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If you are an author who is thinking of launching a podcast … if you are an author who has started a podcast and is struggling to keep it afloat … if you are an author on the brink of “podfading” and losing the hard-won benefits you can gain from this popular and intimate format -- then this book is for you.
Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, shares her learnings from her years hosting and producing The Indy Author Podcast. Tapping nautical metaphors to explore the stages of creating a podcast, THE INDY AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PODCASTING FOR AUTHORS will guide you through determining your destination, preparing for your voyage, and setting sail. Matty discusses the benefits podcasting offers to authors specifically, and the specific challenges authors might need to overcome to succeed in this medium. Questions posed at the end of each chapter prompt insights to be captured in your own Captain's Log, enabling you to note progress, acknowledge mistakes, and celebrate successes on your voyage. This is not merely a manual of technical requirements, although those are covered at a high level in the book and in more detail at The Indy Author website. This is a foundational resource you can pick up again and again, one that will serve as your guide as you steer your podcast through its voyage and, when a course correction is needed, will provide the strategies and tactics you need to adjust your bearing. |
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"If you're an author considering using podcasting as a means to promote your work or to network with other writers, don't do another thing until you read this book. As an author and longtime podcaster myself, I found Matty Dalrymple's book a vital resource. It's a detailed look at what works, what doesn't, how to get started, and how to keep your show fresh. Written in a breezy, conversational tone, it's chock full of Dalrymple's beloved nautical metaphors and references. Readers will learn ways to be a better host, producer, and guest--whether you're an experienced admiral or brand-new midshipman to the craft. This book should be on every author/podcaster's shelf. Chart your course--get this book!"
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--Alex Greenwood, host and producer of the Mysterious Goings On podcast, author of the John Pilate Mysteries
THE INDY AUTHOR'S GUIDE TO PODCASTING FOR AUTHORS covers ...
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The Podcasting Voyage
• Why Podcasting ... and Why for Authors? Determining Your Destination • Determining Your Destination - Introduction • Establishing Connections with Guests • Building Community with Listeners • Creating Direct Income with Your Podcast • Creating Indirect Income with Your Podcast Preparing for Your Voyage • Preparing for the Voyage - Introduction • Choosing Your Topic • Choosing Your Format • Choosing Your Mode, Medium, and Venue • Choosing Your Deliverables • Choosing Your Schedule • Choosing Your Episode Structure • Choosing Your Persona • Choosing Your Livery (a.k.a. Branding) • Choosing the Tech |
Setting Sail
• Setting Sail - Introduction • Lining up Guests • Preparing for the Episode • Creating the Environment • Refining Your Audio and Video Presence • Creating the Episode • Making the Most of Your Content • Making It Interactive • Reducing Friction (Improving Your Production Process) • Being a Podcast Guest Embarking on the Voyage • Embarking of the Voyage - Last Thoughts • Resources |
Looking for more help navigating your podcasting voyage?
I love helping other authors embark on and succeed in their podcasting voyage, and below I share information about the production of The Indy Author Podcast and provide companion material for my book The Indy Author's Guide to Podcasting for Authors. (Everyone is welcome to use these resources, but you'll want to pick up a copy of the book to get the full benefit from them!)
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I also offer consulting services to help you determine your desired podcasting destination, prepare for your podcast launch, and navigate your podcasting voyage.
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Here's what one happy client has to say ...
Creating a podcast is a daunting challenge. There is so much to consider. The most notable include the format, style, and message content. Bringing them all together in a seamless way that allows for putting the best foot forward and keeping it forward is no easy task in what many call a marathon versus a sprint.
Fortunately, I found an outstanding advisor and consultant in Matty Dalrymple, creator of The Indy Author Podcast. Besides the fact that we are both independent authors, Matty helped me understand the ins and outs of starting and sustaining a straightforward quality podcast even when my original ideas and format were not the right mix. Her advice was invaluable, helping me simplify my approach and enabling me to produce a quality podcast every week instead of bi-monthly.
Matty has my highest recommendation as an advisor and consultant, and I am sure she can help anyone bring the dream of podcasting to fruition.
