How one idea created a successful podcast for authors

Great Things Start with an Idea …
What Are You Waiting For?

Six-plus years ago … I had an idea. I didn’t know how to put it all together … or execute it, but I had an idea.

Today, that idea has influenced millions of authors since I finally took the leap and just did it. As 2022 came to a close, over 14 million downloads have occurred.

How exciting is that?

The idea? Start my own online radio show. Today, it’s called a podcast.

Of all the media I’ve done over the years, radio has always been my personal favorite. Whether I was in a studio on a major show/station or talking over the airwaves at 2 AM over the phone, I loved the sense of flexibility; not worrying about whether what I was wearing would clash with my host’s outfit; and usually have more than just a few minutes to develop a conversation with my host—it was my choice. Oh, I did lots of TV interviews with the biggies—the Oprah’s, the Good Morning America’s; the reporter/columnists interviews with the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and People magazines—it was radio that was the most fun … and to me, the most powerful for me as an author expert.

I was ignorant of the “how-to”, but I knew there were others out there who could guide me on the path. And my quest started to connect. I did not what to be my own editor if there was a program hiccup. I needed someone to do that. Nor did I want to deal with anything on the backside in getting it up on iTunes (the only legit option for distribution at the time). I did not want it to look like or sound like a DIY project. All I wanted to do was invite guest experts and create a conversation that would benefit authors along their publishing and book marketing journey.

At a publishing conference I was speaking at, I met one of the principals of Toginet Radio. I signed a contract; wrote a check to kick off a six-month commitment; reach out to potential sponsors with a “Come grow with me” approach … and have never looked back.

My idea would be birthed.

The write-up was created … and is as true today as when the show first debuted:

If you want to write and publish a book … if you want to know the latest in book marketing strategies … if you want to know what tools an author should be using … and if you want to be successful as an author, Author YOU – Your Guide to Book Publishing with Dr. Judith Briles … Everything You Want to Know But Didn’t Know What to Ask is for you. You will hear about statistics, scenarios, and strategies on what to do now! Judith features a variety of experts, besides herself, that are visionaries in publishing, book marketing experts, book design experts—anything that will get your book and YOU as the author—to the next, next level of success.

Sometimes, it’s one step at a time; other times, you will leapfrog up the ladder. As The Book Shepherd, Dr. Judith Briles leads the conversation each week. She will include publishing professionals that will reveal tips and secrets to the author’s journey. Sometimes, she goes solo and just shares her expertise that she has earned and learned over a 40-year period from the publication of her first book. Each week, you will get a new show, no repeats.

If there is a book in you, then you will want to listen and learn each and every week with Dr. Judith Briles, your Book Shepherd.

The logo for the show has evolved. In the beginning, the emphasis was on book publishing.

Then we realized that I was an important component to the show’s stability and people were listening to it because of the expertise my voice wove into each one with whatever the topic was. I had walked the talk through so many elements of publishing that I routinely added to the depth of what my guests shared. So, we altered the logo in 2018.

In 2021, I wanted a change. Another look was added—simpler, contemporary, and easily readable. I liked it.

When AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing birthed, there were just two listeners: hubby John didn’t want me to be alone, so he listened upstairs as I hunkered down with my mic and computer to get my break cues and my producer. In a month, there were 3,000 downloads. By the end of the first year, over 10,000 downloads a month. I didn’t know if I was doing good or not, but I was having fun talking with my guests, sharing ideas, and offering tips for their author and book success.

Today, Author YOU – Your Guide to Book Publishing with Dr. Judith Briles is heard on every major platforms—from iTunes to Google Player and Amazon Music. All from one idea, that started with one biased listener, to where it is today.

My strategy has been to send potential listeners to the show page where they can easily see the most recent six episodes and scroll down for more possibilities HERE. Our marketing has been uncomplicated. Initially, it was posted on Twitter primarily, but then other social media platforms were added. In 2020, we added a single email blast that is sent out each week to my personal email list announcing the show, the topic, and identifying my guest.

That’s the story behind my radio podcast venture. My questions for you are:

What’s in your idea wallet?
What’s your vision for it?
What passion will be the driver for its success?
What will be your commitment to see it through?

For me, I didn’t want to do it alone. I was willing to be patient. And, I got help.

You may not need any. But do open and dive into your idea wallet and just do it.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 44 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.