Writing Books, Podcast Gift Guide & Launch Life
Writing, launching, working...because holidays aren't busy enough...
What’s Your Next Book?
If you’ve written a book, chances are you’ve been asked this a number of times. It’s like when you are dating someone and everyone asks when you’re getting engaged…then you get married and people ask when are you going to have a baby! I believe it was my therapist who told me to tell people to let me just enjoy the moment I’m in with the book I’ve written that has yet to be released. And yet, it’s a question I also ask myself…
I’ve got two books in the making right now and I believe they both have potential. One is more memoir fiction (is that a genre?) and the other is women’s lit. At any given moment, I am finding inspiration to write and find myself flipping between the two Google docs I have going. I’m not sure which will win out yet but maybe (hopefully), it’ll be both.
I’ve snuck in a podcast gift guide below but I wanted to share for all of the book lovers and authors a find I discovered today via my friend Helya’s Bookstagram. These adorable ornaments are filled with book covers and they are personalized! I think this is an incredible gift for yourself, your book loving friend OR the author in your life (make the book covers all of their book!). Check out LoveandLitShop on Etsy!
55 Days To Go
With less than 2 months to go until the release of How To Get On Podcasts, I’m in launch mode. This Thursday, I’ll be starting a countdown on both TikTok and Threads and I’m very excited about it! Galleys should be arriving just after Thanksgiving, so if you’d like to be a part of the early reading crowd, please let me know! All I ask is that you give it a review and share with others!
I’m also in the throws of pitching myself to media, bookstagrammers, podcasts and everyone in between! I’m not above asking if you know anyone who would like to know about this book, please let me know! I’m working on my travel plans and am more than happy to do any and all interviews!
This week, I did reveal the first endorsement I received and am so grateful to
for all of her support and friendship. To wake up one morning and find this in my inbox is something I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for.
Podcast Industry News
Apple’s latest iOS update caused some glitches on the Apple podcasting platform last month and as far as I can see, it hasn’t been rectified. The update made it so that some subscribers didn’t automatically receive the latest podcast episodes they usually did. What’s that mean for podcast shows? Less downloads and crappier numbers. I saw it with my own show, so I know it’s a fact.
Good news though? I’m seeing more and more Spotify podcast listeners using the rating tools. It’s newer than Apple Podcasts rate and review stars, but it’s starting to pick up speed.
Remember that if you’re a podcast listener, one of the kindest ways you can give back to a host is rating, reviewing and sharing their shows!
We Reached 1 Million Podcast Listeners
This week was cause for big celebration at The MLG Collective®! We reached 1 million podcast listeners with our clients’ interviews. We track how many monthly listens a podcast gets for our clients and for 2023, we’re now over 1M!
Gifting Guide For Podcast Hosts & Guests
I love a great holiday gift guide and if I’m being totally honest, it’s because I love getting ideas not only for others but for myself as well…how else am I going to tell my husband what he should get me?! As the shopping season is upon us, I’m seeing gifting guides and wanted to create one around podcasts…whether it’s to give yourself or someone in your life. When it comes to all things podcasting, I know what you need, whether you’re a host or a guest! Here are my favorite things that I’ve used and believe in!
**There are some affiliate links included where I will earn a small referral amount if you purchase them.**
You should always have a good pair of headphones and I love my pink Beats Solo 3. They are wireless, but you can also used them wired.
Every host and guest needs an external microphone. For my personal use, I use a Blue Yeti by Logitech. These mics tend to get a bad wrap because people simply don’t know how to use them. The actual mic is in the side and not the top, therefore it should stand straight up like the photo below and you talk to the side of it. While writing this, Amazon has a huge sale and instead of $129.99, they’re on sale with a coupon for just $79.99!
Every one of my clients receives this TONOR USB microphone from me when we start working together. It’s easy to use, easy to install and sounds fantastic. Normally, it’s $46.99, but right now it’s on sale (plus a coupon!) for just $30.39! It also comes with the pop filter, so you don’t need to add that as another gift!
Every host and guest should sound great, so I suggest a pop filter if your mic didn’t come with one. This is a basic one that is under $11!
Last year, I splurged on a new webcam with a builtin ring light and LOVE it! The ANGETUBE 1080p webcam has 3 different light settings and is literally plug and play. Normally $99.85, it’s on sale (with a coupon!) for $55.30.
I would be remiss if I didn’t round out my gift guide and not mention purchasing the only book of its kind to come to the market…How To Get On Podcasts! You can gift your favorite podcast guest (or host) any of these items and then surprise them on January 11th with another gift when their book arrives!
On The Podcast…
I had the honor of interviewing Meghan Riordan Jarvis this week on my show. Her memoir, End Of The Hour, came out this past Tuesday and hit the Amazon #1 Bestseller list…as it rightfully deserved! Meghan is a clinical psychotherapist who specializes in trauma and grief. She shares her story of how the unexpected passing of her mother made her realize she needed next level care. It’s a story of healing that touched my heart deeply because of how honest Meghan is in what she experienced. As the reader, you get to see what a trauma-based care facility is like on the inside and the immense support she received from those around her. Published by Zibby Books, it’s another incredible read…even Glennon Doyle said “What a gift”!
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you here in the US!
I’m thankful for each and every one of you!