--Dr. John P. Dentico, Host of the Throttle Up Leadership Podcast and author of Throttle Up: How to Accelerate the Impact of 21st Century Leadership
In our first meeting, we review your Captain's Log, a companion document to The Indy Author's Guide to Podcasting for Authors; scroll down for a downloadable version. This information supports a conversation about if and how your podcasting plan aligns with your personal and professional goals. From there, we discuss the choices you will make to ensure your podcast, once launched, will stay afloat, and not become one of the 70% of podcasts that anecdotal evidence suggests don't make it past seven episodes.
Subsequent sessions focus on the prep and planning you need to do to optimize your podcast. (For in-depth technical questions and how to optimize SEO for your podcast, I can point you to other experts.)
First hour consult is $195; subsequent hours are $145.
Drop me a note at matty<at>mattydalrymple<dot>com if you'd like to discuss!
Subsequent sessions focus on the prep and planning you need to do to optimize your podcast. (For in-depth technical questions and how to optimize SEO for your podcast, I can point you to other experts.)
First hour consult is $195; subsequent hours are $145.
Drop me a note at matty<at>mattydalrymple<dot>com if you'd like to discuss!
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On July 28-31, 2022, I will be at the (in-person!) Writer's Digest Conference 2022 presenting on:
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I chat with Bryan Collins on his Become a Writer Today podcast. Bryan says:
In this episode of the podcast, I ask Matty why she decided to set up her podcast and if it’s too late for aspiring podcasters today. We also get a little bit into the workflow of podcasting and the various software and hardware that she uses. Matty also describes how podcasting has shaped her writing and why she believes it’s a fantastic format for creatives. In this episode, we discuss:
In this episode of the podcast, I ask Matty why she decided to set up her podcast and if it’s too late for aspiring podcasters today. We also get a little bit into the workflow of podcasting and the various software and hardware that she uses. Matty also describes how podcasting has shaped her writing and why she believes it’s a fantastic format for creatives. In this episode, we discuss:
- What encouraged Matty to start her own Podcast
- Matty's personal podcast highlights
- Forward planning podcast episodes
- The process for finding new guests
- How many hours a week to spend preparing and promoting your podcast
- Matty's podcast set up
- Reviewing podcast metrics
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In Kobo Writing Life Podcast #283 –Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple, I chat with the hosts of the KWL Podcast about insights I've learned from my podcasting career, how I've found success in publishing short fiction, and why I loves writing about the supernatural.
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Many thanks to Mark Leslie Lefebvre for inviting me to Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing Podcast Episode 216 – Podcasting for Authors with Matty Dalrymple to chat about podcasting for authors, including whether podcasts help sell books and the importance of aligning your approach to your goals.
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I chat with Angela J. Ford and Stephanie BwaBwa on the Indie Author Lifestyle podcast about How to Start and Grow a Podcast for Indie Authors as well as about opportunities for authors to create income and connect with readers using short fiction.
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I had so much fun talking with Rob Archangel of Archangel Ink about Creating a Podcast to Build an Identity as an Author. We discuss all things podcasting for authors including:
- Why should authors consider podcasting? - The advantages of podcasting as a medium - Type of personality a person should have in order to be successful at podcasting - Who would be good podcasting candidates? - Setting a goal and planning for podcasting - Determining the content of a podcast and mapping out content for the long-term - Equipment and software needed to start out a podcast - Barriers that authors experience when starting out podcasts |
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Check out this conversation I had with Dale L. Roberts about Podcast For Writers: How to Start a Podcast for Beginners.
You've seen podcasting become HUGE over the past few years, but you're wondering - is there room to podcast for writers? Absolutely! Find out how to start a podcast for beginners. And, discover what you'll need to do to start your way to being the best writing podcasts today. Special guest Matty Dalrymple shares her experience with The Indy Author podcast. Find out the do's and don'ts, the essentials and inessentials and more in this exclusive interview. --Dale L. Roberts, Self-Publishing with Dale |
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I spoke with Emma G. Rose and Shelley Shearer on their Indie Book Talk podcast about Can Podcasting Help Build Your Author Platform with Matty Dalrymple.
