Learn how authors can use Instagram and TikTok for real visibility, without burnout, pressure, or chasing trends that don't actually sell books.

Social media can feel overwhelming for authors. Many writers believe they must post constantly, follow trends, or turn themselves into influencers just to sell books. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, breaks that myth and shows how social media really works for authors.

This episode reframes social media as a discovery tool, not a performance stage. Gürhan explains why visibility matters more than follower counts and how readers often discover books long before they decide to buy them. Instead of chasing virality, authors learn how to build recognition, trust, and long-term momentum.

The episode focuses specifically on Instagram and TikTok, two platforms that dominate book discovery today. Gürhan explains how each platform works, what kind of content performs best for authors, and why you do not need to be everywhere to succeed. Instagram is explored as a relationship-driven space where consistency and clarity build trust over time. TikTok is explained as a storytelling platform where authenticity and emotion outperform polish and trends.

Listeners will learn what actually resonates with readers on each platform, what kinds of posts feel natural rather than forced, and how authors can show up without exhausting themselves. Real author examples illustrate how quiet, consistent accounts often outperform flashy ones, and how simple videos or reflections can create meaningful visibility.

This episode also addresses common mistakes authors make on social media, including posting only sales links, comparing numbers, forcing personality, and burning out through inconsistency. Gürhan offers a calm, realistic perspective that helps authors choose the platform that fits their energy, genre, and communication style.

By the end of the episode, authors will understand that social media is optional but powerful when used intentionally. You do not need to perform, entertain, or sell constantly. You only need to be clear, consistent, and human.

Whether you love social media, avoid it completely, or feel stuck somewhere in between, this episode gives you a sustainable framework for using Instagram and TikTok in a way that supports your writing life instead of competing with it.

Listen now to "Social Media for Authors – What Works on Instagram and TikTok," and learn how to build visibility that feels natural, manageable, and effective.

00.24 ....Why Social Media Feels Hard for Authors

04.04 .... Understanding Social Media as a Discovery Tool

08.16 .... Instagram for Authors, What Actually Works

13.36 ....TikTok for Authors and Understanding BookTok Without Pressure

18.30 .... Which One to Choose Between Instagram and TikTok

21.09 .... Common Social Media Mistakes Authors Make

23.18 .... A Sustainable Social Media Mindset for Authors

Learn how to earn your first 50 book reviews ethically, build reader trust, and increase visibility without pressure, shortcuts, or risky tactics.

Reviews are one of the most powerful and misunderstood parts of publishing. They influence how readers decide, how platforms recommend books, and how visible your work becomes over time. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, breaks down the real role reviews play and how authors can grow them ethically and confidently.

This episode is designed for authors who feel uncomfortable asking for reviews, frustrated by slow growth, or confused about what is allowed and what is not. Gürhan reframes reviews as signals of reader experience, not judgments of talent, and explains why patience and integrity create stronger long-term results than shortcuts.

You'll learn why the first reviews matter more than high numbers, how reviews build trust with readers, and how platforms interpret review activity as engagement. The episode explains the difference between ethical review practices and risky tactics that can harm your book's credibility or limit future opportunities.

Gürhan walks you through the full review journey, starting with preparing your book before asking for feedback, understanding the right timing, and inviting reviews naturally without pressure. You'll hear why clarity, editing, formatting, and reader alignment directly affect whether readers choose to leave reviews at all.

The episode also explores how to get your first ten reviews through genuine connection and how review growth naturally changes once momentum begins. You'll learn why silence does not mean rejection, why reviews often arrive later than expected, and how visibility and reader experience work together to create steady growth.

Real author stories are woven throughout the episode, including examples of slow beginnings, ethical growth, emotional challenges, and how mixed reviews often strengthen trust rather than weaken it. Gürhan also addresses common emotional traps such as comparison, obsessively checking reviews, and reacting to negative feedback.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand that reviews are not something to chase or control. They are the result of trust, visibility, and respectful communication with readers. You'll walk away with a calm, realistic mindset and a clear understanding of how to grow reviews in a way that supports your book, your reputation, and your future publishing goals.

Listen now to "The Power of Reviews – Getting Your First 50 Reviews Ethically," and learn how to build credibility, confidence, and lasting reader trust one review at a time.

00.00 .... Why Reviews Matter More Than You Think
03.47 .... How Reviews Influence Visibility and Reader Trust
08.20 .... What Ethical Reviews Really Mean
13.31 .... Preparing Your Book Before Asking for Reviews
18.19 .... Getting Your First Ten Reviews Naturally
23.07 .... Growing from Ten to Fifty Reviews with Patience and Strategy
26.51 .... Common Review Mistakes and Emotional Traps
30.06 .... The Ethical Review Mindset

Visibility determines whether your book gets discovered, recommended, and remembered — learn how to make your launch impossible to overlook.

