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Welcome to Paul's Podcast Diary for Monday 2nd September, 2019.
Coming up this week:
- In a specially extended episode I'll be sharing my tech toolkit for indie authors
This diary charts my self-publishing journey – the ups the downs, the successes and the failures.
Everything goes into this diary, week-by-week, but you'll also find it a source of great tips, resources, tools, podcast recommendations and so on.
If you're new to the podcast and want to easily access the back catalogue of podcast diaries, in chronological order, please check out this page.
If I ever miss something out, or you'd like more information, just drop me an email at paul@paulteague.com.
My Tech Toolkit For Indie Authors
It’s important that software services have apps – I do everything I can to use services which are cloud-based. Scrivener is the exception, but I don’t like cloud writing tools. I’d use Google Docs if I wrote in the cloud. I don’t like StoryShop and I LOVE Novel Factory, but I don’t use it for writing.
If you don't have a website, remember that you can build basic landing pages using MailerLite:
My MailerLite sci-fi landing page: https://www.subscribepage.com/paul-teague-sci-fi
My MailerLite thriller landing page: https://www.subscribepage.com/paul-teague
This gives you a simple web presence AND allows you to start building your mailing list straight away.
Website
I use WordPress for my websites: https://wordpress.org/
Note: I do not install WordPress via that website, I use an auto-installer provided via cpanel which my hosting service makes available to me.
I use Siteground's WordPress hosting for building websites – see my referral link here.
I have used OptimizePress for many years: https://www.optimizepress.com/
I use Thrive Themes for marketing related tools: https://thrivethemes.com/membership-pricing/
Elementor is a great, free WordPress website builder: https://elementor.com/
I use the Classic Editor plugin to suppress the horrible new block editor in WordPress: https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/classic-editor/ [this is supported until december 2021]
I use Manage XP to manage multiple WordPress websites: https://managewp.com/
I use Sucuri for WordPress security: https://sucuri.net/
Fasthosts for my domain names: https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/
My WordPress book:
Site security
I use Authy instead of Google Authenticator: https://authy.com/
I'm a big fan of Lastpass for managing my passwords: https://www.lastpass.com/
Web & mobile security
Avast is my preferred security tool for my PC and mobile phone: https://www.avast.com
Social scheduling
Buffer was my preferred tool, the interface is about to go horrible 🙁 https://login.buffer.com
TweetDeck at https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/ and Hootsuite at https://signuptoday.hootsuite.com and both decent alternatives.
MailerLite is my preferred tool – my referral link here
Mailchimp: https://mailchimp.com/
ConvertKit: https://convertkit.com
GetResponse: https://www.getresponse.co.uk
Graphics
PLEASE check out Canva here: https://www.canva.com/
BookBrush is highly recommended if you advertise your books – my referral link is here
MyEcovermaker is a great tool for creating 3D images – my referral link is here
ALSO for image cut-outs https://www.remove.bg/
Writing
The one software you must buy is Vellum: https://vellum.pub/
Scrivener is the ‘must have' writing software: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
Google Drive is a great, free alternative: https://www.google.com/drive/
Video
Camtasia is my ‘must-have' video and audio editing software: https://www.techsmith.com/store/camtasia
Most people use Audacity (but I hate it!): https://www.audacityteam.org/
Podcasts
Libsyn is excellent for podcast syndication: https://libsyn.com/plans-and-pricing/
Auphonic can be used for polishing your audio quality: https://auphonic.com/
Zoom is a great Skype alternative: https://www.zoom.us
Weblinks
Use GeniusD2D for geo-located links – my referral link is here.
ReaderLinks: https://readerlinks.com/
Draft2Digital's linking tool – my referral link here.
PrettyLinks in WordPress: https://en-gb.wordpress.org/plugins/pretty-link/
Accounts [UK]
Trying out CountingUp app – all-in-one banking & accounts: https://countingup.com/
Currently use QuickBooks self-employed, want something that takes less time … quicker to reconcile and MTD compatible: https://quickbooks.intuit.com
Delivering free e-Books
BookFunnel (my preferred service):https://bookfunnel.com/
Prolific Works: https://www.prolificworks.com/
StoryOrigin: https://storyoriginapp.com/
Keywords
Interesting, free keyword tool: https://www.publishingwithlove.com/kindle-kdp-keywords-search-tools
PublisherRocket – for book-related keyword research: https://publisherrocket.com/
KLytics – for hot niche & category research: https://k-lytics.com/
Virtual office address
This is an amazing service for your virtual office address: https://www.ukpostbox.com/
Telephony
I use (and love!) Invoco for business telephony: https://www.invoco.net/
Skype is a must for simple comms: https://www.skype.com
Task management
I use a whiteboard and printed sheets – you can download my printed sheet template here.
I used Trello for recording and organising notes: https://trello.com/
I used Slack for my Military Sci-Fi collaboration: https://slack.com/
Asana is another good tool: https://asana.com/
Here is the task management software that I forgot the name of: https://www.process.st/
Live calls
Zoom is a great Skype alternative: https://www.zoom.us
Skype: https://www.skype.com
Skype for web: https://www.skype.com/en/features/skype-web/
Backups
Google Drive: https://www.google.com/drive/
Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com
OneDrive: https://onedrive.live.com/
GoodSynch is great for to hard drives: https://www.goodsync.com/
Travel – Chrome book:
MacBook simulation
MacInCloud: https://www.macincloud.com/
This week's mentions …
After a lot of thought and a detour to get a decent shot, here is a view of Mt. Baker across the border in Washington State USA, which, due to continuous venting, is considered by some as an active volcano. @PaulTeagueUK pic.twitter.com/Dxzvs55mHr
— Edwin Downward (@edwindownward) August 26, 2019
Paul's Podcast Diary Archive
You can access every episode of Paul's Podcast Diary, in chronological order, here.