In this episode, Peter Brissette, of DM Dude, joins the show for a deep dive into author websites, personal branding, and online presence. Geared toward authors, speakers, coaches, and thought leaders, this conversation explores why your website is not just a digital brochure, but the hub of your brand and business.

What You’ll Learn:

1. Peter Brissette’s two-decade journey in digital marketing and web design
2. Cautionary tales about phishing scams and protecting your online identity
3. How and when authors should start building their website
4. Why your author site should be focused on YOU, your brand, and your expertise, not just your book
5. Insights on building an email list early and why waiting until after launch is a big mistake
6. Overcoming perfection paralysis
7. The importance of branding, images, and professional assets for a standout site
8. The business and marketing mindset every author needs to succeed online
9. Domain name tips: what to do when your ideal name is taken

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Start your website as soon as you commit to writing a book or building a personal brand
2. Invest in your online “hub.” Your site should tell your story, offer resources, collect emails, and connect you to your audience
3. Don’t wait for perfection: launch and improve over time. Your website can always evolve!
4. Build your audience and email list early; these are your true marketing power
5. Add clear calls-to-action so your website actually works for you 24/7
6. Don’t stress if your ideal domain is gone, get creative with initials or modifiers

Resources & Links:

1. Peter Brissette - dmdude.com

Connect With Your Host:

Find more creative marketing tips and personal brand strategies at Tintero Creative Content.

https://tinteroauthorsolutions.com/

Connect with Valerie on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerielmorris/

Loved This Episode?

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with an author or friend who wants to boost their online presence!

Special thanks to Peter Brissette for sharing his expertise and actionable advice for authors and thought leaders.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Mike Klassen’s Journey in Publishing
2. From his unexpected start as a pastor-turned-bestselling ghostwriter to founding Illumify Media, Mike Klassen emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships with authors and maintaining a people-first approach.
3. Misconceptions About Publishing
4. Mike Klassen highlights two common mistakes authors make: believing they can do everything themselves, and underestimating the specialized skills required to produce a professional book. He shares anecdotes about the pitfalls of DIY publishing and the importance of having a knowledgeable, responsive team.
5. The Chaos (and Necessity) of Book Launches
6. Valerie Morris and Mike Klassen discuss the unpredictable technical glitches involved in book launches, the necessity of having experienced support, and why a publishing team can alleviate stress and setbacks.
7. The Role of AI in Authorship
8. The conversation turns to the ethical and practical implications of AI in publishing—from using AI to brainstorm and organize content to the ongoing debates about authenticity and creativity. Both guests agree that boundaries and discernment are crucial as technology evolves.
9. What Makes a 360-Degree Author
10. Mike Klassen introduces his vision for the “360-degree author”—someone educated in every facet of the book creation process, from story craft and typesetting to marketing and leveraging social media. He explains why thinking holistically leads to a more successful and professional book.
11. Mindset & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
12. Both guests address the mental hurdles that keep manuscripts stuck in drafts. Mike Klassen offers direct advice for writers struggling with self-doubt, encouraging them to “get over it” and focus on the message, not personal anxieties.

Actionable Takeaways

1. Surround yourself with people smarter than you—embrace collaboration.
2. Understand the entire publishing process—not just writing—to set your book up for success.
3. Embrace technology, but keep your creative and critical thinking muscles in use.
4. Don’t let fear or imposter syndrome keep your book in the drawer—the world needs your story.
5. Plan for the unexpected; even experienced teams run into new challenges every launch.

Connect with Mike Klassen

1. Website: illumifymedia.com
2. Find resources, set up a call, or sign up for the Power Writers Report newsletter directly on his...

In this episode of Bound for Bestseller, Valerie Morris sits down with author Jeff Kildow to dive deep into the fascinating world of alternative history fiction. Jeff Kildow shares his unique approach to reimagining 20th-century history, the intricate research that fuels his stories, and how his military and engineering background infuses authenticity into his novels.