Every successful book launch begins with one essential ingredient: visibility. Readers can only fall in love with your story if they know it exists. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, explains why visibility is the foundation of every strong launch and how authors can create it long before release day.

Visibility isn't about shouting the loudest or having the biggest audience. It's about understanding how attention works, how algorithms read signals, and how your early actions influence where your book appears online. In this episode, Gürhan breaks down the quiet mechanics behind book discovery, showing you how simple steps — warming your audience, showing behind-the-scenes moments, preparing your metadata, and sharing meaningful updates — slowly build the momentum your book needs.

You'll hear how visibility forms during the pre-launch phase, long before your book goes live. This is when readers start getting curious, when search engines begin recognizing your content, and when online platforms gather the early data that will shape your book's placement. Gürhan explains why consistency matters more than intensity, and why even small posts can make a large impact when done with intention.

The episode also explores how visibility changes during launch week. You'll learn why reviews, early sales, and reader engagement create a snowball effect, pushing your book higher in search results and category rankings. Real author examples show how a gentle, steady strategy often outperforms big, aggressive campaigns — because visibility is built through trust, not pressure.

Post-launch visibility is another key focus. Gürhan describes how to maintain interest once the excitement settles and how to keep your book present in readers' feeds, minds, and conversations. You'll learn how ongoing updates, thoughtful engagement, and slow, steady marketing habits can extend your book's life long after release day ends.

Throughout the episode, you'll hear relatable stories from authors who discovered the true power of visibility. One author saw her sales double simply by sharing weekly writing reflections. Another gained momentum by building a small but committed early reader team. Their experiences show that visibility isn't magic — it's the result of consistent, human connection.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand visibility not as a mystery, but as a gentle process you can control with the right mindset and steps. You'll know how to warm your audience, how to position your book before release, and how to create the kind of early traction that leads to long-term success.

Listen now to "The Power of Visibility" and learn how to give your book the presence, energy, and momentum it needs to reach the readers waiting for it.

0.26 - Introduction
6.12 - Understanding Amazon Ads
13.21 - Setting Up Your First Campaign
20.16 - Choosing The Right Keywords
27.55 - Budget, Bids, and Daily Strategy
35.11 - Reading Your Report
42.20 - Common Mistakes and How To Fix Them
50.15 - Checklist

Learn how to build buzz, warm your audience, and launch your book with confidence using a simple, strategic plan that works for every author.

A successful book launch doesn't happen on release day — it's built slowly and intentionally in the weeks before. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, breaks down a complete book launch strategy in calm, beginner-friendly steps. From early preparation to post-launch momentum, this episode shows you how to guide readers toward your book with clarity and purpose.

You'll learn what the three phases of a launch really are — pre-launch, launch week, and post-launch — and how each one plays a unique role in your book's visibility. Gürhan explains why pre-launch matters most, how small consistent actions build anticipation, and how to make your book discoverable even if you don't have a large audience.

Listeners will hear practical examples from real authors, including stories of quiet launches, successful second attempts, and simple strategies that transformed weak releases into strong, steady performers. You'll learn how early readers, gentle announcements, and clear messaging influence rankings, engagement, and long-term sales.

This episode also covers the essentials of launch week: how to communicate confidently, how reviews shape your visibility, and how to keep your energy steady without overwhelm. You'll learn how to support your book after release through consistent updates, reader interaction, and small marketing habits that compound over time.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand the full journey of a launch — how to prepare, how to show up, and how to sustain momentum. You'll feel confident knowing that your book doesn't have to "go viral" to succeed. It just needs a focused, thoughtful strategy that respects both your creative process and your readers.

Listen now to "Book Launch Strategy – Building Hype Before Release Day," and learn how to give your book the strong, intentional launch it deserves.

---

00.00 ... Introduction to "Why Launch Strategy Matters."
06.22 ... Understanding the Phases of a Book Launch.
12.56 ... Preparing for Launch.
20.09 ... Launch Week Essentials.
27.20 ... Using Amazon and Social Media Together.
34.45 ... Real-World Author Launch Stories.
42.34 ... Sustaining Momentum After Launch.
49.58 ... Action Checklist.

Unlock the power of metadata and learn how keywords, categories, and descriptions help your book get discovered by the right readers.

