Guest post by Amy Collett

Podcasting is quickly becoming one of the most effective ways to promote a brand and move a business forward. And authors worldwide have taken notice. In fact, the overwhelming majority of bestselling authors maintain a podcast presence.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re thinking about starting a podcast to boost your writing career. Below, Caligraphics Design discusses how to effectively prepare, produce, and leverage an author podcast!

Determine Your Audience and Niche    

First, you need to figure out what kind of listeners you will target your podcast to and identify a niche that you can fill. Maybe you hope to inform and inspire beginner freelance writers or independent authors, or perhaps your goal is to reach established novelists. Choose an audience to base the rest of your podcast strategy around.

Think About Marketing

Too many podcasters fail to implement an effective marketing strategy, which can significantly limit your reach. Before diving deep into producing your podcast, start thinking about how you will promote it and garner a following.

For example, you’ll need a good name for your podcast that stands out and remains top of mind with your audience. You also need a professional website where listeners can find your podcast and other content relevant to your brand. Many podcasters use YouTube to showcase their content. Look into YouTube banner templates to create a customized banner with your own text, images, and logo if you go that route.

Choose a Format

There are many different formats to consider for your podcast; the one you roll with must set you up to succeed in your ultimate goals. Here are a few of the most popular podcast formats:

• Interview show
• Solo training
• Quick tip
• News analysis
• News briefing
• True crime
• Fiction
• Genre review

Do you want to help other writers develop strategies for producing better content? A solo training format might be the ticket. Is your primary goal to inspire people to start writing in general? An interview show format could be ideal. Think about your mission, and structure your podcast accordingly.

Establish Your Show Branding

Some people underestimate the importance of branding a podcast because it’s primarily an auditory experience. However, as with any other type of show, you need professional branding that attracts new listeners and distinguishes you from other authors.

For example, you’ll need to design album art that shows up on your website and streaming platforms and an introduction to each episode. Some podcasters include music and voiceover in their intros. Moreover, make sure you have a solid outro to close out your episodes.

Get the Gear and Record

You could spend days researching the plethora of podcast equipment on the market. But at the end of the day, there are only a few items you really need to get started, and you can build your setup from there. Invest in a high-quality dynamic microphone, over-the-ear headphones, and mic arm. And of course, you’ll need a reliable computer and editing software!

Once you obtain the essential gear, choose a podcast host (where you will upload and store your episode files), and start recording your first episode. The easiest method is to record directly into your editing software. Then, you’ll have everything set up to edit your file for professional bliss!

Conclusion

Authors everywhere are starting podcasts. However, while it’s an excellent way to get your name out there and solidify your place in the industry, you must come at it with a good strategy if you hope to stand out and succeed in the long run.

Following the steps above will get you off to a strong start, but there is much more to producing and launching a podcast. Keep learning as much as you can to create a podcast that puts you on the bestseller list!

Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our book cover design services? Visit CaligraphicsDesign.com today!

Guest post by Amy Collett

Just about everyone is familiar with the benefits of working in the gig economy and creating side hustles to earn extra cash. If you’re still in school or are a recent grad, this type of work can be especially beneficial, providing you with a great deal of flexibility. If you’re someone with writing skills, you could have a wide range of potential freelance areas to capitalize on.

Benefits of Freelancing

When you work as a freelancer, you often have a good deal of control over the types of work you take on, the time you commit to various projects, the rate you charge, and the location you work from. Freelancers often work on a per-project basis, though it is possible to find longer-term work, either with the same client or with publications that may bring you on as a regular contributor. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, you can deduct a lot of business-related expenses as a freelancer, ranging from basic office supplies and equipment all the way through vehicle usage. Good record-keeping is essential, especially when it comes to filing your self-employment tax return and claiming all eligible deductions.

Downside of Freelancing

Freelance work is flexible, but that also means it’s not always steady. This means you need to be mindful of budgeting, ensuring you’re taking on enough work to pay your bills and meet your financial obligations without overextending yourself with too many clients. Keep in mind, as a freelancer, you’re not entitled to sick time, vacation pay, benefits, retirement, or unemployment benefits. You’ll also have to pay your own share of taxes, along with the employer’s share of taxes and Social Security. All of this can significantly reduce your “take-home” pay, so you’ll want to keep these things in mind when negotiating rates.

Potential Freelance Areas

If you’re a versatile and talented writer, there are a number of freelancing gigs you can pursue. You could do newspaper and magazine writing, whether it’s freelancing or taking on assignment work. If you have marketing and advertising experience, you can also find freelance work as an advertising copywriter. Other niche areas include technical writing, speech and scriptwriting, jingles, blogging, or even ghostwriting. Employee manuals, operational guides, editing tasks, and social media blurbs are all areas in which there’s high demand. You might even pair up with people in related fields, like web design or graphic arts. In these cases, you provide the copy while they provide the technical design elements.

Where to Find Work

There are myriad freelance postings in online job boards, and professional freelancing associations often provide job leads as well. If there’s a particular business you’re interested in, reach out to the hiring manager or creative director and ask about freelance opportunities. Alternatively, you might approach publications, advertising and marketing agencies, and communication companies to inquire about joining a freelance pool. Even some jobs listed as in-house full-time positions can be converted into a freelance role if the hiring manager thinks you’re a good fit. You simply need to sell them on the cost savings and flexibility that come with utilizing a freelancer.

It’s a good idea to showcase your work, achievements, and qualifications with a professional-looking resume. Make your resume stand out from the crowd by using a free resume builder to design your resume. Simply choose from a library of professional designs and edit the template to your specifications.

Setting Your Rates

Some hiring entities may have a set rate for freelance work, or you may be asked to name your price. Writer’s Market provides guidance on appropriate fees to charge for different types of projects. You might work hourly, per project, or even negotiate a retainer, in which you make yourself available for a certain number of hours at a specified, guaranteed rate. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook provides additional guidance per industry. If you’re asked to provide a scope of work for a project as part of an estimate, be sure to build in time for reviews and revisions, which can add a significant amount of time to a project.

Advancing Your Skills

Every industry has continually evolving best practices, and ensuring you’re on the cutting edge of a journalism field can be a significant boost when building your business and attracting clients. Consider professional development programs, or going back to school for an online degree, such as your master’s. Online degree programs allow you to follow a schedule that suits your lifestyle.

Also, attend writers conferences and workshops whenever possible, and consider online tutorials to help you sharpen your writing skills. Not only can this help you advance from a professional standpoint, but it’s also a good place for meeting others you can collaborate with and secure leads from.

Freelance writing allows you to earn money through a creative endeavor. For best results, your freelance writing gig should be operated like a business. Always insist on a written agreement or contract with anyone you work for, establish a business bank to cash checks and pay bills, and create an online portfolio so that interested parties can find you and your work with a simple online search.

Are you a freelance writer preparing to release your new book? Let Caligraphics design a book cover that’s eye-catching and engaging. Visit our ebook design page to see previous cover and learn how Caligraphics can help you.

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