Tired of trying to keep your self publishing community engaged with fresh, meaningful content? Expert insights offer your members valuable advice and spark insightful discussions. Use these ready-to-go templates to easily share wisdom from industry leaders and foster deeper participation.
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Expert insight posts harness the authority and credibility of respected voices in self publishing, making your content more trustworthy and appealing. When community members see guidance or quotes from recognized experts, they are more likely to pay attention, reflect, and respond thoughtfully. This format also encourages knowledge sharing and positions your community as a hub for ongoing learning.
Prompting members to share their own reactions or experiences in response to expert opinions creates a two-way conversation. Not only does this validate the range of perspectives within your group, but it also helps quieter members feel comfortable engaging by responding to a respected third-party voice. Over time, this builds a culture of dialogue and professional growth.
Joanna Penn says building an email list is key for indie authors. Do you agree? How do you grow your list?
💡 Example: "Joanna Penn says building an email list is key for indie authors. Do you agree? How do you grow your list?"
Mark Dawson believes paid ads changed the self publishing landscape. Have you tried ads? What was your result?
💡 Example: "Mark Dawson believes paid ads changed the self publishing landscape. Have you tried ads? What was your result?"
Jane Friedman suggests focusing on craft before marketing. Do you prioritize writing or promotion?
💡 Example: "Jane Friedman suggests focusing on craft before marketing. Do you prioritize writing or promotion?"
Derek Murphy says covers sell books. How did you choose your cover design?
💡 Example: "Derek Murphy says covers sell books. How did you choose your cover design?"
Dave Chesson recommends keyword research for Amazon success. Have you tried it?
💡 Example: "Dave Chesson recommends keyword research for Amazon success. Have you tried it?"
Orna Ross encourages authors to treat writing as a business. What business habits help you succeed?
💡 Example: "Orna Ross encourages authors to treat writing as a business. What business habits help you succeed?"
Bryan Cohen says blurbs should hook readers fast. Share your best blurb tip.
💡 Example: "Bryan Cohen says blurbs should hook readers fast. Share your best blurb tip."
Ricardo Fayet suggests updating back matter to boost sales. Have you tried this strategy?
💡 Example: "Ricardo Fayet suggests updating back matter to boost sales. Have you tried this strategy?"
Kristen Kieffer says writing routines build momentum. What is your writing routine?
💡 Example: "Kristen Kieffer says writing routines build momentum. What is your writing routine?"
Sacha Black believes every author should get feedback before publishing. Do you work with beta readers?
💡 Example: "Sacha Black believes every author should get feedback before publishing. Do you work with beta readers?"
Jeff Goins says 'real writers' ship. What helps you finish your drafts?
💡 Example: "Jeff Goins says 'real writers' ship. What helps you finish your drafts?"
Tim Grahl emphasizes the power of mailing lists over social media. Which works better for you?
💡 Example: "Tim Grahl emphasizes the power of mailing lists over social media. Which works better for you?"
Rachel Herron suggests dictation for faster drafting. Has anyone tried dictation tools?
💡 Example: "Rachel Herron suggests dictation for faster drafting. Has anyone tried dictation tools?"
Reedsy experts say genre research is vital before writing. How do you research your genre?
💡 Example: "Reedsy experts say genre research is vital before writing. How do you research your genre?"
Chandler Bolt credits his success to consistent book launches. How do you plan your launches?
💡 Example: "Chandler Bolt credits his success to consistent book launches. How do you plan your launches?"
Adam Croft says pricing can make or break a book. What pricing strategy works for you?
💡 Example: "Adam Croft says pricing can make or break a book. What pricing strategy works for you?"
J.F. Penn recommends using podcasts to reach new readers. Would you consider podcasting?
💡 Example: "J.F. Penn recommends using podcasts to reach new readers. Would you consider podcasting?"
David Gaughran warns against vanity publishers. How did you choose your publishing path?
💡 Example: "David Gaughran warns against vanity publishers. How did you choose your publishing path?"
Libbie Hawker says outlining saves time. Are you a plotter or a pantser?
💡 Example: "Libbie Hawker says outlining saves time. Are you a plotter or a pantser?"
Honorée Corder suggests building author platforms early. When did you start building yours?
💡 Example: "Honorée Corder suggests building author platforms early. When did you start building yours?"
Nate Hoffelder says author websites are essential. Do you have an author site?
💡 Example: "Nate Hoffelder says author websites are essential. Do you have an author site?"
Kevin Tumlinson says wide distribution increases reach. Do you publish wide or exclusive?
💡 Example: "Kevin Tumlinson says wide distribution increases reach. Do you publish wide or exclusive?"
Angela Ackerman advises learning about reader psychology. How do you connect with readers?
💡 Example: "Angela Ackerman advises learning about reader psychology. How do you connect with readers?"
Tom Corson-Knowles says audiobooks are a growing market. Have you released an audiobook?
💡 Example: "Tom Corson-Knowles says audiobooks are a growing market. Have you released an audiobook?"
