Ep 2493: Twelve Minute Convos w/ Tina Dietz [Podcast]
I am back with Engel Jones for another amazing Twelve Minute Convos podcast. Such a great concept to spread so many voices(Podcast on Twelve Minute Convos, October, 2019)
Tina Dietz is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed speaker, audiobook publisher, podcast producer, and influence marketing expert who has been featured on media outlets including ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post and Forbes. Tina’s first podcast, The StartSomething Show, was named by INC magazine as one of the top 35 podcasts for entrepreneurs.
In 2016, Tina was the recipient of the Evolutionary Business Council MORE award and in 2017 she received the award for Outstanding Audio Company from The Winner’s Circle. She is also a member of the EBC leadership body and a founding member of the Forbes Coaches Council. Tina was also the lead interviewer in the podcasting documentary “The Messengers” and featured in the film.
Tina splits her time between the US and Costa Rica where she’s part of the leadership team building a community of conscious leaders called Vista Mundo.
Time Stamped Show Notes:
- How are you doing? [01:01]
- What’s the latest with you? [01:52]
- Is the StartSomething Show podcast in hiatus? [03:11]
- Where is the best place to connect with you? [04:04]
- On being a stem from an entrepreneurial family. [05:04]
- Is David in the picture still? [07:13]
- In closing, is there anything else you’d like to share with our amazing audience? [11:58]
Do Your Press Releases Tell “The Story Behind the Story”?
Great easy tips by Shel Horowitz, book marketing copywriter and strategic marketer, about how to write your book press releases.
Which would you rather read: “Electronic Privacy Expert Releases New Book” OR “It’s 10 O’Clock—Do You Know Where Your Credit History Is?”
If you follow most advice about how to write a press release for a book, you’d end up with something like the first example. You’ll put all the 5Ws in the first paragraph. And you’ll put your readers to sleep.
But when a client hired me to write a press release for a book on electronic privacy, I turned in the second example. The main text repeated the headline and continued: “It’s 10 O’clock—Do you know where your credit history is? How about your employment records? Your confidential medical information?
“How would you feel if you found out this sensitive and should-be-private material is “vacationing” in computer databanks around the world—accessible to corporate interests who can afford to track down and purchase it, but not necessarily open to your own inspection?”
The book and author weren’t even mentioned until the third paragraph.
Any book has multiple angles—news hooks you can use to gain media and reader attention. I chose to focus on data privacy that time. If I were writing that press release today, I might focus on identity theft, hacking, or the influence of fake news on elections. But NEVER on “expert releases book.” Publishing a book, by itself, is not news. Just in the US, it happens about a million times a year. That’s 2740 books published every day! You want to stand out in that crowd.
So if you’d rather not imitate a snooze button, try something different. Tell “the story behind the story” and create a press release that people will read (and act on). For nonfiction: What problem does your book solve, what pain does it alleviate, what success does it lead to (financial, relationship, career, personal growth, etc.) Ask yourself who needs the information, and why.
For fiction or memoir, what kinds of people will identify with your main character? What exotic situation or fascinating career fills in the backstory? For either—what seasonal or charity tie-ins, awards, or superstar endorsements make your book newsworthy? If your press release is fun and exciting, readers will realize that your book is also going to be fun and exciting.
As a book marketing copywriter and strategic marketer who writes a lot of press releases and book covers for books, I do this constantly. Here are some actual press release headlines I’ve written for clients (starting with one for my own tenth book):
NONFICTION:
- Finally, A Handbook for Business To Change the World and Make a Profit—As General Motors, Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, the City of New York, and Others Have Done (This is for my own most recent book, and I’ve left the hyperlink in to the complete press release)
- 54 Million Americans “Swallowed by a Snake”
- At 54, He Moved Across the World—Because It’s Never Too Late for Dreams
- Missing for 400 Years, Mercator’s Atlas Is Now Available in North America for the First Time
FICTION:
- If Romeo and Juliet Had THIS Magical Parrot, Things Would Have Been Different: Romeo and Juliet Meets Robinson Crusoe Meets House of the Spirits—in Africa
- Kidnapping…Terrorists…A Foreign Land: Carinci’s Latest Suspense Thriller Chases Danger Across the Emerald Isle
- A Children’s Picture Book Where the Good Guys Don’t Win? Yes, Really!
- Still More Honors for Debut Novel, “The Dark Dreamweaver”—Named an iParenting Media “Greatest Product”
In spite of their “just the facts, Ma’am” training, journalists love these kinds of press releases. And in today’s world where readers can find press releases in search results, you might even capture reader interest directly.