Jeff Kildow discusses his hit series, starting with Nazi Menace, which explores World War II and asks “What if?” at a critical turning point in history. He explains how his books blend real events with imaginative departures, all while sticking firmly to the technological and societal realities of each era. The conversation also covers his creative process, the importance of detailed research, and the creative habits that help him bring authentic - and sometimes obscure- details into his fiction.

Listeners will hear about Jeff Kildow’s inspirations, his favorite techniques for building compelling characters, the challenges of killing off beloved creations, and his advice for aspiring writers of fiction, especially in the alternative history genre. Plus, discover how real-life experiences and travel inspire his stories, and why authenticity is essential in an AI-driven world.

1. What alternative history fiction really is and how Jeff Kildow creates believable “what if?” scenarios
2. The landmark moments behind his WWII thriller Nazi Menace and its sequels set during the Korean War and Suez Crisis
3. How a military and engineering career translates into gripping, authentic storytelling
4. The importance of research, from historical accuracy to oddball airplane “Easter eggs” in books
5. Writing habits: capturing inspiration, making notes everywhere, and balancing technical detail with engaging narrative
6. Crafting memorable characters, their arcs, and the emotional challenge of “killing your darlings”
7. Advice for new and aspiring fiction writers, including the value of accurate history, avoiding clichés, and leveraging your own unique experiences
8. The crucial role of authenticity and trust for writers in today’s content landscape

1. Visit Jeff’s website: jeffkildow.com for books, updates, and more!

Whether you’re a military history buff, a fiction writer, or just love a good “what if” scenario, this episode is packed with practical advice, entertaining anecdotes, and encouragement to embrace both your left and right brain!

Connect with Valerie Morris

1. Books: We're All Ears: How to increase your impact, influence, and success online in a noisy world
2. LinkedIn: Weekly posts and updates from Valerie Morris
3. Reserve your domain name or set up...

Valerie Morris welcomes author community strategist, Kerry Dobson, to discuss how authors can extend their book's impact well beyond the initial launch. Kerry shares valuable strategies for building meaningful communities around your book that allow you to fulfill your core mission and create lasting change in readers' lives.

1. Beyond the Book Launch: Kerry explains why a book's publication is just the beginning of its journey and how community-building can significantly extend its reach and impact
2. Strategic Community Building: The conversation explores the thoughtful process of creating groups based on a book's content, including:
3. Taking essential breaks after launch to prevent burnout
4. Focusing on just 2-3 implementable key messages from your book
5. Positioning yourself as a guide rather than a guru to overcome imposter syndrome
6. Creating a realistic timeline that respects your audience's capacity
7. The Shift to Authentic Marketing: Both Kerry and Valerie discuss why passive marketing approaches are becoming less effective, while community-based strategies foster emotional connections and loyalty

1. Follow Valerie on LinkedIn for updates when this episode goes live
2. Learn more about Kerry Dobson and her work with authors. Check out Kerry's private podcast: "The Great Group Revolution"

Gift Guide for Authors:

Whether you’re an author yourself, or have an author in your family that you just love to spoil, I’ve got some fun gift ideas to inspire creativity while also helping you stay productive. Sometimes the right tools can help you really get in the mood to write, and some things are simply purely for the whimsical creativity they can spark. Either way, enjoy some of my favorite gift ideas for authors!

Fanciful Pen Holder

This typewriter pen/pencil holder is super cute, and surprisingly solid. Whenever I see it sitting on my desk it gives me a small smile. Even though I’m writing on my modern day Macbook, I can imagine the clickety clack of the typewriter keys and the crank as you push the slide back for a new row.

Library Card Pockets

These old-school library card pockets with cards are a whimsical small touch. Use them for greeting cards, bookmarks with a handwritten note, or stick them inside your own books at book signings or in-person sales. They add a really fun hint of nostalgia and any bookworm at heart will light up at these!

https://amzn.to/4kSvuob

Wireless Speaker

No matter where I set up to write, my JBL portable speaker helps me set the tone and get in the zone. Music sets the tone for me. I personally love using Spotify’s Daily Lift playlist which is personally made just for me! Another

How do you know you're ready to take your ideas and put them out to the world? We're diving into this important question on the podcast this episode!

