Episodes

  • S2 Ep62: Your Best 90 Days Ever - Marketing Insights with Hannah Isted

    S2 Ep62: Your Best 90 Days Ever - Marketing Insights with Hannah Isted
    Jul 7 2024
    If you took small yet consistent action with your marketing over the next 3 months, could they turn out to be the best 90 days ever in your business?

    If today’s guest has anything to say about it, then definitely!

    Hannah Isted is the founder of HI Communications, supporting small business owners with their digital marketing.

    She’s the creator of The Best 90 Days Ever, a marketing membership that shares a quick, daily prompt that shows businesses how to promote their work simply, easily, and fun.

    She has worked with hundreds of small business owners, helping them increase their online presence through workshops, talks, and one-on-one social media management. In her email newsletter and podcast, The Social Sunday, she shares marketing advice to help product and service businesses get out of their own way and share how brilliant their work is.

    Her book The Best 90 Days Ever was released in March this year and shows you how to successfully market yourself with a series of daily 10-minute tasks that fit around the rest of your business.

    During our brilliant chat, we discuss:

    • Her ‘little and often’ approach to marketing and why it can work for you - both as an author and as a business owner.
    • How Hannah has used her marketing skills and knowledge to promote her book - including the importance of her engaged email list.
    • Why using her 90-day programme served as a great way to structure her book - both of us are big advocates for using content you’ve already created, both when writing and with marketing.

    And LOTS more!

    I’ve been a big fan of Hannah’s work for a while now and have read her book twice because it’s jam-packed full of great marketing advice and is written in such an accessible and engaging way.

    I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!
    Connect with Hannah and her book:

    • Book
    • Instagram
    • Website

    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
    • Ways to work with Steph

    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
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    1 hr
  • S2 Ep61: First Draft Fun and Games

    S2 Ep61: First Draft Fun and Games
    Jun 30 2024
    Book eight is on the way! Over the summer break, I’ll be heading into the fun and games of my first draft, and I thought you’d find it interesting - and helpful - to hear how I’ll be preparing, as well as the process I’ll be going through to get it over the finish line.

    During the episode, you'll discover:

    • My 3 step process that I use every time I sit down to write the first draft of a new book
    • How I fit writing in around family, running a business and enjoying the sunshine!
    • The one part of the process I feel is even more important than writing - it guarantees I can complete the first draft in the minimum amount of time possible
    • How I keep myself motivated during the journey to maintain momentum and get the bloomin’ thing written, even when I don’t feel like it.
    And LOTS more!

    Writing a first draft can feel daunting, but with seven books under my belt, I’ve come up with a way to help me get through it successfully - and with enthusiasm! I hope it’s a process that you find inspiring and motivating, too.

    So why not start your first draft this summer? You’ll find the tools you need to help you in this episode.

    Enjoy!

    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
    • Ways to work with Steph

    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters
    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
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    19 mins
  • S2 Ep60: Atomicon 2024: My top takeaways

    S2 Ep60: Atomicon 2024: My top takeaways
    Jun 23 2024
    Every year in Newcastle, there’s an annual sales and marketing event for small businesses called Atomicon - and this year, I went along to listen to some great speakers and learn more about building a successful business.

    Rather brilliantly, I found that while much of the advice given was great for small business success, a lot of it was also applicable to writing success.

    In this week’s episode, you'll discover:

    • My top takeaways from each speaker I listened to - both for your business and the book you’re writing.
    • Why knocking down big dominoes in your business first is a far more efficient approach
    • Why it’s okay to be a hot mess in business and how it can help connect you with your audience
    • How a 90-day focus really could help you write your book more quickly than you ever anticipated

    And LOTS more!

    Going to Atomicon came from a place of FOMO last year - what doesn’t, these days? But for an introvert like me, it was also about pushing myself out of my comfort zone as much as it was going to listen and learn from fantastic speakers.

    Resilience was the key theme at this year’s event, and we all need it in spades—both in business and in writing!

    Enjoy!