Shel Horowitz writes press releases and book covers and develops strategic marketing for authors, green and social entrepreneur businesses, and nonprofits. His 7th book, Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers (2007), was endorsed by Dan Poynter, Fern Reiss, and other publishing gurus. His 10th book, Guerrilla Marketing to Heal the World, is endorsed by Seth Godin and Chicken Soup’s Jack Canfield. Discuss your next marketing project with Shel: 413-586-2388 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.US Eastern) or https://goingbeyondsustainability.com/contact/ – and pick up his free gifts for you at https://goingbeyondsustainability.com/freebies/
Shel Horowitz – Book Marketing Copywriter, Strategic Marketer & Book Publishing Consultant
The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part Two [Podcast]
In Part Two of this episode of The Writer Files, audiobook publisher, award-winning podcast producer, and internationally acclaimed speaker, Tina Dietz, returned to wrap up our chat about her passion for helping authors grow their audiences, why you should produce an audiobook, and the bright future of audio content.(Podcast on The Writer Files, December 11, 2018)
Tina is an entrepreneur and content marketing expert who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Forbes (to name a few), and her company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, helps authors and entrepreneurs expand their audiences with audio content.
She is an award-winning podcaster and an expert in leveraging and repurposing content, and her company specializes deeply in audiobook production and publishing for one simple reason …
Tina and her cohorts love to help authors expand their audiences, income, influence, and opportunities.
If you missed the first half you can find it here.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to audibletrial.com/writerfiles and browse their unmatched selection of audio programs, download a title free, and start listening! It’s that easy. Go to audibletrial.com/writerfiles to get started today.
In Part One, Tina and I talk about:
- The surprising truth about who should, and who should not, narrate their own audiobook
- How to decide whether to invest the time and money in professional voice narration or go DIY
- The art and science that goes into a bestselling audiobook
- Why you can’t rush professionally produced audio
- Where to send your audiobook once it is finished
- The future of audio content and smart coffee makers
- And why you need to fall in love with your own voice and message
The Show Notes:
- The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part One
- Twin Flames Studios
- ACX
- Tina’s Blog & Free Resources (incl. Secrets of the 3 Billion Dollar Audiobook World)
- Tina Dietz on LinkedIn
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Interested in learning more about audiobooks and howaudio content can help your business and career?
Audio Marketing for Authors 101
Audio marketing is an extension of getting your voice out into the world and creating core relationships with your audience, resulting in more book sales and raving fans.
In this interview for Author Bridge Media, StartSomething founder Tina Dietz discusses the fundamentals of audio marketing for authors.
- Authors are always looking for a way to get their work into the world
- Why audio marketing is a very important key for book marketing
- Benefits and pitfalls of audio marketing
- Technical considerations
- Types of audio marketing, including podcasting and audiobooks
- How to fall in love with your own voice if you don’t like the way you sound
- Considerations for hiring a narrator for your audiobook vs. narrating a book yourself
- What you need to know about self-narration for your audiobook
- Tips for hiring the right narrator for your audiobook
- How to know if you should start a podcast
- Tips for how to get on more podcasts
Audio Marketing can create an entire community of your audience, bring people together around your message, and help them connect with you on a deeper level.
Ready to explore audio marketing?
The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part One [Podcast]
This week audiobook publisher, award-winning podcast producer, and internationally acclaimed speaker, Tina Dietz, took a timeout to chat with me about her passion for helping authors grow their audiences, why you should produce an audiobook, and the bright future of audio content.(Podcast on The Writer Files, December 4, 2018)
Tina is an entrepreneur and content marketing expert who has been featured on ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Forbes (to name a few), and her company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, helps authors and entrepreneurs expand their audiences with audio content.She is an award-winning podcaster and an expert in leveraging and repurposing content, and her company specializes deeply in audiobook production and publishing for one simple reason …
Tina and her cohorts love to help authors expand their audiences, income, influence, and opportunities.
If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews.
Audible is offering our listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to audibletrial.com/writerfiles and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs – download a title free and start listening. It’s that easy. Go to audibletrial.com/writerfiles to get started today.
In Part One of this file Tina Dietz and I talk about:
- The Renaissance of audiobooks, the fastest growing format in publishing
- When authors should start thinking about audiobook production
- The importance of reading your book out loud for editing
- Tina’s twisty journey from voice acting to helping authors’ tell their own stories with audio
- Why audiobooks are more popular than ever
- And who can benefit the most from publishing an audiobook today
The Show Notes:
- The Bright Future of Audiobooks with Tina Dietz: Part Two
- Twin Flames Studios
- The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary
- Tina’s Blog & Free Resources (incl. Secrets of the 3 Billion Dollar Audiobook World)
- Tina Dietz on LinkedIn
- Kelton Reid on Twitter
- Please click the donate button to support the podcast with a secure PayPal donation
Interested in learning more about audiobooks and howaudio content can help your business and career?
