Ways to Get More Facebook Fans
In this episode we are going to talk about Facebook. And more specifically,...

























Social Media
Social Media