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Get my gift guide for authors and writers! Here are some of my favorite fun picks for gifts!

The Book Marketing Goodies:

Get my FREE guide for book planning if you're still writing your book. Let's get that manuscript finished! 

Get the book marketing blueprint filled with the framework you need to market your book in a simple, but strategic way before, at, and after your launch!

Download the launch team building guide and class. (AKA how to enlist others to help your book make a big splash at launch!) 

A personal brand is vital for an author, AND for selling more books. Today, we're diving in on why a personal brand is helpful for authors and how it can help you sell more books.

Jump and trust.

Learn and be inspired by artist, Sherri Jones. Hear her perspectives on writing her upcoming book, as well as what she's learned as an artist (and teaching art). She talks about playing it safe versus living out of the box. If you're ready to get inspired to turn your writing into truly a piece of art, you'll love this convo with Sherri Jones!

It's time to live large! Take risks and mess up. Build your bravery muscles as a creator.

https://www.sherrijonesart.com/

Follow on Instagram

_______

Get my gift guide for authors and writers! Here are some of my favorite fun picks for gifts!

The Book Marketing Goodies:

Get my FREE guide for book planning if you're still writing your book. Let's get that manuscript finished! 

Get the book marketing blueprint filled with the framework you need to market your book in a simple, but strategic way before, at, and after your launch!

Download the launch team building guide and class. (AKA how to enlist others to help your book make a big splash at launch!) 

A personal brand is vital for an author, AND for selling more books. Today, we're diving in on why a personal brand is helpful for authors and how it can help you sell more books.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Author Craft Community!

Access Author Craft Community, a resource library that grows every month with new resources and information for authors at an affordable price. https://tinterocreative.thrivecart.com/author-craft-community-for-writers/

Timing is everything and never more important that in book publishing. So many authors obsess over how to pick the right date, so today's episode dives into a few basic best practices to ensure you are being smart with how you pick your launch day.

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Join the Author Craft Hub! A place for authors to get tools you can actually use to guide you through the process from writing to publishing, to launching and ongoing marketing...and more! Members get new resources for each week of the month as well as access to the whole archive. Join today and take the headache out of promoting your writing!

The Book Marketing Goodies:

Get my FREE guide for book planning if you're still writing your book. Let's get that manuscript finished! 

Get the book marketing blueprint filled with the framework you need to market your book in a simple, but strategic way before, at, and after your launch!

Download the launch team building guide and class. (AKA how to enlist others to help your book make a big splash at launch!) 

A personal brand is vital for an author, AND for selling more books. Today, we're diving in on why a personal brand is helpful for authors and how it can help you sell more books.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Author Craft Community!

Access Author Craft Community, a resource library that grows every month with new resources and information for authors at an affordable price. https://tinterocreative.thrivecart.com/author-craft-community-for-writers/

Join the Author Craft Hub! A place for authors to get tools you can actually use to guide you through the process from writing to publishing, to launching and ongoing marketing...and more! Members get new resources for each week of the month as well as access to the whole archive. Join today and take the headache out of promoting your writing!

The Book Marketing Goodies:

Get my FREE guide for book planning if you're still writing your book. Let's get that manuscript finished! 

Get the book marketing blueprint filled with the framework you need to market your book in a simple, but strategic way before, at, and after your launch!

Download the launch team building guide and class. (AKA how to enlist others to help your book make a big splash at launch!) 

A personal brand is vital for an author, AND for selling more books. Today, we're diving in on why a personal brand is helpful for authors and how it can help you sell more books.

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the Author Craft Community!

Access Author Craft Community, a resource library that grows every month with new resources and information for authors at an affordable price. https://tinterocreative.thrivecart.com/author-craft-community-for-writers/

Join the Author Craft Community!

Access Author Craft Community, a resource library that grows every month with new resources and information for authors at an affordable price. https://tinterocreative.thrivecart.com/author-craft-community-for-writers/