7 Succulent Ways to Promote Your Audiobook
Audiobook sales will top 3 billion dollars in 2018. We’re going to give you some tips and ideas you can use to promote your audiobook masterpiece!
So you’ve decided to publish an audiobook version of your book – great idea! Audiobook sales will top 3 billion dollars in 2018. BUT, guess what?
That also means you need to (gasp!) market your audiobook. Many authors think of marketing as a big scary thing you have to do in order to avoid failure, but think about your marketing time as time spent getting to know your readers and finding out what interests them.
Whether you’re promoting online, in print, or by word of mouth, there are many different options you can use to help in this process. To help get you started, we’re going to give you some tips and ideas you can use to promote your masterpiece!
Connect with Amazon
After your audiobook has been completed, the first thing you should do is look your book up on Amazon to ensure that the audiobook version is listed on the book’s page. If your audiobook is not listed, contact Amazon to request that the editions get combined. This is particularly helpful because some people exclusively listen to audiobooks, and if they are looking for the book, they will see the audiobook available on the same page in one easy search. Whispersync can also help here, because it synchronizes the Audible audiobook and the Kindle e-book so that you can switch between them with ease. You can go from reading your book in the living room to jumping in the car and listening right where you left off in the story.
Social Media
Promoting your work online and via social media is a must for any author. Based on who your reader is, focus your efforts on using the social media platform that your readers most use. Do you have an author page on Facebook if that’s where your readers are most? If it’s Twitter, use hashtags wisely so that people who are searching for your book or general book genre can identify your project by interest. Facebook also allows you to promote your post by adding a filter to it to enable traffic with the specific interest. Overall, posting on social media sites using videos created to promote your audiobook (with a snippet of your 5 minute retail sample) or quote memes pulled from your audiobook’s content will bring attention and will also be great for your book’s search engine optimization efforts by back linking to your book’s sales pages.
Promote to Audio Listeners via Podcasts
Just as you wouldn’t want to waste time pitching your audiobook to a paperback only crowd, you don’t want to promote your audiobook to them either. You want to focus on the audio listeners and the best place to find them is through podcasts! Podcast audiences are already listening and therefore they’re more likely to also be listening to audiobooks. Listen to some podcasts that would be a good fit for your audiobook and take some notes on the audience, jot down contact info, and contact podcasters about what you could bring to the show as a guest. Special giveaways or an inside view of your creative or writing process are good hooks to get listeners to tune in. You can also use your 5 minute audiobook retail sample in your podcast interview or in the episode’s “show notes” to give listeners a preview-both creating interest and generating traffic back to your audiobook’s sales page.
Be Their Guest
Being featured on someone else’s website as a guest blogger is a great way to get noticed and promote your work. In addition to guest blogs, consider Tweet chats, local radio stations, and YouTube interviews. You can reach out to hosts in the same friendly and value-oriented way that you would to ask to be on a podcast. If your audiobook narrator has a blog, ask them if you can guest blog and then host your narrator on your own blog for an article or interview. The more channels you appear on, the more you get the word out about your work. You can even write a blog that interviews the main character of the story and publish this on sites that engage with your readers and audience. This is a fun way to get attention, and it engages your readers in even more.
Free Audiobook Sample
Giving people an easy, risk-free way to sample your audiobook will peak their interest and have them craving more. When you create your audiobook, you have a “5 minute retail sample” that is featured on your audiobook retail pages so that potential listeners can have a taste of your work. You can use the 5 minute audio clip as a free sample that you can embed on your website in blog posts and on all social media platforms.
Reviews
Just as there are reviewers for standard print books and e-books, there are also reviewers who specialize in audiobook reviews. By using a google search or checking directories you can find publications, websites, bloggers, and many others that you can submit your audiobook for a review. As these reviews start pouring in, use the positives to your advantage. Post or share these reviews on your websites or social media accounts to draw in more attention, and to spread the word. If you use ACX to produce your audiobook, you can email ACX to receive 25 free promo codes that can be used to send your audiobook to potential reviewers in exchange for a review.
Video Book Trailer
Sometimes people make their audiobook trailers too long and it can lose the listener’s interest or make them feel as if they have already learned all there is to know already about the book. You want to keep it edgy and have the audience eager to know more or find out what happens next. Also, keep in mind that most people are always in a hurry and only have but a minute or two to spare, so try to get as much detail as you need squeezed into a video that’s two minutes or less. To make it easy, you can again use the 5 minute retail sample of your audiobook to help create your book trailer. Make sure to feature your trailer on your website, social media sites, and even in your e-mail signature.