Every book has a hidden engine working behind the scenes — metadata. It's the combination of keywords, categories, descriptions, and details that help readers find your book in an ocean of millions. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, breaks down metadata in simple, practical language that any author can understand.
Metadata might sound technical, but it's really about communication. It tells bookstores, retailers, and search engines what your book is about and who it's for. When your metadata is clear and strategic, your book rises in search results, reaches more readers, and performs better in ads. When metadata is weak, your book becomes invisible — even if it's beautifully written.

In this episode, you'll learn how to choose keywords that match how real readers search. Gürhan explains how Amazon's search suggestions, competing books, and reader intent can guide your decisions. You'll see how a strong keyword can be the difference between your book appearing on page one or disappearing into the background.

You'll also learn how to select the right categories, why subcategories matter more than broad genres, and how choosing smarter placements can boost your visibility without manipulating the system. Gürhan shares examples of authors who repositioned their books with better metadata and immediately saw improvements in ranking, sales, and discoverability.

The episode also explores the connection between metadata and your book description. A strong description supports your keywords, reinforces your themes, and helps readers understand your book within seconds. You'll hear simple techniques for writing descriptions that feel clear, natural, and aligned with your genre.

Gürhan also covers common mistakes — keyword stuffing, irrelevant categories, outdated BISAC codes, and descriptions that confuse instead of clarify. Through real author stories, you'll see how small fixes can make a major difference in how retailers understand and recommend your book.

By the end of this episode, you'll know how to view metadata not as a chore, but as a powerful tool. You'll understand how to position your book precisely, how to speak the language of your readers, and how to build a foundation that supports your marketing, your ads, and your long-term publishing goals.

Listen now to "Metadata Magic" — and discover how to make your book visible, searchable, and irresistible to the readers who need it most.

CHAPTERS

1. Intro
2. What Metadata Really Is ... 6.12
3. Understanding Keywords ... 13.45
4. Keyword Strategy in Practice ... 21.01
5. Demystifying Categories ... 28.50
6. Strategic Category Placement ... 36.17
7. Combining Keywords and Categories ... 44.39
8. Action Checklist ... 52.52

Learn the real differences between KDP Select and Wide Distribution — discover which path gives your book the freedom, reach, and revenue it deserves.

Every author faces this crossroads: should you enroll your book in KDP Select and stay exclusive to Amazon, or distribute it widely to reach readers everywhere? In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, breaks down both options in simple, practical terms — helping you choose the publishing path that fits your goals.

This episode explains exactly what KDP Select is, what "exclusive" really means, and how Amazon's 90-day enrollment period affects your pricing, promotions, and visibility. You'll learn about Kindle Unlimited, royalties, and how exclusivity gives you access to powerful Amazon-only tools like free promotions and countdown deals.

But what happens when you go wide — publishing your book through platforms like IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Kobo, or Apple Books? Gürhan explains how wide distribution expands your audience, diversifies your income, and gives your book a life beyond a single store. You'll learn how libraries, bookstores, and global marketplaces handle wide titles and how that affects your long-term strategy.

Using real author examples, Gürhan shows how two similar books can take completely different routes — one exclusive to Amazon, the other wide — and both succeed for different reasons. The discussion covers pricing flexibility, marketing freedom, and how algorithms handle exclusivity versus broad reach.

In this episode, you'll learn:
– What KDP Select actually offers and what you give up in return.
– How Kindle Unlimited royalties work and when they make sense.
– Why wide distribution builds resilience and discoverability over time.
– How to transition from exclusive to wide publishing safely.
– The long-term pros and cons for career authors.

You'll also learn why the decision isn't permanent — it's strategic. Some authors use KDP Select for short-term visibility, then move wide once they build an audience. Others prefer to stay wide from day one, focusing on multiple income streams and international growth.

Gürhan keeps the tone balanced and realistic, showing that both paths can work — it all depends on your goals, your genre, and your timeline. You'll hear stories from indie authors who thrived in Kindle Unlimited's ecosystem and others who built strong, steady readerships through wide channels.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand how to evaluate your priorities — do you want fast visibility and Amazon tools, or long-term independence and global access? You'll walk away knowing how to align your publishing strategy with your career, not just your next book.

Whether you're new to self-publishing or reevaluating your current setup, this episode gives you a clear, jargon-free breakdown of everything that matters: royalties, control, distribution, and growth.

Listen now to "KDP Select vs. Wide Distribution" — and make an informed, confident decision about where and how to publish your next book.

Learn what an ISBN really is, why every book needs one, and how to use it correctly to publish and sell like a professional.