    Event links

    • Atomicon 2025 - tickets and info
    • Atomic - Andrew and Pete’s company
    • Davina McCall
    • Jenn Gottlieb
    • Chris James
    • Daniel Priestley
    • Eman Ismail
    • Elizabeth Goddard
    • Dani Wallace
    • Lisa Bilyeu

    Further resources from me

    • More Sales Please - episode 37 with Sara Dalrymple about selling in 30-minutes a day!
    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
    • Ways to work with Steph

    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
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    32 mins
  • S2 Ep59: Who are you writing for and why?

    S2 Ep59: Who are you writing for and why?
    Jun 16 2024
    Getting super clear on who we’re writing for and why is really important before you write a single word of your book. Once you know, you’ll feel far more inspired to write and also a heck of a lot more confident.

    But more than that, your book will work hard for you and attract the right people to your world.

    In this week’s episode, you'll discover:

    • Why it’s important to consider your target audience, personal motivation, and how the book fits into your business strategy.
    • Some advice from a bestselling non-fiction author on the importance of knowing your target audience in the creative process.
    • Three simple activities you can do to successfully identify your ideal reader and get clear on why you’re writing to them.
    And LOTS more!

    I’ll never stop banging on about your ideal reader - because I know how important it is for your book’s success. Creating loyal and passionate readers starts when you put them at the forefront of your creative process - not treating them merely as an afterthought but as the reason you’re writing in the first place.

    Enjoy!

    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

    • Ways to work with Steph
    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
    Show more Show less
    23 mins
  • S2 Ep58: Finding Joy in Your Writing Practice - with Natalya Androsova, PhD

    S2 Ep58: Finding Joy in Your Writing Practice - with Natalya Androsova, PhD
    Jun 9 2024
    Do you look forward to each and every writing session? Do you sometimes struggle to find the joy - especially when you’re knee-deep in the first draft?

    If so, on this week’s podcast, I’ve got a wonderful conversation for you to listen to.

    Natalya Androsova is an award-winning writing and dissertation coach with over two decades of teaching and coaching experience. She has coached professional writers and university writers of all skill levels–students, staff, and faculty. Her passion is helping writers become more courageous, authentic, and kind to themselves.

    Through individual coaching, writing groups, and writing retreats, she’s helped hundreds of writers break through blocks and find inspiration, a more authentic voice, and greater freedom in their writing and their lives.

    During our brilliant chat, we discuss:

    • How to approach your writing as a joyful practice - a little like you might treat a yoga practice - and creating a space both mentally and physically that can help you complete your best work.
    • Managing writer’s block and how to feel inspired and motivated to continue - even when trying to control that voice of self-doubt.
    • The importance of self-compassion in the writing process and how we should all embrace the journey for what it is - full of ups and downs and twists and turns.
    • Natalya’s own writing process and how she approaches each book she writes - and how she uses that to support the writers she works with, too.
    And LOTS more!

    Natalya and I approach the writing process in such a similar way, but what I took from this conversation is how to embrace a more purposeful—almost spiritual—side to my practice and treat it with the love and respect it deserves—that I deserve!

    Natalya’s words really struck a chord with me, and I’ve been working on a more intentional practice ever since. Thank you, Natalya!

    I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!

    Connect with Natalya and her books:

    • Books
    • Instagram
    • Website
    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
    • Ways to work with Steph
    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • S2 Ep57: Mastering Chapter Structure: A Guide for Non-Fiction Authors

    S2 Ep57: Mastering Chapter Structure: A Guide for Non-Fiction Authors
    Jun 2 2024
    Chapter structure - sounds like a yawnfest, right? But before you assume this is one for the insomniacs out there, let me just say it’s something most authors struggle with when attempting to write their first non-fiction/business book in their niche.

    Why?

    Because it’s something we assume will be simple, but when we come to do it, it actually feels rather confusing! Fear not, though. Structure is my bag. My bread and butter. My thing.

    So in this episode, I’m giving you a simple framework for structuring your chapters that will make everything much easier.