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Companion Material for The Indy Author's Guide to Podcasting for Authors
Captain's Log
Below is companion material for my book The Indy Author's Guide to Podcasting for Authors. (Everyone is welcome to use these resources, but you'll want to pick up a copy of the book to get the full benefit from them!)
As we review the various components and considerations of hosting a podcast, it will be helpful for you to note your learnings and insights. At the end of each chapter, I pose a few questions for you to consider. This “Captain’s Log” will enable you to note progress, acknowledge mistakes, and celebrate successes. It will serve as a guide as you steer your podcast through its voyage. When a course correction is needed, it will provide information you can use to adjust your bearing. You can capture your answers to these questions in the downloadable worksheet.
| the_indy_authors_guide_to_podcasting_for_authors_captains_log.docx |
Flight Checklist
Having a "flight checklist" for your podcast episodes will ensure you produce a professional-level product. Download the attached checklist and modify it for your own podcast!
| the_indy_authors_guide_to_podcasting_for_authors_flight_checklist.docx |
More Resources
Here are other resources that will prove valuable to any author podcast--click the images to learn more. I earn money from these affiliate links, but these books are available on all major online retailers should you wish to purchase them elsewhere.
Technology
Below are links to the technology I use for The Indy Author Podcast. In cases where I'm an affiliate of the product, I have noted that, but I am only affiliated with companies whose products I use myself and feel good about endorsing.
I am an Amazon affiliate, and I also earn from purchases made from any Amazon links on this page, but should you wish to patronize a different retailer, most of these products should be available on other platforms as well.
Audio
Blue Yeti USB Mic
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones (no mic)
Lighting
I'm still working to perfect my lighting set-up, so I asked Jenna Moreci for a recommendation, and she pointed me to the Neewer Ring Light Kit. If you check out my podcast interview with Jenna, you'll see that she has a nice sense for lighting.
Here's the set-up I'm currently using, which is acceptable for the limited amount of space I have to work with:
Dual USB Table Desk Lamp - These are super cute and provide a nice warm light.
DEEPLITE LED Desk Lamp with Flexible Gooseneck 3 Level Brightness - I'm not wild about these lights, but they are small, versatile, and work acceptably as a fill-in light source.
Zoom
I use Zoom to record the interviews. Because I never have more than two people (me and one guest) on the Zoom meeting, I am able to use a free Zoom account with no time limit.
Descript
I use Descript for audio and video editing, and for (largely) automated transcription creation. I love Descript so much, I'm an affiliate!
I've provided some resources for the tool I use to edit the audio and video of my episodes, and to create the transcript: Descript.
The Anatomy of Descript
Best Practices | Tips | Tricks
Descript Q&A
Libsyn
I host my podcast on Libsyn, which provides one place from which to distribute to Amazon Music, Android, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
I am an Amazon affiliate, and I also earn from purchases made from any Amazon links on this page, but should you wish to patronize a different retailer, most of these products should be available on other platforms as well.
Audio
Blue Yeti USB Mic
Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones (no mic)
Lighting
I'm still working to perfect my lighting set-up, so I asked Jenna Moreci for a recommendation, and she pointed me to the Neewer Ring Light Kit. If you check out my podcast interview with Jenna, you'll see that she has a nice sense for lighting.
Here's the set-up I'm currently using, which is acceptable for the limited amount of space I have to work with:
Dual USB Table Desk Lamp - These are super cute and provide a nice warm light.
DEEPLITE LED Desk Lamp with Flexible Gooseneck 3 Level Brightness - I'm not wild about these lights, but they are small, versatile, and work acceptably as a fill-in light source.
Zoom
I use Zoom to record the interviews. Because I never have more than two people (me and one guest) on the Zoom meeting, I am able to use a free Zoom account with no time limit.
Descript
I use Descript for audio and video editing, and for (largely) automated transcription creation. I love Descript so much, I'm an affiliate!
I've provided some resources for the tool I use to edit the audio and video of my episodes, and to create the transcript: Descript.
The Anatomy of Descript
Best Practices | Tips | Tricks
Descript Q&A
Libsyn
I host my podcast on Libsyn, which provides one place from which to distribute to Amazon Music, Android, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
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