Behind every published book is a tiny code that quietly controls how it's found, listed, and sold — the ISBN. It's one of the most misunderstood parts of publishing, yet one of the most important. In this episode of the Cosmo Publishing Podcast, host Gürhan, co-founder of Cosmo Publishing and Cosmodio Books, demystifies the International Standard Book Number system and shows how it shapes the business side of your writing career.

If you've ever wondered whether you really need an ISBN, or whether to buy one yourself or use a free one from a platform, this episode will make everything clear. You'll learn what an ISBN does, what it doesn't do, and how the right choices can protect your ownership, improve discoverability, and simplify distribution.

Each number is unique to a specific title, edition, and format — meaning your paperback, hardcover, and eBook each require their own. Without an ISBN, your book can still exist, but it can't travel through the professional publishing ecosystem. Libraries, bookstores, and distributors rely on that code to catalog and track sales worldwide.

You'll also learn the difference between ISBN providers, including Bowker, Nielsen, and the free ISBNs offered by print-on-demand platforms. Gürhan explains the trade-off between cost and control: free ISBNs make publishing easier, but the platform, not the author, becomes the registered publisher of record. Buying your own ISBN gives you complete ownership and flexibility to move your book anywhere — from Amazon to IngramSpark to independent bookstores.

The episode goes deeper into how ISBNs connect to metadata. When you register your number, you attach essential details like title, author name, price, and category. This data feeds the global book databases that retailers use to display your book online and in stores. Clean metadata ensures your listings stay accurate, searchable, and professional.

Through clear examples, you'll see how one small error — such as reusing an old ISBN or failing to update metadata after revising a book — can cause serious confusion in retail systems. Gürhan shares real author stories from Cosmo Publishing, including a case where incorrect ISBN assignments delayed a book launch and another where the right setup doubled a title's visibility.

In this episode, you'll learn:
– What the digits in an ISBN mean and how they're assigned.
– When to buy your own ISBN and when a free one might be enough.
– How ISBNs differ from barcodes and how to generate both correctly.
– Why metadata accuracy determines how easily readers find your book.
– Common mistakes authors make and how to avoid them.

You'll finish this episode understanding that an ISBN isn't just a number; it's your book's passport into the world. It connects your creative work to the systems that make it discoverable everywhere — from online catalogs to physical shelves.

Choosing a format isn't just about printing; it's about strategy. Each version creates a different experience for your reader, affects your pricing, and shapes how your work is perceived. This episode walks you through all three formats step by step, using real-world examples from authors who've successfully published across multiple editions.

You'll learn what makes paperbacks the most flexible and accessible choice for new authors, why hardcovers carry authority and long-term value, and how eBooks have transformed how readers discover and consume stories. Gürhan breaks down production costs, reader psychology, and distribution differences between each format, so you can align your publishing plan with your goals.

If you've ever wondered why some books succeed in paperback while others take off digitally, this episode explains it in simple language. You'll hear how physical and digital editions serve different markets and how smart authors use both to build sustainable income streams.

In this episode, you'll learn:
– The strengths and limitations of each book format.
– How printing and shipping costs affect your retail price.
– Why paper quality, binding, and size influence reader perception.
– How eBook formatting differs from print — and how to get it right.
– When to release multiple formats and how to plan the timing.

Gürhan also shares insights from Cosmo Publishing's production team — what distributors look for, how file requirements differ between print and digital, and why consistent design matters across every edition.

Through calm pacing and relatable author stories, you'll see that format isn't just a technical choice — it's a storytelling tool. A hardcover adds weight and permanence to genres like memoir, history, or art. Paperbacks make novels, poetry, and self-help approachable. eBooks offer reach and convenience, letting readers around the world access your work instantly.

You'll also discover how each format influences your marketing. Paperback readers value physical ownership and community. Hardcover buyers respond to design and collectibility. eBook readers focus on price and portability. Understanding these differences helps you make smarter decisions about pricing, ads, and release strategy.

Gürhan shares real examples from Cosmo Publishing authors — one novelist who started with paperback before adding an eBook, another who used hardcover to build credibility, and a nonfiction writer who built her audience digitally before offering a print version. Each shows that there's no single right answer — only the best fit for your goals.

By the end, you'll know how to evaluate your publishing path and balance cost, quality, and visibility. You'll be ready to make an informed decision about where your book belongs and when to expand into other formats.

This episode is for every author who's ever felt unsure about production choices or overwhelmed by technical details. You'll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap for your next release.

Publishing isn't one-size-fits-all — it's about creating the right experience for your story and your readers. Whether your goal is to reach book clubs, libraries, or digital marketplaces, understanding your format options is the first step toward publishing like a pro.