There are hundreds of ways authors and narrators can market audiobooks, but it’s important to focus on making a connection with readers. Learn where your readers spend their time the most, and that will help you determine where you should focus on sharing about your work. If you offer valuable content and engagement, you will see the same in return, and remember that listening is the new reading, so promoting your audiobook and doing it well is worth it.
Want help creating & promoting your audiobook? My team and I have the expertise you need to unleash your masterpiece
Episode 42 – Tina Dietz on Writing, Entrepreneurship and Audio [Podcast]
In this week’s episode, Mark speaks with Tina Dietz who is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed speaker, audiobook publisher, podcast producer, and content marketing expert.(Podcast on Stark Reflections, October 12, 2018)
Prior to the interview, Mark shares a few personal updates that include the launch of his new traditionally published book Macabre Montreal, and how that book launch interfered with attending the NIGHT OF THE WRITING DEAD event in Pittsburgh that same weekend.
This episode is sponsored by Findaway Voices . . .
. . . and also by the Patrons of the show at www.patreon.com/starkreflections.
All patrons will find, this week, the full audio of the first chapter about PRACTICE from Mark’s forthcoming audiobook of The 7 P’s of Publishing Success.
In their conversion, Mark and Tina talk about
- The link between writing/expression and entrepreneurship
- How writing (particularly in print) can be an enduring format as a tangible legacy
- Tina’s introduction into podcasting and audiobook production
- Tina’s Forbes article “Do You Sound Like a Leader?” that focuses on the relationship between vocal qualities and how a person is viewed as a leader
- Getting used to and comfortable with the sound of one’s own voice
- Breathing techniques and facial exercises used for voice or singing voice
- Food and drink to avoid when doing voice work (dairy and citrus, for example)
- The coaching Tina does helping authors getting ready to do interviews for radio or podcasting
- The difference between forms of media like television, radio and podcasting
- Trends in the audiobook industry that authors might not be familiar with
- The concept that anything you create needs to be an asset and not a burdenThe free download that Tina has on her website that helps demystifies the audiobook process – www.launchyouraudiobook.com
- Things to consider when deciding between narrating and producting an audiobook yourself or outsourcing that
- How Tina’s clients often “come for the audiobooks and then stay for everything else”
- The pre-interview Tina sent to Mark ahead of the podcast which made things so much easier for Mark
In the post-interview reflections, Mark talks about how Tina’s info PDF made his job as an interviewer so much easier and he also shares a link to a WORD document template that authors can download and modify so they have something similar to use for their own podcast or radio interviews.
Links of Interest:
- Tina’s Website
- Findaway Voices
- Patreon for Stark Reflections
- Night of the Writing Dead
- More Information about Stark Publishing Solutions
- Stark Reflections Survey
- Macabre Montreal
- The 7 P’S OF PUBLISHING SUCCESS
Tina Dietz is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed speaker, audiobook publisher, podcast producer, and content marketing expert who has been featured on media outlets including ABC, Inc.com, Huffington Post, and Forbes. Tina’s podcast, The StartSomething Show, was named by INC magazine as one of the top 35 podcasts for entrepreneurs. Tina’s company, StartSomething Creative Business Solutions, connects leaders, entrepreneurs and experts with larger audiences, resulting in expanded influence and income. Tina divides her time between the US and Costa Rica, where she’s part of a leadership team building a conscious community called Vista Mundo.
The music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Interested in learning more about audiobooks and howyou can be using audio in your writing career ?
Why You Need to be Publishing Audiobooks – with Tina Dietz [Podcast]
The popularity of devices like Alexa have created a rise in the demand for audio to educate and entertain commuters and laundry-folders alike. James talks to Tina Dietz about creating audiobooks from both our fiction and non-fiction work.(Podcast on Self Publishing Formula, September 14, 2018)
This week’s highlights include:
- The importance of creativity in every type of business
- How creativity makes us more productive
- The different approaches to audiobooks by fiction and non-fiction authors
- Thoughts on narrating your book yourself
- The range of costs for producing an audiobook, including what you can expect to pay a narrator
- Auditioning narrators to find the right voice for your book
- Providing character information to narrators to find a good fit
- Reading your book out loud yourself to get a sense of your characters’ voices
- The three reasons for starting a podcast
Resources mentioned in this episode:
PATREON: Self Publishing Formula Podcast’s Patreon page
TINA’S WEBSITE: Twin Flames Studios
Wondering how you can leverage your books and work?