Create If Writing

  • About
  • Workshops
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Podcast

Chad R. Allen on Publishing Trends – 007

May 19, 2015 by kirstenoliphant@gmail.com 3 Comments

How many email subscribers EXACTLY do you need to get a publisher to take notice? Are all traditional publishers at odds with self- and indie- publishers?

In this conversation with Chad R. Allen, we talk traditional vs self-publishing, what numbers matter, and why you should just DO YOUR ART.

Listen to Create If Writing – Episode 007

Chad has been in publishing for over sixteen years and with Baker Books for over thirteen. His site is an incredible resource with posts like:

6 Things for Writers to Remember When an Editor or Agent Says No

Is This Blocking Your Creativity?

8 Essential Tips for Marketing Your Book on Facebook

The Basics of Building a Platform

He also started the Book Proposal Academy, which walks writers through the steps of writing a killer proposal. While he shoots it straight about what publishers are looking for in terms of numbers, he also offers so much hope and has such a passion for urging on creatives in their work. His book, Do Your Art, is a prime example of this. This interview will hopefully give you some concrete goals to work toward and the inspiration to do so!

You can find more great content on his blog and find him on Twitter and Facebook.

Create If Writing Episode (10)

 

 

At a Glance

  • The constant in publishing is great content.
  • Traditional publishers tend to be agnostic about whether books sold are ebooks or physical books.
  • Traditional publishers tend to not be as threatened by self-publishing because self-publishing provides a viable option for those publishers turn down and can also be a way to grow enough readers to secure a traditional deal.
  • Platform is more accessible today than ever before.
  • The “magic number” of email subscribers that will make a publisher interested (in non-fiction) is 10,000.
  • Email list is the key metric more than Twitter or Facebook or other social media because the email list is a digital asset you own.
  • Offering your content online through blogs or a free ebook is a way to use your content to grow your list.
  • A warm list is one that is interactive and interested. Think of those unsubscribes as simply paring down your list to make it warmer.
  • To find balance in writing and growing your platform, you need to make specific goals and find a plan that is sustainable.
  • Realize that YOU have things to offer and people are longing for what is uniquely yours.

Learn what you need to know about author platform and publishing from Chad R. Allen, who has been in the business for almost 15 years.

Relevant Links

Why Traditional Publishing Should Kiss Self-Publishing’s Feet

Jane Friedman’s The Future of Reading and Writing

101 Jon Acuff Quotes from Kevin Kaiser (for inspiration!!)

41 Tips That Put Over 10,000 People on My Email List from Blog Tyrant

My Big Takeaway

I loved the idea of thinking of my list as growing warmer as I have people unsubscribe. Chad’s ideas on how to use my current content to grow a warm list also got me thinking about repurposing things that I already have and working on new things. I’m currently trying to find a balance that is sustainable. So far I haven’t figured this out, so let me know if you have!!

What I Want to Know from YOU

What are your current goals? And what content might you currently have to offer for free in order to find and grow your audience?

Filed Under: Platform, Show Notes, Writing

Trackbacks

  1. How Can You Foster Authentic Growth? says:
    July 1, 2016 at 2:06 pm

    […] Chad Allen’s interview on Platform […]

    Reply
  2. How to Turn Readers into Raving Fans says:
    July 15, 2016 at 12:44 am

    […] Sometimes people balk at the idea of platform building, as this post on Beyond Your Blog shows. I think we simply need a mindset shift. In that post Jessica Graham writes about moving hearts, not Like buttons. She resists the idea of playing a numbers game but wants to reach real readers. YES. But we have to think about numbers, too. (My biggest issue with that post is the reality that if you want a nonfiction book deal, as she seems to, you HAVE to have the numbers. Listen to my interview with industry insider Chad R. Allen for more.) […]

    Reply
  3. How to Grow Your Email List | Jane Friedman says:
    July 25, 2016 at 4:11 am

    […] magic number. This is where agents and publishers take notice of nonfiction authors (listen to my interview with Chad R. Allen of Baker Books for more). Indie author Nick Stephenson heralds this number in his Your First 10,000 Readers […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

An epic course for fiction authors with practical strategies to create a six-figure income.

Hey, I'm Kirsten!

(Rhymes with BEER-sten.) I am the author of Email Lists Made Easy for Writers and Bloggers and the host of the Create If Writing podcast. My goal is to help writers, bloggers, and creatives like YOU turn readers into raving fans and learn to make a living doing what you love...without being smarmy. Questions? kirsten at kirstenoliphant.com

Work with Me

Find Things

Read What Everyone’s Reading

How to Format Your eBook and Print Book - without losing your mind...
How and Why to Write Under a Pen Name or Pseudonym
Important Rules for the Amazon Associates Program
Successful Self Publishing on Amazon
Real Passion Resonates
How to Create Your Ideal Reader Profile -047
How to Create a Freebie for Your Email List

Connect with the Community!

  • Privacy & Disclosure
  • 2020 Workshops
  • About
  • Create If Writing Podcast
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Listen on Apple Podcasts!
I use cookies on this site to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyze traffic. I also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Read Full Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Modern Portfolio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in