My Search For The Perfect Writer’s Podcast: A Pod A Day Keeps The Brain Rot Away by Keri Kruspe

Let’s welcome back monthly columnist Keri Kruspe as she shares with us “My Search For The Perfect Writer’s Podcast: A Pod A Day Keeps The Brain Rot Away by Keri Kruspe.” Enjoy!

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Through the years I’ve had to endure extensive training in customer service, compliance, and sales. You’d think that working in the same industry for over thirty years I wouldn’t need constant reminders about the same thing over and over.

[Before I became a professional writer, ]

But…you’d be wrong. I wish I had a photographic memory. Unfortunately, I don’t.

Good news is I’m not unique.

Most secular employers have their employees take online tests and courses for the same thing every year, regardless of our tenure in the industry.

Having said that, why would I think running my own business as a writer was any different?

Add to the fact I’m learning my way around a new industry — everything from how to write, how to publish, and how to market my work.

While I have taken numerous courses in the last three years for all three areas, I have a tendency to get overwhelmed and forget most of what I’ve learned.

Enter My Savior: Writer’s Podcast

One way to keep me up-to-date in the industry is to listen to podcasts — not only about how to be a better writer, but also what might make me a successful one who can make a living with it.

So, what I do is maintain a steady diet of various podcasts geared to writers.

For at least thirty minutes a day as I put on my make-up and get dressed for work, I’m listening to the latest episode of a podcast instead of music or the news.

Writer’s Podcast in the Car

Sometimes I’ll play it in my car as I drive to work. That way, I’ve made unproductive time the exact opposite.

Podcasts can deliver some of the best ideas and insights available.

An example is The Creative Penn by Joanna Penn. She’s been a pioneer in the indie industry, having done a podcast for over ten years. I could smack myself for not finding her earlier, but I’m really glad she’s with me now.

I’ve enjoyed her interviews and insights for about two months now. Lately she’s been on a “kick” about AI (Artificial Intelligence) taking over the industry. I would never have known that was even a thing if I hadn’t been listening to her.

My problem now is I’ve only been following three podcasts. As a result, I run out of material before the week is over. I occurred to me it was past time to do some research on other podcasts and broaden my horizons.

I thought it would be great to share with you what I discovered.

Writer’s Podcast: Who I Listen to Now

Here are the ones I currently listen to:

• The Creative Penn – Joanna Penn
• The Self-Publishing Show – Mark Dawson/James Blatch
• Alliance of Independent Authors – Orna Ross
• Quitcast – Becca Syme

The Writer’s Podcasts I’m Going to Check Out

Here are some that I’ll listen to in the next couple of months:

• The Sell More Books Show – Jim Kukral/Bryan Cohen/Abigail Dunard
  • I already follow Bryan Cohen. He was introduced to me by Mark Dawson and his SPF community.
• Helping Writers Become Authors – K.M. Weiland
  • I liked her introduction on her website. She claims she lives in “make-believe worlds, talks to imaginary friends, and survives on chocolate truffles and espresso.” Someone I can totally relate to.
• The Publishing Profits Podcast – Tom Corson-Knowles
  • He’s the founder of TCK publishing, someone whose name pops up a lot on other blogs or podcasts.
• The Story Studio Podcast – Johnny B. Truant, Sean Platt, and David Wright
  • They claim to target not only authors but have a balance of artists and entrepreneurs. They want to provide a helpful info on writing advice and marketing techniques.
• The Book Marketing Show – Dave Chesson
  • I love Dave Chesson from Kindlepreneur. I’ve been getting his emails for months now and never knew he did a podcast.
• Six Figure Authors – Lindsay Buroker
  • I learned about this podcast from an interview she did for SPF. I appreciated that Lindsay talked about my genre — scifi romance — and her experience with it. While that isn’t her main focus, she’s been in the industry for years and started this podcast in September 2019. I’ve already subscribed to it.

I got most of this list from Authority Pub, but there are numerous avenues to check for yourself if you aren’t interested in these. Just type in “author podcasts” on your favorite search engine.

Should You Consider Doing a Writer’s Podcast?

In doing this research, I came across folks questioning whether or not doing a podcast was something an aspiring author should look into. After all, podcasts have been around for over ten years. It’s well entrenched in mainstream and isn’t viewed as just another way of communicating with readers. It could be looked at as a way to connect and deepen the relationship between the author and their fans that email can’t compete with.

Consider this: Someone just finished your latest book. When they get an email from you (whenever you send it), it’s hard to duplicate the feeling they experienced from you book. No matter how wonderful your email is, people don’t usually read long emails.

But people have extra time to listen to a podcast (like I do) because they can on their own time, not when something is sent.

I came across this article by Stephen Campbell concerning this subject. Here is the list as to why he says podcasts are the future (even though this article came out in 2015, I found it relevant today.)

1. Podcasting allows readers to join you when they want to.
2. Smartphones have brought podcasts into mainstream. (I can vouch for that!)
3. It’s not just about iTunes or YouTube. Podcasting in the car is coming
4. The power of subscriptions. (People have an ongoing investment in you. They feel like they know you)
5. For once, you’ll be ahead of the curve.

So, should you start a podcast?

Well, that it’s a totally personal decision. Just keep in mind, if you do…let me know. I’d love to join you every morning as I put my mascara on!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Keri Kruspe has been an author since the age of twelve and has always been fascinated with otherworldly stories that end in Happily Ever After. Author of Otherworldly Romantic Adventures, Keri’s first series is An Alien Exchange trilogy. An Alien Exchange is the first book in the arousing Alien Exchange sci-fi romance series. If you like sexy aliens, feisty heroines, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Keri Kruspe’s steamy space adventure.

Keri now resides with her family in the wilds of Northwestern Michigan. An avid reader, Keri enjoys good wine, good food, and watching action/adventure movies. You can find her most days immersed in her fantasy world of writing or traveling with her hubby in their RV, discovering intelligent life here on Earth. For goodies, news of upcoming releases, sign up for her newsletter at www.kerikruspe.com.