Bethany Atazadeh says collaborating with other authors boosts visibility. Have you co-authored or cross-promoted?
💡 Example: "Bethany Atazadeh says collaborating with other authors boosts visibility. Have you co-authored or cross-promoted?"
Penny Sansevieri notes that book reviews drive sales. How do you encourage reviews?
💡 Example: "Penny Sansevieri notes that book reviews drive sales. How do you encourage reviews?"
Michael Anderle says writing fast helps build a backlist. Do you aim for rapid releases?
💡 Example: "Michael Anderle says writing fast helps build a backlist. Do you aim for rapid releases?"
K.M. Weiland believes story structure is non-negotiable. What structure do you use?
💡 Example: "K.M. Weiland believes story structure is non-negotiable. What structure do you use?"
David Farland recommends joining critique groups. Do you participate in one?
💡 Example: "David Farland recommends joining critique groups. Do you participate in one?"
Elana Johnson says tracking daily word count helps productivity. How do you track your progress?
💡 Example: "Elana Johnson says tracking daily word count helps productivity. How do you track your progress?"
Nick Stephenson says permafree books can build your list. Have you tried this strategy?
💡 Example: "Nick Stephenson says permafree books can build your list. Have you tried this strategy?"
C.J. Lyons says reader trust is earned over time. How do you nurture reader relationships?
💡 Example: "C.J. Lyons says reader trust is earned over time. How do you nurture reader relationships?"
James Blatch reminds us that first drafts are never perfect. What helps you push through drafting?
💡 Example: "James Blatch reminds us that first drafts are never perfect. What helps you push through drafting?"
Lindsay Buroker says listening to readers improves your next book. Do you use reader feedback?
💡 Example: "Lindsay Buroker says listening to readers improves your next book. Do you use reader feedback?"
Susan Kaye Quinn says persistence is key in self publishing. What keeps you motivated?
💡 Example: "Susan Kaye Quinn says persistence is key in self publishing. What keeps you motivated?"
Alexa Bigwarfe says anthologies are a great entry point. Have you contributed to an anthology?
💡 Example: "Alexa Bigwarfe says anthologies are a great entry point. Have you contributed to an anthology?"
Michael La Ronn encourages learning from mistakes. What lesson did you learn the hard way?
💡 Example: "Michael La Ronn encourages learning from mistakes. What lesson did you learn the hard way?"
Dale Roberts says YouTube is an untapped promo tool for authors. Do you use video marketing?
💡 Example: "Dale Roberts says YouTube is an untapped promo tool for authors. Do you use video marketing?"
Tara Sparling says book titles matter. How do you brainstorm your titles?
💡 Example: "Tara Sparling says book titles matter. How do you brainstorm your titles?"
Joanna Penn says self care is crucial for long-term creativity. What self care habits help you?
💡 Example: "Joanna Penn says self care is crucial for long-term creativity. What self care habits help you?"
If you could ask any self publishing expert one question, who would you ask and what would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could ask any self publishing expert one question, who would you ask and what would it be?"
Which expert's advice has made the biggest difference in your publishing journey?
💡 Example: "Which expert's advice has made the biggest difference in your publishing journey?"
Choose expert insights that align with your community's interests and current challenges. Share a concise quote or summary, then invite discussion with a clear question or prompt. Rotate topics: cover craft, marketing, mindset, or industry trends. Tag relevant experts if possible, and encourage members to share their own views or follow-up questions. Mix up the frequency based on your community's activity to keep content fresh and engaging.
Because these templates are designed for all platforms, format posts for clarity and brevity. Use short paragraphs, highlight the expert's name, and include a direct question or prompt. On platforms with limited space, use succinct summaries. For forums or Facebook groups, consider tagging the expert or linking to their original work. On chat-based platforms, keep prompts conversational.
Include prompts that specifically invite questions about Amazon KDP algorithm updates, effective promotional tactics (e.g., Kindle Countdown Deals, BookBub ads), and real-life case studies from members. This helps the expert tailor their advice to the most pressing pain points in self publishing.
Add dedicated sections or suggested question examples in your AMA template, such as 'Ask about ISBN options for different platforms' or 'Get clarity on copyright registration for indie authors.' This will guide members to bring up these important but sometimes overlooked topics.
Yes, it's highly beneficial. Include template prompts that encourage questions about maximizing royalties, the impact of KDP Select exclusivity on sales, and transitioning between distribution models. These are hot-button issues in the self publishing community.
Use the AMA template to include a safe space disclaimer and suggest specific questions like 'How do you handle 1-star reviews?' or 'What are effective ways to combat unauthorized book distribution?' This reassures members and fosters open, solutions-focused discussions.
Absolutely. Create genre-focused question prompts within your template, such as 'Ask about building a loyal romance readership' or 'Tips for launching a nonfiction bestseller.' This allows experts to provide nuanced advice relevant to different self publishing niches.
Include prompts in the template that encourage questions about setting up and leveraging Amazon Author Central, best practices for Goodreads engagement, and strategies for growing a mailing list. This addresses a critical area where many self publishers seek expert guidance.
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