    You'll discover:

    • My 4-step structure to writing great chapters - it’s how I write mine and how I advise my authors to write theirs.
    • Why it’s important to have each chapter structured in a similar way - hello, readers!
    • How story can be an important part of each chapter you write and why - we want to hook those readers and keep ‘em hooked, baby!
    And LOTS more!

    So, if getting your chapter structure nailed down has been a head-scratcher for you - this episode will have you out of the gates and writing in no time. No more overwhelm or confusion. Just a simple, straightforward blueprint for you to follow.

    Enjoy!

    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.
    • Ways to work with Steph
    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
    Show more Show less
    14 mins
  • S2 Ep56: The Author Label: When to Own It and Why

    S2 Ep56: The Author Label: When to Own It and Why
    May 26 2024
    Something I’m asked in almost every interview I do or when I’m working with authors is: When is the right time to call yourself an author? It’s a tricky one because a lot of it comes down to our own confidence levels - and that sneaky imposter syndrome we can all feel from time to time.

    But I believe we all need to take ownership of our narratives. So, I’ve dedicated this podcast episode to unpicking why we can feel hesitant to use the ‘author’ label and how we can step into authorship with confidence and conviction instead.

    During it, you'll discover:

    • My own journey to calling myself an author, including the impact of childhood bullying on my reluctance
    • How imposter syndrome can hinder us from embracing the "author" title
    • Why it’s time to claim the "author" label on our own terms, without waiting for permission or milestones
    And LOTS more!

    It’s perfectly normal to feel hesitant to use the term ‘author’, particularly if we’re yet to publish anything. But I believe that the sooner we do, the more confident - and dare I say proud - we’ll feel about our achievements.

    It’s time to step into authorship - are you ready?

    Enjoy!

    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

    • Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.

    • Ways to work with Steph Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
    Show more Show less
    18 mins
  • S2 Ep55: Sell More Books! Maintaining Sales Momentum Beyond Your Launch

    S2 Ep55: Sell More Books! Maintaining Sales Momentum Beyond Your Launch
    May 19 2024
    Selling books goes far beyond launch week - but you know that, right? The challenge can be sustaining momentum and enthusiasm for your book so it continues to sell way past the first few months of its life.

    It’s something I see time and time again from authors I work with - but it’s also something I’ve struggled with myself.

    In this episode, I share some of my best strategies for long-term sales success — from people I’ve worked with (hello, Sunday Times bestseller) and also from authors I follow.

    During it, you'll discover:

    How to sustain enthusiasm and motivation for long-term book-selling
    • Practical strategies for both online and offline sales - it’s packed full of stuff you can start doing today!
    • The simple way in which a bestselling author continues to successfully promote her book on Tiktok and Instagram - years after its release
    • Why I believe long-term selling is challenging for authors and how you can use so much of the content you already have to keep talking about your book long after it’s released.
    And LOTS more!

    Selling books long-term needs a strategy - you can’t wing it or assume you’ll still have as much excitement about your book two years from now. But in order to keep sales coming in, you have to keep talking about it.

    This is an episode that’s going to help you get on top of your selling game - and you’ll walk away with so many fresh ideas and strategies, you’ll be chomping at the bit to get started.

    Enjoy!

    Books/resources mentioned in/linked to this episode:

    • Lucy Werner’s books - Hype Yourself and Brand Yourself
    • More Sales Please - my conversation with sales expert Sara Dalrymple
    • Dr Julie Smith on IG - for book promo inspo
    Further resources from me

    • My book, ‘Dare to Write: How to Write a Nonfiction Book to Grow Your Business,’ is available now on Amazon or directly via my website.

    • Subscribe to my Substack - The Write Stuff - which is full of advice on writing and publishing a book in your niche.

    • Ways to work with Steph
    Connect with Steph:

    Website: https://stephcaswell.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephcaswellauthor/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcaswell/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creatinghappywriters

    Twitter https://twitter.com/stephcaswell_

    Use #creatinghappywriters

    If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review on your favourite podcast platform:
    Apple Spotify Amazon

    Listen to all previous podcast episodes on my website via the podcast platforms below or by searching for 'Creating Happy Writers' on your favourite podcast provider.

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Amazon Music
    Show more Show less
    29 mins